Kingface

hahahahaha!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://www.baseballamerica.com/statistics/players/cards/24 He was the #17 ranked prospect in all of baseball after 2014.....and the #1 catching prospect. The pitcher's on the Sox said they love pitching to Vaz......Swihart can't....and WON'T match Vaz behind the plate. Yes....he is better on offesne....not close. But I will take that di in production over what Vaz brings behind the plate. Up the middle defense in MLB is the MOST important defense....C, SS, 2B and CF. Sox have it right now.....don't screw with it. Trade Swihart IF...and ONLY IF he can bring a good pitcher in a larger package.....

I said that in good fun. MVP and I had a great debate earlier on another thread and I took a swipe to make him laugh should he have seen that post. That was all...............zero malice intended as I'm sure MVP would attest. My apologies if it was seen as anything other than that.....

Swihart was a top 20 prospect in all of baseball a year ago. He was also lauded by his HUGE defensive gains during that time. There is ZERO WAY he will reach that stock again after showing at the ML level that he CAN't handle defensive duties (like he was thought he could do). When you're a catching prospect the first thing they really care abut is how they can call a game and pla behind the plate. He did neither.....Vaz does both....and very well. Offense is second. His upside is at the plate........which is why we should have traded him. He was the NUMBER ONE catching prospect n all of MLB!!!! We didn't need that.....whay didn't we strike when the iron was hot?!?!?!?!??!?!?!

HAHAHAHA!!!! I was just thinking that!!!! I'm new here....but I think I just found the 'I run this place......even though I really don't run this place' guy!!!!!!!!! Nice......now that that's out of the way......... Let me introduce myself...... I'm the guy that 'doesn't bow down.....'...... hehehehehehehehehehehe

Yet neither of them are on an MLB team............ But yes, you're right....Swihart has had a much better MLB career than Cecchini....and probably will. My point is that Swihart should have been traded when his stock was SKY HIGH. Now.....it's going down........... I'll say it once....I'll say it again.....everyone LOVES a good catching prospect. The Sox seem to produce great catching prospects.......TRADE THEM WHEN THE STOCK IS HIGH!!!!!!

Yet you still hate fat people............ Yep.....anybody who is fat out there....Hugh hates you!!!!!!! (inside joke new forum people..........all in good fun)

You could be right........I could be right. Time will tell. Personally I hope you are right.

True.....but he has more K's and fewer walks then any starter on the A's, the 2nd best ERA and has not given up more than 3 runs in any start. The IP stat is a bit askew because he only went 2.2 innings in his first start which didn't help the #'s. Listen....I'm not saying with Rich Hill all of our problems would have been solved.....but I am saying we would be a better team. The fact that they didn't sign him as our #4/5 and stick Kelly in the BP.....where his arm and stuff could have been electric.....is absolutely beyond me.

Right now I don't like ESPN because now all we're going to see for the next 2 years is more deflategate crap and them dumping on TB12....... what a *&^%$ joke.......

Ehhhhhhh.......I hear where you're coming from but they were 'expecting' way too much to begin with. To expect a 2nd year player to make a jump to a #2 pitcher may be a bit much to ask. To think Buch will suddenly stay healthy and be consistent is WAY too much to ask. We gave up Miley.....and replaced him with......nobody. Miley was an innings eater that was consistent. Not great by any stretch but he was a guy who took the the ball every 5 days and you knew what you would get. So far......we have not gotten that from anybody other than Porcello and Wright....(not sure how much longer we can hold our breath on either of them) Hill, while yes...he has not started a bunch, his arm also has not been worked as much as his age could indicate. He pitched EXCELLENT last year....and has so far pitched excellent this year. I trust him WAY more than I would trust Buch.....and he would have signed for a fraction of what most #3/#2 starters are getting.

Rotation.....Rotation.....Rotation. The Sox have given up the second most runs in the AL!!!! It's not rocket science! They did not do enough to address the starting rotation. We traded our #1 innings eater this offseason who also had a pretty solid year in Miley......and we had zero #1 pitcher. We got the TOR starter......but we did ZERO to replace Miley. To rely on Buch as a #2 pitcher is simply stupid. Kelly had a good run but it was in garbage time last year and we never re-signed Hill who was at one point the best pitcher in MLB for a stretch! It was a disaster of an offseason in terms of addressing the rotation!!! I think Erod could eventually get there.....but that's a lot to ask of a second year pitcher. So after Price (who will be fine)....what do we have??? Porcello needs to step up and Buck needs to get do something...... I know we all love to blame Farrell.....but he didn't give up a grand slam, he didn't blow 3 saves etc.......

Very glad to see you here Slash!!!! Looking forward to this new place. I tried to log on at the BDC....but it's not letting me over there.....what a *&^%$ mess!!!!! So I guess I wont be able to say adios to the crew. Keep trying to get some of the regulars here: Notin, Bogie, Hill, etc.... The people here have been awesome so far!!

Good to hear my friend! Glad all is going well!

As usual.....I agree with you 100%. Good to see you here my friend.

You guys have been awesome! Thanks for the warm welcome. More are on their way. I started a thread at the BDC trying to get people here. Many are coming over I saw but I logged off accidently for some stupid reason, went to log back on to tell them how great this place is so far and the stupid BDC wont let me log back on!!!!! That place is junk now.......

"I have seen Shaw make several nice plays that Panda just doesn't have the athleticism to make. he has mad long throws from behind the bag, diving plays to his left and right, and coming in on slow rollers. He's not Beltre, but he can handle the position. " While I agree short term.....I think long term Shaw is meant to be a 1Bman and DH......same with Hanley until his contract is up. I REALLY see Moncada moving to LF and Devers at 3B long term. Devers does not have the quickness of Moncada but he has a decent glove at 3B. Moncada has a good arm and obviously insane speed that I think lends itself to LF. I jjst don't see Shaw sticking at 3B with what we have coming down the pike sooner rather than later. BTW......another interesting thought is: If Betts, JBJ, and Moncada is the possible future outfield......does that make Betti expendable for a TOR starter? Something to consider....as much as I hate to think of it. FYI.....new forum....trying to figure out the whole 'quote thing'........

I would HATE to get rid of Devera, Moncada, Espinoza or Betti for anybody.......problem is.....no team would give up a young TOR #2 starter for any of the rest of our players. We would have to give up 2/TWO of that list to get a #2 young TOR starter....PLUS Swihart. Not sure I'd do that. Sure we could give up 6 minor league players that includes Swihart and one from that list......but most teams that give up a young pitcher wants major league talent in return. Unfortunately for the Sox....all of our top prospects are playing A ball or lower. That's why it will take Swihart and TWO from that list above in my opinion. Not sure I would do that. For some reason......I'm thinking Swihart becomes another Cecchini. Many people thought Cecchini was the best new thing years ago. He was a top 50 prospect and climbing. He had a solid debut....many called him untouchable......I said 3 years ago to 'trade him and trade him now' and strike when the iron is hot!. He wasn't great defensively and seemed destined to be a .275, 13HR, 60RBI guy....not horrible...but not 'top prospect material' like he just about was. ......for some reason Swihart reminded me of him and I said a year ago to trade him. His stock was HUGE. I'm thinking we missed the window..... I hope I'm wrong.

I don't think he's assuming that. They will just be FA's so their money doesn't count towards anything TECHNICALLY. I think signing Taz right now and locking him up for 2 years and Koji for another year at a reduced rate could go a long way though. This has become a BP league. Whatever we can do to give us a great BP and a solid staff will be HUGE. Right now the SP are not looking too solid.....albeit too early to really judge that one yet....

HAHA!!! I agree. I was one of Pandas HUGE supporters when he got signed.......I'll eat crow on that one. I really can't see them eating his cash though. I personally see him being our future DH and part time 3B.....splitting both positions with Shaw. There is still a part of me......a VERY SMALL PART OF ME....that sees him having a bit of a chip on his shoulder and trying to prove people wrong. If he does then maybe...just maybe he could be moved. I know a bunch of people that went to Spring Training this year. I asked them how was Panda and they ALL SAID that he was one of the hardest workers over there and when out on the field he worked just as hard, if not harder than anybody there. They all said the drive appears to be there....just that the body isn't. If he can get his head out of his ass....he may be able to make something of himself in the uniform..... .........wishful thinking...I know.

The guy is such a mystery.....and has been for some time. I used to watch him pitch in Portland all of the time and he was one of those that 'had it'. He was always so scrawny that it was almost painful to watch him live. I can't remember the last time I saw any pitcher, on any team have top 3 talent in the league.......but could never seem to put it together HEALTHY fo ONE STINKIN SEASON!!!!!

I don't know........his team option is for $14mil I think. We have not seen $14mil Buch in a long time....... I know that there have been some deals for pitchers who may 'see less' then Buch for more $$$$.......but when you compare their #'s to Buch's and thei IP the last few years.....they best Buch. I have been one of his biggest supporters, but the only teams I see willing to trade for a pitcher like him are teams looking for diamonds in a rough, and unfortunately those teams do not like to spend $$$$.....thus will not spend $$$$ for him.

Exactly.........I hate to say it but I have the horrible feeling they will find a way to mess with Espinoza. I think we're cursed in regards to pitcher developement! Anybody have any idea who could be available by trade or FA? Way too early....I know.....but could be interesting. I think we need to get off the 'let's trade for Gray or Sale ideas. These are teams that are trying to BUILD around these great young pitchers.....not do the Sox favors by trading them for unproven lower level talent.

Deal

Well.........Let me preface this by saying I was (so far) very wrong about Hanley at 1B. Could we have found our 1Baseman for the next few years in him and not have to worry about 1B. DH will be easier and cheaper to replace then 1B. I think using the DH spot as a place to give some regulars a day off may be beneficial. If Pablo can get his head out of his ample butt.....could he maybe 'platoon' at DH and 3B with Shaw next year? A lot of the offensive holes we have could just be filled from within.....especially with Benintendi and Moncada tearing it up...... I worry more about pitching........would love to see them put resources together for a #2 and another arm in the BP...... I would do that with available cash and maybe a trade with our minor league depth.