• Have something to say? Register Now! and be posting in minutes!

Random Thoughts 2.0

Mingo

Well-Known Member
15,226
5,063
533
Joined
Sep 2, 2014
Hoopla Cash
$ 1,000.00
Fav. Team #1
Fav. Team #2
Fav. Team #3
I can't tell you what a relief it is that Reynaldo Lopez feels mentally strong coming into this camp.

Anyone know who is playing 3rd base while Moncada shakes off the Covid?

Also - (don't be cynical) Carlos Rodon - is far enough away from his last surgery he might be good (for a while) again.

Yermin Mercedes is still clubbing the ball over the fence. The Sox ought to consider trading him to a national league team for a DH. If I was a national league team - I'd want him.

I have a feeling this 60 game deal will work out for the Sox pretty well.
 

richig07

Well-Known Member
14,809
3,083
293
Joined
Jul 11, 2013
Hoopla Cash
$ 200.00
Fav. Team #1
Fav. Team #2
Fav. Team #3
I would imagine that Chestor Cuthbert will man 3rd until Yoan is back.

Rodon/Kopech should both be good to go. I just worry about Kopech not in camp, at the moment. He needs to get in and see hitters.

With expanded rosters and COVID in-play. I don't think it's a good season to be trading someone like Yermin.
 

Lake Shore Drive

Your retarted
8,885
3,679
293
Joined
Mar 24, 2018
Location
Las Vegas
Hoopla Cash
$ 1,000.00
Fav. Team #1
Fav. Team #2
Fav. Team #3
I can't tell you what a relief it is that Reynaldo Lopez feels mentally strong coming into this camp.
Lopez came out of the AS break last year smokin, but kind of fizzled a bit later in the year. Due to the shortened season, I'm not sure if this is the year he makes or breaks as a starter. I wouldn't mind seeing him as our long reliever/spot starter, especially if or when Kopech and Rodon are in the rotation.

Anyone know who is playing 3rd base while Moncada shakes off the Covid?
I'd like to see Mendick get a shot. He played some 3b in each of the past two ST stints, plus he's played it a lot while in AAA.

Also - (don't be cynical) Carlos Rodon - is far enough away from his last surgery he might be good (for a while) again.
I'm still not sure he's ready yet, altho his most recent outing of 3 innings (not sure if it was intrasquad or simulated) with no issues whatsoever is quite encouraging. The Sox tho might want to take it easy with him right out of the gate. What a huge boost it would provide if he finally has all those injury issues behind him and can start on a regular basis.

Yermin Mercedes is still clubbing the ball over the fence. The Sox ought to consider trading him to a national league team for a DH. If I was a national league team - I'd want him.
Yermin is in the throes of cult hero status. He's quickly becoming a fan favorite, and with that strong bat and great attitude, deservedly so. The only way I'd trade him is if the tendering ballclub seriously overpays in player capital.

I have a feeling this 60 game deal will work out for the Sox pretty well.
We're all hoping as well Mingo. I love the talent on this team, altho I do think we're still a year away from it really starting to bloom. Still, when you're talking a 60 game season, anything is possible.
 

richig07

Well-Known Member
14,809
3,083
293
Joined
Jul 11, 2013
Hoopla Cash
$ 200.00
Fav. Team #1
Fav. Team #2
Fav. Team #3
The 60 game season has pros and cons for us.

Pro: It gives us a chance to catch lightning in a bottle with a young and eager team. Our guys in their early 20's have to be excited to get out and play some major league baseball. Where as veteran teams could very well be going through the motions.

Con: It takes away opportunity for our young players to get experience and develop. At the minor league as well - where prospects are completely missing a season. It's undeniably a setback in some ways.

I could foresee this creating some developmental setbacks with the young guys. These young prospects spend every waking moment perfecting swing and pitching mechanics. It's definitely going to force a situation where they're scrambling to get back to where they were going into 2021.
 

Mingo

Well-Known Member
15,226
5,063
533
Joined
Sep 2, 2014
Hoopla Cash
$ 1,000.00
Fav. Team #1
Fav. Team #2
Fav. Team #3
Sox have been giving Andrew Vaughn some reps at 3rd base.

The problem with Yermin Mercedes is that he won't get a White Sox at bat - because he is behind 3 other catchers - and 2 other DH's - plus he bats right. My fear is that he is wasting what he can offer. That's why I see him as a tradeable commodity.

Madrigal is all of a sudden an important guy to have around - Moncada being out - leaves 3rd base to Mendick or Leury Garcia - and after Anderson - the Sox don't seem to have an everyday SS - which Madrigal can play.

I am really looking forward to seeing Gio pitch as a White Sox - after all these years.
 

Lake Shore Drive

Your retarted
8,885
3,679
293
Joined
Mar 24, 2018
Location
Las Vegas
Hoopla Cash
$ 1,000.00
Fav. Team #1
Fav. Team #2
Fav. Team #3
The problem with Yermin Mercedes is that he won't get a White Sox at bat - because he is behind 3 other catchers - and 2 other DH's - plus he bats right. My fear is that he is wasting what he can offer. That's why I see him as a tradeable commodity.

I agree that as usual, the Sox are top heavy when it comes to power hitting 1b/DH/crappy defensive catchers on their 40 man rosters. For some reason, they seem to have a penchant for collecting them. But let's keep in mind that it's quite plausible we'll only have Encarnacion for just this one season.

As far as catchers are concerned, I think, despite the super shortened year it will be, this could be make or break for Collins, who has been at best underwhelming during his brief tenure, especially with the mitt. If he doesn't come thru, I think he's a better candidate as trade bait. And there probably isn't a Sox fan out there who believes McCann will be a member of the Pale Hose next year. He's a FA for 2021 and the writing was on the wall for him the split second they signed Grandal. In the words of the legendary Hawk, "He gone!"

So all in all, I definitely see a legit path for Yermin to break thru the logjam. One thing he has to do tho is improve his catching skills and/or start taking reps at 1b. If those two areas can show improvement, he'll be a for-sure keeper.
 

Mingo

Well-Known Member
15,226
5,063
533
Joined
Sep 2, 2014
Hoopla Cash
$ 1,000.00
Fav. Team #1
Fav. Team #2
Fav. Team #3
I agree that as usual, the Sox are top heavy when it comes to power hitting 1b/DH/crappy defensive catchers on their 40 man rosters. For some reason, they seem to have a penchant for collecting them. But let's keep in mind that it's quite plausible we'll only have Encarnacion for just this one season.

As far as catchers are concerned, I think, despite the super shortened year it will be, this could be make or break for Collins, who has been at best underwhelming during his brief tenure, especially with the mitt. If he doesn't come thru, I think he's a better candidate as trade bait. And there probably isn't a Sox fan out there who believes McCann will be a member of the Pale Hose next year. He's a FA for 2021 and the writing was on the wall for him the split second they signed Grandal. In the words of the legendary Hawk, "He gone!"

So all in all, I definitely see a legit path for Yermin to break thru the logjam. One thing he has to do tho is improve his catching skills and/or start taking reps at 1b. If those two areas can show improvement, he'll be a for-sure keeper.
I agree that as usual, the Sox are top heavy when it comes to power hitting 1b/DH/crappy defensive catchers on their 40 man rosters. For some reason, they seem to have a penchant for collecting them. But let's keep in mind that it's quite plausible we'll only have Encarnacion for just this one season.

As far as catchers are concerned, I think, despite the super shortened year it will be, this could be make or break for Collins, who has been at best underwhelming during his brief tenure, especially with the mitt. If he doesn't come thru, I think he's a better candidate as trade bait. And there probably isn't a Sox fan out there who believes McCann will be a member of the Pale Hose next year. He's a FA for 2021 and the writing was on the wall for him the split second they signed Grandal. In the words of the legendary Hawk, "He gone!"

So all in all, I definitely see a legit path for Yermin to break thru the logjam. One thing he has to do tho is improve his catching skills and/or start taking reps at 1b. If those two areas can show improvement, he'll be a for-sure keeper.

Encarnacion - may only be with the Sox one year (I think 2), but Abreu will be moved over to DH -and Collins may become DH/1st Base. Don't forget also Andrew Vaughn is coming up as a DH 1st baseman also. Collins is supposedly better behind the plate defensively than merecedes. So I don't see it. I sure like the guy - though.
 

Lake Shore Drive

Your retarted
8,885
3,679
293
Joined
Mar 24, 2018
Location
Las Vegas
Hoopla Cash
$ 1,000.00
Fav. Team #1
Fav. Team #2
Fav. Team #3
Encarnacion - may only be with the Sox one year (I think 2), but Abreu will be moved over to DH -and Collins may become DH/1st Base. Don't forget also Andrew Vaughn is coming up as a DH 1st baseman also. Collins is supposedly better behind the plate defensively than merecedes. So I don't see it. I sure like the guy - though.
But that in turn might be why Collins would bring in a better haul - a former #1 draft pick, who is a bit more versatile than Mercedes. As you can see, I'm doing my damnedest to keep this guy on the roster. :fencing:
 

Mingo

Well-Known Member
15,226
5,063
533
Joined
Sep 2, 2014
Hoopla Cash
$ 1,000.00
Fav. Team #1
Fav. Team #2
Fav. Team #3
But that in turn might be why Collins would bring in a better haul - a former #1 draft pick, who is a bit more versatile than Mercedes. As you can see, I'm doing my damnedest to keep this guy on the roster. :fencing:

That's a good point.

Except that's the kind of trade that makes the Sox look stupid as drafters and player development (I've seen so many LOL).
 

Lake Shore Drive

Your retarted
8,885
3,679
293
Joined
Mar 24, 2018
Location
Las Vegas
Hoopla Cash
$ 1,000.00
Fav. Team #1
Fav. Team #2
Fav. Team #3
That's a good point.

Except that's the kind of trade that makes the Sox look stupid as drafters and player development (I've seen so many LOL).
It's always a bit of a crapshoot when you trade away prospects or players who have just reached the bigs. Sometimes it can come back to bite you. I always think of the Cubs trade.....no, not with us, but with the Yankees, where they received proven fireballer Aroldis Chapman in '16 for top prospect Gleyber Torres and several other minor leaguers. That trade did help the Cubs win their only WS in the last 100+ years, so it's hard to argue with the results. But it was at a huge long term cost. Not only did Chapman return to the Yanks as a free agent the following season, Torres has developed into a star player. So you never know.
 

ChiSoxFan

FC Bayern Forever #1
6,137
1,639
173
Joined
Jul 15, 2014
Location
Chicago, IL
Hoopla Cash
$ 400.07
Fav. Team #1
Fav. Team #2
Fav. Team #3
I can't tell how I feel yet about the Sox only playing 60 games. As other have mentioned above, it certainly has its pros and cons. We shall see.

I totally forgot about Cuthbert. Vaughn getting reps at 3rd is interesting. Like @Lake Shore Drive , I'd think they'd let Mendick dip his wick at 3rd considering, but it's nice to have options with he and Cuthbert (meh).
 

Lake Shore Drive

Your retarted
8,885
3,679
293
Joined
Mar 24, 2018
Location
Las Vegas
Hoopla Cash
$ 1,000.00
Fav. Team #1
Fav. Team #2
Fav. Team #3
I can't tell how I feel yet about the Sox only playing 60 games. As other have mentioned above, it certainly has its pros and cons. We shall see.

I totally forgot about Cuthbert.
Vaughn getting reps at 3rd is interesting. Like @Lake Shore Drive , I'd think they'd let Mendick dip his wick at 3rd considering, but it's nice to have options with he and Cuthbert (meh).

I read somewhere that Cuthbert has also been MIA during camp, which leads to speculation that he's the other player besides Moncada who may have come down with the virus, altho fortunately he too is asymptomatic.
 

Mingo

Well-Known Member
15,226
5,063
533
Joined
Sep 2, 2014
Hoopla Cash
$ 1,000.00
Fav. Team #1
Fav. Team #2
Fav. Team #3
I'm pretty sure Leury Garcia has also played 3rd base.

So far Covid has taken out the depth chart at 3rd base.
 

Mingo

Well-Known Member
15,226
5,063
533
Joined
Sep 2, 2014
Hoopla Cash
$ 1,000.00
Fav. Team #1
Fav. Team #2
Fav. Team #3
Baseball is actually - due to no fault of their own - in the unique position of having the potential to show this entire country how to go back to work in the Covid environment. Baseball could inspire us. I hope that is so.
 

ChiSoxFan

FC Bayern Forever #1
6,137
1,639
173
Joined
Jul 15, 2014
Location
Chicago, IL
Hoopla Cash
$ 400.07
Fav. Team #1
Fav. Team #2
Fav. Team #3
I'm pretty sure Leury Garcia has also played 3rd base.

So far Covid has taken out the depth chart at 3rd base.
Leury has had those streaks where he is the best player on the team for a couple weeks. Whether injury or purely being a placeholder for a better player, he can’t seem to stick anywhere. He is definitely good for a utility player considering.
 

Lake Shore Drive

Your retarted
8,885
3,679
293
Joined
Mar 24, 2018
Location
Las Vegas
Hoopla Cash
$ 1,000.00
Fav. Team #1
Fav. Team #2
Fav. Team #3
I'm pretty sure Leury Garcia has also played 3rd base.

So far Covid has taken out the depth chart at 3rd base.
And it could explain why Vaughn has taken some ground balls at 3rd. But yes, Leury has also played 3b, so I think we'll be ok in the event Moncada is not quite ready to start the season. Giolito so much as said he should be back on the field soon. Hard to define 'soon' in a sense, but I'd take it as him being ready for Opening Day.
 

Lake Shore Drive

Your retarted
8,885
3,679
293
Joined
Mar 24, 2018
Location
Las Vegas
Hoopla Cash
$ 1,000.00
Fav. Team #1
Fav. Team #2
Fav. Team #3
Leury has had those streaks where he is the best player on the team for a couple weeks. Whether injury or purely being a placeholder for a better player, he can’t seem to stick anywhere. He is definitely good for a utility player considering.
He led the Sox in crossing the plate last year, so I'm quite happy that he's still with us, altho without an extension, I believe this is his last year before hitting free agency.
 

ChiSoxFan

FC Bayern Forever #1
6,137
1,639
173
Joined
Jul 15, 2014
Location
Chicago, IL
Hoopla Cash
$ 400.07
Fav. Team #1
Fav. Team #2
Fav. Team #3
He led the Sox in crossing the plate last year, so I'm quite happy that he's still with us, altho without an extension, I believe this is his last year before hitting free agency.
Pierzynski a few years back said Leury was the fastest player he'd ever played with, or something along those lines.
 

Lake Shore Drive

Your retarted
8,885
3,679
293
Joined
Mar 24, 2018
Location
Las Vegas
Hoopla Cash
$ 1,000.00
Fav. Team #1
Fav. Team #2
Fav. Team #3
Pierzynski a few years back said Leury was the fastest player he'd ever played with, or something along those lines.
I love the guy. He can play and has played for us 6 different positions: all three OF spots and the INF except 1b; he's a switch hitter, and like you said, he's fast. I hope there's some way Hahn can extend him, altho I'd understand if he wants to test the waters when he becomes a FA. Guarantee some team will want his services.
 

richig07

Well-Known Member
14,809
3,083
293
Joined
Jul 11, 2013
Hoopla Cash
$ 200.00
Fav. Team #1
Fav. Team #2
Fav. Team #3
Baseball is actually - due to no fault of their own - in the unique position of having the potential to show this entire country how to go back to work in the Covid environment. Baseball could inspire us. I hope that is so.

Most have been back, I believe. Unemployment has dwindled its way back down to 11%.

What I think it has the capability of doing is bringing us together as a country. Bring some normalcy to summer. A bright spot in the midst of a dark year. Reminding everyone that life will go on and we will get through this.

I am so sick of listening to every person pretend to be a god damned expert on medical science, race relations, and politics. I pretty much hate everyone right now. lol
 
Top