Rounding_Third

Engel had a strong year at the plate and his defense is top notch

Engel is just as good or better.

Leury & Engel will fill in just fine. Mendick makes the team for sure now.

4 catchers shows how those 3 guys are playing their asses off! ...or maybe just need all 4 for fatigue factor. Doesn't change the fact they're all playing great!

Definitely keep Blackman in mirror in case situation warrants. If Vaughn & OF doing ok then no. Co is gonna want to move him, imo. Ditto on some creative finances ala Shields trade else no. Also, John Gray ($6m full season) would be a cheap rental if he's having a decent year (2022 FA). Can't have too many starters in 2nd half this year.

Cease getting squeezed a lot by ump.

Only 3 innings today and just 2 AB. Hope that was planned but seems very odd.

Yeah, you're probably right. Since both are out of options, Ruiz over Cordero. Cordero has been too inconsistent over his time with Sox. Ruiz has better upside and younger. More likely he would get claimed although they both probably would. If they go with Ruiz and he struggles, I wonder how long they'd stay with him knowing they'd lose him. Yeah, makes sense that Burr is sent down for now no matter how he finishes ST. If he deserves it, he'll get his chance before the year's out. Ruiz and/or Cordero could possibly bring some trade value. Nothing big but maybe some AAA or AA fills.

Burr still might have a shot, too. Very good minors career and has had his ST moments. With a good finish, he could sneak in,

grandal's knee

harrowing: acutely distressing. But thanks again for your vivid interpretations. When I first heard the Sox signed Lucroy, I read all I could about herniated neck disks, you clearly did not. i have also known 2 close associates who succumbed to lower back disk surgeries and know what they went through in the years leading up to it. I'm also aware about how disk surgery is the very last resort because of its dangers and difficult recovery. But thanks, doc! Especially the part of how you knew how he was feeling while he played with it for 3 years. That is incredibly perceptive of you!

He's on a minor league contract because he's been out of baseball for 2 years after a very harrowing and unusual injury. He's only sucked when healthy in the depths of your vivid imagination; one that believes I stated he was going to return to an all-star caliber player.

Oh for sure! Because that's what my post clearly said. Helloooo, anybody in there?

Why do you choose to categorize Lucroy as having a "5 year slump" while knowing that he played for 3 years ('17-'19) with an ever deteriorating herniated neck disk and 2 more years for surgery, recovery, & rehab. You clearly don't realize how bad a disk has to be to require surgery. The fact that he performed at a decent level for those 3 years is a testament to his grit. This is a completely new and different stage for him. His time spent with a herniated disk is over. The question is how does he perform with a repaired one. So far, so good, imo. I can't imagine how much respect he must have among his peers. Are pitchers that are recovering 12-18 months from TJ surgery in a "slump", as well? Shameful you reach so low to pump Collins!

ReyLo tonight vs Reds. Hopefully another strong outing.

Definitely a minor concern right now. Whomever earns buc, the others shouldn't be traded unless its an incredible offer. There's a few factors that could make a catcher-by-committee scenario not outside the realm of possibility. I'm not "doom & gloomin", just saying we have good catcher depth, let's keep it until the season plays out a bit.

Hopefully, he's just about done in ST. It's time for Keuchel and Rodon to start appearing and more from Lopez.

Rodon is #5 or is IL/DL'ed or waived. If he's able to stay healthy and effective, I assume he'd still be shut down at some point. If so, it'll be interesting to see how they manage his starts, particularly in the 1st half, to extend him well into the 2nd half. Hopefully, Lopez has a comeback and Kopech can/will eventually start. The Sox will need all 3 (and/or others waiting in the minors) for a 6-8 man rotation in the 2nd half. There'll probably be times when the other 4 need a skip plus a few makeup DH's. If some of that doesn't happen, the Sox are still well positioned to get another SP by the deadline. However, I think they'll be in higher demand and a bit more expensive this year. If their plan starts to goes awry, hopefully they have the foresight to act quickly in the trade market. Hopefully, Cease is stable at #4, too. Still an unknown. The AL Central's probably going to be very competitive, the Sox can't afford to be fumbling around with that #5 for very long.

Now we know why he hasn't pitched yet. Congrats!

Dodger starter, Urias, is a lefty, but a real good one. Hopefully our guys can break out a little bit today. Get some mo going.

Alrighty then

Except for Eaton having a .360+ OBP and then hoping he gets replaced with a minor league player. Head scratcher there! Did I read that right?

Yeah can't decide if I like or not, unexpected for sure.

Except for Grandal, its pretty much opening day batting lineup today including Madrigal. Order seems a little odd but maybe....

I voted for Lucroy for both assuming he shakes off the defensive rust he's show so far. His bat looks great so far. 2 main reasons: 1. It makes mores sense to me that Grandal will rest against LHP more often due to our RH heavy lineup. He has to bat as much as possible against RHP. Therefore a righty buc makes more sense. 2. Lucroy will have best vet chemistry with Lynn & Keuchel in particular. That said, I thing Yermin's having the best ST so far in a really good buc battle.