6/11 Sox go fishing (vs Marlins)

[mvp 78]

EH,

 

Aces: Halladay, CC, Lincecum, Weaver, Kershaw, Peavy, Price, Felix, Hammels, Verlander, Strasburg, Cain, Cliff Lee

 

Near Aces (could be our #1): Sale, Morrow, Gio, CJ Wilson, Garza, Bumgamer, Hellickson, Greinke, Haren

 

Clearly, there aren't enough to go around, but with this payroll, the Sox should have at least one of the above guys. Granted, I was blessed with being able to watch Roger and Pedro, but our SP would be much better off if we had one of the above guys.

[jung]

I know Native has gone to the trop many times. Wondering if any of the forum members have been to both the Trop and this park and have any comments on this park in comparison. Any things we should watch for that are particular to this park?

[mvp 78]

Boy we need a win tonight. What a rotten weekend for us. Rays win three straight....Yankees win three straight and 8 of their last 10 (I think) and we lose three straight. Yuk!

 

As far as WMB and Youk go I think I would disagree with the patience at the plate thing. Youk has been very patient at the plate since coming off the DL. To be honest I think the Sox are doing themselves a real disservice playing WMB this way though. If they are going to do this then maybe the Sox should send WMB down. Playing him once every three or four days and then maybe not liking the result stinks. That is not really even giving WMB a chance.

 

WMB has been playing more than once every 3 days. Check the game log. He started 4 out of the previous 5 games.

[evilhand]

Plus, WMB has shown much better plate discipline as of late, and better contact as well. In his past 8 games (28 PA, going back to 5/30), he has K'd 3 times and BB'd 3 times. Youk has been awful in this regard, in that same span (38 PA), he's K'd 11 times and walked 4. Arbitrary, sure, but at the same time Youk has shown very little plate discipline as of late, and when you sit Middlebrooks, you're just getting him off of his timing. Hitters thrive on consistent playing time, just have a look at Pedroia lately.

 

Actually, since returning Youk has a .338 OBP. Middlebrooks is at .341 since being called up. So about equal. And this is with Youk struggling a little in the last 10 or so days.

 

I'll grant you that Youk was far worse against sliders last year than he's shown this year, but again we have to wonder how much his injury impacted that. In 2010 he was at 5.3 (pitchfx version of the stat... 4.5 under the flat value stat). Middlebrooks has yet to show he can hit a major league slider. So it all comes down to how much you think Youk struggling has been injuries and how much is him declining.

 

And look, I'm not saying Middlebrooks hasn't been good. I can see as well as everyone else that he's been good. He warmed up again in the middle of May and has hit .323/.364/.452 since the 17th. I'm sold on him as the 3rd baseman of the future and I've even changed my mind about holding onto Youk for the stretch and now think trading him could absolutely be the right thing to do. But accepting that means accepting that he has to play since the team is not going to give him away for nothing and his value is only going to go up if he plays enough to show he's healthy and effective.

 

I think that presents more than enough reasoning for him to be in the lineup tonight... or maybe Bobby V has a feeling (wouldn't shock me if it was that simple with him).

[jung]

I know WMB has played 4 out of the last 5 or something like that. but doesn't it seem like when they get into these cycles of sitting him, he ends up sitting for a few days in a row...play one...sit a few days in a row....?

[BornToRun]

Take 2 of 3 here and then sweep Chicago. We'll be back on track.

 

To the rest of you who've already decided to give up and cry about our lost season in June. Well, I don't know, screw off I guess.

[mvp 78]

I know WMB has played 4 out of the last 5 or something like that. but doesn't it seem like when they get into these cycles of sitting him' date=' he ends up sitting for a few days in a row...play one...sit a few days in a row....?[/quote']

 

Since he's been up, he's only had multiple days of in a row twice. It's not an issue... yet.

[VA Sox Fan]

THANK GOD! After 6 games of MASN when we played the O's and Nats....I HAVE NESN tonight!!!! What a relief!!!! :thumbsup::thumbsup:

 

WIN, Please. Thanks and all.

[Cocos Disciples]

That outfield structure is horrendous. Let's hit it.

[mvp 78]

Pods, I'm sorry I doubted you. You've been alright.

[jung]

Johnson probably lucky not to break a finger there.

[SoxFanForsyth]

Atta boy Scotty!

[evilhand]

EH,

 

Aces: Halladay, CC, Lincecum, Weaver, Kershaw, Peavy, Price, Felix, Hammels, Verlander, Strasburg, Cain, Cliff Lee

 

Near Aces (could be our #1): Sale, Morrow, Gio, CJ Wilson, Garza, Bumgamer, Hellickson, Greinke, Haren

 

Clearly, there aren't enough to go around, but with this payroll, the Sox should have at least one of the above guys. Granted, I was blessed with being able to watch Roger and Pedro, but our SP would be much better off if we had one of the above guys.

 

What's interesting about your list above is that of the aces, Beckett is tied with or having a better season than Felix Hernandez and Tim Lincecum in WAR, and is ahead of Peavy in xFIP. Your "near aces" list includes Greinke who is better than most of guys you list as aces ranking 2nd in WAR and 1st in xFIP, plus he has the history to support a claim as an ace, including his Cy Young year which was the best season pitched since Pedro in 2000. People ding him because he's diagnosed with an anxiety disorder and is medicated, despite the fact that he's one of the most talented pitchers in the game.

 

Sale, Morrow, Gio and Hellickson don't have the track record to support a claim of anything more than "they are young and look really good so far."

 

In other words, your list is a great example of perception influencing opinions, and how recent success can trump long runs of success.

 

I could make a reasonable argument for Beckett over at least 40% of the guys you listed above. And coincidentally, Brandon Morrow just hurt himself while I was typing this and was pulled off the mound in the middle of an at bat.

[mvp 78]

Pods!

[FredLynn]

Take 2 of 3 here and then sweep Chicago. We'll be back on track.

 

To the rest of you who've already decided to give up and cry about our lost season in June. Well, I don't know, screw off I guess.

 

Who claimed the season is already over?

[SoxFanForsyth]

Who claimed the season is already over?

 

A lot of people have jumped on the "Season's over" bandwagon. Just read the GT from yesterday.

[Northern Star]

There are more Red Sox fans than Marlins fans there.

[mvp 78]

EH, that's why I added "could be" to the second list. They are either young, or just not quite an ace. My perception affected the list without a doubt. It's a list of guys "I" would want leading the staff and would give tons of $$$ to.

[SoxFanForsyth]

Getting really, really hard to keep defending Gonzalez.

[mvp 78]

Also, the Sox don't have a good history with players with a personality disorder, see Nick Esasky.

[FredLynn]

A lot of people have jumped on the "Season's over" bandwagon. Just read the GT from yesterday.

 

I was there. I don't recall anyone saying that, but I will check. I recall a lot of people commented on the kind of baseball we are playing right now.

[lesterkett]

Agon 104 ab without a walk unreal BS

[lesterkett]

Agon sucks big time

[jung]

Agons is seeing more good pitches to hit...baffling that now that he has gotten that far he does not appear to be doing much with them.

[FredLynn]

Getting really' date=' really hard to keep defending Gonzalez.[/quote']

 

I thought that was a good AB and that he struck out on a very good unhittable pitch on the lower outside corner at 95

[mvp 78]

This stadium is ug-ly. Dark green seats and lime green walls? Blech.

[jacksonianmarch]

Agon 104 ab without a walk unreal BS

 

His pitch selection sucks right now. Once he gets comfortable in his own skin again, he'll start hitting

[jacksonianmarch]

Also, it is blatantly obvious that the sox are shopping Youks hard, otherwise, you cannot justify sitting WMB right now

[Cocos Disciples]

RISP with 0 out. Lame.

[SoxFanForsyth]

More of the same f***ing s***.