Lillian

If they acquire Grandal, Gardner would be ok, on a short term contract. Works for me, if they spend the money on pitching. Moreover, if they let Grandal catch, with McCann, there would still be room to sign a veteran, such as Encarnacion, to a short term contract, to DH. Of course, that leaves Abreu with a lot of playing time at first, and dramatically reduces playing time for Collins.

You're right. Pederson is also terrible against LH pitching, and should probably be platooned, as well. I'm sorry, but Gardner just doesn't inspire me, because he doesn't have the power to hit in the heart of the order. I don't trust last year's home run totals, which could be an outlier.

Yes, of course there are some great players, however I was referring specifically to the RF hole, and an effort to fill it with a middle of the order, LH bat.

As I stated, Calhoun has been awful, against LH pitching, so he would have to be platooned. Reddick offers little power, for a guy who has put up sub par OBP, the last couple of seasons. I'm just not intrigued by either player. All just more evidence of how few LH power bats there are, out there. Very frustrating. The Sox have the money to spend, and no one to spend it on.

That is a valid point. The problem is that there just aren't any good left handed, right fielders, in this year's free agent class. You know me, I'm dead set on finding some lineup balance, with the 2 open spots, in our offense. If they sign Grandal, I suppose that they could try to get buy, until 2021, as you suggest.

The Dodgers have their 3 outfielders in Verdugo, Bellinger and Pollock. Pederson is expendable. What do you expect that he will get, in his final year of arbitration?

I also like Moustakas, but he really should be at 3RD. If he plays any other position, he's probably more suitable to become a first baseman. He really isn't suited for 2ND, although he played there all last season. I'm just not ready to move Moncada off of 3RD.

"Caulfield", I would be ok with Fry, Fulmer and someone like Walker, but not Bummer. If that wouldn't get it done, for one year of Pederson, then I'd pass.

As much as I would love J. D. Martinez's bat, it's hard to see how he fits, beyond 2020, if they resign Abreu. Vaughn will be at first base, by 2021 and Abreu is the DH. With the imminent arrival of 3 young impact players, Robert, Madrigal and Vaughn, it would seem prudent to exercise a little patience, until the Sox can better determine what they will need, in 2021. Nevertheless, they do need a LH presence, in the heavily weighted RH lineup. One question is; Would Grandal represent a defensive upgrade, at first base, over Abreu? If so, I like giving him playing time at first and sharing the catching with McCann and Collins, in 2020. If Collins establishes himself, then it would not be necessary to resign McCann, as Collins and Grandal could share the catching duties in 2021, once Vaughn arrives. Right field is an issue, but not without several potential organizational solutions, starting in 2021. 4 of our top prospects are all candidates to fill the hole in RF and 3 of them bat left handed. If neither Adolfo, Rutherford, Basabe or Walker demonstrate their ability to take that roster spot, then perhaps Mookie Betts could be the answer. If Boston doesn't extend him, he will be a free agent, following this season. He might be worth waiting for, while keeping some financial flexibility for such a move. I certainly prefer him, over JDM, because of his age and ability to play defense. There is also the possibility of a trade for Joc Pederson, or signing Dickerson, or Calhoun. Pederson is my favorite, of the 3, because he is a genuine middle of the order, left handed power bat, especially against RH pitching. The fact that he would come with just one more year of control is not really a negative, as that would buy time to see if one of our prospects emerges as a viable right field option. The front office would not have to make a big financial commitment, even though he is arbitration eligible, for this year. If he could be acquired, without giving up any key, core players, he would be my choice. Over the last 3 years, Calhoun has been awful against LH pitching, and therefore is really a platoon candidate. The question with Dickerson is whether, or not, he has the arm to play RF. While I don't expect it to happen, my real preference would be to trade for Pederson and sign Grandal. Pederson would hold down RF for one year, while Grandal and Collins split time between catcher and first base. Abreu becomes the full time DH, while providing depth at first base, in case of an injury. 2020 2B Madrigal SS Anderson LF Eloy 3B Moncada LH DH Abreu RF Pederson LH CF Robert (eventually bats much higher in the order) 1B Grandal LH/Collins LH C McCann/Grandal LH/Collins LH 2021 Once Vaughn arrives, Grandal moves to primary catcher and, if Collins establishes himself as a Major League catcher, McCann is not resigned: 2B Madrigal SS Anderson LF Eloy 3B Moncada LH CF Robert DH Abreu C Grandal/Collins LH RF Adolfo/Rutherford/Basabe/Walker or Free Agent, hopefully Mookie Betts, who would bat in the heart of the order. 1B Vaughn (like Robert, moves up in the order, once established) Adding just Pederson and Grandal would leave lots of money to spend on pitching, while perhaps locking up Moncada, Giolito and Robert, with extensions. As for the pitching, I'd like 2 starters, a #1, or 2 and a #4, or 5. One more back end of the bullpen reliever should also be on the wish list.

The Japanese player, in whom I am most interested, is the one at the top of the list, which I provided. I mentioned that he suffered a terrible leg injury, this past Spring and I can't seem to find any information about his recovery, rehab or future. If anyone has any updates, I'd appreciate the info. In the meantime, here is a quote from an article, last year, in which he was discussed: Yuki Yanagita (OF, SoftBank Hawks) Age: 30 (He turns 31 next month - born Oct, 1988) The top performer in NPB in terms of wRC+ this past season with an unreal 207 mark, Yanagita is considered one of the biggest stars of the league and one that is a starting MLB caliber player. He slashed a dominant .352/.431/.661 in 2018 with 36 HRs and 21 SBs and supported it with a 19.1% strikeout rate and 11.3% walk rate over 550 PAs. Success isn’t foreign for Yanagita at the plate either as over his 7 full-time seasons, he’s got a.319 career batting average, a .420 career on-base%, posted double-digits in both HRs and SBs in each of the last 6 years, and notably was the 2015 Pacific League MVP. Yanagita reportedly has expressed MLB interest and could come as soon as next season when he’s eligible for International Free Agency, but do note that the Softbank Hawks have him under contract for another year after that which could mean a 2020 posting scenario or 2021 International Free agent signing. He’ll be on the back half of his baseball career at that point so we likely won’t get his best, still, his power/speed combo with his ability to hit and get on base should make him a desired target both for MLB teams and those in dynasty leagues!

Do you have a better suggestion? Dickerson or Calhoun don't look like the answer, to me.

There aren't really any suitable MLB free agents. However, there are a few Japanese players, who could fill the hole in RF and have stated intentions of coming to the U. S., in 2020. If he recovers from that awful leg injury, which he suffered this last Spring, Yuki Yanagita would be a very good fit. If not, then perhaps Shogo Akiyama, or Yoshitomo Tsutsugo. They are all left handed power bats, with very good OBP's, who play right field. Tsutsugo may not be a good enough defender to play RF, but the other two would be plus defenders.

The Reed situation is entirely different, not because he is left handed and Robert isn't. My argument about Reed was that, given his age and Minor League tenure, he was going to have to be on the 40 Man Roster, next year, or be exposed to a waiver claim. Moreover, he has already had a few years at AAA and has nothing left to prove there. He needs to be given Major League at bats, in order to determine whether, or not, he is worth keeping. Interesting to note that the front office agreed with that reasoning, which is why they changed their minds and brought him up. Regarding the length of time that I have argued that they could use a middle of the order left handed bat: Yes, it's been just about as long as they have not had one. I'll probably continue to hope that they find one, until they finally do. Reed is just the next guy up. If he doesn't work, they'll likely try someone else. Moncada is the only viable candidate, but hitting 4TH or 5TH probably isn't the ideal spot for him. Again, the front office seems to be on the same page, with me, regarding this issue. because they keep trying. In any case, it has nothing to do with Robert. They will decide when to bring him up, based upon the kinds of considerations, which have been discussed in this thread, and elsewhere. Many posters have raised valid points, and we all have to just hope that they have a sound plan.

I did not say one word about the left handed issue, in my post. You, Sir are the one who brought it up. Does this mean that every time I post something, that someone is going to try to remind everyone about my desire for better balance in the order? If that is the case, well so be it. However, it is ridiculous. Yes, I have a point of view, on the subject, as do you. However, that does not mean that it is the only subject, regarding the Sox, or baseball in general, about which I have thoughts and opinions. It's not very gratifying to be the subject of such unreasonable scrutiny. If I express an opinion about another topic, why should anyone, reply with "Yes, but it's because he isn't left handed"? Do you see how unintelligent that sounds?

For those who seem to think that being left handed is my only qualification for a hitter, let me put it this way: If Robert becomes Mike Trout, I would put him in whatever spot in the middle of the lineup, which would best fit. Now, would that eliminate the appropriateness of acquiring a middle of the order, left handed bat, to provide better balance to the lineup. The answer is no. You don't think that the front office agrees with that assertion? Why are they running one left handed bat, after another, through the organization? It's so obvious, that it's really not worth expending any more effort to clarify it. Dunn, La Roche, Palka, Alonso and now Reed. They are trying to fill that void. I am simply agreeing with the front office. If you don't agree, criticize them.

Oy, that again. Stop already.

Yes, he does look like he may end up being the best of all of the talented young core, which this team has assembled. I've watched Robert hit a lot, on MILB TV games, and he is still chasing the low and away, breaking balls. Once he learns to lay off those pitches, as Eloy seems to be learning to do, he should indeed be a Super Star. As I said, I'm excited, but just trying to temper some of the "over the top" optimism. Will he become a 30/30 guy, a 40/40 guy, or a 50/50 guy? That is the question for me. If it's the former that's a good outcome. If it's the latter, that is absolutely fantastic. That would be Mike Trout, HOF, best player in Sox History, kind of good. It will be fun to see, either way.

I am as excited, as anyone. The future does indeed look bright. However, calm down guys. It was one game. I think Collins hit a couple homers in his first game of the season, didn't he? And now there are those who are ready to give up on him. Let's just see if Robert can continue to excel. As far as going for the Post Season this year is concerned, that would seem to be complete folly. The pitching staff has been completely decimated with injuries. After Giolito and Cease, there isn't anyone who belongs on a contending team. We all know that, even if nights like tonight might help us to forget it. Next year is the year to really be stoked. It is fun to think about a team built around these exciting young players and a starting rotation of Giolito, Kopech, Cease and whomever JR agrees to spend money on, in free agency. I can't wait.

That's why he's going to get the playing time. We should all want to find out, one way, or the other. Here are his AAA Split Stats from 2016 through last year, versus RH pitching: AVG OBP SLG% OPS 2018 .272 .363 .554 .916 24 HR 345 AB 2017 .287 .375 .590 .966 29 HR 349 AB 2016 .306 .361 .585 .946 11 HR 183 AB

I suspected that your comment was made in jest, but as much grief as I get around here, for wanting a better balance in the line up, I never know when someone is serious, when it comes to that subject.

I'd be interested to hear more about Reed's weight, and what all of your thoughts are, on the subject. This young man seems to be in quite awful shape. That's quite a belly he's carrying there, and I understand that he has not expressed any interest in trying to change that.

I am aware of that. My mentioning Mercedes was only as an emergency replacement for either Collins, or McCann, in the event that one of them were injured, after having released Castillo, should the Sox elect to do that. I also suggested Zavala, in that same context, realising that he also hits right handed. Under a scenario, in which Castillo were moved and Collins, or McCann were injured, someone would have to assume the back up catcher role, regardless of the side of the plate, from which they hit. I wasn't suggesting the Mercedes be given the DH role.

If the Sox traded McCann, that would be even more infuriating than missing out on the Harper/Machado "sweepstakes". I give Hahn more credit than that. They have lucked into filling the catching void, and to now trade it away, would be just stupid. The question should be whether, or not, to extend him, not for whom could we trade him.

Thank you. I stand corrected. If he is only required to be on the 40 Man Roster, the Sox could do that, if they were concerned about losing him. Nevertheless, until Reed gets some significant MLB at bats, it would seem to be pretty difficult to evaluate him. If he hits well at Charlotte, what would that prove? He's done that at AAA, for a few seasons now, and still no one seems to have any confidence that he has a future in the Big Leagues. Guys like that have to be given a chance to succeed, or fail, at the Major League level, in order to discover who they are. Short of that, they remain proverbial AAAA players, which is the moniker Reed now wears.

I'm sorry that I didn't see the humour. I understand. Well, if he was acquired simply for depth, then he won't be there long. Again, he will have to be exposed to the waiver claims, unless he is on next year's Roster, or am I mistaken about his needing to be on the 25 man roster? Does that requirement only pertain to the 40 Man Roster?