he gone.

You are welcome. The message board is full of fake outrage and fake accolades mixed in with a whole bunch of mind changing and not owning up to bad takes.

In my opinion you should'nt have a manager who has a backstory/baggage coming into the situation that dominates the storylines. If that's the case, pick someone else. It's just managing .... aka using stats and psychology. there are plenty of candidates, i'd prefer to stay away from the ozzie & gang (headline guys from last year).

Thoughts: Keep your thoughts consistent. There's going to be a lot of posters who shit on hiring one of the three guys associated with the cheating, but if hired, will be big fans. Just keep it consistent. My thoughts are I'd take any of those three, but would prefer someone else. I don't much care about the cheating angle much, but would rather stay away from it. ** This also goes for George Springer.. either be for him or against. Don't be wishy washy if we sign Hinch & Springer

Like Hahn said, you don't have a 2-3 decade run with an organization if you don't adapt and do things well. in the beginning coop got a lot of credit and little flack, at the end he got a little credit and a lot of flack. The truth probably is somewhere in between. I think it was probably a good time to move on, am thankful for his work, his candidness on podcast with chuck, and an overall B grade job he did for 20 years. I'll take it.

Where is the delete button? Okay, lets go get Bauer then and DFA Mazara haha

I think this is all pretty realistic. I do think that 2B will improve, maybe not by wrc+, and not to be Hawk, but just TWTW. Half joking. But really, i think the team looks entirely different with Madrigal turning the lineup over, or even in the two hole. I also would say I expect Eloy to break out into a MVP type candidate ... i think it happens, maybe next year even. Agree on Keuchel, bullpen, etc. etc. The biggest key to all of this next year is rotation spots 3-5, managing their innings, finding someone to take that big step forward, keeping them fresh for the playoffs ... 162 games later, dependent on the playoff format, we should be in it, so really the success and WS type hopes stand firmly with guys 3,4,5,6 in the rotation. To me, in an ideal scenario, Keuchel is your game 3 starter and someone leap frogs him next year.

Same boat. I'm cheering for him and would love to see him succeed on the South Side, just don't see it happening. I think he'll benefit from a new pitching coach, a new place, etc. and hopefully can get his career on track. Unfortunately not likely to be with the Sox. I personally would bring him back for $5mm and stick him at the back of the rotation for one last try, but totally get not doing it.

Let's be realistic, JR, who has kept people like Boylen & Ventura around way too long, a guy who has an extreme track record of being loyal (I mean, KW still has his job) is not going to fire the manager who led the Sox to the playoffs for the first time in a dozen years -- in a year where expectations were 82-88 wins (albeit 162 game season) and we had a top record in AL for a hot second. If you think that's the presser today? no way. I think it's much more likely to be Hahn lawyer talk. The biggest news we'll get is Hahn saying we're not spending because of Covid. That we won't be aggressive. There is a better likelihood the Sox open with Mazara in RF and with Quintana/some other inning filler in our rotation, ricky at the helm than with a new manager, bauer, and a shiny new RF toy. I'm not sure where the optimism comes on this board ... the sox have had the same game plan for decades and this presser is going to be fluff.. I hope i'm wrong on all the above.

The bullet points are this: The Fed has basically committed to printing money to get us out of the pandemic. 2 trillion, 6 trillion, 10 trillion? Who knows. And what does it even mean? What is the dollar? They also committed to zero % interest rates for at least 3 years. Argument for it: basically it should spur short term spending and help get the economy get back on its feet. That it should smooth out the ups and downs of what would happen if we just let things play out naturally. That although it's a ridiculous amount of money, that it may not actually be inflationary because tech is inherently deflationary. Also that we are the world reserve currency and actually are okay to pull this move off, especially since the rest of the world is doing it to. So even playing ground. Printing this money is a good thing. We won't have a depression spurred by a pandemic, it will keep people off the streets, people will still be working, and life should carry on as it was before this. Argument against it: This is my argument mostly, others can chime in. Read a few of my other posts, but no such thing as free money, debt is just money we owe ourselves and comes at a cost to future generations and decades. That "free money" and cheap money really doesn't benefit the poor. It should, in theory, be inflationary to print infinite trillions of dollars which drive up the costs of grocery store bills, assets like houses, every day goods and needs, etc. When you do that you drive rent prices up, etc. The family of 4 that has parents working hourly jobs paying $11.50/hr now has less money left over because their everyday bills went up for rent, food, utilities, gas, etc. etc. I posted a graph of how much the dollar has been worth over time, take a look at that. It's worth less and less when their is more supply of dollars. But when pay doesn't go up step in step (usually at the hourly level), those people don't benefit. They actually lose out. It drives the gap even further. The people who win are the people who own the assets like houses, the people who have left over money to put into the stock market, the ones that can invest their excess cash, put it to work to make more money and stay ahead of the curve. Not to generalize, but that's generally rich white people. So what you get is a more lopsided society, a more classist society. In a society like that, in my opinion you get symptoms like you have now, racism, homelessness, drug problems, etc. etc. to me, the whole system stems from the root of monetary policy & breaks off from there. Now that might be a little aggressive, but jsut my 2 cents. It's also not a short fix, nothing is. It has to play out over 20-30 years. You don't fix the Southside of chicago in a term of a mayor, you change it over 20 years with plans and outreaches to fix a systemically broke system. You fix it by getting money in the hands of the poor, by education, by math programs taught alongside financial planning - not teaching geometry, by teaching math that is applicable to every day life. You come up with plans to implement rent to own on the south side, west side. You build ownership of a community, of assets. You do trickle up economics instead of trickle down. You teach entrepreneurship classes, you teach trade school in high school. You give students tools to be successful. You fix the education system from sitting and listening and memorizing to actually doing things that can be utilized in life. Throwing money away in programs like TIF credits for developers to make a few affordable houses, or HUD, etc. doesn't change the system. It gives those people nicer digs to live in ... but they are still paying rent. They are still not owning assets.

also bauer is our harper/machado .... in reach, but doubtful. Like the 1 in 10 type of thing. Bauer will sign for either the highest 1 year deal ... so something like 1 year, $35mm ... maybe even more... regardless of who that team is. Even if it was the Astros or he will sign the most lucrative deal over a longer term. I think we all know that isn't us. We are Stroman ... we are Wheeler... we are Keuchel .... we are Grandal ... we're not Haper, Machado, Cole, Betts, etc. We go for second tier. The only reason I am even remotely entertaining this as a possibility is that Bauer has expressed being okay with a 1 year deal, or shorter term deal at high AAV. Reinsdorf does love his short committments and his older ... so maybe he does say ... okay 3 years, $120mm, lets do it. 10-15% in my opinion. Especially if the yankees lose this year again. They're rolling out Montgomery ... Dievi Garcia, etc. and i know that's because Severino is hurt, but realistically they could use Bauer and would be willing to spend.

Coop is coop.. first of all we dont know much ... i'm sure he's not the most forward on technology, but he does hold one of 30 MLB pitching coach positions, so i'd guess he takes in more than we think. Second, coop works for some right? from what I gather over the years he's an asset to the head case guys a bit more.. so the guys who have the "stuff" but sometimes overthink things. he's the take the ball and throw it guy. simplify it. a pitching coach, or really even a hitting coach to me is like a swing coach for golf. You don't want to recreate the wheel. You want to have a guy who finds something and says, hey, your hands are coming through too quickly, or when you line up on the ball your left foot is back a little.. but you don't want to recreate the whole golf swing, you just modify it and let the golfer find his own stuff. That works for a lot of guys, and lets be honest, even outside of Reinsdorf, Coop wouldn't have a job for 20 years without it being successful. What maybe I'd like to see instead of firing coop is bringing in another guy. Bring in an analytics guy too. Let the players gravitate to whoever they connect with more.

I don't think it's necessarily "dreaming" about Harper in a realistic way. It's more of a "there's not really many viable RF options available, damn Harper at $25mm a year would have fixed that problem for a decade" type thinking. I went around every single depth chart in the MLB in terms of CF that could move to RF & all RF's ... really there aren't that many good options out there. A) the ones you'd want the most are on team that aren't looking to trade, B) you have guys like Marcell Ozuna, which sure he'd be a nice fit, but is also not necessarily a true RF, and do yes Robert is damn good/rangey, but do you really want Eloy and Ozuna flanking him? You could start thinking about guys like Kris Bryant ... but again, same deal, and what is his cost for that one year? Do you trust him long term? That's why after all the names & teams I went through I really think the Brewers match up the best. That's a team that is going to be looking to cut some costs. I think a Cain is the type of veteran guy who can come in, do his job, fill a role, and contribute on a championship caliber team. Avi Garcia ... well, we've all been through that, and now the Brewers have too. Do you get good or bad Avi? But on a one year deal, maybe it's worth it. Outside of that, you're really looking at Springer, Marte, Ozuna - and all of those guys will likely need to be paid at a decent clip on the wrong side of 30 and for more years than you'd likely want to do ...

This may be long winded, but I really like to write these more for myself than anything so I can look back on my own thoughts. First thing that comes to mind are teams like the Rangers that are actively saying they'll be cutting payroll. I don't think they'll be the only ones. It's times like this I wish our owner wasn't JR, because this is about a perfect of a storm you'll ever get. You have a young, talented team, coming into form, ready to take that next step - meaning, winning a playoff series, possibly competing for a pennant if things all go right. I'm probably the poster you hate to hear, but I realistically never really believed this team was coming out the other end ... just couldn't realistically expect Dunning, Rodon, Cease to carry the back end of the rotation through a playoff grind and against playoff lineups. I think realistically, that's the same problem next year. You have a lot of arms, but we really need 2-3 of them to take that next step to where they can be counted on consistently. So is that Stiever, Cease? Crochet, etc I'm not so sure at this point. At this point my level of confidence is this order: Dunning, Kopech, Cease, Crochet (he'd be my number 2 in that last if I knew more about his injury, part of me thinks he'll come back and blow out his arm in ST or something) Steiver. I think realistically you're going to see a few steps back out of Keuchel, and that's fine. But that really means we need some of these guys to step up this year. I think this year was a bit unfortunate becasue over a 162 game season we would've been able to test drive a lot of these guys and build up some innings. Next year is going to be a grind, and some of these guys may start off hot, but can they keep that up through September and into October? This team will go as far as the rotation takes it. Which leads me to my next point - we need Bauer. I've been a backer of his and continue to be. Would we have TOO MUCH pitching? Maybe, but at the same time, we all know injuries happen and championship teams always have LUXURY at positions. Look at the yankees, injuries happen and they continue to win. That's a sign of a team with depth. Same with the Astros of years past, Cubs, etc. So to me, you bring in Bauer and just roll. If you have injuries like the Padres did at the end of the season, instead of having nobody ... (still don't get why they didn't pitch Gore or Patino more) you now have Cease, Steiver, Kopech, etc. to step up. Other SP I'd consider are Rich Hill and Alex Wood and Corey Kluber. Same as last season. Those guys CAN step in and win you playoff games. Those guys are also cheap, 1-2 year deals, and only going to give you 100ip because of injuries. Which, with our amount of possible SP? Can be a good thing. Outside of that? I pass on the SP out there. Bullpen: I think we're good, but always can look to add. Offense: I mean, you look around and you say where are the holes? Fortunately there aren't many. RF is obvious, but outside of that you really don't need anything if you believe in Engel as your 4OF, Mendick as your back UTIL IF, and Collins/Mercedes as your backup C. I for one am in that category. So where can we improve ... I mean I think you have to be content, and likely happy with Vaughn at DH/1B, so nothing there. Abreu isn't going anywhere. Madrigal/Anderson either. Moncada? This will take heat, but I call him Joe Crede. type of guy who CAN be a game changer, but more likely will be a nice bat, nice glove, but never reach his potential. I would be open to trading him (mostly because who else as you continue to go around the diamond -- not Eloy, not Robert, etc) but there's nobody waiting in the wings...so il think you're set almost every except for RF. So really the ONLY player I COULD see trading is Moncada. Which I'm not saying we should do at all. Just food for thought as I compose this post. What YOU can do. As teams are cutting costs, you can pick up guys who's contracts aren't ideal, a bit bloated, etc. but for free. So essentially a FA signing. Also the contracts in the offseason should be smaller ... so I'd like to be aggressive in this front. Names for Consideration: Chris Sale, Xander Boegarts (again this is where maybe getting creative with Yoan which nets you a SP could work in a way ... trade a Yoan then trade for Xander -- it's a little bit video game'esque, but there are going to be franchises looking to dump salary, so i think you can explore all options), Charlie Blackmon (Rox pay for part of contract or include a Hampson, Rodgers, Gray, etc.) Lorenzo Cain, Avi Garcia, Starling Marte, Springer. Weird thing is if you look to all the CF and RF on teams right now? Not that many viable options, or sure less than I expected. Sorry for the nature of this post.. it was really top of mind type of writing ... in synopsis ... i think you talk to the red sox and see what they're willing to do and for what price. i think its conceivable to get a Sale (if you're comfortable with his health), Xander, JD Martinez (the last two really don't have much of a spot unless other moves are made) I think you also call the Rockies who need to shed payroll, have some talent, and can find a match ... aka pairing an expensive RF like Blackmon (i understand the splits, age, etc. etc.) and maybe net yourself a nice other piece... Marquez, Gray, Hampson, Dahl, Rodgers, etc. Likewise, someone like Lorenzo Cain in RF, or Avi ... could make some sense too. My ideal offseason: Net me Sale, Bauer, Kluber as tier 1 choices. Stroman, Hill, Wood as Tier 2 choices - but please net me at least one outside arm that CAN be a difference maker in the playoffs. So don't mess around with Quintana and Robbie Rays of the world. OF - Tier one: Lorenzo Cain, Springer, Starling Marte, Blackmon (w a prospect or talent attached -- aka Gray, Marquez, Rodgers(not sure where you put him unless part of bigger trade/offseason). UTIL - acquire a nice vet, not really necessary in my opinion - I am super comfortable w Engel and Mendick + Leury etc. but maybe you make a move. Only guy I'd be willing to trade from our exisiting "core" is Yoan Moncada, i understand that is unlikely to happen, and would need several corresponding moves to make sense (aka Xander or Rodgers, or something, without those being net positive, not sure it's truly worth the risk unless you're receiving back a bonafide ace in return).

i absolutely cleaned up on that prop ... I put in terms of my own units, 8 units on that game. That was free money times 1,000. Unfortunately l lost some of that back on the sox TT not hitting over 4.5 ....... grrrr.

if we advance he may be starting a game ... for real... we need him. so let's hope he can get it together. if we're going anywhere he needs to be good.

i'll take my licks -- i backed rodon coming into this game. hand up. (still like him next year)

first of all .. blister? haha. come on guys. you'd have him checking his hand for multiple innings, blood on his jersey, etc. you don't leave a playoff game for a blister like that. its likely much more serious, forearm, like people said, flexor ... etc.... Going to have to really eat my words or step up on Rodon. Im driving the bus! Get on or get run over! Lets go Carlos - biggest moment in his career.

abosolute MORTAL LOCK. Fiers under 3.5K's today. he hasn't hit that prop in 5 of last 6 outings and will be on an extreme short leash today. maybe 2-3 innings tops is my guess.

Carlos Rodon is the Avi Garcia of the Sox. Rodon will have an All-Star year on some other team. Mark that down. The hatred on this board is just overblown. Ricky put him in a situation as a reliever for the first time in like 5 years, off a month of rust, bases loaded. What did you expect? Also people are going to shit on him for his outing when what? He dominated the first inning, then his shoulder injury flared up, got knocked around and went to the IL? Whatever I'm driving the bandwagon, y'all can jump on whenever you're done being fair weather fans.

His last outing he went 1.2 of scoreless and HITLESS innings against the cubs. The rodon hate is sad on this board. I have full faith in him.

I'll put it this way.. fans are fickle. Mazara has two good at bats and all of a sudden people are considering him for today. Rodon had one bad outing and he's garbage. It's all hands on deck toady ... I'm fine with whoever Ricky puts out there. These boys have got it done all year mostly - let's ride. On the flip side Fiers, Montas, Manaea, etc. don't scare me. Let's put up some runs early in Top 1 and then never stop chopping wood and move on. Lets go!

Braves/Reds: +115 on Bauer on surface seems kind. Probably the top pitcher in the NL, but also at the same time, a guy who sometimes is prone to a big blow up because of his flyball and EV and a team in the Braves that have the best offense. Add in struggling Reds offense? I have some concern. Flip side you have Reds team with names, but who were last in BA. Fried tweaked an ankle a weeks ago. Also, in Fried starts, Braves have won 10 of 11. I'm taking under F3. Astros/Twins: Berrios has been blah, and always have been. Uquirdy, FIP bad, xwoba bad. Berrios, avg. astros have been a bit better, twins still hot, still hit the ball hard. Over in this game. Cubs/Marlins: K prop on Hendicks? Not a consistent K guy, 4.5 I’d take it. Though he has worked into the 8th now in 4 straight. Miami offense isn’t great. I think the under is just a slam dunk. K’s for Alcantara? 5.5? Just hammer, hammer, hammer the under. Maybe also parlay that w. another favorite bet big. F5 under, F3 under. Love the under here. Going large on it. Sox/A’s under F5. Rays/Jays - , Jays F3 ML. ryu 5.5k’s. Jays early, Rays late/live. Yankees TT over early? But skip Dodgers/Brewers: skip

in a no hitter you'd go to the bullpen? with like 60 pitches? that's worse than my sign & trade for mccann idea

I took some interesting ones like that today. I think I got the Reds/Indians at +11900 today. Also took Indians/Cardinals at +11150, White Sox/Dodgers at +1625, White Sox/Padres at +4400, White Sox Reds at +11900, Rays/Padres at +2300, and Rays v Dodgers +820. Realistically I like the White Sox/Padres, Rays/Padres and Indians/Reds at those values the most.

dude you don't write for the tribune. these aren't even topics, they are just posts w/in any thread.