poppysox

Rick seems to know how to sell extensions. He will get it done IMO.

I would bet zero dollars one way or the other on Madrigal being on the Sox for opening day. Eloy signed an extension near the end of ST. Nicky could easily do the same thing. Because a Madrigal extension would not be huge...he might be brought up even without signing an extension. This will be one of the interesting things to watch in ST.

I don't believe it is an absolute that Madrigal doesn't start with the big club. Eloy's extension came late in ST.

Let's just say that 4 or 5 years of playoff baseball would change some minds.

I know what you are saying but I know many Cubs fans who are thoroughly disgusted with the lack of offseason activity for a team that disappointed them last year.

Yep. I will edit. Thanks!

If 1 or 2 of these guys found a way to make the final cut...it would be huge.

First televised game a month from tomorrow.?

That's a lot of potential bandwagon fans for the WS. The stage is well set to become "the" team in Chicago.

I know you don't really believe this. Avi would have looked great in RF last year in comparison to what we had. Did you really believe Palka was going to outperform Avi in RF. Even "Mr. Positivity" didn't believe that Palka was the RF answer.

I think I have said he is well suited to our needs in a backup role.

That sounds like Eaton and Garcia. I have offered up more than once a Pence type would also work. Players that field like Eaton and hit like Pence are starters somewhere not bench pieces.

You might be right. Yolmer and Avi both priced themselves off the WS. Classic cases of 3 million dollar players needing to be paid 6 million. Since WS didn't invite Avi back...Sanchez might be in the same position. IMO Garcia, Engel, Sanchez and Avi where all OK as pieces...just overexposed as everyday starters.

That's Sox speak for welcome back Yolmer.

Garcia is a guy that can play some defense and hit a bit. Engel has a glove that is valuable when corner outfielders don't have gloves. James McCann was on the All Star team. Engel and Garcia both have the additional plus of having some speed. I stand by my opinion that our backups are quite sufficient.

You are entitled to your opinion.

With Engel and Garcia we have ideal bench pieces but they have been over exposed to WS fans. If they had been doing their thing for another team...many here would b extolling their virtues.

"The grass always looks greener on the other side of the street."

Yes...Yankee bias is a real thing.

Yes,,,that could be a sign of a larger problem.

Why? He hit .260 with 1 HR in 150 ab's and would cost 2 or 3 times Yolmers anticipated 3 or 4 million.

I don't know...how much interest has there been in the other 4 guys you have mentioned. It's getting late in the offseason for all of them. These are filler pieces...no one is knocking down any of their doors.

I didn't imply that Yolmer was better defensively than Moncada or Madrigal. I say he is an outstanding defensive player who can give a break to several everyday players.

I said when we have a "big lead". Most bench players are not great hitters and they sure don't usually catch the ball like Yolmer. IMO a bench player has a first priority of do no harm. For sure...Yolmer won't hurt us.

We will have a big lead in a number of games with this offense. Yolmer will have lots of opportunities to mop up and save the wear and tear on Moncada and Magic in addition to a very occasional start. His hitting from both sides is also useful. I like that he and Engle already know the WS so well...and will fit right in.