ILMOU

This is an interesting what-if. But a more interesting one, imo, was during Veeck's first stint as Sox owner, when he had a scout looking at some Negro league talent, a few years before Robinson broke the barrier, but the idea of having black players was nixed by the commissioner (was it still Landis?, can't recall). The scout recommended signing Hank Aaron, Willie Mays and Ernie Banks. We'd have been the Yankees.

5 of the first 7 Charlotte hitters have K'd. Buddy's Farm leading the universe again in this category. Apparently, this is acceptable. Please, RH, go and have a sitdown with JR about changes that need to be made. It won't be fun, but you can do it.

QUOTE (StRoostifer @ Apr 25, 2015 -> 09:14 PM) Anderson 2/3 1k 1BB 2 SB. He's now 10/10 in steals. But the big news is that he drew a walk! K and BB rates improvement are the key to him reaching his potential offensively. I know he's been making less errors - have there been reports of improved defense? Anyone heard anything on Frankie?

QUOTE (AlSoxfan @ Apr 25, 2015 -> 09:16 PM) Lucroy would be a dream but why do you call him a cheater? Was referring to Braun, sorry. Looking at my post, I can see how it was unclear. I realize that Lucroy is a dream, but I don't think the Brewers can compete within his contract window, so I'd move him if it made sense. QUOTE (LDF @ Apr 25, 2015 -> 08:55 PM) trading for the sake of trading in not the best way to address the holes, plus the cost is too prohibitive. i like the way this team is getting together. now they got to believe in themselves that they can get it done. T'would be nice. But these holes ain't gonna fill themselves.

QUOTE (Chilihead90 @ Apr 25, 2015 -> 08:24 PM) Lucroy is one of the best catchers in baseball, and cheap for 2 1/2 seasons. I would expect them to want a HAUL for him. I'd love to have him, but I'm afraid at what it would cost. Anderson/Montas/Hawkins? Not sure. Of course they will want and expect a haul. More likely to want to trade the Cheater, I'm sure. But they need a whole lot, so it wouldn't shock if they moved him. They need to rebuild completely. QUOTE (Jose Abreu @ Apr 25, 2015 -> 08:16 PM) Lucroy would be fantastic. And I hope that Morse somehow becomes available, but I think the Marlins will be buyers. Could go either way. If they're a distant third to Nats/Mets in mid June, they'll be selling - Loria seems emotional and panic-driven.

Hawkins with a Golden Sombrero, ouch.

I'm aware the Sox could be sellers themselves, but I'm an optimist, so... The Brewers are already toast in a deep division. Lucroy is out through May, likely, and is a crazy-bargain thru 2017. What would it take? Also hoping that the Marlins tank, so that Morse becomes available. Loria will be an early seller, if they do. Would put some flexibility into the OF and bench, and would put an end to LaRoche vs. LHP. Team needs more offense/power in the worst way - targeting the earliest sellers may provide the best chance of that happening soon enough to make a difference this year. Who do we like? Too early, I know, but not too early to know there are some holes that need a fillin'. What say you?

QUOTE (Dam8610 @ Apr 25, 2015 -> 06:36 PM) Where is Montas? Nothing on Barons homepage. Centerpiece of Longoria trade?

QUOTE (Joshua Strong @ Apr 25, 2015 -> 03:16 PM) I have grilled some people in this exact thread for arguing against the BPA strategy. I loved the Kris Bryant pick in 2013 and thought that Houston should've drafted him #1 overall, to pair him with Carlos Correa. I think that if the old CBA rules were in effect, the Sox would not have drafted Rodon, the price tag would have been too high for them, the Sox spent the least money in the draft under the old CBA. I am not saying that the Sox should draft position players with every draft pick that they have, I am just saying that their dearth of 'talented' position players in the system needs to be addressed going forward. This is my take as well. Definitely not arguing against BPA by any means, but I won't mind if they think that an advanced bat is the BPA at pick 8, OR if there's such a guy they love who can be had underslot, won't mind saving the $ for a run at an overslot in Rd 4.

Maybe nothing, but what happened to Frankie's turn in the B'ham rotation? Courtney now averaging more than 1.5 K per game. That won't fly.

QUOTE (Joshua Strong @ Apr 25, 2015 -> 01:16 PM) I could not agree more, the Sox need bats in the system desperately. I like that since the new CBA came into effect, they have gone after toolsy, high ceiling players (Hawkins, Anderson, Trey M, Rodon, etc). I hope that continues because I think that it is the best philosophy to go about building a team, but a lot of the position players that they have drafted recently, have had trouble making consistent contact, they need to start going after guys who can put the bat on the ball consistently and start putting more of an emphasis on contact as opposed to power. Its critical that the Sox start developing their own position players because free agency is not what it used to be with teams locking their young players up to long term extensions (Longoria, Rizzo, Yelich, etc), impact positions are not on the market as frequently as they used to. The Sox need to start putting together the core group of position players. How many guys (bats) on the ML team do you think are long term pieces? I would say Abreu (there's four years left on his deal after this season), Eaton, Avi and Micah, maybe? Thats not a really exciting list and nor does it really excite me about the team's future going forward. I think the Sox have holes at C, 3B, 1B (I think that Abreu is going to DH after the LaRoche contract, he'll be 30), and in the outfield going forward. These are positions that should all be addressed in the future. I know this article is about the Cubs, but it is a great read: http://grantland.com/the-triangle/chicago-...t-jake-arrieta/ Yeah, saw that article last year - and can't disagree with the strategy in an offense-starved environment. We'll need to trade pitching to fill one or two of the holes, and the farm will have to produce at least 1 quality bat beyond Anderson, and I'm guessing that will be an OF. I have more confidence in Hahn pulling it off with deals than I do the farm producing ANYthing - and that's kinda sad. Really hope to see the right kind of improvement from Adolfo this season. It's also sad that my biggest hope is several years away.

QUOTE (bmags @ Apr 25, 2015 -> 09:50 AM) If he can have this line in July, I will do a jig. Maybe a rhythmic shuffle, but not a full-on jig. 840 OPS in Charlotte's bandbox probably won't translate so well to the bigs. But it is a major improvement - need to see more.

I wouldn't mind seeing one start from Beck and one from EJohnson, if that's what is needed during these suspensions.

QUOTE (raBBit @ Apr 25, 2015 -> 09:59 AM) LOL, I am with you there Stan. Although Tim Anderson is bucking that trend and is the first raw guy to increase their stock in consecutive years after being drafted. Ultimately, with Hahn at the top, the Sox are a team that drafts what they produce. I'll expect a pitcher on June 8th. You're right about Anderson - he could be the one that bucks the development trend, but a ways to go yet. And you're right for expecting a pitcher with the 8th pick - this particular draft seems to lean heavily that way. I just hope they don't pass on a future star bat. Some of the pitching prospects I'm smitten with will need to be dealt for offense. Since Rodon is already on the club, and a guy like Danish is probably more valued within the org than outside of it, they may need to trade Montas and Adams. Neither may be close to a peak value yet, though. I expected to compete this year, and patience is waning.

The more I watch the big club, the more I realize we need bats more than anything else, by far. And they will need to be the smart, advanced approach type of hitters, that can finish developing pretty much on their own - because development rarely ever happens on Buddy's Farm. If there's one that fits the bill and has some power (Happ?), that's what they need to do. If I read the word raw in the scouting report, it's a fail.

Nice outing for Danish. K'ing 1 per inning in the early going, which will be great if he maintains his GB tendencies.

QUOTE (Tony82087 @ Apr 24, 2015 -> 07:13 PM) I 100% agree, and not based on what we just saw. It's the 3rd inning and your 9 and 1 hitters just reached based. Is Robin playing to tie the ballgame in the 3rd inning? It just doesn't make baseball sense. At ALL. The Robin handicap is very real. Measuring it won't be easy, but it's there. QUOTE (GreenSox @ Apr 24, 2015 -> 07:16 PM) Ventura is managing scared. This too. Playing for a tie in the 3rd freaking inning!?!?

Davidson wins in for Charlotte with a HR in 9th, also a 2B. .289 Hope.

And I am sick of hearing about the Cubs in barely semi-peripheral threads. There's a Cubs thread already, thanks.

QUOTE (Butter Parque @ Apr 19, 2015 -> 11:40 AM) Where is Coop? Should have been out there after the JMartinez walk.

Eaton's offseason lobotomy was widely under-reported.

QUOTE (Dunt @ Apr 19, 2015 -> 09:16 AM) KC quickly becoming a really unlikable team Specifically, YVentura, despite having a world of talent, is a hothead punk. Sal Perez knows it, as you can see how quickly he's ready to corral the guy when the shenanigans start.

IF we can win tomorrow, we're one game under, having lost only 1 series, to a team that came flying out of the gate, and having played 8 of 11 games on the road. We can say to hell with any "cold hard facts" and consider the season rebooted. Make it so.

QUOTE (Mike F. @ Apr 18, 2015 -> 07:19 PM) That is what I thought as well. Whether it is Petricka or Crain replacing Drabek, it's a major upgrade either way. Yeah, I'm thinking that Jesse, when/if he's ready, will be replacing the worst of Albers, Guerra, or Putnam - I'll guess Albers.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Apr 18, 2015 -> 07:15 PM) Depends on their willingness to eat $20 million on Danks and/or the court of public and media opinion...fan frustration levels, attendance trends, etc. If you've really got Johnson, Rodon, Montas, Danish, Adams and Beck/Fry/Trexler/R.Leyer (outside looking in) as legit starting prospects, that would be a huge improvement from 2-3 years ago. There's an outside chance that Danks can still pitch his way into semi-tradeability - minimal return of low-level MiLBer(s), coupled with significant salary relief from the Sox, but still enough savings to be worthwhile. Won't hold my breath, but it's possible.