Lillian

Yes, good hitters foul off a lot of those two strike, close pitches. They also can take the outside pitch, the other way, for a hit. The good news is that this is something that he is certainly capable of doing. It is simply a question of his mindset. He will learn and I certainly hope that he is being coached to do so.

Moncada is his own worst enemy. How does a hitter get called out on strikes, 4 times in one game? What ever happened to the notion that you don't take anything close, with two strikes?

Thank you "Jack Parkman". I did not realize that.

This is interesting: In his entire career, including his couple of Cuban League, teen years, he has a total of 61 home runs and 618 strike outs, in 2,294 at bats. That's 10 times as many strike outs, as home runs and only about 15 home runs, per season. He could always decide to concentrate more on making contact and utilizing his speed. That would be an alternative approach, just in case he can't ultimately figure out how to be a "slugger" at the Major League level. That is one of the advantages of having speed. It provides other ways to contribute. I'm hopeful that he can be that advertised 'Robinson Cano, with speed," but if not, he could still be a useful player. We do have to remind ourselves that he is still young. However, the results better start coming soon. Let's see what happens, the rest of this season. It would be nice to see some improvement.

As I said, the strike outs should be considered as a relative factor: "If he were a prolific slugger, hitting 40 homers, his strike outs might be acceptable." Bryant's last full year in the Minors, he hit 34 doubles, 43 homers and drove in 110 runs, while hitting .325 with an on base % of .438. I'll take strike outs, with that kind of production, but not with Moncada's.

I just went back and took another look at Moncada's Minor League career. I don't know why we should be surprised that he hasn't been any better than he has. He really never demonstrated any ability to dominate, in the Minors. He had a 30% strike out rate there, and we had no reason to think that it would improve, in the Majors. If he were a prolific slugger, hitting 40 homers, his strike outs might be acceptable. However, he didn't hit for that much power, in the Minors and he isn't anywhere near that, now. I've said it before, but to me, he looks like a very "well built, speedy, athletic and "flashy" player, with a pretty LH swing. In other words; a lot of style and not much substance. To this point, the style hasn't translated to great baseball skill. Let's hope that he develops the skill, but so far, he really isn't very good. I'd like to see if he could hit LH pitching, as a left handed hitter, like most of the great left handed hitters do. At this point, he is worthless, as a right handed hitter. I'd also like to see where else he could play. We've discussed this, at great length, but it bares repeating; Second base should belong to Madrigal. I have a feeling that he is soon going to push the issue, because he doesn't really profile anywhere but second base, and that is where he should stay. Moncada might better be utilized at third. I don't really care what position he prefers, he isn't good enough to demand that the team accommodate his preference. He has the arm to play there and Madrigal does not. It's hard to justify keeping Eloy at AAA, considering how much better he has hit there, than Moncada did. Yet Moncada got the promotion pretty quickly. Eloy appears to be a much better hitter than Yoan and I'll be surprised if he doesn't have a better career. That's ok, if Yoan ends up hitting anything close to what Jimenez is likely to produce, he could be a valuable core piece, given his other tools. I'm not giving up on him, but I admit that I'm disappointed with Moncada's results, so far.

Please note that I was referring to "borderline" pitches. I don't think that it's a good idea to be taking borderline pitches, with two strikes, especially outside pitches, which are very hittable.

I think that it depends upon where the borderline pitch is. I've been advocating that he take the "borderline" outside pitches to the opposite field. The outside pitch is easiest to hit in the direction. With these dramatic shifts, that side of field is just inviting a hitter to go that way. When he has two strikes, those pitches should not be taken, but rather hit for singles and doubles. He probably has enough power to even take a few of those pitches, out of the park.

I probably would have made note of such deals, if they had been cancelled, because of failure to extend. Thanks for the examples.

I understand. So, it is a deal contingent upon an extension, and the deal is cancelled, if they fail to extend him. I don't remember ever seeing a deal like that. I learned something. Thanks.

I'm confused. The scenario outlined in the original post is that the Sox would have a 48 hour window to negotiate a contract extension. How does that equate to any kind of a guarantee that they end up with anything more than a one year rental? If failure to extend him, during that 48 hours, negated the deal, that would be one thing, but that is not the case. Please enlighten me. Sorry for being so ignorant.

One can "dress up" this proposed deal with all of the ifs, but the bottom line is that you are acquiring a one year rental, in a year when you are not expected to be competing for a playoff berth. Hard to justify giving up, what has been considered one of the key core pieces, for the future window of contention, for a one year rental.

Marte is going to be a free agent in 2020, although there are currently team options, for 2020 and 2021. Your proposed trade seems like a lot to give up for him, since you are likely not going to want him, in 2020 and beyond, which is when Robert will be ready. That lineup is dangerous, but has only one LH hitter, who could hit in the middle of the order.

He just turned 21, in May. Maybe they should just see if he can continue to perform at this level. He is now at .300 with an OBP of .340 and driving in runs. The only thing missing is the power, but that should come. This is his first full season at Advanced A and he is now tied for 6TH in the League, for Average. He only had 30 games at that level, last season and they were pretty disappointing. I think that we should be very pleased with his progress. He is doing especially well, vs RHP.

LH hitters hitting .304 against Keuchel, and RR has all three switch hitters hitting right handed, and benches Palka. Does this man even look at the data? Can anyone offer an explanation here?

Left handed hitters are hitting .304 vs. Keuchel, this year.

Why are the Sox using their typical lineup against left handers today, in view of the fact that Keuchel has been better vs. rh hitters?

??? I wanted to ask why the Sox are using their typical lineup against left handers today, in view of the fact that Keuchel has been better vs. rh hitters.

They are going to have to start "culling the herd". I'd like to see them cut loose some of the guys who likely don't have a future, in this organization. Brett, May and Robbins will soon have to be moved, to make room for these guys. I hope that they only keep someone like Cordell, at AAA, once he's healthy, just to ensure that they have a Major League ready outfielder, in case of injuries.

How good is that collegiate conference, in which he played at New Mexico? His stats were terrific there. Especially notable is that .500 OBP, which he put up, his Junior year, while drawing almost twice as many walks, as strike outs. How fast do you think that he could realistically be ready for the Majors? I assume 2020 is the answer, but would be interested to know. The long list of intriguing outfield prospects, in this organization, is indeed very impressive. Odd that they drafted yet another one, with their second pick, in this year's Draft, although I understand Walker's appeal. I really like him, but with any luck, they are going to end up trading away several of these guys, which is not a bad thing, just curious that they keep acquiring more outfielders.

The Orioles do not expect to get anyone of Moncada's caliber, for a 3 or 5 month Machado rental. That is a huge overpay. If you are ready to trade Yoan, you can get more value than a meaningless second half of a pending free agent. They would not get anywhere near the value back, if they immediately flipped Machado, as you suggest, in your scenario. Moreover, if the Sox are really "tanking," for the next Draft, that would be counter productive.

Hallelujah!!! Finally Yoan had a good at bat, from the right side.

And I suspect that you may be close to changing Sheets' grade, right?

It would be interesting to add an element to this ranking. I'd like to know what you all think about these youngsters, in terms of how their prospects have improved, or dimmed, perhaps from the time that they were each acquired. For example: Jimenez - As bright as his prospects were, when acquired for Quintana, they have only gotten even brighter. If he can stay healthy, he could be the biggest future star, on any of our lists. Rutherford - While originally underwhelmed by the trade, he has rebounded, to regain his top prospect status. Adolfo - He has exceeded most everyone's expectations and now has star potential Basabe - He seemed like a "throw in," to many but may be a huge sleeper, in that trade for Sale. He appears to be a genuine 5 tool talent. Gonzales - He has established himself as a serious contender for a spot, anywhere in the outfield. While I didn't initially think so, it now appears that if he doesn't make it to the Majors on the Sox, it will likely be more a consequence of no room for him, rather than an assessment that he is not good enough. Booker - He may be the biggest surprise. Although he put up good numbers, his last year at Iowa, he wasn't really very highly regarded. However, he has demonstrated legitimate 5 tool potential. Well, you get the idea. This exercise might help to reassure those who are either disappointed, or impatient, with the rebuild. Looking at my little example, one should be encouraged. I'd really like to see some of your astute observations and assessments, of the players, on your lists.

We're all entitled to our opinions, even if they border on hyperbole, and even hysteria. Here are a few of mine, regarding Moncada: 1) He has exceptional "tools". He is strong, fast and athletic. 2) He is not a switch hitter. He is a left handed hitter, who has been unjustifiably billed as a switch hitter. Perhaps he can learn to become one, but at this point, he isn't. 3) He is not 6' 2", although that it is what is claimed. I would guess 6' 4) I've said this before, and others have expressed the same opinion, but he has a lot more style, than actual baseball skill. Some might think that "pretty swing," looks good, even when striking out. Don't count me as one of them. His fielding fundamentals are not conventional and not very good. Perhaps he should stop trying to emulate his idol, Cano and just focus on making plays. 5) Having received $31 million, before ever proving his ability to play Major League baseball is a significant obstacle to his ultimate success. We'll see how he overcomes that. It's always a consideration, but especially problematic for a young guy, with a lot to learn. Learning takes dedication and all that money doesn't incentivize hard work and dedication. 6) I'm very worried about who is going to mentor this young man, if Abreu is traded. He strikes me as someone who really needs mentoring. 7) We've discussed his approach, at the plate, ad nauseam. Therefore, all I'll say here is that it needs to change. How well he can make adjustments will be an important indication about his future in professional baseball. That's my opinion