Ducksnort

Was literally just going to post this. I lol'd when I read it.

I wonder if this news will help get him out of his slump

Better players meaning what? Just curious... I mean, we all know we had "better players" in Adam Eaton, Chris Sale, and even LaRoche. They were direct results of culture issues in that clubhouse. And in my opinion a big reason as to why they didn't succeed, other than the mediocre managing of Ventura among other things. I will say, I fell into the trap this past off-season of believing that this team would surprise people and make a push for the wild card because of their upbeat and close knit clubhouse. I drank the kool-aid of the podcasts and what not. What this season has taught me, is that it takes way more than positive vibes in a clubhouse to win...HOWEVER...until or unless I am proven otherwise,I do think Ricky, however questionable at times with his in-game managing skills, is the right man to set a foundation of winning attitudes and fundamentally sound baseball, which I believe paves the path for championships.

You mean, like not signing players such as Miguel Gonzalez, Hector Rondon, and Hector Santiago? Not that those pitchers are the bulk of our issue, but I think the FO needs to be more intentional about signing pitchers who not only can eat innings when these young'ns faulter, but also those who can, ya know,actually pitch competitively. Next season, barring injuries, I expect a rotation of Giolito, Rodon, Lopez, Kopech, Stephens (in not any specific order). Gonna need some good long relief arms to cover for those young starters when they go through stretches of 3-5 inning starts. Cease starting in AAA and probably comes up later in the season to take either Gio or Stephen's spot. Lineup already looks better with Eloy in it. Moncada-2B Yolmer-3B Abreu-1B Avi-RF Eloy-LF DH (my guess is Davidson/Palka share this position...) Anderson-SS Castillo-C I wish for a free agent CF with Leury and Tilson being our backups, but they probably give Engel another chance. Smith the backup. Unless Narvaez does what he has been doing for the rest of the season. Biggest weaknesses I see for next season: Bullpen, Defense, and growing pains from the starters.

What the hell is wrong with Abreu. It's like he forgot how to hit. What, a month ago he was hitting .300?

Serious issues that they re able to overcome? What would they need to do to overcome those issues? And are they too stubborn to overcome them?

I'm comparing fragility not injury type

Derrek Rose-esque...with less success/experience obviously

We have had great injury luck, and you're right about those other guys making big steps. Just a reminder I suppose you can never have too much depth. It's hard to remember those other positives when the bigger names go down in injuries constantly.

Is it though? Seems someone gets injured every week. As soon as we get to see progress from someone, regression happens. Has happened since spring training. All I'm saying is it's frustrating.

Thumbs take a while to heal. And yes. Remember he sprained the same thumb in spring training. He basically missed the whole season... Not gonna lie... It's really hard d to get excited about this rebuild right now with Robert and Jimenez injured...again... And with Hansen forgetting how to pitch...

Jimenez our for 2 weeks. Robert out 4-8 weeks

No shit.

Finally give Lopez some support

I would hope so. When he was talking to Lopez it just kind of looked like Lopez wasn't listening to him...

There's that fastball command. Good running fastball to the lefty

Does Coop know Spanish? What do you say to a pitcher if he can't understand you? Or is Coop talking mostly to Smith there?

ReyLo needs to start getting ahead

LOVE the call for that slider there. Beautiful movement

At bat of the game here

Will he start in rookie league then? Or Kanny?

What kind of load?

There's another 5 weeks.

That's kind of what I was thinking. I agree with Lip, I think they will just renew a deal with NBC Sports. Is it just me or does it seems like NBC Sports Chicago covers the Sox more frequently and heavily than the Cubs? Or is it just because as a Sox fan I am not used to both teams getting equal amounts of coverage.

Probably. Even their radio broadcasts...not sure why anyone would want to listen to them. I've listened a little bit out of Sox games just out of curiosity and they're boring.