Cody Ross

[Bellhorn04]

The Red Sox picked up a healthy 31 year old RHH RF with a decent arm, 20 HR potential, and a career .779 OPS for 3 million. He also has a career .912 OPS versus lefties-- in an outfield that sorely needed a righthanded bat.

 

I've never even heard of Cody Ross before, but after looking at all the numbers, this looks like an excellent deal.

 

Ross had 5 HR in the 2010 postseason and he was the MVP of the NLCS win over Philly.

[Station 13]

The thing that excites me is that Ross has 25 Homerun' date=' .270 potential. If he could somehow channel that, he could be a huge boost for us over last year.[/quote']

 

We'll definitely get some production from our OF that isn't Ellsbury.

[a700hitter]

The thing that excites me is that Ross has 25 Homerun' date=' .270 potential. If he could somehow channel that, he could be a huge boost for us over last year.[/quote']My recollection of Ross is that he came up as a center fielder, and he can play all 3 OF positions. He has a lot of pop for a little guy and he is a very streaky hitter. When he gets hot, he is white hot. An example of that is how he ended the 2010 season for the Giants. He's a sparkplug for a team.

 

My recollection of Sweeney is that he is a pretty good right fielder with adecent arm. When he first came up, I thought he would develop into a very good hitter, but he hasn't made much progress and he has still hasn't developed power. The A's were very high on him when he first came up.

[BSN07]

I think some who are compairing McDonald- Ross are forgetting park factors when saying McDonald had the better season. Ross played his home games and his divison road games in the biggest pitching park divisions in all of baseball. He has a chance to rake at Fenway IMO.

[seabeachfred]

I'm kind of shocked to see the positive reaction to this signing. I mean' date=' it's nice to have a RH OF and all, but it's Cody Ross. Let's hope his splits vs. LHP keep up.[/quote']

 

Well EX1, we've all been looking for something that will get our spirits going after all these rumors and false alarms and this is a helluva lot better than what we'd been getting the past couple of weeks. Playing in a very unfriendly hitter's park, Ross now comes to a place with an inviting left field wall, a get-well pill for RH hitters. I think this is going to work out well. Besides, what did we get from our RF's last year anyway?

[mvp 78]

Fred, Reddick had a higher OPS last year than Ross.

 

Just saying...

[MANNYHOF24]

Fred, Reddick had a higher OPS last year than Ross.

 

Just saying...

 

Reddick started out on fire and came way, way down to earth. I don't know if it was a rookie slump or pitchers just figured the guy out.

[RedSoxNC84]

Reddick started out on fire and came way' date=' way down to earth. I don't know if it was a rookie slump or pitchers just figured the guy out.[/quote']

 

I think they figured him out. I was under the impression that he didn't have enough patience at the plate as well.

[seabeachfred]

Fred, Reddick had a higher OPS last year than Ross.

 

Just saying...

 

Thanks MVP!!!!! You could have been more blunt if you wanted to but weren't. Appreciate that since I really screwed that one up. I was thinking Drew and McDonald and forgot that Josh was having a good season until he flamed out the last six weeks or so. I owe you one.

 

I do think for our team this year Ross is a better fit since he swings from the right side and we needed a RH hitting outfielder. I only hope that he takes full advantage of his opportunity and the ballpark and puts up some nice numbers for the Red Sox.

[redsoxrules]

That's cool but they still need a SS

I hope this was not the reason to dump Scutaro, to get Ross

[RedSoxNC84]

That's cool but they still need a SS

I hope this was not the reason to dump Scutaro, to get Ross

 

I still think they will sign a starting pitcher, most signs point to Oswalt. MLBTR has said they are still pursuing starting pitching even after acquiring Ross.

[seabeachfred]

Manny---MVP was right though. For some reason I completely forgot about him playing RF for us last season, perhaps because I'm still trying to forget how that season ended for us. The proof about how much the pitcher's caught up with him will be answered this year when he plays for the A's. If he hasn't grown and learned to be more selective at the plate he will be in some deep trouble. The same if he tries to crank up and become a slugger. Discipline and developing a line drive gap power bat could pay dividends for him in Oakland. Besides, I never thought he was in the same class as Ryan Kalish and I'm anxious for the guy to get well and healthy and show what he can do for us. Remember, he looked pretty good when he was given a spot in the lineup the latter part of 2010.

[Elktonnick]

Thanks MVP!!!!! You could have been more blunt if you wanted to but weren't. Appreciate that since I really screwed that one up. I was thinking Drew and McDonald and forgot that Josh was having a good season until he flamed out the last six weeks or so. I owe you one.

 

I do think for our team this year Ross is a better fit since he swings from the right side and we needed a RH hitting outfielder. I only hope that he takes full advantage of his opportunity and the ballpark and puts up some nice numbers for the Red Sox.

 

I think the Sox are really pushing defense this year hence getting Sweeny and Shoppach and moving Reddick et al. For this reason, I wouldn't be surprised to Iglesias more this year. Reddick's outfield play was shaky at best in addition to his lack of patience at the plate. Every time a ball was hit in Reddick's direction, I held my breath

[RedSoxNC84]

I think the Sox are really pushing defense this year hence getting Sweeny and Shoppach and moving Reddick et al. For this reason' date=' I wouldn't be surprised to Iglesias more this year. Reddick's outfield play was shaky at best in addition to his lack of patience at the plate. Every time a ball was hit in Reddick's direction, I held my breath[/quote']

 

Yes, defense right now should be the priority. The lineup has plenty of offense, and even though Sweeney and Ross will make contributions, albeit not massive contributions, they will be there. They will also be a defensive improvement over Reddick and DMac, which in my book is just fine.

 

The Sox scored tons of runs, and they will still score tons of runs, I think the switch to focus on defense is a great move though.

[Muggah]

I think the Sox are really pushing defense this year hence getting Sweeny and Shoppach and moving Reddick et al. For this reason' date=' I wouldn't be surprised to Iglesias more this year. Reddick's outfield play was shaky at best in addition to his lack of patience at the plate. Every time a ball was hit in Reddick's direction, I held my breath[/quote']

 

I'm kinda leaning towards them ultimately deciding on Iglesias at SS, too, Elk. Which might get dicey on the left side by mid-summer. I don't see any way Youkilis holds up past June/July, so you'll have a left side of Iglesias/Punto/Aviles for the remainder of the season. That might get a bit tricky.

 

I think they're going to wish they better addressed their 3B needs by the time everything's said and done. Unless they're out of it completely by July/August (which IMO is a distinct possibility) and they decide to throw Middlebrooks into the mix. Should be interesting.

[jacksonianmarch]

I think the sox will definitely see a fair amount of Middlebrooks. Youkilis isnt holding up and I have a feeling that they may protect him from himself by putting him on the DL at any sign of discomfort. Maybe a few phantom DL stints keeps him fresh and gives them time to see how the kid can handle the show in limited duty. It also has the potential to create a good problem should Youk play well in less time and Middlebrooks showcase well in limited time.

[User Name]

How do you know that Youkilis is definitely not going to hold up?

[iortiz]

Btw... Did Youk go to surgery or not? The last thing I remember was that he needed surgey or something.

[jacksonianmarch]

How do you know that Youkilis is definitely not going to hold up?

 

Poor body type, 2 straight yrs not being able to finish the season, and being 33 yrs old. And also now not being able to rest 1/3 of the time as a DH is killer. If Ortiz declined arb and went away, then I think Youkilis gets preserved much better and makes it through the yr. Either the sox are going to baby him or he's gonna end up on the pine come October. He has the bad combo of playing overly hard and reckless and having a bad body type with an injury history

[User Name]

They can still rest him a fair amount by playing Aviles at 3B.

[jacksonianmarch]

They can still rest him a fair amount by playing Aviles at 3B.

 

Right now, Aviles is your starting SS. Unless you're cool with Nick Punto playing 40-50 games a yr, then right now, Youk is slated for a full role at third

[Spitball]

Poor body type' date=' [/quote']

 

What? Please explain this diagnosis...or opinion.

 

2 straight yrs not being able to finish the season' date=' and being 33 yrs old. [/Quote']

 

Please confirm this with evidence that all players who suffer injuries will be unable to play a full season.

 

And also now not being able to rest 1/3 of the time as a DH is killer. If Ortiz declined arb and went away' date=' then I think Youkilis gets preserved much better and makes it through the yr. Either the sox are going to baby him or he's gonna end up on the pine come October. He has the bad combo of playing overly hard and reckless and having a bad body type with an injury history[/quote']

 

Please prove these statements.

[jacksonianmarch]

Barrel chested, thick legged, unathletic frame. Not sure anyone would dispute that

 

I am unsure if you want a term paper on the topic, this is a baseball forum. Guys on the wrong side of 30 who suffer injuries more frequently tend to continue to suffer frequent injuries. Either you lighten the load or they get injured. It's not rocket science. He cannot slide into the DH slot, so it isnt like he can take a half game off twice a week. He's gonna be out there for the full boat.

 

And the third quote, prove these statements? That's assinine. The DH spot allows for rest. An oft-injured player gets more rest by DHing. If he cannot DH, then he loses a chance to stay in the lineup and rest. I am not sure of your angle here, but you're being pretty annoying and not adding much substance

[Elktonnick]

Barrel chested, thick legged, unathletic frame. Not sure anyone would dispute that

 

I am unsure if you want a term paper on the topic, this is a baseball forum. Guys on the wrong side of 30 who suffer injuries more frequently tend to continue to suffer frequent injuries. Either you lighten the load or they get injured. It's not rocket science. He cannot slide into the DH slot, so it isnt like he can take a half game off twice a week. He's gonna be out there for the full boat.

 

And the third quote, prove these statements? That's assinine. The DH spot allows for rest. An oft-injured player gets more rest by DHing. If he cannot DH, then he loses a chance to stay in the lineup and rest. I am not sure of your angle here, but you're being pretty annoying and not adding much substance

 

I agree with your assessment. When was the last time Youk played a full year, if ever? Anyone who watches him play knows he is highly likely to spend one or two stints on the DL next year regardless of how often he DH's. I for one don't believe he'll play more than 110 games next year.

[Spitball]

Barrel chested' date=' thick legged, unathletic frame. Not sure anyone would dispute that[/quote']

 

Sounds like Babe Ruth to me...and a totally lazy and unconvincing argument.

 

I am unsure if you want a term paper on the topic' date=' this is a baseball forum. Guys on the wrong side of 30 who suffer injuries more frequently tend to continue to suffer frequent injuries. Either you lighten the load or they get injured. It's not rocket science. He cannot slide into the DH slot, so it isnt like he can take a half game off twice a week. He's gonna be out there for the full boat. [/quote']

 

I don't expect a term paper but something more than this. The Yankees, as well as many teams, have a few players "on the wrong side of 30," also.

 

And the third quote' date=' prove these statements? That's assinine. The DH spot allows for rest. An oft-injured player gets more rest by DHing. If he cannot DH, then he loses a chance to stay in the lineup and rest. I am not sure of your angle here, but you're being pretty annoying and not adding much substance[/quote']

 

I'm not adding substance and being annoying??? You are on a Red Sox forum making statements that amount to little more than opinions.

 

And, what about all the NL teams that don't have a DH?

[User Name]

Even with Aviles as the starting SS now, it's not unreasonable to think Youkilis will be given enough rest. Also, as Spitball said, there's a lot of opinion and not a lot of anything else in that post.

[SoxSport]

The view I've seen around about Youks is he wasn't able to hold up at 3B, with the abdominal problems he developed. At 33, I doubt he can play a full season at 3B--though it looks right now they are banking on it. My guess is we see Aviles at 3B some, and maybe Iglesias some at SS the 2nd half.

 

It could also be a lesson for the Tigers, who may have thoughts about switching Cabrera back to 3B. I don't think that will happen. Miggy is in worse shape at this point weight-wise than Youks, though he is a good deal younger at 28.

[jacksonianmarch]

Let's just look at something here before we all of a sudden think Youkilis will be healthy playing in his second season at a more demanding position without the pillow of a DH.

 

2010- Thumb muscle tear

2011- Back spasms

2011- Hip bursitis

2011- Abdominal sports hernia

 

He finished the last 2 seasons on the operating table. He also had a back injury and posted his worst season since his rookie yr. Yep, sounds like a guy who is going to rebound quickly /sarcasm

[Bellhorn04]

How about one more year of Youk at third, then he takes over as DH and backup 1B/3B?

[SoxSport]

How about one more year of Youk at third' date=' then he takes over as DH and backup 1B/3B?[/quote']

 

I think that's what they are hoping for. They may see Middlebrook at 3B for 2013 and Youks at DH.