Lillian

This acquisition of Fernandez could simply be about organizational depth. McCann will likely be gone by 2021, at the latest. Having a solid defensive catcher in the system, makes sense. It's premature to read much more into this move. We'll see. Has this move even been officially reported? I can't seem to find anything, to confirm it.

He elected to become a free agent. He was in their Minor League system a long time, having signed very young. The Royals organization is also pretty deep at the catching position. I find this signing to be a little reassuring, as the other catchers in the Sox' organization are all defensively challenged. Neither Mercedes, nor Zavala are ready to catch in the Big Leagues and many have their doubts about Collins. From the inception of this discussion about McCann, I have asserted that the possibility of Collins being thrust into the full time catching role, in the event of an injury to Grandal, was a major reason to hang onto McCann.

This move may, or may not signal that McCann is being moved, but they now have a solid defensive catcher, in the system to provide some insurance, in the event that Grandal is injured. Here is a quote from a September, 2018 article, on a Royals' site: "I think Fernandez could have been a backup catcher in the bigs during this season. His defense is outstanding. Fernandez blocks well and is a tremendous receiver with soft hands that frame well. As far as throwing, he has gunned down minor league runners at a 39% pace in his career and 41% this season in NWA. His throws are low, on the money, and carry well. Of all the catchers I’ve seen at NWA this season, he is the best overall. Fernandez’s bat seems to have developed this year and he is hitting .328/.382/.504 at NWA. I’ve always heard it said that RBI and hits are found on the opposite side of the field. Fernandez seems to have figured that out hitting 37.5% of pitches the other way in NWA. His pull rate is the lowest in his career at just 32.7%. For reference, his previous low for pull rate was 37.1%. Now, this is somewhat of a small sample size alert because he has only 131 plate appearances in NWA. Fernandez is carrying a .328 batting average with a .360 BABIP which suggests that he isn’t getting lucky and perhaps has more luck on his side in the future. Looking deeper into Fernandez’s bat we find a 7.6% BB rate compared to a 13.0% K rate this year at NWA. Over the course of his career, Fernandez’s walk rate is 7.7% and the strikeout rate is 13.3%. This year is a little better than his career norms on both accounts. A couple of other telling numbers are his ISO at .176 and wRC+ which is 138. Both those numbers are from this year at NWA which is a little more of a hitter’s park." I also found this, from last October: "The Royals drafted him in the 11th round in 2013, so he’s been in the organization awhile. He’s a very good receiver and looks to be a very good framer, so he definitely has the tools to be a backup catcher. He’s come around offensively to find himself firmly in the backup catcher conversation next year."

Having a Gold Glove second baseman, such as Yolmer, is more about depth, to cover potential injuries, than it is about late inning substitutions. If Madrigal succeeds, there is obviously no point in ever pulling him, for defensive purposes, in that he is a Gold Glove defender, himself. However, if Madrigal were to get hurt and have to miss any significant time, Sanchez would be a nice fall back option, especially with all of the offensive thunder, now in the lineup. HIs offensive deficiencies could easily be hidden in a deep lineup. The problem is what do you do with Sanchez, in the meantime? He really has no place to play, unless Moncada, or Madrigal are injured. He would just be riding the bench and driving his teammates crazy, with his antics. LOL.

Holt isn't much of a defender, is he? I doubt that he is any where near a gold glove second baseman.

Right, and remember we'll need him rested for all of those Post Season games. How's that for positive thinking? LOL. Seriously, 40 games of rest, would be reasonable. 50 days off might be excessive.

OK. It's not an issue for me, but was rather just an assumption, on my part. McCann's numbers vs. LHP were very good, last season, in 122 at bats: 295 .372 .492 .864

I would think that giving McCann all of the starts vs. lefties, wouldn't be more than the normal load for the 2ND catcher. How many starts to you expect Grandal to get, behind the plate? He started 110 games, as catcher in 2018 and 124 behind the plate, last year. Keeping Grandal fresh and rested should help him. Why wear him out, when the Sox have McCann there to spell him games?

McCann should certainly get all of the starts vs. LH pitching. His splits were terrific vs. lefties and Grandal is just average when batting right handed.

I agree with you and that has been my position, since the Grandal signing. However, I sure wouldn't want a disgruntled guy on the bench, especially since his role as mentor is one of the main objectives in keeping him.

If McCann is unhappy, he is very unlikely to stay past this year, as he will have the opportunity to go elsewhere, as a free agent. As much as I'd love to keep him, if this suggestion that he is unhappy is true, he should be traded.

I just saw this photo, for the first time. He has added a considerable amount of muscle, in the last couple of years, but his body fat is still very low. That is the most impressive physique that I've ever seen, for a baseball player.

That's interesting because they are actually quite different physical types. Trout fits your description of "bulky". Robert is chiselled, or as someone here said, "sinewy," which is a very good choice of words.

I would describe him as muscular, but not "bulky". He seems quite defined, to me.

So, after proclaiming that they were going to shore up their rotation, it appears that the Twins will spend the big money on another bat, in Donaldson. That offense worked last year, but ultimately, it's still pitching that wins championships and their rotation looks pretty thin and pretty weak. They have reportedly offered $90 million to Donaldson and if he signs with them, he could certainly replace the loss of Cron and Schoop, but if the League goes back to the old ball, I don't see them continuing to hit the long ball, at last year's pace.

Thanks for the clarification. Based upon what I've read, it appears that Colorado would want at least both Vaughn and Madrigal. That doesn't seem reasonable to me. I understand Arenado's motivation for the opt out, but unless the need for his team to be competitive were carefully spelled out and contractually binding, the risk of him bolting, after just 2 seasons, makes such a deal untenable, IMO.

I'm confused, or perhaps befuddled is a better word. The Rockies seem to be asking for the moon, from any team interested in Arenado. Any team that trades for Arenado will have to take on his remaining seven years and $234 million owed. Moreover, the third baseman has an opt-out clause after the 2021 season. Therefore, it's really like only getting two years of the All Star third baseman, at a salary, which though fair, is not any bargain. My question is two fold; why would anyone give up 3 top 100 prospects for the Colorado slugger and how do you value that kind of player and contract, with only 2 years of control guaranteed?

The new rule requires that relief pitchers pitch to a minimum of 3 batters, the inning in which they enter the game. Spacing out the left handers hitters means that an opposing manager would be reluctant to bring in a LOOGY, because he might have to pitch to 2, out of 3 right handed hitters.

Agree with this too and with the manager, as well, if he does indeed adopt that strategy.

Agree

That is a very good suggestion.

Well, Marte does hit RH pitching better than LH pitching, so you are right, it's not really an issue. I guess I'm just satisfied enough with the roster, the way that it's now constructed. Bring in one more relief pitcher and let's get the season started.

Now, you want to trade a LH hitter and a LH hitting prospect, for a RH hitting outfielder. I would be shocked if Hahn would be interested in pursuing that kind of trade.

Thank you, gentlemen, for an interesting, spirited discussion. It appears that most here have not been moved off of their original positions. It is obviously a contentious issue and It will be interesting to see what course the front office takes.

Are you seriously suggesting that McCann is anything other than a solid, capable receiver? The catcher doesn't have to be a Gold Glover, but he has to be a legitimate Major League catcher.