So how about Daniel Nava?

[seabeachfred]

If Nava had played everyday he would have had a case.

 

It would be nice to see Nava make the AST but to me it is of little importance. The important thing is that it is June and the guy is still playing solid and dependable baseball. He also impresses me as a tough gamer. Hell, look at his dismal Friday night performance against Sabathia. What was it, three strikeouts and an uncomfortable 0 for 4. He didn't go in the tank but came back snarling with four hits and a three run homer the next night. He seems to have his head on straight and if I have a bone with him it is that I wish he could hit better from the right side because we have been vulernable against LH pitchers, especially with Victorino and Middlebrooks on the shelf.

 

And let's not minimize our comeback against the Yankees in this past series. We lost the first game of a series last season and the chances were nill that we would come back and take the next two. We did it this year and maybe this season will be different after all. I do want to see this team for another six weeks or so before I go over the edge though.;););)

[SoxSport]

Still a mystery as to why they can't hit LHP. Even with a lineup of RHd hitters.

[seabeachfred]

Still a mystery as to why they can't hit LHP. Even with a lineup of RHd hitters.

 

No mystery Sox Sport. Johnny Gomes, who used to hit them like a pinata, can't seem to hit the broadside of a barn this year. David Ross is totally useless with a bat in his hand and should be arrested for loitering around the plate. We also have WMB and DG Victorino on the shelf, not to mention that Napoli was pretty cold until the Yankee series. You get these guys hitting and southpaws would no longer be a problem, but it would be nice if we could trade for a solid RH hitter with a little sock.

[rjortiz]

Ross is slugging .453 this year. He's not that bad for a backup catcher.

[VA Sox Fan]

Ross is slugging .453 this year. He's not that bad for a backup catcher.

 

 

No he's not at all. If someone isn't bitching about Salty, they're bitching about Ross. Same old same old.

[mvp 78]

No he's not at all. If someone isn't bitching about Salty, they're bitching about Ross. Same old same old.

 

I don't think the 25th man on the roster is good! Waaaaah...

[rjortiz]

I never understood why people hated Saltalamacchia. He's not good, but he's not a terrible catcher. I wouldn't be surprised to see him extended at 3/30, although I'd rather role the dice on Lavarnway. He might be able to get four years from a catcher starved team.

[jacksonianmarch]

People dislike Salty because he's an abysmal defensive catcher. And for a purely offensive minded catcher, you'd want better production that what he has given thus far in his sox career. His OPS thus far this yr is passable, but as his prior seasons show, he typically fades late. He's a no D, power hitter with no OBP skills and a K rate that makes Dave Kingman proud. The sox would be better off with Lavarnway

[rjortiz]

.257 batting average with a .385 BABIP? He's going to finish near the Mendoza Line.

[Bellhorn04]

People dislike Salty because he's an abysmal defensive catcher. And for a purely offensive minded catcher, you'd want better production that what he has given thus far in his sox career. His OPS thus far this yr is passable, but as his prior seasons show, he typically fades late. He's a no D, power hitter with no OBP skills and a K rate that makes Dave Kingman proud. The sox would be better off with Lavarnway

 

I vehemently disagree. Lavarnway has done nothing at the big league level to show he's anywhere near ready to be a catcher. His CERA with the Red Sox is 5.58 and his OPS is .519.

 

I think Salty has progressed defensively. It's reflected in our pitching performances. We're now T2 in the AL in ERA.

 

In the last 7 games Salty has caught starts by Aceves, Morales and Doubront. And all of them have been solid outings and wins. Salty has to get some credit.

[VA Sox Fan]

I vehemently disagree. Lavarnway has done nothing at the big league level to show he's anywhere near ready to be a catcher. His CERA with the Red Sox is 5.58 and his OPS is .519.

 

I think Salty has progressed defensively. It's reflected in our pitching performances. We're now T2 in the AL in ERA.

 

In the last 7 games Salty has caught starts by Aceves, Morales and Doubront. And all of them have been solid outings and wins. Salty has to get some credit.

 

Exactly Bellhorn.

 

Also, by the way jacko, we're in 1st place. You're MFY are tied for 3rd and Cleveland will probably beat them tonight.

[User Name]

I vehemently disagree. Lavarnway has done nothing at the big league level to show he's anywhere near ready to be a catcher. His CERA with the Red Sox is 5.58 and his OPS is .519.

 

I think Salty has progressed defensively. It's reflected in our pitching performances. We're now T2 in the AL in ERA.

 

In the last 7 games Salty has caught starts by Aceves, Morales and Doubront. And all of them have been solid outings and wins. Salty has to get some credit.

 

I don't think it's fair to even mention cERA for Lavarnway given the size of the sample. You love that stat, but it's honestly next to useless unless used in a relatively large sample in a semi-controlled environment.

[mvp 78]

I never understood why people hated Saltalamacchia. He's not good, but he's not a terrible catcher. I wouldn't be surprised to see him extended at 3/30, although I'd rather role the dice on Lavarnway. He might be able to get four years from a catcher starved team.

 

I think most of us would want Lavs to have a shot over Salty.

[Bellhorn04]

I don't think it's fair to even mention cERA for Lavarnway given the size of the sample. You love that stat, but it's honestly next to useless unless used in a relatively large sample in a semi-controlled environment.

 

OK, I retract the CERA on Lavarnway. But there's still nothing to suggest he would be a good replacement for Salty right now.

[rjortiz]

I was talking about next year

[Bellhorn04]

Lavs is just a complete unknown quantity at this point. He's not a writeoff by any means. But he might be a bust. Or a DH.

[SoxSport]

People dislike Salty because he's an abysmal defensive catcher. And for a purely offensive minded catcher, you'd want better production that what he has given thus far in his sox career. His OPS thus far this yr is passable, but as his prior seasons show, he typically fades late. He's a no D, power hitter with no OBP skills and a K rate that makes Dave Kingman proud. The sox would be better off with Lavarnway

 

That's it. He is improving as a hitter, but he is still a defensive liability. He is just too big and awkward behind the plate, and he frames the middle of the plate too much. The kid has heart, though, and he keeps trying to get better. Just keep that glove off the middle of the plate, Salty. That's HR territory.

[a700hitter]

Lavs is just a complete unknown quantity at this point. He's not a writeoff by any means. But he might be a bust. Or a DH.

He'll have to wait until 2015 to DH. He'll be a little long in the tooth by then.

[SoxSport]

Lavs is just a complete unknown quantity at this point. He's not a writeoff by any means. But he might be a bust. Or a DH.

 

Just no room for him right now. They have logjams at several positions. He just needs more confidence in his hitting in Boston. Looked better last time up vs ST.

[iortiz]

Nava should be considered to the allstar game, he has the line.... also, he has to play for once and for all everyday, forget about the platoon s***.

[User Name]

Yeah forget about the platoon! Who cares that Gomes is just starting to heat up and Nava has a massive platoon split! f*** logic and numbers, play him everyday!!!11!!!

[jung]

Just cementing Gomes butt to the pine would absolutely be the wrong thing to do and unnecessary anyway. Vic is clearly still nursing the hamstring and maybe the back as well. Never sure when Ells is going to come up gimpy. Naps could do with more rest which should open up a little more time for the usual suspects at 1st as well.

[SoxFanForsyth]

Yeah forget about the platoon! Who cares that Gomes is just starting to heat up and Nava has a massive platoon split! f*** logic and numbers, play him everyday!!!11!!!

 

While I agree with your point, you're only instigating more crap.

[User Name]

While I agree with your point, you're only instigating more crap.

 

Come on. It's just infuriating when literally 2/3 of the board has explained the reason why keeping the platoon going is the thing to do in order to give the team the best chance to win and we get posts like this.

[User Name]

Also, you shouldn't be lecturing me because you no longer follow this team since they didn't score twelve on Blanton in the first inning

[Behindenemylines]

I think Nava has surprised everyone. No one could have predicted this from him. With that said the Sox using all of their players is a plus for them. Gomes is starting to hit a little bit and to not play him against lefties would be wrong. Carp is hitting the ball as well and has earned more ABs. It is this production from second tier players that will get the Sox where they want to be.

[User Name]

One thing the Sox should explore is playing Carp at 1B and giving Napoli some more days off.

 

Nava's stats are also certain to improve at least a bit if he's not playing against lefties for ASG consideration purposes.

[Behindenemylines]

One thing the Sox should explore is playing Carp at 1B and giving Napoli some more days off.

 

Nava's stats are also certain to improve at least a bit if he's not playing against lefties for ASG consideration purposes.

 

I agree with both of your points. Napoli struck out four times today and giving him days off to play Carp at first is an option the Sox should do.