Red Mosquito

Simple Torture wrote:Re: CF, I think they are counting on Duran coming up around 8/1 and filling role almost immediately (DFA Santana at that point, if not sooner). When they bring him up, he's coming up to start and stay, not to spell the current players. Could go well, could turn out he needs more time, but I think it's clear that's the plan.

Yeah, I wasnt sure if Duran was more of a corner outfielder, I assume hes coming post all star break.

Basically, I dont think Chaim was trying to put together a championship team this year, but the team is playing better than expected. He gets credit for hitting on someone like Renfroe(who i love and is my favorite player now,) but I dont think it's laughable to suggest that his plan was to be a seller at the deadline. It wasnt the plan to be a disgrace again like they were last year, but I think he signed guys like Renfroe, Richards, and Kike with an eye towards flipping them at the deadline.

I'd like to see them pickup a major league centerfielder, someone like Kevin Pillar or something like that, then obviously any team can always use bullpen arms. Dont need to do anything crazy or trade away anyone coveted, the team just needs small enhancements considering they have Sale and maybe even Houck coming to sure up the rotation.

numbers wrote:It wasnt the plan to be a disgrace again like they were last year, but I think he signed guys like Renfroe, Richards, and Kike with an eye towards flipping them at the deadline.

This is just how baseball works, though, isn't it? You take flyers on a couple of guys and if it works out, great, but if not you dump 'em and get as much value back as possible? Bloom isn't some sort of innovator here, he's doing what 29 other GMs are trying to do, too. His team just so happens to be winning--maybe because he built a solid, dependable team? I feel like people are still salty about Bloom pulling the trigger on the Betts trade (which was a forgone conclusion before he arrived) and don't want to give him credit for the moves he's made.

It’s not just the Betts trade, I was and still am very upset about last season. It was a disgrace and I will never accept them operating that way. He lost all credibility and trust with me and needs to earn it back.

The way he treated Roenicke at the end of the season also turned me off big time.

numbers wrote:I'd like to see them pickup a major league centerfielder, someone like Kevin Pillar or something like that, then obviously any team can always use bullpen arms. Dont need to do anything crazy or trade away anyone coveted, the team just needs small enhancements considering they have Sale and maybe even Houck coming to sure up the rotation.

If they got a guy like Pillar, whose playing time does he take? Especially if Duran comes up, the outfield is Verdugo--Duran--Renfroe with Kike and Gonzalez spelling them and taking turns at 2B. Where does a traded piece fit in? 1B is more of a hole, even with Dalbec playing marginally better (but still right at the Mendoza line), you need someone who can take some ABs from him and be productive right away--a Mitch-Moreland-type guy.

Simple Torture wrote:

numbers wrote:I'd like to see them pickup a major league centerfielder, someone like Kevin Pillar or something like that, then obviously any team can always use bullpen arms. Dont need to do anything crazy or trade away anyone coveted, the team just needs small enhancements considering they have Sale and maybe even Houck coming to sure up the rotation.

If they got a guy like Pillar, whose playing time does he take? Especially if Duran comes up, the outfield is Verdugo--Duran--Renfroe with Kike and Gonzalez spelling them and taking turns at 2B. Where does a traded piece fit in? 1B is more of a hole, even with Dalbec playing marginally better (but still right at the Mendoza line), you need someone who can take some ABs from him and be productive right away--a Mitch-Moreland-type guy.

If Duran works out, he doesnt take anybody's time away he just is a bench piece. I dont like the Kike-Marwin-Verdugo situation in CF, none of them are actual center fielders and it's hurting the team defense. I just want insurance if Duran struggles.

If Kike is in the starting lineup I want him playing 2B, not CF.

Simple Torture wrote:1B is more of a hole, even with Dalbec playing marginally better (but still right at the Mendoza line), you need someone who can take some ABs from him and be productive right away--a Mitch-Moreland-type guy.

Almost on cue, I saw this tweet. Spoilered for numbers' sanity:

Spoiler: show

I’m all for calling Franchy up and seeing if this is just him being the quintessential AAAA guy or if he’s figured something out.

Yeah. I just think the swoon is coming so they should cash in the pieces they can and plan for next year.

numbers wrote:

Simple Torture wrote:Re: CF, I think they are counting on Duran coming up around 8/1 and filling role almost immediately (DFA Santana at that point, if not sooner). When they bring him up, he's coming up to start and stay, not to spell the current players. Could go well, could turn out he needs more time, but I think it's clear that's the plan.

Yeah, I wasnt sure if Duran was more of a corner outfielder, I assume hes coming post all star break.

Two more dingers for Duran tonight.

It'd be a good day to do some reading if you're interested in prospects; www.soxprospects.com updated their top 50 rankings based on the first 2 months of the minor league seasons, and there's some interesting movement in the rankings to be excited about. Brayan Bello jumped from the mid-20s to #7 after being promoted to Portland earlier this month, old frenemy Jay Groome climbed back into the top 10, and Josh Winckowski and Freddy Valdez (other pieces of the Benintendi deal) are now in the top 20. Florida Complex League (formerly the Gulf Coast League) also started this week, so without short-season A ball this year (i.e., no Lowell), this will be the first look at some recent draftees.

Simple Torture wrote:It'd be a good day to do some reading if you're interested in prospects; http://www.soxprospects.com updated their top 50 rankings based on the first 2 months of the minor league seasons, and there's some interesting movement in the rankings to be excited about. Brayan Bello jumped from the mid-20s to #7 after being promoted to Portland earlier this month, old frenemy Jay Groome climbed back into the top 10, and Josh Winckowski and Freddy Valdez (other pieces of the Benintendi deal) are now in the top 20. Florida Complex League (formerly the Gulf Coast League) also started this week, so without short-season A ball this year (i.e., no Lowell), this will be the first look at some recent draftees.

What happened to that dude that was a high draft pick after one of the last place Farrell years? Was Trey Ball his name?

numbers wrote:

Simple Torture wrote:It'd be a good day to do some reading if you're interested in prospects; http://www.soxprospects.com updated their top 50 rankings based on the first 2 months of the minor league seasons, and there's some interesting movement in the rankings to be excited about. Brayan Bello jumped from the mid-20s to #7 after being promoted to Portland earlier this month, old frenemy Jay Groome climbed back into the top 10, and Josh Winckowski and Freddy Valdez (other pieces of the Benintendi deal) are now in the top 20. Florida Complex League (formerly the Gulf Coast League) also started this week, so without short-season A ball this year (i.e., no Lowell), this will be the first look at some recent draftees.

What happened to that dude that was a high draft pick after one of the last place Farrell years? Was Trey Ball his name?

Just never panned out, AFAIK.

I forgot to mention the draft in my last post--I think it's in 2 weeks? The Sox haven't picked in the top 5 since the '60s, and in that span the highest they've picked is 7th (three times). I know they've been connected to Leiter in some reports, but there's no guarantee.

Simple Torture wrote:

numbers wrote:

Simple Torture wrote:It'd be a good day to do some reading if you're interested in prospects; http://www.soxprospects.com updated their top 50 rankings based on the first 2 months of the minor league seasons, and there's some interesting movement in the rankings to be excited about. Brayan Bello jumped from the mid-20s to #7 after being promoted to Portland earlier this month, old frenemy Jay Groome climbed back into the top 10, and Josh Winckowski and Freddy Valdez (other pieces of the Benintendi deal) are now in the top 20. Florida Complex League (formerly the Gulf Coast League) also started this week, so without short-season A ball this year (i.e., no Lowell), this will be the first look at some recent draftees.

What happened to that dude that was a high draft pick after one of the last place Farrell years? Was Trey Ball his name?

Just never panned out, AFAIK.

I forgot to mention the draft in my last post--I think it's in 2 weeks? The Sox haven't picked in the top 5 since the '60s, and in that span the highest they've picked is 7th (three times). I know they've been connected to Leiter in some reports, but there's no guarantee.

I read the other day that if Harris (I think he's a catcher) slides to 4 they'd take him, but I want one of the 2 Vandy pitchers.

I’d prefer a pitcher but I’m gonna pretend to know something about these college players.

Really want Jack Leiter.

Norris wrote:Really want Jack Leiter.

There were some rumors that he was floating above-slot salary requirements to teams 1-3 so that he would be there for #4. Looking to play for a winner, and why wouldn't he? He could be starting next summer.

Simple Torture wrote:

Norris wrote:Really want Jack Leiter.

There were some rumors that he was floating above-slot salary requirements to teams 1-3 so that he would be there for #4. Looking to play for a winner, and why wouldn't he? He could be starting next summer.

I'm all for it.

The kid from Taiwan had a nice debut. The future is bright!