White Sox second baseman Yoan Moncada initially took Boston’s offseason decision to trade him in a package for ace Chris Sale “as a very personal rejection,” his father, David, told Eli Saslow of ESPN The Magazine. But, thanks in part to teammate and first baseman Jose Abreu, Moncada has adjusted well to the changing of Sox. Abreu, a fellow Cuban, texted Moncada the night of the trade and told him that “this team gets it,” in reference to the White Sox’s history of employing Cuban-born players. Their relationship has continued to grow since, and the 21-year-old Moncada, arguably the best prospect in baseball, now regards Abreu as a “mentor and friend whose example I can only hope to follow.”
More on Chicago and three other American League teams:
- The White Sox scratched left-hander Carlos Rodon from his start Friday because of tightness in his bicep, Dan Hayes of CSN Chicago was among those to report. There’s no structural damage, and manager Rick Renteria said the team’s initial exam was “positive,” but Rodon will nonetheless go for an MRI (all Twitter links). “Odds are” Rodon will begin the season on the disabled list, according to general manager Rick Hahn, who noted that the White Sox “are going to err on the side of caution here, even if it winds up costing him his first couple starts” (Twitter links via Colleen Kane of the Chicago Tribune and Hayes). That makes sense considering the 24-year-old Rodon is one of the rebuilding White Sox’s most important cogs. Thus far in his career, the two-year veteran has logged a 3.90 ERA, 9.08 K/9, 3.7 BB/9 across 304 1/3 innings.
- Rangers manager Jeff Banister all but confirmed Friday that right-hander A.J. Griffin has locked down a rotation spot, tweets Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News. Grant reported earlier Friday that a starting job was likely for Griffin, who will slot in behind Yu Darvish, Cole Hamels and Martin Perez. The banged-up Andrew Cashner could rejoin the Rangers by April 15, the first time they’ll need a fifth starter.
- Thanks to the “dead arm” that slowed Astros righty Collin McHugh earlier this spring, he likely won’t be ready for the beginning of the season, manager A.J. Hinch informed Jake Kaplan of the Houston Chronicle (Twitter link). McHugh’s absence will deprive the Astros of a quality starter, though they do have a promising No. 6 on hand in Joe Musgrove, who looked like a major league-caliber rotation piece in his 62-inning debut last season (4.06 ERA, 7.98 K/9, 2.32 BB/9).
- The Yankees optioned righty Luis Cessa to Triple-A on Friday, thereby ending his bid to claim one of the two open spots in their rotation. Cessa, who had been competing against Luis Severino, Bryan Mitchell, Chad Green, Adam Warren and dark-horse Jordan Montgomery, allowed seven earned runs on 13 hits and four walks in 9 2/3 spring innings. As a rookie last season, the 24-year-old made 17 appearances (nine starts) and posted a 4.35 ERA, 5.89 K/9 and 1.79 BB/9 in 70 1/3 frames.
Keep Rodon on the DL as long as needed. He’ll be a cog in the rotation for the bright future of the Sox. White Sox aren’t contending this year so this whole season will be a showcase to trade veterans, while “unknown” prospects and players getting as many shots as needed to prove their worth.
Don’t be scared to being the young men up and better hang on to Abeau he is young enough to help when the team is ready. Trade Frazier in July and keep Quintana you need a young ACE . This team will be ready come July for the wild card/ says a fan
And trade Robertson for Candela and Kigi the old guy for a year ? That kid will be the next Bill Madlock who was a star. But he is blocked – get something good for Frazier- the Candy man is ready now
While I think Moncada will come around, I don’t think its going to happen in the window the Red Sox were hoping for. The few at bats he showed against Major League pitching, he was quite overmatched and he may still be 2-3 years removed from sticking at the MLB level. I don’t think the Red Sox have the natural mentor that the White Sox have in Jose Abreu, and I think this is a deal that will wind up working out for both sides.
If Moncada lives up to his potential, it will be tough to see him do it in another uniform. But I do wish him the best on the South Side of Chicago! Will be cheering for him.
If the White Sox “get it” that means the Red Sox don’t, right?
espn has a really long mean-spirited article on this.
the white sox “get it” is in reference to the teams long history in signing cuban players, so abreu was telling moncada the white sox will be patient with him as he adjusts to a new culture as they have been with so many cuban players in the past
i don’t think abreu’s words were a dig at the red sox
When not if.
Trader Dave is depleting the farm system. They will end up being old, bloated and overpaid with no place to go
That might not happen for several years though. They still have a good young team and will probably compete the next several years.
Except that there core is really young and already established in the big leagues. They aren’t going to be old and bloated anytime soon.
Dylan Covey will be a White Sox starter.
Seth Beer here we come!!!
Yanks have a lot of talent with Severino, he looks pretty good today. He’s throwing in the high 90’s with a wipe out slider, he has the most upside of the young starters. Mitchell and Green have also been good this spring. I saw Montgomery pitch yesterday and he looks to have good command of all his pitches. I know the Yanks like that about him. All four of these guys can do the job and will get to pitch in the majors this year. Add to that, AAA pitchers like Adams and Kapreilian and I would say Cashman has done a good job retooling the Yanks pitching. I would think that a least 2 of these guys will be long term successful starters for the Yankees.
Severino will and probably should be in the BP where he can pitch high intensity in short stints. James Kaprielian is in single A along with Chance Adams. Looking forward to following those two plus Justus Sheffield who moved up to AA.
I couldn’t agree more. Chance Adams, Kaprelian, Montgomery, Severino, Mitchell, Justus Sheffield & we don’t want to forget Domingo Acevedo. Looks promising in the very near future.
Oh and a sleeper they got from Texas Dillon Tate.
3 White Sox stories in one day, and none of them mention Jose Quintana? Wow.
Yeah. When I see White Sox and Astros in the same blog…I’m thinking: more Q rumors. Pretty tired of them.
McHugh on the DL won’t hurt the Astros. They have plenty of depth. Brad Peacock is happiest person to hear this news.
Moncada feels rejected? The red sox paid him millions as an unproven prospect. He should be thankful they gave him the opportunity lol.
I don’t think that argument really works when every other team in the league would’ve happily given him the same opportunity… It might’ve come at a slightly lesser price, but they all would’ve taken him in a heartbeat, and the opportunity would’ve been the exact same.
Moncada describes Abreu as mentor, assigned to minor league camp immediately after. I guess Saladino needs his ABs ?
That’s the part of the Moncada deal that doesn’t get enough coverage. The Red Sox are picking up that bill. As for Abreu, he’lll likely be dealt before Moncada comes up. The more he bonds with the younger players the harder it will be to pull that trigger.