ChiSox59

Good thing he has three more years of control, so plenty of time to regain value and be moveable.

I don't really know that he's a DFA guy. He wasn't DFA to my knowledge, and probably has some value coming off a really solid season due to all the cheap control even at his age. Certainly fair to question why you'd trade an 18 year old pitcher with solid DSL results for a low upside reliever in the Sox current circumstances.

Terrible news. Really enjoyed Vinnie's coverage of the Sox.

+100. Zero reason for either of them to be on the team until mid May at the earliest.

The sox are the laughing stock of MLB, but man, the O's are stupid. I got so much joy out of watching them get swept out of the first round this season, and 2025 isn't going to be any better. That simply isn't a play-off caliber pitching staff.

I don't think so. It all depends on the offers really. If they aren't there, you're better off betting on a better performance April-June, and cashing in then. Now if you can get a really good up the middle prospect now, and a supporting piece or two, then sure.

While Teel is an awkward fit, catchers that can hit and field are pretty damn valuable. Sox now have 2 of them, and 2 of the top 6-7 catching prospects in the game. Not beyond the realm of possibility one could be moved for an up the middle talent this offseason or at a future date. Its a good problem to have, albeit, still have lots of holes to fill.

Also, can we now officially mock the people that were convinced the Sox were going to dump Beni in this deal?

This feels about right. Nice return. All four are legit pieces. Two top 50-60 types. 3 position players. No absolute fliers. Crochet is nasty, but him pitching every 5th day the next two years does this club no good at all. And the injury risk is significant, no one will convince me otherwise.

Isnt Ramos a better defender at 3B than Vargas?

The coverage has been super boring. But may just be because my interest is at an all time low for obvious reasons.

Then play your likely AAAA players in RF instead of blocking them to maybe acquire more AAAA and 40 man fodder later.

Not sure if serious or not, but these guys at all 26/27 and have already played in big leagues. None of them would be getting rushed at this point, and the Sox need to figure out what they have with each of Fletcher, Deloach and Colas this season. Even if you want to assume the Sox are done with Colas (which him remaining on the 40 man would potentially suggest otherwise), it still applies to the other two. Even if we somehow get A+ version of Tauchman from April-June, you're getting (at best) at backend top 30 flyer or a AAAA type. Just play the fringe guys and see what we have. It doesn't make any sense within the context of the whole roster and where things stand. That being said, Tauchman is a big leaguer, is probably better than all three of those guys and I can't imagine costs more than $3-4M. So its not like this is some brutal move, it just doesn't make a lot of sense considering the circumstances.

Why? I'd rather give at bats to Fletcher, DeLoach and Colas.

Robert has a fWAR/162 of 4.35. Bohm's is 2.08. Plus, Robert has an extra year of control. Both can be non-tendered and/or bought out in case of major injury or fall off. They aren't close to comparable values no matter how much you try.

I am not shaming the Dodgers, but when 1 of 30 teams buys ALL the free agents, its not exactly a competitive atmosphere. I wish my team did what they do.

I disagree. I will leave it at that.

Why am I retaining him? Because his career fWAR/162 is 4.35 - including his god awful 2024 and other long stretches where he hasn't look like a big leaguer. He is just reaching his prime years. He's unlikely to ever give you 145+ games, but he doesn't need to do that to easily be worth $20M in today's game. He's a game changing talent that is obviously extremely streaky, but if the streak comes early in 2025 (or 26), we're sitting on the most sought after position player at the deadline. And if you want to assume Robert just is what he is, he's still a very good CF with a lot of pop, and the ability to carry a team for weeks if he gets hot. On an actual contender with legitimate protection around him, I am certain he would be much closer to the 23 version than 24.

Baseball is broken.

Yeah, I am hopeful that had more to do with Grifol, and the new regime will at least give him another shot. But realize that may not be in the cards. I obviously don't see the behind the scenes stuff, and the on field stuff hasn't been pretty, but fuckina, give the guy an extended look. What's the harm?

Why? He was actually a solid baseball player from June on. Its a real if, but IF he duplicates that performance April-June, he's tradeable (not for much return, but at least get the 26-27 $ off the books). If Jerry is trying to run this thing as lean as possible, I'd prefer not to pay Benintendi to be a 1 WAR OF somewhere else.

That's fair. I guess if they find a way to dump Beni (outside of a Crochet deal, I refuse to believe that until it happens), it makes more sense. But a roster with Beni, Robert and Hays, its going to be pretty tough to give Fletcher, Deloach and Colas they ABs we need to give them in 2025.

This. I also don't really see the point in Austin Hays. Just let our fringe guys play in 25.

Sure. A serious injury is entirely possible for any player. $50M isn't the max payroll. So I don't really care to play those hypothetical games, but yes, I would. Because he is one asset that is a monster first half away from having major value (in 25, but also 26). The guy has 5-7 WAR ceiling, and he's actually done it.

Robert was brutal in 24, but man has this board soured on him. There really aren't any scenarios short of a long term serious injury where I am not retaining Robert for $20M in 26.