JUSTgottaBELIEVE

I don’t expect his bat to offset his eventual decline defensively. I’ve always been suspicious of many guys on that Orioles team, and now that Manny got his money I expect we will see a decline in his offensive performance, likely as soon as this season. Ironic because the Sox tried so hard to get him, the fans were pissed they didn’t, but then will be grateful they missed on him in a few years when the Sox are in the midst of their contention window.

I’m looking forward to a few years from now when Manny Machado shows up on one of those annual “top ten worst contracts in MLB” lists. The irony will be splendid.

Yes and that was a ridiculous overreaction. That’s a really bad club. Probably 110 losses this season. Hard to imagine any scenario that doesn’t result in the Marlins, Orioles, and Royals as the top 3 picks in the 2020 draft.

Man it would suck to be an Orioles fan right now. They are BAD and little hope for turning it around any time soon.

Speaking of dumpster diving...McCann has been so much better than I expected. 856 OPS now after that bomb.

A great time to be alive

Bottom line, the Sox were going nowhere fast with Eaton, Sale, and Q on the roster so it’s only up from here compared to where they were from 2013-2016.

Well, that’s a bit dramatic. Anyways, a playoff appearance and perennial division contender for the next few years (which is what I believe the Twins are) would be a heck of lot better position than the Sox were in pre-rebuild don’t you think?

I guess you were too young to watch the Big Hurt. That’s too bad because he was awesome to watch. And don’t worry, Yoan Moncada will soon replace Chris Sale as the best Sox player you’ve been able to watch since the start of their entire career...

You are assuming the Twins’ recent rebuild will result in only one wild card appearance. As I stated earlier, I believe their window is still open and will be for a few more years still.

Oh, and to answer your direct question... I’m sure most other Sox fans on this forum will not be happy because anything short of mirroring the Cubs’ recent run will be deemed a disappointment...

Honestly, right now I’d be happy with a playoff appearance in 2021 and to be in the position the Twins are in currently in 2023 given the futility the last decade has brought the Sox organization. Heck, even a .500 record will seem like a huge success since it’s been 7 years now since they’ve even sniffed that...

Injuries happen. Buxton and Sano are still a big part of their present team and future. Buxton is a 4+ WAR player when healthy and both guys are still just 25 years old. And how can you say their window is right now when they still have a top 10 farm system and two top 10 MLB prospects that will be with the big club early next year? We can only hope they don’t start spending some money because if they do they are going to be really tough the next few years.

Not saying they are but get in and anything can happen. It’s baseball. Before the playoffs started, how many people took the 2005 White Sox to win the World Series even after they led the AL in regular season wins? Most here thought they would get bounced in the first round.

Again, I didn’t say they’re a juggernaut but making the playoffs in 2/3 seasons and perhaps the division favorite next year is better than most teams can say over a 3-4 year period. FWIW, per fangraphs, they have better current odds to win the World Series this year than the Phillies and nearly the same odds as the Cubs...

How so? They’re in a good position to make the playoffs 2/3 years and their outlook is still bright over the next few years. They are just 4 years removed from having a top farm system and still hold a top 10 system.

You’re talking like the Twins’ window with that group of players has completely closed. Their window is still very well open. I wouldn’t be surprised if they won the division this year.

I agree but I was responding to a post that implied the Twins top 3 farm system in 2015 amounted to nothing because a handful of their top prospects failed to live up to expectations. They’ve got a good shot of playoffs in 2 of 3 years and may very well be the division favorite in 2020 assuming they fill their expiring vets through free agency or trades. It’s been a long time since the Sox were in a similar position but I’m confident it’s coming soon.

And the Twins made the playoffs in 2017 and look like a division contender this year. All while carrying a team payroll in the bottom half of MLB. They still have a top 10 farm system as well. I’d say they’re set up pretty well to serve as the Sox biggest division rival over the next several years.

Robert and Madrigal are both locks at CF and 2b imo (assuming health of course). Not saying they are surefire all stars but they are as close to surefire mlb regulars as you can get for still being in A+. That’s 5/9 positions filled with a really good shot of filling a 6th via the draft in 6 weeks. Collins would be a lock for a 7th guy if we knew he could stick at catcher because that bat will play. Each one of those guys is under team control thru 2023 at a minimum and even longer if Rick can find a way to extend Moncada. This provides the organization with a ton of flexibility to fill remaining holes. The Sox lineup next year will be more complete than any they’ve had since 2012 and in a couple years their lineup could rival the 2006 team.

And that’s the beauty of having so much of the young core already in place. Provides tremendous flexibility for mixing and matching to plug and play FA secondary pieces to fill holes.

Considering his performance over the past 9 months, I have to imagine Tucker’s stock is down. Likely still a top 50 prospect but no longer top 10. And I’m not sure the Astros want to rely on guys like Peacock and Miley down the stretch and into the playoffs plus they lose Cole after this season. Is there another starting pitcher that will be available this trade deadline that is better than Rodon?

I think Tucker and Alvarez or similar package would be enough for me to make the move.

Here’s the thing that’s most exciting. It doesn’t take a whole lot of external help (maybe 1 and at most 2 offseason additions) for the lineup to begin looking really formidable as early as next year. Heck, even with the dead weight they’re carrying this year, they already have the best offense in the division. Their team wRC+ of 112 currently ranks 9th in MLB and this is with guys like Engel, Palka, and Sanchez receiving a significant number of ABs.

Or they could just promote Dylan Cease