CWSpalehoseCWS

I'm not saying he'll make the team out of ST. He shouldn't. But he's been impressive this spring. He could be a guy that allows the Sox to move on from Rondon or Yolmer. I don't think he's every going to be starter material. I view him as a solid future infielder off the bench.

I think Mendick makes Yolmer and Rondon expendable later in the year. He seems like a guy who will have a solid bench role in the Sox future.

This honestly is something to recognize and celebrate to a certain degree. As terrible as the Sox were this offseason in being able to land a premium FA talent, they did just set the record for a rookie contract. It doesn't absolve them for their massive fumble, but I honestly never thought we'd see this with the current ownership/FO group.

You’d think. Unless they want him to get his timing down in Charlotte? Seems odd to sign him after sending him down. He’s the best OF right now.

Thanks, just wanted to throw this in here there too but you responded already: Full article here: Link

This is very important, but isn't always 100% fool proof. We don't know the intricacies of what each one of these guys are doing as they prepare for the season. I recall a few Buehrle outings in ST where he literally threw nothing but fastballs just so he could get a good feel for the pitch, and he got hammered. For all we know, Lopez was told by Cooper to initiate contact in this start. Guys are still in preparation mode for the season. Positive takeaways from this start is Lopez is healthy, appears to be fully stretched out for the season, and left the Sox in position to win.

I really hope this happens. The NL Central is going to be a hell of a ride this season.

This blows. Giolito, Kopech, Cease, Fry, Bummer, Burdi, and now Dunning. Has there ever been that many key guys for a rebuilding team go under the knife?

I hope not. I don't see what the Sox see in him other than another body.

This doesn't seem like a Sox move at all. I'd be shocked if this was real.

Probably opens the door for someone like Fulmer or Marshall to make the team. Not the most ideal, but whatever.

Rock bottom would be Moncada, Lopez, Cease, and Eloy going down with major injuries. Could always get a whole lot worse. Sox aren't at that point.

That would have been really nice. Seems like the Sox have always come up short. Lot's of Plan B's past few years (Fulmer, Burger).

Absolute head scratcher. Frare and Bummer deserve a shot over this guy. He's out of options too, which means he'll get first crack over them. I was wrong - he has 1 option left.

This rebuild has the KC blueprint all over it. It will heavily depend largely on the prospects all making an impact at the major league level. This is not a rebuild like the Cubs (referring to the Lester/Heyward signings). I don’t see the Sox adding impact talent via free agency. We’re going to get complementary players signed and talent via trade to fill holes.

Yoan-Bomb!

Nice comeback from Bummer to get the K.

Yea, I really like the little bit I've seen. I still think we'll always see a high-K guy, but that raw talent is finally going to start producing results.

At least it's still only ST. He very well could be working on something. At least the velocity is there and he had a nice curve to get the K in the first. Guy reminds me so much of Floyd it isn't even funny.

https://www.mlb.com/tv/g567255/vd6dd2774-f6b3-43ef-b192-82add2c73fa4#game=567255,tfs=20190310_200500,game_state=live

I think Zavala is dealing with a minor injury.

I understand that, I just don't see much of a market for him. It's crazy to think guys like Kimbrel are still out there. He's been the best closer in baseball and is only 30. The market isn't changing any time soon.

Certainly would be one way to get fans to forget about Machado/Harper! Seriously though, fuck no. It's bad PR, and they don't need additional negativity. There are plenty of other arms out there that can make an impact in the future. The whole question on whether he deserves an opportunity is a moral mind fuck of an argument to try to apply reason to. He pleaded guilty - bad legal advice or not, he then tried to cover it up. Who knows what really happened there, but just stay far, far away from that baggage that is going to follow him for the rest of his life. Especially when MLB is so involved in youth programs. Seems like a disaster waiting to happen if he indeed is a molester.

I honestly don't know if he is going to want to risk it. He didn't exactly have a big market the first go around, and now he is a little older. Couple that with the fact he is a legit DH, already 15 teams are eliminated from his market. Yankees won't be in on him, and I think it would be pretty easy to eliminate most of the remaining AL teams (Orioles, Rays, Tigers, Twins, A's for instance). I'll be interesting. If he can put up 40 bombs again, maybe... But if he has anything that looks like regression, I could see him playing it safe. Plus he is on Boston. Not like there are many better teams available.

I don't really see Martinez opting out. Even if he does, I don't see the Sox going after him. They won't be a top player for one of the best FA available. If I had to pick out of the list who I think stands the best chance to be on the Sox come 2020, it'll be one of Marcell Ozuna or Khris Davis. For pitching, I'll go with Michael Wacha, Jake Odorizzi, or Rick Porcello. Those guys seem much more within the Sox standards of FA (2nd tier and down). Though I would be completely shocked if they are actually able to convert on any starter. We're going to hear a whole lot of "won't go beyond 4 years" with these guys thanks to JR's inevitable contract restrictions. I'm pretty convinced they are going with the sink-or-swim mentality regarding catcher. I really have a gut feeling we're going to most likely see Zavala/Collins as a platoon. I simply have zero expectations on what they will actually be able to convert on within the market after this disastrous offseason.