moonslav59

I hope the story ends up with him back as a Red Sox, and him doing well for us in a couple years. I also would not mind it, if the Phillies traded us a prospect that ends up doing well for us, and Song does nothing of note for them. Both, possible story endings.

So, when the majority or perceived majority agrees with you, it has more meaning. Got it.

It is for those reasons, people saw Noah Song's name on the Rule 5 list, and never even stopped to give him even a smidgeon of thought, other than thoughts unrelated to the question of protecting him or not. If a GM protected every skilled player who had a legitimate shot at making the bigs, someday, the 40 man roster might have 10 guys in single A or looking to get to AA, that year. Hell, many guys we left unprotected, and who were not selected were invited to ST'ing, something Song would not have been invited to, had he not been selected and made eligible, this winter. Here was the Rule 5 list: Enmanuel Valdez (Minor League FA- was added before Rule 5.) Wilyer Abreu Dan Altavilla Angel Bastardo Brock Bell Royman Blanco Brainer Bonaci Zach Bryant Cameron Cannon Brendan Cellucci Felix Cepeda Kole Cottam Wil Dalton Joe Davis Osvaldo De La Rosa Luis De La Rosa Tyler Dearden Nick Decker Jonathan Diaz Alex Erro Tyler Esplin Albert Feliz Durbin Feltman Ryan Fernandez Ryan Fitzgerald Feleipe Franks Grant Gambrell Rio Gomez Wikelman Gonzalez Bryan Gonzalez Devlin Granberg David Hamilton Gabriel Jackson Axel James Gilberto Jimenez Christian Koss Austin Lambright Dominic LoBrutto Eduardo Lopez Bryan Lucas Naysbel Marcano Elih Marrero Chris Murphy Brendan Nail Andres Ortuno Yusniel Padron-Artiles Eddinson Paulino Aaron Perry AJ Politi Ceddanne Rafaela Jose Ramirez Oscar Rangel Tyreque Reed Carlos Reyes Jorge Rodriguez Giancarlos Santana Victor Santos Stephen Scott Cody Scroggins Chase Shugart Nick Sogard Noah Song Dylan Spacke Luis Talavera Jake Thompson Freddy Valdez Michael Valera Eduardo Vaughan Jacob Wallace Brandon Walter Thaddeus Ward Alex Zapete Ryan Zeferjahn There are 10 guys on this list, not protected or selected that are closer to ML ready than Song likely is. Some are very skilled and will likely be protected, next year, but since the chances of them being taken this year were about as close to zero as zero itself, they were left unprotected- like every GM does, every year.

Again, you confuse majority opinion or perceived majority opinion with truth or correctness.

I never said he's forgotten how to pitch or can't possible become a good pitcher with a few months. My point was precisely about how unique his situation was and that players who are not deemed to be ML or near ML ready are just not taken in Rule 5. That in no way implies he "doesn't know how or can't now." Asking for an example is not saying none exist or that it's impossible for Song to do well. I'm not even coming close to that debate. My point was about where everyone, but apparently DD, was at, last November and December. There is just no way anyone felt he would or would even be considered for selection. To me, that is a given. I don't expect everyone to agree, but if you believe that it was a given, then, it is hard to now say a mistake was made in not protecting him. You don't have to agree, but surely you can understand that train of thought, and BTW, it's a story "that lots have run with."

Many stories are retold and retold.

Now, that's a story.

I was thinking Michael Jordan, but Wilson?

Not sure what that has to do with my question. Can you name one person acquired after 3 years of no action? Maybe there is some injured player that missed 3 years, but showed he still had skills in workouts or winter ball or something. All I'm saying is this was an extremely unique situation that is only being discussed, because a GM did something nobody else ever did, AND Song magically became eligible a couple months later. Call it a mistake, if you wish. I get why you and others feel that way. That doesn't change the fact that I think that opinion is absurd. (You obviously feel like many of my opinions are absurd, too.)

How are facts a story? Is anything I said untrue? I don't lie like... (I won't go there.)

The Sox felt like they were "taking it to the end." They were waiting for his eligibility to occur, and then they'd make the choice to protect or not. Had he not been selected, he'd have pitched in the minors long enough for us to get a feel on protecting him or not. Had he been selected and not become eligible, which I think Philly might have hoped would happen until winter ball, he might have been returned. (He may still end up being returned.)

The issue was two-part- both related to military status: 1. He was ineligible with no known timetable for becoming eligible, which is unlike drug suspensions or waiting for a player's posting rights to occur. 2. He did not pitch for 3 years. Name any player drafted, signed as an IFA, selected in Rule 5 or traded for that did not play for 3 years. Maybe there is a name out there, but this was a highly unique situation.

It was not theory. It was fact. The budget was slashed $60M. No farm help. Demand trades. If you think those facts are theory, who is spewing, here? (Hint: not me.)

...and proud of that!

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There is more discussion around who should have been protected a few pages back from page 1.

The "rushed" part I was referring to was making him play 3B after just 10 games at 3B in AAA and over his whole career.

IMO, we should have protected Ward, but I do think they knew more about him that I do, so I'll wait before calling it a screw up. I surely would have protected Ward and Politi over Song, knowing what I knew then.

All we really need is a fun GM.

I don't think he's all that good. I just don't think he sucks, and I realize the impossible situation he was handed.

What is not unique is the general sense that no GMs take players who are not ML or near ML ready. In no sense, was Song either. He is so far away from ML ready that guys like Wikelman and Paulino, as well as actual considered players like Wallace, Scott and Koss (AAA type players) looked like better "traditional" choices, last December.