SonofaRoache

I feel excited that the horrible baseball is OVAH! We are officially done with the rebuild and will now start trying to make the playoffs.

Very good points. But FA is key and can change our fortunes. Signing 2 starters and getting Kopech and Rodon back improved the rotation and bullpen. I think 90 ish games takes the division next year and Minny will fall back to the pack. Cleveland will probably win 82 to 88.

I was one of Hahns harshest critics but he will get it done this off season. How many players and coaches have already said they expect to compete next year? Off the top of my head Ricky, Abreu, Nova, Yoyo, Gio, Kopech, and Timmy. Clearly, there must be some confidence the necessary moves will be made to compete. Rick has done a lot of talking and wouldn't be allowed back in Illinois if he didn't deliver.

I agree, we shall see if Rick can get the job done. The options will be there for us to make significant upgrades.

I wouldn't call it a failure, but it has been a downer. The Cubs have a lot more talent than the Brewers in all phases of the game except back end bullpen. Yet, they have been getting smoked by them and choking septembers away. I don't even count last year as postseason for them, I think if you don't play in an actual series, you didn't make the real playoffs. The Cubs haven't played in a real series in back to back seasons.

I don't think we will sign a big time catcher and will platoon Collins and McCann. I think on the offensive side they will shore up our biggest weaknesses with JDM and a quality RF. We may sign guys to fill out the bench like Adam Jones. These two main moves along with Robert and Magical should significantly improve our offense without having to throw money at catcher. From a defensive standpoint, we may just be screwed and will have to have all defensive guys on the bench for the outfield. I see them putting a great deal of effort and money into pitching, and I'd agree with this. Our offense will score runs, but we need Kopech and Cease to be backend guys that aren't relied upon to contribute great play just yet. I'd like to slide Giolito down to second in the rotation by signing a high end 1 or 2 and also sign a number 3. Lopez and Rodon can pitch out of the pen for 2020. A bullpen arm or two will probably finish off their FA. It seems like we are far away in terms of wins but we really aren't. We are replacing four pathetic offensive positions with good baseball players. We are also bringing our rotation up from terrible to above average with these moves. In turn, our bullpen will be stronger as well. The only weakness continues to be Ricky.

Appreciate the suck. We will look back on it next year and laugh at our lineup the the Royals, Cubs, and Astros did.

I'm just glad the rebuild is almost officially over. Time to start making this team better. Trades that improve the team immediately and being excited about quality free agents begins a few months from now.

If Cole is offered 250 million by the Yankees, Dodgers, Astros, and Cubs, (not saying this will happen), then the Sox would have to pay at least 265 million to get him. Players will go to the highest bidder when it is within reason to do so. If the Sox offer 255 million, they probably won't get him in this scenario.

Mind Blown!

Timmy is not underrated nor is he taken for granted. Most fans understand he is a quality baseball player with a high ceiling if he becomes consistent defensively.

I'm on board. Let's get this party started.

Interesting point here. I think to sign top tier FAs we will need to show them we intend on winning next season. There will be many suitors out there for guys we want so being competitive becomes important.

Enjoy this last week fellas, it will be the last week of the rebuild and being bad for the next 7 years. Free agency should be fun this year even if we get solid guys and no major fish like Cole. Minnesota and Cleveland are taking big steps back and I believe our division will be won with 88 to 90 wins next year.

Nick will cost a lot of money as well.

The last thing I wanted was to trade Q to the Cubs, but it made the Sox better long term. If we believe Maddon can be a significant upgrade over Ricky, and he is, then I don't care if he comes from the Cubs. The Cubs choked during our entire rebuild and starting next season we can be on equal footing as them or better, so I no longer feel as bitter towards them.

I'd agree with you normally, but Joe has turned around the Ray's and Cubs. He would be great for this team, even though his bullpen handling is suspect. To be honest though, his lineups and rotations are significantly better than Rick's.

People are allowed to speak as they please. Hahn and Company can just ignore it and collect checks. Until the Sox prove themselves and discontinue their playoff drought, people will talk. And millions of men would gladly talk shit to his face if they wouldn't be jailed for it lol.

Yep. It probably has something to do with the amount of playoff appearances in the last 50 years.

I agree. But sometimes money talks. The Yankees may also want to splurge on Cole.

If we were to sign Martinez, Grandal, and Stras/Bum/Cole, would anyone have a problem with giving Brett Gardner a two year deal? He has speed, can hit, and is a solid defender. If we sign Cole/Bum/Stras/Wheeler, would anyone have a problem giving Ryu a two year deal? We should have payrolls in the 130s moving forward to be honest. Just make sure most of the free agents are gone by the end of 2023 or 24.

It seems like whenever coaches and players are interviewed they are confident in the team next year. I believe the aggressive plans for this off-season are spoken about within the organization. I don't see a scenario where we waste another great year from our core guys when we have specific holes we can fill to get much better. I don't expect Cole, but I expect huge acquisitions for SP2, DH, RF, BP1, and SP4.

Yep let fans tell it, losses are always great and players don't get upset with being losers. They love to tank. Good players hate losing games they should win, even if it is for the better good.

He may want to stay but they may not want him. I wouldn't pay him to lose 100 games the next two or three years. We will keep Abreu because we can win the division next year. I think we only get one good starter and a Cole Hamels wildcard type. We may need to trade for some relief.

I'd like to see us bring in JD Martinez Grandal Jake O or Bum or Stras or Wheeler Alex Gordon This will be expensive but I think you'll get a ton of value out of this group and can win 90 games. I don't think we have a shot at Cole, and I really want a second starter and would take a chance on Cole Hamels at the right price on a two year deal with an option. All of these guys would get 4 years or less and would be off the books when it is time to pay the core.