he gone.

ahhhh. that makes sense. Then let's pull a NHL. Sign him for 20 years and $360mm.

12/420 is a no from me. However, that is negotiations - if they are making that number publicly it's just to set the bar high. My absolute ceiling would be 11/ 350. And at that I would want there to be creativity. Like I wouldn't mind a year where he gets paid $60mm, and then the following year is like $10mm. Off the top of my head I feel like they do this in football a ton. I understand there's a salary cap there, so its a bit different & don't know if there are union rules against it. But why not get creative to where you're spending a bunch in years with payroll flexibility, and then maybe less during a peak run, and then restructuring it to a bunch when you're likely in a rebuild, etc. etc. etc. I'm not sure how it would all look, but someone smarter in the FO should be able to figure out something.

Now out of these remaining guys... I'd rank them in this order for me personally. I know as some have mentioned we need a backup SS and 3B more than a 2B and thats not wrong... but I'm going bat heavy. Scooter Gennett Wilmer Flores Brock Holt Ben Zobrist Jason Kipnis Brian Dozier Brad Miller Jordy Mercer NOPE Addison Russell

First on Steve Stone ... there's no doubt he knows his baseball. I think he's really talented there - but he's also got a bit of Hawk in him. He believes his way is the right way. He likely is a jerk in real life based on how he handles himself on twitter. He has to know & understand his role as a team commentator --- even though what he is saying is probably 80% true, he needs to learn to tone it down or someone should tell him to. What if we go out and get a Puig? Why have any controversy at all? And why is it coming from a booth guy? Just unnecessary. I respect him and think hes generally right, but he needs to be smarter. I enjoy his banter on twitter as long as you realize he'll never admit he's wrong on anything.

This is probably true, however i think madrigal will be able to slot in at SS once a week or as necessary once he's up. Mendick still probably makes the most sense in terms of money, availability and role. I'd like a sexier name and option, but he makes sense.

But why? We all like him personally - but as a baseball player, just imagine he was on the Giants for the last 6 years and came over to us on a minor league contract ... we wouldn't bat an eye and say the deal is worth nothing. Take the person out of the equation, we need to move on from this idea that these guys have a place on a team that's really competing for a playoff spot. Yolmer Sanchez was fine for 2015-2019 ... we've turned the page. If we are truly dedicated to winning we need to focus on guys like Scooter Gennett as your UTIL/backup. There's a guy you can probably pay less than $5mm for that was averaging over .300BA, .350OBP and hit 50 home runs over two years before last year that was completely railroaded by a bad groin injury.

And also I don't think the Sox FO should be ashamed. Yolmer should be ecstatic he got that long of a shot to play so many games over a dreadful period for the Sox. He wouldn't have had that shot with many teams. He made a good amount of money. I think everybody can walk away somewhat satisfied.

to be fair, he may have actually turned down major league offers. At this point in his career he's down to about his last options .... his glove will keep him employed for a few more years, but in general his chance to show over a large sample of games that he can hit the ball w more authority than last year is dwindling. Between Longoria being old and possibly being injured plus no real standout at 2b? He should be able to play a decent amount this year.

As a guy who has said they had no real shot at major FA in the past ... I actually think we do have a chance. Slight. Like 5-10%. I know it sounds crazy - but I've had this weird feeling for some time. My belief is that it has to be a perfect storm though. a) the Sox have to be very competitive this year. This means just missing or making the playoffs. It also takes a few pitchers stepping forward to where we truly believe in them - Kopech, Cease, Lopez, Dunning, etc. Basically to where you've solidified your rotation and don't think you'll need to go out and spend in FA. b) none of the Sox minor league OF take a step forward - so Rutherford, Adolfo, etc all basically just confirm they have no shot of being a true option c) The Dodgers don't get him. I'd count them as the main competition. Going down the line alphabetically for NO's -- AZ, BAL, BOS, CHC, CIN, CLE, COL, HOU, KC, MIA, MIL, MIN, NYM, OAK, PIT, SEA, TB. d) That leaves ATL, DET, LAA, LAD, NYY, PHI, SD, SF, STL, TEX, TOR, WAS e) I'd think out of that list ... LAD, TEX, SF, SD, CWS, DET are the most likely in that order In my heart of hearts i believe we end up with Springer. But really outside of LAD I think we can compete with the offers from TEX, SF, and SD. Also outside of LAD and SD, we probably have the best pitch to win multiple WS during his contract. The next hardest part is a comp ... Harper was 13 years AAV of $25mm. Trout was 12 years AAV of $35mm. My tops would be ... 10 years .... $300mm. Machados contract, though I think he pushes for a deal like Harpers ... more years... but less AAV than Trout. My guess is he pushes for 12 years and like $350mm. My personal breaking point is 10 years though, because as an OF he's going to age poorly, ultimately being a 35-38 year old LF, making $30mm a year, a shell of his former self. Very few OF age well into their mid 30's. So you have understand you're overpaying to try and bring home multiple WS over the next 5-7 years.

in another rumor - cubs in on Gennett. Seeing as it came out of nowhere, I'd guess theyre decently down the line in talks... I realllllly hope that number isn't less than like $4-6mm. I think it would be a huge miss not to give him a shot to handle 2b, OF, 1B, DH, etc. etc. etc. around the diamond for that price. He's only a year removed from a combined 303/.351/.508 slash with fifty long balls over two years before that. He's a guy I've wanted the Sox to give a chance badly...

Just quick fantasy grab... look at that list. plus wander franco ... royce lewis maybe, bobby witt. carter kieboom .... abrams .... luciano ... its so damn stacked. brendan rodgers.. Just seems feasible in my fantasy baseball mind that if we could trade our SS for Senzel that we could pick up a SS at a discounted price elsewhere with relative ease. 2020 Fantasy Baseball: Shortstops Rankings, Consensus Preseason Rankings for SS | FantasyPros RANK PLAYER (Team, Position) OVERALL BEST WORST AVG STD DEV ADP VS. ADP 1 Francisco Lindor (CLE - SS) 6 1 5 1.3 0.6 7.0 +1.0 2 Trea Turner (WSH - SS) 9 1 5 2.8 0.8 14.0 +5.0 3 Trevor Story (COL - SS) 8 1 6 2.9 1.1 11.0 +3.0 4 Alex Bregman (HOU - 3B,SS) 12 2 6 3.3 1.0 8.0 -4.0 5 Fernando Tatis Jr. (SD - SS) 20 2 12 5.3 1.4 19.0 -1.0 6 Xander Bogaerts (BOS - SS) 30 5 9 6.7 1.0 32.0 +2.0 7 Javier Baez (CHC - 2B,3B,SS) 34 4 12 7.3 1.4 36.0 +2.0 8 Gleyber Torres (NYY - 2B,SS) 35 5 10 7.8 1.1 31.0 -4.0 9 Adalberto Mondesi (KC - 2B,SS) 44 6 15 9.5 2.3 41.0 -3.0 10 Jonathan Villar (MIA - 2B,SS) 52 7 15 11.1 1.7 33.0 -19.0 11 Manny Machado (SD - 3B,SS) 57 8 14 11.6 1.2 57.0 ‐ 12 Bo Bichette (TOR - SS) 66 8 14 12.7 1.5 82.0 +16.0 13 Marcus Semien (OAK - SS) 75 10 15 13.6 1.3 83.0 +8.0 14 Carlos Correa (HOU - SS) 77 8 31 14.3 2.8 91.0 +14.0 15 Ketel Marte (ARI - 2B,SS) 42 5 15 10.4 1.8 44.0 +2.0 16 Tim Anderson (CWS - SS) 94 13 24 15.7 2.5 107.0 +13.0 17 Jorge Polanco (MIN - SS) 124 14 26 18.5 2.8 141.0 +17.0 18 Amed Rosario (NYM - SS) 130 16 23 19.1 1.2 144.0 +14.0 19 Corey Seager (LAD - SS) 132 15 29 19.4 2.4 146.0 +14.0 20 Elvis Andrus (TEX - SS) 160 17 27 21.2 3.4 131.0 -29.0 21 Jean Segura (PHI - SS) 158 16 27 22.1 2.1 193.0 +35.0 22 Didi Gregorius (PHI - SS) 177 17 33 23.4 3.6 204.0 +27.0 23 Paul DeJong (STL - SS) 185 19 30 23.9 2.4 185.0 ‐ 24 Eduardo Escobar (ARI - 3B,SS) 115 17 20 18.0 1.2 99.0 -16.0 25 Gavin Lux (LAD - SS) 200 18 40 25.3 5.3 155.0 -45.0 26 Kevin Newman (PIT - SS) 235 21 37 27.8 4.6 216.0 -19.0 27 Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (TOR - 2B,SS) 187 21 29 23.8 2.6 164.0 -23.0 28 Scott Kingery (PHI - 3B,SS) 228 21 30 26.1 2.6 178.0 -50.0 29 Willy Adames (TB - 2B,SS) 305 23 35 31.3 3.3 320.0 +15.0

like i said it was off the top of my head. I've generally been a non Timmy guy in terms of thinking he can replicate his success consistently. I love his attitude and as a person, just for some reason not as much on the baseball front. I love when he proved me wrong last year and that probably put my fears to rest, but for some reason it didn't. I also really like Senzel + he has flexibility all over the field which is nice to have. Also based on someone like Didi taking a 1 year deal, if you flipped a Timmy and got Senzel you could pick up a Didi at a decent price. Or go get a Brendan Rodgers via trade. It just seems like there are nonstop SS prospects nowadays for some reason. This is not me defending a fake made up trade on a glance, more me explaining it -- again with no backing & not much thought.

never thought of that angle -- trying to get Senzel ...... hmmm... would they do it for Timmy? This is all just surface level for me - haven't really researched it, going off of my fantasy baseball memory right now ... but Senzel was a #2 pick and destroying the minors before his bout with vertigo i believe. and then this injury... i wonder if it would be a buy low, sell high type of thing. They get their SS & we could see where we slot him ... SS, 2B, CF, RF, etc. *** i reserve the right to hate my own post later today after i think about this more -- even though this scenario will never happen anyways.

Good for Nick. Good for Cincinnati as a town and fan base, and good for the Reds. It's an overpay - but whatever. And as much as trading Senzel might be a tough move ... if you get a Lindor back you could have a real fun 2 years ahead. That rotation is pretty damn solid up and down. Castillo, Gray, Bauer, Miley, Desclafini, Mahle. If you add a Lindor you have Suarez, Lindor, Moose, Votto, Castellanos, the CF from Japan? and Winker. They also have that Aquanios (don't remember his name off the top of my head and not looking it up ... you know who I'm talking about though) and in that situation you can just take your excess OF and shift them around - Castellanos to 1B, votto rest. Moose to 3B, Suarez rest, etc. I for one am cheering for the Reds this year in the NL.

I would be easily on board with that package. HOWEVER. You have to look at it from two sides ... why would Colorado want Anderson? They already have a log jam in the infield. They have Arenado, Story, Rodgers, McMahon, and Hampson. If they're getting rid of Arenado it's going to be a for a nice pitching prospects. They'll slide McMahon over to third, Rodgers slots in at 2b, and Hampson slots in at CF, 2B, UTIL. They also have some decent OF prospects... If I was the Rockies I'd be fine letting Arenado go - attaching Desmond, and then getting 2 pitching prospects like a Dunning/Rodon (Rodon not exactly a prospect). But in that scenario they clear nearly $50mm of payroll and add arms to their rotation that is very thin after Marquez and Gray. It opens up their infield for a top 20 prospect in Rodgers. I'd think, if the Sox are willing to play big boy ball on payroll for a few years when it doesn't matter, you do Arenado and Desmond for Collins, a pitching prospect like Dunning or Steiver, and then a lower level pitching prospect. It may actually get it done ... the PR is the toughest part for Colorado, but other than that, it almost makes their team better for the next 2-4 years just due to payroll flexibility and ability to slot in some of their prospects a bit better But in that scenario you're playing Moncada in RF, and I don't know enough about the reality of that.

They'll be using them in spring training this year ... but in the background ... which isn't to say much. "According to the Associated Press, MLB has discussed installing the system at the Class A Florida State League for 2020. If the technology works well at that level, the next step the following year could very well be implementing the technology at the Triple-A level, putting robot umps just one step away from the big leagues." Basically my guess is starting in the 2022 season. I mean, I don't really think these test years are going to be a big deal. The technology has been in place now for years ... so it's not like there will be a lot of changes needed. So I don't see any reason by next year it's not in AAA. Seeing as the ump union has already approved this, the biggest step, then I think 2022 is a fair guess. Maybe it takes another year after that ... but based on some of the big calls missed in the playoffs I think it will be quick.

not trying to get in a "im right, your wrong" convo here. These conversations on this site and others should be more give and take rather than backing your take to the death. The truth is somewhere in the middle. Your opinion is he's worth it. I believe that's a stretch and that's likely the consensus across the industry too. Sure theres a chance Abreu continues his play well for 3 years, but its more likely he doesn't. Hell look at EE or Nelson Cruz. There's your market comparison. He already had no leverage saying that he never wanted to play on another team. We easily couldve gone year to year and taken out all risk from our end - that was the smart move business wise. Unfortunately the only time JR gets involved and overpays is when he doesn't think with his business mind. Almost all other moves are made with business in mind ... not fans.. not the team.. just his bottom line. This is the exception and its pretty evident. This contract is paying for his past performances and to keep him in a Sox jersey for his career -- and that's fine as long as JR uses his emotional mind over the next 3 years and doesn't use money as a crutch during this extended playoff stretch. Unfortunately I'd have to think much like all owners in baseball from the Yankees to Red Sox to Cubs this likely wont happen. I mean... Abreu is probably worth more like EE for the rest of his career .... so 3 years and 36mm. On most teams he'd already be the DH, but the Sox again are playing nice. It's my opinion that in 2022 when we need an extra bullpen piece or nice veteran bench piece and want that extra $10mm we'll hear a line that "were comfortable in the $180mm range" or something to that extent. And that $10mm will come back to haunt us. Just like Granadal's contract. We'll have robot umps and his framing will be worthless. He'll be blocked at DH and 1B -- he'll be old & producing like a $8-10mm catcher. Again - his contract was driven by being the first to sign, taking that risk, his current worth, etc. etc. But that will be money we regret in 2022 as well. Again - my own thoughts - I may be wrong, and probably will be to some extent. But I'm afraid we'll cry poor in the future and those are two contracts I'll go back to.

Give me all the shares of Scooter Gennett is he costs $5mm. He can give you shares at 2B. He's also played a few games in the OF in his career. To me a Zobrist has no upside, Gennett does. Gennett can bounce around your diamond like a poor mans Zobrist defensively, but has the upside with the bat. If not him, then give me a high upside pitcher opportunity ala Walker or a couple high upside guys for even less money. Bucholz types.

Theres no rush to sign Madrigal to a defined extension. His type of play isn't the type that lends itself to big arbitration raises. Robert and Eloy could smash 40-50HR and all of a sudden you're paying them $28mm like Arenado at the end. Madrigal will never grade out like a player like that. If he plays like we're expecting he's the perfect type of player... not too expensive.. but just produces and is a key part of the team. He's the Mark Buerhle of position players.. not flashy, but gets the job done.

If i had to take a guess this has the Dodgers written all over it. Maybe it's not Betts, but I think they'll make a big trade like Lindor, Bryant, Betts. They have the ability to do so from excess prospect talent. They are in a crazy good position. I kind of hope it's not the Dodgers though - i want betts to hit FA just to see if the Sox could truly make a play. I'm still holding out hope.

This isn't Castellanos to Abreu comparison. It's $18mm tied up for no reason comparison. $18mm can net you a number of different assets and different times. $18mm can come in handy for a small market owner.

Which therein lies the problem ... the Abreu extension just wasn't necessary at all. He had his 1 year deal. He gave his intention to stay here for his career ... he would've been okay without having to extend him this off-season. Just made no sense. Hell, you could've done it, but later in the off season too ... that wouldve given flexibility for situations like this and Ozuna and/or driven the price down more. Just never made business sense. Again, i'm on the record as okay with it for sentimental reasons, but business wise it doesn't. Same thing will end up happening on the Grandal signing. 2 years in when we're using computers to make calls his framing will be useless and we'll have a catcher on the wrong side of 30 blocked at the DH spot putting up meh numbers and still being paid well. Both deals had and have their merit for many reasons outside the bad aspects, just those bad aspects can come back to haunt you a lot when you have a "small market" owner.

Not that easy of question or answer because we're just fans sitting on the outside. We have no idea what JR and Hahn have discussed in terms of budget & plan. There's so much that can change between today and this time next year that we can't really realistically say what is the most likely. Betts? Yes, he's probably a long shot. However, we did offer Machado $250mm last offseason. We offered Wheeler $125mm. Who knows how this season goes. We may look terrible. Robert may continue to get injured and not realize his potential. Giolito may regress. Anderson may turn back into Anderson of a few years ago both offensively and defensively. Abreu may continue to age and decline quicker than expected. Madrigal might turn out to be a glorified #9 hitter, Moncada could fall back into old ways. Eloy may take another year to figure it out. Kopech may struggle with command, likewise Cease. ORRRRR. All of those people could take a step forward and play well and we win 90 games. Likewise, who knows what we get out of Adolfo and Rutherford this year -- maybe the take a giant step forward. Maybe Vaughn does too. Dunning, etc. It's all a fart in the wind. Seeing as were not winning a world series this year, I think its probably smart to be patient rather than signing Castanellos to a 3 year deal when we know he does have some flaws in his game and we won't really have a place to hide him if those worsen instead of improve (Abreu/Vaughn DH & 1b). If you can get him on a 1 or 2 year deal then it makes more sense. a 2 year deal could still work as you figure your minors, trade options, etc. I'm not always the most optimistic, but I truly believe we'll have Springer or Betts in uniform come next year. My best educated guess is we finish with 83-86 wins this year and miss out on the playoffs. I think Uncle Jerry is old, rich, and truly does want to win and understands this is the time to push the pedal down. The money will be spent... and they really haven't spent it. Robert and Eloy is not money spent ... it's a fixed expense instead of arbitration and the CBA. Those numbers should not be included in the $300mm or so. Likewise EE and these 1 year deals don't count really in my mind. I think at the end of this year, outside crazy development from Adolfo, Gonzalez & Rutherford, etc. that we'll be in the market for a RF and will be making a 9 figure offer to someone to fill that hole.

Yes, I'd do 3 years, not 54mm, I'd do 3 years and maybe 48mm. I'd only do this if they really have no honest intention of going after Springer or Betts. If you even have a 10% chance or want to sign them, then just pass.

Wouldnt want to give up the draft pick, however 1 year and 18mm is a nice deal. Maybe Castanellos is available for a very similar figure...... definitely pull that trigger if so.