Lillian

NO, unless you think that they are giving up on the expectation of a deep post season run. Very unlikely. They're almost certainly all in, for this season and Rodon would be key to their hopes, especially if one of the starters gets hurt. Although the Sox have had several devastating injuries, they haven't lost anyone from the rotation, for any significant length of time. It wouldn't be wise to press their luck, given how many pitchers around the League have gone down. Having the depth to their rotation is probably the greatest single key to their chances for a ring.

If the Sox added Escobar and Calhoun to their lineup, it would look so much better than what they have been running out there, vs. RHP. SS Anderson 3B Moncada 1B Abreu 2B Escobar C Grandal DH Lamb RF Calhoun CF Engel LF Goodwin/Leury

Actually, I think that Bob did "exactly say it". What other interpretation could "soon on his way from the Dbacks to the White Sox," possibly have?

If you want a RF too, Kole Calhoun is expected to start a rehab assignment, any day now. As has been suggested, both Escobar and Calhoun would help and probably wouldn't cost much in prospects. Th Dbacks would save about $8 million in total salaries and would likely be willing to take 2, or 3 prospects, in return. Although most of us wouldn't consider many of our top 10 MLB Pipeline prospects all that great, they might look ok to Arizona, given their rankings. I would guess that a package like Stiever, L. Gonzalez and one more guy, might be enough. After all, it's just for a couple of half season rentals, from a team that is out of the race.

It does make sense to be thinking about the roster for the Post Season. However, it's also important to be mindful of the possibility that they won't make it, unless they field a competitive offense. Moreover, as has been mentioned, limping in as a wild card, or having a lower winning percentage could mean much tougher Post Season match ups. It's also important to factor in Eloy and Robert, by that time. If they acquire one decent left handed power bat, the lineup should be fine, without Vaughn. I love the kid and think that he will become a middle of the order bat, for many years to come. For now, it's understandable that some are more interested in this year. Once we have everyone back, minus Madrigal, the lineup might look something like the following vs. RHP, with 4 LH power bats (3 of them switch hitters) and overall solid defense: SS Anderson 3B Moncada SH 1B Abreu DH Eloy 2B LH Bat (Escobar) SH CF Robert C Grandal SH LF Lamb LH RF Engel I left Eaton out of the equation, as I just have no confidence that he can stay healthy and productive. Vaughn would be a great piece to insert into the lineup vs. LHP, perhaps platooning with Lamb in LF, in the Post Season. Why not let him work on his approach versus RHP, in AAA and gain that extra year of service time?

How about the following?: 1) Send Mercedes back to AAA 2) Bring up Burger to DH 3) Acquire Escobar to play second 4) Continue to search for a better bat to play RF, preferably LH, and especially if he's more than a rental 5) Play Lamb vs. RH pitching,

So, what do you think that shiny spot on the back of his cap is? Why do you think he goes there so frequently, and rubs it with his index and middle finger? I don't know, so I'm just asking. It looks awfully suspicious to me.

I did notice that Liam did not alter his quirky habit of going to the back of his cap, although I couldn't detect any discoloration there, as was previously the case.

I remember when the Sox acquired Fernandez from the Royals. From the research I did then, he was very highly regarded as a good defensive catcher. His bat hasn't been good, but I understand that he has been Major League ready to catch, going back to the time that he was a Kansas City prospect.

Zavala would be the first position player, I'd prefer that they cut from the 40 Man Roster.

I agree that McRae is the most likely, and can't imagine what the Sox see in him. I'd rather replace him with Mike Wright Jr., if they want a guy with MLB experience. He has been very good as a starter, at Charlotte. I wonder how he would do out of the pen.

Adam Frazier should not be, and probably isn't, the target. He is a very good lead off hitter, but the Sox have a lead off hitter. What they are missing is power, especially from the left side. Neither Moncada, nor Grandal are really well suited to bat 3RD, 4TH, or 5TH. Frazier will also be under control, beyond this season. The Sox don't need that either, and certainly aren't anxious to spend what it would cost in money and, or prospects. Where would Frazier play next year, when Madrigal, Eloy and Robert rejoin the team? The only spot on the roster that will be open is RF, which really should be filled with a LH middle of the order bat. Frazier is not even close to being that type of player. He's simply not a good fit.

I posted this in the wrong thread: I suspect that any minute, someone will suggest that Hahn go get Puig from Veracruz, in the Mexican League. I hope not.

I suspect that any minute, someone will suggest that Hahn go get Puig from Veracruz, in the Mexican League. I hope not.

Because we don't know who'll be going to the IL next. If you prefer, put Escobar at second and DH Beckham. Look, these aren't great options, but unless they make multiple trade acquisitions, this might be the best that they can do. It should be better than playing Mendick and Luis González.

I didn't know that Goodwin was considered such a bad defensive centerfielder. Would Leury be better, and could Goodwin be ok in RF?

There should be room to add some guys from Charlotte, with all of the players on the IL. Without Engel, and if they acquire Escobar, as rumored, here is a potential lineup versus RH pitching, which would at least have some proven veterans, to go along with the rookie, Sheets: SS Anderson RH 3B Moncada SH 1B Abreu RH LF Lamb LH C Grandal SH DH Escobar SH 2B Beckham RH RF Sheets/Leury LH/SH CF Goodwin LH

Goodwin should be the next guy up, to play center, until Hamilton comes off the IL

Vaughn doesn't need to learn to "hit" sliders, as much as he needs to learn to lay off sliders. It's doubtful that he ever saw pitches in college, like the ones he's facing now. By the way, do they use Spiker Tac in college? Just wondering. Perhaps now that spin rates should be returning to something that resembles normal, he'll have a better chance to handle them. However, the key for Vaughn will still be to learn to recognize the slider and lay off anything spinning, that starts out looking like a strike, because it won't be, by the time it reaches the plate. Hittable sliders from right handers, start out looking like they're going to hit the batter, or at least be way inside. He doesn't seem to bail on those pitches, so he has conquered that major challenge. Now, he just needs to lay off those breaking pitches that look like they will be strikes, when they leave the pitcher's hand. The question is; Can the Sox afford to let him learn at the Major League level, if they are serious about a Post Season run? I don't know. I've stated many times that Lamb needs to be in the lineup against RHP. He is as good of a power hitter vs RHP, as you're likely to acquire in a trade deadline deal. Burger is not a plausible solution at second base. Interesting experiment, at AAA, but not on this team with Post Season aspirations. Although he's another RH hitter, Beckham should be able to help upgrade the offense, over Mendick, at second. I assume we can now all agree that the issue of his needing to complete his suspension has been resolved. He's ready and he should be on the MLB roster. If the Sox can acquire Escobar, Beckham could still stay at second and Eduardo could find playing time in LF or DH. Mercedes is not serviceable vs. RHP, at this point. That coupled with the fact that he has no position, makes him the odd man out. Playing and, or platooning bats like Beckham, Lamb and Escobar should give this offense a chance to be competitive, over Mendick, Leury, Hamilton and the other bench players, whom this injury riddled roster has had to use. However, another addition before the trade deadline would be great.

If ever there was a justification for banning someone, that's probably it.

And what about the evidence that suggests that Altuve was wearing a wire? Remember when he grabbed his shirt, for fear that his teammates would tear it off, while celebrating a walk off homer?

I was advocating for his call up, to take Mendick's place at second base. However, I was told that he wasn't eligible to play, because he hadn't served his suspension. That was the "clarification". Now, we are going back and forth again. It would be nice if someone could provide the definitive explanation. Is he eligible? What would be required to make him eligible?

This issue of Beckham's suspension was addressed a couple of days ago, but it still seems to be unclear. Would someone please clarify this? Does he have to be added to the 40 man roster, and then sit out for 32 games? Does that mean that there would then only be 39 "active" players on the roster. I'm really confused.

I hope your cynicism is not entirely justified. If so, maybe I should rethink being a Sox fan. Pretty hard to change allegiances, after rooting for them, for all but the first 8 years of my 77. Staying loyal and waiting for him to pass is not a particularly good strategy for someone my age. LOL. Let's hope that J. R. surprises us with some meaningful acquisitions.

Touche. LOL. Yeah, I guess maybe you're right. Nevertheless, I still don't trust the Astros, do you? On the other hand, perhaps the entire League cheats. I don't know. As the old adage about baseball goes; "If you ain't cheating, you ain't trying".