Lillian

FYI: Gavin Sheets' father is Larry, but there was also Ben Sheets, the pitcher, who I don't think is related.

I would guess that there are at least 2 guys at Charlotte ahead of Blake, in the event that someone is called up, to play RF. Both Sheets and the newly acquired Goodwin would be more likely than Rutherford. He still has a lot to prove in his disappointing Minor League career. Nick Williams may also be ahead of him, on the depth chart. They really could use someone from outside of the organization.

Is it possible that La Russa, Hahn, or someone else in the organization, is using Stone to deliver a message to Moncada? Perhaps he has been criticized by management, but it hasn't been effective and this is simply another way to make the point. I have no idea, just wondering. This has to be coming from somewhere. I don't believe that Stone is simply inventing this public criticism, all on his own, for no reason.

Sounds more like you are making points for the critics. "Not a natural base stealer". So, he isn't going to put in the work to learn to become something, at which he isn't already so gifted that he can't accomplish it, just on his talent. "He gets banged up too much running and sliding...." Oh, so sorry. We wouldn't want him to get any burns or bruises, from sliding, would we? You may want to reconsider your argument. Those points aren't very convincing. Look, I admire the guy's talent and hope that he becomes a super star. So far, however, he definitely isn't.

And, he'll be a very rich man, while doing so. Maybe having made all of that money, in his early 20's isn't a problem, but it's not implausible.

Swagger, or emotion, are not very indicative of this issue, one way or the other. There are lots of things that go into being one's best, on the field, which we fans never see. As fans, we are not privy to things such as studying pitchers, but they can be very important in determining the results on the field. One thing no one has mentioned is his lack of attempted steals. It is understandable that his bout with Covid, sapped his energy, last year, and there is the issue of taking the bat out of Jose's hands, by vacating first base, with Abreu on deck. However, a guy with his speed, who is not hitting for much power, might be expected to have attempted at least a few steals, especially with all of the walks that he has received. I had great expectations that he would develop into a dual offensive threat of power and speed. but so far, that hasn't been part of his game. Perhaps it doesn't have anything to do with the issue which we are discussing, but it's worth considering. Regarding Steve Stone: One's opinion of Stone is really not all that relevant here. It seems like that old trope about "shooting the messenger". Either this criticism of Moncada is valid, or it isn't. Unless, there is some disingenuous motive to Stone's comments, perhaps we should not try to reduce this discussion down to our respective opinions regarding our TV color broadcaster. The issue here is; Is Moncada giving sufficient effort to his game, or isn't he.

I'm sorry, but I don't understand the point.

Yes, Moncada has always been in great shape. However, that is not necessarily an indication of his drive to be a great baseball player. Perhaps he just likes taking care of his body.

I have no idea what is inside Yoan Moncada's head and heart. I just hope that he is able to take advantage of his exceptional natural talent and athleticism, to become the great player that he likely has the potential to become. So far, the results are underwhelming.

Demonstrable emotion and burning intensity are not necessarily the same thing. One can be very driven, but not outwardly emotional.

The long grind of an entire baseball season is a challenge for any player. Having an extremely competitive nature, and a ceaseless drive to be the best are not easily attainable traits. He may just not be one of those exceptionally driven players, when it comes to baseball. There are many other things in life, and not every player is obsessed with being a baseball player. Unfortunately, that's probably what it takes to be great at the game. There might be an inverse relationship between natural talent and relentless drive. The more talent one has, the less they have had to rely upon that competitive drive. Yoan certainly has plenty of natural talent. He is an exceptional athlete. You can look no further than a couple of his teammates, to find the opposite. Vaughn and Madrigal are two guys who have probably always had to work harder than others, to get to where they wanted to be. Again, it's just human nature.

Just to clarify: My suggestion that Moncada may not be the kind of guy, who could remain highly motivated after getting a huge contract, has nothing to do with his being a Latino. That is why I said that Abreu was such a great mentor, and I might add role model. In fact, it is only human nature to be a little complacent, once one is guaranteed a fortune. It has nothing to do with his nationality,

Let's hope that he can correct whatever issues he has. If the season were to end right now, he would not be the best option to join the starting rotation for the playoffs. Rodon, Lynn, and Kopech are all in front of him, at this point. And Cease might get there, if he can be more consistent. Giolito is certainly not pitching like the Ace of the staff. You would have to think that Katz "will fix him". No one knows him better.

Moncada strikes me as the type of guy who might not be able to stay highly motivated, after getting a big long term contract. I hope that's not the case, but he has already locked up a fortune, at a much younger age than the typical free agent. Let's hope that he still has the strong competitive drive to get the most out of his exceptional natural talent. Abreu is indeed the perfect mentor to have around all of the young Latin players on this team.

A Mr. Mercedes may not quite agree with you.

That is Mark Feinsand talking, not Sox management. One would have to believe that this is just some inconsequential person's speculation and completely unfounded. The Sox are anything but a "perfect landing spot".

Pujols is not worth worrying about, as it is very improbable that the Sox would try to acquire him. La Russa is not that mentally challenged. Not knowing a new rule is one thing, trying to fix a hole in CF with a player who can only DH, is yet another. If he were to push for such a move, I would quickly join the chorus of those who want him replaced.

I remember reading this article and thinking that Sheets may become a "viable option" for RF, at some time in the future. Looks like that future could be now: https://www.mlb.com/news/gavin-sheets-ready-for-spring-training-2021

Gallo will still be under control next year, which will be his last year of arbitration.

It's hard to believe that the Cubs would accept nothing more than Cespedes, for Bryant.

If they acquire Gallo, he is your right fielder for the rest of this year and next. Goodwin holds down CF, until Engel is ready. Vaughn stays in left. Next year, when Eloy and Robert come back, you don't pick up Eaton's option and you figure out what to do with the combination of Mercedes, Vaughn, Abreu and Eloy. Four first basemen/DH guys, all right handed. If Vaughn lives up to expectations, Abreu continues to age well, Mercedes is anything close to legitimate and Eloy is who we know he is, you figure it out when the time comes.

Eaton batting behind Abreu. I hope that Jose can restrain himself and take some of the pitches, he's liable to see out of the zone. He's been cold, but if you were the opposing pitcher, wouldn't you still go around him, to get to Eaton? Perhaps they can't afford the luxury of leaving T. A. in the leadoff spot. Until they add some thunder, he probably needs to hit in the middle of the order. With this roster, why not have Madrigal lead off, Moncada 2ND, Abreu, then Anderson?

What kind of return do you think Lynn and Rodon would net, if they were to move them now? Maybe it's time to think about punting, to shore up the few holes, on next year's team. Could we get back some really promising young arms and maybe a LH power bat for right field? I just don't think that the Sox have the pieces to trade for 2 outfielders, who could replace both Eloy and Robert, and with Engel's return in doubt, it's at least worth considering trying to keep the core and capitalize on the two starting pitchers, who will be free agents at the end of the season. Oh, and you could add Grandal to the list. Eaton could be another name to move, if you get back a good young outfielder who is ready to get a little Major League experience. I'm not advocating it, but it would be interesting to consider. The farm is pretty thin at this point. and this front office doesn't seem particularly adept at signing free agents, especially on a tight budget.

It was "exactly" two consecutive seasons.

Let's assume that Robert is going to be out for a month, or 2. Engel is the obvious replacement, which doesn't negatively impact the defense. The issue is how to replace Robert's bat. With two of our best RH hitters missing, it appears that Vaughn will now remain in left field and Mercedes will continue to be the DH. If Hahn is going to acquire another outfielder, it probably means that he would replace Eaton in RF. Eaton started the season on a tear, but has recently looked like he is hurt and has become a strike out machine, at the plate. My hope is that the Sox can acquire a left handed hitting right fielder, who will soon become a free agent. A rental, such as Conforto would be the kind of player, whom Hahn could target. The problem is that the Mets are not in a sell mode. With their pitching, they consider themselves a viable post season candidate. If the Sox don't bring in someone from another organization, I'd still like to see if they could try to get by with Lamb at 3RD and see if Moncada could play RF, just until Robert returns. Lamb is only 30, and now seems to be completely healthy. He was a solid LH hitter, before he tore his rotator cuff, which has been surgically repaired. If they aren't going to use him, when they have to turn to their bench, why did they acquire him? Frankly, what would worry me the most is Yoan pulling a hamstring, while chasing down a fly ball.