KingKongvs.Godzilla

I can't believe I'm saying this but this is an awesome game. [expletive].

I don't have the answer, but I've thought about Smoak too. That would be a pretty slick move because he's still one hell of a long term talent.

You are underestimating...but he's a really solid all around player. He's been off in recent years, but that might be part of the hell of being in Baltimore.

Open 1B position + lots of money = Yes. On the 1 minor league positional asset that is viewed as likely to provide key help in the next 3 years: Jackson Szczur - I think 2013/2014 seems reasonable. LeMahieu - 2B? 3B? UTIL? Even UTL is a significant position in today's game, somewhat. Flaherty - See LeMahieu. Watkins - More interesting than given credit for, and lost in the shuffle. Castillo/Clevenger - Backup catchers are important. That's not even considering the possibility of someone like Javier Baez to fly through (that's if they got really lucky). This is a Cubs team that has alot of young, Cubs produced complimentary or secondary pieces (and Castro). Time to compliment that talent by getting some high end stuff in here. The position is open, the wallet has some money in it, the talent is out there...the whole situation fits like a glove.

- Get an elite talent or two. There's 4 available in FA with Pujols, CC, Fielder, and Reyes. - Look to grab former stars who are still young but have fallen off for one reason or another, if and only if they're short on years or money or both. Broxton, Sizemore, Aaron Hill, Encarnacion...Zumaya?...Maybe even be the next team in line to give Jeremy Hermida and/or Scott Olsen a shot (basically look for old top prospects who aren't so old)...Ian Stewart, Clayton Richard...iunno...whoever's out there...Chris Tillman...Jed Lowrie at 2B?.... - Make a trade for a non-elite ML talent that's still fairly young (<33). Ask about Nick Markakis. - Add SP depth. CC and Wilson should obviously get the main looks, but guys like Rick Porcello, Gonzalez, Liriano, Danks, Floyd, Hughes, Jonathan Sanchez, Tyler Chatwood maybe... - See if anyone will overpay for Marshall, Soto, or Garza...I'd prefer not to trade any of them, but for good pieces? Like say Detroit asked about Garza for Porcello, Oliver, Smyly, and C Rob BRantly...there's the chance I'd have a hard time saying no. - Look for non-pitchers on the trade market too. Guys like BJ Upton, Matt Kemp, Chase Headley... - Make Clevenger or Castillo the backup C, or sign one a solid vet like J. Molina/Schneider/Barajas/etc. - Be flexible. Take risks. Other motivational [expletive].

I THINK I get what you're saying, and I agree. That said, Jay Jackson or Trey McNutt will make me not care. Probably McNutt, unless it's Andrew Cashner (which would be best of all). Thats....sunshine lollipops...

He's been a decent read for years.

A simple no thanks will due.

Tsss No, but he can buy them with money. :rimshot: Tssss There's always teams with money shopping. There'll be plenty of competition next year with Kemp, Hamels, Greinke, and the rest of that bunch. There'll be plenty of competition in 2014 when Kershaw and Felix are potential FAs. There'll be lots and lots of competition for Upton. Plus, the Cubs aren't as far away as it seems a good deal of people think. Even moreso than the money, the farm system is just massively underrated. They've given the team a potential superstar SS, a pretty much complete bullpen (though I still think going after fallen power arms like Broxton is a good idea), a starting C, a 4-5 starter in Wells, and there's pieces that could take 2B (3B?) and CF next year. The bought elite talent is meant to supplement that, because for the time being the farm system isn't on the verge of producing any obvious stars/elite talents. Plus, having that guy around takes some pressure off the younger players while at the same time representing a challenge from the organization. Oh yeah, and the timing is unbelievably perfect right now. Money, new GM momentum, money, open 1B, two big money 1B, freed up money...it all fits.

Yeah I see what you mean...wow did that post not fit at all. Sorry... If Reyes comes at a low enough price (say 5/65-75 or even 6 with those numbers) then he'd be a great secondary signing to one of the 1B bats. I wouldn't mind this if they lost out of the three big pitching names that might be on the FA market. The lineup would be pretty much set for years with Reyes - Castro - Fielder/Puojols at the top. Gotcha. I don't agree, but now I get what you're saying. I'm not in love with the idea either. No point in moving either him or Castro, plus I share the worries about his legs. However, IF the Theo Epstein does it, especially in year 1, then surely there's is a light guiding the move to success.

Despite the legends, Rudy is a swing at strikes guy and not a swing at everything guy. I say keep him. Acquire players.

Boston drafts have been cool because when in doubt they go with upside. You'll often see names that come up during pre-draft talks as possible risers (Fuentes) or fallers (Raunado). Basically if you follow the pre-draft stuff you'll see alot of mentioned names in a Red Sox draft....Fuentes is the closest to a Colvin/Sinpson type pick they've made in the draft, and he was the rising tools laden cousin to baseball's most recent borderline great CF that eventually helped land Gonzales.

Chien-Ming Wang might be interesting. Couple other guys, but he stood out amongst the not tier one guys who might be had low. I think I might be pro-Darvish heading into FA, but it's such a longshot that it's not really worth actively pushing. I think he's going to be a good one.

I think most teams will look to pounce on Sizemore bouncing back, but I think he's a decent gamble for less than 8...hopefully/maybe way less than 8. Maybe try him in RF to lessen the defensive role.

Yeah I see what you mean...wow did that post not fit at all. Sorry... If Reyes comes at a low enough price (say 5/65-75 or even 6 with those numbers) then he'd be a great secondary signing to one of the 1B bats. I wouldn't mind this if they lost out of the three big pitching names that might be on the FA market. The lineup would be pretty much set for years with Reyes - Castro - Fielder/Puojols at the top.

I'll say that a leadoff hitter is a hole to this.

He's got a decade of suck behind him IIRC.

Same for the second tier. Bruce Chen?

Can this guy get any sexier?!?! Damn, he's awesome! I love the guy but all he did state the obvious.

If there's a legitimate argument for/evidence in support of a concept like this, I'd like to hear it. Not being a smart ass. It's possible that the thinking on this has changed from when I last gave it some thought and I'm open to hearing an argument. There isn't, and it takes more than one anyway. Even Pujols has Holliday...then a bunch of retreads and mediocre prospects who play up...possibly due to having those two in the middle.

Everything: I like Theo for saying things like this. Bolded: Sign a lineup stabilizing bat like Pujols or Fielder.

Touché.

Or Alfonso Soriano? Why should we expect sudden and soon?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ytCEuuW2_A The butthurt is strong in this one...Over what, I don't know, but I do know no one cares.

Really exciting and fun player, but not someone I want to throw a ton of money at.