JUSTgottaBELIEVE

Another season in which Grandal is outplayed by his backup catcher. Seems to be a theme over the course of the guy’s career. Collins has really impressed, especially defensively, because I wasn’t expecting much from him there.

#4, #4, #3 fangraphs ranks as of 5/8 Best run differential in AL, third best record in AL

Too much talent and a bad division

All alone this time. Think that’s a first this season

Oh look, a catcher confident enough to call sliders with runners in scoring position

Not bad for our #5 starter...

How many GMs around the league are kicking themselves right now for not offering Carlos Rodon more than $3M?!?

All this talk about the lack of homers from the offense. I for one like that the Sox have one of the top offenses in MLB without relying on the long ball. So tired of past Sox offenses that was boom or bust and had to hit home runs to score runs.

The funny thing is the Dodgers have completely fallen apart since then. Now tied for second place and could fall to 4th place soon with the Dbacks nipping at their heels.

Said it a month ago that I haven’t seen a Sox starting rotation this talented in my lifetime, 2005 included. If the bullpen comes around, you could be looking at the top pitching staff in the AL combined with the top offense ?

Speaking of bad pitching, the Twins just gave up 5 runs in the 9th/10th innings to Texas ?

Exactly. All I’ve read for the last few pages of this thread is how great Indians pitching is and how good the Twins offense is. The Sox could very well have better pitching than the Indians and a better offense than the Twins. No other AL Central team is as balanced as the Sox.

Meanwhile...Sox #5 starter is throwing a no-hitter and Sox offense has produced 8 runs through 5 innings without Eloy and Robert. But this team is toast! How will they ever score enough runs to compete?! They’re done I tell you!

Why will it prevent them from getting close to that? Are both Eloy and Robert expected to miss the playoffs? What’s your basis for saying the Sox are “in trouble?” I’ve provided betting odds and fangraphs metrics to support my argument that the Sox are STILL one of the best teams in the league. What have you given besides a hunch and a lazy line of because they haven’t been good in the past? If you paid any attention to the team this season or last you would recognize this team is different than past teams. Sorry but I’m not the dense one here.

Dylan Cease and his sub 3 ERA is the Sox #5 starter and Sox fans think they’re toast now that they lost Robert. ?

Yes, the goal is to win the division and then take your chances in the playoffs with a loaded squad. Are you suggesting neither Eloy or Robert will be back by October? And by the way, the Sox have the second highest odds of winning the pennant behind the Yankees (still). If “they’re in trouble” so are 13 other AL teams.

You have yet to explain why “we are in trouble.” Still the best team in the AL Central, even without Eloy and Robert.

No interest in acquiring a corner OF like Gallo in exchange for (good) prospects, especially one that will be outhit by Andrew Vaughn as early as this season. Need someone that can play a solid CF or else you might as well run Engel and Hamilton out there. At least you’ll get plus defense from those two.

I have zero interest in Gallo, especially when you consider the price (I’m assuming several good prospects, not a bag of balls like the Mazara trade).

Still a 1-2 WAR/year guy. That has some value even though he is overpaid by the Cubs.

Lol. I was thinking more along the lines of Luis Gonzalez. One in the same I suppose.

What do you think Heyward would cost in terms of prospects if the Cubs eat half his salary? I’m thinking the return would be minimal, similar to the Mazara trade. To me, this is the best compromise and buys you time until the big dogs return. Knock on wood, Heyward has stayed very healthy through most of his career so, even though he’s unspectacular, he’s reliable at least.

Oh yea, I’d need the Cubs to eat about half his remaining salary. Where the Cubs are headed, I’m sure they wouldn’t mind doing that.

I think there’s room on the roster for both even when everyone is healthy. Of course, I’d ask the Cubs to eat at least half of his remaining salary. Something like 3/$30M as the Sox responsibility for his remaining contract seems reasonable. Decent chance Eaton is gone after this season anyways. Heyward can serve as a bridge to the Cubans.

I’ve been beating the Heyward drum since the offseason. All it costs is money and a non-prospect to acquire him. He can play all three OF positions and he hits righties decently well. Even if all the outfielders were healthy, he could still be used as a late inning defensive sub and possibly as a starter over Eaton depending on the matchup.