Wow has the media got Sox fans all worked up about nothing, to drive clicks and listnership.
There was no chance of either Yamamoto or Ohtani coming here. The Sox weren't going to significantly beat the Dodger's offers, and if they did, we'd all be yelling about them taking too much long term risk. And there's no evidence, NONE, that either of them even considered coming to Boston. It should never have been a serious topic.
The other pitchers available are, at best #2's, and in most years, would be at best #3's. They just paid $17M for one high potential but broken guy with a floor of being in the minors all year and a ceiling of being a #2.
There are two other FA's out there who are significant upgrades to what they already have, and about 10 teams competing for them. They'll each get far more than they are worth.
The "available for trade" guys are just rumors, media people making up stories that start with "this team might consider trading this guy before he gets more expensive" that morph into "available for trade." And again, if there is a #1 or #2 guy available for trade, there will be about 10 teams competing for him.
The fact that this all hasn't resolved itself yet, doesn't mean the Sox are late, or not trying.
