tray

This is similar to the argument Lillian had made in another thread about keeping McCann rather than Collins,* if * it came to a choice about which one to trade. In short, if Grandal went on the DL for an extended time and Collins was relied on as a starting catcher for an extended period, that might not be acceptable.

That is the likely reason for considering Maybin. Engel is a better role player but he would be unacceptable as a full time outfielder if Robert, Mazara or Eloy had to go on the DL for an extended time. So , yes to Maybin if they can get him. There may not be enough room on the roster for Engel if the Sox sign Maybin and start the season with Mendick at second. Engel is borderline major league material so this should not be a major issue if it comes to that.

Not baffling Ray-Ray.. Religious and social issues are paramount in politics and always will be. Core beliefs are indoctrinated into young children before they are able to process data with any substantial life experience and learning. It's also why no one can tell us not to be White Sox fans. We weren't born this way, but most of us got indoctrinated shortly thereafter and our allegiance will never change.

Schools need to get money from somewhere. Tax revenue from marijuana sales to students....and teachers.

Stone has has had some hits and misses.

Cubs (and Epstein) were lucky to win one by the skin of their teeth in the 10th inning of Game 7 or they would still be looking for one and answering to the b1tchiest little fans in the game.

Cali" Do you think Cheslor Cuthbert is an option to hold down second base for a few weeks if the Sox decide to hold back Madrigal ?

Yes sir, let's serve it up one more time, By the way, McCann was on with a base hit so it was a two run jack.

I have always thought that the Cubs would sign Castellanos, The Rangers are probably giving the Rickettts a run for their (unlimited) money. If that is the case, Castellanos is going to get paid beyond what he is worth....maybe 20 Million/yr for 3- 5 years with an opt out. Cubs have been silent this off-season while the sound from the South side has been deafening, so that might pressure the Ricketts to make a big splash. They have money to burn and will not be overspent.

Congratulations to the new Mr and Mrs Michael Kopech. link

That is the right thing to do.

There is a lot is symmetry and balance to our team as it now stands. I , for one, prefer that they do not risk upending that balance or the character of the team by signing a fukup like Puig or bringing back Yolmer the assclown. If Madrigal continues to show that he can play great defense and hit during Spring Training, I would bring him up on Opening Day despite potentially losing a year of contractual control. I said "potentially" because the Sox can always choose to extend him later this season or down the road. Having Madrigal in the starting lime-up on Opening Day means that the Sox don't have to futz with signing some infielder to start for a month, or making Leury platoon in the IF and OF which could dilute his effectiveness. So.... come out of the gate on Opening Day with Robert and Madrigal in the line-up. Develop team chemistry from the start, rack up as many wins as possible in the first two months, and bury the sh1t teams in the Division right off the bat.

There are hitters, like James McCann that have adjusted to a steady diet of outside sinkers and end up driving them for doubles into the gap in Right center . Avi Garcia made that adjustment in his All Star year. Pitchers became too confident that they could get him out on outside pitches so he finally reacted by anticipating location and leaning on those pitches. It's a cat and mouse game at the plate and sometimes the mice can outwit the cat. Don't worry about La Pantera.

Does Kenny Williams get any credit ?

" Oxilofrine is a stimulant of the amphetamine class ...Currently on the World Anti-Doping Agency's list of banned substances, it is considered a performance-enhancing drug. " https://www.milb.com/south-atlantic/news/red-sox-no-10-prospect-kopech-suspended/c-136960248

I saw a similar shot when Kirk Gibson hit one over the RF roof at Old Comiskey....an inning or two after the Bull hit one on the LF roof.

Luis Robert's Twitter is @LuisRobert56 and he hasn't posted that picture, at least not that I recall. Luis reminds me of a larger, stronger version of Tim Anderson or, I hate to say, another young Sox outfielder that ended up playing for the Cubs. Tell me the Sox gave Robert an extensive physical and drug test before they signed him. Kopech was using peds before he came to the Sox. It wouldn't surprise me if Luis used them at some point as well since that shit is as common as Gatorade in gyms where guys are pumping iron and trying to bulk up.

I think the Sox are done with Yolmer. They want Abreu setting the tone, not that clown.

1993 Sox were not even close. Karko at catcher rather than Grandall ? How many home runs for the outfielders combined in '94?

If Mazara hit 35+ HR, I don't care if he sucks in the OF.

I agree Lillian. He isn't bulky. His build reminds me of Tori Hunter.

My guess is that Betts is staying in Boston on a long term deal for around 300M. He is a generational talent that the Red Sox will not let go. I thought and still think the Red Sox will trade Benintendi for the right package ...possibly something like Mazara , Collins, and a pitching prospect and/or taking on 2/3 of Eovaldi's contract in a trade deal. Absent some trade for a legit RFer, I would sign Castellanos and then trade Mazara at some point. Or come up with another plan to solve the RF problem rather than kicking the can down the road. My hope is that Nomar will hit enough home runs to make us forget about the rest of his game. That is what happened with Castellanos at Wrigley last year. And that should be as instructive as Castellanos defensive fWar. My guess is that the Cubs or the Giants will sign Castellanos.

I watched several Cub games. Castellanos was slow and wasn't able to track down every ball hit in the gap, but he didn't make one error for the Cubs. Outside if that, he was a spark plug on offense that won several games for them. Platooning is not an ideal strategy. There aren't enough outfielders on the roster to platoon every time the opposing team makes a pitching change. Eventually, Mazara will have to face LH pitchers in key situations. Trying ti insulate him from facing LH pitchers might prove to be counterproductive. So I get the platoon strategy now that we have Mazara but I just don't think it will be sustainable for very long. In fact, I would be in favor of keeping him in the line-up against LH starters and have him work with the new hitting coach on a different approach. If he doesn't get better and Steele Walker does, well the trade will be regrettable.

Precisely. For a baseball team, the whole can be greater than the sum of the parts. I will go back again to Steve Stone drawing some comparisons to his 1977 SS Hitmen . Stoney made that analog to convey the sense of synergy that occurs when you have a line-up like the one the Sox FO have now assembled. In '77 the sum of the parts included the momentum that Sox fans added to. When the Hitmen mashed, opposing pitchers came under pressure the entire game.....,then their hitters started pressing. On the other side of that, when a team goes up 4-6 runs, it makes everybody better,,,,pitchers, hitters and even the Manager. Confidence and momentum are huge. The line-up we have now is potentially crazy good - a rare combination of speed and power . The glass half empty would be if Eloy, Mazara or Robert get injured diving for balls in the outfield like Avi did.. Maybe let a few of them drop and live to fight another day.

Exactly.