Lillian

Any player signed for the kind of money that Machado will likely get, should become the face of the franchise. He is not the kind of person, whom I would want to be the face of the White Sox. One of the things that has held and reinforced my allegiance to the Sox, over the years, is that the team has historically fielded a lot of "good" people. Machado does not appear to be a guy who would fit that mold. There have to be better ways to spend that kind of money.

What do you guys think about the play, in the 13TH inning, in which he kicked Aguilar's ankle, at first base? Did it appear to be accidental, or intentional? Machado certainly didn't seem to be very apologetic about it, if it was an accident. Honestly, I haven't followed his career that closely, beyond looking at the stats, but now that he is being showcased, in the playoffs, he does not appear to be the kind of person, whom I find very endearing.

Listen to Machado talk about not being a guy who hustles: "That's just not the kind of player I am". Wow!! All of those ex-player commentators made excuses for him. That's fine. I hope he signs somewhere else. I'm afraid that I'm just too "old school". It's hard enough to accept this entire culture of guys with their multi-million dollar, per year contracts, and their swinging for the fences, without having to listen to such prima donna BS. He is a talented player, but not my kind of player. He's just a little too "cool" and full of himself, for my taste, especially if he is going to cost $350 Million.

There is no question that the taller hitter, with longer arms, or "levers," can generate more power. That is the obvious disadvantage for a shorter hitter.

Absolutely, and he's probably 5' 7" which doesn't bother me either.

So, can we stop citing Vaughn's height of 5' 11" as a negative?

LOL. Yes, but Veeck never let him swing the bat.

I have long suspected that there are a few distinct advantages to being a very small hitter. We have all marveled at Jose Altuve, but usually think of him as being a remarkable hitter, by virtue of his diminutive size. It just may be that his small stature is, in some ways, actually advantageous, rather than a "handicap". The obvious plus is that the strike zone is smaller, thus posing a bigger challenge to pitchers. However there are some other advantages. Here are some of those advantages: The strike zone is SMALLER. That makes it harder for a pitcher to throw strikes. It also gives the hitter the advantage of having to cover a smaller area, when selecting a pitch, at which to swing. A tall hitter, has a bigger area, upon which he must focus, although he only has the same two eyes, that any sized hitter has. A shorter player has the same visual capacity, as a taller one, with less of an area, upon which he must visually focus. Then there is the shorter swing plane. The distance traversed, during the swing is less for a short hitter, with shorter arms. That in turn, can result in a similar consequence, as the oft cited bat speed. While it doesn't produce the same power, it does allow the hitter to catch up to high velocity pitches. Short arms and a shorter bat, should be able to reach the hitting zone, more rapidly, given the same bat speed, simply because the distance traversed is less. Of course, the bigger, stronger man is able to compensate, by generating more bat speed and thus more power. A smaller hitter, using a lighter bat, might be able to generate comparable bat speed and given the shorter distance covered, provide the hitter the advantage of having more time to react to the pitch. I'd love to see an article, on the subject, but a discussion, here on this forum could be just as informative, with some of our astute posters.

Yes, and none of those mentioned struck out fewer times than they hit those home runs. Vaughn had just 18 strike outs, while hitting 23 homers and a .400 AVG. That is quite remarkable, especially as a sophomore. If he repeats, or exceeds that performance, he will likely go #1. I don't care about his size, or the position he plays. That kind of hitter is rare.

I don't pretend to have any evidence, to support the notion. It just seems logical that if a player knows that he is going to be eligible for another contract, he should be more motivated than he would be, if he is playing out the last contract of his career, especially still within his prime. Citing one, or two examples, is not enough data, upon which to draw any generalizations. There are probably anecdotal cases to support either argument.

Including an opt out is not necessarily a disadvantage to the team. It provides one essential component, ie; it maintains an incentive for the player to continue to strive toward ever greater levels of excellence. The lack of such an incentive is my greatest concern about long term contracts, aside from the obvious issue of paying a player. too late in his career. If the opt out does not conflict with the team's window of contention, it can makes sense, because it keeps the player motivated, as he looks forward to a new, even better possible contract.

It isn't a matter of not trying hard enough, when on the field. It is rather a question of maintaining enough motivation to do what is necessary, in regards to training, proper diet and living habits, practice and mental preparation. That is all difficult to sustain for a decade, when you have already been guaranteed $350 million, or more.

That is my greatest fear, with any of these huge long term deals. Give me a team full of guys, in their contract years, any day. That kind of motivation is exactly opposite of the young man, who has already locked up a fortune.

Even without steroids, there is plenty of potential increase in strength, in a 21 year old body. Hit the weights hard, in the off season, especially the lower body and the trunk. Stronger hands and wrist are also incredibly valuable "tools".

This issue of taking called third strikes is a pet peeve of mine, as you know. The pitch just outside the strike zone is so tempting to try to hit the opposite way, especially with the dramatic shifts, so commonly being employed. Add the power of guys like Collins, and Moncada, and it just seems crazy not to swing at those pitches. Being just outside, affords the hitter an opportunity to get his arms fully extended, which produces more power. Taking the pitch the opposite way, also affords the hitter a little extra time to recognize the pitch, in that he is swinging a little later. Taking a close pitch, with 2 strikes, is so foolish. As has been stated many times, that leaves the outcome completely in the hands of the umpire. Moreover, as Konerko so astutely pointed out, umpires are not going to give young hitters the benefit of the doubt, on close calls. Somebody in the organization better be drumming this concept into our young hitters' heads, or management better be looking for new coaches.

Stone often disagrees with Jason and does so in a way that embarrasses him. Perhaps some of Jason's attempted humor is a way for him to try to save face, in such situations. It is those awkward moments, which make me feel the most uncomfortable. I can imagine how Jason feels. Admittedly, some of Benetti's ideas are worthy of criticism, but Stone has a sarcastic way of criticizing them, which can embarrass him. One incident comes to mind; Jason once suggested that they have a triples competition, at the All Star Game, something like the Home Run Derby. Of course, no player would want to expend himself, running out several triples, and so the idea really wasn't feasible. Benetti thought that it would be very entertaining and great fun, for the fans. Stone could have simply said; "Yes, the fans would love it, but I'm not sure that the players would". However, the way Stone rejected it, probably embarrassed Jason.

For more information and opinions on the 2019 Draft, we've been discussing it in a thread, on the "FutureSox" Board

Under what circumstance would you exercise that "last resort"? I understand that Madrigal has not yet forced this issue, because he is still in the lower Minor Leagues. However, Moncada would benefit from playing time at 3RD, if that is ultimately going to be his position. I'd hate to see him struggle in 2020, learning to play third, when the team is ready to compete.

If we are only going to consider Madrigal a potential core piece of this rebuild, if he develops power, then the Sox have made a mistake, picking him #4. Power has not been part of his game and may never be. If that were the case, the Sox used a precious top Draft pick, to select a player, with the hope that he can become something, that he isn't. My guess is that the Sox wanted him because they value what he brings, not what he could bring, to the game, He is a tremendous contact hitter, in an age where everyone strikes out far too often. He is a great defensive player, at an important middle infield position. He has a very high baseball acumen and he is a team leader. He is not a power hitter and I don't think that he will become one. Although power would be a nice bonus, it is probably not something, upon which the Sox are going to insist, before promoting him to the Majors. He profiles as a potential Gold Glove second baseman, who could fill a valuable role, as a leadoff, or 2 hole hitter. If he demonstrates a capacity to perform those functions, at the Big League level, he'll be brought up.

One more note about Vaughn; He seems like another Madrigal, but with power, instead of speed. He's a life long baseball junkie. Has dedicated his whole life to playing the game. He is an over achiever and is remarkably adept at making contact. Add a high baseball acumen, just like Nick. All in all, my kind of player. I'm going to be rooting for this guy to have another big year and then to be there, for the Sox' 3RD pick. Here is another good video:

I for one, am certainly not "writing off Moncada". The point is that he has the ability to play other positions. Madrigal really only profiles as a second baseman. Thank you, "Flash". I couldn't have said it better, myself.

It may sound premature, but Madrigal will likely move quickly through the system and could be on the team by 2020. Playing him anywhere but 2ND isn't plausible. He does not profile anywhere else, as we have discussed. If we wasted last year's #4 pick, on a bust, this rebuild has more problems than even the pessimists think. Moncada has the tools to play other positions. If Madrigal is a success, Yoan is the one to move to another position. Oh, yes and Machado will not be coming to the Sox. You can bet on it!! If it happens, I'll eat some crow, but it just doesn't seem likely, for so many reasons, which have also been discussed here.

That's a great thought. Madrigal leading off and Vaughn hitting second, followed by Moncada and Eloy. If Moncada becomes the hitter we hoped for, that would be terrific OBP, at the top of the order.

This article on Vaughn is worth a read: https://247sports.com/college/california/Article/Profile-What-makes-Cal-freshman-first-baseman-Andrew-Vaughn-tick-106257214/

I didn't know that he was a HS SS. That suggests that he could play 3RD base. He has the arm, as he also has pitched.