steveno89

Yes, and no^ It's something for sure, but we still would be nowhere close to contending with teams like the Yankees, Red Sox and Astros in the AL

You would think that many free agents would wait for Harper/Machado to sign prior to signing themselves^ Teams might feel pressured to react to a division rival making a big move?

"Sox go all in by signing Brantley, Donaldson and Cody Allen!" = the headline Sadly that would excite no one here

Brantley does not have draft pick compensation attached, which is noteworthy to a degree

Brantley is a good player when healthy for sure, and would come much cheaper than Harper. I would imagine a realistic Sox plan would revolve around Brantley, a starting pitcher or two and bullpen help.

No chance the Cubs are able to trade those contracts without eating gigantic amounts of salary

I don't think the Cubs will be in on any big free agents given their existing payroll obligations

I could totally see the Yankees lying in the weeds...only to sign Corbin and Machado to big deals I doubt they take kindly to Boston winning it all

Paying Corbin to be more than a #2/3 starter would be a mistake in my opinion. He's good, and coming off a great year, but I don't think he's likely to continue to be quite that good moving forward.

Agreed. I think we roll with Castillo/Narvaez for 2019 and then evaluate. I don't think Zavala or Collins will be ready until late in the season.

Mets system seems pretty thin to me at first glance, not that Castillo would have tremendous trade value or anything

I'm sure the Sox are interested, but I doubt they end up signing Corbin given the lack of starting pitching available in free agency right now. Contenders like the Yankees and Astros should be all over him. I think 5/100 with an opt out after year two or three will end up being what Corbin signs for. Not sure if that is a deal we should make or not, but I'm open to considering it.

Doubtful a player would send an ultimatum about a prospect like that.

Cruz would be a 1 or 2 year addition, for what? 10-15 million per year? Sure he would make them better, but if we really aren't contending in 2019 what is the point?

I really really hope that the front office uses enough restraint to not go balls out this offseason to try and speed up contention. As agonizing as losing is, 2019 should be another rebuilding season as we try to usher more of our prospects to the mlb level by end of the season. The goal should be to build sustained success, and I realize that some additions must happen this offseason to help supplement our home grown talent. Sensible additions this offseason, combined with further player development at both the major and minor league level should provide us with a solid idea of shopping needs next offseason.

I don't get why the Yankees would do with Andujar if they sign Machado? He's a perfectly good, young, cheap third base solution for them moving forward.

I just do not see 2019 being a contention year, even if we completely blow our wad this offseason. Unless the front office knows that the Indians are blowing it all up and the division is up for grabs, going "all in" right away just seems too early for me. I'm all for making wise, opportunistic additions this offseason, but cutting the rebuild short to go for it in 2019 just does not seem prudent.

Harper to the Yankees just does not seem to make much sense. They want to pursue pitching, not add another huge money positional contract at this point.

Exactly^ Give me a bridge, like Pomeranz, to get me to more free agents next year that are plug and play options

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2018/08/2019-20-mlb-free-agents.html Chris Archer (31) — $9MM club option with a $1.75MM buyout Jake Arrieta (34) — can opt out of remaining one year and $20MM unless Phillies exercise a two-year, $40MM option Homer Bailey (34) — $25MM mutual option with a $5MM buyout Madison Bumgarner (30) Carlos Carrasco (33) — $9.5MM club option with a $662.5K buyout Andrew Cashner (33) — $10MM vesting/player option Jhoulys Chacin (32) Yu Darvish (33) — can opt out of remaining four years and $81MM Gerrit Cole (29) Mike Fiers (35) Kyle Gibson (32) Sonny Gray (30) Cole Hamels (36) Felix Hernandez (34) Rich Hill (40) Corey Kluber (34) — $13.5MM club option with a $1MM buyout Wade LeBlanc (35) — $5MM club option with a $450K buyout Miles Mikolas (31) Shelby Miller (29) Ivan Nova (33) Jake Odorizzi (30) Rick Porcello (31) Jose Quintana (31) — $11.5MM club option with a $1MM buyout Clayton Richard (36) Tanner Roark (33) CC Sabathia (39) Chris Sale (31) Drew Smyly (29) Stephen Strasburg (31) — can opt out of remaining four years and $100MM Julio Teheran (29) — $12MM club option with a $1MM buyout Jason Vargas (37) — $8MM club option with a $2MM buyout Justin Verlander (37) Michael Wacha (28) Adam Wainwright (38) Zack Wheeler (30) Alex Wood (29) Could be possibilities?

While I understand the Sox interest in premium free agents like Machado/Harper, I do not necessarily think high priced starters or relievers should be in the Cards for us right now. 2019 is not a contention season, almost no matter what we do this offseason. I think bridge type players and deals could make sense to help round out our roster, but realistically 2020 is when we should be looking to contend as more of our young talent should be mlb ready. The starting pitching free agent market after 2019 is actually looking pretty solid at this point, we might be able to snag better options then?

I don't know what to make of signing Cruz, who will turn 39 next summer, to a deal. He's still productive, but at that age I'm just not sure how much is left in the tank? He would be a 1-2 year play at best, and I'm not sure we have enough other talent to compete in that short of a window. Happ is solid, but also on the wrong side of 36...regression frightens me there

Pomeranz could be a solid buy low candidate if healthy?

I'm shocked as well at this point. It would be a fireable decision to not secure the additional season of contractual control and have Eloy break spring training with the team. The decision should have been accepted when Eloy was not called up in August/September, and I fully agree with the organization.

I read "Not being pressured" as in this is not an all or nothing scenario. Sox will try, but will not sign Harper/Machado at all costs necessarily should the bidding get out of control. Of course I want star players as a fan, but I really am leery about how often mega contracts can backfire on a team. That being said, this rebuild will not be successful relying solely on home grown talent. Eventually we need to flat out pay to bring in more pieces.