Lillian

Sounds alright to me. Maybe they'll consider Rodon the veteran presence. Teams rarely go with 5 very inexperienced starters. Where we disagree is in your assumption that they won't be "going for it next year". It will be the last year of Abreu and Avi's contracts, and with the addition of Eloy, they have enough pieces, providing that they get good enough pitching.

What kind of contract do you expect it will take to sign someone like Santana, for example?

If the Sox intend to sign one veteran, to be in next year's rotation, it will likely require a multi year contract, for anyone decent. By picking up Shields' option, they limit the commitment to one year, which should be ideal to bridge the gap to 2020, when Cease, Hansen, Dunning and Stevens should be ready to join Kopech, Lopez and Giolito.

It is easy to understand the "Shields hate". He was absolutely terrible, trying to pitch the way he had always pitched, during his successful years, when he had a legitimate fastball. However, watching him pitch this season, he is not the same guy. He and Lopez have been our most consistent starters, and it is not by luck. His new approach is effective at getting Big League hitters out. How much he would be worth, is a question that can be argued. However, to say that he is worthless, and to be so convinced that he should be jettisoned, as a mere salary dump, is not a very thoughtful conclusion. I wish more pitchers pitched with his kind of finesse and cunning. Did you notice that Soria was throwing a few similar pitches, in his Friday night's relief appearance? He would do well to try to emulate Shields' approach, as he too has lost his heater, at this stage in his career. Again, even guys can throw a legitimate fastball, could benefit from such innovations. Trying to simply blow everyone away with 95 + mph fastballs, doesn't seem to work as well as it used to. There are too many guys throwing that hard and hitters appear to have adjusted to those speeds.

Shields has been very impressive. He is a real "pitcher," relying on command, movement and changing speeds. That new arm slot was a huge discovery for him. As disgusted and disappointed, as I was with the trade that brought him to the Sox, I have come to appreciate what he has achieved. I wish more guys would try to experiment with such innovative approaches. Imagine how well a guy, with a 95 mph fastball, could pitch, if he had the rest of Shields' current arsenal. Maybe Giolito should adopt something similar, as his heater has become very pedestrian. If James can impart some of his knowledge and skill, to his young team mates, he will have earned his salary. As for his future with the Sox, I wouldn't be upset if they can get someone worthwhile, for him. Otherwise, he may have value, both as a mentor, as well as an innings eater. In any case, I would consider resigning him, for another year. If he is not traded, I'd like to see the Sox pick up that $16 million option. It would really only be $14 Million, as the buy out is $2 Million, which is a sunk cost, if they elect not to pick up the option. If next year, they could feature Rodon, Kopech, Lopez, Giolito and Shields, they could be competitive, while affording the rest of the young arms time to develop in the Minors.

The notion that Madrigal could be another Altuve is not likely to transpire. Jose is a rare talent and the odds of there being another one like him are not the kind of odds, that I would bet on. If Madrigal can be a good Major League second baseman, that would make him a worthy pick. However, if you are hoping that he is going to be like Altuve, you are setting yourself up for a big disappointment.

While I agree with the general principle of taking the "best player available," there is a perspective which would lead one to seek the "best pitcher" available. I have asserted elsewhere that this team's window of opportunity will likely come when they have their pitching staff assembled. With solid pitching they could be ready next year. Avi and Abreu, in their free agent pending contract years, together with Anderson, Moncada, Jimenez, Castillo, Sanchez and Davidson, and you have enough run production to be competitive. It is waiting for Kopech, Cease, Hansen and Dunning that would keep the Sox from being serious contenders, as early as next year. Therefore, maybe the organization thinks that adding another, high floor, near ready starter would accelerate the time table. For me personally, I'd rather be patient, and think more in terms of 2020, when Robert might join the team and Jimenez could be more slowly developed, in order to delay his service time. I want him in a Sox uniform, at least until his early 30's. Moreover, rushing a guy like Singer is probably not a good idea. He will likely need to develop that third plus pitch, before he can get Major League hitters out, for 6 plus innings. He does not possess Chris Sale type stuff. I'd rather that they take the best position player and wait on the deep crop of pitching prospects, already in the organization.

Another walk for India. On base 4 times, in 5 plate appearances, with two RBI's.

India has a single, double, walk and a stolen base, in 4 plate appearances, in their first game vs. Columbia. He should get at least one more at bat today.

If you believe that Hostetler is usually coy about whom they are targeting, you might suspect that India is on that list their top 7 guys, to which he alluded. It's curious that he didn't mention India, in view of the fact that they have obviously seen quite a bit of him, even if only incidentally, while scouting his teammate, Singer. India is ranked between #5 and #9 on several mock draft lists. Yet, no mention of him, at all, in the interview. You all know that the Gator third baseman is my pick, over Madrigal, so I hope that this oversight was an intentional misdirection.

Next year, I would expect the team will feature the following: Anderson, Moncada, Avi (or whomever he is traded for) Abreu, Jimenez (after May), Castillo, Davidson, Sanchez and whoever wins the CF spot. 4 of those guys are not currently playing. The starting rotation should include, Rodon, Lopez, Kopech, Giolito and ? Two of those guys are also not on this team. Moreover, all of the young players should be better, with the experienced gained this season. And then, there are all of the other promising young prospects, whose arrival will be on the not too distant horizon. Cheer up. It will get better.

After last night, he is now up to the following, versus RHP: .303 .473 .569 1.042

It would be a real shock, if the Sox took a high school outfielder, for their first pick. Very odd that Mayo suggested the Sox could take Schnell, "as another option" for their first pick. I'm curious, between the two Gator candidates, whom would you select, Singer or India?

Greg, you don't really think that the real Indians resemble the poor start they have had, more than the way they played in this series, do you? That is a very good team. They have had problems with the bullpen and some injuries, but they are probably going to run away with the Central, before the season is over.

They faced one of baseball's best pitchers today and that Cleveland lineup is very impressive. Why is anyone shocked at the results?

Are any of you as impressed as I am, with how far Yolmer can hit a ball, with a seemingly effortless swing? I have noticed this, several times. He has surprising power. Who knows, maybe he will morph into a guy like Cleveland's Ramirez. I'm not suggesting that he could become a comparable slugger, but perhaps 15 to 20 HR's.

For those who haven't seen some of these guys play, this whole game video of Auburn vs. Florida features Mize, Singer and my favorite, India:

Who are the 7 guys, the Sox are considering for their first pick? Hostetler referred to the "list," but never named them. I would assume that it's Mize, Singer, Bohm, Madrigal, Bart, not necessarily in that order, but who are the other two?

Sounds right to me. To quote Inspector Clouseau, from the Pink Panther movies; "That is what I have been saying, all along".

Then too, there is the perspective that they might be able to help this team. Perhaps instead of thinking about flipping them, they could actually be useful. Oh wait, I forgot. We are trying to tank, again. Never mind.

I would also take a .360 OBP, but there is evidence to suggest that it might be even higher. He really has an exceptional ability to draw walks. He leads the Southern League in walks, by a good margin, and is averaging better than one walk per game. It will be interesting to see what happens when he gets to the Majors, where pitchers have better control. Establishing the fact that he doesn't swing at many pitches out of the zone, will give him more chances to see good pitches. If he can make better contact, he could become a very good run producer. Is he striking out swinging, or more often on called strikes?

Until Kevan Smith is back off the DL, I'd expect Dustin Garneau to be called up from AAA, to at least shore up the defense, behind the plate. He can't hit, but he is supposed to be able to catch.

No one can blame you fellas for being so negative, during such a debacle, but there were some good things to be encouraged about. Anderson continues to demonstrate terrific power, for a speedy young SS. Covey looks like he might be worth keeping. That was a pretty tough Cleveland lineup, he faced today and he did alright. Engel had another decent day, at the plate. And finally, for all of his defensive short comings, you have to be impressed with Palka's ability to absolutely smoke the ball. He hits the ball as hard as anyone and as badly as this team needs left handed power hitters, there is some potential there. I'd love to see him work with Thome and learn to hit to the left side. His power is easily sufficient to take outside pitches over any left field wall in baseball. Moreover, there are a lot of base hits through that left side of the infield, with that shift. Oh, and I forgot Skole's MLB debut. I'm quite sure that he won't. So, for a sloppily played game, by a rebuilding team, without it's regular right fielder, DH and catcher, it wasn't all bad. Cheer up gentlemen, and try to think about all of those great young prospects, who will soon be arriving.

You have a point. Any of these free agent contracts can become financial albatrosses. In any case, I'm sure that the front office will find some place to spend that money. There are always the injuries, particularly to pitchers and some of the "can't miss" prospects, may indeed miss.

I understand that. I'd like to see them use some of that financial flexibility, to resign Abreu. Then, they might think about locking up some of these young guys, if they develop, as anticipated. And then, there is the bullpen. I want a "lights out" pen. Hopefully, they can accomplish that internally. However, if not, that might be a good place to spend the money. Those guys rarely require long term contracts, to which JR seems adverse.