Wouldn't we need a RHH bat still? We aren't just replacing O'Neill with Anthony, unless he really forces things. In fairness, he hasn't had much of a split in the minors. Still asking too much though until proven otherwise.
I'm getting different numbers from ESPN. Weird.
It would be a gutsy trade on both ends, for sure! Really have to nut up for that, as they say.
I have to imagine this would be part of the team’s plans and a feature of their presentation to Soto — if he signs with the Sox I have to imagine he would have been convinced the team has a plan to acquire high-level SPs, I doubt the money will be wildly different enough for him to sign here if he doesn’t believe the team can contend.
I think there is something weird and subtle going on with the T-Mobile Park park factors, but I'm not really sure what. It might mean that different sites with slightly different methodologies (e.g., how long they do a rolling average for) get really different results.
This account makes a good point in regards to the two reports on Fried and Adames from the Yankees.
Who on the list do the Sox really need, or do we actually want though? After Soto it’s just pitching. Adames would require a major IF shakeup. I don’t think Teo is an option after they passed on him last year. That leaves Fried & Burns, and after that reclamation projects like Buehler, or trades.
If they don't land Soto, they do need a RH bat with some thump. Soto would work in that regard even as a lefty because he mashes LHP too (.966 ops vs LHP this past season).
Yeah- I was going for the teeth gnashing as that scenario unfolds. I definitely don’t support the Move Devers to First voices. I think they just need to add Fried. And WANT them to add Soto.
I would think we would sign Eovaldi. You could still trade for another pitcher and it would be a successful offseason.
I remain unconvinced that this is actually a need, with healthier years from our regular infield (including Devers, who had been an above average to excellent hitter vs LHP for three years running), a RHH replacement for McGuire, likely not a repeat of a reverse split from Rafaela and whatever we get from Campbell. The lineup doesn't have the concentrated fireworks of O'Neill vs LHP, but it's much longer.
Maybe, maybe not? A huge purchase could be Burnes, for example. Not trying to over-analyze the hell out of a very general statement, but just thinking that Burnes would fit the bill. Fried might as well, too?
I think if Abreu isn't traded, they have Refsnyder to hit against lefties. Assuming no deals to bring Soto in or bring back O'Neill or Teoscar to "balance" the lineup, it'd likely mean that Anthony is handed the starting LF job. So against tough lefties, you'd see:
Maybe they were high bidders on a lot of Larry Lucchino's memorabilia.
On the whole that lineup looks good except Ceddanne at the bottom.
Mick - the guy who said the Sox signed Soto on Thanksgiving, and is dying on that hill.
The roster penalties for signing a second QO FA in a single offseason are less than signing the first, so I expect the Sox to get two. Soto and Fried seem like the obvious ones. I don't think anyone would be upset about Burnes, who seems likelier to land on the West Coast. Adames, Alonso and Bregman are weirder fits that would require a dramatic overhaul to a lineup and roster that would already be shifting around to accommodate Soto. The rest don't make much sense.
Lawrence is overrated, and he's dealing with a concussion now. I don't think he's the answer.
I agree. I was talking in a hypothetical sense. I THINK something along those lines could in fact be a better allocation of $600m. I DO NOT think the Red Sox will do it. We agree. I think they're a serious contedner for Soto. I don't think they're at serious on Fried or Burnes.
Here is Gammons on a 1993 episode of Baseball tonight (episode aired 5days after i was born!)
Even for Gammons, that one is a doozy. The problem is that it hints at coherence in a way that his more-garbled efforts do not. But when you drill down into it...it's impossible to determine what he's actually saying.
I think its saying that Soto's dog walker has been seen scouting routes for afternoon walks in Seaport.
Part of a one-year jump would have to be the Mariners' offense and the Mariners' pitching, both being adept re strikeouts. I don't think there were any structural changes. But for the longer term trend, apparently Teoscar Hernandez criticized the visual "batters eye" background last year, on his way out the door. For more: https://www.lookoutlanding.com/2024/7/3/24189022/t-mobile-park-hitters-house-of-horrors-seattle-mariners-pitching-hitting-strikeouts-factors
The only way that story makes sense is if McAdam’s “baseball source” is Boras (or a proxy).
By all credible reports, they have already offered over $600m, which by my math is over a half a billion.
How many owners actually do any sitting down with any players for negotiations? I imagine 99.9% of the time it's never. Did anyone other than paid representatives do any of that stuff?
FSG and the sox are pretty much run by Kennedy and others who met with Soto (reportedly) at previous meetings. . IIRC henry is not really the day to day owner anymore.
For all the reasons Soto might not sign with the Sox, a face to face meeting with some, but not all, of ownership seems unlikely.
I don’t think Scott Boras or Juan Soto care if John Henry speaks to Juan directly.
https://nypost.com/2024/11/21/sports/juan-soto-finally-got-what-he-wanted-from-hal-steinbrenner-in-yankees-meeting/
