Ideas to improve the Sox III

[voodoochile]

Let's try this again...

[Mohoney]

Sign Nelson Cruz, and trade for Corbin Burnes. Make those 2 moves, and this team probably opens the season as AL favorites.

[Krs1]

Just for the heck of it

SS-Anderson
3B-Moncada
1B-Abreu
LF-Jimenez
C-Grandal
CF-Robert
DH-Vaughn/Collins
RF-Eaton
2B-Madrigal

Bench
C-Collins
1B/LF/3B-Vaughn
IF-Mendick
Utility-Garcia
OF-Engel

SP
Giolito
Lynn
Keuchel
Cease
Lopez/Rodon

Pen
Hendriks
Bummer
Heuer
Foster
Marshall
Cordero
Fry

Fringe/NRI
Kopech
Crochet
Burdi
Johnson
Stiever
Flores
Lambert
Mercedes
Zavala
Gonzalez
Guerrero
Ruiz
Tomshaw
Shilling
Williams
.................

Just went with the 25 locks now, but there's a lot of FA left to change the dynamic and the 26th spot should likely be a pitcher. The oft-mentioned SP addition affects Lopez' slotting, the NRIs we are sure to see added, the DH, possible vet C. As is, I think Burdi would win the last spot in the pen. A SP addition would create competition for Lopez until Kopech is up to speed.

I obviously prefer Crochet goes down to get stretched out, but some merit is there for having him in the pen. Honestly, the one way I would want him up is as the “opener” for Lopez every fifth day - limiting his innings, giving him consistent rest and a routine to build upon. Probably nonsense, but it's just an idea.

[ChiTownTrojan]

Looks like La Stella is going to the Giants, so there goes one of the best remaining DH options. He would have been a really nice fit.

Maybe the Sox turn back to Joc Pederson? I haven't heard anything about him all winter, so he probably will end up signing a pretty cheap deal. Would be a nice left power bat to start the season at DH, and eventually work his way in at potentially all 3 OF spots against RHP. He would be good protection against injuries to the starters.

Also, another C just signed a cheap deal - this time Wilson Ramos to the Tigers for $2M. Looks like it's going to be Collins for the Sox since they're not in on any of these guys. Unless Molina comes over with Wainwright.

[Mohoney]

Looks like La Stella is going to the Giants, so there goes one of the best remaining DH options. He would have been a really nice fit.

Maybe the Sox turn back to Joc Pederson? I haven't heard anything about him all winter, so he probably will end up signing a pretty cheap deal. Would be a nice left power bat to start the season at DH, and eventually work his way in at potentially all 3 OF spots against RHP. He would be good protection against injuries to the starters.

Also, another C just signed a cheap deal - this time Wilson Ramos to the Tigers for $2M. Looks like it's going to be Collins for the Sox since they're not in on any of these guys. Unless Molina comes over with Wainwright.

Speaking of Wainwright, It would not surprise me at all if La Russa is lobbying for the signing. If La Russa views Wainwright as an extension of himself among the players, that separates Wainwright from the rest of the “1-year veteran innings-eater” market.

I can live with that, as long as the leash is short. Nobody should get a 3rd look at him in his starts, but maybe he can do what Keuchel does and cruise through the order twice with just a bunch of grounders to TA and Moncada.

[ChiTownTrojan]

Speaking of Wainwright, It would not surprise me at all if La Russa is lobbying for the signing. If La Russa views Wainwright as an extension of himself among the players, that separates Wainwright from the rest of the “1-year veteran innings-eater” market.

I can live with that, as long as the leash is short. Nobody should get a 3rd look at him in his starts, but maybe he can do what Keuchel does and cruise through the order twice with just a bunch of grounders to TA and Moncada.

Yup, I agree. Definitely better than not addressing any depth and crossing your fingers that everyone stays healthy for 162 games. $5-6M should get it done with Wainwright. Quintana at $8M would have been a safer bet, but that ship has sailed.

Word is that it is a 2-team race for Cruz between the Twins and Sox. Jon Heyman is even weighing in that Cruz would be an excellent fit here. https://twitter.com/hgomez27/status/...048301570?s=20

[ChiSoxNationPres]

I obviously prefer Crochet goes down to get stretched out, but some merit is there for having him in the pen. Honestly, the one way I would want him up is as the “opener” for Lopez every fifth day - limiting his innings, giving him consistent rest and a routine to build upon. Probably nonsense, but it's just an idea.

Yeah I've actually been thinking about this sort of plan for Kopech. He's the opener or first out of the pen for 2 innings every 5th day for whoever the fifth starter is for the first half of the season. Then in transitioned/extended to becoming a starter for the second half of the season and hopefully still available for being a playoff starter as a result. Work towards 100-120 regular season innings, but the bulk of the innings later on so he isn't as likely to be shut down for the playoffs.

[ChiSoxNationPres]

Looks like La Stella is going to the Giants, so there goes one of the best remaining DH options. He would have been a really nice fit.

Maybe the Sox turn back to Joc Pederson? I haven't heard anything about him all winter, so he probably will end up signing a pretty cheap deal. Would be a nice left power bat to start the season at DH, and eventually work his way in at potentially all 3 OF spots against RHP. He would be good protection against injuries to the starters.

Also, another C just signed a cheap deal - this time Wilson Ramos to the Tigers for $2M. Looks like it's going to be Collins for the Sox since they're not in on any of these guys. Unless Molina comes over with Wainwright.

I don't see Pederson coming here at this point. Missing out on La Stella sucks, but I don't think the Sox were interested in a 3 year deal for him. They need to go out and get Brad Miller like right now as far as I'm concerned.

[Mohoney]

I don't see Pederson coming here at this point. Missing out on La Stella sucks, but I don't think the Sox were interested in a 3 year deal for him. They need to go out and get Brad Miller like right now as far as I'm concerned.

Unfortunately, I think they envision Leury getting tons of playing time.

[ChiSoxNationPres]

Unfortunately, I think they envision Leury getting tons of playing time.

I think they are aware of how bad he is vs righties. If they don't get a better lefty UTIL guy, I still don't see him playing much outside of an injury.

[blurry]

I don't see Pederson coming here at this point. Missing out on La Stella sucks, but I don't think the Sox were interested in a 3 year deal for him. They need to go out and get Brad Miller like right now as far as I'm concerned.

Honestly I knew nothing about Brad Miller but after quick glance at his bbref page he doesn't look like he'd be a liability. Plus he'd come cheap. https://www.baseball-reference.com/p...illebr02.shtml

[Domeshot17]

I’d actually bring back Rodon at this point. Seems like a great high upside 5th starter until Kopech is ready

[ChiTownTrojan]

I’d actually bring back Rodon at this point. Seems like a great high upside 5th starter until Kopech is ready

Rodon does have upside, but the whole point of this addition would be to have depth in case of injury. Based on Rodon's history, he's more likely to not be available if he's needed.

[ChiSoxNationPres]

Honestly I knew nothing about Brad Miller but after quick glance at his bbref page he doesn't look like he'd be a liability. Plus he'd come cheap. https://www.baseball-reference.com/p...illebr02.shtml

Yeah he's hit righties really well over the past few seasons. He can also play everywhere except CF and C. Would fit nicely as a DH until Vaughn is up, provide quality depth, and a needed lefty bench bat.

[ChiSoxNationPres]

Rodon does have upside, but the whole point of this addition would be to have depth in case of injury. Based on Rodon's history, he's more likely to not be available if he's needed.

I'm down for a minor league deal with him if that's all he can get, but like you said, his injury history is extensive. He also just doesn't throw enough strikes for my liking to be slotted as a favorite to break camp as the 5th starter.