GreenSox

I think you are really, really optimistic in that all of those guys are going to work out. Even of the 3 that are up - Lopez, Giolito, Covey - none have solidified themselves into a rotation; they look decent one outing and the next day they look like Shields/Volstad; and of the 3, Covey has flashed the most upside pitching skill. If you extrapolate out the long process and consider depth needs: stockpile the pitching. And on another note, the bottom 1/4 of the pitching staff is so bad (and some of the top 1/4 pitch like the bottom 1/4 on occasion) that it's hard to get a feel for how the Sox stand otherwise.

Adams is 22 - they can their time with him; Stephens is almost 26 and pitching consistently- time to make the move with him. Too much pitching has never been a problem in this org. since, maybe, 1967. They'll find room for everyone. After July 31, they only players standing in the pen should be Jace and Avilan, and even they may be gone.

And he's coaching the young pitchers; and clubhouse chemistry. Hard to believe Volstad has been on the 25 since the 2nd week of the season. He certainly hasn't distinguished himself.

Walking the guy in front of Trout with 2 outs is just asking for it.

Renteria is relentless about Engel in the lineup

I have the sound off - watching Trout's reaction I thought he popped it up. Shields just can't thow him anything in the zone.

Yes

Interesting question. I'd say stay in A ball for another year then maybe AA or the ML bench...see how he handles a new group of players as part of his manager prep. If he moves up with them step by step that would be like another insiders' club.

Consider trading Fry because relievers don't have a long shelf-life (usually) and the Sox won't really need him until 2020. But he's only pitched for a few months, doesn't have super prospect/minor league pedigree behind him, so I think the return would be insufficient and it would be worth the risk to hold him until at least December.

That would result in teams with bad farm systems AND no draft picks. That would bury teams with bad front offices for 10 years instead of 5.

Only if you consider 2016 and before to be Britton's level. Which it may be - he's only thrown 15 innings this season there may be reason to believe he will return to that level. I also read that all 3 prospects will be Rule 5 eligible. Yanks know how to deal from surplus.

I'd love to trade with Houston, but I look at their pen and wonder which pitcher Soria would really upgrade. Maybe Will Harris, but he's been a mainstay for them. Seattle's has been good too. Milwaukee's a possibility - I figured that bullpen as a house of cards a while back, despite its numbers.

More high leverage innings for Minaya. Good gracious. Nice way to back up Carlos' start.

What I meant to say was that a contender WILL have a few Yolmer's or Leurys so they have some value on a team. But both are so underdeveloped as hitters that I think any prospect will be really modest.

What are the Sox going to get for trading Leury and Yolmer? A prospect who doesn't project to be as good as Leury or Yolmer is right now. A contender will have few Yolmers and Leurys.

Club option - no rental. Shields too. Sox have the powaaah

Britton has been no great shakes for the last 2 years. His numbers are nowhere near as good as either Robertson nor Kahnles were last year. His Ks are low, his WHIP is mediocre.

Why do the tweets specifically mention Drury is not involved? It's not like has any real trade value. Unless the point is that the Orioles are getting real value and not an utility infielder.

Fry is someone who may be able to start. He was a starter; I think he has sufficient pitches to start. They just moved him in the pen after his surgery, he pitched well, so there he is. He's got some MB in him - not sure he has that precise command, at least as of now.

Stephens should be next man up in Charlotte, right? He's almost 26 and pitching reasonably well.

I'm sure the Yankees would as he, but I would hope we wouldn't. The Astros AAA team, however, has more interesting 3B.

Cordell was blocked with the Brewers and had to be put on a 40 man this year. He was exactly who a smart team will try to trade for a reliever in July. From the Sox perspective, Cordell needs to be auditioned fairly quickly. Unfortunate he got hurt.

Putting all of the facts together, I must conclude that Avi is out of the lineup due to sickness from eating bad pizza.

Where's Avi? Isn't this showcase time?

Needs to catch that.