Lillian

Let's just hope that a Twins pitcher doesn't throw at Mercedes and he either gets hurt and, or a brawl breaks out, resulting in injuries and suspensions. Who needs this ridiculous drama. Just play the game. If La Russa doesn't approve, it would be better if he handled his displeasure in a more subtle way, and kept it entirely within the clubhouse. Coming out of the dugout and gesturing at Mercedes was probably not the most prudent way to express his displeasure. The Sox seem to be winning more in spite of La Russa, than because of him. I don't remember this many incidences in an entire season, under Renteria and the season is only 25% completed.

If the issue is some nebulous nonsense about "respect for the game," or respect for the opponent, then where is the respect in putting a position player on the mound to throw a 47 MPH "pitch"? One could argue that such an act is disrespecting the Sox and Mercedes. After all, it could just as easily be considered insulting to the batter; "Here is what we think of your ability to hit". Do fans really pay to see a non pitcher throwing a ball slower than a 16 inch softball player? If teams are going to save their bullpens with such nonsense, then don't ask a hitter to embarrass himself, by failing to produce against such a pathetic pitch. Who would be disrespected and embarrassed more; the hitter who can't hit a 47 mph lob toss, or the position player, who gives up a home run? If it were me, I'd rather be the guy who someone hit a homer off of my ridiculous lob toss, than the hitter who struck out on such a pathetic pitch.

How much of this improvement in the quality of at bats do you think is attributable to Menechino? Grandal has always drawn a lot of walks and Madrigal was advertised as a exceptional contact hitter, but the entire team seems to be improving, in this regard.

Could Gallo get to Minneapolis, in time for tomorrow's game vs. a right hander. HELP!!

Admittedly, Sheets is a big unknown, but that outfield has little offensive thunder and leaves the lower 3RD of the order pretty unproductive. If the kid can play RF, it might be worth taking a shot. The current production isn't a very high bar to exceed. This organization has a history of rewarding good Minor League performance with Major League opportunities. Given how hard Sheets has worked, to prepare and how well he is hitting, he should be given a chance, if he can continue to produce at AAA. Perhaps when Engel comes back. Engel in CF, with Sheets in RF might provide enough defense, as well as more time for Sheets to demonstrate a measure of sustainability to his torrid start.

Sheets has slimmed down and has worked very hard to add the ability to play the OF to his "resume". His father spent a lot of time in the off season working with him to become an outfielder. I have no first hand knowledge of how well he is fielding his position, but they are using him in RF in Charlotte. Comparing Sheets to Mercedes as a RF option is not justified. If Yermin lost some weight and spent a considerable amount of time learning to play the outfield, perhaps that would be a plausible strategy, but not under current circumstances.

Another homer for Sheets. A double and 2 HR's on the day. Call him up.

Sheets with a double and a homer.

Yes, he hasn't done anything at Charlotte to justify being called up. However, it's a very small sample size and he does have a Major League resume. If he can shake off the rust, I suspect that he is the guy, whom they will call up, unless they acquire someone else.

FYI: Gavin Sheets' father is Larry, but there was also Ben Sheets, the pitcher, who I don't think is related.

I would guess that there are at least 2 guys at Charlotte ahead of Blake, in the event that someone is called up, to play RF. Both Sheets and the newly acquired Goodwin would be more likely than Rutherford. He still has a lot to prove in his disappointing Minor League career. Nick Williams may also be ahead of him, on the depth chart. They really could use someone from outside of the organization.

Is it possible that La Russa, Hahn, or someone else in the organization, is using Stone to deliver a message to Moncada? Perhaps he has been criticized by management, but it hasn't been effective and this is simply another way to make the point. I have no idea, just wondering. This has to be coming from somewhere. I don't believe that Stone is simply inventing this public criticism, all on his own, for no reason.

Sounds more like you are making points for the critics. "Not a natural base stealer". So, he isn't going to put in the work to learn to become something, at which he isn't already so gifted that he can't accomplish it, just on his talent. "He gets banged up too much running and sliding...." Oh, so sorry. We wouldn't want him to get any burns or bruises, from sliding, would we? You may want to reconsider your argument. Those points aren't very convincing. Look, I admire the guy's talent and hope that he becomes a super star. So far, however, he definitely isn't.

And, he'll be a very rich man, while doing so. Maybe having made all of that money, in his early 20's isn't a problem, but it's not implausible.

Swagger, or emotion, are not very indicative of this issue, one way or the other. There are lots of things that go into being one's best, on the field, which we fans never see. As fans, we are not privy to things such as studying pitchers, but they can be very important in determining the results on the field. One thing no one has mentioned is his lack of attempted steals. It is understandable that his bout with Covid, sapped his energy, last year, and there is the issue of taking the bat out of Jose's hands, by vacating first base, with Abreu on deck. However, a guy with his speed, who is not hitting for much power, might be expected to have attempted at least a few steals, especially with all of the walks that he has received. I had great expectations that he would develop into a dual offensive threat of power and speed. but so far, that hasn't been part of his game. Perhaps it doesn't have anything to do with the issue which we are discussing, but it's worth considering. Regarding Steve Stone: One's opinion of Stone is really not all that relevant here. It seems like that old trope about "shooting the messenger". Either this criticism of Moncada is valid, or it isn't. Unless, there is some disingenuous motive to Stone's comments, perhaps we should not try to reduce this discussion down to our respective opinions regarding our TV color broadcaster. The issue here is; Is Moncada giving sufficient effort to his game, or isn't he.

I'm sorry, but I don't understand the point.

Yes, Moncada has always been in great shape. However, that is not necessarily an indication of his drive to be a great baseball player. Perhaps he just likes taking care of his body.

I have no idea what is inside Yoan Moncada's head and heart. I just hope that he is able to take advantage of his exceptional natural talent and athleticism, to become the great player that he likely has the potential to become. So far, the results are underwhelming.

Demonstrable emotion and burning intensity are not necessarily the same thing. One can be very driven, but not outwardly emotional.

The long grind of an entire baseball season is a challenge for any player. Having an extremely competitive nature, and a ceaseless drive to be the best are not easily attainable traits. He may just not be one of those exceptionally driven players, when it comes to baseball. There are many other things in life, and not every player is obsessed with being a baseball player. Unfortunately, that's probably what it takes to be great at the game. There might be an inverse relationship between natural talent and relentless drive. The more talent one has, the less they have had to rely upon that competitive drive. Yoan certainly has plenty of natural talent. He is an exceptional athlete. You can look no further than a couple of his teammates, to find the opposite. Vaughn and Madrigal are two guys who have probably always had to work harder than others, to get to where they wanted to be. Again, it's just human nature.

Just to clarify: My suggestion that Moncada may not be the kind of guy, who could remain highly motivated after getting a huge contract, has nothing to do with his being a Latino. That is why I said that Abreu was such a great mentor, and I might add role model. In fact, it is only human nature to be a little complacent, once one is guaranteed a fortune. It has nothing to do with his nationality,

Let's hope that he can correct whatever issues he has. If the season were to end right now, he would not be the best option to join the starting rotation for the playoffs. Rodon, Lynn, and Kopech are all in front of him, at this point. And Cease might get there, if he can be more consistent. Giolito is certainly not pitching like the Ace of the staff. You would have to think that Katz "will fix him". No one knows him better.

Moncada strikes me as the type of guy who might not be able to stay highly motivated, after getting a big long term contract. I hope that's not the case, but he has already locked up a fortune, at a much younger age than the typical free agent. Let's hope that he still has the strong competitive drive to get the most out of his exceptional natural talent. Abreu is indeed the perfect mentor to have around all of the young Latin players on this team.

A Mr. Mercedes may not quite agree with you.

That is Mark Feinsand talking, not Sox management. One would have to believe that this is just some inconsequential person's speculation and completely unfounded. The Sox are anything but a "perfect landing spot".