White Sox (Martin) vs Red Sox (Sandoval): 8/4/26, 7:10pm

[moonslav59]

5 minutes ago, Old Red said:

Interesting decision when Story, and IKF are ready.

Of course how well Monasterio, Seigler and Sogard are doing will be a factor.

I'm a huge Romy fan, but I was encouraged to see the management decide to keep the hotter players on the 26 and not the vet.

I'm really not sure we need 5 OF'ers plus Yoshida on the 26, but having 4 middle infielders seems too much as well. We could DFA White or Jones (both RHBs out of options) or demote Duran. Since LHB Yoshida could play LF, demoting Duran might be the best roster choice, but that is pretty radical.

I'd prefer IDK over Story, but Story might have one more stretch of good batting in him. I just don't want him playing SS. The return of Mead would nix any idea of Story on the 26, IMO, but that's radicaL, TOO.

[Hitch]

Story catching a lot of hate. For sure Mona deserves to keep the spot for now, but Story during one of his hot streaks is a far better option than Mona. Far, far better,

Whether he will have enough time to get his timing, and enter one those hot streaks when we need it is another matter altogether. 

I'd be perfectly happy for us to not see him and carry on as are, but people are talking about Story like he's finished.

With Anthony, Story and Houck ramping up, and IFK Crochet and Oviedo also getting going (and Mead at some point), we're going to to see some demotions of team favourites at some point.  

[Old Red]

13 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

Of course how well Monasterio, Seigler and Sogard are doing will be a factor.

I'm a huge Romy fan, but I was encouraged to see the management decide to keep the hotter players on the 26 and not the vet.

I'm really not sure we need 5 OF'ers plus Yoshida on the 26, but having 4 middle infielders seems too much as well. We could DFA White or Jones (both RHBs out of options) or demote Duran. Since LHB Yoshida could play LF, demoting Duran might be the best roster choice, but that is pretty radical.

I'd prefer IDK over Story, but Story might have one more stretch of good batting in him. I just don't want him playing SS. The return of Mead would nix any idea of Story on the 26, IMO, but that's radicaL, TOO.

Duran has started to hit a little bit the last few games, so I think he’s safe. I think Masa is safe too. If Roman comes back JJ, or White will have to go most likely, which leaves Sogard, and Seigler if Story, and IKF come back. Then someone else has to go when Meade comes back. Lot of moving parts, and lots of decisions have to be made, which will effect players especially the Infielders that have all been a part in the turnaround, and winning streak.

[moonslav59]

1 minute ago, Old Red said:

Duran has started to hit a little bit the last few games, so I think he’s safe. I think Masa is safe too. If Roman comes back JJ, or White will have to go most likely, which leaves Sogard, and Seigler if Story, and IKF come back. Then someone else has to go when Meade comes back. Lot of moving parts, and lots of decisions have to be made, which will effect players especially the Infielders that have all been a part in the turnaround, and winning streak.

No more waiver wire trades allowed, so some heads will be rolling.

[Tedballgame]

9 hours ago, FredLynn said:

He has not performed well for a long time. Maybe it’s time to cut ties

I would say that he performed well just last season. 91 runs, 25 HRs, 96 RBI, 29 doubles. Very few shortstops put up numbers like those. Of course, this year is a different "Story"

[JoeBrady]

10 hours ago, SoxPhan said:

But he could be a bitch about it, too.

A leadership-type statement from Story would be that he expects to be the #26 guy on the bench playing as needed.  

[JoeBrady]

9 hours ago, moonslav59 said:

His best season for the Sox by far was not that long ago. It was more recent than 2022, 2023, and 2024.

From 6/7-year end, Story was one of the best SS's in BB with an .839 OPS, and #23 in fWAR among all players.  He's at that magic age of 33, BUT his production might've been caused by playing thru an injury.  He annoyed the ever-living crap out of me, but is important to acknowledge the various possibilities.

[moonslav59]

40 minutes ago, Tedballgame said:

I would say that he performed well just last season. 91 runs, 25 HRs, 96 RBI, 29 doubles. Very few shortstops put up numbers like those. Of course, this year is a different "Story"

Last 82 games of 2025:

.292 15 58 (.838 OPS)

That's good enough to DH!

[JoeBrady]

1 hour ago, Yaz Fan Since 67 said:

Are Duran and Abreu finally heating up?  Imagine this team if that happens.

It's kind of a fantasy, because every team has guys that are injured and wondering 'what if'.  But if we got Crochet and Anthony?  If our rotation for a 5-game was Crochet-Gray-Suarez?  And throw in Tolle for a 7-game series?

But we cannot digress from the task at hand, which is tonight's game.

[JoeBrady]

50 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

No more waiver wire trades allowed, so some heads will be rolling.

I mentioned that on MLB-R.  Had we landed Miller a little earlier, I think we'd have had a market for Watson, even if it was only a non-Rule 5 lottery ticket.  I like all our guys, but we might have to make decisions we don't necessarily like.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Duran may be disappointing compared to his All-Star MVP season.

But Jahmai Jones has never had a big league season with more than 7 HRs and 23 RBI. Eli White's season highs are 10 HRs and 35 RBI. Add them together and we might have a guy with 17 HRs and 58 RBI.

Duran has 15 HRs and 58 RBIs right now, on August 5.

[notin]

1 hour ago, JoeBrady said:

A leadership-type statement from Story would be that he expects to be the #26 guy on the bench playing as needed.  

I’d be surprised if he went that route.  And by the time he gets back, maybe some of the shine on Monasterio, Seigler, etc.  has dimmed a bit.

Believe it or not, this all falls under the “good problem to have” blanket.  Too many options is always better than too few.

The larger issue will be the 40 man roster.  It’s full now, but as Story, Crochet, and Anthony return, who goes?  Harris and La Sorsa should be first and second.  Then who?  Gasper? Cheng? Campbell? Jahmai Jones?  Mead to the 60 Day?

 

 

[mvp 78]

1 hour ago, Hitch said:

Story catching a lot of hate. For sure Mona deserves to keep the spot for now, but Story during one of his hot streaks is a far better option than Mona. Far, far better,

Whether he will have enough time to get his timing, and enter one those hot streaks when we need it is another matter altogether. 

I'd be perfectly happy for us to not see him and carry on as are, but people are talking about Story like he's finished.

With Anthony, Story and Houck ramping up, and IFK Crochet and Oviedo also getting going (and Mead at some point), we're going to to see some demotions of team favourites at some point.  

Story's glove is finished. He's not a playable SS anymore. Waiting on a hot streak from him doesn't seem like a viable strategy to me. 

[notin]

17 minutes ago, 5GoldGlovesOF,75 said:

Duran may be disappointing compared to his All-Star MVP season.

But Jahmai Jones has never had a big league season with more than 7 HRs and 23 RBI. Eli White's season highs are 10 HRs and 35 RBI. Add them together and we might have a guy with 17 HRs and 58 RBI.

Duran has 15 HRs and 58 RBIs right now, on August 5.

It’s clear the only threat to Duran’s starting role is Anthony.  
 

Jones may take some at-bats vs LHP, but that’s not the same. White was apparently brought in more for relief for Rafaela and Abreu.  Duran’s role is safe until Anthony returns, and his roster spot is safe afterwards.  The same might not apply to Jones…

 

[notin]

6 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

Story's glove is finished. He's not a playable SS anymore. Waiting on a hot streak from him doesn't seem like a viable strategy to me. 

Unless they bring up Arias or Cheng, whose is playable? Monasterio and Sogard are not giving any of us Jose Iglesias flashbacks.

If the Sox call up Arias, that could change everything. But until then, I would expect the reason they planned on using this Stopgap Shortstop crowd is they do expect Story to reclaim his role eventually…

[mvp 78]

7 minutes ago, notin said:

I’d be surprised if he went that route.  And by the time he gets back, maybe some of the shine on Monasterio, Seigler, etc.  has dimmed a bit.

Believe it or not, this all falls under the “good problem to have” blanket.  Too many options is always better than too few.

The larger issue will be the 40 man roster.  It’s full now, but as Story, Crochet, and Anthony return, who goes?  Harris and La Sorsa should be first and second.  Then who?  Gasper? Cheng? Campbell? Jahmai Jones?  Mead to the 60 Day?

He's not going to be #26. 

I think Story comes back and takes over at SS. The Sox role out some sort of platoon at 2B. 

Worrying about the last guy on the 40 man isn't a big deal. They could get rid of about 3-4 guys and it doesn't really greatly impact the team TBH. We love to talk about it though. 

[mvp 78]

6 minutes ago, notin said:

It’s clear the only threat to Duran’s starting role is Anthony.  
 

Jones may take some at-bats vs LHP, but that’s not the same. White was apparently brought in more for relief for Rafaela and Abreu.  Duran’s role is safe until Anthony returns, and his roster spot is safe afterwards.  The same might not apply to Jones…

 

Duran is here at least until the offseason. They aren't moving him. 

[notin]

2 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

Duran is here at least until the offseason. They aren't moving him. 

And if he heats up, he buys Anthony more recovery time…

[mvp 78]

3 minutes ago, notin said:

Unless they bring up Arias or Cheng, whose is playable? Monasterio and Sogard are not giving any of us Jose Iglesias flashbacks.

If the Sox call up Arias, that could change everything. But until then, I would expect the reason they planned on using this Stopgap Shortstop crowd is they do expect Story to reclaim his role eventually…

Monasterio's glove is no worse than Marcelo's was while he was here or even Story's. At least he's hitting for now. Cheng's glove is slightly better, but it's not really a plus glove TBH. With his mediocre bat, he's just an injury fill in. Hard to forecast an Arias move. We probably see Story for a few weeks before they get that desperate. 

[notin]

4 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

He's not going to be #26. 

I think Story comes back and takes over at SS. The Sox role out some sort of platoon at 2B. 

Worrying about the last guy on the 40 man isn't a big deal. They could get rid of about 3-4 guys and it doesn't really greatly impact the team TBH. We love to talk about it though. 

Then let’s.

If the Sox DFA Campbell, does he (and his entire contract) get claimed?

[mvp 78]

4 minutes ago, notin said:

And if he heats up, he buys Anthony more recovery time…

I'm just not a fan of his current approach. His hard hit rate is down. He's pulling everything and getting a lot of weak infield flies and groundballs. K rate up, BB rate down. 

He may heat up, but I don't think it'd last very long. 

[mvp 78]

7 minutes ago, notin said:

Then let’s.

If the Sox DFA Campbell, does he (and his entire contract) get claimed?

Only if a team claims him. If he passes through waivers, the Sox are on the hook. 

The Sox are NOT going to do this. 

[notin]

3 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

Monasterio's glove is no worse than Marcelo's was while he was here or even Story's. At least he's hitting for now. Cheng's glove is slightly better, but it's not really a plus glove TBH. With his mediocre bat, he's just an injury fill in. Hard to forecast an Arias move. We probably see Story for a few weeks before they get that desperate. 

Disagree strongly on Monasterio’s defense.  He has horrible range and not much of an arm.  Cheng is vastly superior in the field, but a lesser (albeit underrated) bat. 
 
I think the Sox best alignment right now is Cheng at SS and Monasterio at 2b, and Sogard filling in as needed for either.  Especially with Arias still not even on the 40 man

[notin]

1 minute ago, mvp 78 said:

Only if a team claims him. If he passes through waivers, the Sox are on the hook. 

The Sox are NOT going to do this. 

Yes but do you think he’d get claimed?  Tjis is an option - especially since he cannot declare free agency - to open up a 40 man roster spot…

[Old Red]

22 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

Story's glove is finished. He's not a playable SS anymore. Waiting on a hot streak from him doesn't seem like a viable strategy to me. 

I agree. After missing so much time, and then having to go to Woo to hopefully get a productive stroke back seems very unlikely as streaky as he is to begin with. 

[mvp 78]

Just now, notin said:

Yes but do you think he’d get claimed?  Tjis is an option - especially since he cannot declare free agency - to open up a 40 man roster spot…

7/57.5M? I think they pass since his contract only gets more expensive from here on out. 

[mvp 78]

Just now, Old Red said:

I agree. After missing so much time, and then having to go to Woo to hopefully get a productive stroke back seems very unlikely as streaky as he is to begin with. 

He'd be more likely to get hot if he had stayed healthy. Missing the time and being another year older? Seems like a much taller task. I think last year was the high water mark and he won't see that again. 

[mvp 78]

5 minutes ago, notin said:

Disagree strongly on Monasterio’s defense.  He has horrible range and not much of an arm.  Cheng is vastly superior in the field, but a lesser (albeit underrated) bat. 
 
I think the Sox best alignment right now is Cheng at SS and Monasterio at 2b, and Sogard filling in as needed for either.  Especially with Arias still not even on the 40 man

You can say "vastly" or "underrated" but I'm just looking at the metrics. They are close enough where running Monasterio out there makes more sense while he's hitting. If he stops hitting, it's a different conversation. 

[drewski6]

25 minutes ago, notin said:

Unless they bring up Arias or Cheng, whose is playable? Monasterio and Sogard are not giving any of us Jose Iglesias flashbacks.

If the Sox call up Arias, that could change everything. But until then, I would expect the reason they planned on using this Stopgap Shortstop crowd is they do expect Story to reclaim his role eventually…

IKF, Story, Arias, Meade, Monasterio, Sogard, Siegler = wait and see.  We dont know how these guys are going to rehab, look in a rehab, swing timing, like notin said some shine from the current guys might wear off, we dont know if meade is coming back.....Lot in the air, dont think it needs to be figured out today. Also roster expands to 28 in september and options dont matter for postseason rosters.....this is like going to be a "problem" for like 1-2 weeks in august.

[notin]

22 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

You can say "vastly" or "underrated" but I'm just looking at the metrics. They are close enough where running Monasterio out there makes more sense while he's hitting. If he stops hitting, it's a different conversation. 

Monasterio is probably only playing because he’s hitting, and Tracy should ride that wave to shore.

But he really is an awful shortstop.  I’d be more than happy with him at 2b, however.

Cheng is a better fielder who I think is underrated as a hitter, but that doesn’t mean I think he’s a good hitter; just that he’s a better grade of mediocre than you think…