Lillian

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.

Aren't both Zavala and Mercedes considered poor defensive catchers? What good defensive veteran catcher is out there, whom could be acquired, in the event of an injury to Grandal? Isn't it more common for a team, with a good all around catcher, to have a really good defensive, albeit poor hitting catcher, as his tandem? That would be acceptable, in my opinion. Perhaps I just place more value on the defensive side of catching. A good hitting catcher is a bonus, but not essential. A poor defensive catcher is unacceptable. I have never seen a scouting report on Collins, which was optimistic about his defense.

OK, so then do I understand that you would be comfortable with having Collins be the primary receiver, in the event of an injury to Grandal? And, if so, then who would be his tandem partner? Regarding your second question; Hopefully, we will have a better idea of Collins capabilities by 2021, whether he plays full time at Charlotte, or in a very limited role on the Sox. I just don't like the idea of risking giving him responsibilities, which are beyond his capabilities. If he were a really good defensive catcher, given the strength of our offense, it would be plausible to just carry his bat, even if his hitting were disappointing. However, I'm not comfortable with the idea of trusting his ability to be an every day catcher. Catchers get hurt. It's a position which subjects players to a lot of punishment. It's so easy to take a foul tip off a finger and be lost for months. It seems like a wonderful situation to have two good defensive catchers, sharing the duties. That, to me, is a higher priority. Nevertheless, I respect and appreciate your point of view.

I understand your point, however remember that catching is a 2 man position, even with the best receiver. No one catches every game. Your back up catcher is not merely there for insurance. He is going to get approximately 1/3 of the games, and is therefore almost like a starter.

It's a matter of priorities. Which do you regard as more important; finding playing time for Collins, in order to evaluate his, as yet undetermined capabilities, or making sure that there is a proven, capable catcher to handle the 2020 pitching staff? If you want to prioritize the former, then give him more playing time, even if it means McCann has to spend more time on the bench. His salary is not inhibiting any other moves. I'd prefer to put the best team possible on the field this year and finally begin to compete. Two rookies; Robert and Madrigal are enough question marks to have among the position players.

If McCann is traded and Grandal is injured, who becomes the full time catcher? Do you really believe that Collins, who is defensively challenged and unproven as a Major League hitter, is a viable choice to assume the responsibilities of an every day catcher? Is there anyone else in the organization who is a capable enough receiver, to be given that responsibility? Zavala, Mercedes, Gonzales? What is the urgency to trade McCann and his reasonable salary? He will be a free agent, and likely gone, after this season. If Collins is ready then, to be Grandal's tandem partner, he could be given the opportunity in 2021, but it's premature to do so now and not necessary.

I was hopeful that this separate topic would avoid the issue of whether, or not, the Sox should be thinking about a platoon for Mazara. That has been discussed, ad nauseam, elsewhere. I would really appreciate some astute analysis of this topic. Thanks. Carry on.

I've been doing some research on Mazara's thumb injury. Mazara sprained the thumb diving for a fly ball in the outfield in a game against the Orioles, just before the 2018 All-Star break. He started the second half on the disabled list and wasn't activated until Aug. 16. The injury lingered and was reaggravated, as recently as late last season. It seems to have affected him during most of the last season and a half. Mazara said the best thing he can do is stay under control at the plate. If he does that and doesn't over swing, it keeps him from irritating the thumb. I noticed that he actually made some significant strides, in his power numbers, versus LH pitching, during the 2018 and 2019 seasons, despite the thumb injury. In his first two seasons, he only hit 2 homers, in a total of 234 at bats. Over the last 2 seasons, he hit 13 homers, in just over 300 at bats. Last year, he also had 10 doubles, in just 179 at bats, versus lefties. His numbers versus RH pitching, were actually worse during his last 2 years, than they were during in first 2 seasons. I'm wondering how the sprained thumb might have affected him more against RH pitching, than against lefties. It may be linked to his admission that he felt better when "staying under control". That is something that is more of a focal point, when facing pitchers, from the same side. A hitter has to discipline himself not to bail on breaking pitches, which initially are directed at the hitter, before breaking away from him. It is more critical to remain under control in that situation, which could explain why he improved versus lefties, but was more significantly affected by the injury, against RH pitching. Perhaps he often failed to stay under control, to the same degree, against RH pitching, because as a left handed hitter, he had a tendency to stride earlier, and open up, to the pull side, in anticipation of the pitch. I wanted to open a discussion on this topic, without lots of irrelevant comments, regarding the trade, or the need for a Mazara platoon partner. Does anyone have any other possible explanations, regarding the injury and Mazara's relative performance, year to year, against RH and LH pitching?

MERRY CHRISTMAS everyone. I hope that you are all pleased with what "SHAHNTA" has brought us. Good Night.

I'm satisfied that the Sox have acquired two left handed power hitters, in Grandal (Switch hitter) and Mazara. That need has been fulfilled by Hahn, who apparently shared my desire to attain better balance in the lineup. Catching is about defense first. I haven't advocated trading Collins and I'm hopeful that he will develop into a serviceable receiver and good OBP, power bat. However, as I've said repeatedly, he is not ready to be the every day catcher, if Grandal should get hurt. The Sox should feel very comfortable knowing that they have such good catching depth. Contrary to what some may think, I'm not excessively partial to left handed hitters. What I have been concerned about, for so long, is the lack of balance. Without this season's acquisitions, the Sox would have had 1 run producing, left handed hitter, in Moncada. That is not an ideal situation. As I've stated, I wouldn't want an all left handed hitting lineup, any more than I would be satisfied with an all right handed hitting lineup. Balance is the ideal, for which a team should strive.

OK, fine. Then find a defensive catcher and sign him to a Minor League contract, if necessary, before trading away McCann. Last year, we had two qualified Major League catchers, in McCann and Castillo. I would like at least that kind of depth, for this coming season. It can't be emphasized enough that, unlike other positions, catching already begins as a tandem unit. It's not the same as other positions, where there is a regular and then a backup, in case of injury. You start with 2 catchers, sharing the work load. I simply don't think that it's prudent to start with a tandem of Grandal and Collins. It would be fine, if Grandal doesn't get hurt. However, if he misses any significant time, you are then relying on an unproven, defensively challenged catcher, and no good defensive tandem partner. In other words, not one single qualified, proven defensive back stop. I'm sorry, but that just won't fly, in my humble opinion. Would you really want to have to rely upon Collins and Zavala as your catchers, if Grandal went on the DL?