poppysox

This is how I see it since we passed on Q and show no interest in Bauer. Katz needs to be really good in order to fix Cease, Kopech, and Lopez.

Good catch. We all like and quote certain statistics while avoiding others. Notice that no one ever uses the GG Nick won in Birmingham.

There aren't many people on this forum that complain less than I do about anything. Most people think I have a positive attitude about the WS team in general. I have pointed out the small sample size in many posts...and it's effect on errors, base running, and BA. I haven't really harped much about those who use those arguments other than state my disagreement in what Madrigals value is. This forum is about expressing opinions and it is my opinion that Madrigal is and will be a very good ballplayer.

I don't believe it. Madrigal has the highest OBP on the team. RH certainly knows that won't be easy to replace.

For years before the DH teams buried lousy defensive players in left field. Many were lucky not to catch the ball with their heads (I know...some did). By comparison to some of those guys...Eloy is a gazelle. He catches the routine stuff and on occasion makes a nice play. He doesn't bother me a bit. Just the price we pay for the elite bat.

I would offer him more than anyone else for a 1-year deal with an option. He needs to bet on himself having a productive year at this point in time.

Mike Leake! bMag suggested we take a look at Leake a while back. I've been very interested since looking into him. For our needs, he would be perfect for holding down the fort until Kopech is ready. He's a small guy especially for a pitcher but has done the job adequately and wouldn't cost a bundle.

We all have strong opinions but it is a real crapshoot.

I don't disagree. My comment was meant to say I trust RH to get an extension on fair terms or be wise enough to trade a player while he still has value. I never want us to be in the Brandt position the Cubs find themselves in with any of our top players. You just can't end up empty-handed with that type of player. Better to trade them a year too early.

Everyone should relax and take a breath. The off-season isn't over yet. Lot's of good players still available and no one knows what the FO is going to do. RH isn't talking it up with the next-door neighbor and JR for sure isn't giving his financial intentions to anyone. It's fun to speculate and play GM but our FO is one of the tightest lipped management groups in sports. My "guess" is something good will be happening soon. Keep the faith.?

Yermin Mercedes should get a tryout while holding down the fort for Vaughn. We might find a valuable trade chip in our own backyard.

Absolutely True !!!

Since it would be ridiculous to trade key pieces from both our starting lineup and bullpen plus throw in a future TOR arm for a #4 in our rotation...I pick B. I would rather have Mike Leake but he wasn't given as an option.

"Pigs get fat...hogs go to slaughter." ?

One year of an ace will get you two nice prospects every time. I'm not worried...RH does extensions better than anyone in the game IMO.

Yermin still deserves a look see...and this first few weeks of the season would serve that purpose. I understand the enthusiasm for Cruz but I would prefer spending the money on starting pitching and handle DH internally in the way I suggested here.

It is a sad day for baseball. RIP Hank. Thanks for some wonderful memories.

We tend to rush our promising players to the majors as well. Kind of overwhelming I would expect.

Eaton is a fun and scrappy player to watch when healthy. I look at his career, not a shorten season snapshot to evaluate if he will be an upgrade. Obviously, the baseball evaluators on the WS agree with me. I find optimism much more enjoyable than pessimism. Baseball is supposed to be something to lose your cares over for a few hours...not aggravate the snot out of you.

Hendriks just had some interesting comments on facing Eaton on NBC Sports a few days ago. Called him a "little gnat" that just drives you nuts with his pesty hitting. Was very up about Eaton and Madrigal as a matter of fact. I love players that can do more than hit a bomb every 5 days.

Not blind...I saw almost every game.

The RF upgrade will look phenomenal compared to what we are accustom to IMO.

The guy in my avatar is Nick Madrigal as you know. One of my favorite players because he is a throwback to the way the game was. Soxtalk is about having opinions and I have a strong opinion that Madrigal is going to be a fan favorite for years to come. I find it laughable that Madrigal makes a couple of bad defensive plays and he becomes a butcher defensively after 29 games. If you bring up his .340 batting average it is because of a small sample size.

I want to keep Madrigal if it comes down to it.

Good post...I agree with you.