Lillian

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.

He looks so small, in this interview: https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/video/how-golden-spikes-award-winner-andrew-vaughn-developed-his-power It's hard to believe that he is 5' 11" and 208 pounds. He looks much smaller than that. Perhaps he has a very strong lower body.

Doesn't the loss of a Draft pick only affect teams, which aren't picking in the top 10?

Vaughn won the Golden Spikes Player of the Year Award, as a sophomore. If he has a junior year anything close to last year, he'll be my pick, if he makes it to #3. The most intriguing thing to me is that he only struck out 18 times, while hitting 23 homers. I don't care if he hits a few less round trippers, as long as he continues to not strike out. After this season's horrible team strike out total, having Madrigal and Vaughn in a future lineup would be a refreshing change. Here is something to think about: He also pitched and is reputed to be an outstanding defensive first baseman. One has to wonder if he could play third. He has the arm and good hands. Whether, or not, he has the quickness, needed for the hot corner, is uncertain, but it's worth considering. I just searched images of him and I am surprised to see how small he looks. I thought that he would be a stronger looking guy, even if he is only reported to be 5' 11". Frankly, I doubt that he's that tall. He must have very strong hands and wrist. We'll, if Mookie Betts, Bregman and Jose Ramirez can hit all of those home runs, I guess maybe it doesn't matter. None of them are big guys either.

I would go: 1) Rutschman 2) Vaughn 3) Jung

So, you would pick Adley Rutschman one and Langeliers two, correct? Who would be #3?

Ok, so who are your top 3 picks, in order? I know it's way too early, but I'm curious.

I will be shocked if he is non-tendered. It is more likely that he comes back healthy, after knee surgery, and starts the season in RF. No one is ready to replace him there, and he does not have enough trade value, for that scenario.

You may be right about his power not being quite as outstanding as it appears, based on last year's output. However, his .400 average, .531 OBP, with just 18 strike outs, argue for a very complete hitter. How many college guys ever have that kind of run production, while almost never striking out? To me, the best comp might be Joey Votto, from the right side of the plate.

Is there anything about the pitching in the PAC 12 that diminishes Vaughn's numbers? They are astounding. A home run in every 8.6 at bats. 23 homers and 18 strike outs!!!! A 9% strike out rate. 63 RBI's in 54 games. Yikes!! I don't care what position he plays, and oddly enough the Sox don't really have that much depth at that position. If he has another big year, In 2019, and if he's available at #3, it's hard to imagine passing on that kind of bat.

Down 8 to 1, so it looks like the Sox will clinch the 3RD pick, tonight.