ChiSox59

This. Let him pitch once or twice a month in mop up duty. I don't see it getting any more serious than that, and while I think Davidson is probably safe on the roster, that is definitely not a guarantee at this point.

He's a higher ranked prospect than Welker, at a position of higher need for them, and both are probably 2 seasons away. I think a Welker-Rutherford trade without other pieces makes sense.

Yep. Welker would definitely fit the bill.

While unlikely, let's just assume for a second that the Rockies are actually interested in Avi. They have Dahl (who has struggled to stay healthy) and Blackmon locked in, who are both lefthanded sticks, so maybe they would have interested in Avi in RF. Gonzalez is a pending FA. They also have Tapia who has some pedigree that they want to give a full time job. Is there a way to expand this deal that includes an OF prospect from the Sox? Maybe something like: Sox trade: Avi Garcia, Blake Rutherford and Jimmy Lambert Rockies trade: Jon Gray and Colton Welker The Rockies only have 1 OF in their top 15 prospects, so perhaps this is something they'd be interested in. Figured the Sox would need to add a sweetener in addition to Rutherford in order for them to give up Welker in addition to Gray. Sox get a backend SP with upside for the next 3 seasons and a top 100 prospect at a position of need (3B), while also clearing some of the OF logjam. Makes some sense in theory, if the Rox actually have any interest in Avi.

Seems like a discount.

Fair enough.

The swing in that top video is horrible.

Meh. The game of baseball has gotten so soft. You used to get your ass sat on the bench if you didn't slide hard into 2nd base. The Aguilar deal was a little dirty, but its not like he stomped on his ankle. Pretty tame as far as dirty goes. I may be biased - I grew up playing hockey, so I always played baseball with an aggressive mentality. I wasn't scared to railroad a catcher if he was in my way, or slide hard into 2nd base. So maybe I like seeing those things myself. Clearly that stuff isn't allowed in the majors any longer, but I don't particularly like how soft the game has gotten. Machado seems like a bit of douche, no doubt, and his comments about hustle are eyeroll worthy, but I'd still take that guy on my team 10/10 times.

Wasn't referring to the lack of hustle as much as the plays people have been calling "dirty".

Guy just plays with a chip on his shoulder. Is he a bit of a douche? Yah. But sometimes teams need guys like that, and I think the Sox are one of them. If anything, I could see this hampering his market a bit. In the end, I doubt it does, but from the Sox standpoint, it can't hurt.

You seem to be taking this a step far. You really want the Sox to just dump Abreu because they aren't going to be good in 2019? They aren't getting anything worthwhile in exchange for him this winter. May as well see how the roster shakes out, and hope he has a monster 1st half, and if the Sox are bad (as expected) get something of value for him then.

There is a 0% chance the sox non-tender Jose. Its not even worth discussing. And they certainly aren't non-tendering him because he "deserves a chance to play for a winner".

I just puked.

I'd be interested in the cost was cheap to acquire him - but I imagine lots of teams would be interested in the Yanks just want to give him away.

Yah, Sox aren't gonna take on $10M+ for a guy that is going to unavailable for most of the season, if he's able to play at all, unless the Yankees want to hand over someone like Florial, which they won't.

What does that accomplish for the Sox?

I doubt the Sox non tender Leury regardless of an Escobar reunion or not.

Anderson, Moncada, Giolito, Lopez, at least half the bullpen, and to a lesser extent Rodon, are all young guys that are going to be a part of the next core, and they're all in the big leagues and all at some point need to learn how to win games.

Lol - because that is the point of playing baseball???? I too think next year is another rebuilding season, especially after the Kopech news, but at some point this organization needs to try to start putting a decent product on the field for the younger guys to start learning how to win. I highly doubt the Sox suddenly don't value on base skills because they're probably going to suck again next season. I'd much prefer McCutchen to Avi, even if the price difference is around $5M next season. I don't think he's going to be a top target for the Sox, but again, its not the worst fit in the world if the Sox decide they don't want Nicky Delmonico and/or Ryan Cordell manning a corner all season.

Depends on what you think McCutchen is going to get paid. His last two seasons are pretty solid and he's actually managed to stay on the field: .279/.363/.486 OPS+ 123 255/.368/.424 OPS+ 118 Again, not a huge proponent of adding McCutchen, but if he's only marginally more expensive than Avi (say $10-13M AAV range), I'd much prefer him on a 1+1 type deal to Avi. We needs guys that get on base, and he does that.

I am not in the McCutchen camp at all, but he does still get on base a ton, so there are definitely worse options if its an affordable and short-term deal.

Right. I just think it is pretty likely Delmonico is the OD LF, and will play there until Eloy takes his spot. I hope the Sox sign Pollock and go with a something like a Leury-Pollock-Palka(and then Eloy) alignment, but I won't believe it until i see it.

Lol, and that's a pretty big argument.

Its possible, but hte only way I see that happening is if the Sox sign a FA OF or two. Who is your starting LF and RF until Eloy comes up? I assume Delmonico will be in LF until Eloy comes up, at which point he likely goes to Charlotte.

Be prepared to be disappointed then. You're already talking about not having enough guys in the OF that you'd retain Avi at $8M for one worthless season, why the heck would the Sox dump one of the actual playable options they have out there? There is plenty of fat to cut off the 40 man, and admittedly, I don't think Delmonico is going to on the next winning Sox team, but they aren't going to cut bait yet.