Lillian

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".

Why wouldn't his power "translate" to the Major Leagues? I doubt that they have been using a ball, as juiced at the one MLB is using. Japan had a "juiced ball" scandal, a few years ago, however I think that they have gone back to a less lively ball. Does anyone know exactly how the ball, which Japan has been using, compares to the MLB ball? In any case, I'm much more intrigued by that .400 OBP, and high average, than I am by his power.

Thank you, "CaliSoxFan..". Although strong arguments can be made that left handed hitters have some distinct advantages, my argument is not based upon that. I wouldn't want an all left handed hitting lineup, anymore than I do an all right handed hitting lineup. Of course, I'd prefer a good all right handed hitting lineup, to a poorly balanced lineup. However, if we are discussing acquisitions, why not try to find someone who could provide "better balance," as you stated? So, what is so important about "balance". A pitcher can more easily find his slot, when facing a lineup consisting of every hitter from the same side of the plate. Having to pitch differently, to each hitter is made more difficult by the adjustments required to effectively deal with a succession of hitters, who bat from opposite sides of the plate. A right handed pitcher may be very effective throwing his breaking pitches to most right handed hitters. If he faces a succession of them, he can more easily get into a good groove, and just try to consistently maintain it. If he has to face a few left handed hitters, he is forced to use a different approach. The challenge of having to make that necessary adjustment simply places an added burden on the pitcher. That is the reason that a manager will try to stagger his lineup, by alternating right and left handed hitters, where possible. It is much easier for an opposing manager to manage his bullpen, if all of your dangerous hitters bat from the same side of the plate. By alternating right and left handed hitters, you force your opponent to consider bringing in different relievers, in order to navigate through the dangerous part of the batting order. Absent that balance, an opposing manager can simply leave a reliever in the game, until he reaches the number of pitches, deemed to be his limit, for that appearance. It appears that almost every position is practically set, for the approaching window of contention. Most of us would be willing to bet that the following players will be starting in 2021: LF Eloy CF Robert 3B Moncada SS Anderson 2B Madrigal 1B Vaughn C Collins and maybe McCann That leaves just DH and RF as major question marks. If the Sox extend Abreu, that leaves only RF as a hole to fill. There are several promising outfield prospects, but it's doubtful that anyone will be ready soon. That's why I agree with "Eminor3rd," who suggested adding Shogo Akiyama, if he elects to come to the U.S. Something like a 3 year deal could be a very good solution to the RF problem. Moreover, he would not likely demand so much money, that it would impede the front office's ability to sign the more needed additional pitching.

I care because it's desirable to have a good balance of both RH and LH hitters, especially in the heart of the order, which I assume you recognise. This team has not had that balance, for a long time. They have tried to achieve it, but almost everyone, whom they have acquired has not solved the problem. Right now, the only dangerous LH Sox hitter is Moncada and the best middle of the order prospects, who are expected to join this young team are Robert and Vaughn, 2 more RH hitters. Hopefully Collins will become a guy who might help establish a little better balance, but I'm not holding my breath. If they are going to sign one big offensive free agent, I'm confident that Hahn will not sign another RH hitter. He recognises the need for some balance and has so stated, on many occasions. I didn't intend to belabour this point, any further, but you asked.

At this point, I'm beginning to wonder if there is something wrong with Alonso. He has never been anywhere near this bad of a hitter and he is known as a good defensive first baseman. He's had plenty of playing time to shake off what had appeared to be a slump, but is now becoming more like what he is. I'm perplexed. ?????

Palka just hit another bomb, to straight away center. 2 run shot.

Can "Big Game" Shields be far behind?

Either there is something physically wrong with him, or he is one of the biggest head cases I can remember. It may not be an injury, but if not, perhaps it's something in his mechanics.

Yes, I forgot that Collins may stick, even after Castillo comes back. However, I thought they wanted to have him get as much catching experience as possible, which he won't do, if he stays in Chicago, because McCann needs to get the majority of the starts, behind the plate. I don't think that they want him to just DH. Well, in any case, one of the two (Collins or Palka) should get Alonso's at bats, please. Yonder still has no place on the future roster of this team. Bite the bullet already, and let him go.

That is my sentiment, exactly