Flash

I don't disagree...and yet Vaughn was the Pac 12 player of the year and Golden Spikes winner (best player in nation) over Rutschman, Madrigal and Larnach among others.

Yep. Watch some video of his swing. He's that good.

Travis Shaw isn't that good??? Avg over 30 HRs and 90 RBIs last two seasons. I'd happily take him as 3rd baseman now and into the future.

In 2016, the Oakland As and Atlanta Braves finished last in their divisions with 93 losses each. The Milwaukee Brewers lost 89 games and finished slightly ahead of the Reds, still 30 games behind Cleveland. Two years later and now they will all be duking it out for jewelry. They all took different paths but I don't think any of them 'tanked' in the way the Sox are...with a multi-year horizon (uh excuse) toward competitiveness. Its amazing they are allowed to get away with it. Its okay to nurture prospects but when they are ready, bring them up and in the meantime, at least attempt to field quality players at every position.

I'm guessing he will be gone by #3 for the reasons you cite. If he is still available, it probably means he regressed or got hurt. If neither, he'd be very hard to pass up.

Its not a matter of him developing his glove and I don't know how anyone could possibly construe Lillians comment as 'writing off our best prospect' (which he isn't). The fact is we drafted Madrigal and he will be our 2nd baseman, most likely by 2020. Since Moncada has played 3rd in the past and given our need there, he is a likely candidate to move there. Whats so hard to understand?

The Milwaukee Brewers lost 90 games in 2016. They brought in Craig Counsell part way into the season as manager. They made a few moves to position to compete and improved nicely in 2017. Most casual fans would be hard pressed to name more than one or two members of their starting pitching rotation at end of 2017. All they did to start 2018 was trade for Yelich (lock for MVP) and sign Cain as FA (top 5 MVP) while improving their BP every chance they got. At deadline they trade for Moustakas and Schoop. Still doubt casual fans can name more than 3 starters but after today, they are the odds on favorite to take NL and I wouldn't bet against them for the whole enchilada. My point....you need a plan and a willingness to execute it.

Would love to see him and Madrigal man the right side and be tough outs at top of lineup. Of course I would mind seeing Adley either although I feel organizationally we have better options at catcher right now than 1B. Right now its looking like Sheets and Collins as 1B options.

You want a first baseman who can save throwing errors by picking short hops. It would be a nice bonus if he provided a big target and ideally, glove hand on second base side (somewhat mitigated by todays defensive shifting). Vaughn was a HS SS and 1st team all PAC 12 defense at first. Guessing if he was 6'2" or above there would be little chance he falls to #3 assuming his bat repeats in 2019.

As we sit here today, I could flip coin between Rutschman and Vaughn and I'd swap Witt for Jung. Don't really see any pitchers I'd take at 3 yet and lower minors are rich in OFs so I'd be focused on IF.

He's listed at 5' 11" 215 lbs. I get the knock against short (ish) 1Basemen (doesn't bother me in least). Frankly, I would prefer a LH glove at first. That said, if this kid puts up similar numbers in 2019 as '18, I don't know how WS or anyone can pass on him.

Found a wrist ligament issue during physical although it didn't seem to effect him. Braves used it to low ball their offer vs. slot value. Stewart said no thanks. Risky move.

Agreed. He looks like the 1B version of Mike Trout. I'd hate to pass up the bat because of position, even if he is also good with the leather at 1B. I'd consider Rauschman if available but Vaughn is gonna make an impact.

My too early look at possible draft picks who might be available 3-5 in order of my personal preference... Vaughn - Cal 1B is a generational batsman who was Golden Spikes winner in 2018 (beating out Madrigal and others). Was also Pac 10 all-defense first team. Puts up rediculous numbers (i.e. more HRs than SOs and 800plus SP). Witt - HS SS is among several SS prospects with early first round potential. For me, Witt appears best of bunch. Stewart - RH pitcher who shunned Braves and will likely reenter 2019 draft. Crazy spin rate on breaking ball with mid-90s heat and 6' 6" frame. Rauschman - whats not to like? SH catcher with power, canon arm and demonstrable leadership skills. Likely 1.1 if he repeats 2018 performance.

Lillian - I share your perspective. I might add that a player I have followed throughout the year and who will likely be available in trade is Greg Byrd, 1B NYY. He has had an awful season due, in part, to injuries. The emergence of Voit as a power hitting 1B renders Byrd redundant. I think he is a great change of scenery candidate. He can platoon LH DH and 1B (he is said to be a very good with the glove). If he can rebound and stay healthy, at 26 he might be a viable successor to Abreu (Jose can still DH and spot start at 1B). Guessing he be had for a couple of our fringe 40 man candidates.

Doesn't appear to be consensus among the early forecasts as to top 5 or so prospects. Draft appears rich in SS/middle IF types and catchers.

Rodon to Cardinals for Reyes and Gorman?

Time to get back to the business of tanking. No reason to finish with pick 6-10 when some well executed losing can net us #3.

Apparantly to Kiley.

I generally like and agree with Kiley and Eric but find it hard to understand how he can attend a 12K/2H dominant Cease performance and form conclusions about his future command, size (Kiley thought he is 6'1") and ML role. Basically, it says he already had his mind made up and Cease' performance was irrelevant (so why bother to go see him?).

Depends on whether the performance improvements by Gio and Lopez are sustainable. If yes, they can win 81 or more. I would like to see them sign a 3rd baseman with some pop, even if not named Machado. If Engle maintains his trajectory and Avi can return to close to last years form, who's to say they can't compete for WC next year?

Wonder if the Sox floated anyone? Abreu?

According to FanGraphs, Robert is best defensive OFer (over Basabe and Gonzalez). If it turned out Robert, Basabe and Gonzalez all progress and stick, Eloy would DH. That would be a fun team to watch.

This rebuild will look much different if Gio can find the 4mph he's lost.

As a certified fake GM, I hereby posit my 2 cents on the WS rebuild. First, it appears our future strength will be young pitching...hence I would be scouring for a defensively gifted catcher to mold and support our youngsters. Three minor leaguers worth noting are Sean Murphy (Oakland), Will Smith (Dodgers) and Andrew Knizner (Cardinals)...none of them will come cheap. Of the 3, I prefer Smith due to his ability to also play 3B on occasion. Now...to address area of greatest need, middle IF. I am not a fan of either Anderson or Moncada but between them, I would show more patience with Moncada. That said, I would shift him to 3B now and determine if he can stick there. I believe he can. Let Yolmer play 2B or bring up Rondon to finish year. If Moncada can cut it at 3rd, great. If not, I don't see much use in keeping him, especially if he might still hold any trade value. I'm guessing we can find a free agent who can hold down 3rd until Burger, Bush or ?? are ready. If needed, FA 3B are generally not too hard to come by. As far as Anderson, I get the fact he is athletic and fast afoot but, for me (remember I'm a fake GM), he is too unreliable. I would seek to trade him (see above 3 noteworthy catchers to target). I'm okay with him as a placeholder on a rebuilding team but I sure hope he isn't our SS two years from now (although I fear he will be). Hopefully we can find a defensive-minded SS for at least as long as it takes for Rivera or Sosa to arrive. 2nd base is Madrigal unless he flops, which I doubt happens. 1B is Collins' although I prefer a LH fielder at 1B. Collins also holds value as a backup catcher and occasional DH vs. RH pitchers. I would continue to scour market for a LH 1B who can flash leather (a la Rizzo) to save throwing errors from young IF'rs but can live with Collins if he can adjust. OF is rich in options. To me, Eloy is a lock but I can see him as DH in order to make room for any of surplus OF'rs. I don't know whether Robert can play CF better than Basabe or Gonzalez but I hope we can make room for all 3. My guess is between Rutherford, Steele and Adolfo, at least one will be traded, possibly this off-season. My sense is Rutherford holds the most trade value, especially to west coast teams (again, see 3 catcher/targets above with emphasis on Smith). So...around the horn 3B Moncada; SS FA until Laz or Sosa arrive; 2B Madrigal; 1B Collins; C any of above but partial toward Smith. OF Robert, Basabe, Gonzalez w/Eloy at DH. I wouldn't hesitate to move Avi, Abreu and/or Anderson if it aided in bringing over our catcher of the future and/or a LH fielding 1B or a young defensive oriented SS. My two top 'mind-trades' for the offseason: 1) Rodon to A's for Luzardo and Sean Murphy and 2) Anderson and Rutherford to Dodgers for Smith and Gavin Lux (ss). See you at World Series in 2020.