JoeCredeYes

I got a lot of grief on here for claiming AV could put up similar numbers for (essentially) free and letting Jose walk was the right move. I'll pat myself on the back even though AV ain't what I thought he would be.

Hahaha, I had a similar experience with Pedro on July 1st last year in Oakland, was sitting 2nd row behind Sox dugout, felt like 110 degrees on the field that day, not a cloud in the sky. Dylan was shaky all day and clearly exhausted by the end of the 5th, Pedro sends him back out there for the 6th so I started chirpin at him to get an arm up. Cease promptly gives up a triple followed by a double to cut the lead in half, gave him a little "what'd I tell ya!" Sox blew it in the 10th and I wasn't happy with Pedro's pen mgmt so I gave him a "THIS ONE'S ON YOU PEDRO! THIS ONE'S ON YOU!" I have a pretty booming voice anyway but from that close he actually jumped a bit, he turns around and stares right at me, gave him the most angry thumbs up I could muster and I turned for the concourse steps. I got to the top and turned around, dude was still staring daggers at me, he def wanted to take me to the wood shed. If only he had half the brains he does ego he might be able to hold down a job. Edit: Not my proudest moment, but it makes me laugh to think about him turning around and seeing my big dumb face giving him a thumbs up

You mean I should stop comparing rookie pitchers to HOFers after one start?!?! ? Totally agree, was just a fun start to watch a guy with an elite pitch like that right out of the shoot. Hope he sticks and has some success here.

If my memory serves Maddux sat around 90-93. Of course he had insane movement and a ridiculous curveball, but velo is not the be all end all if you can have elite control.

100% Pretty refreshing to see a young guy come up that isn't just trying to beat you with velo and throwing a ball through a wall, but actually pitch.

Yeah guy just looks the part, strong frame and lower half and can really move/show agility when he needed to. If he can develop some more cut on that cutter and maybe work in a sinker at some point to pair with that change he'll really be able to keep guys off balance. Even those few cutters he threw last night that didn't look like he had good control on induced a couple fly outs in deeper counts. I know Padres fans were not keen on giving him up and thought he might already be better than Cease (they've all changed their tune since Cease has dominated). But looks like we got a decent one back for sure.

We're talking about a guy that forced out the greatest team sport player anybody had seen in history in favor of money, which is the only thing he's devoted to.

Olson and Alonso have nearly identical OPS and OPS+ numbers for their careers, Olson certainly the more complete player and got to the bigs sooner. Goldschmidt got 5-$130M 4 years ago and was 32 when he signed, Pete will be 30 and one of the best bats available, he's got zero reason to give anybody a team friendly deal.

Alonso's Spotrac estimated market value is 8 years $263M, I doubt he'll get that much but he'll get way north of $100M if he stays healthy all year and he's a Boras client. 2025 free agent class after Soto is dismal, there's a less than zero chance he signs with the White Sox.

Remember when a large majority of this board thought DeJong was a downgrade from TA?

I don't disagree with any of this, but how much of Kopech's issues are due to him just being an incredibly un-intelligent person? People always beat around the bush with his "personal issues" and "mental health" concerns. Let's just call a spade a spade here, the guy is just a mimbo, right?

New CBA anti-tanking lotto rules dictate that if you are a non-revenue sharing team or "large market team" you cannot pick in the top 10 in back to back years, if you are a revenue sharing team you cannot be in the top 10 for 3 years in a row.

And Jose Abreu is a -1.1 WAR after 51 ABs and a -22 OPS+.

Jose Abreu currently has a -7 OPS+. I can't recall ever seeing a negative OPS+ in my life.

Do we have confirmation on the corresponding move yet? I find it hard to believe ILoy is ready, already.

Lololol I literally just read the new propaganda piece from Merkin with the headline "With warrior mentality, Eloy pushes forward" then cruised over here to find out he just hit the IL. Somebody put this clown show franchise in a body bag already.

Yep, two of the more frustrating guys I've ever watched. Moncada looks like a different guy so far this season on the effort front, shame he decided to coast through his tenure here and will never reach his full potential. Robert at least appears to try, but goes through such brutal stretches where he looks lost and caught in between. Hopefully Robert figures it out here soon and goes on a run, guy is quite fun to watch when he's locked in.

What's maddening about this is he appears to be taking breaking pitches away much better so far this season, but now can't catch up to the heaters over the plate.

Yeah, I more meant it like some uber rich team that doesn't really need Soto will get him and the rich will continue to get richer while the Sox further fade into obscurity.

I can't wait until the Dodgers pay Soto $600M to DH for 10-12 years. There are no quick fixes on the FA horizon even if Jerry wanted to spend money, it's probably time to get serious about trading Robert.

Did Fletcher even put wood on a pitch this weekend? He looked like he wouldn't be able to get a fungo around on low to mid 90's heaters...Woof.

So obvious that he remained unsigned until late February.

NL not get the memo that he can't pull the ball in the air?

Gotcha, was hoping that was the case.

Nastrini not on opening day roster.