Black_Jack29

With Saladino being the defensive whiz utility infielder and Lawrie not hitting free agency until 2018, I don't see Sanchez having much of a future in the Sox organization. I'd try to use him in a package for a starting pitcher in the next couple of months.

Yeah, that is a nice analysis. I have no idea what Avi will be like for the rest of the year, but the past two weeks have shown me why the Sox have been so patient with him.

QUOTE (Tex @ May 11, 2016 -> 11:03 AM) Based on your numbers you win. No disputing that. I wonder how baseball ever managed to survive with so many missed calls night after night. Not only that, but it was the most popular sport in America until a few decades ago. Technology allows us to scrutinize umps more heavily now, which is why many people want the technology to at least partially replace the umps. I like the idea of using the best strike zone-callers permanently behind the plate, though I worry about the wear and tear on a handful of umps who are behind the plate that often.

QUOTE (shysocks @ May 11, 2016 -> 10:00 AM) I can see why people feel this way, but man, I just can't get behind it. I couldn't disagree more. There are certain baseballisms that I'm in love with, like different ballpark dimensions, but this unpredictable strike zone from night to night is a detriment. It's not good that a game can hinge on the whims of an official. We have the capability to do it better, so let's do it. Yeah, I can understand why people feel this way. And I'm fine with football, basketball, tennis, etc. using technology to improve the officiating. But, for me, baseball has always been a throwback sport and I like it as is, warts and all. Different strokes for different folks, I guess.

One of the things that I like about baseball is the fact that it hasn't changed much in the past 100 years. Records and history are revered. Consequently, PED use is arguably frowned upon more in baseball than any other sport. Natural grass is preferred over synthetic turf. Open-air stadiums are preferred over domed stadiums. Old-school uniforms are preferred over the ugly "modern" uniforms that were popular in the '80s. Wooden bats are still used (for the pitchers' safety, I know, but it still adds to the retro feel of the game). MLB held off on using instant replay for much longer than other sports (and I still don't like it). So, despite last night, I'm all for umpires calling balls and strikes. For better or worse, I enjoy the human element of the game, even when the incorrect call is made, and I would miss the interaction between umps, players, and coaches. In any other sport, I'd be fine with using technology to ensure that the right call is made each and every time. Just not baseball. As for last night, I place the blame on Carroll and Albers. They sucked and lost the game for us.

QUOTE (Dunt @ May 10, 2016 -> 04:26 PM) It's not going to take a top 50 prospect to get 2 months of Reddick. I'd do something along the lines of Adams+, but after that no thanks. With no chance of a qualifying offer, he will definitely hit free agency primed for a big pay day. Maybe not, but the Sox have a large talent gap between Anderson/Fulmer and the rest of their prospects. I imagine that some other team will have something within this gap and will out-bid the Sox. The A's will give up a comp pick by trading Reddick, so they'll definitely want something solid in return. (As you said, there' no way that Reddick accepts a QO in the off-season.)

QUOTE (Jose Abreu @ May 10, 2016 -> 04:04 PM) He walked 28 times in a full season, but has walked 17 times in our 33 games this year. True, but he's also playing way above his career numbers right now as well. Given Lawrie's raw talent level and his age, it's possible that he may be just breaking out now. And that would be great. But there's no evidence (yet) that he can sustain this type of offense, so I don't see the point in moving him up to the two-hole. It makes more sense (to me) to leave him where he is in the lineup.

QUOTE (AustinIllini @ May 10, 2016 -> 03:51 PM) I'm not sure I would part with Anderson or Fulmer. QUOTE (fathom @ May 10, 2016 -> 03:52 PM) For 2 months of Reddick....no way do you trade Anderson or Fulmer And that's why we're not likely to get Reddick. Unless a package containing Avi and Carlos Sanchez is able to beat out what the Cubs and other interested teams can offer.

QUOTE (Special K @ May 10, 2016 -> 03:45 PM) In a perfect world, Lawrie would be batting second and move Rollins down in the lineup to 7 or 8. Saladino - although a great guy and seemingly solid defender - does not belong starting on this team (or any other major league team for that matter). Saladino cannot hit. He looked pitiful Saturday night when he failed at even laying down a bunt. I'd be open to giving Sanchez more time. Lawrie only walked 28 times last year, with 144 strikeouts. That's the kind of guy you want hitting sixth or seventh, not second. Same goes for Ajax. Melky is better-suited towards hitting second, but I'd rather keep him hitting fifth, to give protection to Frazier. Unfortunately, there aren't many good choices for the two-spot right now. Moving Abreu and the rest of the order up one spot is the best that I can think of.

QUOTE (Joshua Strong @ May 10, 2016 -> 02:20 PM) What would it take for Reddick, he's a free agent after the season. If the Sox aren't willing to give up Anderson or Fulmer, they'll likely get out-bid. The Sox have the payroll flexibility, but not the trade pieces right now. Plus, if I were Hahn, I'd be more worried about a replacement for Danks. Latos is coming back to Earth and Miguel Gonzalez is going to take the Sox out of games every now and again.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ May 10, 2016 -> 08:47 AM) The key to me is the difference between his BA and his OBP. Looking at his splits now the difference between his BA and OBP is much wider. Over the last 28 days he is .317/.389. He is seeing more pitches, and hitting better quality pitches. To me that makes a streak more sustainable in the long run, because he isn't chasing as many pitchers pitches. If he stays patient, the sky is the limit. Take your walks, take balls. Yes, his at-bats are way better than they were a month ago. I never thought I'd say this, but he's having better at-bats than Abreu right now. I have no idea how long he'll be able to sustain this, but if his OPS is .740 or higher a couple of months from now, I'd want Hahn to concentrate on trading for a 5th starter instead of upgrading at DH.

QUOTE (Markbilliards @ May 10, 2016 -> 11:25 AM) Was going to suggest that perhaps we could take on the remainder of Weaver's contract for little to no prospect cost....but then I saw his FB average velocity is down to 82 MPH this year. Goodness gracious no to that option. No wonder he's so much worse. Hector Santiago? Not that it's the right fit for us anyway, but I don't see the Angels trading Trout, even if they're the worst team in baseball. He's the kind of player that fans come to the park to see regardless of how good the team is doing. Understatement of the Year

QUOTE (Vance Law @ May 10, 2016 -> 12:38 AM) Why in the universe is anyone offering him a 4 year deal? He had to sign a 1 year $5 million deal this year. The upcoming FA market is going to be thin. That's why Fowler took a one-year deal over a three-year deal, Cespedes has an out clause in his current deal, and Rasmus accepted the qualifying offer. All of those guys are going to cash in, and I guarantee you that Jackson will get a multi-year deal as well.

QUOTE (Jose Abreu @ May 9, 2016 -> 10:22 PM) I don't want him released, I just think Saladino deserves more PT I agree. Like now, when the Sox have a four-run lead in the bottom of the 12th. Salad definitely needs to be used more frequently as a defensive sub. I think that we're stuck with Rollins on the 25-man, though. I just don't see the Sox releasing him. He's a good clubhouse guy and he's, well, Jimmy Rollins.

There would be some problems with re-signing Jackson. The first is that he's likely to hit FA this winter and, since this is the last big contract he's going to get, he's going to want maximum value. The upcoming FA period is also going to be a player's market, so Jackson will be able to command more than he's worth (I'd guess in the 4/$30M-4/$40M range). On top of that, he's hit well below his career .730 OPS for the past couple of years and he turns 30 next season. Given that his decline in offense might be permanent, his value would be mostly his defense, which will begin to erode in the next few years. He'll probably have to move to LF in the third or fourth year of his contract. Given all of that, I'd take a pass on signing Ajax to a multi-year deal. I'd rather roll the dice with May or somebody else who is cheaper, can play plus-defense in CF, and can put up an upper-.600 OPS. On the other hand, if Ajax's bat remains cold this season and he waits until the winter of 2017 to test the market, I'd be cool with re-signing him to another one-year deal. But I really think that he hits free agency this winter.

Wow, MLB.TV sucks tonight.

QUOTE (Dunt @ May 4, 2016 -> 08:01 AM) I know it's not as big of a need, but thinking ahead towards October, it would be interesting to add a name like Aroldis Chapman to this bullpen. While Chapman would be an asset to any bullpen, we don't really need help there. I'd add a #5 starter and a left-handed DH before Chapman.

QUOTE (soxforlife05 @ May 3, 2016 -> 07:48 PM) But given claims of so many posters here he was a "team player". Glad they dumped him now. No need for him to mope around in the bullpen. So he's not a "team player" because he elected to be released, rather than go to the minors? The Sox front office obviously didn't want him around anymore. Their offer to send him to the minors was nothing more than a professional courtesy.

QUOTE (elrockinMT @ May 3, 2016 -> 04:01 PM) The only thing that surprised me was the timing. I expected that they would give him through June to turn it around. I am guessing that they had seen something that just said no. It also shows the mindset is to win now and jetison the past That would be my guess as well. It's been mentioned that he's lost velocity over the past year, and it would make sense for the Sox to conclude that it's not coming back.

QUOTE (CaliSoxFanViaSWside @ May 3, 2016 -> 03:10 PM) Mr. Danks you were a warrior who ran out of ammo long ago but still fought the good fight. +1

QUOTE (Jake @ May 3, 2016 -> 03:05 PM) It would have been a real disservice to someone in the bullpen to have their spot taken by John Danks. Only worth consideration if we had somebody hurt. Do we have anybody in the 'pen who can throw five or six innings? If not, Danks would be the best guy to fit the mop-up role. Plus, the Sox wouldn't have to send a bullpen arm down to make roster space if they carried four outfielders instead of five. There's no reason for Avi and Sands to both be on the 25-man.

Even some guys who rake in the minors take some time to adjust to ML pitching, before reaching their potential. Crede is a good example of that. So I imagine that the Sox will be very patient with Anderson when he becomes our starting SS next year.

I appreciate what Danks did for the Sox, especially in the first half of his career. It's too bad that he wasn't the same guy after the shoulder injury.

QUOTE (soxfan2014 @ May 3, 2016 -> 02:57 PM) It's completely possible they tried to move him to long relief and just didn't want to. If Danks rejected a move to the 'pen, then releasing him would make a lot more sense. But I haven't seen any evidence of that.

I'm shocked that they didn't put him on the 15-day DL and then move him to long relief. I'd rather have Danks available for mop-up duty than both Avi and Sands on the 25-man roster. That doesn't make sense to me. The Sox really need to acquire another starter right now. Latos is already coming back down to Earth.