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Pitching is more volatile with injuries so it's more important to stock up on it.

I disagree. Lean into the strength of having quality pitching to keep the offense down. Obviously, both are needed. However, I like the idea of starting with the pitching then moving to hitting.

I disagree. With offense going down, pitching is more valuable than ever. Start with pitching then move to position players. Looks like they have at least one good one in Thorpe.

Could be. It's been so long, I can't remember that far back.

Dis he have surgery? I thought it was conservative care.

Sure. Once you are cleared to play it doesn't mean there isn't going to be soreness as you ramp up to full playing time. That's to be expected as you increase playing time. That's what the rehab assignments are for. Perdo is odd in his explanation but it's probably exactly what happened.

If you want to look at it that way, I guess. If he's cleared, he's cleared. You are assuming the medical team isn't treating him properly.

You would prefer that they don't tell people that he is cleared?

True, but there were other teams after that which were going to pass on him. The Cardnials were just one that wasn't overly concerned.

I don't see him as captain panic. He seems very patient and thorough with his process. I thought the handling of the Cease trade was good.

They weren't the only team that thought this.

With Moncada that's not uncommon. Medical clearance and the player being ready do not always coincide. This happens on both sides. Sometimes the players wants to go prior to full medical clearance, other times they are cleared but don't feel comfortable. I'm sure the Sox wanted to get him back to possibly build value to trade him.

I totally disagree with the comment about the Sox medical staff. I agree with the fact that the Dodgers have the luxury of handling him differently. With the revenue the team generates they can afford to have pitchers who misses a good deal of time or miss entire seasons and just buy another one.

I agree with the trading part. That's why I'm wondering about the spending. Trading Skubal, and spending big seems to be opposite philosophies.

Just like any negotiations. They go down to the last second to try to get the "last, best, final offer" Frustrating.

Again, it's not that "it's a good half" or that he isn't a unicorn talent. It's with his history and current usage can he continue to stay healthy with continued use this year and into next year. And is it worth the risk to sign him to a long term deal with this history. The talent isn't in question. The question is can he stay healthy enough to justify keeping him and giving a deal or would they get more value from a trade with prospects.

That would be spending. Would they have any money left for anyone else then? That will be interesting to watch

What makes you think the Tigers will spend? Their payroll is 24 th in the league and is 40 million less than the White Sox.

No worries. It probably came from me saying he has only done it for half a year. That was meant more to point out that he hasn't done it for a full year from a load perspective not that he has performed at a high level for "only" half a year.

That would probably be the way they would handle it. Personally, I would shut him down for the year since the team is awful and I wouldn't want him to add that much stress on his body compared to his previous workload. Then add more next year. However, it doesn't appear they will do that.

To be clear, I've never downplayed his performance in any of the discussion. I've questioned whether it can be continued this year and into the future.

I agree. It may hit him next year. However, he could also be overloaded this year. He is an excellent talent and it's up to the GMs to decide on his worth based on his history and use. The teams will need to weigh the risk of the possibility of him being unavailable. It's a gamble.

Again, the discussion isn't to downplay his accomplishments. As Ray Ray said he is having a season that few other pitchers have ever done. It great and great to watch. However, for the success of the team going forward, what is the best move for the team.

True, and he has already missed time. Just because he got that contract doesn't mean it was smart or that any team other than LA can afford to pay hom thay much to pitch part of a year.

That's not the point. The point isn't that he isn't having a great year or isn't a great talent. Or that it isn't fun to watch. The point is that is with his injury history and use this year: 1. What is his value in a trade 2. Is he worth giving a long term contract to.