Despite the Black Death going through the clubhouse

For the record, for future generations looking back at Sox Therapy many years from now, there was a flu bug that seemingly affected half the roster within a couple weeks at the start of the season. Any references to the Black Death are simply an exaggeration of that bug, and not some kind of racist reference to Jackie Bradley.

Steven Wright to the 10 day DL with a leg issue, Brandon Workman called up. No word yet on who is starting Thursday. Brian Johnson and Henry Owens both pitched last Thursday so that wouldn't be too out there. They could do a bullpen game too if Sale and Pomeranz can give some innings the next couple of nights.

Apparently Kyle Kendrick is getting the start Thursday.

I've been (unfairly) a little disappointed in Marco Hernandez. He's hitting .276 but with just one walk and 3 doubles and no other extra base hits. He's made 4 errors at third and one at short.

Last season he had 5 walks in 56 appearances.

I was thinking maybe he could be Jed Lowrie in his good seasons, where he has a slash line like 270/360/400. With good defense that would play.

It's only 60 plate appearances so this is too soon, but I really thought he could be an everyday third baseman, but unless the walk rate greatly improves and the power comes up a little, looks like he tops out as a utility guy.

I don't think it's unfair to be disappointed in Hernandez, he hasn't played well. I didn't/don't have as high hopes as you did but he has not done the job and the defense is a real problem. How a guy can be a shortstop by trade and be that error prone at third base I don't get. At this point do we have proof that Butch Hobson hasn't put a curse on the hot corner? 11 errors already? Anyway back to Marco, he has played poorly on both sides of the ball.

In other news Wright's season is over. Kyle Kendrick, Brian Johnson and Henry Owens suddenly become important. Of course getting Price back would be a huge difference maker.

This probably warrants a different thread, which I have the power to do but not the time. But...

David Price has an opt-out after 2018. What are the chances that

(a) he kicks butt in 2018, then opts out?

(b) he wilts under the pressure of trying to do (a), and we get another lost year in a long contract?

(c) he opts out even if he's likely to get less money, just so he can get out of Boston?

I think (a) is the far far likeliest of those three. (b) is second and (c)...well players just don't take less money. I suppose it's possible but I would put that as a distant third.

Honestly I'd say he is more likely to repeat 2016 in terms of performance and opt out at that point. I'd be surprised if he got less money, maybe on an annual basis but overall contract he'll do better.