Lip Man 1

For what its worth to you I was told by one of the Sox announcers a few years ago when Alexei was playing the he was (direct quote) "the dumbest shortstop in baseball." The comment was made not because of the physical errors which are part of the game but because of all the mental mistakes in the field (example his issues with the double play, touching the actual base for an example) and his base running misjudgements. He was in the league a long time, those didn't seem to improve. I seem to recall an incident between A.J. and him for another example on his positioning when receiving throws from the catcher. A.J. wasn't happy about it. I'd have to agree with a previous poster, the Sox for the last decade or so really make you wonder if the organization stresses anything regarding fundamentals. It seems simple things, baseball situations are screwed up a lot. One way for the rebuild to increase the chances of succeeding is for these kids in the minor leagues to actually learn their trade / craft and master the "little things."

I see where Fulmer again walked six more guys last night.

I certainly understand why, they are both interchangeably bad.

I do agree that it seems to be a "closed" "family" type operation. Unless you are part of or were part of the Sox there doesn't seem to be a place for outsiders. That's bad because you start to get a "group think" in certain areas if everyone is having the same experiences. They need new blood, outside the organization with fresh ideas and ways of looking at the issues and problems. Again though that's not JR's way, it's seems to be "loyalty" above all else unfortunately. I think the rebuild has a good chance of working, but I think it would have had a better chance if the same front office that put the franchise into the ditch wasn't being asked to fix it. All you can do as a fan is hope it all works in the end.

Given that Navarez hit a three run home run it was surprising to see him bunt, but that's Ricky. Also Minaya is the 13th pitcher on the staff, only up because Jones is again on the DL. Why is he pitching in a tie game? Strange. Personally I hope RR is not the manager if this team gets good but remember JR doesn't think and never has thought that head coaches or managers are that crucial, he certainly won't go out and pay top dollar to get one or even see if one can be available through trade while under contract. (It has happened before by the way where a manager was traded for a player), that's not the way he operates.

You never EVER have to much pitching.

I just saw something tonight that if true, now has me concerned about the kid, especially the way he started the minor league season. Supposedly tonight in 3+ innings he walked eight, hit two batters and threw FIVE wild pitches. WTF? That can't be right. That's Nuke LaLoosh there,not one of the top prospects in the game.

No big loss.

Should anybody be surprised he's back on the DL? Guy can't stay healthy, period for whatever reason or reasons. Can't and shouldn't count on him moving forward in the next few years. Minaya...sigh.

Always nice to see them play better. Fundamentally sound tonight including the bunt that brought home a run.

Caul: I'd be curious, don't know if this is possible, to know how many of Boras clients signed extensions before they were to hit the free agent market. I'm assuming that didn't happen often. My premise is that regardless of what Rodoin does in the next few years it will be Boras' intention to have him hit the market and not sign any extensions. If he is doing well and hits the market as I speculated he'll be out of the Sox price range (unless new ownership is in place). He may be willing to sign an extension if he isn't doing so well but again, why would the Sox want to sign him if he's not producing? I'm guessing it would take an unusual set of circumstances to have Boras agree to an extension with the Sox especially for a highly drafted pitcher but we'll see. Maybe if the team has turned it around in two years and is winning, Rodon may want to stay

I'm not critical of it in the least. The bottom line though is that unless current ownership isn't no longer running the franchise when Rodon becomes a free agent the Sox have very little chance of retaining his services ESPECIALLY if he has pitched well the few years before that. They simply have not to this point, EVER given out those type of deals. Maybe that changes in the near future, we'll see. If so they have a shot to bring in some of the top talent that will be available this off season. Again we'll have to wait and see.

Historically the Sox haven't had a lot of Boras clients. His relationship with the Sox hasn't been the best. For years he and Williams weren't even on speaking terms after the Alex Rodriguez situation. JR also had a very strong "dislike" towards him for many years as well. It's a simple fact, this is the way Boras operates. I'm not criticizing him for it, his job is to get his client the most money. That means when they have a chance to hit the open market, they go, period. Looking at it from the Sox standpoint Greg they don't really have much choice. Rodon is going to hit the free agent market at some point. If he's pitching well, he'll be priced way out of the Sox market (unless of course new ownership is in place, which could be a possibility) if he isn't pitching well or continues to be injured why would the Sox want him given the possible strength of their young pitchers anyway? What makes the most sense in my opinion given those factual circumstances, is that the Sox hope he pitches well and stays healthy the next year or year and a half, then they deal him for a very good package since he'll still have a year and a half or two years to go before Boras takes him to the free agent market. If you wait to long with him you run the risk of not getting a lot back if he only has a year or a half season to go before becoming a free agent. That's the reality of things Greg given the agent, his documented history and the history of the Sox as a franchise that as of this writing,has never given out a nine figure deal to a player...and believe me, if Rodon pitches very well the next few years, that's exactly what Boras is going to be asking for. The only thing that could change that situation is new ownership in which case all bets are off, a new owner may not even blink twice at authorizing a 100 million dollar deal. As Walter Cronkite used to say, "and that's the way it is." Not the ideal situation but one that is the most probable in my opinion.

Two reasons: 1. Because of his agent. He's hitting the open market eventually and will not be giving the Sox a "discount" especially if he is pitching well. You trade him when he still has a few years on his contract to help maximize the return. 2. Because if the bulk of the young talent from a starting standpoint can actually pitch (Kopech, Hansen, Dunning, Lopez, Gialito, Crease off the top of my head) Rodon while valuable if the Sox keep him, won't be a team breaker if they trade him. Starting pitching could be a strength.

Nice series save for the errors.

Don't think anybody will want Avi.

Another hamstring situation for the Sox. They've had a bunch this year.

Baseball sometimes is a funny game when Covey is better than Sale and Thompson drives in the game winner. ?

Agreed. he allowed a lot of inherited runners to score.

Lopez and Gio looked good, shame that Jones coughed it up for Lopez in the first game.

Some good points and that's the dilemma for a lot of Sox fans, they understand that the folks who drove the franchise into a ditch are the ones being asked to tow it out and get it going again. From spending money, to drafting, to signing free agents, its all a big question mark with this front office. All you can do is hope for the best I guess.

I may be wrong but I heard and read that Jose' isn't on-board with becoming a full time DH which obviously is an issue if the Sox were trying to force it on him.

I continue to think that this off season the Sox won't be a player for any of the "Superstars" that are going to be available. Too many things working against them. Hope I'm wrong, it would be a tremendous get...but I don't think its going to happen. So what the Sox CAN do, and should do in my opinion is concentrate on improving the pitching staff specifically the bullpen. Next year they need to show some progress on the field in the won / loss category. Getting some guys who can actually hold leads is the easiest way to do that. They simply can't bring back the same cast of guys next year in the bullpen...they just can't do that.

I think you are probably right in your guess but we'll see. JR has surprised folks before (Albert Belle) so you can never say with 100% certainty about what may happen. I've said before that I don't expect the Sox to land any of the "Superstar", "Game Changers" this off season. I also would be surprised if they offered any of them far and away the most money, but again we'll see, they could surprise everyone. I think they'll be attractive to guys to help upgrade the bullpen and the depth making them better in 2019...at least I sure hope so.

I can't believe I'm writing this but Covey looks like a decent major league pitcher now. If they can get anything out of him moving forward, God bless them. We'll see if it lasts.