I think that they need to go big. I'd go big after Bumgarden and Teheron. Two guys just at the early stages of their prime. A much needed left and a strong righty. IF they get a break out of the young kids, they could go from a really shitty starting pitching staff to a very good one. NO more trying to squeeze blood out of a turnip. Go for it.

_________________
An Ode to the Texas man who shot an Antifa terrorist:

Oh, he might have went on livin'
But he made one fatal slip
When he tried to match the Ranger
With the big iron on his hip

Are these pitchers, or a law firm?

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I thought I just read that Bumgarden (sic) is in the early stages of his prime

You know he peaked in 2015, don’t you? Next year will be five years since Bumgarden peaked.

It would be a perfect Sox free agent signing.

In fairness, even though he's closing in on 2000ip for his career, Bumgarner is only 30 years old so there is reason to believe he still has some gas in the tank.

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I think you have to go after a former star player, hoping he can have 1 more good season that he will never achieve. As well as a fringe MLB/AAAA pitcher that has the ability to get cut after a handful of starts. Also, can they acquire a bunch more AAAA that they can horde in Charlotte and bring them up 1 by 1 like a merry-go-round and watch each fail?

Another year removed from injury could help

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Be well

GO BEARS!!!

White Sox fans giddy with that bad Abreu money coming off the books!

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Rick Hahn is the best GM in baseball.

Definitely need a viable veteran pitcher next year to go with all the young-ens. That's Wheeler, Cole, or Bumgarner. I'd prefer Bumgarner since he's a red ass(fire and passion), but the other 2 will do just fine.

Need a right fielder. Adam Eaton, anyone?

Bumgarner, (or Gardner), Marcel Ozuna, Alex Wood. Couple bullpen arms. Think those are reasonable expectations. Would love Strasburg if he opts out, probably not reality though.

I'd pass on Madbum, the AL in a hitters park from cavernous NL west stadiums is a recipe for disaster.

Cole is the guy they need, give him a 5 year 125 million deal and he's yours.

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Need two starting pitchers. Gerrit Cole is the place to start.

2B and CF should be addressed as well on short term deals unless Robert and Madrigal are ready for next season

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"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."

Robert and Madrigal are ready now

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Boxes still need to be checked.

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This guy gets it.

He is 29-30 years old and his arm is fine. The guy is still a number one starter for a good team. THe guy knows how to win and win in the play-offs. They need that for that pitching staff next year.

_________________
An Ode to the Texas man who shot an Antifa terrorist:

Oh, he might have went on livin'
But he made one fatal slip
When he tried to match the Ranger
With the big iron on his hip

Maybe next May.

_________________

Cole is going to demand a fortune, I think. This is going to be his huge payday. That's why I thought Bumgarden is the guy to go after. He is looking for a last good paycheck and will want to go to a team with a chance which I think the Sox will be for the next 3-4 years. As I see it, the Sox will start being a major contender starting next season and they need to sell the free agents on that very premise. They could be the new version of the Astros.

_________________
An Ode to the Texas man who shot an Antifa terrorist:

Oh, he might have went on livin'
But he made one fatal slip
When he tried to match the Ranger
With the big iron on his hip

I think they need another offensive veteran difference maker.

Abreu/McCann will likely be back, they aren't going to spend on the rest of the IF with the prospects/young players on-board. Eloy and Robert are going to be in the OF next year, but they still lack one OF/DH.

They will probably add a reliever in free agency, but they are lacking a veteran #1 or #2 type. As much as we should be excited about Giolito, Kopech, Cease and Lopez being in the rotation, I also want them to add another #3 type starter, but it's probably unlikely.

So, as much as they do need to make upgrades, I think it's down to one more offensive veteran type and one top end starting pitcher. You can make an argument for a reliever, maybe a stretch reliever if there is concern about the young pitchers.

Who are the best OF's on the market?

Somebody like Jay will be brought back. They aren't going to spend on 2B if Madrigal will be here by June.

I haven't looked, but I feel like Bumgarner is 33 years old, but this probably isn't true. Still, any concern with the innings on him?

They are going to be looking at Cole, Bumgarner, etc. for sure though.

I'll check your box, bitch

_________________
O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

Cole isn't coming here because:

1) cheap ass JR doesn't like long term contracts for pitchers; and,
2) the guy will have superior options for the same money.

I think the Sox should realize this and target other guys early to sign them up quickly. I think Cole Hamels on a one year deal with a team option fits the bill. He certainly isn't getting anything long term at 36 and with multiple injuries this year. At the same time, it wouldn't surprise me if he pitches well for about 150 innings. He fits needs for a veteran and a lefty and I assume he'd like to stay in Chicago for another year or two.

Alex Wood would be a cheaper, young option. Again, he is a lefty and has had pretty good success. He just isn't durable. I think that can be alleviated by Rodon coming back in the middle of the year. Still, if you sign Wood, you have to sign at least one other dependable starter because Kopech, Rodon and Wood will not give you a big total innings count for the year.

_________________
O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

The shoulder fatigued, 4.69 ERA Zack Wheeler is the guy the Sox will likely sign. Still lots of upside, but they will try to get him on the cheap.

Hyun-Jin Ryu
Jake Odorizzi
Dallas Keuchel
All pitchers the Sox should take a good, hard look at. Gerrit Cole is likely a pipedream.


Hitters
Anthony Rendon, but it seems that Moncada has 3B locked down
Possibly Mike Moustakas as a part time 1B/3B and DH with Abreu
Josh Donaldson
Marcell Ozuna, but he is a bad outfielder and you already have a tank out in LF with Eloy


Elmhurst Steve tells me that the Red Sox might pay JD Martinez $10 million to opt out of his remaining $60 million owed to him, so that he can change his Sox!

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I'm getting INTERNAL SERVICE ERRORS this morning. Anyone else getting them?

_________________
An Ode to the Texas man who shot an Antifa terrorist:

Oh, he might have went on livin'
But he made one fatal slip
When he tried to match the Ranger
With the big iron on his hip

I'd rather them go after two good starting pitchers than one pitcher and an outfielder. You never have enough quality pitchers.

_________________
An Ode to the Texas man who shot an Antifa terrorist:

Oh, he might have went on livin'
But he made one fatal slip
When he tried to match the Ranger
With the big iron on his hip

Bumgardner is 30. And he hasn't been gobbling up the innings since the Giants were in their pennant days.

_________________
An Ode to the Texas man who shot an Antifa terrorist:

Oh, he might have went on livin'
But he made one fatal slip
When he tried to match the Ranger
With the big iron on his hip

I'd also be interested in getting Quintana back. Shouldn't require a lot of money. He won't break down. And he would be a solid lefty in the rotation.

_________________
An Ode to the Texas man who shot an Antifa terrorist:

Oh, he might have went on livin'
But he made one fatal slip
When he tried to match the Ranger
With the big iron on his hip

Oh my God. This is the stupidest thing I have ever read on here.

_________________

The Hawk is not a mult of mine, I promise.

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Rick Hahn is the best GM in baseball.

Obviously you never read what you write, sparky.

_________________
An Ode to the Texas man who shot an Antifa terrorist:

Oh, he might have went on livin'
But he made one fatal slip
When he tried to match the Ranger
With the big iron on his hip