ScottyDo

That doesn’t mean that’s how it’s going to work for all players or agents. Particularly Boras.

I don’t know why you think you can force the market onto your schedule like that. If Ryu or Keuchel is Hahn’s target, they’re intentionally not signing on the timeframe you propose and it makes no sense to pause until they’re ready to sign. This is what that looks like. If they sign neither and make no impact trades, then the pressure is really on. But you have to wait for the offseason to unfold to know whether they did a good bad job.

I’m also in DET, I didn’t realize Hulu had these broadcasts! Hopefully the MLB.TV blackouts just end but if not it’s nice to know how I can get past that next season! Thanks y’all

In your scenario where Mazara is good and we're sad he leaves in 2021, then is he not contributing to the window being open? Still makes no sense. And the only scenario in which Mazara "Blocks" Betts/Springer is if he's very good. If he sucks, they can still sign whoever they want next year. I repeat, there is no downside to acquiring a player cheaply who ends up being good. That shouldn't be a controversial statement. Whether or not he WILL be good is a different question.

Ok yeah this is uninspiring but it's still Dec 11. If this is it, squarely a bad offseason for the Sox. No question. What makes no sense to me is people complaining that, if he's good, we're going to lose him in the middle of our 4 year window. Umm, yeah, if he's good we have a good player for half our window? There's no downside to Mazara being good at baseball for 2020 and/or 2021. I don't think this is all that likely a scenario, it's just a nonsensical argument.

I mean this is pretty much the definition of buying low

WTAF. Trades, scrap heap or DIY forever then I guess? What a mess.

Here's the list of pitchers who have signed to 6 or more year deals. The list is more palatable as bmags suggested.

I literally just sorted contract by length and grabbed the first screen to make a quick point. The only pitcher to sign for 8 years is Maeda, and I would put his contract in a different category entirely. If I weren't selecting arbitrarily, I would probably admit to cherry picking. But it does bring up the point that nobody in history has felt comfortable giving a pitcher 8 years and blockbuster bucks at the same time.

I framed my point incorrectly. I guess what I mean to say is, the hit rate on impact contracts there is way lower than you'd hope. Teams that made pushes arguably because of the above signings: BOS, SF, NYY, ATL, ?LAA?, ??TEX?? Out of 14 teams that gave out 8 year contracts. EDIT: Admittedly, the jury is still out on some of them. Still, pretty dismal results if you ask me.

?‍♂️ Don't see a lot of perennial contenders on that list This does kind of speak to bmags' point, though, in that only position players have ever gotten 8 year deals (aside from Kenta Maeda who signed for $25M total plus whatever posting fee, doesn't really fit the bill) and they've largely looked ugly

Forget the money, would anyone actually want the Sox to offer Cole a >8 year deal? I, like many others, don't give a shit about Reinsdorf's money, but I do think that duration would be pure insanity and I'd prefer they stay away from the big boy table if that's the kind of ludicrous gambling they're up to. It's unbelievable that this is where the market has taken us.

Where have people been digging up those Statcast batted ball graphics? You know, the ones that look like sliders? Curious what Mazara's looks like overall and vs. RHP

Is lefty Avi really that bad in an otherwise competent lineup?

Agree, this has the potential to be a good move in some contexts. If it even happens. Lots of overreaction happening. If this is all RH does, then...yeah, it sucks (I still think it sucks less than some seem to, though).