CaliSoxFanViaSWside

Good job. Appreciated !

I don't think anyone's defense at catcher has looked bad. Short sample size and not the most discerning eye though ?I have seen Mercedes throw out a couple of attempted base stealers but also throw one away on a 1st base pickoff attempt.

If you have a smart TV( most people do now) then just add the MLB app. It's good for Sox highlights and interviews when u pick the Sox as your favorite team. Not sure if you will be able to see the game . I can, because the app includes my subscription to MLB TV. But many ST games are televised. Once the game starts just click on Scores and you will see all the scheduled games listed, then click on the game and pick the TV icon or the speaker icon for radio broadcast if they are allowing free watching or listening still. You might have to subscribe to MLB.com 1st but it's free and easy.

He could always hit the hanging curve. He demolishes them.

But that's only for ST , once the season starts they do.

Every year we have to say that !

I think you are belaboring it. I told you before I don't think it will happen and if you think it will, fantastic. You could be right or I could be right. But you continued to press me on it because you said it "feels like you don't want it to happen". I also already said there's injury risk to consider, the lack of minor league playing time, lack of playing a premium position. The Sox extended Robert's contract after he tore up the minors across 3 levels in 2019. They extended Moncada in his 3rd season with them and his big year in 2019. They extended Jimenez before he ever had a MLB AB and that was a rare thing to do. Scott Kingery and Jon Singleton were the only 2 to do it before Eloy .Singleton was a bust and so far Kingery hasn't done much. But Eloy also had torn up the higher levels in the minors. Covid of course has played a role in evaluating Vaughn through minor league playing time. I have no feelings on wanting it to happen. I think given all the things i just laid out that I don't think it's likely. It would be a precedent setting contract and as financially prudent as the Sox were this winter and given the possibility Vaughn may not play as well as some expect I think they will wait. There's a chance waiting will backfire but also a chance that's it's a good move not to extend him now. How it all plays out is anyone's guess. I'm just playing the odds thinking he won't be extended this year based on all the information at hand with the key factor being unknown since no one knows what is going on behind closed doors.

I laid out a number of reasons why I thought it was unlikely to happen. I'm not going to post it was a bad idea if it does happen . Don't see why you're belaboring the point. I've agreed with just about everyone who suggested it could happen. I didn't say anyone was crazy for wanting it . I'm just interested in how much different an extension would look giving it this year or next year if he had the kind of season I said.

OK lay it out an extension plan for this year vs. next year and show me how much different it would be if he puts up those numbers.

Nope not wild at all. If it happens great . I just don't think it will. I'm always open to the possibility I can be wrong.

It's not a problem at all. My point is I don't see an extension coming before the season starts. If you see it differently more power to you.

I didn't forget that and didn't discount it. That's why he'll get to play in MLB this year.Do you think if he hit's .270 BA .350 OBP and .800 OPS an extension will be much more expensive next year vs. doing it now ?

Who ever got an extension after 1 year in the minors with the highest level being A+ ? He may well turn out to be a great hitter but an extension is guaranteed money. He doesn't play a premium position. At least give him this year to face some MLB pitching and give your evaluations a chance to play out some and make sure he doesn't have a major injury .

That's a bold prediction. There's really no reason to extend him right now.

Higher upside ? Kind of a strange comment. They are both long past being described like prospects. Just looking for either to contribute anything positive for a whole season is a tall order.

Did you say this just to troll SoxSteve ? ?

I'm not concerned in the least. The only thing that bothers me is the only reason I view the games is the entertainment value of them is higher when I see the Sox win and score a lot of runs and guys from the eventual 26 pitching doing well it's more entertaining.

Yep I like how you said Rodon will get it while others said win it. He's going to have it handed to him if you've paid attention to what Rodon said they told him. Even if Lopez grabs the bull by the horns it probably won't matter unless they eat that $3M after some bad starts by Rodon. If Rodon is terrible does he even want to pitch in the pen or would he rather be released ? How do you even pay a guy with Rodon's track record $3M without telling him that the BP is a possibility if he can't hack it as a starter ? Rodon would be running away with this poll if Lopez didn't have the nice 2 inning stint the other day. Haven't seen Rodon at all. I voted Rodon but as someone else said I'm wishing/hoping the more durable Lopez eventually impresses enough to take it. But it would be cool also to see Rodon pitch well enough to earn it and keep it. Not rooting for either one . I just hope between Cease, Lopez and Rodon that 2 of them are solid and if all 3 suck like last year then making the playoffs will be tough.

Hard to say. 120 is a lot for a catcher who would also catch a lot in the post season. These guys have to get used to the grind of a 162 game schedule again and many will need rest and catcher more so than any position player on the field . If I had to set an over/under on it I'd say 108 starts at catcher for Grandal. I think more people would bet on the under since injury is always a concern and his knees are already barking.

Love this bit from Monty Python and it wasn't even close to a 5 minute argument . It started at the 40 second mark and he rang the bell at 1:53 so it was actually only 1 minute and 13 seconds. He got ripped off !

Never be the last post on a page !

I don't feel like he was squeezed but a couple of pitches up in the zone could've been called strikes maybe . If he's working in out ,up, down ,you want some of those calls.

Well I will say it's difficult to gauge fact from strong personal opinions with him. He's known here as an insider but also known for strong personal opinions and stating those opinions as fact like he just did. He rarely phrases what he says as opinion like " I think this" or "I thank that". I will say that if Grandal's early health issues are a sign of things to come , then whoever gets more playing time has to take advantage of it . Lucroy might not have much left in the tank either. COVID or McCann could've played a part in the slow development of Collins but it also might have something to do with how they view Collins dedication. They won't move him because he does have valuable skills . With Grandal ailing and Lucroy's health always a question and a possible early season opening at DH Collins should get more chances this year. Now if by some miracle Mercedes makes the team and Collins doesn't, that would be a pretty clear sign the Sox are sending Collins some kind of message. Unfortunately Mercedes could hit 8 HR's and throw out 8 runners, hit .450 this spring and he still wouldn't get a job on the 26 .

I don't know if it's a counter example. Everyone just doesn't like everybody else. People are going to clash whether it's their actions or words that lead to those confrontations. AJ Pierzynski was, according to most sources ,a Grade A asshole. Some people just have a gift for getting under people's skin.

I don't want to pile on so I'll be brief . The maturity level and the belief in your own abilities is much higher in the pros. At the pro level not many are threatened by new guys because you get paid for being good and if you aren't good and someone is better you get cut. It's the difference between boys and men and you can't equate your experiences as a teen or in your early 20's to guys who play sports for a living . If you can't cut it as a pro you have no one to blame but yourself and you don't have guys resenting you because you might take a buddy's spot on the team or you think you're God's gift. There are cocky a-holes and and then there are guys who are just confident and secure in their abilities because they work as hard as they can on it. Any sport at the highest level will humble you soon enough if you don't do what's required or don't have the talent.