raBBit

Sox didn't decided to release Burr today. I feel like if it were truly nothing they would go public with it right away. Just my 2 cents.

N/A

No. I really don't know. Like I said. The Sox positioned themselves to be able to make a move.

Basically this.

He's going to be out for the majority of 2020 recovering from TJS.

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Also, not totally clear how people feel about Merkin and it seems like there is a spectrum of opinions here. That said, you can make points towards his loyalty (been covering the team for 15+ years) and that he writes for MLB.com as factors that are potentially limiting his objectivity and I would get that. I would imagine that Scott is limited on information that he can go public with (the Sox want to break their news themselves) and he often knows more than he lets off. Without a doubt, he is very much in the know and established around the Sox decision makers who everyone knows don't change too often. Whether you like his work or think he's the best source of Sox info is one thing, but his insight should be taken seriously. No doubt about that.

That's fine and you make a reasonable case given the information publicly available but like I said, things should become more clear this week. They were going to cut Yolmer either way. Them cutting Yolmer and making another cut on top (we'll see) is 100% them positioning themselves to be capable of making a move. Whether they can seal the deal is another story but I will go far as saying that they have positioned themselves this week to be in position to strike this week. That does not mean they will convert on their target but it does mean they're not ruling it happening and happening soon at that.

I think this is invalid thinking. I think Wheeler (and Donaldson for another example) is a free agent that is entirely inconvenienced to strike early and ensure they are not bogged down by teams having Cole/Stras (or Rendson) as plan A. Wheeler isn't a Boras guy and likely doesn't want to wait until February to sign. Rendon and Strasburg have the luxury of the Nationals being involved. They can play the waiting game and if it doesn't work out their way they can fall back on what I would expect to be a very fair offer from the Nats' ownership later in the offseason. 1) Just bullshit. I largely moved away from any type of reporting last year. The Sox were very confident and had the top offer on Machado for a matter of several weeks. A week before pitchers and catchers reported a Maverick GM with a Maverick owner swooping in and blindsided them. 2) Post your source that the Sox never made an offer on Harper. If you can't it's safe to say you're just a liar. You know how Balta is. No you're a liar who wants attention. Any work you have done in the past pales to your lying.

Also, Sox didn't have to non-tender Yolmer until 12/2. Why'd the jump the gun by over a week? Sure, teams do it regularly but it's worth noting.

I am not saying it's necessarily happening but I do like our changes. And to be clear, when I was actively trying to get information I had more than one source of info. In any case, this info is me clumping together info/work from others. Things should become more clear this week. Sox are positioned to for an add to the roster in the short term. I am not at liberty to speak to it but Yolmer isn't the only move happening with regards to the 40 man. I do think the Sox are beginning to get confident but that doesn't mean the Padres or Phillies or Twins don't swoop in and blow away their offer. In before people bring up Sox being confident on Machado (btw I think everyone is well aware of that now and for the remainder of the offseason so the reminders aren't so much needed).

I do

I guess if Abreu regresses slightly and becomes a 23HR/80RBI guy with a .280/.315 slash, what would he get on the free market as a 1B DH? Strangely enough there aren't many guys that compare well to Jose.

Do not love that third year. 1) Jose is a 1B only and a shitty one at that. 2) Jose is open about hating DHing. 3) Jose's OBP is slipping these past few years. Had a big increase in counting stats (HR/RBIs) with the 2019 baseballs but so did a lot of guys. If they switch back the balls it could be kind of ugly. 4) We have the #1 first base prospect in all of MLB who could reasonably be ready for big league play at the end of 2020. Don't love it. Found it a bit unnecessary but of course am happy for Abreu and he certainly "deserves it" whether or not its the best move for the roster for 2020-2022.

Some good takes and some bad within...

mqr is right except the Sox were looking at Lux for their 2nd round pick. Lux didn't really get discovered as a stud until late in the draft process. The Sox foretasted him with their second pick (where they eventually took Hanson) but his stock skyrocketed at the Dodgers took him before Burdi at #26. Sox local scouts thought the world of Lux not that it is any consolation.

I am under the impression that Ozuna doesn't have the arm for RF anymore. I can't substantiate that but if memory serves he's had some arm issues.

lol

He's Boras which never bodes well for the Sox if you wanted an extension. The Sox also have been disappointed in his dedication to his body (as has Boras Corp) so I don't really see the Sox extending him. Of course, it really depends on his last year and a half with the team. If he finds some of the ace potential and actually stays healthy it could change things.

Gold Gloves and Silver Sluggers are big factors when it comes to arbitration. All the more reason to non-tender.

These are good points and I largely agree. That said, it really depends on how the Sox treat Kopech. Hahn has made some hints that they'll keep Kopech down. So I can see a scenario where the Sox sign one of the guys you mentioned and then another average starting pitching that could end up in the pen. Say they keep Kopech down and run out something like this. 1 Giolito 2 Keuchel 3 Cease 4 McHugh/Gibson 5 Lopez Then end, of May Kopech comes in. Then Rodon and maybe Dunning/Steiver come into play June/July. I dont think Lopez should have a rotation and I dont think they should hold Kopech back but with the injuries and options the different ways they can deploy Kopech there is some serious flexibility that has to be a consideration with Cease/Kopech/Dunning/Stiever and even Giolito to an extent will have innings concerns come August/September.

I have looked at this thread title three times over the last month and every time I think it's breaking news lol

The Sox have at least a dozen different options for RF and they are all flawed in their own way. Most of them in multiple ways. Whether it's handedness, lack of RF arm, salary, injury history, lack of OBP, lack of overall defense, high acquisition cost, contract, etc. there is something to knock on just about all the guys out there. As opposed to last year when Harper fit what this team needed exactly (and still does). The free agent options aren't good fits for the team and no one is exactly excited to trade any of the prospects because of reasonable concerns over the depth of the system. With all that in mind, I am still not all that concerned about right field. There is no doubt that right field is a black hole that needs to be addressed but I am much more concerned on the quality of the targets the Sox convert on at SP and at the C/DH/WE positions. 1. Yasmani Grandal 2. Josh Donaldson 3. Anthony Rendon 4. JD Martinez 5. Gerrit Cole 6. Stephen Strasburg. These are the players they need to pursue (in no particular order) and actually sign. Given the volume of RF's that will be on the market there should be a solid deal or two to fall into. The Sox need a headliner though. They need to show they're serious and take advantage of the payroll situation they created for this exact purpose. If they do that, everything else may actually fall into place.

Yeah this. They had an awful offseason 2018-2019 but the 2019 year went pretty well all things considered. They weren't trying to win.

Yup. If not #2, no lower than #3 please. You put Moncada 2 or 3 and figure out the rest of the lineup.