And the off season begins (2018-19)

[jacksonianmarch]

Apparently, the Angels were runner ups to Britton, so they must be willing to spend big. The Cubs or Braves might step up, but yes, the Sox seem to be the team with the biggest need at closer.

It comes down to the money.

I think Britton saw the ability to win and potentially be the Yankees closer by 2020 plus the money and jumped. The Angels will need to blow away a team like Boston or NY to grab someone.

[moonslav59]

I think Britton saw the ability to win and potentially be the Yankees closer by 2020 plus the money and jumped. The Angels will need to blow away a team like Boston or NY to grab someone.

Not if the Sox are not offering big money.

If CK is better than Britton, one would think the Angels might offer a little more than their Britton offer, and if the Sox refuse to go higher, they may get him.

[jacksonianmarch]

Like I said, the Angels need to significantly overcommit to beat out the sox.

[moonslav59]

Like I said, the Angels need to significantly overcommit to beat out the sox.

You are assuming the Sox are offering large and long.

Have we even made an offer?

I see it like this: if nobody offers more than the minimum the Sox are willing to offer CK, then he probably signs with us.

He may even agree to a 1 year mega deal to try and reset his value, but that would be highly risky.

[jacksonianmarch]

I am going to assume the sox take a page out of the Boras book and offer a "swellopt". 3 year guarantee with an opt in after year 2 for a 2-3 year deal. If the sox opt out, Kimbrel can continue on for one more year or opt out and become a FA

[moonslav59]

I am going to assume the sox take a page out of the Boras book and offer a "swellopt". 3 year guarantee with an opt in after year 2 for a 2-3 year deal. If the sox opt out, Kimbrel can continue on for one more year or opt out and become a FA

If we truly want to reset after 2019 or less likely after 2020, signing CK really hurts the rebuilding process, unless his deal is structured to make him tradeable after 2019, as in bid salary in 2019, then drops off quickly..

[jacksonianmarch]

You cannot reset after 2019 without letting all of your FA's walk

[moonslav59]

You cannot reset after 2019 without letting all of your FA's walk

With Kimbrel, yes. Without, we lose 2 of the big 3 for sure: Sale, Bogey or Porcello.

Remember, we lose Pablo's $19M, Pearce/Moreland's $13M, and Nunez/Holt/Thornburg's $10M+.

[Larry Cook]

With Kimbrel, yes. Without, we lose 2 of the big 3 for sure: Sale, Bogey or Porcello.

Remember, we lose Pablo's $19M, Pearce/Moreland's $13M, and Nunez/Holt/Thornburg's $10M+.

Very true!

Too bad we could not develop at least one home grown starter!

[moonslav59]

Very true!

Too bad we could not develop at least one home grown starter!

Maybe we get one from Hernandez, Groome, Shawaryb, Mata or Houck.

[mvp 78]

Maybe we get one from Hernandez, Groome, Shawaryb, Mata or Houck.

Hernandez - relief
Groome - doesn't make the majors
Shawaryn - AAAA reliever/spot starter
Mata - doesn't make the majors
Houck - relief

[notin]

Groome - doesn't make the majors
Mata - doesn't make the majors

This year? Or ever?

[mvp 78]

This year? Or ever?

Never ever. I think Groome will have too many health problems and will probably retire in the next 5 years.

I think Mata is just going to hit a ceiling in the upper minors. I know he's young, but a 1.6 WHIP in A ball isn't great. He doesn't have overwhelming stuff and can't strike anyone out. Unless you have Maddux like control or a pitch that induces lots of ground balls, it's hard to walk that tight rope. It also doesn't help that he started to walk about as many people as he struck out last year.

[notin]

Never ever. I think Groome will have too many health problems and will probably retire in the next 5 years.

If that happens - worse draft pick, Jay Groome or Trey Ball?

[mvp 78]

If that happens - worse draft pick, Jay Groome or Trey Ball?

Trey Ball. Sox couldn't have foreseen Groome's injuries.

The 2013 draft had some really great prospects taken right after Ball.

Groome was also taken 5 picks later than Ball was.