poppysox

That would shock the hell out of me.

Fortunately...nobody on this site is getting a vote.

Sad but true.

I won't be surprised if we do use a variation of openers coupled with what does look like a dominant pen. Kopech, Lopez, and Cease are openers + until they show an ability to go six + innings with every start IMO.

I would make that trade. Crochet makes me far more nervous than Kelley.

I know...feels good. We felt that way about Coop for a long time as well. Let's face it...Soxtalk is loaded with optimism. ?

Thanks for a well thought out post.

I can guarantee JR is not a figurehead. Years ago I had a meeting with Roland Hemond and I was asked to step out of the meeting 3 separate times for confidential calls to Hemond from JR. I definitely got the impression JR is the type that wants to be in the loop. We are seeing even now with the TL hire that JR still is a very active part of what goes on in the WS organization.

Fortunately, this board won't be making that call.

Your assessment of JR is spot on IMO.

Our FO isn't as dumb as some seem to think.

I still think it would be wise to sign Flowers as a backup catcher. Collins needs to catch every day after last year's shortened season.

How did you get lost? I think it is a very clear statement.?

Grandal and Hendriks are examples of star-level players the FO has acquired in free agency. I have voiced the opinion many times that free agency should be used to plug holes rather than shop for stars. The star level player should be developed from the draft or international signings or trades. I do understand that in theory, a 30 million 10 year contract can net your team a star who takes the team to the WS. However, it seldom works out that way and often hamstrings the team beyond all reason.

JR is neither cheap nor dumb in my opinion. It's fair to disagree with how he operates but we are currently one of the best teams in baseball. Someone is doing something right.

Seldom does a rookie come up as a finished product. Many players including Moncada, Gio, Robert, and Anderson all struggled at times during their Rookie campaigns. Madrigal's defense and base running have been graded highly by professional baseball evaluators. If Madrigal is our biggest problem we will be in a lot of playoff games in the near future.

Cooper is no different than a manager. They almost always get fired in the end. Something happens where they just are not getting through to the players anymore. The investment in these players is just so enormous that the FO has to make changes when it's not happening. Maybe Katz says the same thing Coop was saying but in a different way that gets through. When I see Lopez get in trouble and take more and more time between pitches it drives me nuts. He absolutely looks as if he is afraid to throw the ball. Maybe Coop has told him to work faster with some aggression but he doesn't ever seem to change. Time to change the way it's being said.

Work "with" not on.

I wish Katz would get a chance to work with Rodon.

Wouldn't it be something if Katz can fix Cease and Lopez? It's not impossible that the FO is convinced that Katz is just that good. After all, they did just give Lopez 2 million + when it would have been easy to release him. They both have unquestioned stuff...just need to find the key to unlock the mental stuff. It would go a long way in explaining why RH isn't in a rush to find a back of rotation arm.

Your Dad sounds like a wise man. Life is to short to let a baseball team drive you over the edge.?

That is probably a good betting proposition.

Madrigal is just the type of player that could make it happen. Singles hitter that uses the whole field and can lay down a bunt. The comparison with Nellie Fox who had over 2600 hits is real IMO.

He had the second-best OBP on the team in his rookie year. I would say his ceiling is plenty high.

I agree for this year. I was referring to his down the road career.