I don't know if it was quite phrased as the Sox being "in on". If I got it right they were discussing the lack of action so far during the winter meetings. The response was something like teams are waiting for the Ohtani "domino" to fall to better understand the market on players and then perhaps the Yamamoto "domino" so that teams like Toronto, the Yankees and Red Sox can see where Soto fits in.Joel Sherman on MLBN mentioned the Red Sox as one of the teams in on Juan Soto.
Yes I took that to mean they were exploring it at least.I don't know if it was quite phrased as the Sox being "in on". If I got it right they were discussing the lack of action so far during the winter meetings. The response was something like teams are waiting for the Ohtani "domino" to fall to better understand the market on players and then perhaps the Yamamoto "domino" so that teams like Toronto, the Yankees and Red Sox can see where Soto fits in.
I'm not sure if it was this thread or another, but I mentioned that I expect to hear that the Sox are "in on" or at the very least hear them mentioned in the same breath as a fair amount of the big FA or trade targets simply because they are a big market team with recent struggles, clear needs and $$$ to spend. And in some cases the Sox actual needs aren't even a consideration in some of these mentions.Yes I took that to mean they were exploring it at least.
It's in a lot of threads because it's true. Agents for every single free agent wouldn't be doing their jobs if they weren't "leaking" things tying their clients to every single team with money to spend and a perceived need to spend it. And reporters desperate for anything to tweet or talk about on TV are going to pass along those "leaks" as real news. And most of us are anxious for any appearance of any action so we latch on and get excited. It's a vicious cycle.I'm not sure if it was this thread or another, but I mentioned that I expect to hear that the Sox are "in on" or at the very least hear them mentioned in the same breath as a fair amount of the big FA or trade targets simply because they are a big market team with recent struggles, clear needs and $$$ to spend. And in some cases the Sox actual needs aren't even a consideration in some of these mentions.
The cost for a one year rental of Soto isn’t going to empty the farm system. Mayer, Teel, Anthony would all be off limits. How would losing some of the other guys blow the future? It might sting a little bit if that scenario materialized, sure, but I don’t think it would catastrophic. Also, wouldn’t the Sox be entitled to draft compensation if he left as a FA?There’s unlikely any possible way to extend Soto and the Yankees are going to target him in ‘25…..and will get him. I can’t shake that feeling that the Sox may blow their future on one year with Soto and have him end up in pinstripes after the season at no loss of prospects.
I agree that the price for Soto won't be any real blue chippers, no matter who acquires him. I'd love to have him, but his apparent unwillingness to sign an extension does give me pause on giving up even tier 2 prospect capital for one year of a guy when the team is likely more "could make postseason if enough things go right" than "stacked team that needs a final piece to put them over the top".The cost for a one year rental of Soto isn’t going to empty the farm system. Mayer, Teel, Anthony would all be off limits. How would losing some of the other guys blow the future? It might sting a little bit if that scenario materialized, sure, but I don’t think it would catastrophic. Also, wouldn’t the Sox be entitled to draft compensation if he left as a FA?
I don’t think the Sox are interested in any major rentals so it’s all probably a moot point but I tend to be aggressive when it comes to landing stars. At some point this offseason, the Sox need to flex their financial muscles.
Yeah, I think it all depends on how the offseason goes. If the Sox somehow land Yamamoto, I’d be aggressive with Soto because you would have changed your team’s trajectory and checked off a huge need without giving up any prospects. That would make a Soto deal easier to swallow.I agree that the price for Soto won't be any real blue chippers, no matter who acquires him. I'd love to have him, but his apparent unwillingness to sign an extension does give me pause on giving up even tier 2 prospect capital for one year of a guy when the team is likely more "could make postseason if enough things go right" than "stacked team that needs a final piece to put them over the top".
If they do get Yamamoto then figuring out a way to get Soto makes sense but I still think there’s teams in a one year window with deeper farm depth that could part with a few lower top prospects on the same level as Mayer, Anthony and the Sox kinda need to hold onto their top pitchers now since they’re incredibly thin there.Yeah, I think it all depends on how the offseason goes. If the Sox somehow land Yamamoto, I’d be aggressive with Soto because you would have changed your team’s trajectory and checked off a huge need without giving up any prospects. That would make a Soto deal easier to swallow.
You strike out on Yamamoto, then you probably need to retain prospect capital for a trade since the cost of a good starter with control is going to be very high.
But my overarching fear with this offseason is that Ohtani, Yamamoto, Soto all go elsewhere and Breslow is forced to decide between getting fleeced in a trade or signing a guy like Montgomery for a contract that would make me uncomfortable.
Plenty of good players in FA but not a whole lot of high end talent. So, if Breslow wants to lock one in, even for just a year, I wouldn’t be against it. At some point, he may need to pivot to rentals. I’d rather do that than give up payroll flexibility for non-elite talent.
Yeah, even though I want Soto, I don’t think the two teams line up very well in trade. Bleis’ injury year kind of hurts in that regard. But, end of the day, we don’t have the young pitching they reportedly want.If they do get Yamamoto then figuring out a way to get Soto makes sense but I still think there’s teams in a one year window with deeper farm depth that could part with a few lower top prospects on the same level as Mayer, Anthony and the Sox kinda need to hold onto their top pitchers now since they’re incredibly thin there.
I don’t see a Yorke and Bleis package getting it done…. And if they need to add to that it’d likely be pitching.
I wonder how San Diego considers any proposals for Soto that would unload Darvish on his 5/$83 deal, or Cronenworth and his 7/$80?The cost for a one year rental of Soto isn’t going to empty the farm system. Mayer, Teel, Anthony would all be off limits. How would losing some of the other guys blow the future? It might sting a little bit if that scenario materialized, sure, but I don’t think it would catastrophic. Also, wouldn’t the Sox be entitled to draft compensation if he left as a FA?
I don’t think the Sox are interested in any major rentals so it’s all probably a moot point but I tend to be aggressive when it comes to landing stars. At some point this offseason, the Sox need to flex their financial muscles.
If we get Yamamoto that makes me more excited about a sustainable run of excellence & even less excited to trade the big 3 prospects.
Bottom line is we're really not a fit for Soto, though, either in terms of what our primary needs are or in terms of what the Padres are looking for in return - a raft of cost controlled pitching.
Not disagreeing, but I'd be interested to see who you think that is.If they do get Yamamoto then figuring out a way to get Soto makes sense but I still think there’s teams in a one year window with deeper farm depth that could part with a few lower top prospects on the same level as Mayer, Anthony and the Sox kinda need to hold onto their top pitchers now since they’re incredibly thin there.
I don’t see a Yorke and Bleis package getting it done…. And if they need to add to that it’d likely be pitching.
We also need cost controlled pitching, & unlike for the Yankees, it's not an area of surplus.The Padres would presumably still want to win now, right? So guys like Houck/Whitlock/Crawford/Pivetta -- some track record of big league success while still being cheap -- seem like exactly what they would want, no?
I’d say the same for Ohtani. If they commit big for either of them without first solving pitching I’ll unfortunately assume ownership knee jerked back to “farm-smarm let’s do this thing!” This would be mind numbingly brutal after years of ‘disciplined’ last in AL East.If we get Yamamoto that makes me more excited about a sustainable run of excellence & even less excited to trade the big 3 prospects.
Bottom line is we're really not a fit for Soto, though, either in terms of what our primary needs are or in terms of what the Padres are looking for in return - a raft of cost controlled pitching.
If the rest of the offseason goes as planned, how many of those guys end up in the rotation? One? And it's not like we'd trade all 3 of the other guys. I think a deal of Houck + Verdugo (Sox pick up half of his salary) lines up pretty well with both teams' needs.We also need cost controlled pitching, & unlike for the Yankees, it's not an area of surplus.
I would be far less concerned about a FA contract for Ohtani than I would be about trading significant assets for one year of Soto.I’d say the same for Ohtani. If they commit big for either of them without first solving pitching I’ll unfortunately assume ownership knee jerked back to “farm-smarm let’s do this thing!” This would be mind numbingly brutal after years of ‘disciplined’ losing.
They made essentially no consequential effort to address high end SP under the last regime and solving that problem may unfortunately take more than one year and committing longterm (I know Soto is 1 year but the point is to keep him I assume) to another DH doesn’t get me where I want.
I would do that in a heartbeat... but that package is probably about 35% as valuable as what they're reportedly asking the Yankees for.If the rest of the offseason goes as planned, how many of those guys end up in the rotation? One? And it's not like we'd trade all 3 of the other guys. I think a deal of Houck + Verdugo (Sox pick up half of his salary) lines up pretty well with both teams' needs.
Sure, hard to argue there. A Soto move (especially without resigning) would be tough to swallow as much fun as it might be.I would be far less concerned about a FA contract for Ohtani than I would be about trading significant assets for one year of Soto.
Ohtani may not be their exact need this upcoming year, but he will be fun to watch hit immediately & he would be a great way to revitalize excitement about the organization long term & be a big step to show a sustained commitment to winning.
Soto is mortgaging the future for something that isn't a primary need & would be reactionary & foolish, and concern me that the tail is wagging the dog. Different story if we want to be the highest bidder for him next off season.
But they're not going to get what they're asking for from the Yankees. I think it would take a bit more than that for Soto, but on the margins. Houck would be the biggest single piece.I would do that in a heartbeat... but that package is probably about 35% as valuable as what they're reportedly asking the Yankees for.
Yeah, I'd be a bit surprised if they want to be the highest bidder on Soto next off season regardless, but Ohtani actually does significantly help with the pitching thing, too, just starting in '25 when I still intend on being alive & a Red Sox fan (unless they trade Yordanny in which case the Red Sox can still be one of my 2 favorite teams).Sure, hard to argue there. A Soto move (especially without resigning) would be tough to swallow as much fun as it might be.
Generally, I believe the Red Sox are likely to add toolsy high ceiling up the middle prospects essentially every year so they should plan to deal from that area. However, until pitching gets sorted that’s where all my prospects and money go…blood and treasure, so to speak.
Sign YY, trade for whoever…then I’ll get super excited about another DH : )
They'll get 80% of what they're asking for. They'll get Schmidt who is probably about as valuable as Houck & like Houck is under control until '28 & 4 other guys who will be ready in the next year or so with varied levels of skill.But they're not going to get what they're asking for from the Yankees. I think it would take a bit more than that for Soto, but on the margins. Houck would be the biggest single piece.
My case for Soto lies in the fact that he's less than 15 months older than Triston Casas. If the Sox think they could swallow would it cost to sign him (and it won't be cheap), it's a rare opprotuniy.
Agree... landing Yam and then possibly another starter frees up the ability to trade pitching for another need.If we get Yamamoto that makes me more excited about a sustainable run of excellence & even less excited to trade the big 3 prospects.
Bottom line is we're really not a fit for Soto, though, either in terms of what our primary needs are or in terms of what the Padres are looking for in return - a raft of cost controlled pitching.
Agree, but I accepted this outcome long ago.Sounds like it’s going to be 275 mil-300 mil to land Yam. I just can’t see us getting into that area where you have both NY teams seemingly salivating over him and a Giants team desperate to spend money.
Living in SF, however, would not.I'd go 300/10-12 for him. But if offers are all equal, pitching in SF is probably a more enticing proposition from a player perspective.
This gets so weird…like I’m ok at 10x27 but not 10x30? I mean, I genuinely get that at some point you walk away but when?Sounds like it’s going to be 275 mil-300 mil to land Yam. I just can’t see us getting into that area where you have both NY teams seemingly salivating over him and a Giants team desperate to spend money.
Opt outs on long term means he could have all the security plus all the upside.Living in SF, however, would not.
I would be surprised if he would not want a 6 year with a 3 year opt out so he can cash in more than once.
How much of Soto's $23M does San Diego eat in that deal?I wonder how San Diego considers any proposals for Soto that would unload Darvish on his 5/$83 deal, or Cronenworth and his 7/$80?
Which deal is better from Preller's perspective?
SD gets: King or Schmidt, Thorpe or Hampton, Vazquez or Brito
NYY gets: Soto, Grisham (arb2, arb3)
or
SD gets: Houck or Crawford, Verdugo, Walter, Blaze Jordan, Hunter Dobbins or Yordanny Monegro
BOS gets: Soto, Cronenworth (7/$80)
Maybe Pivetta is part of that package too somewhere? Or maybe trading Houck or Crawford opens up a rotation spot for Pivetta, and we try to extend him a few years.
It seems clear that Cashman leaked the negotiations to pressure Preller. Even the once-reputable newsroom at Sports Illustrated described the rumored proposal "ridiculous" in a headline. Odd! In all those reports, Grisham is talked about as a kind of deadweight contract to help ballast the deal — but Grisham is good! And the Padres don't have a ready replacement for him. Attaching Cronenworth, a guy with an underwater contract playing out of position, seems like it would actually help the Padres.
Soto is projected for something like $33M, but I wouldn't think any of it.How much of Soto's $23M does San Diego eat in that deal?
Why would living in a city that (a) is one of the most iconic and beautiful in the entire world, and (b) is dense and walkable in a way that's far more similar to urban environments in Japan than almost every other city in America bar New York, and (c) has one of the biggest Japanese populations in the US not be enticing for him?Living in SF, however, would not.
I would be surprised if he would not want a 6 year with a 3 year opt out so he can cash in more than once.
IMO, Soto as a one year rental and not a primary need at $33M plus Cronenworth's contract and relinquishing young cost controlled talent that could be moved else where just makes no sense.Soto is projected for something like $33M, but I wouldn't think any of it.
5) If winning is your priority, we have won more WS titles in your lifetime than any other MLB team. (4) We intend to add to that number, and we want you to be the face of our pitching staff to acheive that. (and speaking of number's, 18 is all yours)I didn't have the poop map being used non-ironically on my bingo card of things I expected to run into on SOSH today.
The pitch for Yamamoto to Boston is probably something like:
1) Come play in a place where we prioritize pitching & giving you all the resources you need to succeed. Our CBO is a pitcher, our pitching coach just left San Francisco to come here & we just hired a new pitching director from another successful organization. Yamamoto has his own analytical coaching team, so we will give them all the resources to work together to maximize Yamamoto's chances of success.
2) Come play with your friend Masataka Yoshida who will tell you how much he enjoyed playing in Boston (hopefully).
3) We know you are a competitive person & will thrive & be a superstar. No team has more love for & supports their stars more than the Red Sox. Talk to Pedro, Papi, Koji, etc.
4) Here is a humongous pile of money (12/$312m [$26m AAV] seems fine), & we'll give you a NTC if you want it to show our commitment to you.