Caulfield must be salivating at this lineup...
1. 2B Cronenworth
2. SS Tatis
3. RF Soto
4. 3B Machado
5. 1B Bell
6. LF Profar
7. DH Voit
8. C Nola
9. CF Grisham
Must be nice to add 3 all-star level bats at the deadline...
I was just saying how San Diego's offense looked bad yesterday, but now they just added Soto, Bell, and Tatis will come off the IL soon.
The Sox aren't cheap, they're just terrible at spending money. Part of the problem is JR's unwillingness to give out huge contracts. They're too risk-averse when it comes to premium players. What they don't understand is that over-spending and setting the market on mid-level players is even more risky than spending big on a few premium free agents. See: Dallas Keuchel and post 2021 Yasmani Grandal.
Lopez was a starter until late last season. He had a 2.16 ERA as a reliever last year. His stuff ticked up when he moved into the bullpen. Instead of throwing mid 90s he started throwing around 99 and his stuff just plays better.
I'm just surprised the market for him was that low when all we've been hearing about his how many teams are interested in relievers. He's not even a rental.
Looks like they didn't give up a whole lot. The 2 low level pitching prospects could be anything. Povich is a 3rd rounder from last year that's treading water in A+ ball. The Yankees actually gave up a top 10 prospect for Effross and the Twins got a seemingly better reliever for less.
The Orioles must know something the scouting publications don't about the 2 guys in the low minors. Otherwise the headliner to this deal is a guy ranked in the 20s in the Twins system.
The Sox are one of the top ground ball hitting teams in baseball. Nobody else hits more to the opposite field than the Sox do. It's clear that the players are listening to Menechino and it's not working.
Nothing special. We probably could have beat it if we wanted to, especially if the trade didn't include Stratton. Oviedo is 24 and no longer a prospect. Nunez is 21 and in AA. I'm guessing the Pirates probably wanted Kelley or maybe even Vera and Hahn said no. Which is probably the smart move.
The 03 team was the exact opposite of this team. They'd score 10 runs a few times a week and get shutout a few times a week. Almost nothing in between.
The only time they got an extra base hit the didn't even score him. How the hell are you gonna preach a consistent singles hitting offense when you can't hit the singles when you really need them?