ChiSox59

Just dropping by to say Diekman blows. When they panned to him warming in the bottom of the 10th, I knew the ball game was over. At that point, not sure who I'd have gone with instead. But it would have been a better spot to use Jimmy rather than when they did (should have been Reylo).

Also, for the love god, just IL Robert and give Payton a couple weeks of everyday run in CF. He's earned it.

Feels like Sox poured their heart into that game last night. I think we'll have a major wind out sails situation tonight, and I'd be surprised if Sox played .500 baseball over the last 14 games. I too would love to see them rattle off 7-8 in a row and see where that takes us going into the last week, but I just don't see it. Team has to be dejected.

He's been with Sox last few weeks and is throwing lightly.

Sad panda.

Yep. Gotta hold ‘em and get it done in the 9th. Otherwise we gotta deal with JRam with a man on.

He is in there to get ground balls. That’s literally his job.

He’s been so bad all year. Sox have been a little more aggressive lately with the reviews which generally I like since your can crew chief review anything 7th and later. But the person isn’t good at it.

These types of games are what fandom is all about. Sure, this season sucked and was a massive failure, but here we are, playing a very meaningful game on September 20th. There is very little that would stop me from watching this game. Let’s get a W

Hawk voice: it will

Nah, just a Franklin. Still a bummer tho.

I have a bet with a buddy we set at Robert .285 batting average (with a 400 PA qualifer) we made preseason. I thought I had it won easily until the wrist injury - since then its been a freefall to .288. Don't like my chances anymore.

Sheets is a huge part of why this team sucks against RHP. Relying on him as one the key lefty bats was an awful misstep for Hahn, as about 90% of this board told you repeatedly all offseason. Now, I will give you Yoan and Yaz forgetting how to hit left handed are bigger let downs (and surprises).

What’s wrong with stashing Sheets in AAA? When Eloy is in your everyday lineup, it’s good to have someone who isn’t a complete blackhole ready to take those ABs.

Twins will be active. Year 7 of the Falvey/Lavine era and they don’t have a playoff win. It’s probably a do or die off-season for them. They also very likely have $35M to Correa coming off the books, and their best two SP in Gray and Mahle are in their last year of control in 23.

Lol where did anyone say the Sox will be the healthiest team in the league 23? I've seen people say they expect less major injuries to core players in 23, but haven't seen anyone say they'll be the healthiest in the league. I am certainly one of the posters that feels its unlikely we have as many IL days for key players in 23, but I don't think we'll be anywhere near the "healthiest team in the league".

Again, counting IL days doesn't tell the whole story. The Sox have lost extremely meaningful players for long stretches. Their supporting cast has actually been pretty healthy outside of Mendick. The Twins, for example, IL day list is loaded with guys that wouldn't even be on the active roster. Sure, they've had injuiries to key players lately, but if you actually analyze the IL list and back out the guys that aren't anything but backend roster role players, it evens out a lot. The Sox have lost TA, Eloy, Moncada and Yaz for long stretches of time this season. All huge parts of the team. They've also lost Robert for longer than his IL days say because he's been hurt since mid August but hasn't hit the IL. AV and Pollock also have had IL stints. Then on the pitching side we lost Lynn for 2 months, we lost Giolito for several starts and he hasn't really been himself all season. Kopech has had IL stints. Bummer was lost for most the season. Crochet lost all season. Lost Liam for awhile. Sox players that are not actually good have been very healthy outside of Mendick. Counting IL days is one way to look at it. But its not the only way, and it assumes each IL day is the same no matter how good the player is. I know you love to give every other team the benefit of the doubt and give the Sox none, but the Sox have been crushed by injury this year. There is really no debate to that whether you care to agree or not.

I actually have been sort of impressed with Pollock in CF. He's at worst serviceable out there. But yes, we need an everyday OF that hits left handed. I will repeat it about 500 times until he signs elsewhere, but Nimmo needs to be that guy. He can play all 3 OF positions and is a perfect addition. Conforto would be a fine fallback option - he solves alot of issues offensively and will be cheaper - but isn't close to the defender Nimmo is.

One at a time. I will be watching til the bitter end. Will take meaningful September baseball over the alternative every.single.time.

People gotta stop factoring Sheets into this mix. He's got an option. Use it. Sheets should be nothing more than an insurance policy for 2023, and he has very little to no trade value so you just stash him in AAA until Eloy gets hurt. Its really just not that hard. AV is the 1B. Eloy is the DH. OF is Pollock-Robert-FA in April, and then Colas-Robert-FA thereafter with Pollock 4th OF. If the Sox rely on Sheets to be an everyday guy like they did in 22, they're going to be bad again. Abreu has to go though. Love him. Build him a statue. Retire the number. But you cannot resign him ---- unless ---- you get a trade offer you cannot refuse on AV. But I don't think that is happening.

Leury isn't going to get launched into the sun, though. Hopefully he's just the 26th man used for pinch running and 1 start a week around the diamond. He is fine in that role. If Tony is gone, he'll be used properly. Elvis is a dude. Love him. But there is no good reason for the Sox to invest $6-8M or whatever it will cost to sign him. We have several internal options at 2B. Sox need to be savvy around the edges this offseason because we don't have a ton of $ to spend, but do need an impact LH OF and a 5th starter. So spending money on a 2B and more relievers shouldn't be happening this offseason.

Which he definitely should be retained to do. Sheets will get plenty of at bats next season even if the Sox actually fill the roster logically which results in him either starting in AAA or being sent to AAA in May when Colas arrives. Our DH is still Eloy who has proven time and again he won’t play 150+ games.

Agreed on most all except using AV to dump a bad contract. That would be very bad. Also highly doubt Leury is gone but a new manager would hopefully use him properly. Cairo has. And Gio isn’t getting traded. The rest is spot on. edit - Sox aren’t signing Rodon. Time to move on from that one.

Yep. Take what you can get. Odds are still long. Sox probably have to go 12-3 at worst, including a sweep against Cleveland. Sox are gonna take this thing one at a time, as they should. Let's start with a W tomorrow what is easily the best matchup on paper for us.

AJ Pollock is going be on this roster next season. He should be nothing more than the 4th OF, and can play LF until Colas arrives in May. Thereafter, he's a legit a perfect platoon for him. Pollock's OPS against LHP is just under 1.000 this year. He absolutey rakes LHP.