tray

It would be great if Moncada would agree to play some games at third and some at second in order to give the Sox some options moving forward. My own opinion about when to bring a player up is when he is probably the best option a team has at a certain position, or if they need his skill set for a particular reason such as speed, hitting , defense. I also think that some teams who are probably not going to compete, could justify bringing up prospects to see what they have and at the same time, give young players a chance to compete at the major league level. I think Robert is probably better than Engel right now. Madrigal's bat skills might compel the Sox to bring him up earlier than some have predicted. And please, don't blame the Sox for bringing him up Fulmer before he was "ready." Sometimes it is important to determine what type of talent you have but it is equally important to assess what you do not have.

GK: I would make that trade as well buy I don't think Burgur has an ounce of trade value.

I'd trade Moncada before trading Robert or Madrigal but I would not even go there unless Moncada either refused to play third base or just continued to be an average at best hitter with a high strike out rate.

The Narvaez, Davidson, Avi moves were a defensive purge. The end of the clown show on defense. Hopefully, but that depends on who replaces them.

Lol same thought Same lack of thought.

So just to be clear, your plan is I’d like to share my actual thoughts here, but would prefer to avoid a likely suspension. I guess you missed "semi-serious" or do not understand what that means or you cannot appreciate sarcasm. Anyway, I sense some repressed anger. If that's the case go ahead and vent if that makes you feel better.

Lilly: I am sold on getting Harper and plugging in some veteran talent , especially for our rotation and bullpen. But I know you don't want to hear that so let me bite on a semi-serious alternative: Tank 2019, but in committing to that end, put a AA team on the field and let them be baptized by fire....kind of like the mid-sixties NY Mets. Infield: Moncada at 3rd (make him play there) , Timmy at short, Madrigal at 2nd, Abreu at 1st. Outfield Eloy, Robert and Avi G. Catcher: Bring up Collins or Zavala Meanwhile, try to trade Abreu and Avi. If a trade gets done, replace them with other AA type talent, like Basabe or Micker. Same idea with pitching - cycle pitchers up from the minors to see who can cut it in the bigs. That would guarantee another 100 loss season, but fans might actually enjoy watching the rebuild happen in real time during actual major league games. What more would we have to lose if we are going to lose anyway ? So tank 2019, but at least try to make it interesting.

When you account that the Cubs own 75% of Chicago, you can't really say they are a large market team. If that is the case, they are in one of the smallest markets in Baseball. I hate to burst everyone's bubble. Please just become a full time cub fan since you have already bought in to the hype.

Avi G under-performed in 2018. I think injury was the main reason. He had his knee scoped and should be back at 100% in 2019. I am betting that he comes back and hits for power and average. Therefore, I am going to go against the grain here and suggest that the Sox try to sign him to a 3 year deal. If I am right and he starts raking in 2019, then you have a valuable trade asset moving forward.

Moncada has too many strikeouts....way too many. Madrigal is just the opposite. A big part of his game is getting the bat on the ball. If Moncada keeps taking third strikes and generally having too many strike-outs, he probably should not be in the starting lineup. Madrigal, even without great HR power. is what is needed in our line-up. Most pf us have not seen that much of Madrigal. I only saw him in the college playoffs and college World Series. I look forward to reading everyone's opinion after we have all seen players like Madrigal and Robert in the Spring. Some of us might be singing a different tune about these prospects, when they will be ready, and what their upside might be. If you are baseball addicted like me, you are already counting the days until ST.

Your theory was since Adam Engel was not ready (despite over a thousand PA’s above that level) and given the the major league CF job that we should hand Luis the job next season. That was not my theory. My opinion is that any decision about promoting a player should be predicated on a talent evaluation of the specific player, not on age, their progression through the ranks of the minor league, time spent in those leagues, and plate appearances. I have already seen opinions expressed that Luis Robert lacked power and that he is prone to injury. I do not think either of those has merit. Don't rule out the possibility that Robert can make it to the majors next year. I think it can happen and if I am wrong, it won't be the first or last time. I think Robert is better than Engel right now....by a lot.

Rushed ? Talent evaluation is the key more than the timing of a call-up . If a player has the talent they will make it whether they are 21, 22 or 26. Devers, Benintendi,,,so many young guys make it without complaints about being rushed.

Adam Engel's stats in 2017-2018 according to baseballreference.com: 730 At bats .207 batting average 246 strike-outs 12 HR Was Engel "ready" for major league baseball or was he brought up to try to adjust to major league pitching on the fly to see how that worked out? Why wouldn't Robert be given the same chance ? If he continues to play well in Spring Training, no reason he should not replace Engel on the 25 man roster. His speed on the bases along with that of Tim Anderson and Moncada would be formidable. Engel is DFA material.

The Sox are in one of the top markets. They just need to get their rightful share of it. The cubs do not own this town. They fizzled out and choked in games 163 and 164 and people don't like chokers. Their window to win another championship may be narrowing with Milwaukee rising in that division. S[ports fans are fickle....what have you done for them lately.

Michael Jordan championship Bulls era bankrolled by Jerry.

Images of Fisk, Luzinski and Leflore acquisitions when JR was just starting out with the Sox. That almost got it done in 83.

I think our Sox will go after Harper until the bidding gets ridiculous and maybe knowing that will happen, the Sox will go there as well. What you get for it is a spike in fan interest, more ticket and beer sales in the park and more TV and advertising revenue. ...plus a more competitive team for fans to enjoy. Go get this guy Jerry.

That would make more sense if the Cubz colors were black and white.

No thanks on Machado. I'd go after Bryce Harper. He was seen wearing a black and white jacket which means nothing but at the same time, does nothing to quash speculation about which team signs him. He would be a game changer for the White Sox but Black and White likely means the Yankees.

(Avi's) "health and lack of consistency will mean more than that 2017 season will. He just hasn't been able to stay healthy, and have solid and consistent performances from season to season. " His health? His health is outstanding beginning in 2017 when he lost weight and started a healthy diet and exercise regime. Consistency from year to year would be an important consideration if one did not know anything else about this player. Things changed before his All Star season in 2017 from his weight, his diet and conditioning, to his approach at the plate. This guy is a stud. The Sox won't let him go or trade him unless they get Harper or another star to start in RF.

No team is going to non-tender a player who was an All=Star and hit .330 the previous year and who was then hampered by injury this year.

I like jerksticks plan. I am hoping that Robert and Madrigal start raking in the minors and come up later in 2019.

I found this story where Benintendi and Dombrowski comment after the trade. Benintendi briefly worried he'd go in Sale deal Dombrowski says Red Sox never considered trading MLB's top prospect In hindsight, Benintendi and Devers would have been the right ticket in exchange for Sale.

I have a question or two about the Sale trade for Moncada /Kopech... Did Hahn want Benintendi more than Moncada or more than Kopech as one of the players in that trade? Did Dave Dombrowski insist that Benintendi not be offered in that trade? I know the Red Sox wanted to trade Kopech and that Moncada was not happy playing third there. Right now, I would trade Mioncada and Kopech for Benintendi.

Talent evaluation requires more than an analysis of statistics. Giolito had had a high ERA but consider other factors. He is a tall pitcher who has a great curve ball and can get leverage on his fast ball when he needs to. He is a smart kid who can and will learn how to pitch better. I want him in our rotation in 2019 because, given what I have observed, I believe he will develop into a solid starting pitcher.