SoxBlanco

Next year will be the first year they’ll be competing for a playoff spot, so things might be handled differently. And Vaughn is more advanced than other prospects.

Good point. If Vaughn goes on a Robert like tear at AA early next year, he could be with the big league club in June or July. Of course, there are other variables at play like what kind of production we are getting at 1B/DH and how the Sox are doing overall.

What's the difference between him and Madrigal/Robert? It seems like Vaughn is on a similar path as those two guys, just a year behind. Both of them started in A+ this year. Is it just because of how advanced they feel Vaughn's bat is? Or will Vaughn be getting more time in A+ this year than Madrigal got last year? I can't remember.

How confident are you that Vaughn will start in AA next year? I would love that, personally.

He’s played 13 games only at A+

Even if this wasn’t his draft year, why would you be concerned? He’s played a whopping 13 games in A+ with an OPS of .842, and he has more walks than strike outs.

Is wRC+ park adjusted in the minors? If not, that’s even more impressive.

You meant to type Vaughn on your last stat line.

I agree with this. The only reason I had Madrigal 1 and Robert 2 in my mock lineup is because that’s what they started doing at AAA. But I prefer Madrigal in the 2 spot.

I want to sign Gordon to a one year deal. I would hardly call that a “solution”.

If we sign Grandal and a RF (let’s say Gordon), I go with something like this: 1. Madrigal 2B 2. Robert CF 3. Moncada 3B 4. Eloy LF 5. Grandal C/DH 6. Abreu 1B 7. Anderson SS 8. Gordon RF 9. McCann DH/C

Stiever taken out after 3 scoreless due to a high pitch count (79 total).

That’s a great question. I’m not really sure. I guess it would depend on examining the results and figuring out the reason (velocity drop?, bad luck in a small sample?, etc.). But I know that’s just my way of skating around your question.

I was thinking something in the range of 3 for $40, but with the quote you provided, now I’m not so sure.

I missed this post before posting a similar thought. I want Grandal, Wheeler, Betances, Gordon, and any other SP/swing man. With those five additions, along with Robert and Madrigal, I think we make the playoffs next year.

I would overpay Grandal right from the start to try and get him to sign. Would something like 3 for $68 get it done? With Grandal already on board, the other targets are more likely to join if we hit them with competitive offers.

Do you think Vaughn will start in AA?

What are your thoughts on L. Gonzalez? I know you’re low on Rutherford because of his terrible BB and K rates, and although Gonzalez has struggled, hasn’t he maintained similar BB and K rates to what he put up last year? I know his power numbers are down, but for his first year in Birmingham, I don’t think he’s having as bad of a season as people think.

1. Robert CF 2. Moncada 3B 3. Grandal C 4. JDM DH 5. Eloy LF 6. Gordon RF 7. Abreu 1B 8. Anderson SS 9. Madrigal 2B (Yes, I know JDM is very unlikely, but this lineup would be pretty ridiculous)

The developmental staff did try to change his swing before this year. Didn’t he go something like 1-36 at the start of last year and then resort back to his old swing?

I wonder how wRC+ will factor the ballpark into the stats for our offensive players.

He did follow up with “but seriously,” indicating to me that he was joking with the Hansen comment.

Vaughn with a pop out and HBP so far.

I missed the error. What happened exactly? Nonchalant and dropped it?

I didn’t get to see a single pitch of Cease’s second start. How was his fastball command? Any better than his first start?