Lillian

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?

We'll see what management does with Reed. If they simply send him to AAA, for the rest of the season, then I'll concede that that was the plan and that I was wrong. Yes, and I have seen his unimpressive AAA numbers, from this year, albeit in limited playing time.

Then what was the point of signing Reed? And please, there is no need to be condescending. I'm not an idiot and am perfectly aware that Collins hits left handed.

Sending Reed to Charlotte makes little sense, as he has already proven his ability to hit AAA pitching. Reed is in his final option season, so he’ll need to make next year’s Opening Day roster or else be exposed to waivers once again. Therefore, this is the last chance for the Sox to find out if he has any value, going forward. Why not give him Alonso's playing time, split between first base and DH, the rest of this season. If he can finally establish his ability to hit at the Major League level, he could be a useful piece next season, in the same role, even if Abreu comes back. That would also allow the Sox to give Vaughn sufficient experience, before rushing him to the Big Leagues. If he can establish his Major League credentials, Reed is young enough to be a valuable trade chip, once Vaughn arrives. Or, he could continue to DH, if Abreu is only signed for another couple of years. Regarding Collins: if they want to keep him in Chicago, they really need to dump Castillo. If Castillo is going to remain on the roster, Zack should go back to Charlotte. It probably isn't that risky to let Castillo go, as they could always give Mercedes, or Zavala some playing time, if McCann or Collins were to suffer an injury. I just don't see the future value of Collins, as a first baseman, or DH. Either he develops as a serviceable catcher, or he likely has no future, with the Sox.

His split stats are pretty impressive. He has really struggled against LH pitching, but has been very good vs. RH pitching, in his Minor League Career.

Eloy is hitting homers at a 40 per season pace. I wonder where he would be, if he hadn't lost over 3 weeks to the ankle injury. Quite impressive for a 22 year old rookie.

As soon as Anderson returns, putting Leury in RF would be fine, for the rest of the season. If both Robert and Madrigal are on the team next year, they could do worse than having Leury in RF, while the top OF prospects continue to develop, on the Farm.

This is not intended to be an argument either for, or against, Palka's presence on the current roster, but merely as a clarification. His 27 home runs, in his rookie year, were hit over just 3/4 of a season. He projected to hit 35 homers, in a full 162 game season. Of course, he would likely always fall short of the full number of at bats, because he would likely not see much playing time against LH pitching. Nevertheless, his home run rate of 1 per every 15 at bats, was quite impressive for a rookie. Again, whether, or not, he should be on the roster is the question. It's an interesting debate.

I misspoke. I meant to say his "average," not his "BABIP". The point that I was trying to make was, that since there are virtually no other at bats to consider, other than walks, his BABIP will translate very closely to his batting average, because he doesn't make many outs, via the strike out.

What would you guess Madrigal's BABIP will be, when he gets to the Big Leagues? Whatever it is, that will pretty much be his batting average, because there probably won't be enough strike outs to significantly impact that BABIP. Wow, is that refreshing.

And don't forget Burger, who is likely only going to be able to play first, or DH. Then too, there is still Palka, who also only fits at first, or DH. I suspect it will all sort itself out. Eloy is working hard on his defence and has actually looked quite serviceable in LF, lately.

They are facing another lefty today, so R. R. is trying to stack the lineup with RH hitters. His other options are Jay, Palka or Collins, all left handed hitters, although Jay hits lefties very well. I would have used him, instead of Rodon. Maybe Jon isn't feeling well. Oops, I forgot that Abreu needs a day off, from playing first, after yesterday's double header. So, Palka would have been the other choice, not Jay.

The purpose of citing his AAA stats is not to attempt to convince anyone that he is a productive hitter. He has already established his bonafides, especially most recently, with his 2017 Major League production, with the Twins, when he hit 38 homers. The point is that he had a hip injury, which resulted in surgery. When the Yankees signed him to a Minor League contract in April, there were concerns about his health. His performance at AAA serves to alleviate those health concerns. The Yankees thought that he might be a useful piece, which given all of their depth, and considering that he hadn't even demonstrated that he was fully recovered, suggests that not everyone thinks that he is a useless "bum". Again, if the Sox do not care about trying to win games, then I agree that there is no point in bringing in a guy, who will likely not be part of the future. However, if they do want to put the best team on the field, for the remainder of this season, that is a different story. Providing some protection for Eloy would be advantageous. I suspect that Morrison would be willing to take almost any offer to get playing time, in order to try to establish his value, as he vies for a contract in free agency, next year. Regarding Collins: If the Sox can dump Castillo, it would be fine to have Collins serve as the back up catcher, under McCann's tutelage, for the remainder of this year. In that scenario, Zack could DH on days when McCann catches. The only problem with that plan is the inherent risk of having both catchers starting in the same game.

I continue to favour sending Collins back to AAA, in order to get him more playing time, behind the plate. Having him DH is not going to help his development, as a catcher. McCann needs to be catching most of the games. Having McCann mentor him is a plus, but there is no substitution for getting the experience. If he cannot become a serviceable catcher, I don't think that his bat will play as a DH.

Everyone is complaining that R. R. is giving DH at bats to Rondon. Morrison would be a huge upgrade. Of course, if the object is to tank again, for another Draft pick, then I understand the objection to acquiring anyone who could help win ball games. In just 43 games, at AAA Scranton, Morrison has 11 doubles, 15 HR's, 37 RBI's, with a .289 AVG, .350 OBP and a .658 SLG%. His OPS is 1000. Oh, and against RHP, this season he has 11 homers in 105 at bats, one every 10 trips to the plate. Some "Bum". I would guess that my bad idea will be adopted by some team in need of a useful bat. And where did I say that they should acquire him, simply because he bats left handed? While I would consider that another positive factor, that is not the only reason to consider him. His numbers speak for themselves.

Hey, what would be wrong with picking up Logan Morrison, who was released by the Yankees? He is recovered from his hip surgery and was hitting really well at AAA. He's only 31 and is a bonafide power bat, from the left side. He would be a replacement for Alonso, and offer some protection for Eloy. I wouldn't sign him to any long term contract, but he might be willing to come to the South Side, on a short term deal, just to re-establish his value. That would make Palka haters happy, as he could go back to AAA.

You can add Maury Wills and Vince Coleman to the list of former stolen base leaders, who managed to steal bases without getting hurt. Although Henderson slid head first, most of the time, that might be part of the problem for many base stealers. I think Madrigal is using the feet first slide.