Lillian

I'm already in favor of having Vaughn start the year at Charlotte. Unless someone gets hurt, there aren't enough at bats for him, on this roster. He should not see any time in the outfield and between Abreu and Sheets at first base, I don't see enough playing time. Sheets really has to be in the lineup vs RHP. You know me, I just don't like having so many RH bats. Without Sheets, and the way Moncada has been struggling to hit for power, the lineup would have just one left handed power bat. That simply doesn't work, for a serious contender.

Yes, Cueto seems like an obvious choice, at least for some depth. However, I hope that they don't stop there. Get another one, and make sure that he's someone better.

Mahle and Moustakas would be intriguing. Moose would be the DH and Sheets could go to Charlotte, affording the Sox an extra year of control. What would the Reds take, besides the salary relief? I would guess that they view Mahle as a big piece of their future, with two more years of control and haven't they talked about extending him?

Is there a quality starter, with a "bad contract," whom some team would be willing to deal?

Or, perhaps the Sox simply weren't willing to pay the price for a one year rental. Now, there is more urgency and Montas is better and has 2 years of control. Montas would not be merely a depth piece, he would be a front end of the rotation starter. We'll see who stays healthy and is available to pitch in the post season, and if Kopech still has anything in the tank, by then. In fact, let's see if he has a better year than Montas.

Montas is the one front end of the rotation starter, whom has been openly shopped. We've talked about him a lot, but have we really assessed what it would take to get him?

And...Ross Detwiler. Never mind, he has been used primarily out of the pen, the last couple of years and probably isn't stretched out enough.

The Sox will likely win the division, even with what they have. The issue is depth to the front end of the rotation, to ensure that they have the starters needed in the Post Season. This roster has 4 guys who would likely be good enough to compete in the playoffs; Giolito, Lynn, Cease and Kopech. Lynn's health is critical and not very reliable, at this point. Kopech has the obstacle of needing to manage his work load. Therefore, adding the kinds of arms suggested, so far, only adds regular season depth, of which I am in favor. However, none of the names mentioned would be plausible candidates in the playoffs. Unfortunately, it appears that Hahn is going to have to part with someone, in order to land a #2, or #3 starter. Do any of you have a realistic suggestion to achieve that goal? Please make some feasible trade suggestions.

Of course, that makes sense. I wasn't thinking straight. Thanks

Why would a team give up anything significant for Adolfo, when they know that they can just wait for the Rule 5 Draft, unless the Sox can convince that team that he is going to remain on the roster?

I just checked McGuire's split stats. He has actually hit RHP pretty well, in his short Major League career. If he's really a very good defensive catcher, it looks like a good acquisition.

Why is he considered any more useful than Ciuffo? I thought that they had found a solid defense back up catcher, with him.

Looking at today's lineup, I'm surprised to see Vaughn back so soon. If he has the kind of season, most think he's capable of, that is going to be one potent lineup. There is only one average hitter, being Harrison, one through nine. Everyone else is dangerous. However, it does make me think that this roster could afford to give up some of that great offense, for better depth in the rotation.

Isn't that risky? Hahn would appear to be desperate, if the team were already dealing with a hobbled, thin starting staff. Claiming to merely be trying to add depth is better than desperately trying to find a trading partner, because you don't have anyone who is available to provide quality innings. So far, all of the starters are still healthy, with the exception of Lynn, about whose status we don't yet know.

Sounds a little self contradictory, but I understand your point. it is indeed a real dilemma.

I don't profess to be some talent evaluating savant, but the simple fact is that this team needs better starting pitching depth and there do not appear to be any remaining free agent candidates available, whom they could sign. Therefore, a trade is the only viable option that Hahn can pursue, if they are to maximize this window of contention. The best trade chip would likely have to be a young player, who is cheap, with several years of control, and who is not currently needed on this roster. Who fits that description? Is there anyone besides Vaughn, who fits that description and whom Hahn could offer, in order to acquire a #2, or #3 starter with at least 2 years of control? So, to reiterate; whom should Hahn be trying to acquire and what would it likely take to get him?

Just to clarify, for this board, for the upteenth time: I am not obsessed with "all things left handed". I have always merely recognized that recent Sox' rosters have been far too heavily weighted toward RH hitters. That fact has now become widely recognized and few question it. When it comes to handedness of pitchers, I don't really care much whether they're right handers, or southpaws.

What????

I agree, but if the Sox give up Vaughn, I think Montas is realistic and preferable. He has better stuff and 2 years of control. In the meantime, sign Detwiler for depth. I'll also say that, even if Lynn does not go on the IL, the Sox need to add starters. Injuries are too frequent to count on starters being healthy all year. The Sox need a lot more depth in the rotation.

Well, as I was saying; "We need to add a #2, or #3 starter".....correction, now we probably will need to add two starters, one for depth and one for the top half of the rotation, who would pitch in the Post Season. I hate to say it, but the Sox are going to have to part with someone we like, in order to get this done, unless there is still someone out there, who is unsigned. I understand Detwiler is available. If he's stretched out, he might provide some depth, for the back end of the rotation. Not a very inspiring suggestion, but indicative of how desperate things look. I still suspect that Vaughn is the only player that would be attractive enough to get at least one of those two needed starters. Who else is worth considering and who could Hahn get for Vaughn? Maybe the biggest question is; How many starters does a team, with Post Season aspirations, need? Is it 8, or 9? In this era of baseball, pitchers are all so prone to injuries. Yes, I know, they throw harder now and employing extreme spin rates puts tremendous stress on the arm. Nevertheless, it is really hard to get used to the way so many end up on the IL, when an old timer remembers guys pitching every 4 days, going 9 innings and remarkably, having long careers, without surgery. I remember the real Tommy John and his first historic operation.

I agree with the assertion that Manaea would not likely be part of the Sox post season rotation, if he were acquired. By contrast, if Hahn could acquire a pitcher who not only provides depth to the rotation, but would also be a strong candidate to be part of that playoff rotation, that would be much more valuable. Whether we agree, or not, it does appear that the Sox are all in on this season. Given the ages of both Mr. Reinsdorf and La Russa, it shouldn't be a surprise that the Sox are much less concerned about extending the window, than they are about committing to winning now. In a previous post today, I mentioned that the best prospect trade chip in the organization is probably Vaughn. He has the best pedigree and enough years of control, to entice a rebuilding team. As much as we like him and his potential, he is not presently needed and in fact, will really be challenged to find at bats, on this current roster. Vaughn is probably the one expendable young position player who could net an impact starter. Who are the best possible matches for a trade of Vaughn, in return for a #2 or 3 starter, with at least 2 years of control? In other words, who else, might be acquired, besides the oft-mentioned Manaea?

My preference for the lineup vs. RHP: SS Anderson CF Robert C Grandal 1B Abreu 3B Moncada LF Eloy DH Sheets. His LH bat has to be in this lineup, to provide much needed better balance. Let's hope that last year wasn't a fluke. RF Pollock 2B Harrison BENCH: Leury, who should be relegated to the infield. Engel is the #1 reserve outfielder, used primarily as a defensive replacement. Ciuffu is the backup catcher. I'd add Adolfo, if they can find him enough at bats. It would be a shame to lose him, if he's not on the roster. Micker might spell Pollock, with a few starts in RF, in an effort to protect the oft-injured veteran's health. Haseley starts the year at Charlotte, but is the first outfielder called up, if needed. When the Sox have a decent lead, after the 5TH inning, Pollock moves over to LF to take Eloy's spot, and Engel comes into the game, to play RF. Vaughn starts the year at AAA, unless he's traded for a really impactful starting pitcher, with at least 2 years of control. He is the only young player, with enough potential and years of control, to entice a rebuilding team to part with a good rotation piece. I love Andrew's potential, but this team is built to win now and the rotation, while excellent, has little depth. If they can get a #2 quality starter, the Sox might have the best chance for a World Series title, this year and next. After 2023, this team will be too expensive to keep together, at least with current ownership. If Moncada does not provide better run production and power, from the left side, he gets pushed further down in the order. That is no insult to him and in this stacked lineup, batting in the lower 3RD still provides reasonable protection, as well as opportunities to produce.

I suspect that many of you will be surprised at how little Hahn will have to give up to get Manaea. He's a one year rental and is a middle rotation pitcher. I understand that there are allegedly several teams pursuing him, but have we heard any details of specific packages being offered?

I'm just musing a bit, over so many Sox fans finally waking up to the fact that recent Sox teams have really been hurt by a lack of LH power. How management has failed to address this obvious short coming remains a mystery. I'm still hopeful that the front office will fix this lineup imbalance, before the current championship window closes. However, my hope is fading fast.

Anderson, Moncada and Robert should be running with reckless abandon. Do you think that they know how to do so, without injuring themselves? They could start by sliding feet first. It will be interesting. That back up catcher, for whom many of you have been waiting, better have a quick release and strong, accurate arm. I'm thinking that Ciuffo might end up winning the job.