AL East Thread

[nynasty]

What I'm scared of is Cohen offering that much in USD

 

[bksballer89]

 

[bksballer89]

Yesssss

 

[navamind]

Yesssss

Ugh, I really don't want that piece of shit in a Sox uniform. I fucking hate this signing.

 

[navamind]

Even ignoring his character issues, I don't think he's a very good pitcher anymore.

 

[chappee11]

Nobody is showing interest merely to drive up the price. Everyone knows how good Soto is and how high his market is. It’s nice to see the Sox trying to sit at the Big Boy table again, regardless, but I have to think there is almost zero chance they are the high bidders here. I like the Mets chances given how much payroll they have cleared recently.

I don’t think the Sox have EVER beaten the Yankees when it comes to signing a free agent that both teams want(Mark Teixeira still stings a bit), but the Sox have the resources and luxury tax room to spend as much as the Yankees do here. Are the Sox being mentioned so much because Boras is using them to get the Yankees to bid more?? Perhaps. But the Sox do offer an interesting opportunity to be THE man on a team with a loaded farm system and money to spend. He could help them turn things around quickly. Not getting my hopes up, though. I still think the Mets offer the most $$.

 

[steveringo]

 

[steveringo]

Even ignoring his character issues, I don't think he's a very good pitcher anymore.

I suspect they just fill up the pen with extra arms and see what sticks...

 

[navamind]

I suspect they just fill up the pen with extra arms and see what sticks...

$10.75M is a lot to see if a reliever "sticks"

 

[steveringo]

I don’t think the Sox have EVER beaten the Yankees when it comes to signing a free agent that both teams want(Mark Teixeira still stings a bit), but the Sox have the resources and luxury tax room to spend as much as the Yankees do here. Are the Sox being mentioned so much because Boras is using them to get the Yankees to bid more?? Perhaps. But the Sox do offer an interesting opportunity to be THE man on a team with a loaded farm system and money to spend. He could help them turn things around quickly. Not getting my hopes up, though. I still think the Mets offer the most $$.

I do suspect Boras is leaking info to drive up the price. Boston is playing along to get a better chance at Burnes?

I'd rather have Teoscar Hernandez and Max Fried...

 

[chappee11]

I suspect they just fill up the pen with extra arms and see what sticks...

I have no issues taking a flyer on Chapman on a 1yr/$10m deal. He still has elite velocity and was dominant as recently as 2023. If they can get him throwing strikes, this is a good move. He can also close if Hendriks isn’t ready. Not a ton of risk here

 

[chappee11]

I do suspect Boras is leaking info to drive up the price. Boston is playing along to get a better chance at Burnes?

I'd rather have Teoscar Hernandez and Max Fried...

Teoscar would be a good fit in Fenway, for sure. Probably Bregman, too. Fried sounds good to me. Soto is a whole different level, though. He’s franchise-altering if they can get him(not expecting it).

 

[chappee11]

 

[navamind]

View attachment 382181

The velocity isn't the concern. He has seen his already high walk rates go up in the last few seasons, not to mention he's become somewhat more HR prone.

 

[chappee11]

The velocity isn't the concern. He has seen his already high walk rates go up in the last few seasons, not to mention he's become somewhat more HR prone.

He definitely walks too many. But velocity was an issue with that bullpen last year, in general. I think he’s still a good option as a setup man. And he’s still elite if he’s throwing strikes.

 

[steveringo]

View attachment 382181

Those look like max pitch "speed". As in mph...

 

[steveringo]

View attachment 382181

Former Red Sox prospect on the list twice!

Kopech was sent to Chicago for Sale...

 

[Pure Steel]

He definitely walks too many. But velocity was an issue with that bullpen last year, in general. I think he’s still a good option as a setup man. And he’s still elite if he’s throwing strikes.

When his head is on straight, he is lethal…..still can bring it…..his WHIP has been climbing due to his walks, but he’s a roll of the dice nowadays….

 

[steveringo]

The more I think about it, Chapman makes sense for Andrew Bailey's logic.

The Red Sox focused is on junk. Their starters use fastballs way less than in prior years. Their philosophy is spin pitches and change-ups are harder to hit.

Chapman has been heading in that direction... I'm guessing next year his 4-seamer usage drops below his sinker/slider combo... (as long as he throws them in the strike zone!?!)





2024:




Of course, throwing 100 mph is cool, too...

 

[chappee11]

The more I think about it, Chapman makes sense for Andrew Bailey's logic.

The Red Sox focused is on junk. Their starters use fastballs way less than in prior years. Their philosophy is spin pitches and change-ups are harder to hit.

Chapman has been heading in that direction... I'm guessing next year his 4-seamer usage drops below his sinker/slider combo... (as long as he throws them in the strike zone!?!)



View attachment 382239

2024:
View attachment 382238



Of course, throwing 100 mph is cool, too...