JUSTgottaBELIEVE

What players of significance have the Guardians lost due to injury? They gotta be the healthiest team in baseball this year. To say the Sox haven’t been hit hard by injuries is disingenuous. Guys like Robert, Moncada, Kopech, Lynn, and Grandal spent good portions of their seasons playing with nagging injures even if they weren’t on the IL at the time.

Not true. They may value him more as a runner than a passer, hence, 8 rush attempts to 11 pass attempts.

Who else would they start?

Quintana/Wacha are Giolito replacements if they trade him. Someone like Gibson is back end #5/#6 depth piece.

I think they’re going to trade Giolito personally and either acquire a SP via trade or sign someone like Quintana for that #4 spot.

Probably because they already know what they have in Fields

Why not? He’s earned it imo. I have no problem going into next season with Cease/Lynn/Kopech/Giolito/Martin. You can always add one or two cheap depth pieces like they did with Cueto and Velazquez this season. Guys like Quintana, Wacha, and Gibson suit the bill for cheap veteran depth.

I think they’re too far ahead to catch but unlike cleveland the Sox do hold the head to head tiebreaker over both Tampa and Seattle. They would need one of them to collapse over the final two weeks to make things interesting. Seattle has a soft remaining schedule but Tampa’s is brutal - 1 vs TEX, 6 vs HOU, 4 vs TOR, 3 vs CLE, 3 vs BOS. 6-11 or 7-10 is certainly possible, which means the Sox would have to finish 13-3 or 12-4. Tall order

Do they have zero depth after the regulars? I guess I never looked at their extended roster and upper minor leagues that close.

I haven’t really followed the Twins lately but what is this lineup? Never heard of like half these guys.

Wow, don’t think I’ve ever seen Cleveland squander 2nd and 3rd with no outs in a late game situation like that. Hopefully that’s a turning point.

Small ball = winning baseball

Small ball!

Small ball! That’s refreshing

Who says bunting is dead?

Yea, I could see the Sox moving on while they can still get something for him

I would have tested Robert there

Uh huh. Wouldn’t surprise me if they trade him this winter. Just not sure he’s worth much.

Well, we know one thing is certain, Giolito will go through the arbitration process and squeeze every last dime he possibly can.

He’s going to get AT LEAST $10M. I’m not an expert on arbitration and salaries but my guess is he gets between $12-14M. This version of Giolito is NOT worth that kind of money.

Well, of course. But anyone criticizing the pitching for not being good enough needs to account for this godawful defense. With even an average defense, the pitching is top 3 in the league. I truly believe that.

I’m arguing that a team with limited resources like the Sox shouldn’t be spending said resources on the rotation this offseason. There are far bigger issues elsewhere on this roster. I will start with one: defense.

It’s obvious at this point but the starting pitching (and relief pitching isn’t the issue). It’s the defense. Time and again we see it rear it’s ugly head at the most inopportune times.

So when they bring him back next season you won’t criticize the front office right?

I’m not the one playing the what if game, you are. And the bottom line is the starting rotation has been above average despite its flaws. That’s just a fact.