Unless they are lying about being on on Burnes/Bregman or even Tesocar/Buehler, they are at least contemplating spending over the first threshold (i.e., they have more than 20 mil left).
Or maybe they won't extend Crochet?
I don’t think they’re lying. I bet they remain in contact with Boras. Thinking about the Passan report on who is in on Burnes (and not listing the Sox), I’d bet they continue to check in with Boras, whereas Boras and Burnes have “eliminated” the Red Sox, so to speak.
Not that either party will or should ever say it, but I‘d bet they have an idea of the top offers that Burmes will choose from / negotiate upon, and the Red Sox are not one of those offers.
What was the clause with Devers that allowed his first year AAV to be lower after he signed his extension? If I recall correctly it remained at $15 AAV that first year despite the extension.
Darn you, I’d accepted that (aside from pieces like bullpen arms or bench bats) the off-season was done, and that we were looking at WC2/3 contention and that was it. Which by the way I was mostly ok with as kind of a B- off season (which is a huge improvement from recent years, to be clear).
But you and
@Red(s)HawksFan fan are right. They could agree with Crochet on something like an arbitration avoiding one year deal at like 1/$4m and then a week later announce something like a 4yr/$28m extension with a $10m signing bonus and a player option at the end for another 1/$15m, thus guaranteeing Crochet ~ $140m, but more likely paying him 5/$125m and then he becomes a going into his age 31 season, just like Fried.
That would still allow them around $38m left to spend this year.
Certainly within the realm of possibility. I’d still wager they’re out on Bregman, and while they may be “in” I’m certain won’t be the top offer for Burnes, that does leave pieces like Lopez, Castillo and Arenado, or whatever player in play for a trade.