SoxBlanco

I agree with this. The only reason I had Madrigal 1 and Robert 2 in my mock lineup is because that’s what they started doing at AAA. But I prefer Madrigal in the 2 spot.

I want to sign Gordon to a one year deal. I would hardly call that a “solution”.

If we sign Grandal and a RF (let’s say Gordon), I go with something like this: 1. Madrigal 2B 2. Robert CF 3. Moncada 3B 4. Eloy LF 5. Grandal C/DH 6. Abreu 1B 7. Anderson SS 8. Gordon RF 9. McCann DH/C

Stiever taken out after 3 scoreless due to a high pitch count (79 total).

That’s a great question. I’m not really sure. I guess it would depend on examining the results and figuring out the reason (velocity drop?, bad luck in a small sample?, etc.). But I know that’s just my way of skating around your question.

I was thinking something in the range of 3 for $40, but with the quote you provided, now I’m not so sure.

I missed this post before posting a similar thought. I want Grandal, Wheeler, Betances, Gordon, and any other SP/swing man. With those five additions, along with Robert and Madrigal, I think we make the playoffs next year.

I would overpay Grandal right from the start to try and get him to sign. Would something like 3 for $68 get it done? With Grandal already on board, the other targets are more likely to join if we hit them with competitive offers.

Do you think Vaughn will start in AA?

What are your thoughts on L. Gonzalez? I know you’re low on Rutherford because of his terrible BB and K rates, and although Gonzalez has struggled, hasn’t he maintained similar BB and K rates to what he put up last year? I know his power numbers are down, but for his first year in Birmingham, I don’t think he’s having as bad of a season as people think.

1. Robert CF 2. Moncada 3B 3. Grandal C 4. JDM DH 5. Eloy LF 6. Gordon RF 7. Abreu 1B 8. Anderson SS 9. Madrigal 2B (Yes, I know JDM is very unlikely, but this lineup would be pretty ridiculous)

The developmental staff did try to change his swing before this year. Didn’t he go something like 1-36 at the start of last year and then resort back to his old swing?

I wonder how wRC+ will factor the ballpark into the stats for our offensive players.

He did follow up with “but seriously,” indicating to me that he was joking with the Hansen comment.

Vaughn with a pop out and HBP so far.

I missed the error. What happened exactly? Nonchalant and dropped it?

I didn’t get to see a single pitch of Cease’s second start. How was his fastball command? Any better than his first start?

Abreu wants to stay here, even if we don’t sign him to an extension in the next two weeks. I don’t think it’ll take much to sign him to a 1 or 2 year deal in the offseason.

I believe he’s talking about Abreu.

But wasn’t that because all of the lefties they happened to face after he got called up? Seems to me that the plan was to back up McCann while getting some starts at DH in the process. Then a string of lefties happened to be on the bump against us, so he didn’t play much. Then, unexpectedly, a guy they’ve wanted for a while became available, and they decided they’d rather give the DH at bats to him (Reed). Just seems like a series of unfortunate circumstances for Collins.

Another HBP

Do people who complain about bunting realize that a bunt for a hit and a sacrifice are two different plays with two different signs from the third base coach? Or that sometimes players choose to bunt for a hit on their own? Obviously we don’t know what was called in that last inning (I’m guessing Cordell did it on his own and Leury got a bunt for a hit sign), and I’m not arguing for or against it, but it seems like some people here don’t understand the full concept of bunting.

Still a solid outing, but I believe he gave up 3 earned.

This is exactly why you are wrong in this argument. You are using hindsight to guide your narrative.

I was just thinking the same thing. No need to rush him. The last 50% of games he’s played in AAA, he’s averaging only one extra base hit per game.