I think Bloom knows this but he was boxed in here and didn't have a choice. This was all ownership. They had to get under the luxury tax for reset and they allowed Dombrowski to backup up the truck for Price, Sale and Eovaldi who are damaged goods/aging. I absolutely hate paying pitchers big money at the end of their prime years. Always come back to bite you. I suppose it's better than just getting a sandwich round pick for Betts next year, but despite all the challeneges with Betts looming free agency and money, I though the return was a bit thin. Thought there would be another prospect or two with them paying half of Price's slary for next 3 years. It would have taken close to Trout money to resign Betts and the Sox just couldn't swing it. They couldn't give away Price and Bradley earlier this offseason to dump salary. Only Mookie knows whether he wanted out of Boston or he really wanted to maximize free agency.Can’t full rebuild when you still have so many other younger stars. I get why they did it but still very frustrating as a Sox fan. I hope Bloom doesn’t think you can run the Sox like the Rays.
I would love to be wrong but I highly doubt they sign after this season.As a Sox fan I think this was the smart/right move to make.
1.No guarantee Betts signs next year.
2. Projected to finish 3rd with Betts
3. Go under the cap and have flexibility to acquire other players or possible sign Betts in the offseason.
As anyone who's watched a lot of baseball, one player does not make a team. Sox still have plenty of talent to contend. They're not going into the tank. Not sure who is going to pitch but hopefully they figure that out.They cleared the salary but just went into the tank. Rebuild huh?
I wouldn’t bet on it but I think they make an offer.I would love to be wrong but I highly doubt they sign after this season.
That's really not accurate. One guy, especially an MVP caliber player, can literally get hot and carry a team in the playoffs.As anyone who's watched a lot of baseball, one player does not make a team. Sox still have plenty of talent to contend. They're not going into the tank. Not sure who is going to pitch but hopefully they figure that out.
Hopefully this move pays off more for 2021 and beyond after they reset the salary cap. Remember, Yankees did the same thing. So did the Dodgers.
Shocked they were able to get Verdugo and Buster. Betts wasn’t resigning- he rejected countless offers. And getting Prices salary off books helps with the rebuild.
Verdugo is an excellent player and Buster is a closer in waiting.
I'm not sure how LA could have done better. Their challenge was not to give up Dustin May or Tony Gonsolin...guys that are going to be versataile and year long contributors. Somehow they avoided taking on the majority of Price's contract, which is a bonus. Even if Betts doesn't re-up with LA, the health of their farm system makes this easily palatable.
Verdugo should be a fairly consistent (i.e. Nick Markakis) type...will hit for average, 20 HRs, and not hurt you in the clubhouse. The Twins pitcher is a top 100 prospect. Boston resets their luxury. They hit their main goal, but I'm left feeling they could have done better.
Twins made an interesting win-now move picking up Maeda. They needed depth and they got an underrated pitcher at the 11th hour. If they can catch lightning in a bottle with Rich Hill...they will be a nice darkhorse in the AL.
Dodgers further offset payroll by moving Joc and bringing in a guy that has shown some promise or can be moved in the future.
Wasn't Boston's highest reported offer 10 year 300 million????? Betts should be getting closer to the Trout 430 number and he knows it. Machado and Harper just got 300/330 respectively. I think we can all agree Betts is far better (and younger!!) than those two. Boston's offer was big enough to be considered a 'legit' offer I guess you could argue, but low enough that they should have known Betts would decline it. Seems like a low ball and there wasn't any real intention for Boston to retain Betts
Was there any real intention on Betts' part to remain in Boston?Wasn't Boston's highest reported offer 10 year 300 million????? Betts should be getting closer to the Trout 430 number and he knows it. Machado and Harper just got 300/330 respectively. I think we can all agree Betts is far better (and younger!!) than those two. Boston's offer was big enough to be considered a 'legit' offer I guess you could argue, but low enough that they should have known Betts would decline it. Seems like a low ball and there wasn't any real intention for Boston to retain Betts
Not so sure about that. Multiple reports of a lack of professionalism, work ethic, a lot of attitude and on one of Fangraphs podcasts, Justin Mason has repeatedly alluded to "stuff" about Verdugo he can't talk about.