JUSTgottaBELIEVE

But here’s the thing. Palka legitimately has no position in the field. To carry a DH only guy, that guy needs to post a wRC+ of 130 or better. The odds of a 27 year Palka becoming that are slim to none when you consider his average walk rate and high strikeout rate (34.1% last year!) The odds of a productive Alonso returning a 40 FV prospect are greater than Palka turning into someone worth carrying on the future roster. Just my opinion of course.

Yep and that’s all I was getting at. The other thing that is overblown around here is how bad of a fit he is for this current roster. Alonso is not the bad fit, Palka is. It’s really that simple.

The move helped the White Sox this year (if not in the wins column, it at least provides Yoan and Eloy with additional support at the top of the lineup and perhaps a mentor which is more important than wins/losses this year). The move may or may not have helped the Indians this year. If it did help the Indians a little bit, which again I’m still doubtful it did, then what’s the big concern? If the Sox were legit division contenders it would be a completely different story but they’re not. For these reasons, I am fine with the acquisition of Yonder Alonso.

You all are the ones saying the trade helped the Indians a bunch. I don’t think it did as I’ve stated above but, if it did, what’s the big deal? It only helps them this year, a year in which the Sox are not contending and actually helps the Sox long term if the Indians were otherwise planning to trade Kluber last winter...

Couldn’t one argue that in the long term this approach actually helps the Sox? The Sox aren’t contenders this year anyway. So if the Indians were helped ever so slightly this year who cares? Let the Indians hold on to their starters another year as they try to contend this year, which only further diminishes their trade value (age plus years of control) and pushes their rebuild back another year or more once they do tear it down.

Just because they spent that money on multiple players this season doesn’t mean they were willing to spend that same money on Machado. And yes, I’m glad they missed on Machado. The Padres did the Sox a favor.

Sure, if the Sox had added Cargo on a one year deal I would have been fine with it. He’s an upgrade over Palka. Did the extra $6M that Alonso cost the Sox prevent them from signing anyone of significance? (and no it wasn’t a factor in the Machado signing)

And what have they done to improve their team with the $6M they saved? They are running out a poor defensive 1b and old man Hanley at DH. It’s great to save money and all but it doesn’t mean anything for the wins column if you don’t spend it to address other weaknesses.

Last year, Alonso 97 wRC+, Gonzalez 96 wRC+. You won’t want to see the comparison in 2017 since it won’t fit your narrative. I’d bet Alonso has a greater wRC+ than Gonzalez again this year.

It’s only an issue because Palka is on the roster and, quite frankly, he shouldn’t be. Alonso can at least play a position in the field competently. Palka can’t. He’s the problem, especially because his hitting doesn’t justify him holding down a roster spot as a DH only.

33 year old Carlos Gonzalez outside of Coors won’t be pretty. Again, who did they sign of significance with the money saved?

I’ve thought both Alonso and Jay were fine one season additions regardless of the Machado pursuit. Who else would the Sox be running out there in their place? Palka and Engel/García? We already know what we have there and it’s not pretty. None of those guys should be on the MLB roster for the next contending team anyways. At least Alonso and Jay provide some strength to the top of the lineup to relieve some of the pressure on the young guys as they develop.

People keep saying this but why does it matter? Cleveland cleared payroll for this season but for what gain? It’s not like they signed anyone of significance with the additional payroll flexibility and he was gone for them after this season anyway. I didn’t think Cleveland’s downfall would really start until next season but they seem extremely vulnerable to losing the division this season. They may have a tough time fending off the Twins, especially if Lindor misses a significant amount of time.

Fixed it for you ?

Yes, it’s been his aggressiveness and decisiveness in all counts, not just early in the count. His entire approach. That’s the turning point if he maintains it.

No, not really.

I realize this was a sarcastic reply but it’s not just a 5 game sample size that gives reason for optimism. We’re talking about a former #1 MLB prospect, one of the most talented international prospects we’ve seen in the modern game, and a physical specimen that it was obvious to anyone watching last year had a ton of raw talent but lacked the proper mental approach at the plate. The fact that the mental approach has changed is very significant. The current optimism (at least in my eyes) is less about the results and more about his change in approach, which was also apparent during spring training. He is being much more aggresive and decisive at the plate, which consequently leads to increased confidence. The results are a byproduct of the mental game catching up with the physical one and, did I mention, he’s still just 23 years old. The sky’s the limit. For all the haters laughing at my posts last year and again this year in support of this guy, well, they can suck on it. Yoan is primed for a breakout, perhaps even one year sooner than I would have even predicted.

Which is why I think dangling another $60M guaranteed in front of him would be awfully enticing, especially if it still allows him to hit free agency no later than age 30.

Not just talking the cost to buy them. Cost of ownership. What does insurance and maintenance cost on ultra luxury cars like those? I know a standard oil change on a Lamborghini is like a couple thousand bucks.

I wonder how much these bad boys cost? https://weei.radio.com/blogs/rob-bradford/yoan-moncada-has-3-really-nice-cars-his-own-logo

Ask Scottie Pippen and Mike Tyson how quickly millions can disappear...

Yep let’s lock this kid up thru 2025 so the young core of Eloy, Moncada, Madrigal, Robert, and June’s top draft pick are all controlled for the next 6+ years.

Because guaranteeing that money provides the Sox with team options on him in 2024 and 2025. That’s the benefit from the Sox perspective. From Moncada’s perspective it’s $60M guaranteed. Yes, he already has money in the bank but another $60M guaranteed is (1) more than he’d make thru the arb process and (2) more than double the amount of his initial bonus. So even by a rich man’s standards, it’s a significant payday.

That seems like it’d be a steal for the Sox. I was thinking they’d have to guarantee him ~$60M thru 2023 and then team options in the range of $18-20M. He hits free agency at age 30 if the team picks up both options, age 28 if they don’t.

Maybe but if someone dangled another $60-70M guaranteed in front of me it would be awfully difficult to pass up even if I already had $25M in the bank (probably far less than that after accounting for taxes but that’s besides the point)...