oldtimer

How about a grand slam from Arroyo. Good move.

The deal of getting a low priced Verdugo and two others for one year of Betts looks like a stroke of g[/b]enius.

All you guys just love to have things to complain about.

Little things can lose a game.

Lefty-on lefty, strikeout pitcher. Two errors this inning aren't helping.

Be interesting to see what management does, if anything. Not many moves considering the weaknesses that are developing.

Agreed. He and Weber.

JD may well look to opt out next season in order to get a multi-year commitment (3 may be) instead of more money any one year. If that is the case, the Sox may trade him this year, but I can't see it happening if they have a legitimate chance to advance in the playoffs. Barnes has become a premier closer and in my view the Sox will try very hard to keep him. E- and was probably thought of as value is dropping with multiple poor performances this year. Where do we get a quality left hander to replace him. Sale is one if he makes it back but it would be nice to have a second. Ottavino might interest teams who are serious contenders, but then if we are contending, we will need him. Marwin was a one year place holder replicable by prospects so he could be replaced this year but his flexibility is useful for us so he could continue in a super utility role.

I believe both Duran and Casas will be on the 2022 team. Casas to platoon with Dalbec if Dalbec's trajectory is satisfactory for 2021. Dalbec can also sub for Devers at 3rd to rest him or to allow him to DH part time. The DH is by no means settled for 2022 with JDM in a position to opt out.

May of the baseball writer advocate for Duran coming up now while you have seemed reluctant to give this kid a try at 24 years old. Duran has speed but he also has a much needed left handed bat while Wilson is another righty. The writers don't seem as worried about defense as you do. We have Santana and Hernandez in the outfield. Neither is doing all that well. Santana in particular hasn't caught on. How long do we give him?

So the Sox lost to a very good offensive team while being without one of their best hitters (Bogaerts). No a great concern although having one turn around the rotation being ineffective does give me pause. The good news is Dalbec got an extra base hit for the 3rd game in a row. I am hoping they get back to their winning ways tomorrow.

Inaugural Draft Combine set for June 21-28 in Cary, NC. Cary has nice facilities and there will be over 100 of the top prospects present to participate in the evaluations. We have the 4th overall pick and I expect we will use it this year rather than trade it away. The actual draft is in July but this should give our staff a good chance to evaluate talent.

I have said that as well. There is no one I know of in the organization other than Casas who could possibly do better and Casas has Olympic commitments and won't be available. Chavis is no bargain and chases pitches out of the zone. I have wanted Dalbec to swing earlier in the count instead of putting himself in the hole and also suggested platooning him for the time being. I would be very pleased if Dalbec can be coached out of the slump he has been in. Cut down on the strikeouts and be more aggressive at the plate.

Dalbec is swinging earlier in the count. That is how he hit the double against the Astros. For the longest time he was watching pitches over the middle of the plate and putting himself into a hole. Maybe tthe coaches have asked him to swing at any pitch over the plate and not take so many.

They continue to look. Is it better to try to find a player who can help or stay with one who isn't getting it done? My answer is bring alternatives on for a try. I do think once the Sox has given a kid a chance to play in the Olympics, they won't then withdraw him.

Arroyo got 4 rbis. Some things to consider. ERod had another weak start, although the Astros can make any starter look weak. It does point out he is our only left hand starter unless and until Sale gets back. We had our best lineup in last night although one could debate where Arroyo should hit. With Verdugo, JDM, Bogaerts, Devers and Vazquez in the lineup, we have a very dangerous offensive team. add Renfroe, who has been hitting reliably, Arroyo back from injury and Hernandez who is also showing signs of life and there are few holes. Worth mentioning is that with Santana slumping badly and Gonzales a basic utility guy we only have 2 left handed batters in the lineup. Duran and Casas are not available for 6 weeks and Cordero was given his shot. Is there another left handed hitter who can give us additional balance? Dalbec did hit last night which was good for him. He actually swung at a first pitch which he hasn't been doing. I hope for his sake that he can continue to show some signs of life.

That wasn't a pitching mistake. altuve just managed to flick a good pitch out.

Interesting that you don't list the needs of the club. Losing games due to an obvious weakness rather than attempting to resolve them seems to be to be a dereliction of management responsibility. I would say most fans on this site are well aware of the points you bring up. 1.The super 2 cutoff date can be monetized. How much is it worth to try to avoid losing more games? 2.It's the painful way that Dalbec and Santana have looked at the plate which should tell fans that they will not likely show up but instead continue to drag the team down. 3.There are a few prospects, some of which appear to be ready to be given a chance. Being ready means being superior to what we currently have in our lineup. 4.There are those, myself included, who believe they deserve a chance now. Is it money holding them back or management not wanting to give up on a guy they advocated for who isn't producing? 5. The Olympics are now a real issue as no doubt those chosen would like to get the chance to play for their country. Management though made them available.

Hard to believe our best prospects would do worse than Santana and Dalbec. When something is broken, thats the time to try to fix it.

Verdugo sits with a bad back and we have Santana who is not working at leadoff and Gonzalez who is a #9 hitter batter lower in the order. The Sox have not done much to improve and the Astros are a very solid team. Whatever they are doing, they are superior to the Sox right now. Would like to see management make moves to improve but due to the Olympics commitments, I don't think they have the horses to do so.

I tend to believe what I see and that is Dalbec is totally lost at the plate and has shown no signs of improving. I admit to being impatient to try someone different instead of letting his poor offense hurt the team's record. Of course Cora and Bloom know more about the options than we do. Eventually though, they will try something else. Pick up a guy? Use Chavis? I think Casas would make sense except that he is committed to the Olympics through mid August. Cmon guys, do something.

Dalbec's approach will land him in Worcester shortly.

chavis is the best bet for now.

What should be done with Dalbec? He just seemed overmatched against most every pitcher we face. A homerun once every 2 weeks and nothing else isn't enough from a first baseman.

It's painful to watch Dalbec bat. First and third and no one out. You have to make contact. He just doesn't have the right approach.