shakes

Yes, I know. Did you not catch the hyperbole in my joke? That was the point.

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This is wild. Impressive the Sox are able to restock the system the way they are, while graduating the type of talent they have. They are definitely going to need trade chips the next few years at the deadline and may even have some depth for once when injuries hit.

If you don't know what hyperbole means than you are the dumbest human being that ever lived, or this is the worst joke in the history of mankind.

I know Ticketmaster started working towards this idea for concerts - a while back. I know someone on that side of the business, and many venues and bands have no income streams and just aren't going to make it if they can't get open, the major sports will make it. It is definitely an incentive to get people vaccinated. When people see an opportunity to start doing things they want, it will outweigh some of the crazy conspiracy theories. I do agree overall that the season should wait until the players get vaccinated and start the season later if necessary. It's going to take longer to work out how and when to get fans back, but if everyone puts their shit aside there are reasonable ways to safely play a slightly shorter season, and eventually get fans back. Not all of those things have to happen at the same time.

True to a point, but the differentiator in CF is the ability to come in or go back, That's where KW, a former outfielder himself, carried that philosophy and thought a 57 year old Griffey and Rob Machowiak could be regular CF's.

Anything I can do to add to your riveting posts and prose.

The league and it's history is littered with defensive specialist backup catchers. That same history doesn't point to a mutiny on a pitching staff. Pitchers have preferences, but they don't make or break a pitcher or it's staff.

That's a real concern you have?

I don't know if it's used anymore in coaching circles, since there's more data driven metrics, but it used to be referred to as 'spot recognition'. Instinctive outfielders will identify the 'spot' they need to get to and put their head down and get there. Mike Cameron used to be used as the example as the best at this, it's what made him such a good outfielder and a part of what allowed him to play so shallow. It was another way to reference angles and efficiency.

Now we know someone in the front office is leaking this to the Beef. Only the Sox would consider this a brag. It's that or this account has a fantastic sense of humor.

I don't agree for this year. Kopech hasn't thrown a meaningful inning since 2018 and we all have hopes for Cease, but this is win now. I want someone that Katz can work with that has better stuff than Q and we can be utilized in a more modern approach. Katz can work with Cease, Lopez, Kopech and whomever to fill in the backend slots and bullpen. It's just a preference. Adding Q wouldn't be a bad thing, I just think there is room to take more upside risk. If the Sox can show they can help turn around someone like Archer, or keep Paxton contributing that can attract more projects in the future, since it looks like there may be a lot of 1 year type contracts in the Sox near future.

I'm in agreement. I would like to go after some higher upside like Paxton/Kluber etc., assuming we take a more Dodgers type approach with HIll and Maeda to use them conservatively to have them available and healthy all year. I think 6 starters and bullpen days will be needed this year, and is a good approach in general. I think Q has a lot of overlap as a poor man's Kuechel, and I prefer the upside now that Lynn is here and there are three innings eaters. I also think counting on Kopech for anything is a mistake, and would prefer we start stretching Crochet out in the minors.

Lock up Al's Christmas Beef? I think it was PortillosHamberger who is breaking this signing.

Any chance you guys can take this offline? We are trying to belabor an actual signing, that is a topic that appeals to the masses, and it hasn't been fully beaten into the ground yet. Thanks

Well, Todd Frazier and Laroche had plenty they contributed to that, and so did Sale. They were all better at cultivating a public personality than Eaton, but there was plenty about each of these people that could easily rub others the wrong way. That was a horribly constructed clubhouse. And don't even get me started on Ozzie. Eaton is definitely far from innocent, but I think he got the bulk of the blame and that wasn't totally fair. I get those who don't want him back - it's a fair argument- and is likely an unnecessary risk, but that fits the TLR decision and theme of the offseason. I've been one of the loudest members here against the TLR hiring, but I think he can handle an Eaton in the clubhouse.

Smoky bars for me. My dad even had me bring in candy to sell (fundraiser for little league), and it worked. *That sentence highlights acceptable parenting in the 80's that would not fly today

Didn't anyone follow the Hawks during the dollar Bill days? Or the Bulls post Jordan? Liking Chicago sports teams is why fan is a derivation of fanatic. It's not logical, and is against the better judgement of reason. Chicago has terrible ownership who has a history of spitting in their fans faces. I think for a long time the Bears have just been inept, where as Jerry, and old man Wirtz before he passed, truly don't give a shit about the fans. They are money making business for them.

Did Abreu and Eaton not get along? Why am I not remembering this.

I read it this way too. If LaRussa can't manage a clubhouse with Eaton on a one year contract, we are going to have bigger problems. I think Eaton the player fits better than the other options, and a veteran with sustained success can have a pass for last year. Joc is the profile that fails here nearly every time. Eaton's time will also need to be managed to keep him healthy, again something we have to accept that TLR can manage. Only giving him 7 million is a win. RF to me is a small hole and you should have average, with potential to be above average performance with Eaton and Engel. I think people have been underplaying outfield defense if you are going to try and jam in Eloy with a Brantley or Schwarber type. Robert is a God out there, but he can't cover for two butchers all season. The savings, just like the Lynn deal, do need to be invested elsewhere though. Please keep signing pitching.

The best way to fix soft is to get someone with attitude to spend most of his time on the DL.

The Lynn trade shut the door on Bauer(not that it was ever happening). If anything, it signaled they still may be in on Springer, but obviously that's closed too. The question now, with these two low cost additions, where is the money going to be spent?

I am so not aligned with this board right now. ? I actually like this signing. He's a more well rounded player, and discounted because of last year, particularly when he can be rested a couple of times a week. He's at best their 7th best position player, so doesn't need to be a career outlier performance for him to contribute. I think the clubhouse stuff may have gotten pointed heavily at him, when that was a real toxic mix. No doubt Eaton is a personality not for everyone but he seemed to get along just fine in Washington. That entire clubhouse mix was a disaster last time.

If this happens, this is a good trade. If there is no extension or significant re-investment of the savings then I think differently. Another starter for next year is key to all of this. I don't think the 4, 5, and 6 starter spots can be counted on internally after giving up Dunning. I truly think teams are going to need more than usual pitching depth this year- or they will have to operate more like Oak/TB tp fill in innings. I don't like Q to be honest, I think with Cooper fine, but I'd like to see Katz be able to identify and work with some higher upside guys like Paxton/Kluber/Archer or find the next late bloomer like Morton or even the Lynn turnaround. I just want to see some different thinking and development.

Where does the Sox payroll # sit with Lynn added?