CaliSoxFanViaSWside

I think you make valid arguments . It's not in the post I quoted but you are right about Sox management having to be smarter. That's the part that worries me most. Their depth consists of mostly 1B/DH types who have almost no ability to play the field at all. Look at Delmonico, Davidson Gillaspie, Skole and Palka and you might realize thede guys might all be auditioning for Abreu's role and maybe that's what Hahn had in mind all along. But even in the minors you can possibly add guys like Collins , Burger even Jimenez to the list of all hit no field guys . I know some of that is to be determined . The Sox also seem to be more adverse to the versatility ( brought up in the ESPN article) issue that needs to be addressed soon. Yolmer is the only one currently who can play multiple positions . If the Sox were more open to say trying Anderson in CF or Moncada at third it makes the Sox more versatile which is essential in having a short bench with all the relief pitchers necessary in todays game. If the Sox truly want to help their young starters they need to start getting better fielders and more versatile athletes and stop worrying about babying the ones they have. Versatility helps a team in so many ways.

Could probably add the Dodgers too if the Rockies want him. Keep Bellinger in CF and it opens a spot for Abreu. Maybe look at catcher Will Smith as one of the pieces to get back.

So now the other plays which has nothing to do with the ones we were discussing matter ? Nothing worse than a failed ex jock thinking because of his limited experiemce he is an expert and his opinion matters more. Not a prick just unforgiving of others . Never coach little league please.

So let me get this straight. A 1st baseman who can't catch a short hop from a long throw from deep in the hole isn't to be blamed but a catcher who can't block a wild pitch is to blame when its a pitched ball with movement from a much shorter distance. Yes a lot of bad baseball but assigning blame to one when clearly 2 parties made mistakes seems like an agenda.

It is a conversation when you aren't the one catching that pitch in those situations. It's really easy to judge others mistakes when you're in your easy chair. There are many many catchers who may have blocked those balls and many other who don't. Your opinion just as mine is just an opinion neitther roght nor wrongand thinking you are correct and its not worth discussing is just arrogance.

Not sure I'd take Covey out now. I'd let him face Encarnacion. Sink or swim has got a few DP's and righty vs. righty matchup.

I tend to listen more to a ML pitcher who probably threw to 50 ML catchers in his career than blame a catcher trying to catch ML stuff. Juco players don't catch for ML pitchers.

SO not blocking a really bad pitch is unforgivable. OK

Timmy oppo power !!

If you listened to Sutcliffe he said you can't blame a catcher when a pitcher spikes a fastball in that situation because he's looking to frame the low strike.

Got behind most of the hitters but surprisingly made the pitches when he had to and no damage.

Especially with this line up.

You're whining about stupid hitters when there are results ? Maybe scouting report said he throws 1st pitch meatballs. Stop showing your baseball ignorance. There's a lot more to hitting then waiting around and often batting averages are higher on 1st pitch swings.

The dynamic duo of Skole and Engel !

Those 1st 3 Indian hitters are all having great seasons ( Lindor, Brantly and Ramirez ). Covey nice inning.

If you were paying attention in spring training Skole and Cordell were hitting really well. But in reality he hasn't shown much since being the Nationals Minor League player of the year in 2012 at high A ball. When he was 23 he tore his UCL and fractured a wrist in a collision at 1st base and he really hasn't done too well since then. He's a power hitting lefty 1B /DH type who has a good eye but also K's a lot. He's 28 now and basically your typical AAA player. He's hit much better in May for the Knights hitting .281 with 5 HR's and an .858 OPS. His splits are pretty equal against lefties and righties.

Maybe Skole can become our latest instant sensation ala Palkamania and Rondon.

It'll be more SS's this year. Machado, Lindor, Correa, etc.

OOh I forgot Big Frank turned 50 yesterday .

Ex Sox prospect Frankie Montas pitched well for the A's today.

4 exclamation points for the 4 HR's. Abreu continues his torrid hitting with 2 doubles and a HR. He went 4 for 4 with a walk and is now hitting .319 . Davidson better come back soon or Timmy may catch him in HR's . He hit 2 more to continue his recent power surge. Palkamania is alive and well as Daniel hit his 4th and against a lefty .

Covey was a rule 5 pick last year who had only 6 games of AA experience. It's pretty easy to understand why he got hit around. Imagine Kopech or Dunning and Hansen brought up that fast. If he wasn't a Rule 5 pick he would still be in the minors last year and probably ranked somewhere between 15-20 in the Sox top prospects with an upward arrow with how well he pitched in AAA this year while gaining a few ticks on his fastball.

How strange would it be if Covey turned out to be what Gio was supposed to be ?

Well that ended quickly.