ChiSox59

I haven't heard Schildt's name in a couple weeks. Is this comment based on something?

Buxton has a career wRC+ of 106. Robert 122. Buxton didn't eclipse 100 until his 4th full season in the big leagues. Buxton didn't have a single season above Robert's career average 122 wRC+ until 2021, his 7th season in the big leagues. At this point in his career, Robert is measurably better offensive weapon than Buxton was Robert has the ability to play above average CF, though he certainly didn't in 21 and 22, and Buxton is probably one of the best CF on the planet. So that side of things I will give you.

A pay raise of a couple millions dollars a year might be a big reason why.

If $120M is the going FA rate for solid but not great players, the separation between the big market and mid and small market teams in MLB is going to continue to get away from the game. Basically would render over half the league as non-competitors in free agency. That's already been mostly the case for elite FA, but if it extended to mid-tier FA, that is very bad for the competitive balance of the game.

As someone who’s been on the acquire Nimmo train since like 2017, I don’t think I’d be mad if Sox pass if bidding gets up to 5/$120M. Just grab Conforto on a 1 year deal instead. 5/$100M is the upper limit I’d feel alright with. Guess we’ll see what the market bears.

Hopefully the guy that is convinced Moncada is in awful shape doesn’t come across this thread.

But I was told that repeatedly here that the Sox had a league average amount of injuries this year???????????????

Hopefully DH 125 games, LF 25 games. Anything less than 80% of the DH would be a terrible, terrible mistake. He's a DH. Time for him to accept it AND, perhaps more importantly, for the org to stop caring about Eloy's thoughts on the matter.

While I certainly don't want the Sox to hire Ozzie, nor do I think he's even a legit candidiate, it'd at least be extremely entertaining. Like slowing down to look at a car wreck type entertaining. Would be quite a fitting way to end what could potentially be JR's last managerial hire.

Sox pretty much have to ride out 2023. They have a lot coming off the books after this season, and if 2023 is a flop, I could see some major changes and sell-type moves leading into 2024. But I think you have to at least try to one more time with this core with some minor tweaks, ideally a legit LH OF and solid SP. I think payroll lands between $190-200M again.

Its really just fan driven narrative. Who really cares? If the Sox hire one of those guys, by all means light your pitchforks. Until then, what's the point? The Sox are clearly interviewing a lot of folks. There really isn't anything to be upset about at this point.

jerry better get used to a lack of playoff revenues if that is his plan. I don’t see them throwing in the towel, personally.

I think he is Astros manager if they win WS.

On the brightside, even if the Sox do something dumb like Getz, or something most of the fanbase wouldn't love like Washington, at least its going to be a VAST improvement over Tony. I said so many times over the past 2 years that I would literally take nearly anyone over Tony, and I meant that. The bar to clear is below the ground.

So you have been told the that "Espada is out" take is actually accurate? Woof.

Maybe we should let them make the decision first.

I think it’s quite plausible that this is as simple as Espada wanting to stay committed to the Astros until their season is over, and the fake wannabe insiders are just that. Consider me wholly skeptical of a few Twitter “sources” that don’t use their own name. I trust that Mike Rodriguez over any of them. It is also quite plausible that the Sox botched another situation. But it’s really not worth getting worked up about until the manager is formally announced.

Ehhh.

I'd be very surprised if more than 1 coaching staff member not named Ethan Katz returns. I could see Cairo staying maybe. If the Sox are hiring an external manager, there is going to be a new coaching staff. Espada hiring Beltran as his bench coach would be *chefs kiss*.

FIFY

I am very happy if it’s Espada. He was my first choice.

It is also why they won't be again in 2023 if that group doesn't improve drastically. That's really what it boils down to.

I don't even think they can announce a manager until the WS is over, which is over 2 week away.

I wonder if Madden would have any interest in a non-managerial coaching staff role if no manager role is available? I'd be alright with that.

I thought about mentioning 2016 Melky, but didn't because he was a switch hitter. Conforto has hit RHP much better than Melky did (.873 vs .756 career OPS), which is one of the Sox biggest need. Though obviously Melky has a much larger sample that includes the twilight of his career. Even if you want to discount Conforto quite a bit from his career mark of .873 against RHP, history suggest he should be better than a .756 OPS hitter against RHP. To be clear, I'd much prefer some other options than Conforto that play better defense. But he'd be a solid back up option on a 1 year deal. I don't really think Palka is relevant to the discussion. Conforto has career wRC+ of 124. Palka's best season was 108. Yes, Conforto was 106 in 2021 and didn't play in 2022. I am aware. But he's still not even 30.