GreenSox

That's what quality youth brings. Beni is still an albatross really, but as the only one, it's manageable. We've had some good fortune (Peters, e.g) but it's about darn time. And yes I'm greedy: We should have been 1/1 last year and getting ready to bring up Cade Anderson. We didn't tank 2023-25: we just suc##ed.

The general consensus here is that the Sox will take Roch; those on here who seem to have some connections seem to think it's likely Roch. Law says that the scouts want Emerson and the FO wants Lackey and Roch is a distant 3rd. Like 2 years ago, when my only request was to not take Smith, the bloggers and those "in the know" would say "don't worry; they're not taking a pitcher." Of course, no one had much of an idea as the candidates all had questions. But last year, everyone nailed the Carlson pick. I am just excited to find out who it will be.

What's the price? You can't pay a top 100 prospect for a 36 year old non-ace; he's in the midst of a great season which could very well even out over the 2nd half, as it did in 2025: first half 2.5 ERA and 1.083 WHIP; 2nd half 5.45 and 1.46.

Just want to point out that Bonemer will be ready next year to take a spot; Emerson should extend the window....a window that should be open a decade + (unless we start doing stupid stuff). One thing I prefer about Roch is that he bats right... right handed hitting proficiency is becoming a scarce commodity.

I sat in the LF bleachers my only time there - it was a lot of fun. Spent a long weekend in Cleveland....had a great time.

Shouldn't be. And certainly should never pay that price. But probably will be. Again, though, moves like this are how we got bad. ( it was a big part of it). Imagine had the Cubs chosen Crochet instead of Madrigal. And it's not like Chapman has been pristine. His 1.27 WHIP trails Grant Taylor, Newcomb, Richard, the much maligned (at least by me) Eisert; it also trails Tyler Davis and also much maligned Leasure. And for the bWAR believers, behind Taylor and Newcomb and Hudson.

Good to hear; I didn't see it. I did notice that he didn't walk a bunch, which has usually been his issue when struggling.

But isn't that the primary tool for a top draft pick? Just as an example (and I'm no scout; I really know nothing about any of these guys other than what I read), if it ends up that Emerson can't hit and Roch can't hit, what do you have? With Emerson, it's a complete washout - a guy who can't play at all. With Roch, you have Royce Clayton (or, in an earlier era, Ron Hansen or Roger Metzger). Well, to me, Claytons are easy to find so I'd still go with the hit tool. Now Lackey is a little different in that defensive catchers are a little harder to find. While Emerson would be my choice if I were picking, as a fan, I just want them to pick who they think is best, irrespective of saving a few bucks on slot, current roster, etc.

Newcomb can throw some heat. Nice bounce-back. Disappointed that Murphy stumbled...he'd been throwing well. Maybe the first inning isn't for him.

C and LF in the pros; some IF in college> These senior signings are just weird to me; basically all are for fractions of slot (he was at 50K, c. 15% of slot). But some must be legit prospects, who just didn't "turn it on" until their 4th college season. He's already at AA. Awfully impressive. AAA is really just a place holder now.

Webb just gave up 7 runs, 11 hits in 3 innings v. Colorado. That would be a nice Hahn/Shields channeling. Webb also plays his home games in a decided pitchers' park; even though he does have reverse splits. More of a control pitcher. And when trading with these sick teams like Mets, Giants, RedSox, how do we know that the player we're trading for wasn't the clubhouse problem? Of course, I'm against all of these trades. (I do like your idea of Whitlock among reliever trades). We're contending while building a great young core; keep that going. Trading for vets never helps, and more often than not, makes us worse. I turn on MLb network and they say "Hagen Smith and Bonemer for Sonny Gray and Chapman." Madness. Bowden says that Getz told him we would buy if we were contending at the end of July. It's like the Sox have some obligation. Yet they never suggest that the Nats, Cardinals or any team in a similar situation do that nonsense. With Bonemer, the Sox FINALLY draft and develop a top 20 position prospect. Have we done that this century?

Both done by Preller; this time, he can't trade with himself. He may move Miller, but not for a top 20 guy. Good teams save their top prospects.

Probably right. I will say this: I'm glad we're 10 ahead of Detroit and tied with Cleveland versus 10 ahead of Cleveland and tied with Detroit.

As did his predecessor. But Getz got the big signing right. When you are choosing between 5th starters and middle relievers and platoon outfielders, you are going to have a lot of misses. Ideally you fill most of those spots internally, and using the $ on, say, extending Vargas.

Indeed.

If not MacDougal, then Schweitzer and Sandlin ( It's stunning to see Sandlin throwing darts in Charlotte instead of Chicago). That would be an upgrade. Working young pitchers in the major league bullpen before putting them in the rotation is a pretty standard method of pitching development, so I hope they just bring up MacDougal when ready. It's hard to develop a deep staff and bullpen. Actually did a pretty good job this year.

The reason I assume is because if they have the same upside, then they wouldn't be "neck and neck" as to who should go #1: Roch would be far ahead. No way could you justify significantly higher risk for the same reward. And you mentioned in one of your posts that Emerson is not much on defense. So that would mean he has to have even more potential with the bat to compensate for his given deficits on D.

We lost an entire series to Detroit like this. Now we're well on our way to losing this one. Unless we're clearly superior, these teams have owned us the last decade. Too many Ks at the wrong time. Venable over-managing. Among other issues.

Wrong thread.

Why are we wasting him in Charlotte? Not good nights for 2 putative members of the sox pen in Gonzalez and Palette.....although I suspect it's Mr. Sandlin who will assume those duties (or Fedde/Kay with Sandlin in the rotation).

Taylor is usually great; but he's also had about the same number of outings where he's given up runs as Dominguez has. (he got hit in several June outings). Tonight our major division rival beat beat our pitching. They beat our best starter, and, 2 of our best relievers. Thus, not a finished product.

Man, I hope they don't act like they're the smartest guy in the room and do something like that. Because they will just outsmart themselves.

Doesn't see that easy to me. Still have series with Yankees and Tampa. Still have to play the entire NL Central except Brewers). Don't have to play Dodgers, Phillies or Braves, but neither do Guardians (who also finished with NY and Brewers).

Taylor has got to do better than this. These implosions happen way too often. Eisert has no business pitching in the late innings. Newcomb was terrible too, but he's usually good. Anyway, team's not a finished product - no surprise.

Getting back the Saint plus McDougal would add a lot of energy to the staff and would make for quite the July.