Lillian

Perhaps that is why Hahn did not more aggressively pursue a trade, at the deadline. If Conforto is going to be able to play RF, as well as hit, he should be signed, whether for the duration of this season, or for both this year and next. What are the chances that he could play RF? Reports that I've seen don't suggest that he could.

I don't think any of us know what the problem is with Moncada. Frankly, that's not as important as whether, or not, the problem can be resolved. His ability to hit is critical, because he is one of the few LH hitters on this team. With neither Moncada, or Grandal hitting, Sheets has to be in lineup against RH pitching. Moreover, he has to hit in the heart of the order. Less than an ideal situation, to be sure. I've been alarmed about Moncada's lack of offense, for quite some time now, and it's just not getting better. I even went so far as to suggest that I hoped that the Sox could trade him, just to avoid the possibility of having to pay him $50 million, over the last two years of his contract. If the Sox make it to the post season, how much longer can they continue to let him hit, before they have to let Burger play 3RD? Yoan is putting up some of the worst numbers in baseball and looks every bit as bad as his stats. I suggested some time ago that perhaps he needs to change his approach at the plate. Forget about trying to be a pull hitter, or hitting for power. Choke up on the bat and spray the ball around the field. Be willing to concentrate on just getting on base. Whatever he does, it has to be something different than what he has been doing. It's been far too long to be considered a "slump".

Well, he would fit right in with this roster. The Sox have several guys who have been "cold" most of the year. No one has been able to sustain a real hot streak, especially with power. Jose has done the best, but even he is not hitting the long ball, as he has in years past.

I don't have the split stats between the Rangers and Yankees, respectively for last year. However, I do note that he hit 31 homers last year, while batting either 4TH, or 5TH, in 356 at bats. Wouldn't we all take that production?

An observation about Gallo: One of his strengths has always been his ability to draw a lot of walks. In Texas, he always hit in the heart of the order and was the Rangers' most serious home run threat. That resulted in opposing pitchers working very carefully to him, which afforded him the opportunity to be selective and just take his bases on balls. The Yankees have batted him in the lower third of the order, which is understandable, with their power packed lineup. He has even had 98 plate appearances batting 9TH. That might have forced him to be a little less selective and swing at more pitches, that were not in his wheel house. If the Sox acquire him, I hope that they would stick him in the middle of the lineup vs RHP, in front of Eloy. Perhaps something like this: SS Anderson, CF Robert, 1B Abreu, RF Gallo, DH Eloy, 3B Moncada, LF Vaughn, C Grandal, 2B Harrison.

If Grandal and Moncada could start producing, from the Left side, the Sox could just play Engel in RF.

The Sox have 3 older LH hitting outfielders at Charlotte, all who can handle RF, and are having pretty decent offensive years; Payton, Haseley and Neslony. They may have to just gamble that one of them can provide serviceable LH power and RF defense, because it doesn't appear that there is anyone for whom they can trade.

Just to add a note about Brantley: He doesn't have the arm to play RF. He's a great hitter and I would have applauded the acquisition, at the time, however even he would not solve the current problem. He's not a right fielder.

Mahle won't be a free agent until after next season, which I assume you know. That has to make one think that he wouldn't come cheap.

Tanner Scott walks way to many hitters. I don't see how he would help the pen. He has about a 1.5 WHIP, over the last 2 years because of all of the walks. In fact, the only year in which his WHIP was lower was in the shortened 2020 season.

Since the Sox are going to have to gamble on guys beginning to perform up to their historical records and expectations, might as well add another one in Gallo. His upside is greater than Peralta's, even if the probability of his realizing it is low. Adding Peralta to his under achieving roster won't move the needle. Moncada, Eloy and Grandal have got to provide the production that was expected, or no affordable addition is going to overcome that failure. I'm almost to the point of saying; "who cares?"

One point to take note of is that at least Gallo knows the A.L. pitchers, and Peralta does not. A N.L. player coming to the Sox. We've seen that movie before. On the other hand, it should also be noted that Peralta has hit A.L. pitching well, in limited Inter League play, this year.

Seems likely with the TLR connections with Arizona. At least Peralta has always hit RHP. Does he have the arm for RF? He hasn't played there.

I agree that it would take more than Vaughn.

The question is; Why would the Pirates trade Reynolds, simply to gain one more year of control, with Vaughn? Reynolds is so much more of a complete player. He has also hit RH and LH pitching about equally, in his career.

Not even our front office is that dumb. Relax. I would think that Gallo would take very little to acquire. The Yankees no longer really have a place for him, and he has been such a failed acquisition.

Naquin didn't cost the Mets much. If the Sox had wanted him, they certainly could have offered at least what the Mets gave up. Does that mean that Hahn is pursuing a bigger target?

The Sox are not going to find an impact LH bat to play second base. Harrison is only signed through this season and provides solid defense. The more important hole to fill is that ever elusive LH middle of the order bat and the only likely spot open is RF. The problem is that there aren't really any rental candidates available. It does not seem likely that Hahn can fix that problem, at this late juncture. Many of us were adamant about the need to do so in the off season. Hahn himself listed it as one of the prioritized needs. So, who are the possibilities? Gallo, Naquin, Peralta ........? I don't see a difference maker in that list. The pitching is another matter. At this point, between the injuries and underperformances, one has to wonder if it's fixable. Once again, we have to look at the last off season. There is no point "beating a dead horse," but I still can't get over how the Sox didn't make a QO to Rodon. Just mind boggling. I suppose that this won't be a popular opinion here, but for me personally, I would not really be ecstatic over a post season appearance by this team, if they end up with a unimpressive regular season record and only make it because the AL Central is such a weak division. Given that perspective, I'd prefer that the front office be focused more on fixing the problems for next season. I suppose that if some miracle happened, and they ended up winning the World Series, this year, I'd be happy, but I think that I'd be more amazed than ecstatic.

My feelings about Moncada are well known here. I just think that he is not worth the money that will be owed to him after next season: 24:$24M, 25:$25M club option ($5M buyout). He just isn't a good enough hitter to make that kind of money, as a third baseman. He is a great defender, but that position needs offense and he just doesn't seem capable of living up to his potential. He has had enough at bats to demonstrate his ability and should be in his prime. I really doubt that many teams would be willing to give up much to take him and his contract. Therefore, selling him is not really plausible, at this point. That's why I didn't suggest that they could. I'm only expressing my preferences, not what I think will, or should happen. If he showed enough life to attract a good offer, I would like to see him moved. I was as enthusiastic about his potential, as anyone, but there is undeniably something very wrong there.

I agree with you that they will almost certainly not sell off any pieces. My point was that even if they wanted to, the pieces that should be moved are not either healthy, or performing enough, to net much of value. When I expressed my personal preference for selling, I had names like Pollock, Leury, Harrison, Grandal and Moncada in mind. Given their contracts and their inability to either stay on the field and, or provide production, commensurate with their contracts, I'd prefer that they not be on next year's roster. Eloy is a special case, given his age, potential 40 HR power and freakish injury history. This front office has a lot of work to do, but I don't see much opportunity, at the present time.

It would probably make more sense to be sellers. However, unfortunately the pieces that should be moved aren't performing well enough to net much of value. An inexpensive rental, or two, might be alright, but beyond that I hope they just go with what they have. If Moncada and Grandal can provide something close to their projected production, that would solve the lack of LH power. If the rest of the core can stay on the field and produce, the Sox would have more than enough offense. If Bummer can't return before September, August could be pretty challenging for the pen, with no southpaws but Banks. So, maybe a lefty reliever and another starter is about all that I hope for.

Do any of you share my trepidation that the moves this front office might make could very well be worse than just standing pat? They erred badly in their off season moves, and aren't likely to fix their mistakes, at this late date and out of desperation. "Don't just do something-stand there".

Yeah, the "front line starter," who ended up being Vince Velasquez and the second baseman "like Marcus Semien," who ended up being Josh Harrison. This is a bad joke.

Isn't the issue whether, or not, Eloy is at risk of aggravating the injury? If not, and it's simply a matter of pain, then why not allow him to play with the discomfort? I don't think that we have enough information to make such a determination.