Hot Stove

Red Sox sign Panda and Han Ram.

so now what? what happens to Bogarts and Middlebrooks?

They're both now possible trade bait for pitching, as the Sox are working on possible deals if they can't sign Lester. Bogaerts would obviously help fetch a lot, Middlebrooks not so much. If they don't trade Bogaerts, either he or Betts could be their super-utility guy with the other unhappily returning to Pawtucket. Middlebrooks has probably been passed up in the depth chart by Cecchini and Chavis, so whatever they get from him at this point will be a bonus to them.

As to Valen's post. It's not an either/or. The White Sox have confirmed they're still looking to signing pitching, so signing Laroche won't stop that. And they did need both a left-handed power hitter and a DH who could spell Abreu at 1b. For 2 yrs/25 mil, they got one who hit 26 homers, with 92 RBis, a .362 Obp, and a .456 sg. pct. at a good price.

Sandoval signing was a complete waste. $90M for 5 years, for a guy whose OPS has been in decline each of the past 3 seasons and continues to struggle with his weight. Two years after they were able to jettison the Crawford, Gonzalez and Beckett contracts, they go and take the plunge all over again.

And this moves Bogearts back to SS, which was a defensive adventure last year.

Glad to have HanRam's bat, hopefully he's not a disruptive force in the clubhouse, but he'll be in LF which will be another adventure...

With Castillo penciled into CF, I gotta believe Cespedes goes back to RF...unless they can trade him for a starting pitcher, and put Betts in RF. But there's also the possibility of keeping Betts as a super-sub, as 2B is his natural position, and Pedroia's been showing all kinds of decline the past couple years.

Sigh...hoping they have a master plan, cause the OF is a huge logjam right now.

Red Sox sign Panda and Han Ram.

so now what? what happens to Bogarts and Middlebrooks?

They're both now possible trade bait for pitching, as the Sox are working on possible deals if they can't sign Lester. Bogaerts would obviously help fetch a lot, Middlebrooks not so much. If they don't trade Bogaerts, either he or Betts could be their super-utility guy with the other unhappily returning to Pawtucket. Middlebrooks has probably been passed up in the depth chart by Cecchini and Chavis, so whatever they get from him at this point will be a bonus to them.

As to Valen's post. It's not an either/or. The White Sox have confirmed they're still looking to signing pitching, so signing Laroche won't stop that. And they did need both a left-handed power hitter and a DH who could spell Abreu at 1b. For 2 yrs/25 mil, they got one who hit 26 homers, with 92 RBis, a .362 Obp, and a .456 sg. pct. at a good price.

This makes too much sense so it won't happen , but the Mets could sure use a long term answer at SS and seem to have a surplus of young pitching, might not all be MLB ready but..,

You still have Brock Holt in the mix as a super sub.

You still have Brock Holt in the mix as a super sub.

with Hanley and Panda injury history Holt will get plenty of ABs

With Castillo penciled into CF, I gotta believe Cespedes goes back to RF...unless they can trade him for a starting pitcher, and put Betts in RF. But there's also the possibility of keeping Betts as a super-sub, as 2B is his natural position, and Pedroia's been showing all kinds of decline the past couple years.

How quickly World Series hero Shane Victorino is a forgotten man.

White Sox be like, "yay we just spent $25m on Laroche and went from a 73 to 75 win team!". High fives all around.

I do like the rumored 7/$105M extension of Seager for the Mariners though. A rare wise move on Seattle's part.

With Castillo penciled into CF, I gotta believe Cespedes goes back to RF...unless they can trade him for a starting pitcher, and put Betts in RF. But there's also the possibility of keeping Betts as a super-sub, as 2B is his natural position, and Pedroia's been showing all kinds of decline the past couple years.

How quickly World Series hero Shane Victorino is a forgotten man.

I think they caught lightning in a bottle with Victorino that year, which is too bad, seems like a really good dude.

With Castillo penciled into CF, I gotta believe Cespedes goes back to RF...unless they can trade him for a starting pitcher, and put Betts in RF. But there's also the possibility of keeping Betts as a super-sub, as 2B is his natural position, and Pedroia's been showing all kinds of decline the past couple years.

I think they caught lightning in a bottle with Victorino that year, which is too bad, seems like a really good dude.

Cespedes, apparently, isn't too keen on moving to RF. Since he's already had his problems with the coaching staff, his forcing that issue might make him the one to go, and Victorino would be safe. I'm pretty sure his arm plays better in Rf than Betts'.


P.s. Alk, I know I'm relying on the Boston papers here, but we West Coasters have little choice...