What can Francona do to right the ship?

[MNSoxChief102]

Pete Abraham at The Globe posed the same question today and I wanted to see what everyone here thought on the issue... here's a few examples of options Francona could try to lite a fire under the team.

 

1. Throw a fit: Come in with fire in your eyes. Told a team meeting after batting practice and flip over a table. Take a bat to something. Threaten to fight anybody who talks back. Throw things across the room. This was big with Billy Martin.

 

2. Get ejected: As soon as there's a close call or your pitcher gets squeezed, get tossed. Come running out of the dugout and do whatever it takes. Once you get tossed, hang around for a few minutes and get your money's worth by kicking dirt on the plate or throwing a base. This will delight the crowd.

 

3. Blame somebody else: The media makes a good scapegoat. Collect a bunch of headlines or video clips of people making fun of your team. Try and create an "us against the world" atmosphere. Ask Tony La Russa for tips on this.

 

4. Change the routine: Cancel batting practice and tell the players to stay home until 5 p.m. Threaten to fine anybody who shows up early. This was a favored tactic of Joe Torre.

 

5. Stay the course: Trust in the roster. Trust track records. Maintain your composure. This could require plenty of medication, but it's better than panic.

 

6, Create a distraction with crazy behavior: Start your pre-game press conference by announcing you plan to root for the Canadiens against the Bruins. Endorse Donald Trump for president a few minutes later. This is will take attention away from how lousy the team is. Ozzie Guillen is the king of this.

 

7. Draw up a crazy lineup:. Hit Ortiz first. Bat Scutaro cleanup. It can't be any worse than what has gone on so far.

 

8. Make 'em laugh: Pretend to call a team meeting and have a guy in a clown suit sneak up and hit you with a pie in the face. I'm actually sort of serious about this. Do something to ease the tension.

 

Me personally, I'd go with #2, #4, and #5 in no particular order. Staying the course should provide results EVENTUALLY, but how long can we realistically wait? Getting ejected usually works for one game, but not necessarily a whole series of games. Changing the routine sounds intriguing though, but it could f*** up guy's rhythym, especially the players that are actually producing.

 

What do you all think?

[Station 13]

Play Lowrie for a start. He has an upside we want to him to tap into. He pick up where he left off last season. His reward is to sit on the bench for a veteran hitting under the mendoza line.

[jacksonianmarch]

Obviously, not a big league reference, but when we were struggling in college, our coach initially took to the more practice approach. Essentially, longer BP, more PFP, more fly balls, etc. That NEVER worked. Then, he'd go with the Torre approach. No BP, show up 90 minutes prior to the game. Stretch, throw, no BP. That always seemed to work

[boy racer]

Combination of 5 and 7 will win games. He just has to be smart about the bullpen.

[Palodios]

1)Start Lowrie. I like Scutaro, and everything he provides, but you play the hot bat. Lowrie will get injured, and Scutaro will have his shot again, but for now, playing a lessor player to boost his confidence just isn't the right move.

 

2) Stop shifting the lineup. Find something that works and try to keep guys in the same place. If you have to move guys in and out of spots, do what you have to do. Keep players in spots that work-- ie Pedroia 2, Agon 3, Youk 4. Throwing everyone around isn't helping the offense. Crawford at 1 isn't working, he just doesn't like hitting there.

 

3) Let Dice-k do whatever the hell he wants. Its been 4 years, and he still isn't listening, so let him pitch how he wants to pitch. If that doesn't work, phantom DL him.

 

4) Stay the course with Lackey and Buchholz. Lackey pitched to career numbers in the second half of the year in 2010 after he got used to Boston, he will figure it out. Buchholz is too good for this, maybe he was distracted by contract negotiations.

 

5) Have a serious discussion with the pitching staff about Saltamacchia. Figure out if he is part of the problem. In opportunities starting, Varitek's pitcher has been 2/2 on QS, and Salty has been 1/9. If we need an offensive blackhole at catcher, so be it, but if our catcher is part of the pitching problem, something needs to be done. Personally, I don't know enough to make this claim about Salty, but Tito is in a position to figure it out.

[DwightFright]

"8. Make 'em laugh: Pretend to call a team meeting and have a guy in a clown suit sneak up and hit you with a pie in the face. I'm actually sort of serious about this. Do something to ease the tension."

 

There are too many fans who already consider Tito a clown. Maybe they should hire another manager and keep Tito's picture in the dugout dressed as a clown.

[La Munson]

 

5) Have a serious discussion with the pitching staff about Saltamacchia. Figure out if he is part of the problem. In opportunities starting, Varitek's pitcher has been 2/2 on QS, and Salty has been 1/9. If we need an offensive blackhole at catcher, so be it, but if our catcher is part of the pitching problem, something needs to be done. Personally, I don't know enough to make this claim about Salty, but Tito is in a position to figure it out.

 

I agree, it's pretty obvious the Sox rotation know Varitek more and are way more comfortable pitching to him.

 

I don't care if he hits .150, pitching is way more valuable right now.

[J-Beck]

I agree, it's pretty obvious the Sox rotation know Varitek more and are way more comfortable pitching to him.

 

I don't care if he hits .150, pitching is way more valuable right now.

 

Agreed. I think Varitek is the choice. Salty just doesn't have the command behind the plate.

[BigPapiEnFuego]

The pitching troubles have nothing to do with Varitek. I'm sick of hearing this. The pitching is in a slump. How a catcher handles a staff is one of the most overrated things I have seen people talk about. To prove it, read this: http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/2011/04/a_closer_look_a_3.html

 

Like he says, Beckett was good before he ever had Varitek. Clay Buccholz actually has a higher ERA with him. That to me proves this "Varitek handles them better" theory is nothing. Having Varitek start and catching everyone isn't going to help this team. The problem has been pitcher's command, and movement, stuff like that. Dice-K was throwing meatballs down the middle, even though Salty was setting up all over the place. Lackey's stuff just hasn't looked good and has been easily hittable. Same with Buchholz. Lester had 2 good starts in a row, and his best start actually came with Salty behind the plate. Wake is unpredictable.

 

In the end it just looks like the pitching staff didn't get enough time in during spring trainings or something. Guys have no command, no feel for their pitches. Some are throwing weaker. Give them time and it will turn around regardless of who's catching them.

[Palodios]

The pitching troubles have nothing to do with Varitek. I'm sick of hearing this. The pitching is in a slump. How a catcher handles a staff is one of the most overrated things I have seen people talk about. To prove it, read this: http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/2011/04/a_closer_look_a_3.html

 

No, you're exactly right. This doesn't have anything to do with Varitek. But it does have to do with Salty. He hasn't had a full year as a catcher in his career. And as we're watching him struggle at the plate offensively, we're also watching him struggle defensively AND 89% of the time when he's calling the game, the pitching has sucked. Is it a coincidence? Probably. But so far, does anyone see anything positive from him whatsoever?

[SoxSport]

Stop being so complacent. Mazz of the Globe alluded to that in his column today.

 

Make Pedroia a captain.

 

Give Lowrie a shot at SS.

 

Platoon Ortiz

 

Bat Ellsbury and Crawford 1-2 and utilize their speed.

Look up the definition of Stolen Base in the dictionary.

 

Also look up the definition of "take a walk" and "smallball"

in one-run games--like last night.

 

Replace Wake with another catcher or LHd reliever.

Stop using the poor guy as a mop.

[boston22407]

Stop being so complacent. Mazz of the Globe alluded to that in his column today.

 

Make Pedroia a captain.

 

Give Lowrie a shot at SS.

 

Platoon Ortiz

 

Bat Ellsbury and Crawford 1-2 and utilize their speed.

Look up the definition of Stolen Base in the dictionary.

 

Also look up the definition of "take a walk" and "smallball"

in one-run games--like last night.

 

Replace Wake with another catcher or LHd reliever.

Stop using the poor guy as a mop.

 

i agree with most of this expect the captain thing ,does it really matter????????

[Redsoxwin15]

The Sox definitely need to change something. There must be something wrong that needs to be changed. Maybe trying out a crazy lineup to change things. Pedroia is doing really well he should bat third. Put Lowrie in too. He was really good in last nights game.

[redsoxrules]

Stop being so complacent. Mazz of the Globe alluded to that in his column today.

 

Make Pedroia a captain.

 

Give Lowrie a shot at SS.

 

Platoon Ortiz

 

Bat Ellsbury and Crawford 1-2 and utilize their speed.

Look up the definition of Stolen Base in the dictionary.

 

Also look up the definition of "take a walk" and "smallball"

in one-run games--like last night.

 

Replace Wake with another catcher or LHd reliever.

Stop using the poor guy as a mop.

 

Ellsbury is overated and sucks . He's not a leadoff hitter

[ORS]

Bat Ellsbury and Crawford 1-2 and utilize their speed.

Look up the definition of Stolen Base in the dictionary.

This was brought up in the gamethread last night.

 

You can't steal first. Ie, you have to get on to steal, and these guys aren't getting on. Thus, they shouldn't hit 1/2. It sucks when the two guys hitting before your best hitters can't get on with any frequency.

[redsoxrules]

1)Start Lowrie. I like Scutaro, and everything he provides, but you play the hot bat. Lowrie will get injured, and Scutaro will have his shot again, but for now, playing a lessor player to boost his confidence just isn't the right move.

 

2) Stop shifting the lineup. Find something that works and try to keep guys in the same place. If you have to move guys in and out of spots, do what you have to do. Keep players in spots that work-- ie Pedroia 2, Agon 3, Youk 4. Throwing everyone around isn't helping the offense. Crawford at 1 isn't working, he just doesn't like hitting there.

 

3) Let Dice-k do whatever the hell he wants. Its been 4 years, and he still isn't listening, so let him pitch how he wants to pitch. If that doesn't work, phantom DL him.

 

4) Stay the course with Lackey and Buchholz. Lackey pitched to career numbers in the second half of the year in 2010 after he got used to Boston, he will figure it out. Buchholz is too good for this, maybe he was distracted by contract negotiations.

 

5) Have a serious discussion with the pitching staff about Saltamacchia. Figure out if he is part of the problem. In opportunities starting, Varitek's pitcher has been 2/2 on QS, and Salty has been 1/9. If we need an offensive blackhole at catcher, so be it, but if our catcher is part of the pitching problem, something needs to be done. Personally, I don't know enough to make this claim about Salty, but Tito is in a position to figure it out.

 

too bad for crawford because thats the best place to put him the lineup so he'll have to suck it up and hit like he's supposed to

 

Ellsbury is not suited to leadoff .

[boy racer]

The most work we need to do is in the bullpen. Crawford has to get into his groove.

[Palodios]

This was brought up in the gamethread last night.

 

You can't steal first. Ie, you have to get on to steal, and these guys aren't getting on. Thus, they shouldn't hit 1/2. It sucks when the two guys hitting before your best hitters can't get on with any frequency.

 

I agree with you. Crawford definitely needs to take a break from leadoff, atleast for now.

 

I want to point out though--- Lead-off hitters with monster OBP were incredibly uncommon in 2010. The majority of the guys who had an OBP above .350 aren't leadoff hitters-- they are sluggers. Take a look at the list of guys who had OBPs over .350 with low HR numbers:

 

Barton, Utley, Gardner, Markakis, Infante, Butler, Mauer, Ichiro, Damon, Crawford. That's it. Narrow that down to leadoff men, and you end up with Gardner(.383) and Ichiro(.353). Crawford had an OBP of .356 last year, and Ellsbury has a .342 OBP for his career. I think in the long run, one of them will be a good fit, but they need to start hitting first.

[MNSoxChief102]

The key to all good lead off guys is that they get on base in a variety of ways. That's what made Johnny D so good at it... he could hit for average and he saw a lot of pitches, fighting off the bad ones with foul balls to either get one he could handle or draw a walk. Neither Crawford or Ells are doing that right now. They're up there swinging away trying to score runs on their own instead of being patient and working the count to their advantage.

 

Sooner or later Crawford is going to figure it out and he'll get on base with consistency, either by hitting the ball to a open spot or taking pitches to draw walks. I really don't care how he does it... walk or hit... if he's on base he's a threat that makes us a better team offensively.

[chrisohio1978]

Ellsbury is overated and sucks . He's not a leadoff hitter

 

I do not think Els sucks but I think that he has tried to become a power hitter and forgotten how to bunt for hits and slap the ball to the left side or left field. Very frustrating

[chrisohio1978]

I hate that stadium in new york that f***ing a rod can slap a ball to right and get a three run homer. easy out in boston nowhere near the warning track

[La Munson]

Could Pedroia lead-off? He has the OBP and speed, why not?

 

Maybe try it once as an experiment

[chrisohio1978]

I still am pulling for balt despite the fact that they have a better record. I think no matter what I will always pull against new york

[chrisohio1978]

Could Pedroia lead-off? He has the OBP and speed, why not?

 

Maybe try it once as an experiment

 

I think when kalish comes along he will be the perfect lead off hitter but until then they have to put els in there and hope that he reverts back to the old els who got on anyway he could

[MNSoxChief102]

Could Pedroia lead-off? He has the OBP and speed, why not?

 

Maybe try it once as an experiment

 

I wouldn't have a problem with it. He works the count and gets on base frequently. Crawford would seem to me to be a solid #2 hitter and should be able to see better pitches with AGon right behind him and Youk after that. No one's going to want to walk him with his speed and AGon coming up next.

[chrisohio1978]

It was kind of weird that crawford was moved to number seven in the order and went 2-4 and then moved right back to the top. Let him get his s*** together at the bottom of the order and then move him later

[SoxSport]

The Sox definitely need to change something. There must be something wrong that needs to be changed. Maybe trying out a crazy lineup to change things. Pedroia is doing really well he should bat third. Put Lowrie in too. He was really good in last nights game.

 

Another thing Tito has done wrong is continue to bat Youks cleanup, even though he is not himself at bat. Maybe it's the thumb. Maybe it's the position change that creates stress.

 

I agree Pedroia should bat 3rd. AdGon 4th. Ells and Crawford 1-2. Those guys should be stealing every time they get on base.

Lowrie, too. looks like he's the real deal.

[Station 13]

Could Pedroia lead-off? He has the OBP and speed, why not?

 

Maybe try it once as an experiment

 

Of course, he bats mostly with the bases emptied as CC and Ells s*** the bed.

[Marty McFly]

Right now I think this would be our best order:

 

1 - Lowrie

2 - Crawford

3 - Pedroia

4 - Gonzalez

5 - Youk

6 - Papi

7 - Drew

8 - Salty/Tek

9 - Ellsbury

 

Scutaro needs to take over our utility role. Lowrie needs to be an every day player until he proves otherwise.

[SoxSport]

Another thing that concerns me is the chemistry. Especially Crawford. Why did they sign him? What weakness did he correct? They had a Crawford clone ready to play in Kalish--but pushed him to the back burner for a season so he can replace Drew.

 

And then there's AdGon, with Youks having to move to 3B. AdGon looks like a winner, but Youks has not been himself so far. Is it the position change? Or the thumb? Nobody's talkin'. It could well be the position change, and the stresses involved. The game is 50% mental. Look at how closers get bombed when they get put into non-save situations.

 

When you change your chemistry in the off-season as much as they did, you have to spend more time in spring training to work out these changes. Get these guys playing together as a team; get the lineup straight. Tito clearly didn't do that. And the front office didn't help. It was business as usual. They lost 10 in a row playing scrubs--and they continue to lose starting the season playing regulars. Tito had no idea where Crawford fit in the lineup, and how to utilize the speed of Ellsbury and Crawford. He still doesn't, for that matter. I don't think they realized how tough an adjustment these major changes would be.