oldtimer

Now we see if Andriese can hold an 8 run lead.

He's become an ambush predator

The Sox didn't remove him from Olympics consideration to bring him up in September. He will be up following the AS break.

Might they have faced exceptional pitching?

There is the possibiity that Leiter would not sign with a losing team and go back to college.

The truth is we don't know how either Houck or Sale will do upon return. To suggest them ahead of ERod makes little sense, not that you suggested that. I hope Sale and ERod along with Pivetta and Eovaldi would be pitching well enough to be our 4 starters with Richards, Houck and Perez all as long relievers if necessary.

It appears the draft will go as follow: 1. Marcelo Mayer (SS) to Pittsburgh as a foregone conclusion 2. Jack Leiter (RHP) possibly to Texas although his talk of returning to Vanderbilt may be enough of a threat to dissuade Texas 3. Jackson Jobe (RHP) to Detroit as they have signaled their preference strongly 4. Jack Leiter to Boston if he falls past Texas; If not the choice will be between Henry Davis or Jordan Lawler a good looking SS prospect. No bad choices.

Maybe dipping his pitches.

Can't believe the game being carried tonight is the Yankees (who get tons of coverage in Western North Carolina and the Mariners). The Sox game will feature two all star pitchers, our first place team and the Angels with high interest players.

I'm surprised that this site doesn't include an entry for the upcoming draft which is only a few days away. As someone over 80, I don't feel it is my place to do that but am certainly interested. Other Red Sox fan sites do have separate discussions but I feel that this is the site with the best informed fans. Is there a moderator to handle this sort of activity?

From what I have heard about Houck, he still needs to regain strength to be ML ready. Perhaps he will be ready after the AS break.

Nothing is likely to happen while the team is on the west coast. If there is a change before the AS break, it would probably only be in the BP with Ort the most likely. I doubt if that happens either. Let's enjoy the run they are on and turn to the draft for stimulation.

Arroyo activated and Chavis optioned as predicted. It may take Arroyo a while to get back in the groove but it is good to get him back.

Be an interesting comparison with the Yankees.

I expect that Arroyo returns today and Chavis goes down and as you say, probably out if tradable. Arroyo may well be a longer term 2nd baseman for us. I doubt if more happens while we are on the West coast. We could use additional BP help with Andriese in particular not useable. We are also in need of a third left handed hitter in the lineup. Marwin is not hitting well enough to fill that need. That is hard to do unless we look for a long term left handed first baseman or we move Kike to first and bring up Duran. With Casas sitting in the wings for 2022 and beyond, I can't see us trading prospects for a left handed first baseman. Maybe trade away assets not in our long term plans for a half season rental.

Nick, I am with you in thinking the Sox should do everything they can to weed out the poor performers and try some different talent. Perhaps Bloom is required by ownership to stay below the cap so if that is the case, the Sox are somewhat limited. Andriese, Chavis and Santana are candidates for replacement but it appears only Chavis will be sent down before the All Star break.

Frankly I am glad that we don't have that albatross of a contract holding us back now and in the future. Bloom has the flexibility to do some good things with the money. Devers will need to be extended and Boom will have the resources to add quality talent.

Pivetta had a wonderful 7 inning start. Bloom made a great acquisition in that one. Pulling out a 1 to 0 win with both Bogaerts and Renfroe being rested was an accomplishment. The announcers mentioned Arroyo was on his return to the Sox and will be available tomorrow. I assume Chavis will be sent down. He played today and chased the ball out of the zone. To bad for him, but to me he looked like the weakest hitter today. While Santana went 0 for, at least he put the ball in play. With Barnes throwing again today, he may be unavailable to pitch in the first two games against the Angels. Whitlock also won't pitch tomorrow. Perhaps the Sox will bring up BP help although Cora is still supporting Andriese's cause.

If we can get a player or prospect for players that don't figure in our plans going forward, why not?

I still believe they will consider BP help.

Downs is our #2 prospect and recently his bat is coming alive. Time will tell how good the trade was but I support it as being very sensible.

The question in my mind is he worth trying instead of Santana. To me, the answer is yes. Maybe Cora is just stubbornly loyal. He has stated he wants to stick with Andriese after a very weak May, June and now the start of July. I question that part of what he is doing, but overall he has been excellent.

Can Kike play 1st base?

Between those times you chose to remind me that Santana hadn't gotten enough AB's to justify moving him. Kind of having it both ways. The Sox have to be a tired team, having played a long Fenway series then flown immediately to the West coast to be in their second overtime game in two days. Small wonder the BP choices were limited and I don't blame Cora for going to Andriese as long as he was on the roster. Of course he has been unable to be successful at getting ML hitters out. What I have trouble understanding is why the Sox have stayed with him instead of bringing up their best alternative. The same is true for Santana where Duran sits waiting for a chance. I don't know what management is thinking but it certainly looks like they are willing to sacrifice games like the one last night. At least Arroyo should be up soon which will send Chavis down if he already hasn't been moved. Dalbec needs to be platooned as well. The Sox have a great season underway, but bad losses need to be avoided to maintain their lofty achievements to date.

Be nice to get something from the bottom of our order.