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Post by tookme55 on Nov 1, 2018 8:45:02 GMT -5
No offense taken, but I think you are misconstrued on what I want, even what a "super team" is. I would like them to resign Eovaldi if possible, yes, but not break the bank, I would hope Porcello is never discussed in trade, or JBJ for that matter. I would let Kimbrel walk. I would look to trade Vazquez or Swihart. I have said this repeatedly. If that sounds like me trying to build your referenced "super team", I don't know how to convince you otherwise. If the Sox are smart, and I think DD and the Front Office are, they would not trade good valuable players while they are on the cusp of winning another WS. This team may get blown up and look completely different for 2020, but after next year we can discuss all this. I'm with you on this. Signing Eovaldi not only bolsters our chances for repeat but it's also a hedge against losing both Sale and Porcello the following year. Having Eovaldi will allow the Sox to start 2020 at least with starters Price, E Rod and Eovaldi. My guess is we'll go after Sale unless he shows additional symptoms of wear and tear.
I also would not sign Kimbrel, instead opting for cheaper option. We have to give up something. My wish list is Eovaldi, Pearce or someone comparable to platoon at 1B and a closer. Pick up additional pieces at trade deadline to shore up injuries and weaknesses.
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Post by tookme55 on Nov 1, 2018 8:39:25 GMT -5
I don’t get why people feel like Porcello is so disposable. I think the case can be made he is essential. Unlike Sale or Price, he has been an iron man. He is inconsistent, but he is better (at his worst) than the Johnson/Vasquez etc. types. At his best, he can be pretty awesome. ERod teases with talent, and I like him, but he’s never thrown a full season. Porcello has anchored the staff for the last few years. Point is: Porcello may be a #3, but to pry him away, I’d need someone to send a pacjage worthy of a #1. I don't want to trade him unless for some reason we're completely out of the race by July 2019. I don't see that happening. But we're at a point we'll have to make some choices. I just don't think we can afford both Sale and Porcello. That's on top of Xander's free agency and JD Martinez perhaps opting out. And let's not forget the big elephant in the room, Betts free agency after 2020 season. We need to keep the band together for 2019. We may never get closer to winning another world series title. And I'm not kidding. We're riding a good wave and we still have another year at least to enjoy it. No freakin' way I trade Porcello right now.
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Post by tookme55 on Oct 29, 2018 10:38:07 GMT -5
Sure I will give DD some credit for the Red Sox winning the World Series however, I give most of the credit to Cora, the coaching staff and the players. There are many times this team could have folded, including after losing Game 3 in 18 innings. Talent only gets you so far. Enjoy the celebrations. DD fired the previous coach and hired Cora. Just saying.
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Post by tookme55 on Oct 28, 2018 9:51:37 GMT -5
If a game epitomizes a team's season last night was it. Hope they bring Moreland and Pearce back next season to man 1B. I like players like them. Brock Holt is becoming legend. The much maligned bullpen has been our strength. Devers has a cannon for an arm. That play in the 9th might have saved the game. Machado better sign with an NL team next season because if he is in the AL it will (rightly) be target practice when he bats against the Sox. Dirty punk-ass player. Swihart looked crossed up last night. He went out to speak to Kimbrel after the first pitch which tells me they were on different pages with the signs. Kimbrel was getting squeezed be he also looked a bit gassed last night. Moreland is already signed for 2019. I agree about Pearce. AL East guy that looks like he belongs on Sox team.
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Post by tookme55 on Oct 28, 2018 7:48:24 GMT -5
Last time around, we went back to back years over the luxury tax limit (2015/2016) and then reset in 2017. We were at $233M this year, getting close to third tier surtax penalty at 42.5%. I think we'll go over the limit again this year and reset in 2020 (major overhaul to our payroll structure).
Our CB Payroll is estimated currently for 2019 at $212M (Per Cot's Baseball). Luxury tax limit is $206M. In theory, Henry is willing to spend up to $246M if the third tier peanlty is our budget.
That means we only have additional $34M to spend to fit in Kimbrel, Eovaldi and Pearce. Obviously this also assumes Pedey will come back 100% healthy for 2019.
From where I sit, I think we'll trade either for a closer, a fifth start or platoon right handed bat at 1B to reduce the monetary cost.
After winning back to back World Series title in 2019, the team will re-set payroll for 2020.
Pablo contract comes off. $19M Porcello contract expires, $22M. Sale contract expires, $13M. Moreland contract expires, $6.5M. Xander's becomes FA, $12M (est per mlb trade rumors) JD Martinez opts out, $22M.
That's about $94M.
We will then build a team around Betts, Beni and Devers and possibly Xander and JD Martinez being retained.
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Post by tookme55 on Oct 28, 2018 7:32:53 GMT -5
DD has been a straight shooter.
He identifies team needs and gets players to fill the needs. I also think he's good at reading the market.
What are the needs? 1. Closer 2. Possibly a fifth starter 3. Right handed bat for 1B to go with Moreland (who needs to be platooned) 4. Big elephant in the room......what to do at 2B?
Keep in mind he's not afraid to empty out the farm to get what he wants. It's not always free agents.
1. Not sure if we have an internal candidate. They all look to be at best set up guys. If not Kimbrel, then who? 2. Wright, Johnson, Hector are all candidates but that assumes no injuries to our top 4 which based on our history seems very unrealistic. It maybe too much to ask from Wright, Johnson and Hector to fill TWO of the starting spots. 3. Pearce would be great but what's it going to cost? 4. Nunez and Holt are much suited as utility players that can play multiple positions. Neither one should be starting 2B. I'm just not sure what to think of Pedey's health anymore. His body may just be worn out.
Devers and Beni have stepped up last two years. Who is next?
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Post by tookme55 on Oct 28, 2018 7:17:11 GMT -5
We don't have to do anything this winter.
We pick up his option at $13.5M for 2019 and let it play it out.
My guess is DD will want to go for it again in 2019. Why would you trade Sale at this point?
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Post by tookme55 on Jun 24, 2018 15:50:13 GMT -5
Vazquez signed a new contract. 3 Years @ $4.517/year beginning in 2019 with club option in 2022.
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Post by tookme55 on Jun 23, 2018 10:02:45 GMT -5
Outside the box thinking is required.
If I'm DD and if Betts at best is 50/50 signing as a free agent, then I'd explore deals for him. DD loves to go big.
Betts contract will go up to about $18M for 2019, his 2nd year of arbitration. His salary increase is the biggest component of arbitration raises for the Sox. E Rod will also receive a hefty raise at the rate he is going this year.
Pom and his $8.5M will be gone. Porcello owns $20M deal for 2019. Hanley's $22M will come of the books. Post 2019, Pablo's $18.5M will expire.
I would go full out on either Harper or Machado this winter. Signing one of the two will mitigate the loss of Betts. With 2 years left on his contract, surely we can acquire a cost controlled starting pitcher. That will allow the Sox to trade Porcello also and his $20M.
Between Hanley, Pom, Porcello and Betts, that's close to $70M of payroll. Harper may not be as good as Betts but that's okay. You are not going to get anyone as close to Betts when he's at the top of his game. I would then extend Sale on April 1st of 2019.
Obviously I wouldn't think about trading Betts without signing either Machado or Harper. To me this is better option than keeping my fingers cross in two years that Betts will sign with Sox.
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Post by tookme55 on Feb 26, 2018 23:45:26 GMT -5
Holt does suck. Bigly.
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Post by tookme55 on Sept 8, 2017 6:51:34 GMT -5
Is it possible that he does not want to play in Boston?
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Post by tookme55 on Jul 28, 2017 18:06:58 GMT -5
Unless it's an impact trade for a position, power bat, we need to go with what we have. Nunez and Devers should add quality depth for the stretch run. I don't want to give up bunch of prospects for a rental.
We are snake bitten a bit. We can't get the entire rotation in sync health wise.
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Post by tookme55 on Jun 26, 2017 5:30:58 GMT -5
Plus Marrero has that stupid look. So does Barnes. I can't stand it.
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Post by tookme55 on Jun 24, 2017 10:02:52 GMT -5
I"m not conceding better hitter tag over Sam Travis. Different type of hitters for one thing.
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Post by tookme55 on May 27, 2017 18:50:05 GMT -5
He threw 85 strikes today. Loved his pace. Hitters live off pitcher's mistakes. Johnson was outstanding today.
Still concerned about Pom and Price so having Johnson is helpful.
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Post by tookme55 on May 5, 2017 17:17:31 GMT -5
Basically, a team is owed 7 years of service if a team waits two or three weeks into the season. Ideally for the Sox, it would have been great if we had a productive 3B whose contract expired at the end of 2018.
That would have given Devers couple of more years to get ready.
We will probably need him sooner. If he continues to post big numbers, he may be needed later this season.
It would be great if his debut was May 2018 after we win the World Series this year.
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Post by tookme55 on Apr 22, 2017 12:03:02 GMT -5
Right now it's our $200M duo of Hanley and Pablo that is under performing. Ben, I wished you hadn't done it.
I like the Moreland signing. $5.5M for 1 year. No prolonged risk, fits nicely into our budget.
Really, really like the Sale trade. Gave up a lot but we got a keeper. No matter what happens, at least we know what a great pitcher looks like.
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Post by tookme55 on Mar 30, 2017 8:25:46 GMT -5
I'm more worried about being able to locate his fastball than the velocity. I think that will improve. I suspect he will top out around 94-95, which I don't think is unreasonable.
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Post by tookme55 on Mar 14, 2017 0:54:51 GMT -5
Talking about prospects being blocked is akin to thinking the following: "The $5 in my pocket is blocked by the $10 in my wallet" You draft best players regardless of position. If you end up with a surplus, then you move one to another position OR USE IT IN A TRADE TO ACQUIRE TOP TALENT. Who said being BLOCKED is a bad thing?
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Post by tookme55 on Mar 13, 2017 16:45:59 GMT -5
I believe Kopech became expendable when we signed Groome who was absolute steal at #12. Lets wait and see how Devers develop. That may negate the loss of Moncada. Margot was blocked, wasn't he?
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Post by tookme55 on Mar 5, 2017 19:58:13 GMT -5
I would like to see Sam Travis called up in May to platoon at 1B, leaving Hanley strictly as DH.
There's no denying Travis hitting at a major league level.
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Post by tookme55 on Mar 2, 2017 21:55:18 GMT -5
$12.5M for #7 starter? I'm glad you're not managing my money. What a bunch of Monday morning quarterbacks on this board. Trade was the right thing to do.
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Post by tookme55 on Feb 18, 2017 9:01:59 GMT -5
I think you'll see Sam Travis at some point.....he's perceived as our future at 1B.
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Post by tookme55 on Feb 16, 2017 18:10:20 GMT -5
Boras will demand $30M for Xander and unless his power numbers change drastically, we simply can't pay him, not with Sale and Porcello coming up for FA at the same time and Bradley JR and Betts a year later.
For me, he's my #4/#5 option out of the five, Betts, Sale, Bradley Jr, Porcello and Xander.
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Post by tookme55 on Feb 16, 2017 17:42:07 GMT -5
Good catch on Devers. Although I do think DD is very high on him. He's not stupid. No matter what happens with Pablo, we will need a 3B in a near future. Our #1 option is gone, Moncada. He was not going to lose another possible replacement at 3B.
I also think being able to draft Groomes made losing Kopech little more palpable for the Sox. Also we were getting an ace type for three years and that was HUGE. Let's see where Groomes will be in 3 years.
I think our starting rotation is set as anyone else.
Price 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 E Rod 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, Wright 17, 18, 19, 20 Porcello 17, 18, 19 Sale 17, 18, 19 Drew P 17, 18
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