JUSTgottaBELIEVE

And yet organizations like the Indians and Rays make these types of trades all the time and barely miss a beat...

I’m not suggesting they tear it all down like they did three years ago. I’m looking at trading two players that are about to get expensive in the relatively near future and hit free agency in four years for high end, MLB ready prospects that align with Lubo, Madrigal, Vaughn etc.

The Sox plan this offseason has been insufferable to this point. I’m generally optimistic when it comes to the team but this is brutal. If they trade for Price that will just put it over the top. IMO, the pivot I suggested is a far wiser course than trading for another 34 year old overpaid has-been and thinking that puts you over the top. Plus, we know Hahn is effective in those types of trades based on history (those trades being the ones where he trades a young big leaguer for elite prospects, not the other way around).

Correct. Either we’re going for it or we’re not. If we’re in the middle, we are simply wasting years of control on Moncada and Giolito as they reach arb next winter and their trade value starts to diminish.

I sure hope we aren’t sitting in the Indians’ position two years from now after another two years of not contending and looking to trade those two guys as they get “expensive” in their later arb years.

It’s highly unlikely the WS are a legitimate contender in 2020 based on how this offseason has transpired. It’s also become apparent that the timelines of the first wave of prospects, specifically Moncada and Giolito, do not align particularly well with the next wave of prospects and long term pieces like Eloy and Timmy, especially if 2020 is another lost season. I’m sure the fans would crucify them for this so they won’t do it BUT I’d strongly consider trading Moncada and Giolito right now while they are at peak value. If someone like Lindor can potentially fetch May and Lux from the Dodgers, what would a guy like Moncada return in his final season of pre-arb? The demand for 3b around the league is huge right now (partly why the Rockies said they would listen on Arenado). Same with Giolito (goes without saying that demand for high end starting pitcher is through the roof). Why not target high end, MLB ready prospects for those two so that they better align with the forthcoming promotions of Lubo, Madrigal, and Vaughn? Prospects I would target in trades: May, Lux, Gray (Dodgers) Adell, Marsh (Angels) Gore, Patino, Baez (Padres) Pache, Wright, Waters (Braves)

Considering Rendon is the better player of the two and doesn’t carry the same character red flags that Machado does, he SHOULD get 10/350 if he were three years younger. It doesn’t change the fact that 10/300 was fair market value for Machado and not some kind of under market great value deal as others were stating. And despite being two years older, I’m willing to bet that Rendon is the more productive player of the two over the next 7 years.

Posters were arguing Machado was under market value at 10/300. Rendon’s contract disproved that theory...

Yea, I’m taking Rendon at 7/245 all day over Machado at 10/300.

Again, they could have moved money to resign Machado if they REALLY wanted him or just paid the luxury tax for the one year. Bottom line, they didn’t think he was worth $300M. Try to excuse it how ever you want but that’s the truth.

From a “value” perspective, I’d take Rendon at 8/$260M over Machado at 10/$300M. Let’s see if Rendon beats that number. Harper was always overhyped. Very good player but what has he done to deserve a contract near $400M?

Yep. Supposedly the Yankees and Dodgers didn’t have the money but now they do a year later? If they really wanted Machado they could have found a way to fit him in.

It’s exactly what was predicted at the start of last offseason.

Ok but you framed it in a way that Manny was so much more affordable because the big boys were out of the bidding. I don’t believe that. Not when he got $300M from the Padres. And from the Sox perspective when looking at these two $300M players, signing Cole would address a much bigger need for the team than Manny would. I realize they aren’t in on this one but I’d take Cole 10/10 times over Machado and apparently the Yankees would too.

But he still got $300M(!) where’s the bargain in that??

People say that but it still would have cost the Sox >$300M(!) to sign Machado. It wasn’t some kind of huge bargain because the big boys were sitting that one out (even the Yankees wouldn’t go that high on Machado).

Neither of us know for certain but the point is people were laughing at the idea of 6/132. “No way he’ll get that.” Whelp

What’s so funny? 6/132 likely would have gotten it done. Unfortunately, 5/120-125 did not...

Don’t worry, they’re on their way.

It’s a fair question. I’m not sure they extend Eloy or give Jose 3/50 if they had signed Machado.

Eloy and Abreu are different cases. One they had control of for years without an extension. The other they could have let walk this winter.

Sox said the money will be spent. They didn’t say how or over a certain number of years, just that the $250M would be spent. Looks like they’re on track to do that this winter alone.

No. I’m not on Twitter. After the first two signings and being the rumored leader on Wheeler, it’s the first question that came to my mind.

And the future is so bright, in part due to the reasons you mention above. No reason this team can’t be a perennial division contender or favorite over the next 4-6 years. Get in and anything can happen from there...

I am assuming they sign a high end starting pitcher, which I think is very likely given how this offseason has started. Again, I’m not a huge fan of Grandal but he was a tier (or two) above Cabrera and LaRoche. Abreu is more in line with those two. And a high end starting pitcher > Robertson.