I have doubts that he comes back too, but I wouldn't rule it out. This team has surprised us more than once with the lengths they're willing to go to to put a strong team on the field.
I have doubts that he comes back too, but I wouldn't rule it out. This team has surprised us more than once with the lengths they're willing to go to to put a strong team on the field.
Championships since purchase by John Henry group: Red Sox 4 Yankees 1
The Red Sox are 8-1 in their last 9 postseason games against the Yankees.
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I wouldn't characterize the budget sensitivity as self imposed. MLB have serious penalties associated with going over and staying over the competitive balance tax limit. We just need to make good choices and live within those reasonable constraints as the other teams are successfully doing. Best way to do that is to continually develop young players such as Beni, Devers and Chavis. It's also time that we see some of our young pitchers move forward. We are carrying Sandoval and Pedey this year without any value. Thats close to 15% of the budget. Lets hope we have learned, but I doubt it.
This is the context I meant my statement to be taken:
Personally, I think Henry wants to reset after this year, especially since we won in 2018, and some of the pressure is off. If this is true, it's a major budget constraint that pretty much means we lose every FA-to-be and can't replace anybody through cheap free agents.
If we set the limit at the $19.9M over mark, we will have the ability to keep JD or sign someone (cheaper) to replace Porcello and/or JD.
If we set the line at $39.9M over the mark, we can stay about as competitive as we are now, but may have to lose Porcello and replace him from within or with a cheaper FA.
If we are okay going over $40M, we can keep everybody and maybe add a moderate FA somewhere (pen, 1B, 2B?).
To me, the budget Henry sets or strongly suggests will be the major factor in what happens next year and what ends up happening with Betts after 2020.
If we reset after this year, we may be able to afford to pay Betts (and the tax) afterwards.
When you say it's gonna happen now
When exactly do you mean?
Championships since purchase by John Henry group: Red Sox 4 Yankees 1
The Red Sox are 8-1 in their last 9 postseason games against the Yankees.
While I don't think the odds of a reset after 2019 or 2020 are as high as I once did, I still think it is possible (maybe more after 2020 than 2019).
I do think staying under the $20M line may be a high priority. If that is true and JD stays, it's almost certain Porcello does not come back.
When you say it's gonna happen now
When exactly do you mean?
Championships since purchase by John Henry group: Red Sox 4 Yankees 1
The Red Sox are 8-1 in their last 9 postseason games against the Yankees.
Championships since purchase by John Henry group: Red Sox 4 Yankees 1
The Red Sox are 8-1 in their last 9 postseason games against the Yankees.