South Side Fireworks Man

They could have let Burger start there more and pulled him for defense in the late innings. That's what I've been advocating for quite a while. When he's eligible to come back that's an option. Now TA is on the DL but before that they could've tried Sosa there. They could have put Harrison there with Sosa or Romy at 2B. They could've tried to pick up someone before the deadline. They could've tried a lot of things instead of treating Yoan as a sacred cow that can't be replaced or moved no matter what. The real reason of course is they committed too much money to him and now apparently don't want to remove him as the starting third baseman even if only temporarily. If Yoan would just start hitting like his career averages that would solve everything. But they've wasted most of the season waiting for him to produce and so far it has been in vain.

Looking back at his career numbers, Moncada's 2022 season appears to be an aberration, as does his 2019 season. The problem is we are currently in the midst of his 2022 season. The Sox are supposedly trying to win their division this season and Moncada has been performing like this. They need more production at 3B than what they've been getting from Moncada. If he doesn't produce try someone else at least a few times a week unless they just want to punt away this season.

This roster is just not that good no matter who plays where anymore.

One thing I'll admit about Moncada is he may not be Brooks Robinson but he has still been an excellent defensive third baseman even during this current dismal season he's been having. But still, he needs to produce or lose his starting position.

It doesn't matter what anyone thinks. He has been what he has been. If he's hurt he should be on the IL. If not, he should lose a big chunk of his playing time to others until he straightens himself out at the plate. Is that so unreasonable? He can still be used as a defensive replacement in the meantime. But how many games has he hurt them so far with his under-performance at the plate? If he hits three home runs tonight that would be great. But it wouldn't negate his lack of production in the 65 games he played previously this year. All I'm saying is that from this point on he should have to earn his playing time like anyone else. If he produces, great! If not, try someone else.

Even if Moncada performs at his career average of .254 .337 .763 he'll still be a disappointment considering what he will be getting paid. But if he continues to under-perform as he has been so far this season he will most definitely be killing the Sox.

This season 3B has been as big a hole as any on this team. Now whether it is to be filled by a resurrected Moncada or someone else remains to be seen, but it definitely is a major hole that needs to be filled. They can't go on with this type of production (.197 .258 .580) at third base. They definitely are not getting their money's worth out of Moncada.

I love how this organization can have two DHs playing outfield, two catchers who have trouble even catching the ball, an erratic fielding shortstop, yet when it comes to 3B, they can't replace their .197 .258 .580 third baseman because ... wait for it ... they're concerned about defense! The real problem with Moncada is the Sox committed way too much money to him and now are stuck with him. The Sox need to improve both their hitting and their defense if they are ever to be a legitimate World Series contender. The way this roster is constructed shows this rebuild was a failure.

What is it good for?

Rockin' that .566 OPS.

Need an Eloy bomb here.

This.

Why can't there even be a bat day anymore?

The Sox need a mercy Moncada off day.

Bring up Burger and start him at 3B. Let Moncada come in as a late inning defensive replacement.

AV has power!

Even Leury gets a hit now and then.

Stone can criticize whatever he wants, but if a fan does, he calls it whining.

I don't know if that's really true but that thought has crossed my mind from time to time.

There's enough blame to go around for everyone in this pathetic organization, starting with JR, down to the front office, the manager, the coaches and yes, even the players.

SMH

Grandal likes to start shit, doesn't he?

Time to put up a snowman boys!

This was a very important win in the scheme of things.

I wish Tony would use his old connections to roid Yoan.