Chick Mercedes

Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 60 | Run: 35 | Arm: 60 | Field: 45 | Overall: 50 The Mets took a 17-year-old, bat-first shortstop in Vientos in the second round of the 2017 Draft. After signing him for $1.5 million, the organization put him on the slow road with stops at Rookie-level Kingsport in 2018 and Class A Columbia in 2019. He showed classic signs of a power bat waiting to bloom before the 2020 pandemic forced him to continue his progress at the alternate training site and fall instructs. His big breakout came at last in 2021, when he hit .281/.352/.581 with 25 homers over 83 games at Double-A and Triple-A, and he was added to the 40-man roster as a result. It’s scary to think what kind of heights Vientos’ home run total could have reached in 2021, had he seen a fuller season that wasn’t so impacted by coronavirus delays and cancelations. He’s slugging above .500 again in 2022, making the most of his significant strength at Triple-A, but he’s also striking out more than 30 percent of the time again while also posting a groundball rate close to 50 percent, a regression from previous trends. The raw power will always make Vientos a middle-of-the-order threat, but his overall hit tool could limit that impact. Vientos’ plus arm works at third base, but his glove and actions aren’t nearly at the same level. The Mets worked him out in left field in 2021, and as of now, early reports aren’t encouraging that it’s a solid fit. He has gotten more looks at first base this season, and that’s his likeliest defensive home if and when he isn’t DHing.

what a little fish he is

I would not be making any decisions based on 2023. Hendricks wont make or break this team. I mean look how they have played for the better part of 2 years now.

Not at third base it doesn’t. Not in a league that values home runs

As I always say about NBA and the Bulls, people want to claim that tanking doesn’t work. Fine, but show me a WAY that does win a title. Nothing works. But hate not to go to work without all the tools in your toolbox

Id like to find out how that feels

I gotta say, witnessing such a spending spree is disheartening for a Sox fan that wants to compete in a league that has ownership that so thoroughly outclasses us. Like, how can we compete? It would have to be a constant veteran churn for high prospects that get dumped before they hit the market

Maybe the Sox are throwing more into the deal

Just the Mets inquiring about a closer like Hendricks only to be a set up man does suggest that hopefully

Only because of current need he is better. But yeah.

I think I prefer to have different shitty players instead of Leury..

I don’t necessarily have a problem with Madrigal. Always being one of the leading Madrigalites. I’ve come to understand his puny little body cannot stand up to the rigors of athletic competition however

It’s reasonable. Not for a White Sox deal though.

He’s getting re-established as far as acquiring assets goes, it looks like they are letting him have the keys to the car again. I think this is a season of Hahn.

Here’s a good piece examining the questions. https://www.soxon35th.com/analyzing-the-andrew-benintendi-signing/

Despite the home park he is now in, he has made comments about the approach he was taking at the plate, and it sacrificed power for contact if read that right. If he went to change his launch angle etc, that would seem like he is again changing his approach. So, depends.

Does his No Vax status still matter in 2023?

Law is bearish on this move and the Sox https://theathletic.com/4010370/2022/12/16/white-sox-andrew-benintendi-contract/

Oh I get it. Thanks

i just heard Hahn wanted Beni in the draft over Fulmer. So who made the pick?

We really do have PTSD. I want to believe the Sox will have 4-5 real outfielders on the team or the 5th able to be shuttled up from AAA. And that Pedro would be just as disgusted as we are to make up that type lineup card. Tony probably got a thrill from it. I WANT TO BELIEVE

I mean, if this means there are no more DHs in the outfield, then I'll get stoked enough. First, you gotta get yourself untied from the chair before you escape from the basement

It looks like a "solid move". In the little pond the White Sox fish in. I'm not speaking for anybody, but I feel like the team needed a big lift this offseason. Didn't get one, didn't expect one. Unless losing Tony was that move, but it's not that simple. Anyway, that's one way. The big splash. The other way is what Pedro has to do, is build a baseball monster with baby steps here.

Its only stupid until it isn't ?

I feel your pain. The Chris Sale curse has got to be losing some juice by now though. The HOF person is gone. Maybe the sun is gonna come out, TOMORROW!