he gone.

This - and that's my hope too. we don't need to add to win anyhting this year

villar just traded .... so maybe back to 2-3 bats. haha

Marlins are going to be sneaky good if they can execute on a few fronts. the hard part is putting together a rotation and they have the makings of a good one - though my god on the gallen trade last year.... but overall that team is set up to be okay. They just need to get 2-3 bats, now 1-2 bats.

yah that return was awful. i don't like to judge trades right at the jump because i do think it takes time. everybody wanted to grade the sale trade right away, but it's all layered. Boston got a few good years out of him, then a lot of money, now an injury. We've got a mixed bag so far on our end - so it still needs even a few MORE years to grade that trade. in this case however? good lord they got NOTHING for clev. No impact bat or arm NOW or LATER. baffles me. I was assuming a clevinger trade would bring back a Dylan Carlson, Kirilloff, Riley Greene type of OF prospect back. Like if Carlson was traded to that team plus say Alex Reyes and a few others ... like i thought they'd get out of a Clev, then I think that team is super duper solid throughout. Based on what they got back though? yikes.

my apologies as well. i get your angle on kershaw for sure. Bauer and Gray are probably the most iffy on my list. I forget about Sale! geez, given health he'd have to be in consideration for sure too.

So we basically agree on most ... you put in Gio, Flaherty and Greinke for Clev, Bauer and Gray. I can easily see Flaherty and Giolito sniffing the top 10. I can't say that for Greinke, but that's just me. Bauer is controversial as i said, but when locked in he's elite. when he's not, he's probably top 50 only. I'd be willing to interchange Bauer for Flaherty or Giolito possibly

Sonny Gray as a major league record currently for starts not allowing more than 6 hits. It's been 2+ yaers and almost 40 starts wtihout letting up more than 6 hits. So you ask me who i want for the next 40 starts? you better believe he's in that top 10. We'd walk away with 30 wins in his 40 starts. he keeps you in the game. like i said i knew he'd be the most controversial, but you can't argue results. and i see kershaw, i own him on many fantasy teams, I can see putting him in somewhere between 8-10 to replace a bauer or clevinger. I'd challenge people who want to criticize to make their own list for the next 40 starts and see what you come up with.

okay, a list i made, in my opinion is wrong. cool. but don't add any value to the convo, just say jesus fucking christ to it in all caps. don't make your own list, don't say why they aren't top 10, just add a useless comment on.

Clevinger is a top 10 pitcher. Giolito has the makings and ability to be there too. Give me 10 slots, pitchers for the rest of the year + next year (assuming health is all there). So basically who would i want to run out there, healthy for next 40 starts. 1- DeGrom 2- Cole 3 - Bieber 4 - S. Gray - controversial in the sense where his stuff may not blow you away, but results are nonstop. 5 - Verlander (assuming health think he still has the stuff) 6- Scherzer 7 - Buehler 8 - Darvish - he's like Bauer, but so locked in. 9 - Clevinger 10 - Bauer (tough guy to place. when on and locked in he's top 5. other times he's top 50. very up and down, but has to make the list) Giolito is in that next tier with Glasnow, Paddack, Flaherty, Snell, Lynn, Kershaw, Gallen, Nola.

Depends on what angle you're taking - last year I took the Nationals +2500 into the playoffs to win the WS because of their pitching staff. I think the Indians (currently with Clev) are that type of team. If you're an opposing team, I think outside maybe a HEALTHY yankees team, I don't want to face the indians. Assuming Mercado can be anything close to what he has been in the minors and during his cup of coffee last year? Then really all they need is a LF/Bat. Jose Ramirez, Lindor, Santana, Franmil are all solid bats. Cesar Hernandez, Naquin are solid enough to be bottom of order guys. I really think they are one bat away from being a top 5 team. If i were them I'd be trading someone like a pleasac for that LF, but they're cheap and likely will trade Clev. But given my choice of who i think is the best team in the central I"m going Indians.

All relative. Their pitching is doing great, bats not. Their bats will come up, pitching down, but you're going to be able to say that about all aspects of all teams. You can maybe say our power will regress or that our bullpen will. Simply put they have a really, really solid team and if they go out and make a trade for one more bat via a guy like McKenzie or Pleasac they could very well be the world series favorite in my own book.

I just want to go on the record that I don't want to make a trade. Let this year play out. See what you have over ... hopefully 70 games or so, and then regroup in the off season and see where we stand with Covid, with team's budgets, with our own budget, etc. There may be some teams that are looking to shed salary after this year & could be prime for trades. No reason to win the Covid WS this year ... However guys I am okay trading: Mendick - his value is higher than it'll probably be in the future & althoguh i like him in the Leury mode those type of guys can be found on the cheap plus we have a pretty solid lineup at this point with no real openings in the future Kopech - not really, but kind of. i really want him to do well, but if the right offer comes, MAYBE you listen Rutherford - he's probably not the answer & if he has ANY value left, you may want to try and explore that. Guys I don't want to trade: Adolfo - his value isn't enough and there's still a glimmer of hope he can be something. Vaughn - he's just so polished (from what weve heard) - he's got a spot next year. Let's just keep him. Cease - again, let's see what we have. No rush. This is not the season. Burger - not because i think he's going to be a star or anything, but his value is zero at this point, so let's not include him.

The sad truth of it is people don't understand money. the media loves to focus on tangible stories. So if you turn on the TV (i try and stay away) you'll see the simple stories of "GOOD" v. "BAD". Right? The story lines generally follow a simple plot. TV/media is focuses on what drives Ad revenue so they can make money, at the end of the day that's the goal. So reporting on complicated Fed policy that continues to slowly chip away at and erode our society is not something that plays out in a 24 hour cycle like riots or murders. It's a slow burn. Add in that it's a complex subject and in general the education system spends about 0% of their time teaching financial independence? It's not a shock that no time or discussion is spent on Fed policy speak. Fiat currencies have never worked - they just haven't each and every one dies. It just so happens it's usually over several lifetimes so it's kind of brushed off, but research the history of money, history of fiat currencies, etc. From my perspective I don't even think the Fed is trying to create inequality, they've just dug the hole so deep its the only way out unless you wanted to recreate the 80's again. But it's pretty simple - cheap money will continue to drive the wealth gap. The poor who have no extra money at the end of the day to invest and live paycheck to paycheck ... i.e. almost everybody because people dont have financial literacy and love their credit cards will continue to see marginally less purchasing power year after year, and the people who have money can play the game and continue to grow wealth and power to control more and more of the pie. At a certain point it all comes crashing down in my opinion. Until then I continue to play the game with a watchful eye. Make money on my stocks, investments, etc. and keep stacking sats and building my bitcoin portfolio/rainy day/fiat currency insurance fund.

I've gone back and forth on Bauer before in the past, currently I like him, but i can clearly see how he can rub people the wrong way. I think he's probably in the boat with Giolito and Timmy, etc. that are smart enough to know the game needs change and they're willing to embrace it. I really think the team could be even more wildly fun to watch with him aboard. The personality and swagger of a team with Bauer, Kopech, Timmy, Eloy, Robert, etc. would be crazy. I honestly haven't seen a better fit in a while. A top end pitcher, who is willing to take 1 year contracts, and wants to win coupled with the Sox, who could theoretically use one more Ace to put them over the top, an owner who hates long term pitching contracts, is old, and wants to win. Giolito, Bauer, Keuchel, Cease, Kopech -- I mean .... good luck to the rest of baseball. Now it's a luxury - that rotation means no Dunning, no Stiever, Crochet, etc. for a while. The next opening in the rotation would be injury, or when Keuchel/Bauer leaves which means people like Dunning, Lopez, Rodon are all out for good and you're probably, maybe delaying a Stiever or Crochet. To me, Rodon is already as good as gone. I love the dude, but I think the Sox intended to give him every chance this year to succeed and win a permanent contract/rotation spot, and unfortunately i dont think its in the cards on the southside. He seems destined to have a garrett richards type of career which is fine and well. He'll make money, probably have flashes of brilliance followed by injury. So unfortunately i think its time to move on. Lopez has been a bullpen guy to me for a while, give him the 7-8 innings. Dunning is someone I'd be sad to see go in a big acquisition because a) i dont think his trade value reflects his true value - aka i see him as a buehrle, quintana, kyle hendricks, keuchel type mode. Probably a poor mans all of those guys - not going to overpower you, but can bring consistent value to a team, so it'd suck to see him go, but worth it for a bauer.

Bauer is outspoken, hard-headed, stubborn, fun, hard-working, etc. I don't have problems with those adjectives. He's a lightning rod in a sport with not a lot of lightning rods. Now i think it's fair to ask is that one too many personalities in the clubhouse? Kopech is a big one. Bauer would be a big one. Timmy. etc. I am all for Bauer. We'd have the bad boys of baseball - social media, flare, bat flips, etc. I personally would love it. On the coop front - who cares. a good coach is a guy who can adapt and get the most out of ALL personalities and types. if he can't do that, then maybe his time has passed him by.

Here are the options that are worth something - to me you only make a move that puts you over the top, otherwise pass. People like Gio Gonz or picking up someone like a Robbie Ray does not accomplish anything, just takes time and development away from younger guys & we have a lot of those guys that need to learn. In reality, the back end of your rotation needs to be there for younger guys to learn. By the time you get to the postseason your team is 4 starters max .. we should have options with Keuchel, Giolito, Cease, Kopech. So picking up a guy should only be done if he can start Game 1, 2, or 3 of a playoff series for you. It's a luxury as well. You have Dunning, Rodon (maybe), Lopez (maybe), and all the other rookies we know who at some point will need game seasoning that will only happen in the bullpen + minors + injuries. Bauer - his year to year thing and personality fit the sox to the max. I haven't seen a better fit for the Sox and Reinsdorf ever. Sign him for $30-33mm for one year and adjust annually as it makes sense. I'm not sure i'd give him over $35-37mm because he's stlll too prone to blow up from game to game (last year for example). But good Bauer is a top 10 pitcher. Rich Hill - he fits the mold too. One year contract, when he's healthy he's a top pithcer you could roll out in the playoffs. he's only going to give you like 85 innings, so you can roster him and still have young guys develop Kluber - who knows what is in the tank. Can probably get him on a 1-2 year deal at reasonable price. There's a chance that he still has the top ability too. Those are the only 3 I'd take a shot on.

will unpack a few points here: Vaughn - I know it's not official games, but count this as the year in the minors the Sox wanted out of Vaughn. If there was a need/hole open this year I suspect he would have got his chance. When the Sox are in win mode they move their guys up ... i.e. Sale. Expect him on the team next year in early May or June depending on service time stuff. McCann - I have been dead wrong on this guy. I even said, why spend $5mm on him in the offseason, we have formidable catchers who can play 1-2 games a week behind him + EE. I was completely wrong. I actually think maybe he found a later career revival and is a solid, solid starter. That being said, we have Grandal, and although he's Gio's guy, if Gio is a true Ace it won't matter the guy catching (let alone he'd have Grandal, one of the best). I realize he's bigger part of this team and we're contending for whatever prize you call this year, but if you can get a return on him do it. otherwise, more of an NBA move, but would love a sign and trade in the offseason. Simply put, you need to get something back in return for him. If not? Then you need to explore trading Collins - but to me the rate of return on a McCann is probably pretty nice when compared to Collins & if Vaughn does his job then you're missing a good opportunity to get value because there's not going to be many AB's for McCann's role outside of injuries. Unpopular opinion - but keep your eye on the prize - winning the "world series" is unlikely this year, plus were probably humming along at like 40% potential right now of what we'll be in 2 years during the 2022 season. if you can get a nice arm that can slot into the bullpen in the future, then that's the move.

Seeding would be nice, however it doesn't really concern me a ton. Outside of Cole & facing a team like the Indians, I really don't see an advantage or disadvantage of a 3 game series against any other team. Indians could throw Bieber, Clev, Civale/Carrasco out there. I want no piece of that. Likewise Cole and (good) Tanaka are tough to beat. Finally - morton/snell/glasnow. Really just don't want to play the Yanks, Indians, Rays first round. Hard to control seeding though, but after that I'd welcome almost any other team against our offense/top 3 guys in a 3 game series. Sidenote: it has to be extremely frustrating to be an indians fan. It's almost like a poorly run Rays team in a much easier division. The OF they run out there is just hot garbage. With Bieber, Clev, Carraasco, Civale, Pleasac, McKenzie? Wow, thats pitching depth to the max. They just need an OF -- ONE impact bat .... like a Castallenos or someone like that in the offseason and they'd be my WS favorite.

Go get a RF, other than that, let's not press on a weird season. Let the chips fall where they may, we're probably on course to play Oakland, NYY or Twins in 1st round

Don't care about the record over next 12 games. Really we are competing against almost nobody for a playoff spot. Toronto : probably your 8 seed. too bad pearson couldn't stay healthy - with ryu and roark, anderson etc they had a shot at being average enough to keep afloat with a young talented offense. Then they lost bichette too. But either way, they're probably the 8 seed. After that: Orioles - which i mean, they have some sticks, but they won't have the sustainable pitching to get through. Cobb, Means, Millone, Woj can all have flashes, but none are going to really keep you in the hunt - maybe with Toronto, but not much better. They'll play mostly .500 ball but have like a 5-6 game losing streak and finish 27 wins or so. Texas? They should have a better offense than they do, but they rank near last in almost everything offensively. No Kluber hurts. Minor losing some velocity hurts. Gibson hasn't pitched even league average. This team has the most talent of the fringe candidates however at 11-17 they'll need to battle to get to .500 in short time Angels - same. That offense should produce, but that pitching staff is woof. Teheran was a bust. Ohtani down. Bundy has been nice. But they'll need someone like Pena and Sandoval really to step up. And Canning to stay healthy. Either way their bullpen sucks. offense can maybe get them some wins but at 9-21? Good riddance ... they'll never go 21-9 to finish .500 playing the likes of houston, oakland, dodgers, dbacks, padres. Boston/KC/Detroit? - not happening. Maybe Detroit could have a case if Skubal and mize came out strong and Boyd bounced back... but at 11-16 they'll need to do that fast. That offense has some vets, but lets be honest... So at 17-12 plus these 12 games? even if its just 7-5 we're then 24-19 with 17 games left. Go 7-10 and we finish 31-29. Not sure which of the teams i Just listed are jumping us. So long winded saying of - i really don't care about the record that much - we're in the playoffs unless we shit the bed. So what I want to see? I want to see run PRODUCTION. not this hit home run shit. I'm not trying to be the old man yells at cloud here, but this reminds me of the twins last year or the cubs a few years back. the long ball is a good way to win and lose games, you don't want to rely on it. I'd like to see some more get em on, get em over, get em in. I think Madrigal helps there. i'd like to see a healthy yoan.. I'd like to see Eloy learn and grow in LF. I'd like to see RF figure itself out -- or raelly I'd like to see a trade by Monday. Mazara aint it. He wasn't going to be. He didn't cost anything, but he's not it. Engel has grown on me, but he's not it either. He's a nice 4 of and pinch runner and defensive sub. I'd like to see Rodon come back. I'd like to see Lopez figure out a role - whether that be starting or in the pen or as an opener.

Ha! let's just be honest strangesox, you wanted to steer the convo more towards politics with that USPS statement. call a spade a spade.

Exactly. There's a chance. What if the Mets spread it to the Marlins - and the Marlins got knocked out again for a week or two? At a certain point I'm also trying to figure out what the taxi squad is for. I can see taking a pause for a series if you have a test, but isn't that kind of on you? You should have to quarantine those who got it and bring up your minor leaguers. Whole thing is a mess. Cant wait til a team like the Cardinals who play 53 games has a .528 winning percentage and gets in the playoffs over the Padres or something who play 60 games and have a .527 winning percentage. Also why I'm not getting too concerned with anything Sox - it was going to be an up and down year for them full of crazy winning streaks and bad losing streaks. I Just wanted to see development and injury free - same applies now. Also, not sure you'd get anything, but I'd be looking to trade anybody who doesn't have a future on this team. I could give zero sh*ts if we win a "world series" this year. Just doesn't mean a thing to me. So if there is any market that gives even somewhat of a return i think you try and unload.

To be honest - doesn't that sound like college? haha. Go to class for an hour - maybe skip it. Drink on Tuesday at noon at the bar. Go to class at 5pm. Surf the internet during class on my laptop. Go home, read the whole book and teach myself everything, ace the standardized test get a 4.0 and get a good job. Hell, kind of sounds like work nowadays. Wake up, workout, mow the lawn at 10am, maybe have an afternoon beer with my lunch, go to the grocery store. Work my 8 hours whenever I feel like it, ace my work, be responsive and responsible for myself, and keep climbing the corporate ladder. Problem isn't the kids, its the archaic way we teach children. And also the archaic way of thinking that we need to be in cubicles to perform our jobs.

The EE hate is too strong. This is the same guy who has hit over 30 HR every single year since 2013. Some reference for those who may need it. This was the great year where Deuente Heath and Donnie Veal pitched. Brian Omogrosso did as well. The Tank Dayan Viciedo was starting in LF. Our top Prospects were Courntney Hawkins and Trayce Thompson. Don't forget about Scott Snodgress and Keon Barnum. We won 63 games. Jeff Keppinger was our opening day 3b. Is he old? Yes. Has his BA declined for 5 straight years? Yes. Here's the thing - he should still be able to hit .235, OBP of .340 and have an OPS of .850 - he'll have a streak and start knocking the cover off the ball for a few weeks and regress back to the norm. In regards to Vaughn? No need this year. Unless Moncada or Madrigal were out for significant time - and maybeeeee try him at 3rd in a pinch, just because it gives you a nice offense profile. But outside of that EE is your man, if he continues to struggle, McCann is your man. If both die dancing for dubs, then you go to Yermin and Collins. No reason to waste a year on Vaughn when he doesn't grade out much better. Only scenario i see is something where your infield falls apart and you have to stick him at 3B to tread water for a month. Which isn't ideal.

Tigers will likely be our competition come 2022 or 2023 season. Skubal, Manning & Mize should all be rotation options. Now, we all know what can happen to pitching prospects with injuries, etc.. but it's a nice start. The problem with them is they really don't have a minor league system full of many bats. Riley Greene should be a starter, and Torkelson should move his way up the system quickly. Outside of that they're going to have to go out and sign some bats. But based on the Illitch past I think money will be there as necessary to make some moves. Miggy contract has some run left in it, but outside that they're clear. 2020 and 2021 will be growing years. But I think 2022 is a real possibility for them to be where we are next year. By that point I'd expect both Minnesota and Cleveland to have fallen off a bit.