steveno89

Kopech has zero basis to file a grievance

You get the lost season of control back for a player like Kopech. There's no reason to rush him back and toss him into a MLB rotation in early April. There's a strong chance you do not like what you see from him this spring anyway, and he will need that minor league time to work his way back.

Not saying it is. We could do worse than a player like Gonzalez as our fifth starter though. He should not cost too much and could be had on a one year deal. Far from sexy, but could be a reasonable bounce back to a 2+ WAR season kind of guy. I have higher hopes, but getting better is getting better.

Sox are certainly going to acquire two more starting pitchers prior to spring training, even if only for depth purposes. Covey and Fulmer will not be a part of the rotation, if they are then the offseason was an utter disaster.

Cease has faced hitters in 2019, Kopech has not. Sure, they will see how Kopech does in spring training, but he is still ticketed to start in AAA, where he will not be asked to immediately be throwing 5+ innings as a starter. You cannot pencil in a guy coming back from TJS surgery for anything until you see how it goes with him on the mound for awhile.

Kopech has 14 MLB innings to his name and has not earned a starting rotation spot in any sense. Kopech absolutely should be sent to AAA for at least a month to build up his arm and face hitters. Sox absolutely are going to get the lost year of service time back, but there's zero argument against having him be in AAA for 1-2 months.

We are not privy to what actual asks/contract demands are. Ryu/Keuchel are likely asking for big money and years. Do you want Ryu at 3/$75 million? Do you want Keuchel at 4/$80 million? No.

Has anything you have seen suggested the Sox are truly in on any free agent starting pitching right now? Ray, I'm on board with you on that. Overpaying declining starters gets teams in big trouble. I know we should try to compete in 2020, but not at the expense of forcing it with players we do not want long term. Sox are conscious of age curves and have been reluctant to ink players much over thirty to multi year deals, with the exception of Grandal.

Sox should want no part of Price I cannot imagine Boston would eat $60 million just to move him, there's a difference between teams expressing interest and actually trading for him.

That article is lunacy. The more I think about it, the Red Sox would have to eat $60 million of that contract to have a chance at moving it. Lets say the Red Sox ate $50 million of the deal, would Price receive 3/$46 million if he were a free agent? No way.

The Sox do not seem enamored with any of the available FA starting pitching right now. Reading between the lines I have my doubts we seriously pursue Keuchel or Ryu, and either look to made a trade or ink inexpensive stopgaps.

I'm fine going with one bargain bin type starter, but they must either trade for or sign at least one quality option.

Agreed, both Boston and NYY would have to sweeten the deals to get teams to take Price/Happ off their hands. Jackie Bradley Jr. for one season does not impact the trade all that much. A real asset like E Rodririguez or A Benintendi would have to be attached, along with money.

Encarnacion is a far better DH option than McCann/Collins at this stage. The 26 man roster allows keeping three catchers to be easier, but EE would be the first legitimate DH we have had in awhile. A one year deal for around $10-12 million should get it done.

Teams regularly cobble together production out of less expensive players, it's called getting value. Homer Bailey was paid $555K in 2019 and had a nearly 3 WAR season as an example.

The more I think about it, I'm not sure if I even want an aging David Price on the Sox. We would be stuck with three seasons of him at a likely substantial cost, why make that our problem? There are bargain bin players available that are younger and cheaper that could give us similar production.

I would not expect Kopech to be pitching in the majors until May/June at the earliest. April should be spent in AAA, and they will see how it goes from there. Working back from TJS takes time, anything we get from him this season is gravy

It is mid December in the offseason, wait to judge the roster until March Despite fans being impatient, the front office is aware of what the rotation and roster currently look like. If you are patient I will bet they add at least 1-2 starting pitchers, a bullpen piece or two and likely position players

Where have you been seeing this?^ I see way more doom and gloom than optimism lately from the fanbase. We just need to be patient and wait to see how this offseason unfolds

Based on what?^ It is currently December 13th, still early in the offseason. The AL Central is the most winnable division in the MLB, I do not buy your argument at all.

Sure, Keuchel could help the Sox, I'm not disagreeing with that. But at what cost? No chance I am going four years with him, and I do not even love going three unless the price is reasonable

Hell no. Just no. The Sox are headed in the right direction despite Grandal being the only splash so far this offseason. Kopech/Robert/Madrigal will be up getting their feet wet at the MLB level in 2020, and we depending on how the rest of the offseason shakes out we could be a .500 team, perhaps even better. Giolito and Moncada are key pieces the we need to contend and are not getting traded. Perpetual rebuilding will not get you anywhere, eventually you have to put all of your chips in and go for it.

Do not get sucked into the trap of paying for past performance, when evaluating whether to sign potential free agents you must consider what they project to do for you moving forward. Paying and expecting Keuchel to be more than a #4 is a mistake, take a look https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/savant-player/dallas-keuchel-572971?stats=career-r-pitching-mlb

Teams are looking at the same player we are. Keuchel may want four years, but I do not see him getting it. I see him settling at a $15-18 AAV, and maybe a desperate team gives a fourth year, but I highly doubt it.

No. Keuchel is an innings eating #4/5 starter who is not likely to get any better age 32 onward. He's still plenty serviceable parked in the back of a rotation, but should the Sox pay any more than 3/$45 for him? I would not.