GreenSox

The Sox are going to beat the Twins with pitching; it may not be this year, but it should be soon enough.

The Sox were certainly very generous to Covey with playing time that his performance didn't warrant. But he never developed, so I can see him wanting to leave and try some different instruction/coaching.

I can see national media speculating that way; Vaughn or Madrigal would be very appealing to Colorado and they look at Vaughn blocked by Abreu and Madrigal blocked by Moncada. And then add Kopech. Of course, trading one of those guys (or any good pitching) for a 2 year player would be insane.

There have been a few - in the cherished up the middle positions. But, the front office just didn't know what they had. Honestly, were this not a post Tatis giveaway-world (and post Semien/Escobar), the Sox might have been more active on the trading front...they do need to cull some prospects if not now, very soon. But they've, understandably, turned very conservative re trading prospects, to my great relief as a fan. Re pitching, I only look at stats and do some basic reading - but Stiever appears to be the best they've drafted and developed in a long time.

Theoretically, yes, But despite some cw, the Sox haven't been particularly adept at developing starting pitching. Who is the last starting pitcher to come through the system, pillar to post?

This would be disastrous for the White Sox The goal is to build a WS contender, not to just mess with the Twins for 2 years. Stockpile the pitching.

That's a respectful way to describe the numbers.

Good for the Twins. And another reason for the Sox not to do something stupid to provide temporary succor.

This all looks good and an improvement to me.

I'd be more interested in hiring Luhnow to replace...

Astros got off pretty easy, really. 4 picks.

Maybin has a fluke year now and then, but most years he is terrible. Prefer to use Engel and hope for more improvement. He can handle the D regardless.

Thanks - that make sense. That's why I want to keep Fulmer.

How/why is Covey still on the 40 man? Consistently low Ks, high walks, high WHIP. At least Guerrero wasn't a proven stiff.

I'll take Engel over Cordell by a good bit.

Probably; now why in the world would the Sox do that? I should resurrect the Cargo threads from 5 years ago...

The Sox will have to trade for an arm. They could probably trade Engel for a decent arm; one that's not fully developed, but with potential. And before you stop laughing, take a gander at the available CF free agents, where Kevin Pillar stands tall. Maybe someone like Feliz from the Pirates.

That's the problem: Escobar, Semien, Tatis, Devenski and Bassit were traded away for virtually nothing - and there was no real upside possibility in any of those trades. Escobar, Tatis, And Devenski were dumped in silly acts of FO desperation. Reed and Montas (and of course Sale) were traded away, but at least there was some logic and good-faith behind the trades. and most of those guys were picked in the first 1/2 of the decade. It's a surprising list, with the Astors, Mets and Jays making the playoffs (and more), while the Sox hold hands with the Marlins.

Maybe Mendick or Cheslor win the starting 2b job and become the enigmatic lead-off hitter.

Just looking at the projected lineup in the leadoff thread...man, that's some serious improvement over this time last year.

Covey is the one that needs to go - he's just been awful. And it's not like he strikes out many guys either, such that there is some ray of hope. Madeiros was better as a reliever, but his numbers were still modest: 1.13 WHIP, less than a K per inning in a AA pitchers' park. And then there are the 5+ Walks per 9 innings. No reason to give up on him, but doesn't seem near ready. Engel improved last year. See if he can take another step up. I would keep Zavala around - the Sox have actually been good at developing "rosterable" catchers; these guys have trade value. Zavala may not be one of those, but I'd give him more time to find out. Keep Fulmer - no reason not to with the spin rate, K rate in AAA (13.5/9) and with Covey around. But he needs to speed up between pitches.

The Sox won 72 last year; arguably inflated due to excess games against Tigers and Royals (that will likely repeat as they figure to be terrible again). They also had career years out of most of the bullpen (Frey excepted). On the other hand, Eloy, Anderson and Moncada should continue to improve. McCann had a career year, but Grandal more than compensates for that regression risk. Mazara is an improvement - but how much is uncertain; there is upside though. Keuchel and Gio need to hold that WHIP at 1.3 or less; if they can, big improvement from the rotation. In all, looks like 80ish wins to me. A big improvement from Eloy, Anderson and Moncada, plus impact from some of Robert/Kopech/Madrigal/Rodon could pus the team to division contender category.

He was not universal top 15 and I don't think anyone had him at 11; where the Sox drafted him, he was a reach. And the prior year, while (the now promoted) Hostetler drafts Collins and Burdi, the Dodgers, drafting much later, nab Lux and Will Smith. At some point, there needs to be accountability.

Whoever plays 2B will Lead-off. Possibly the same lead-off as last year: Leury Garcia.

Rutherford has enough value to get a live bullpen arm with potential. That's what they need. I'd look at someone like Feliz from the Pirates. Improving, high Ks, but still hasn't put it all together.