Flash

Friends and I were jawboning about the most shocking events in our lifetimes involving athletes (BTW-I'm 65). Here are our top 3 in reverse order: #3) Magic Johnson press conference announcing his retirement from NBA due to contracting AIDS #2) Bruce Jenner transitioning to Caitlyn Jenner #1) The whole Aaron Hernandez saga. From All-Pro TE to murder conviction to suicide in prison. Honorable mention to Tiger Woods for multiple marital transgressions made light in a very public way and Kobe Bryant helicopter disaster. Feel free to add your own.

Oops. Forgot that classic Winker family singalong...Noel, Noel?

There are variations on a Reds trade theme and I understand their not wanting to part with Winkler while they are still in the thick of things. I'd love to grab Castlellanos as a rental (opt out after '21...Boros client) but Winkler is so perfect. I also think the WS could really benefit from Moustakis' experience and LH bat....he can also play multiple positions and DH. I'm not sure what it might take to nab Winkler but, if your hypothetical addition of Crochet along w/Vaughn and the other names (Eaton and Lopez are salary offsets although Lopez might help down the stretch), I'd consider it. Adding Winkler and Moose to the lineup would be lethal....especially if it doesn't cost us any of our top 6 starters (inc. Kopech). I also expect the Reds to fall out of contention in the weeks ahead which might alter their thinking on player value.

Just to be provocative, what about trading Vaughn, Eaton, Burdi and Lopez to the Reds for Winkler and Moustakis? Reds are desperate for relief pitching and would love to move Moustakis contract. Eaton and Lopez are expendable and help offset Moustakis' salary. Moustakis adds LH pop and can play a passable 2B. He should be off the DL sometime in July if not sooner (Mendick can hold the fort down until then). I know there are big Vaughn fans here and I'm one of them but Winkler and his LH bat gives us a much better chance to get the promised land in '21 and beyond. This is a win now move for the Sox. Okay...time for the drive-by HaHa emojis.

Vaughn to TB for Brandon Lowe and Kiermaier?

Would take a bit of creativity but Moustakis is due back from a heal injury and India has settled in nicely at 2B for the Reds. Reds would need to eat a chunk of Moustakis contract and desperately need pitching (Sonny Gray on DL). Reds are only 5 games back in the Central. Moustakis would be a great 2 hole hitter who can play 2nd or 3rd. Maybe we can pry Antone away as part of a package. Moustakis and Antone for Steiver, Lopez and ???

I don't disagree he'd be too expensive for JR. I also doubt Cincy will trade him unless/until there is a clear indication on the Reds prospects for POs, which, as we sit here, aren't unreasonable. I'm saying he will likely opt out after the season so if Jupiter aligns with Mars, he could possibly be acquired at the deadline but would be unlikely to remain with WS beyond '21 due to opt out. Dead horse.

I might be reading it wrong but best I can tell, he's due $48M which includes balance of '21. Basically, $16M/yr. It would take balls, but I believe he will opt out and be rewarded with a sizable raise (i.e 5years at @$125M ish)

Yeah I pounded on the table for Castellanos before he signed with Cincy. The guy is for real but has opt out after '21 and Boros as agent so he would be the definition of a 'rental'. Still, what a bat in the 2 spot.

Don't do it. Your comments are well worth reading and we would miss your insight and straight forward communication style. Soldier on Jack!!!

Some fun offensive stats to build upon.... 1) Abreu leads MLB in RBI 2) Moncada #4 in MLB in OBP 3) Mercedes #6 in MLB in BA 4) Grandal #2 in MLB in walks

If Cincy loses ground I wonder if they might make Winker available? There would be strong demand but WS have some trade chips.

I don't know we have to decide. Like you said, lots of baseball yet to be played but if they keep up the good work, I'd definitely try to extend them both, beginning with Lynn. If Rodon stays healthy the rest of the way and continues to perform at current level, he will be among the most highly sought after FAs after '21. Unlikely JR will cough up what it will take but you have to try...if not, certainly give him a QO. No need to worry about Gio anytime soon (controled through '23). Its also possible Crochet figures into the mix for '21 and beyond.

Then they turn it over to Reyes. Yikes!

Its getting really hard to watch Grandal at the plate. He is literally looking for a walk every at bat. Takes obvious strikes then complains to the ump almost every pitch. Literally every at bat. Wonder if he's in his own head a bit or maybe still not back 100% physically but its painful to watch. In spite of McCanns slow start in NY, at this point I prefer him to Grandal.

Wasn't in game thread so sorry if this was already mentioned but my take is Grandal was awful. Cease was hitting his spots through first 3 innings and getting calls. Then, he stopped getting the paint calls and Grandal continually set him up outside. The Urshella walk in the 4th inning (couple questionable balls) is where Cease lost his composure. Sure you've got to score runs but the momentum shifted and Grandal has to either frame those better or stop setting up off the plate, especially when Urshella wasn't going to bite. I can live with him hitting a buck ten if he controls the strike zone, frames the edges and manages the game but when he doesn't he's a liability.

Moncada seems to carry himself in a low-gear, meaning he doesn't come across as overly intense or animated. I think thats just his personality and completely unrelated to Covid. I was skeptical he'd develop into an adaquate third baseman and I'm delighted to admit I could not be more impressed with his defense at the hot corner. I also think he's capable of more at the plate but a 340-360 OBP nd 8-830 OPS plays anywhere.

I'm a Vaughn fan but if anyone can be called a shoe-in, its Mercedes. The guy's a folk hero and could possible challenge for MVP.

Hahn gets maligned alot on this forum but he deserves credit for re-signing him...and at a bargain $3M. He and Lynn (another excellent Hahn acquisition) have been 'lights out' and look to be the strongest parts of a very strong WS rotation.

I'd try to lock them both up for 2 yrs. w/3rd year option/buyout. Roughly 2yrs. at $15 each plus 3rd yr. option at $15 vs. $3M buyout. I'd probably focus on Lynn first as I believe he might be a bit easier to sign. With both under wraps, we have flexibility in case of Gio or Cease regression and/or potential trade scenarios.

Any chance Rodon is back in White Sox uniform next year? Thoughts on what a contract might look like?

A viable option might be Gavin Sheets. He's been playing RF for Charlotte where he is hitting 500 and slugging. Would love to see how his game translates to MLB. Would sure give him a chance.

IMHO, Eloy should only be considered as DH. The notion he can play 1B significantly underestimates the importance a strong glove plays in saving throwing errors and overestimates Eloys athleticism. I could see a spot start in LF (or even RF) but the idea is to hide him on defense, not put him in a position where he get 2nd most touches a game after catcher.

As much as I like Robert, I do not view his loss as a death knell for Sox playoff hopes. Personally, I am furious Hahn did not pursue Mike Tauchman when he was available but thats water under the bridge. The Sox will continue to win at @90 win pace as long as pitching holds up (I'm a bit concerned about Gio). Ideally, Abreu will warm up with the weather and Grandal will start to show a pulse. I believe Moncada is the real key. If he starts to perform to his potential, the lineup will withstand the loss of Robert. Ideally, we pick up a competent OF'r but I am not optimistic. In the meantime, I still like our chances and fully expect this team to start a winning streak in the games ahead.

Tauchman was available and the Giants got him for next to nothing. Plays all 3 OF spots very well. 3 run HR today. Dammit