CWSpalehoseCWS

Who knows though what 5 years down the road will be like. The luxury tax limit could be even high than it is now, hell it could be completely overhauled and different after the next CBA. There’s also a very good chance both Harper and Machado will use their opt outs. I’d be shocked if either of them make it through the entirety of their deals. They are both young enough that I think it would be pretty hard to imagine them falling off a cliff before age 30 and not get another payday.

I'd go 10/380 personally.

You'd think after this season they would drop considerably. Lot to be excited about.

I would agree. Not signing Harper or Machado is a failure on the Sox part. They’ve said as much that they have planned for this. It doesn’t make the rebuild a failure, as many people are tying the two together. But it does slow down the rebuild. The Sox have this spending room for a reason. They have to capitalize on it.

All valid points, but it excludes some positives that were unexpected like Luis Gonzalez’s breakout, Aldofo’s power breakout (while hurt), Rutherford showing signs of improvement, some solid seasons from unexpected minor league pitchers like Flores, etc. I don’t think the rebuild is at the point of failure. If Eloy comes up and looks like crap, that’s when I would begin to worry.

Red Sox don’t have a closer ATM so he could get some opportunities if not all of them there.

If Manny wants to prove to his doubters that he is a leader and lead the Sox rebuild, that could be an angle. Not saying that tops the money - that’s still the most important thing. But there are other factors that could come into play if the money is close.

Just remember... with great posting comes great responsibility.

That seems hard to believe.

If this was the case, why not use that theoretical money to shore up actual areas of team needs, like the bullpen and rotation? Harper is a great add for whichever team he eventually signs with, but the Cubs have much bigger areas of need.

Here’s a random theory totally out of leftfield. What if the Sox are a 3rd team in potential trade talks between the Indians and Padres for Kluber? Could that even work? Would the Padres have something expendable and cost controlled the Sox would want? I don’t think the Sox would want to give a prospect to the Indians, but they did just complete the Alonso trade. Edit: I’m not saying the Sox would get Kluber, just act as the third team to help conplete the deal.

Jones can’t really play CF anymore. He’s in the same boat as McCutchen.

No way. Clayton Richard has been in the league for 10 years and has a CAREER WAR of just 1.1

I think the reality of a strike seems very real with or without the status of their contracts. However, I think both sides learned their lesson in the 90's regarding mid-season strikes.

Nothing in particular, just my gut. That random twitter account that no one really knows what to make of said he has big news regarding Harper: Obviously taken with a grain of salt (if he even deserves that). It's harder and harder to stay optimistic as this drags on. Just want all this crap to be over with! I'll never jump ship. What I was getting at is how this offseason could potentially changed the Sox irrelevance. If the Cubs end up becoming a reason that doesn't happen - fuck them. So sick and tired of them being treated like the golden calf of Chicago. We deserve nice things too.

I saw that. I have a feeling I'm going to go from a Sox fan that could care less from the Cub to a Sox fan that hates the Cubs.

No debate - #2

I was thinking about the same thing. They don't really have much depth left, and packing a few guys to move Heyward would only make that worse. Kind of risky move if you ask me.

Totally agree. Unless the Reds actually believe they can flip Puig and Wood at the deadline for better returns than they gave up?

Something tells me Anderson and him in the same locker room would it be a good idea.

Incarcerated Bob (I know, I know!) said we had an off out to him over a week ago. I like the idea of adding him the the bullpen. That slider...

BA released a mock draft for anyone interested: https://www.baseballamerica.com/rankings/mlb-mock-draft/ They have the first 3 picks as follows: 1. ORIOLES - Rutschman 2. ROYALS - Witt Jr. 3. WHITE SOX - Vaughn EDIT: Disregard this, I'm an idiot ?

The Sox have been down that route before and it got them nowhere. Give me the superstar generational talent to put the team on the map and make them relevant. You're making it sound like it's easy to develop a Harper.

I think you've been lucky. I've experienced both sides of the coin with Yankees fans. Like all fan bases, some are great, some can be real unsufferable pricks.

Gavin Floyd 2.0 - with probably a little less upside. He was awful and it took a while for him to be a valuable rotation arm.