Lillian

You all know that I have hoped for Moncada to become a Ricky Henderson, Tim Raines type leadoff hitter. While I still think that he has the potential to be that kind of player, it looks more likely that the Sox will need his left handed thunder, in the middle of the order. Without him hitting somewhere in the middle, I just don't see any other left handed hitting prospects, down on the Farm. My hopes for Collins to be that guy are fading, and it looks like Zavala may have a better chance of becoming the starting catcher, for the rebuild. He would be yet another right handed hitter. Although he is off to a good start, Rutherford hasn't shown any power, which suggests that if and when he does make it, he is not the answer, for a power left handed bat. Basabe could become a solid player, but again, he's not a big power bat. All of the most promising position players are right handed hitters. Eloy, Robert and Adolfo could be the starting outfield, in 2020 and they all hit right handed. If Anderson can continue to show significantly more ability to draw walks, he becomes a viable leadoff hitter, which would afford the Sox the opportunity to move Yoan to the middle of the order. I find it a little perplexing that Hahn, who has often mentioned the need for a left handed, middle of the order bat, has not made more of a serious effort to acquire one. Maybe the front office thought that both Collins and Rutherford had a good chance to fill that void. This complete absence of a left handed, middle of the order, power bat, continues to argue for the Sox trying to sign Harper, over Machado. He is at the top of my wish list. Starting lineup in 2020: SS Anderson 2B Moncada 1B Abreu (He is the guy whom the front office should resign) RF Harper LF Eloy DH ???? C Zavala/Collins 3B Yolmer CF Robert (He will likely move up in the order, but not immediately) If Rutherford, Basabe or Adolfo push their way into the starting lineup, they would all be better defensive outfielders than Eloy. That might lead to him going to first base and letting Abreu DH. If Adolfo is the one who emerges, he should be in RF, for his arm, which would move Harper to LF. In any event, that could be one very potent and scary lineup. Speed, power and good balance, from both sides of the plate. Compare that to acquiring Machado, instead of Harper and benching Yolmer. Of course, we would have to resign Sanchez but that shouldn't be difficult, or too expensive.

I understand that, but the point remains: The Yankees don't need both of them. Which one and which contract the front office will prefer, is the question. How much do you suppose Gregorius would cost them? This article provides some insight into the issue: https://www.pinstripealley.com/2018/4/9/17212616/yankees-didi-gregorius-contract-extension-shortstop-manny-machado Moreover, you know me, so I'd consider that NY has enough rh hitting thunder, and therefore Didi provides better balance. If he ends up costing much less, it might make more sense to resign him and spend the difference on more pitching.

Gregorius will be a free agent in 2019. They may prefer to extend him, instead of signing Machado. In any case, it's hard to see them signing both. They need pitching more than they need Machado.

While we're talking, anyone else skeptical about his being 6' 2"? I'd swear that he's no taller than 6', if that. It doesn't matter, but I'm just curious if anyone else has noticed.

Maybe he should try to choke up, just a little. He is certainly strong enough and hits the ball hard enough, to be able to maintain reasonable power, while improving his bat control. It seemed to work pretty well for Barry Bonds. Moreover, as lively as the ball is, these days, I'm confident that he would still have a respectable exit velocity, even if he no longer was among the games best, in that regard. If he could make more contact, it just might be worth a try.

Moncada's split stats, so far this season, continue to reveal that he is having a very good start, to his young career, as a left handed hitter: .291 .391 .618 1.009 The issue of whether, or not, he should continue to try to be a switch hitter is the one, about which we should be debating. It's hard to imagine that he could do much worse against lefties, batting left handed. At some point, it might be worth while to see how he would fare. There are several reasons why it might be advantageous for him to try: 1) Regardless of the pitcher, the left handed batter always enjoys the benefit of being a step closer to first base and falling in that direction, with his swing. Given his speed, Yoan would likely scratch out a significant number of infield hits. 2) Drag bunts for base hits, from the left side are easier to successfully execute. 3) Breaking balls from left handed pitchers, break directly into the swing plain of a left handed stroke, when the batter is pulling the ball. It's complicated, but I wrote an article on the subject, many years ago, which I entitled "The Angle Of Contact". I gave a copy to Greg Walker, and discussed it with him, the following Spring, He agreed with the principle. It's an intriguing observation, and worthy of a much deeper analysis. Try to visualize where the ball is moving, when a hitter gets around on a breaking pitch, from his side of the plate, versus the opposite side. If you draw the respective angles out on paper, you will see the point. It's the reason that Hawk always used to say that he hated facing left handers and that he suggested an "inside out swing," in which the hands come before the barrel of the bat. He may not have understood why that works so well, but it is because the angle of contact is much better.

I'd be ok with that, as well. As long as the Sox add Harper, over Machado, I'd be happy. I'd love that LH power bat and .400 OBP in the middle of the order.

The Contending team is likely to consist of the following: Outfield from the following: Eloy, Robert, Avi, Adolfo, Rutherford or Basabe. The Infield and DH will include: Anderson, Moncada, Abreu, Sanchez and Davidson Catcher could be Zavala, Collins or a Free Agent. With the outfield logjam, the Sox might move Eloy to first base. You all know my concern about the lack of a LH middle of the order bat. Even if Rutherford, or Basabe, make the contending roster, odds are that neither will be a middle of the order, power bat. That makes Harper so much more desirable than Machado. He's also a better hitter. If they are going to spend big, Bryce is my guy. Here is my 2020 dream team: 2B Moncada 3B Sanchez DH Abreu RF Harper 1B Eloy CF Robert LF Adolfo/Basabe/Rutherford (whoever wins the job) If it's Adolfo, he can play RF and move Harper to LF C ???? SS Anderson

Just to coax some of you back off the ledge, after yesterday's big day, his stat line, in 46 at bats, from the left side is now: .261 .358 .522 with 3 doubles, 3 homers, 8 RBI's, 7 walks, 3 stolen bases, no caught stealing. Project that out over 550 at bats and you have an All Star, maybe even an MVP. When you take into consideration the following, it is even more encouraging: 1) He's batting lead off 2) Horrible weather 3) Too many off days 4) Still getting familiar with the League's pitchers 5) Less than 300 total MLB at bats 6) He is only 22 7) The exit velocity, on his batted balls, is near the best in baseball If anyone wants to focus upon the real trouble signs, it is the alarmingly high strike outs and his lack of any production from the right side. For my part, I'm just enjoying watching him grow and dreaming of what he and the rest of these kids, can become.

Were all 3 of Rutherford's doubles, legitimate? Did he hit the ball hard? If so, he is definitely off to a good start.

The current outfield roster is probably a mute point. The future window of contention, opening wide in 2020, will likely feature 3 of the following 4 young outfielders: Eloy, Robert, Adolfo and Rutherford. i'm beginning to think that everyone else is just a place holder. I don't know about you guys, but I find myself more interested in following the Minors. I can't wait until Eloy and Robert are back on the field.

With the exception of his strike outs, he is doing just fine, batting left handed: .256 .370 .487 That puts him near the top of Sox hitters, so far, in every category. No one is really lighting it up on this team, probably because of all of the off days and the terrible weather for hitters. If you want to do something drastic, maybe he could try facing lefties, from the left side. For my part, I'd prefer to let him continue to try to become a productive switch hitter.

Let's not forget about Basabe. The Sale trade could well have netted us 3 starting and significant contributing pieces to the contending years, on the horizon. Not only that, but they could be contributors at key positions; a middle infielder and lead off hitter, a centerfielder and a top of the rotation starter. That would be a very successful deal. I wonder who is really more suitable as a centerfielder, between Robert and Basabe. It appears that they are both true centerfielders, who possess all of the tools to play there. I'm guessing that the 2020 outfield will consist of Robert, Eloy and Basabe, with Adolfo a close 4TH. What intrigues me about Basabe is that he appears to be a 5 tool, switch hitter, who is a legitimate centerfielder. That makes his success potentially more impactful than a player like Adolfo, who profiles more as a slugger. Adolfo's arm in RF and Robert and Basabe patrolling CF and LF, would comprise a very good defensive outfield. Who knows, maybe Eloy will end up at first base.

QUOTE (ChiSoxJon @ Apr 15, 2018 -> 07:53 AM) Small sample but Tyler Johnson has a filthy Good shot he winds up in BIR by the end of the year Can someone explain how MLB Pipeline translates the following ratings, for Johnson, into an overall 45 rating?: Fastball: 65 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 50 | Overall: 45 The only way that makes any sense is if the Control Factor is very heavily weighted.

QUOTE (Dam8610 @ Apr 3, 2018 -> 03:04 PM) That K rate is closer to 10% than 13%. If he keeps hitting, he could be Pavin Smith with raw power potential by the end of the year, and that would certainly push him back up draft boards. Is the strike out rate calculated as a percentage of plate appearances, rather than "at bats"? If so, you are correct. In any case, that's impressive, relative to his home run rate.

I think that the assessed value of Rutherford, as a prospect, at the time, made it a fair trade. Some of us are just not sold on Rutherford being as good as he has been regarded. Remember, when he was acquired, he had performed pretty well, except for the lack of power.

Beer now leads the Clemson Tigers in AVG. and Home Runs. Most impressive is that he also has the fewest strike outs, just 13 in 95 at bats, while drawing 25 walks. He has a HR, every 9.5 at bats, while striking out at a 13% rate. And, all of that, after having been mired in a long slump. If he truly has figured out what he was doing wrong, he could have a terrific season, with a good second half.

QUOTE (fathom @ Mar 28, 2018 -> 09:21 AM) Rutherford couldn't have looked worse in the games I saw him this spring I agree. He looks very gawky and awkward. He certainly doesn't seem very athletic. He reminds me of a youngster, who hasn't quite "grown" into his body. I'm no scout, but he certainly hasn't impressed me. I thought the same thing, watching videos of his high school days, before the 2016 draft. What do you suppose the scouts see in him?

This is likely irrelevant, as he isn't going to go #4, but Beer has homered in each of his last 4 games. He now has 10 and his average is up to .284. He also has walked 25 times, in 95 at bats, so his OBP and Slugging Percentage are very good. Where do you think he'll be drafted?

Back to the topic of this thread; I'll take Verdugo and Kemp and pay all of his remaining contract. Then, I'd try to find someone to either take him and most of the contract, or see if a team would give up another prospect, for him, if the Sox pay all of it.

QUOTE (soxfan2014 @ Mar 1, 2018 -> 01:01 PM) It would make more sense for us to trade for him along with multiple prospects, take on most of his contract, and release him (you're doing this for the prospect(s) anyway) to give other at bats than to sign him and take at bats away from someone else. That could work, depending on the prospects and how much of his contract they have to assume. Do you have any specific names, in mind?

I hope that they don't acquire Kemp, under any circumstances, unless they can get a valued prospect, or two. He would take at bats away from guys, whom the Sox need to evaluate. Davidson should get any DH at bats vs. lefties. Delmonico also needs at bats against all RHP, at the minimum.

QUOTE (wrathofhahn @ Mar 1, 2018 -> 10:54 AM) Was Tilson or Cordell healthy when Engel was called up? Was Garcia? No, I don't believe that they were. However, my point is directed at the plan, going forward. Simply put; I think that I prefer to give the benefit of the doubt to those, whose job it is to evaluate talent, and assess the organization's best course.

One of the interesting implications of these kinds of discussions is the confidence, or lack thereof, which we have in the scouting department. If a guy like Engel is really not as good of a defender as many of us think, and if he has no realistic potential to hit, why does the coaching staff insist upon giving him extended opportunities? If the front office, coaching staff and scouting department is so incompetent, the Sox are in big trouble. I would prefer to trust in their competency and what they are doing. In other words, I give them the benefit of the doubt, and assume that they know more than any of us do.

QUOTE (SoxAce @ Feb 28, 2018 -> 08:58 PM) In all fairness to Greg, alot of posters didn't know that at first. Hell, some still don't (other than the obsessive-ness of lefty hitters..). I'm sorry, but I don't get the joke. What is the association between being obsessed with left handed hitters and being a female? I'm not offended, just confused.