These would have to be different teams.
I'd argue yes if only because we don't know that Whitlock can handle the closer spot. He's never been a back-to-back guy (done it twice in his career). He's also coming off two IL stints for elbow issues, so they may not be keen to have him out there in back to back or 3 times in four games sorts of situations which are going to come up for a closer in a playoff race. I think the optimistic approach if he's in the bullpen at all is going back to bulk work every few days like he did through most of '21. That might enable them to push the likes of Winckowski, Schreiber, and Martin later into games (make one of them the closer).
This would be my guess as well simply because any of the buyers would be VERY reluctant to give up starting pitching.
I think this is the ticket. Smyly or Matz seem like solid candidates. There's a shortage of truly out-of-it teams. I don't see the Sox winning any bids for a frontline starter but I bet they'd have ideas on how to tweak Smyly or Matz (who as you know, they reportedly chased two offseason ago). Matz specifically looks to have been pretty unlucky this year. OTOH, the Cardinals are down Wainwright and probably also trading Montgomery and possibly Flaherty, and may not be up for a total overhaul like that.
Renting an All-Star in a seller's market is not a good use of resources for the Red Sox at this point in the team's trajectory so I agree that if Stroman is opting out then the whole scenario is pointless; I have no idea what his thinking is but he's having a good year so yeah I concede it's a bit pie-in-the-sky.
I really like Jack Flaherty. Seems like he's had three lost years with the pandemic and shoulder injuries. Still young. I wonder who the White Sox would want for Giolito and Grandal (a salary dump for them, a backup catcher for us). Seems like Giolito or Flaherty (or both? they're old friends and teammates) are guys we could pursue and recuperate this winter.
Agree, my guess is that Bloom sees a lot of bargains in winter and very few in July. I suspect they try to make a big signing as well as another from the Kluber/Paxton bucket of guys who have proven upside but will take a short, risk-averse deal. But they won't spend assets for a rental now and allow themselves to get worked over.
Yeah. Seeing those names in print moves me closer to roll with what they've got; and Duvall is really the only player with a thoroughly diminished role here *and* who might be attractive to another team. (Hey! He had an 811OPS over the past week!).
I would be surprised if they don't do 5 things no one has thought of.
A pitcher who can't pitch now, but can probably pitch later seems like the opposite of what we need.
Yup. 4 of them technically... the guys who started our 1st 3 games of the season (Kluber/Sale/Houck) & Whitlock started game 11.
At this point, unless he's 100% subsidized I don't think Kike has much trade value. I'd rather they keep him and Turner together as positive influences on some of the younger guys, then just let Kike leave via free agency.
If the Sox are buyers his roster spot may be needed. If there're any interested parties they should take whatever they can get rather than DFA.
I’m assuming he’d be completely subsidized, or they’d be making a mistake.
Well, if it was their only move definitely, but they have a chance to maybe use some extra $ as part of something more interesting.
Even if they aren't buyers, they're going to need a roster spot for Story not too long after the trade deadline passes. If Kike and/or Duvall aren't gone already, it just might be their spot that Story has to take. With Story/Arroyo/Chang covering the middle infield, Kike is either the back-up CF (Duvall gone) or entirely unnecessary (Duvall still around?).
I think you'd find the ASG exciting: https://sonsofsamhorn.net/index.php?members/quatchie.63225/#recent-content
Today. This year. Its a four day break for a team that is relatively beat up. I hope the Sox are on the beach or resting up and not taking part in an exhibition game in which they could get hurt further.
Assuming JD, Eovaldi, Kimbrel. Not that I necessarily agree but fans can be, perhaps overly sentimental, about guys who played here esp ones who were part of championship teams.
Brandon Walter is under control until he's like 32. The entire prime of a starting pitcher with a 2.31 ERA in MLB!
This would be an opportunity for Chicago to use the third or fourth best reliever from their super-deep bullpen to get something they don't have close to enough of: a plausible MLB starter signed past this year. Maybe at the deadline they get bids for a guy like Santos that are higher than that, but I don't think it's to be assumed.
Given the way teams are currently in 40 man rosters crunches its not obvious what so ever that a '24 comp A pick would be less valuable than whatever Paxton brings back.
Agree. It depends on how much someone is willing to give up for Paxton. I'd be find with trying to extend him, or, failing that, extending a QO. That decision probably will be made right at the deadline.
This is my take as well. While I'm not convinced that this team is playoff-bound, much less a World Series contender, trading Paxton now would be throwing in the towel. It would be a betrayal of the fan base and a betrayal to the players. Got to give the players a chance to make their case on whether this is something that requires FO support or go full fire sale. Going into the ASB strong after a fairly mediocre first half helps their case.
I don't think the Cubs are selling. They're the only team in a very weak division with a positive run differential.
Is that even an upgrade? They're actually skating by OK with the bullpen starts and Pivetta as a shadow-starter. They have several days off once things get going before August, when presumably one or two of the SPs might be back. I think they ride it out unless they can get a great deal on an actual starter upgrade, which probably doesn't exist. Bloom isn't going to send out anything of value to cover maybe 2-3 starts.
