Lillian

Yes, hand eye coordination, along with good vision, are essential for hitters. However, even then, many hitters take a long time to develop the skill.

I've been wondering the same thing. Perhaps someone needs to invent an effective piece of protective head gear, for pitchers.

OK, so you would prefer to bring up Robert to play CF. I understand that argument, but I assume that you recognise that there are very good reasons not to do that. Perhaps one of the best reasons is that management is not eager to start the clock on his service time. One might think that a stint in AAA would be a more prudent approach. Then, they could wait until the point, next season, when he would not have yet accrued a year's worth of service time, to bring him up. Remember, this team is not in contention this season. So, what's the rush? Cordell might be ok, but he is not as good of a defender as Engel, and he has not done anything, at either AAA or the Big League level, to distinguish himself as a top prospect. There is only 4 months difference in the ages of Cordell and Engel, so that isn't a factor. You might think that some of us enjoy "pain and misery," but I can assure that I'm not one of those. I'm just trying to be objective and consider all of the options. I have always thought that Engel had loud enough tools to be given every opportunity to succeed. He is very fast and an elite defensive centerfielder. He's strong enough to be a power hitter, but admittedly has had a very difficult time developing his contact skills, with the bat. I think that the organization has always given him more opportunities, not only because of his potential, but because they recognise that he was a football first athlete and learning to hit is a long and difficult process for all but the most gifted hitters. I've always contended that hitting is a skill, which can be learned, without great athletic ability, but it does require a tremendous amount of practice. The offensive bar for Engel is lower than it would be, for an average outfielder, given Adam's defence. If he could hit just .250, with an OBP nearing .340 and hit 15 to 20 homers, he would be a very serviceable centerfielder and certainly a viable option as a 4TH outfielder. I personally don't think that goal is unattainable for him, but that's obviously just a fan's opinion. Apparently Sox management shares that view, or he wouldn't have been given as many opportunities, as he has. Sending Cordell back to AAA would not necessarily be "giving up on him," unless of course, he is out of options. Is he? If he trades places with Engel and puts together a month, like Adam has, he could be brought back up. There is still 3 months of the season left, so there is plenty of time to sort it out. For the time being, the Sox might be better served with Engel's range and glove in CF, to cover for Eloy and Jay, at the corners.

Please present a better set of options to alleviate our "pain and misery".

For those of you, who are unhappy about Palka being called back up, you're really going to hate this suggestion: I was watching the Knight's game last night, and noticed that Engel has yet another new stance. I have no idea when he started using it, but he has put together a very nice streak, over the last 32 games, during which he has raised his average from .137 to .265. Over that stretch he's had 15 multi hit games and hit for power, with 8 HR's and 23 RBI's. He has raised his Slugging % from .216 to .497. So, at the risk of getting "flamed," I would bring Adam back up, until T. A. returns and let him take Garcia's spot in CF, while Leury covers Tim's absence at SS. I know, Engel has had "too many chances already". We've all had that sentiment, at various points in his seemingly charmed career. Someone always seems to get hurt, thus providing another chance for Adam to get playing time. Nevertheless, this might seem like as good of time, as any to take yet one more look at him. It's too soon to call up Robert and neither of the other viable options for CF; Cordell, or Tilson, have demonstrated anything that looks better than Engel and neither one can hold a candle to his defence. If R. R. insist upon playing Jay, let him play RF. Palka alternates with Abreu, sharing first base and DH vs. RH pitching. For those who want to see Mendick, he could take Rondon's place as the utility infielder. Collins returns to his primary catcher's role, at AA, when Castillo returns, unless they can trade or DFA Wellington. There, I said it and I'm not trolling. "Flame" away. Batting order, vs RHP SS Leury RF Jay 1B Abreu 3B Moncada LF Eloy C McCann/? (McCann provides a little protection for Eloy) DH Palka 2B Sanchez CF Engel

Just want to endorse your argument, which is the same one that I've been making. Concerns about his outfield defence may not be warranted, as we're not even sure how they intend to use him. If he simply takes Alonso's spot, sharing first base and DH with Abreu, he'll be fine. I'm still leaning toward Collins going back to AAA, when Castillo returns, so that he can continue to get his reps, behind the plate.

There are circumstances in which providing an opt out to a player might be regarded by management, as being in the team's best interest. It can serve to keep a player more motivated, than guaranteeing his earnings, for the rest of his career. Human nature will drive a player harder to play for yet one more contract. In addition, if a team really only desires to sign a player for 4 or 5 years, but the player wants a longer contract, offering him an opt out might actually be more compatible with the team's preference. So in some cases, while the opt out may appear to be a concession to the player, it may actually be preferred by management.

Does catching once, or twice a week provide enough experience for his development? Having McCann there to mentor him is a plus, however catching so infrequently seems like a poor way to develop the skills required. Therefore, while having the opportunity to see Major League pitching might improve his hitting, catching so little will probably inhibit his defensive improvement. Maybe the question is; which is more important? I don't know the answer, but most seem to think that the part of his game that needs the most work is his catching. If that is the case, then he should probably be back in AAA, because the Sox are certainly not going to give him the primary catching duties, with McCann there.

That may be the plan, until Castillo returns. After that, I'd expect him to go back to Charlotte, where he can get more reps behind the plate. I don't think that the front office has stated what they intend to do, so none of us know. However, that's my guess. Of course, they could try to trade Castillo, or even DFA him.

I agree, I haven't seen any indication that the organization has given up on him being a catcher, however ChiSox59 is convinced that he will never stick behind the plate. at least full time.

I don't know whether, or not, Collins will ever be an everyday catcher, but I would be equally skeptical of his being used as a DH, as part of this team's future. Vaughn is most likely going to be the future every day first baseman. Therefore, if Collins can't catch, he probably has little future on the Sox.

Approximately 30% of Palka's 600 career Minor League games have been at first base, according to what I have read. First base was also his primary position at Georgia Tech.

I will be very surprised if the Sox use Collins as the DH, for any extended length of time. He needs to be catching, to develop his defensive skills, unless they have decided to abandon the idea of using him as a catcher.

I haven't read this entire thread, but it seems logical to me that Palka replaces Alonso, to share first base and DH with Abreu. They won't bring him up to play the outfield.

Cease is throwing 98 - 99 in the first inning

We know what Palka did in his rookie year. This year, at AAA, here are his split stats vs. RHP: AB 156 DOUBLES 11 HOMERS 13 RBI'S 33 AVG 308 OBP .416 . SLG .628 OPS 1.044 The question is; Why isn't he a better option than Alonso, to split the playing time with Abreu, between First Base and DH? If he can produce, like he did last year, he would be a useful piece, next year, or in a trade. Alonso, gets us nothing. He isn't going to hit well enough to garner any trade interest, and he certainly should not be allowed to reach the plate appearances, which would automatically vest his option, to come back next year. Just bite the bullet and DFA him, already.

Remember, if Abreu hadn't run past Anderson, while rounding first base, on the homer he hit, earlier in the year, he would now have 20 HR's and be leading the League in RBI's. He isn't perfect, and he is obviously selling out his Average, in order to be more of a run producer, but he's still the most potent hitter the Sox have. Eloy may eclipse him, next year, but for now, he is certainly worth trying to hold onto, for another couple of years, until Vaughn is ready to take his place, which we hope will transpire. Even if Andrew does become that good of a run producer, it would be shocking if he did so, before 2022.

Well, that's fine, but it doesn't completely "solve the problem". In that scenario, Collins doesn't get the much needed reps, behind the plate.

The obvious problem with keeping Collins is that he needs to catch more games, than he would have the opportunity to catch, with McCann. Then too, what do you do with Castillo? Collins should catch most of the games at AAA. Next year, when Castillo is gone, he could share the catching duties with McCann. Even then, I would give at least 2 out of every 3 starts to James. Regarding Palka; the only way he gets called up is if they dump Alonso. PLEASE!!! The best advice to Yonder, if he is still getting at bats, is to remember how he hit, before 2017, when he changed his swing plane, to try to become a power hitter. Just go back to being able to make contact, and spray line drives to all fields. He isn't a prolific enough power hitter, to be using his recent approach. If he doesn't figure it out soon, he is going to play himself right out of the Big Leagues. After almost 1/2 a season, he is just about the worst hitter in the Majors.

And we have 2 first basemen at AAA who are having very good years. How much longer do they have to prove that they deserve a call up, and Yonder deserves to go away?

Unless the question is; "Name one of the worst off season acquisitions, in Hahn's career".

I don't know any pitchers who have had both procedures, therefore I can't comment on their success, or lack there of. This seems like a question for "ptatc".

I don't understand. Why should the two, resolved physical conditions be such an overwhelming obstacle to a pitcher's complete recovery?

When Rodon returns, he is only going to have one year left, before he will be eligible for free agency. Wouldn't putting him in the bullpen be a poor way to try to re-establish his value, for a possible trade? And if he opts to become a free agent, that might influence his decision to consider an offer to stay with the Sox? However, on the other hand, they could make a qualifying offer and if he doesn't accept, at least they would get the compensation pick, in the Draft. I personally would like to see if Rodon could finally stay healthy, as a starter. Recovering from TJS seems pretty much a high probability and his shoulder has already been repaired, sufficiently to assuage any of those concerns. Interesting decision. Let's just hope that he gets healthy and then the front office can try to figure it out.

Injuries and luck are usually a significant part of the equation. Perhaps a more fair and meaningful way to evaluate the rebuild would be to assess how many holes will still need to be filled, who might fill them and how much financial flexibility the team has to accomplish that. This year's record is not nearly as important as the fact that they are playing competitive baseball and have important pieces yet to join this roster. I'd rather be hovering a few games below .500, with the assurance that guys like Robert, Madrigal, Vaughn, Kopech and Cease will be part of the near future, than be 10 games over .500, with nothing left on the Farm, who might reasonably be expected to make a significant difference and all of the available money spent, on long term, burdensome contracts. For my part, I'm satisfied with the progress. For those who are not, I'm sorry. I guess it's the old dilemma of "the glass being half empty, or half full".