SCCWS

Wow he hit 100 to Moncada.

Sale has had a couple of mediocre outings lately so hopefully he has another. Betts and Pedroia out so maybe we can grab one. It would be nice to see Moncada play some wall ball.

At one time, leadoff hitters didn't hit many HR's. If he is a .280+ hitter with good speed, takes walks and plays above average D , then we have filled a need. Moncada hits 2nd and we have a nice top of the order in 3-4 years.

I would add to that they are also well paid to fo that. But that is in fantasy land. In the real world, some players bust their butts every game but many don't. As announcers often say, players take plays or even games off. It is human nature. But that is what most workers in their everyday job do also. Every time you buy something that is defective, most likely someone took that "play" off.

I don't think they are a championship team. They have been awful against the Cubs so unless that really improves they are a WC at best team.

This 2012 Bleacher report analysis of all 30 teams re. market size. Sox were ranked 10th behind Washington and ahead of Atlanta. https://bleacherreport.com/articles/961412-mlb-power-rankings-all-30-mlb-teams-by-market-size#slide0 Though Chicago is a huge market, the White Sox are dominated therein. Even since the 2005 World Series title the Sox brought home, Chicago remains a Cubs town, and the Cubs will always gobble up most of the tourist money, merchandise money, ad revenue and prime media real estate in the city. That's one element of the problem here. Another is that U.S. Cellular Field is a bit of a dump, by modern ballpark standards. It has relatively little character. It sits in a poor South Side neighborhood, where the expected economic impact has never developed. The revenue exclusivity of the area helps in a way, but the removal from downtown Chicago is a disadvantage, too. The Sox are no poor cousin, but they're functionally a mid-market team, albeit the richest once imaginable.

I would add Anderson to Moncada. Hopefully one or both take a leap forward next year.

FWIW--His first stop in the majors was in Boston who was in the middle of a pennant race. He failed miserably and was sent back down.

I would rather see 2 walks and no HR. That would have been a better direction.

But that only allows Swihart to play 1st base. So he may not be a good catching alternative. My concern is we have 2 young pitchers in the rotation, plus Covey and another on the way so hopefully it doesn't affect their performance.

Another option is available. Hanley Ramirezhas been DFA'd. I am sure the Red Sox will have eat a chunk of his salary to dump him.

Devers is really struggling defensively. But then I heard an announcer say the other day that he is younger than anyone on Boston's AAA or AA teams. I think we have to wait a few years since they all are guys who got rushed to the majors.

He needs to go to TB and pitch in the Trop.

14 SO and 1 BB. Ugggh!!!!!!!!!!!

FWIW-Another name to throw out is Blake Swihart. His agent asked for a trade since he is their 3rd catcher. But supposedly Red Sox may want too much.

Except Narvaez has been the primary catcher for Gio and Castillo for Lopez. Maybe they feel there is better chemistry w the Gio battery.

Question. So often during games, you hear announcers talk about different catchers who are assets to the pitching staff. Often they refer to young pitchers especially. How important is catching? We have had 3 young pitchers in the rotation most of the year and will again once Kopech arrives. Rodon is also young but at least has 60+ starts. Are the present catchers considered an asset working with pitchers or would a priority be to get one? Not for the 2021 roster but someone to bridge the gap while the young pitchers develop at the MLB level.

Agree. That would certainly be a very logical approach at this juncture.

Maybe that is the Theo philosophy. The Red Sox have also won several World series with some acquired starting pitching.

He kinda is......................

Another sign the rebuild is moving ahead..........................

I think that is true for some college players where the club thinks AA to majors may be okay. But the HS/international kids may need AAA .

But a different era. I agree he needs time in AAA but some players go straight from AA to majors. So i think he will be moved pretty quickly to AAA but then stay there till they think he has no more to learn at that level.

Hopefully the kid is okay from a mental standpoint after this. The high of getting drafted and invited to spring training to having an incredibly terrible year after that must be agonizing for him. Hopefully he is able to recover and come back down the road

I doubt it is Kopech. If he comes up, someone other than Hahn is calling the shots.