Eminor3rd

QUOTE (knightni @ Dec 9, 2015 -> 09:47 AM) This isn't the Filibuster. Criticizing someone's religion or lack there of is not a PHT forum topic. I think his anger is more directed toward the "not here to play the game" part. Seems fair to me.

QUOTE (dpd9189 @ Dec 8, 2015 -> 11:31 PM) Bruce Levine ‏@MLBBruceLevine 34m34 minutes ago Cubs not done yet according to source . Big time outfielder next ? Hayward -Gordan - Car Go ? That's a man in a full-on struggle with his iPhone.

QUOTE (BigHurt3515 @ Dec 9, 2015 -> 12:50 AM) How would people feel about an Avi-Lawrie swap? I assume good Fantastic.

Unbelievable overpay

So see Castro WAS worth jack s*** all along.

Wow, what? Why? Gotta figure Castro and/or Baez is about to get traded.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Dec 8, 2015 -> 11:52 AM) How is Margot a much better guy? Anderson made huge strides this year defensively, and was better offensively and coming in, he was ranked a better prospect by about 20 with MLB.com and BP, and the Phil Rogers doing the ranking BA had Margot about 20 better. The fact that Anderson also plays SS has to factor in as well. They cannot trade him unless it's a really good deal and what is coming back is going to be around awhile. I don't think Anderson being higher than Margot actually represents consensus, and I think Margot's favor has increased over the course of the season and will reflect as the newest lists come out. In commentary on the trade, I heard that some consider him a top 20 guy right now. I think consensus on Anderson is around top 50. Of course they cannot trade him unless it's a good deal -- they can't trade ANY decent prospect unless it's a good deal. My point is that Anderson should not be an "untouchable" guy -- he's a pretty run-of-the-mill mid-100 prospect with great upside and tons of risks/warts. Absolutely valuable, but absolutely not irreplaceable and commonly and rightfully used as trade currency. Like other guys of his ilk, he's still vastly more likely to bust uselessly, which is something you very frequently point out.

Anderson is good, but he's like a mid-top 100 guy. That's a valuable but very movable asset. A much better (Margot) guy just got moved for Craig Kimbrel, for example. Anderson should not be untouchable; every system;'s "number one" prospect is not the same thing.

QUOTE (Y2JImmy0 @ Dec 8, 2015 -> 10:24 AM) I doubt they eat any of it. Not their MO honestly. If that's the case, then Hahn isn't actually shopping LaRoche.

QUOTE (LDF @ Dec 8, 2015 -> 07:14 AM) if the sox were going to go with a big bat as many are expecting, and it will be ok for them to sacrifice a draft pick, why not Chris Davis??? His profile doesn't tend to age well: http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/chris-davis...in-free-agency/

QUOTE (LDF @ Dec 7, 2015 -> 10:05 PM) has anyone ever gone to the winter meeting???? Yes, it's a blast. You can meet to many interesting people, be on vacation at a high end resort, and check Twitter a lot.

QUOTE (shysocks @ Dec 8, 2015 -> 09:54 AM) Well said. If we get those two, and if we see production from Melky and LaRoche that is similar to what we expected when we signed them... Eaton Melky Abreu Upton LaRoche Frazier Avila/Navarro Saladino Sanchez That's a very good lineup. Exorcising Avi Garcia would really do wonders. I want a T-shirt that says, "Exorcise Avi!"

QUOTE (Kalapse @ Dec 8, 2015 -> 12:57 AM) Yes, this, yes. A great way to waste precious time and recourses is to chase the antiquated lineup "fit", when in reality you should be looking for substantial improvements in whatever form they present themselves. Just because Heyward is going to maybe hit a dozen HR less than you'd like when attempting to supplement this power starved offense, doesn't mean you overlook how much of an upgrade he is in every other facet of the game compared to other options. In my mind he actually draws comparisons to the offseason's hottest geezer in Zobrist, minus some of the defensive flexibility. He's the wise pickup of the offseason, even if he commands the highest position player payout. Indeed, and ESPECIALLY when your team needs help in so many ways. The offense is power-starved, yes -- but it's also OBP starved. And the defense is, well, defense-starved.

QUOTE (OmarComing25 @ Dec 8, 2015 -> 07:16 AM) http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/what-would-...tion-look-like/ The whole idea of lineup protection is generally overstated. Thanks for posting that, so I didn't have to

It would be terribly sad and short-sighted if the Sox actually DON'T make a move because they can't find a way to move the final $13m owed to LaRoche. Make the right moves, THEN worry about reclaiming some LaRoche money. If you can't, then that's the price of taking a gamble, Mr. Reinsdorf.

QUOTE (Lillian @ Dec 7, 2015 -> 09:16 PM) If the Sox spend the kind of money needed to acquire someone like Upton, Heyward or Gordon, that would preclude any other big signings. Therefore, unless they are willing to trade a starting pitcher, the guy whom they sign better be their much needed clean up hitter. Who would fill that role better, Upton or Heyward? I continue to believe it doesn't make sense to target guys based on traditional batting order roles. The most important thing is that a "good hitter" will be added somewhere in the first four slots. Using that logic, Heyward is clearly better, as he adds a left-handed threat (the one LaRoche was supposed to add) and substantially improves the defense at the same time.

Bill Plunkett Verified account ‏@billplunkettocr Latest percolation in Nashville -- #Dodgers deal for Chapman not finalized yet because might be part of multi-team move. #beentheredonethat MYSTERYTEAM

As a long-term move, Upton makes sense on the surface -- the swing in productivity on both sides of the ball from Avi to Upton would be staggering, and the guy is only 28 -- but the cost is high, even if he's "worth it" in terms of dollars to productivity. Realistically, if you're going to have "building block" players that eat up ~$20-25m of your yearly payroll, you have to be willing to continually increase said payroll to patch up the holes that inevitably appear elsewhere. The Dodgers make it work, but the Sox have yet to show such a tendency. Otherwise, it ends up as more of a "HAIL MARY" move, like the Padres just became famous for. I can't support a move for Upton in that context.

QUOTE (bmags @ Dec 7, 2015 -> 10:44 AM) I think this is real. Now, lucky for him, with the royals success even non-closers are getting paid 10 million per now if dominant. But this is certainly a risk. I don't think there's a ton of evidence that teams are still paying free agent money for saves / NOT paying for holds. Arbitration, now, is another story.

QUOTE (LDF @ Dec 7, 2015 -> 10:28 AM) above avg to great players starts off as a prospects. But the ones that are 25 years old and signed to long-term, below market rate contracts are what you HOPE the prospects turn into. Those guys are the epitome of "building blocks."

QUOTE (GreenSox @ Dec 6, 2015 -> 10:44 PM) I'm okay with Upton if they get rid of Melky and trade Eaton. Avi-Trayce-Upton is a much better OF. Much rather sign Upton than trade young players to rent an overrated fraud like Frazier. For the life of me, I don't understand this obsession with moving Eaton. Why in the world would you sign a $100m+ outfielder just to cancel the gain out by getting rid of a similarly valuable outfielder who makes 80% less money?

Despite Lawrie's recent mediocrity, I'm pretty sure he still has significantly more value than Avi.

I can't imagine Hahn committing substantial resources to starting pitching this year.

QUOTE (Sockin @ Dec 4, 2015 -> 01:41 PM) Sale calls Hahn to discuss direction of Sox I think the implication that non-tendering Tyler Flowers indicates any sort of "direction" is funny.

QUOTE (knightni @ Dec 4, 2015 -> 08:31 AM) Pick up a bad contract in the deal, but at a more useful position (Ethier, Crawford, Frazier) ?