2018 Red Sox roster building

The fact that Angelos won't allow a negotiating window with Machado to complete a trade is either indicative that he knows Machado is testing the market so it's a waste of time or that he's just stupid for not trying to maximize his return.

I would hate to trade Groome. That would be a kick in the nuts.

This doesn't even make sense, I have to believe they're working out another trade out and are using this for leverage.

Machado's worth about 30m in surplus value. It will suck to have no farm system to speak of, but I'd probably do it, even for one year. It's a bit steep if you like both of those guys, but if you think they're both as overrated as I do, it's an easier call.

I agree. Rumors of a potential deal helps both teams. The O's can use it as leverage in trade talks with other teams and it doesn't hurt for Boras to think the Sox are going some where else for a bat.  

Xander would probably have to go in a trade. Manny loses value at third base.

I don't know how much sense it makes to put your best defender at third base and a way worse defender at short stop.

Everyone including Dave should read this:

www.fangraphs.com/blogs/lets-talk-about-manny-machados-trade-value/

I'm at the same place. And it's already so congested with just about everybody in the infield out of position, this configuration would also probably eliminate the Sox from signing Martinez, who at this point might wind up being a reasonable contract, unless they flat-out release Hanley, which would be a total waste of money.

I guess in your scenario, assuming no JDM, Devers would be at 3b, Bogaerts at 2b, with Machado at 2b. Can't imagine they'd want Hanley at 1b for that, so it would be Moreland, but when Pedroia comes back, Bogaerts would shift to 3b, and Devers would have to DH, rendering Hanley useless unless he platoons with Moreland at 1b.

That's a little crazy, but it would get crazier with JDM as he'd DH to start with Moreland platooning with Hanley at 1b (in this scenario Hanley at 1b would be totally scary), but with Pedroia returning, Devers would have to play 1b if Martinez is in the DH spot or an outfielder like JBJ would have to sit or be injured for Devers to DH and the Moreland/Ramirez platoon to stay intact, but with Devers at 1b, Pedroia at 2b, Machado at SS, and Bogaerts at 3b, that would still be some scary defense.

And in all this, Devers would be the 2nd young Red Sox player in need of honing his defensive skills who would lose valuable time - Swihart says hello.

If the Sox get Machado but let Martinez slip for reasonable money, that would be terrible because the Sox would have to commit 300 plus million versus half or less than half of that for Martinez to make this work, because otherwise Machado walks and the Sox would have no impact bat in 2019 unless they went after Harper who would cost more than Machado.

Martinez to the Sox to DH is a little messy but Machado would be very messy on the Sox unless Bogaerts was part of the deal, and I honestly think the Sox most likely to improve dramatically this season is Bogaerts.

And the thought of losing Groome would bother me. That would mean four great young pitching talents have left the organization in Kopech, Espinoza, Groome, and Allen - and yes the Sox got talent for those guys, but eventually this organization needs to develop their own starting pitchers. Otherwise the best they can do is pay a lot in a trade for two or three years of service time for an established pitcher or overpay long-term in free agency.

I would also agree that while it's interesting to talk about this type of deal - wow something interesting to talk about involving the Red Sox - imagine that! - this deal is not going to happen. It just doesn't make a ton of sense.

Signing JD for half the price and keeping the prospects makes way more sense. I think that is still choice #1. If JD goes somewhere else.... who knows what direction the Sox end up going. Many free agents still on the board.

It's January almost. Does anyone think that Boras is still being unreasonable?

What is Dombrowski supposed to do here?

Boras is being Boras and won't come off of the mantle and the Sox are here forced to make tough decisions.

Yeap it stinks, but it is what it is. If the Sox are going to pay a guy 200 plus million, it minus well be Machado at the short stop position.

J.D. isn't signing for less than 200 million or he isn't taking a job it sounds like.

Edit-

Someone please tell me a more valuable player in baseball than Machado at the short stop position. The Sox can offer it. Maybe Seager? Trout? Lindor?

Manny was born to play short stop at a elite level and hasn't had the chance yet. Baseball deserves to see that chance, whether it's in Baltimore, Boston, or somewhere else.

Honestly, the third base position is a disservice to Machado defensively. I felt that way for years. I feel that way now. We are talking CLOSE to Arod type of value at the short stop position in Texas or Seattle (in the case of Machado) if he's healthy. That is a risk with his knees but I'd take that risk if I was Dombrowski.

I'd be very surprised if Machado agreed to an extension instead of just playing things out.

His agent has to know that the Yankees are flush with cash (among other teams) and that there will be a huge demand for his services. Doubt they'd want to lock into the first big offer they see.

And no I don't agree that Machado would NEVER play SS in a Yankee uniform. Why couldn't he? Because of Gregorius? Between Machado, Gregorius, and Torres I'm sure they could figure out an alignment that works for everybody. It's not like they have the team captain Jeter refusing to step aside for A-Rod.

Anything can happen, but the most likely scenario is that Machado does get dealt, does play out the year with his new team, and then signs a massive contract with another team, most likely the Yankees.

The Red Sox are a possibility, but it's hard to see the Sox signing Machado to that kind of money and then trying to be able to extend Sale and/or Betts - especially if Price doesn't opt out.