GreenSox

Marginally - the 5th rounder was ranked 150ish, Kath was 50ish And they punted 6 picks for this.

Why punt picks like this when you didn't draft anyone overslot? And it's like they're not even trying with some of the punt picks.

The Sox have starting pitching issues: Lynn and Rodon after this season, then Keuchel after 22 and Giolito after 23. Yes, Kopech and hopefully Crochet will enter the rotation, but there's not a lot of depth there. Any weakness in SP will put this team into that 83-89 win purgatory. I would guess , when the farm system is ranked last (!!), there is not a lot to trade. And there is no excuse for it to be last: the Dodgers, Tribe, Astros, RedSox are neither last nor wallowed in the mire most of the last decade. The Padres wallowed, but they aren't last. And the Sox shouldn't be either. Nevertheless, the Sox have generally churned out more good players than the farm rankings would suggest they could. The glaring example was 2014-2016 talent churn, which, sadly, was completely squandered. Hopefully that (the development; not the squandering) continues. Sox can't trade a lot of farm talent to go all in this year. This rebuild and all the associated pain for a decade can't have been for just 1 or 2 years. 8 years of pain for 2-3 years of pleasure is just not the right ratio.

Actually, most of the Astros best players Are/WERE draftees. Most of the Sox' best players aren't draftees. But the draftees are currently providing a lot of depth and making it up in volume. And several of these guys contributing on the major league team are also probably part of the 30th-ranked farm system. it's all so weird.

I like Escobar too, and his price should be right; although his numbers are firming up, so if there was a discount to be had, it's probably gone. I don't know how Arizona could be so bad, but they are and they should have a clearance sale that includes any and every player.

They should make these trades for October 2021; nothing else. Frazier isn't ideal for this year October, and certainly not next year (his game in RF is what you get from Goodwin or the like). A rent would be cheaper (apparently - Heyman prices him like he's a stud); a rent is also a better fit because, as of now, the sox don't need a 2B, OF or C beyond this October. What they are going to need is pitching, as these guys start rolling off the rotation.

They also drafted Vaughn (who is going to be a great player for the Sox for years) on top of him. More of these guys should learn OF - increases their versatility, value and it's easier on the knees. That was one killer swing last night in the 9th.

It looks like he can hit; of course he could devolve into Palka too. Regardless, he clearly has skill, so why was a complete afterthought until this year; did he develop that much in 2020 where no one outside the org could see? Did the org. even know what they had?

Trade him for Escobar. (there's no "package" for rents like Escobar).

Escobar is fine - he can hit homers and you're not having to pay an inflated price for a career year.

Leiter - Yikes. (Sorry - don't know how to embed) Leiter

Marte is obviously better than what we have. But I'm not a "career year" guy because that will entail a career year price. He's all batting average. Adam Frazier, same thing. Career year, all batting average. It doesn't suggest sustainability. Maybe it can sustain through the rest of the year, but maybe not. And coupled with my admitted bias of being very wary of this FO in trades for veterans (due to its sorry history in such trades) I'll pass on most of these. But if the FO can pull one of for the right price, then okay. Now Escobar is not having a career year; but what he is doing well, is something that the Sox need: homers.

Sox lead the majors in bullpen WAR. We need more starting pitching for next season and the next and the next.

Escobar I can see. Pass on Marte. No pop, doesn't walk much. Tired.

Looks like Blake Battenfield might be close to ready for some Charlotte action. But he's a little light on the Ks and he's kind of an older guy.

I hope he sits on his hands. He's not good at deadline work.

Frazier's had this explosion in doubles, but doesn't have much HR power, which is what the Sox need. I can't imagine he'd cost that much, although I'm sure they'll want pitching like everyone else.

The reason the Sox can withstand the loss of c 33% of their starting position players is because of elite starting pitching (and a division with 2 mid-phase rebuilders). 40% of the staff rolls off after this season and the rebuilders will start getting good. They also need another outfielder, regardless of the injuries. Escobar's contract expires at the end of this season, he's still productive; I just wish his contract was higher (they got him pretty cheap) so that there would be a bigger incentive for Az to salary dump. Mendick playing well will both help the team and provide an enticing trade piece for the offseason.

This game demonstrated why the Sox are so good. Great SP keeps the team in the game; once their bullpen arrives, the Sox otherwise spotty offense takes over.

If a .614 career OPS for any player, much less for a first-round pick in the top 1/2 of the draft, isn't a bust, then nothing is.

If those were first round picks, that would be an unimpressive track record. Collins was a first round pick and is, as of now, a bust.

I can't imagine a scenario in which the Sox give up a good prospect; or I should say SHOULD give up a good prospect. What do the Sox need? Some middle relief; maybe a corner OF. That's not good prospect territory. Oh sure, they could get involved in Scherzer, but the marginal gains don't warrant that - they have no weaknesses in the rotation.

When the Sox traded Soria and Swarzak, 2 guys having excellent years, they received Rule 5 guys in return. And when they traded the package of Kahnle/Frazier/Robertson, they got ONE prospect plus Rule 5 guys. They other teams gave up very little. Make those trades, but on the other side (If they are capable).

Lamb is not a total plague at the plate, so I would keep him.

I wouldn't do anything. I don't think a guy like Gallo helps much and that's the level of player reasonably available. Not interested in paying a premium price for a good player. And, of course, I don't trust the FO to properly execute the trade, due to its inglorious history in trades for veterans.