moonslav59

Agreed. We'd need way too many unexpected over-achievements to occur, if Sale gives us next to nothing. His salary is about 13% of the player budget, so it does hurt, if he keeps giving us nothing.

I wanted him re-signed and was happy we did it. I thought the contract amount reflected the idea that he might miss a year. $145M/4 would be worth it, if he was Chris Freakin' Sale in all 4 of them. $145M/5 seemed about right. I've not given up on him, but I'm not counting on much, either.

SP's Rankings and Rundowns: 15. Blaze Jordan: Hit: potential average Run: well below average Field: fringe-average at 3B/ potential above average at 1B Arm: above average Notes: Was well-known from a young age thanks to viral YouTube videos showing his power, such as one with nearly 1.5 million views in which he hit an alleged 500-foot home run at Globe Life Park in Arlington, Texas at age 13. As a result, is still fairly well-known nationally and gets a number of endorsement deals. Won the High School Home Run Derby at the 2019 MLB All-Star Game. Recorded the highest exit velocity of any player at the 2019 World Wood Bat Championships (106.9 mph). Attended the same high school as Atlanta Braves third baseman Austin Riley. Was very young for his draft class after reclassifying in May 2019 from the 2021 class to the 2020 class. Committed to Mississippi State. Participated in the 2020 Fall Instructional League. Participated in the 2021 Fall Performance Program. Participated in the 2022 Winter Warm-Up. Was set to participate in the 2022 Fall Performance Program that was cancelled due to Hurricane Ian. Summary: Potential up-and-down bench bat. Ceiling of a bat-first regular, likely at first base. Really has to hit, as he is maxed out and has a tough potential profile as a right-right first baseman. A favorite of predictive models due to his age compared to his draft class, elite exit velocities, and bat speed. Needs to show he can hit advanced pitching in order to tap into his raw power, which is his best tool. Will have to watch conditioning. Ultimate defensive position is likely first base, but has a better chance to be able to play at least part time at third base now than when he signed. 14. Matthew Lugo: Hit: potential fringe average Run: average Field: potential average at 3B Arm: average Notes: Nephew of former MLB player Carlos Beltran, whose baseball academy he attended. Committed to University of Miami before being drafted. First overall pick in the 2019 draft in the Puerto Rican winter league. Participated in the Fall Instructional League in 2019 and 2020. Did not play in 2020 Puerto Rican winter league due to a wrist injury. Did not participate in the 2021 Puerto Rican winter league despite being announced as part of the Caguas roster. Participated in the 2021 Fall Performance Program. Participated in 2022 Winter Warm-Up. Was set to participate in the 2022 Fall Performance Program that was cancelled due to Hurricane Ian. Received a non-roster invitation to MLB spring training in 2023. Summary: Potential up-and-down utility player. Ceiling of a reserve infielder. Lacks a true carrying tool, but has several that grade in the 45-50 range. Bat took a step forward in 2022, but still needs to improve his approach, especially breaking balls. Needs to cut his chase rate and improve quality of contact to reach his potential at the plate. Given his defensive profile, will have to hit to reach his potential.

It looks like the injury issues are mounting. I hope this is not a sign of what is to come, during the season. We already look to start the year with these guys on the IL or bench due to injuries: 60 Day Story 10 Day or not ready by opening day? (CBS ETAs) Mondesi (at least May 1st) Abreu (at least April 15) Game 14 of season Paxton (at least April 10) Game 9 of season Whitlock (at least April 8) Game 7 of season Bello (at least April 8th) Wong (questionable for opening day) Turner (probable for opening day)

MLBTR... The Sox provided reporters an update on Turner, with Abraham among those to relay it (Twitter links). Turner is receiving treatment for soft tissue injuries and is being monitored for a concussion. The club also says he is stable, alert and in good spirits given the circumstances. More updates will follow after further testing. Video:

Where did you get “aberration” from. I was just responding to you saying maybe luck was involved.

I kind of have mixed feelings about this. I think you might be totally right, but how long can a pitcher go on such high pitch counts? He was a long term investment, and they viewed him as such.

I never came close to saying that. I actually agree, that seems to be the direction they are moving towards- not that it wasn't a priority before. Certainly, mata's high BB rate might move him down the list, but he does have several areas where he is clearly better than Wink, Craw, Murphy and Walter. I'm not sure it's by enough to outweigh the walks. I was basically just asking where you had Mata and said I thought he was close to or ahead of Walter. I'm not sure how you got me thinking the Sox don't value BB/9 from that, but I must be wrong, since all your posts are "perfect."

Certainly luck could have been involved on the good stretches or the bad. His high K rate was encouraging. The velo charts are more concerning to me: https://www.fangraphs.com/players/chris-sale/10603/graphs?pitchgraphs=true&statArr=&legend=1&split=base&time=daily&start=2014&end=2022&rtype=mult&gt1=15&dStatArray=FA&ymin=&ymax=

Pretty costly, too, back in that day, especially the posting fee or bid, or whatever they called it.

Okay. I guess I should have remember he might have said "real deal" on BDC many years ago. My "trouble understanding" is on full display.

Yes, it's way too complicated for me to remember a person I never knew.

I thought we were talking about the SP'er depth chart. I'm fine with any of these guys being used in the pen. I'm not sure where they should be placed on the pen depth chart. Where they are on the SP'er chart, especially with 3 guys hurt, might determine where they are on that list. I'm not sure what "doesn't matter" comment is all about, except to try and stir things up. I'm fine with someone pivoting to another issue, especially when he was clear about doing so.

That good stretch was a pretty long 11 starts. I'm choosing to think that is something he may return to, but it's hard to know. I hope it's not just wishful thinking, but like Red, I'm not counting on anything, as of now.

The original 6 SP'ers for the 26 were: Sale, Kluber, Whitlock (hurt), Paxton, Pivetta and Bello (hurt). Whitlock, Bello and Sale have not pitched in one or more of our 9 games- 2 due to injuries and Sale due to manager's choice. Other SP'ers "in the mix" who have pitched are Houck, Wink, Crawford, Walter, Murphy and Mata. It's not like no other SP'ers are getting time. Look, there was certainly time to squeeze Sale into one of the first 9 games, and they chose not to do so, but I'm not sure saying he was "pushed back a week" is an accurate statement. One could say, they just gave 8 others a look, first: IP/Gm in ST 5.0/2 Craw 5.0/2 Wink 4.2/2 Kluber 3.0/2 Walter 2.2/2 Murphy 2.0/2 Mata 1.2/1 Houck 1.2/1 Paxton (got hurt) 6 SP'ers have pitched in 2 games before Sale has pitched 1, so it does look like he has been given more time to prepare for his first game action. I don't disagree. I'm just not sure about saying a "week off." I'm not trying to make a big deal over this, but I don't see him starting game 10 as being a big issue or a sign of "babying." Let's see how they treat him, going forward. If he's ready to start one of the first 5 games of the season, I'll have no issues with the way they handled him- "babying" or not. With Whitlock, Paxton and Bello likely starting the season on the IL or bench, we need Sale in the starting 5 to begin the season.

Although his 2019 ERA was 4.40, his FIP was 3.39. 13.3 K/9 (career 11.1) 2.3 BB/9 (2.1 career) 5.9 K/BB (5.3 career) 7.5 H/9 (7.3 career) 1.089 WHIP (1.042 career) 1.5 HR/9 (1.0 career) Most are not far from career totals, except ERA and HR/9. Also, .696 OPSA vs .628 career is pretty significant. n.696 is not all that bad. We'd want a hitter benched, if he hit that.

You cursed him?

I think this is our 9th game, today. If our 6 starters were each given a start from day one, maybe Sale would normally have started game 6. Starting game 9 is only being pushed back maybe 3 days, not a week or more. It's as easy as 3-2-1.

Is 160 IP, a 3.25 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP somewhat reasonable for 2023?

I'm not sure the 3.5 BB/9 rates by Winck and Crawford are impressive enough to outweigh Mata's pluses, but since they have experience, I think they both are ahead of Mata on the SP'er depth chart. I see Mata being close to Walter, if not ahead on that list.

Who says he's been pushed back a week?

No such thing as curses, especially from posters on this site.

Until he gets hurt, he should be high on the depth chart.

Gotta be Alfaro with Wong questionable.

I think he’s the real deal!