8 minutes ago, PaleAleSox said:

I still think there has to be a Sosa move SOMEWHERE. I'd love for them to just drop Benintendi, though.

Why? He's a league average hitter on the the team with the worst OF in the league. Sure he'll DH plenty, and yah, he's not very good anymore, but Sox don't really have anyone else to play. As long as he's not blocking Teel / Quero getting regular at bats (he won't, imo), Sox are better off keeping Beni than paying him to be a league average bat elsewhere. 

1 minute ago, ChiSox59 said:

Why? He's a league average hitter on the the team with the worst OF in the league. Sure he'll DH plenty, and yah, he's not very good anymore, but Sox don't really have anyone else to play. As long as he's not blocking Teel / Quero getting regular at bats (he won't, imo), Sox are better off keeping Beni than paying him to be a league average bat elsewhere. 

That's my concern. 

3 minutes ago, Bob Sacamano said:

Their time didn’t overlap so don’t think this is true.

I think you are correct.  Bannister’s last year with the Giants was 2023.  Hicks joined the Giants in 2024.

So, the Sox “think (Sandlin) can start”. (Despite scouting questions over high slot delivery).

3 minutes ago, ChiSox59 said:

Why? He's a league average hitter on the the team with the worst OF in the league. Sure he'll DH plenty, and yah, he's not very good anymore, but Sox don't really have anyone else to play. As long as he's not blocking Teel / Quero getting regular at bats (he won't, imo), Sox are better off keeping Beni than paying him to be a league average bat elsewhere. 

Benintendi DHing plenty would be in the way of each Teel and Quero getting more at bats.

2 minutes ago, PaleAleSox said:

That's my concern. 

I think they'll both play plenty. Would like to see Sox at least toy with letting these guys play somewhere other than C and DH a time or two a week. The reality is the Sox are an injury or two away from none of this "crunch" mattering at all. Those guys will get plenty of at bats. 

10 minutes ago, SoxAce said:

Oh wow Sandlin was a bit better prospect coming back than I saw was expecting. Hopefully he stays healthy.

Rumor is Sandlin didnt pass the medical portion of the trade according to @Baron sauce before but apparently has now since it's been completed ? Something is weird or sauce was partially right & wrong. 

3 minutes ago, ChiSox59 said:

I think they'll both play plenty. Would like to see Sox at least toy with letting these guys play somewhere other than C and DH a time or two a week. The reality is the Sox are an injury or two away from none of this "crunch" mattering at all. Those guys will get plenty of at bats. 

Also true. This stuff sorts itself out

2 minutes ago, CaliSoxFanViaSWside said:

Rumor is Sandlin didnt pass the medical portion of the trade according to @Baron sauce before but apparently has now since it's been completed ? Something is weird or sauce was partially right & wrong. 

Or it wasn’t bad enough for them to not do the deal

Seems like alot of folks are putting Hicks in bullpen. Tho plus is Sox blowing past the 20 million from Robert. Also have to clear 3 spots on roster now

 

Edited February 1Feb 1 by Whisox05

2 minutes ago, CaliSoxFanViaSWside said:

Rumor is Sandlin didnt pass the medical portion of the trade according to @Baron sauce before but apparently has now since it's been completed ? Something is weird or sauce was partially right & wrong. 

Shoulder issues is what I heard was the hold up. But I might have been wrong. This was probably a one off of inside source for me lol. 

3 minutes ago, CaliSoxFanViaSWside said:

Rumor is Sandlin didnt pass the medical portion of the trade according to @Baron sauce before but apparently has now since it's been completed ? Something is weird or sauce was partially right & wrong. 

Mmmm, @Baron sauce.

2 minutes ago, Bob Sacamano said:

Or it wasn’t bad enough for them to not do the deal

Yeah maybe some concerns popped up which delayed it, but ultimately Sox are okay with it. Probably more worried about him more past this year than 2026.

I am not enamored of Ziehl, but Sandlin doesn't seem like anything either. Will be interesting to see how much money Sox are getting to offset Hicks.

12 minutes ago, ChiSox59 said:

Interesting move. Not really sure what to think of it.

Sox now need to clear three 40 man spots. 

Represents an upgrade in the system to Ziehl. Kind of expensive upgrade. Must be a significant upgrade.

2 minutes ago, Baron said:

Shoulder issues is what I heard was the hold up. But I might have been wrong. This was probably a one off of inside source for me lol. 

Could very well be that there was a concern but they delayed the trade to look a little more in depth. Not uncommon in trades. May even be that the sox hot a little more money back due to the concern.

2 minutes ago, Timmy U said:

I am not enamored of Ziehl, but Sandlin doesn't seem like anything either. Will be interesting to see how much money Sox are getting to offset Hicks.

RS  really really hated carrying Hicks’ deal if Sandlin is something.

21 minutes ago, Autumn Dreamin said:

60 day IL opens next week but I'm not sure how long they have to make things official

Do you think its possible Sandlin goes on the 60 day DL or are we just talking about guys like Thorpe, Mason Adams, Berroa & Bush ? 

Edited February 1Feb 1 by CaliSoxFanViaSWside

Sandlin was Boston's number 11 prospect in the preseason 2026 list for BA. Scouting report below.

Quote

11. David Sandlin RHP

Ht: 6'4" | Wt: 215 | B-T: R-R

Age: 24

BA Grade/Risk: 50/Average

Adjusted Grade: 40

Track Record: Acquired from the Royals prior to the 2024 season, Sandlin has shown tantalizing stuff without the results to match. The 2025 season was his healthiest as a professional but featured up-and-down results. A slow start in Double-A gave way to his most consistent run as a starter, in which he pitched to a 2.63 ERA over 10 starts, and a promotion to Triple-A. But an audition for a big league bullpen role went poorly, and Sandlin never got called up. He was added to the 40-man roster in the offseason.

Scouting Report: Though Sandlin sits at 96-97 mph and can touch 100, his modest extension and high three-quarters slot afford hitters a clean look, making his fastball play below its velocity. Thus, he added a cutter and sinker in 2025 with promising results in Double-A that didn’t carry over to Triple-A. He creates numerous breaking ball shapes and speeds, with a sweeper and slider showing wipeout potential against righties. His changeup flashes potential but remains inconsistent as an armside offering for lefties. He throws enough strikes with his diverse repertoire to keep the door open to starting.

The Future: Sandlin has a No. 4 starter’s ceiling but a likelier path to being a leverage bullpen arm. He’ll likely open 2026 in the Triple-A rotation with both directions open, but may gain definition about his future role in the coming year.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 45 | Curveball: 55 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 45 | Cutter: 45 | Sweeper: 50 | Control: 50

 

Edited February 1Feb 1 by DirtySox

4 minutes ago, CaliSoxFanViaSWside said:

Do you think its possible Sandlin goes on the 60 day DL or are we just talking about guys like Thorpe, Mason Adams, Berroa & Bush ? 

Talking about last years TJ class mainly

I’d have Hicks out of the pen and see if he can harness his stuff in short stints. Does he still have his elite velocity?

Getz has one of the 30 best jobs anywhere.

Good move overall - this is the type of grinding I like to see  front office do. 

I don't think the Sox will have that much trouble finding 3 guys to DFA. Here are some names: Eisert, Gilbert, Hudson, Iriarte, Lee, Romo, Mead, Hill, and Peters. Pick any 3 of those.

3 minutes ago, oldsox said:

Getz has one of the 30 best jobs anywhere.

Working for Jerry forces a great deal of creativity in one’s work.