Nick

On Josh Taylor’s unlikely path to a late-inning role http://https://www.overthemonster.com/2021/6/14/22533152/boston-red-sox-bullpen-josh-taylor-slider-whiff-rate-fastball-splits Good analytics on Josh Taylor.

With all the movements in OF, I'm thinking it's better to go to OF category for someone like Verdugo.

#4 pick hopefully doesn't come around too often. I look at this year's draft somewhat different than others.

Yeah, I was thinking about high school pitchers. Sox do absolutely nothing with them the year they are drafted. They come back as a nineteen year old, not having pitched against anything other than high school hitters. Just seem like a long road. I want someone that may reach the majors by 2024, not 2028.

I just can't get excited about a high school player. No offense but this board thinks 24 year olds are too inexperienced. How did Ball and Groome work out, so far?

Looking at Mets roster... I didn't realize how bad Francisco Lindor is playing, BA .220, OPS .667. He's only paid $22M this year. 10 Year, $341M deal starts in 2022. Ugh. Also why is Cano not playing and forfeiting is 2021 salary?

Bloom has good idea his 1-4 choices. Lets look at it on the bright side. Earlier, they were going to combine records for two years and determine the draft order. That made absolutely no sense because teams were 'rewarded' already for their 2019 record.

Give kudos to Weber. He took one for the team. I don't know he'll ever recover from today's outing. He was going to throw 100 pitches today, no matter how many homers he gave up.

We're probably incapable of containing Houston and Toronto offense in Fenway. We're playing much better on the road. Only entertainment today aside from two homers, was to watch Marwin throw his moonball at 49 MPH and his two seamer at 89 MPH.

Not true, they're old, but they're household names.

He's only had 44 AB and probably not fair to judge him, I just feel bad for Santana. He hit .150 in May but he's hitting .083 in June. Not sure what you do with him. Marwin already plays multiple positions so having Santana for his speed makes no sense. Remember, 2021 was year of discovery. Santana was never going to be long term solution. If he's not helping he needs to go.

I was just thinking how to pay for a $30M pitcher. E Rod and Pedey adds to $22M. More than likely E Rod will cost us at least $15M-$18M so the $30M is covered.

Moving on.... Recent starting pitching is exactly why you need a shut down ace in your rotation. Maybe that'll be Chris Sale. Richards, $10M, E Rod, $8.3M, Pedey, $13M.....That'll take care of the ace. Move Whitlock/Houck to starting rotation. Then after 2022, Eovaldi's $17M and Price's $16M comes off the books.

I doubt any manager or GM says every player has chance to be great. We're splitting hair here Moon. Can you quote Bloom saying another minor leaguer with 'Great'? Show me the quote. I can show you his quote about Duran.

Lets see... Kike continues to thrive in #1 spot. No one, no one has explained to me what harm will our #2-#6 do batting #1-#5. I only care who bats in front of me. Santana continues to march towards sub .100 avg. Now batting .111.

It was Bloom, not Cora.

I follow Cot's and JD already had two chances opt out. No mention of third opt out. I would think Boston newspapers would have reported possible opt out if he had one this year. I've e-mailed couple of writers but no response.

But when your top baseball guy says Duran has chance to be "great", Bloom's words, not mine, you take notice.

Great throw by Kike...that double play doesn't happen without Vaz dropping the popup.

Has Kike ever gotten a hit in 1st inning?

Yes. If a starter goes down today, he may get the call up.

Old adage is true...you just can't have enough good pitching. I'm stunned by number of injuries to minor league pitchers for the Sox.

Bullpen 5 More YRS of Team Control Garrett Whitlock (25) $570.5K, 5 more years of team control (22-26). Maybe a starter in 2022. 4 More YRS of Team Control Josh Taylor (28) $580.5K, 4 arbitration years coming up (22-25). Darwinzon (24) $578.5K, 4 more years of team control (22-25) Phiilips Valdez (29) $578.5K, 4 more years of team control (22-25) 2 More YRS of Team Control Ryan Brasier (33) $1.250M, 2 more arbitration years (22-23). Sawamura (33) 2 year/ $3M, with 23 option. 2 more years (22-23). 1 More YR of Team Control Matt Andriese (31) 1 year/$2.1M, 22 club option, 1 more year (22) Free Agents Adam Ottavino (35) $8.85M. last year of contract, FA for 2022. Matt Barnes (31) $4.5M, last year of contract, FA for 2022

Future Catcher: my hope is that the Red Sox draft H.Davis. The Red Sox need a stud catching prospect more than anything. Vazquez isn't going to last forever and he has a funny body to begin with. He is already 30 years old and I could see him breaking down over the next few years and we are arguably seeing a decline in his bat this season. Remember a few years ago, the Red Sox signed D.Flores to a 3 million dollar international contract--he tragically passed away at such a young age. Davis is needed to fill that gap I'd still prefer a college pitcher with our first pick if one is still available.

Per OvertheMonster, recap of our AAA team from last night's game. It was nice to see Chavis continue his hot run down in Triple-A over the last few days, but the pitching is what stands out about this game. First of all, Gonsalves continues to work after an opener, which continues to be interesting to me. There must be at least some consideration for him being the guy to come up if there’s a rotation injury before Tanner Houck is set to return. And Gonsalves is making his case, too, having tossed five scoreless innings in each of his last two outings. The lefty has interesting stuff, and he may not be able to give more than four or five even in a best-case scenario, so getting him used to coming in after an opener may be best for everyone involved. It’s interesting that he seems to be the only one getting this treatment. And then at the end of games, Ort continues to rack up saves and may be the most intriguing reliever in Worcester right now. He has an 0.60 ERA over 15 innings with 21 strikeouts and seven walks. Ort has been lights out. Another Yankee Rule-5 Minor League player. Stands 6-4, 240 lbs. Not drafted. 29 years old. Primarily pitch is fastball, average slider.