Lillian

The dilemma that the Sox face is not what is being focused upon by most fans, who continue to clamour for the Sox to trade for a second baseman. Fans aren't satisfied with the offensive production, from the keystone position. With Robert and Grandal soon to rejoin the club, and Eloy already back in the lineup, the Sox don't need more offense, in general. However, they would still benefit greatly, by having better lineup balance. The problem is that, aside from Grandal, the one left handed power bat, that is currently on this roster is Sheets and he will have no place to play, once everyone is back. Robert will be in center, Vaughn should be in left, which means that several guys will be vying for playing time between a corner OF, first base and DH. Abreu, Eloy and Grandal are the obvious guys to fill those 3 slots. Yasmani is not likely to be able to catch much, this soon after his injury. Therefore, first base and DH are really the only 2 spots for Abreu and Grandal. That leaves Eloy and Sheets for one outfield spot. Last night, Eloy was in LF and Vaughn was moved to RF. Even with Robert's range in CF, having both Vaughn and Eloy in the corners will present a real challenge, defensively. Nevertheless, that may be the way to go, for the rest of this season. In any case, Sheets has no place to play. The rationale behind the need to acquire someone to play second is not that the team needs an adequate second baseman. Leury is fine, defensively at that position and is adequate offensively, at the bottom of the order. Bringing in Escobar is not intended to fill a void at the position, but is rather intended to provide a LH power bat. It just so happens that second base is the only spot available for that bat. I still believe that Escobar is the best fit and will ultimately be acquired before the Friday trade deadline. Moreover, I don't think that the cost will be very high. As for Sheets, I don't expect him to be traded. He is the best hope, for a middle of the order LH bat, in the organization. If Grandal can resume a normal catching load, next year, I could see Abreu and Sheets sharing the first base/DH roles, in 2022.

For two reasons: 1) It is a much lower priority, with Eloy and Robert joining the mix of Vaughn, Engel, Goodwin, Sheets and Hamilton. 2) They don't have the prospect capital to acquire any long term solution to the RF void and the need for a LH bat. It just seems like they have much more critical needs. I still think Escobar is coming, as he is the perfect fit. LH power bat, a rental who'll be gone next season, when Madrigal comes back, and he shouldn't cost much. I really doubt that his health is a concern, he's been in the lineup almost every game, even after the cautionary reports about his hamstring. La Russa has always placed a huge premium on the bullpen and he can't be very happy with how the Sox relievers have looked. He is almost certainly urging Hahn to get some help for the pen, which I believe is the primary focus of the front office. Therefore, unless Hahn is going to be extremely aggressive, I think your assessment is right on target.

I agree, and I'm also very skeptical about the idea of adding an outfielder.

I beg your pardon. I am quite certain that I never suggested that he should be "bounced for Jake Burger". I think perhaps you have me confused with someone else. If you read my posts, I have consistently said that he is a 5 tool talent, whom I hope will realize his potential and live up to his lofty expectations. Again, if you want to fault me for wanting this recent version of Moncada, I'll plead guilty to that. This is the guy, whom I have always believed he could and should be. Any player with that much talent, should not settle for anything less. Ironically, perhaps it is I, who has the higher opinion of Yoan. Those who accepted the fact that he wasn't hitting for power, apparently didn't seem to have any problem, because they were so thrilled with his defense and his high OBP. You are correct, in pointing out that he is the left handed, power hitting, middle of the order hitter, for whom I have been clamouring. The problem was that he was not providing that power. This recent power surge is precisely what I have wanted. Hey, I'm with you. I'm thrilled. The only difference is that, unlike some, I wasn't thrilled with his 5 home runs, at the All Star break. I remember when his idol, Robinson Cano was musing about Yoan's unlimitted potential, as a rookie. The future HOF star said that Moncada could be better than he is, because he had the speed, which he lacked. I guess I'm in good company, in that I share having such high regard for Yoan's talent.

His bat is too valuable to have him sitting on the bench. Moreover, as you suggest, whether he would even be willing to accept such a role is questionable. He will be a free agent and his contract would not be nearly as lucrative, if it were based upon his being a reserve infielder. That is, of course, unless he were a primary DH, which he would not be on the Sox.

Moncada is now playing like the 5 tool super star, for whom some of us have been waiting. If anyone wants to fault us for wanting this version of Yoan, feel free to do so. I just hope that this is the guy we see, going forward. Few of us have ever doubted that he has the talent to be great. It's just that some have been content to accept less.

While you are contemplating all of those roster moves, consider these split stats for Vaughn and Sheets versus RHP: Vaughn AB 179 2B 8 HR 5 RBI 16 AVG .212 OBP .263 SLG .341 OPS .603 Sheets AB 40 2B 4 HR 5 RBI 14 AVG .300 OBP .396 SLG .775 OPS .1,171 SMALL SAMPLE SIZE, however unless things change pretty quickly, I think I know what I'd do.

"1 AB" really? It is admittedly a small sample size, but 5 homers in 49 at bats, from the left side, with 14 RBI's, is quite impressive.

Don't worry, Gavin Sheets is not going anywhere. He is the one bat in the organization that holds some promise to become that long coveted LH middle of the order power bat. I would guess that he will continue to get every opportunity to fill that void. Let's just hope that he can continue to be productive. With Vaughn able to play LF, he could be the future first baseman, when abreu is gone. In the meantime, he'll get better in RF and is not too much of a defensive liabiliity there, so far.

You won't get any "heat" from me. That is a very thoughtful and interesting post. Thanks.

Yet another RH hitter, who feasts on LHP. He is not the best choice to replace Madrigal, for the final stretch of this season. Until Grandal returns, it is imperative that the Sox find someone to provide better line up balance. Even after Yasmani returns, because they will face some very good RH pitchers in the playoffs. I'm confident that Hahn will target an acquisition, or two, who can provide run production vs. RHP. La Russa has almost certainly emphasized that need, as well. I know that some people here think that I seem to beat that horse to death, however it's only because so many fail to consider it. A guy like Escobar is a better fit for the Sox, at this point, and would cost less to acquire. Baez might be the better player, but his below average performance versus RHP makes him the less suitable choice.

IMO, there is almost no chance that Hahn makes that many trades, involving that many players. Taken individually, I'm not sure how to evaluate those suggestions, since there are no specific trade details, but in totality, that amount of player movement doesn't seem plausible. When you have a team that is this good, tinkering around the edges makes more sense.

Valdez has actually been better against RH hitters, in the last couple of years. Not by much, but enough to make an all RH hitting lineup, less than optimal. I would go by who are the better hitters, regardless of handedness. Wow, that will probably shock some of you. At the least, I'd rather see Goodwin instead of Hamilton. As I've often stated, I prefer a balanced lineup. If they get into the Astros pen, there will need to be a lot of substitutions, with Moncada being the only one who can bat left handed.

That would be a tough call. I'm not sure I'd do that. If the Sox view Crochet as a future piece of the starting rotation, I don't think I would. If Texas wouldn't accept some hitting prospects and an arm like Steiver or Lambert, I'd pass. There is always free agency, after next season. They might be able to just sign him then. I'd rather that they settled for Escobar, which shouldn't cost much, as a rental, and let the guys they have handle RF, for the rest of this year.

I don't think that it would take that much, but if so, I would not be in favor of it.

You know me. That RF spot needs to be filled by a LH bat. Acquire Gallo for the next year and 1/2. Then, hope either Colas, Rutherford or some other player can fill that spot. I have never liked the idea of Cespedes filling that hole in RF. He's yet one more RH bat, to go along with T. A., Eloy, Abreu, Robert, Vaughn and Madrigal. I would gladly give up Yoelkis and a couple of other lesser prospects, for Gallo. Who knows, maybe they could extend him, after next season. Gallo is only 27, so he could become one of the core pieces, for the rest of this window of contention.

What do you think it would take?

Is that because the Rangers, or the Sox, would balk at the deal?

Now, acquiring Gallo for the second half and all of next year, becomes even more desirable. If MLB.com thinks that Cespedes and Caleb Freeman would come close to getting it done, then add another prospect and pull the trigger. Imagine this lineup, next season: Anderson, Moncada, Abreu, Eloy, Gallo, Robert, Grandal, Vaughn, Madrigal. That might be the best lineup in baseball, if Robert and Vaughn become the hitters we think they will. The only off season acquisition that might be required would be another bullpen arm.

I hope that you meant to put that post in teal.

The Braves are said to have released Lucroy, because they made a trade with the DBacks, to acquire catcher Stephen Vogt. He's not very good either, but apparently they prefer him to Lucroy. I have no idea what's going on with Lucroy, but if he could fill the hole, behind the plate, until Grandal returns, he could be useful. Noone answered my question, regarding how good of a defensive catcher Deivy Grullon is. Does anyone know? He has hit decently, since arriving at Charlotte.

That's a valid point. Nevertheless, I would think that he would be a defensive upgrade over Collins and Zavala. Is that appraisal too generous?

It would be for his defense and pitch calling, not for his bat.

Go get Lucroy. Simple and effective solution to the problem.

The question that I'd like answered is; with which teams are the Sox in competition to acquire a power, switch hitting second baseman, or a right handed reliever for the 8th inning?