BamaDoc

Are you saying you would want Blackmon for Dunning? Blackmon 34 years old and owed over fifty million over next three? Coors field/ bad away splits Blackmon? Couple years ago, I could see.

1) Ownership is extremely loyal to employees. After a major turnaround season RR will not be fired. No manager looks good when pitching falls apart. 2) Anyone wanting to modernize and embrace modern analytics should remember Ozzie did more things by his gut than anyone back then. I loved Ozzie but the act got old and the ending was terrible. Not a mutual parting of ways, terrible, toxic. Those that complain about lineups now would freak at the "Sunday lineups" Ozzie used. 3) The things we don't see such as communication, managing egos, injuries, RR seems to do well. I notice ex players etc don't bash him and RR seems very likeable. He doesn't seem to have lost the locker room. If the front office/analytics people are feeding RR info or lineups he seemingly handles that, how would Ozzie react to being told who to play. 4) All of the above said, the one who interests me would be Cora. Former Sox(management likes), won with good talent, without being racial his ethnicity fits our core talent(sure sounds racial lol), seems to be modern from analytic usage. Still think RR gets 2021 unless things really go bad.

I think notice has been served that nothing is guaranteed. For years we could allow guys to learn on the job, less so now. Reports were that Lopez was not only surprised he was pulled from his start but angry when he was sent to Schaumburg. Good! He pitched better when he came back but was not on the first round playoff roster. For a guy who struggles with focus this may be the best thing to happen to him. Cease pitched in relief game 2 indicating we didn't think he was worth starting game 3. Notice served. Dunning pulled in first inning. Notice served to all that the leash is shorter. Rodon has to be wondering if he will be released. If they all are back, I bet they can all count to five and know that they are in a competition and better bring it.

Being realistic, our team has little depth that I would feel comfortable trading. We saw in this season how it was taxed. A major decision will be what is next years roster size? There are huge financial uncertainties right now. I think we have a relatively quiet winter. Moves made will be about equal to the salaries we lose/cut unless things clear on the financial picture (Covid controlled/vaccine working fans will be allowed). I think we see a depth starting pitcher . Any player additions need to be disciplined hitters and preferably left handed hitting. Maybe the team thinks between Lopez/Rodon/Dunning/Cease you can fill two starters until either Kopech is ready or you add at the trade deadline when again finances are clearer.

When slumping like above, laying a bunt or slapping it against the shift may make sense just to help you mentally.

In the last week Moncada 1 for 21 with 11 k. Robert 1-23 with 9k. Obviously, we need them to turn it around. Not sure if rest isn't in order. Yoan had to come in on his "last" rest day when Tim went out (with Yolmer going from third to short).

I think the Sox want him as a starter long term. However, because of how little he has pitched this year (3.1 college innings), I don't think you would pitch him much beyond 100 or so inning next year. That means about three or so innings per start if 30 starts. Because of the inning limits, I could see him being used in the majors as a reliever next year as innings are built. I doubt I would pitch him back to back days but 50-60 games at 1-2 innings would get you there.

If he plays, no reason not to put 7-8 in order.

Ozzie had greatest line on AJ. Paraphrase quote “ If he was on other team you hated him. If he was on your team, you hated him less!”

I do! Was having internet issues and when the game ended I couldn't get replay. Even this morning it hung about five times. Finally remembered the 3 min game video always has last out so saw it there. I missed it clear as day. Embarrassing. On another note, I may have met you pre Angels playoff. Met several posters. I had my son with me. He was about 12 at time. Great memories.

A logical approach to Bauer. A no at any point stops the process. 1) Management meets with Ownership to get budget. Is there money to spend? 2) Management prioritizes spending. Do you want to spend on free agent starting pitching vs other needs(there won't be unlimited money)? 3) I do a deep background check on Bauer the teammate. I talk to coaches, former teammates, clubhouse guys, cabbies, waiters, you get it. I worry about his fit in our clubhouse. We have seen bad fits before(Swisher,La Roche drama, Eaton rumors etc). Bauer seems to have a mercenary type image. How would that play in our clubhouse? What do you think he would counsel young players about early extensions(Giolitto)? Do you in management want him as a teammate? 4) Because he is polarizing, I would convene the same leadership group of players who remain with the team that we heard about at the trade deadline, I would present what info I gained from #3 and ask, Do you players want him as a teammate? 5) Management meets with his representation/him. Is there mutual interest? Do we fit his criteria? He must meet with pitching coaches and each agree they can work together. Explain our culture and how he would be expected to fit within it. Would this work? #4 and #5 may switch or be semi simultaneous. We appear to have something special building and don't want to screw it up. Perhaps after 2021 makes more sense when you would have a better idea of our pitching and he wouldn't have any draft compensation attached. 6) Only at this point do I really get to contract terms. Any question at the end of 1-5 that gets a no stops the process.

A player only gets a qualifying offer once so once rejected, player is free of that negative in the future.

He will get a qualifying offer. What draft picks would you lose for one year of the player, second rounder? I dug up. We would lose our second rounder and that slot money in draft as well as 500k of international pool money. Total loss not insignificant .

I have long liked Madrigal’s ability to hit behind the runner in the two hole. Timmy is getting on at a .450 clip in the first inning. I like a healthy Moncada at two or three but he isn’t healthy. I give mo and Robert at least two days off between now and playoffs.

On the broadcast, they talked about Cincinnati considering using Bauer on three days rest to try to get in playoffs. Hope they try and results may be interesting. I don’t think you do it all year long but come playoffs sometimes there is consideration of pitching a guy on short rest. Obviously it would be a small sample size but some info might be interesting.

Thanks. Glad it was just my old eyes.

First love the win but did anyone notice the double play to end game? Men on first and second, defenders shifted to right. Grounder right of second. Tim fielded and tagged runner with glove extended. Problem I think I saw was ball was in right hand and about 4 feet from glove. I always thought tag had to be made ball in glove with glove. Alternatively, tag made ball in hand, tagged and ball held by that hand. Checked a state rule book and my interpretation correct. Is mlb different or did I not see it correctly?

I will make a couple predictions: First if Kopech comes back next year and has an ERA of 2.50 and becomes our #1 or 2 in the future, everyone will praise him for being smart, getting healthy(whatever way) and maturing. Second if he comes back and has a 7 ERA, most people will pile on and it will be ugly. In essence, like almost all players, his performance will be the determining factor in how many perceive him. I hope he and all realize and understand that your true friends are there for you in either situation. If they are only there in situation number one, they aren't true friends. When you think all is lost, the guy who shows up or picks up the phone when no one else will is the true friend.

Great take and thank you for your service!

I will agree that current 7-8 of Cleveland or a getting healthy Yankees would probably not be my picks to play. However we are playoff bound!!!! Really a year ahead of schedule. Have to see how Keuchel’s back responds. Could you imagine doing this with old 24 man roster?

It is time that if both are in the lineup, EE and Mazara belong hitting 7-8. I don’t care who occupies which slot. Until they get hot, no movement. Engel has earned right to platoon.

Many of our young players have grown with this staff. These coaches get at least next year to see where it goes. Barring a terrible year, likely more years. At that point, re Menechino, I want to see our young guys mature in regards to a two strike approach. I realize Robert is aggressive but the other game he saw four total pitches in four at bats. Overall, I am thrilled with this year. We are basically arriving a year early and reinforcements are still coming/arriving.

Will need to open a space on the forty. Maybe move someone to 45 day injured list?

Not a lot of options. Honestly not crazy about starting his clock. We just need innings. Kinda thought Gio González could go three then Flores a couple but it sure will be exciting! Even if much of the board had no problem trading him at deadline. And I am poking fun. We all know, if he does well we should get Cooperstown ready and if he performs poorly we should have traded the stiff!

He has stated he is big on using video between at bats which has been banned. The unfamiliarity with pitchers plays into no video. It will matter different amounts to different players. Probably hurts the cerebral guys which catchers often are. He also commented on the catching side that video helps seeing that nights strike zone.