Quin

So, what can the Yankees and Mets offer for Cease? I also know that Dan Clark is...flimsy at best.

The crazy part about the Dodgers is you didn't even mention them letting Seager, Pederson, and Bellinger all walk. Pederson was definitely on the decline until Atlanta and Bellinger needed to get healthy, but you're framing it perfectly: Friedman has built such a continuously strong system that he's been able to trade for big names while also planning around this offseason for a long-time.

Logic: 2-way players don't really pan out outside of Ohtani. Me: Yes, that's fair. MLB Pipeline: Jac has a 70-grade fastball and 65-power. Me: Son-of-a-b****, I'm in.

This is why he's doomcasting them. Cause Friedman exists on another plane than Preller.

Astounding

If the Sox don't trade Cease to Baltimore, I'm worried SoCal will raze Guaranteed Rate

If Seth Lugo is worth 3/$45M and Glasnow + a salary dump (unless it's Randy instead of Margot) is worth Pepiot/DeLuca, Cease's value has to be climbing, right?

Rosenthal citing MLB Nerds is hysterical

I love an ownership trying to win. And it's funny because even though they have the massive payroll and they've continuously added superstars year-in and year-out, the only ones they've signed as free agents are Freeman and Ohtani.

Randy is either pouring gas on fire for the hell of it or the Dodgers are on a true warpath.

Friedman went to the ownership group and said "here's my plan, how much can I afford." They told him all of it.

I'll root for him regardless of team, even the Cubs.

"Gio and Flaherty can probably be had for cheap on prove it deals, wanting to reunite with Katz." Getz: "Mike Soroka and Erick Fedde are your #1 and #2."

Well, hopefully you get at least one OF prospect back for Cease. And if you can get out from his contract, that's future money that be spent improving the team, clearing space for other prospects that may need to move to a corner spot, etc. He's dead weight for this team's future, so there's no reason to keep him if someone wants him.

This statement is all I need to know that you're not taking this seriously.

How you gonna raise and dash my hopes like that Francys?

And even with all the ifs. If Fedde or Soroka are dealing at the deadline, you should probably trade them. If DeJong or Lopez are playing well and teams want defenders up the middle, you should trade them. If Yoan, Eloy, or Benintendi are playing well and teams are willing to their contracts? Trade. Stassi? Depends on Quero.

Jerry Reinsdorf has left us with like 10 drops of water inside of a novelty glass. I say this as an eternal optimist. 2025 may be interesting if everything goes right. But this rebuild is just as doomed as the last one if Jerry refuses to spend.

Really, any improvement has to come from: Healthy contract year Moncada Healthy, motivated Eloy Head-on-his shoulders Colas not in Pedro's doghouse Sosa/Rodriguez emerging at second base or Lopez having a .347 BAPIP that he had 2 years ago instead of the .250 range that he has had the rest of his career Benintendi playing like he did prior to be a White Sox Andrew Vaughn developing Prayers in the bullpen Korey Lee hitting better than Zach Collins Colson Montgomery being the guy we hope he can be Kopech's arm strength holding Mena and Nastrini reaching the major league level and having absolutely no growing pains Edit, forgot two: Hope Mike Soroka regains his 2019 form, like Yoan! Bank on KBO form Erick Fedde (I'm actually super intrigued by this)

Phenomenal news for the 2025 White Sox.

Somehow, TA wins a batting title in LA.

The Sox fan in me wants Yamamoto sign with the Yankees to put pressure on Baltimore. Then the baseball fan in me wants to see LA sign him and trade for Cease to build an absolute monster and basically dare the other owners to step up their game.

James has been Rick Hahn all this time and we never figured it out.

I'm ready to see the Braves to turn Lane Ramsey into a monster.

I mean a few years ago someone did Kershaw's hypothetical per pitch earning and it was $9,477. Man makes more than my annual salary in an inning.