BlackSox13

So Davidson at third, Rondon at SS and Yolmer at second? I'm actually glad TA and Yoan are getting a day off, especially Yoan. They have both looked like they could use a breather.

" royals talk " with your host, the Greg.

Covey has a very short track record of success so regardless of how good he's been teams aren't going to offer much for him. I see Covey similarly to Abreu, they are both more valuable to the Sox than another team. No need to trade Covey. Worst case scenario is the Sox have at least a #5 starter with potential to top 200IP annually. I'll happily take that potential and keep it.

Covey pitched well, Smith called a great game, TA with a key walk and Tilson with triple after, Abreu's defense, Fry gets out of a big jam and Soria closes it out. Lots to be happy about.

Rumor has it they are in the running for an expansion team. Could be part of the next kiss and make up treaty between Donald and Kim.

Didn't realise there was that much left on Miggy's contract. Sad to see this happen to such a great hitter though. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2018/06/miguel-cabrera-tigers-season-ending-surgery-biceps-tendon.html "Between the herniated disks, last month’s hamstring strain and a minor groin strain earlier in the 2017 season, the long-durable Cabrera — he averaged 155 games per year from 2004-16 — has begun to show increasing signs of wear and tear. For a player who’ll turn 36 next April and is still owed an otherworldly $162MM from 2019-23 — his age-36 through age-40 seasons — that sudden decrease in durability and productivity is alarming. It’s not clear if the Tigers have insurance on Cabrera’s contract, though typically a team will take out a policy on a contract of this magnitude, in which case the Tigers could stand to be reimbursed for at least a portion of Cabrera’s $30MM salary in 2018."

He'll be a bust again with his next strike out so let's enjoy the moment, for however long it lasts.

Strong outing again from Stephens. I think we see him before September.

Run Palka run!

This is a nice start!

Yeah, as if fluff pieces have any affect on a players trade value. Keep swinging for the fences with that schtick!

With Rodon's recent injury history he isn't going anywhere this year. I get the points of Boras being his agent and that the Sox have promising talent but it isn't happening this year, period. If the idea is to eventually trade Rodon then it would be best to maximize his value first. IMHO the best course of action would be to keep Rodon through the '19 season with the hope that he stays healthy and returns to form. By then the Sox will have a better idea of who's ready to replace him ( Dunning, Hansen, Cease) and could put Rodon on the trade market over the 2019/'20 winter with two years of control left. If all goes well he would be worth much more at that time than he would be this July.

He did mention that he had read it from a Passan article.

Because they are home with their wives?

Greg, this may surprise you but I agree with you 100%. Good post!

Benetti is unbearable sometimes. He's like a toddler always asking "why". The idea of starting each atbat with a small strike zone and expanding it with each pitch is flat out dumb and when Stone shot the idea down, of course Benetti had to ask why.

Forbes with a 2B 3B as well.

Great. Hansen will be starting from where he left off.

Absolutely! Imagine how much more unbearable the Sox have been to watch without his production this season. Uhg! This is a perfect example of what we're talking about in Abreu's leadership and what it means to the team. http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/whitesox/ct-white-sox-rangers-spt-0818-20170817-story.html " Lopez told them both were fine, but as the pair made their way back to the dugout, first baseman Jose Abreu stepped in to make sure there wasn't anything bothering Lopez, a player Abreu knows is expected to be a big part of the rebuilding team's future." "First and foremost, we have to highlight he wanted to pitch through the pain," Abreu said afterward through an interpreter. "But when Ricky left, I asked him, 'Hey, are you sure you're feeling good?' Because I think with that kind of talent, you can't mess around. You have to take care of these kids, especially if you are thinking of the future. He told me his right side was sore, and then at that moment, I decided to call Ricky back to let him know."

It's not wear and tear or wasting 2 or 3 years on Lopez's arm. Young pitchers need time to build up their innings in order to be able to pitch in the playoffs.

I agree with your idea of going to Abreu to see what he wants and for all we know they've talked already. But there is a difference between a player saying he's tired of losing and saying he wants to be traded. It is only fair to point out the Sox have had plenty of injuries that have contributed to loses and they really aren't as bad as their record indicates. Yoan, Avi, Delmonico, Leury, Rodon have all been injured and then there's the struggles from young pitchers like Giolito and Fulmer. Lol, let's not forget the pen. As for Shields being tired of losing. It's ironic because he's made his contributions to the losing as well.

I can't speak for Abreu but until he comes out and says he wants to be traded because he wants to win, then I'm not concerned about it. As of right now, he seems to like being the clubhouse leader for the Sox.

I disagree. What Abreu means to the team in terms of leadership to the young players and his role of big brother to Moncada means the Sox determine Abreu's value. If that value is not met then he is not traded. I've been saying for a while now that IMHO Abreu is more valuable to the Sox than what another team is willing to pay in a trade. It's best to wait and see without expectations. I still remember spring training 2018 some Sox fans felt Hahn should have taken the best offer for Q. Hahn's patience payed off big time.

Depends on what's in the best deal offered. If the best offer is sub-par then no they shouldn't trade Abreu.

If these players stay healthy I think Jones, Soria and Avilan get traded but that's about it. Really don't think any team will meet Hahn's asking price for Abreu so he stays, which I'm fine with.