JUSTgottaBELIEVE

Checks to see who’s starting at catcher...Castillo...put this one down for a L but would be thrilled if they prove me wrong!

“Early in the game, Giolito and catcher James McCann realized that the fastball-changeup combination that allowed him success in his last start against Cleveland -- in which he threw 7 1/3 scoreless innings -- was not going to work against the Blue Jays, and they altered their plan. According to Statcast, the hurler threw only 45 fastballs among his 105 pitches, going to his slider and curveball a total of 31 times.” this is the type of stuff that doesn’t show up in a catcher’s “advanced metrics” but is invaluable to a pitcher and team’s success.

Don’t think he will get the votes over a guy like Gary Sanchez but he’s currently #2 in fWAR out of AL catchers.

$300M/10, nevertheless, the principle is the same

Thank god he didn’t go 4/4 by signing Machado. The organization can easily recover from misses on short term expiring contracts like Jay, Alonso, and Castillo but a miss on a $300M player is not something this organization can overcome. Would have stopped the rebuild dead in it’s tracks to have $30M per year tied up in a player that will be producing as an average regular during the Sox’ contention window.

Ummmm, that’s pretty good company ?

Or if Giolito put up 4 WAR season after a negative WAR season last year and negative for his career pre-2019

14-8 ?

Anderson and McCann, done ?

Helps when starters go 6/7 innings.

What else is new re: mccann. Dare I say 14-8 in games he starts at catcher? His MVP season may turn this team into a wild card contender after all.

@Jack Parkman is the truth. Stood by Gio through thick and thin last year and the guy has turned into a bona fide stud this year. Wow, well done Jack. I gave you props during Gio’s first outing because you could see he was a different pitcher then and he’s maintained it now through the first 1/4 of the season.

Coming into the season, most would have been happy if he established himself as a #5. If they can stay healthy, Cease, Kopech, Giolito, Lopez, FA, should be the second best rotation in the division next year and the Sox lineup is already far better than the Indians.

Giolito is our future #5, right? I wouldn’t mind that.

What do I think of his defense? Compare pitchers’ ERA with him at catcher versus Castillo this year or Narvaez/Smith/Castillo last year. The numbers speak for themselves.

Mookie Betts would look nice changing Sox in a couple years ?

Great call on him.

There’s literally not a single player in baseball that’s been more valuable to their team so far this season.

You’ll find A LOT of people who disliked the signing.

Sox are about to move to 13-8 when James McCann starts at catcher. Their record is 4-13 when Castillo starts at catcher ?

When he was signed, most here said he was average to below average defensively. He’s been the most impressive catcher defensively in MLB that I’ve seen all season. Even if he hits for a 650 OPS, his defense is invaluable. And what do you know, another game where he starts at catcher and another quality start from the starting pitcher with the team in position for a win. It’s no longer a coincidence.

I’m sure Castillo and Narvaez would have been backing up third base like McCann just did there (sarcasm)

Bust. Superstar prospects don’t struggle like that when called up and produce right away.

Not “great” but by all accounts a 125 wRC+ is certainly “good.” Keep in mind he turns 24 this month. I’d be thrilled with a 125 wRC+ 3b that just turned 24 if he maintains it for the entire season.

It’s unlikely but, if the Sox take the next two from the Tribe, they likely move into a tie for the AL second wild card as crazy as that sounds.