ChiSox59

While I doubt this is actually in the works, the Sox could certainly take back Gonzalez in the deal. Plenty of starts to go around. Something like AJ S-S, Kelenic, Waldrep or Grissom, and Gonzalez for Cease. Basically Sox take Gonzalez back to improve return. Certainly begs the question why it wasn’t just a three-way, tho.

Perhaps but the $ involved with Gonzalez and White makes that more complicated. I’m sure the Braves aren’t gonna turn around and add Kelenic to Smith-Shawver + but it’s intriguing enough to mention.

I don’t think BAL is getting involved in a Cease deal that doesn’t result in Cease being traded to BAL. This isn’t the show.

This is exactly what I was thinking. Not sure why you wouldn’t just do a three way deal if that’s the case but it’s at least worth mentioning. Kelenic still has a boatload of control.

Well that is interesting

Yes. I don’t get why everyone is in such a hurry to ship Colas out. Guy is a year removed from being the exact type Is prospect we need for RF. 2023 was an unmitigated disaster for him and he’s no longer plan A, but he has 2 options and is a gifted player. I see no reason to sell low on him.

Moncada is dead weight. He’ll be gone after 2024 regardless. Attaching him in a trade with any player of value would be malfeasance. Just let Yoan try to earn his next contract while playing good defense at 3B next season.

All the first base prospects!

Think he still has 2 options (for sure 1). Really really would like to see him be in Charlotte instead of Chicago.

Not only that, Glasnow is owed more in 24 than Cease will make in 24 and 25 combined. Perhaps by as much as like $5M.

They’ll get their reps if they earn it. It’s not like Dejong (or Lopez for that matter) are stopping Sosa, Rodriguez or even Romy from playing time if they earn it. Hard to say that any of those dudes have earned an opening day starting role at this point.

Hard to really complain too much about $1.75M.

Lopez is almost certainly going to be on the MLB roster. Shewmake will be in Charlotte. Remillard probably doesn’t survive the offseason on the 40 man.

No, absolutely do not do that.

Shewmake has multiple options. So does Lopez, actually.

I get that, but on the other hand, Dejong and Lopez suck so much that if Sosa or JRod show any pulse in AAA, they'll have spots readily available. Its not like DFAing DeJong and moving Lopez to a bench role is beyond the realm of possibility. I don't mind not just handing Sosa / Jrod the jobs. That said, this is all so disheartening.

That defense tho!

He is actually owed $16.83M including the buyout on the 25 option, which frankly is only rejected if he's seriously hurt. 2025 and 2026 are options. Eloy has also never been a 0 fWAR player - more like 2 fWAR per 162 GP, with his early years heavily weighted down with god awful OF defense. Of course he's never going to play 162. Point is, he's never been a "0 WAR DH".

Guessing this is tongue in check, but let's be honest - this scenario is always possible with the Sox! A 1.5 fWAR 2B that can play some OF doesn't sound all bad to me, though.

Honestly, I am fine with Merrifield if its $7-10M AAV and short term. He's really not that good any more, but he's still a useful big leaguer. He at least fills a need and plays the game hard.

Baltimore is the best fit, and perhaps landing two rotation options in Soroka and Schuster make a position player heavy return on Cease more likely. Prior to that deal, Sox almost would have HAD to take back pitching in a Cease trade. Have slightly more flexibility on that now. O's just don't have any SP to trade.

2 months of a struggling Giolito returned a backend top 100 prospect. The logic that Cease returns a similar headliner is just having blinders on.

Precisely why Dylan Cease is worth a boatload. Lance Lynn just got $11M guaranteed after posting a 6 ERA. But sure, Cease will just get 1 back end top 100 guy. lolz

Good for Reylo. Happy for him.

It all depends on the offers, but if no one is willing to give you anything notable for Eloy, you may as well just hold and hope he has a monster first half and then you can trade him. Its a fair question to ask if he'll ever stay healthy, but I'd rather bet on that than a couple 40 FV prospects.