Needs

Starting Pitching
Backup defensive-minded catcher
Right Fielder

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Sherman remarked, "Well, Grant, we've had the devil's own day, haven't we?" Grant looked up. "Yes," he replied, followed by a puff. "Yes. Lick 'em tomorrow, though."

New manager

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Second baseman

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Anybody here seen my old friend Bobby?
Can you tell me where he's gone?
I thought I saw him walkin' up to The Hill
With Elon, Tulsi, and Don

Current owner to kick the bucket

True. Decline Hernandez's option.

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Sherman remarked, "Well, Grant, we've had the devil's own day, haven't we?" Grant looked up. "Yes," he replied, followed by a puff. "Yes. Lick 'em tomorrow, though."

I was just about to say...

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who is a contact hitter

Hopefully he goes on to be a superstar.

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Free Agent List

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2020/11/ ... gents.html

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Sherman remarked, "Well, Grant, we've had the devil's own day, haven't we?" Grant looked up. "Yes," he replied, followed by a puff. "Yes. Lick 'em tomorrow, though."

I’m honestly not clear what makes them that much better absent a glaring (unnecessary) reset.

They’re set at 7ish positions. Starters are ok, assuming Kopech moves up next year. You could always use an ace, but who’s available? Bullpen’s a crapshoot but they have a bunch of good arms.

There’s no game changing roster addition out there via FA. They’ll go as far as guys like Robert and Jimenez will take them.

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This team feels like they are a year away from making a deep playoff run. Hitting and pitching way too streaky this year.

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Anything short of winning the pennant next year is a total failure.

Thats the bar. Play in the World Series.

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I tend to agree. They're just going to have to hope their core guys figure it out and maybe add one or two playoff tested pieces, even if they're just bench guys.

Agreed

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But Nas assured us this was going to be a great move

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

Yeah.

It’s past time to stretch out Kopech to a starter.

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Fare you well, fare you well
I love you more than words can tell
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
To rock my soul

2 years and $50MM for Justin Verlander is just what the dr ordered for this team…

If they don't make it past this round, WTF were they doing with both Kopech and Crochet this year?

The farm system might be the worst in baseball and the owner doesnt like spending money. There's not much you can do besides winning the AL Central one more year.

I'll make this prediction: If LaRussa is back, Grandal won't be.

_________________
Anybody here seen my old friend Bobby?
Can you tell me where he's gone?
I thought I saw him walkin' up to The Hill
With Elon, Tulsi, and Don

Hopefully you are there to give us an in-person report so we all know what kind of paper that contract was printed on and what color ink was used to sign the deal.

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Good luck trying to find anyone to take that bad contract. Between Grandal and Keuchel Hahn has wasted a ton of Jerry's money.

It's ridiculous to think Grandal has a bad contract. It would be immediately movable for good talent if they put him on the market. Look how well Mc Cann did in free agency as his backup and a career that pales in comparison.

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

Grandal absolutely can be traded....and should be.

I know Leury had a great game, but he's played all season and many season prior. He's not a starting player on a championship roster. I loved that 3-run Homer, but it was a cookie down the middle. I don't think it was a bad pitch, but one that the pitcher said..."you suck, I'm not waling you". He paid for it.

Catcher, 2B, RF need help. Bullpen is always going to require adjustments. As many said...total crapshoot.

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Grandal carried this team offensively for stretches and is one of the few guys on the team capable of taking pitches.

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Sucks on defense but gets on base, can knock them in, can get hot, and has a ton of playoff experience

Catcher needs to block pitches and handle the pitching staff / call a game. Offense is nice, but it's easier to plug offensive struggles at other positions.

AJ couldn't throw runners out, but he was VERY good at managing pitchers and he could at least catch the ball. Offensively he was very good. He was a bit of an exception at catcher.

Grandal is defensively a liability. He gets on base and can hit. That makes him a DH. The Sox already have DH's.

Upgrade 2B, upgrade RF. Find a DEFENSIVE catcher.

But hey...I'm not the General Manager. I just know defesively, the Sox need help and more offensive production out of 2B and RF. They're good, but not a WS team.

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They pick up Kimbrel's option right? Especially after what they gave up for him.

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I'd like to see Lynn take some pride in his craft and be the best shape of his life story in spring training. The knee issue is because of weight as are his second half fades. They aren't paying him like an ace but they are paying him well. The difference between pitchers who fade quickly and those who maintain is off season training. He is never going to match up well against other aces. There is no reason he should not match up well against the Lance Mc Cullers of the world.

I like the rotation going into next year. I even think there is hope the Keuchel recovers from his second half breakdown. If he pitches like he did in the first half, that is completely acceptable production from #5.

2b and RF are the too obvious positional upgrade areas. I think they have enough brewing in the minors to not get locked in long term on big RF contract. Cespedes showed at AA. He probably needs one more full year in the minors (and Colas also joins the minors in January). I think they should find someone to platoon in RF with Engel.

The position I would look to spend the money is 2b. Semien, of course, looks like the answer. This isn't my first rodeo. I don't even want to waste time doing that JR dance where the Sox say they are pursuing him hard only to get outbid "at the last minute". I do think Trevor Story is a realistic target. Would he be willing to play 2b?

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