2013 Spring Training

[a700hitter]

Thank you for proving me right.

Ya nothing... right?

[bbjackernator]

I thought they could do the permanent ban thing on this site.

 

They've tried... multiple times.

[a700hitter]

They've tried... multiple times.

I guess you outsmarted them.

[bbjackernator]

You're continuing to prove me right.

 

If this place was so horrible, you wouldn't waste time here.

 

If you can only judge baseball discourse by advanced statistics, you must be a hit at parties. Advanced statistics have their place, but they shouldn't be the only means of communication.

 

As a person with a BS in Math, an MA in Accounting, an MBA and who has passed the CPA exam, I think WAR formulas are flawed and FIP is even worse. People on here last year were saying that Lester was just unlucky because of his FIP. In real life, it was obvious that he was pitching like hot garbage.

 

I post on here to have fun. Nothing more. If you're looking for something else, why bother coming here?

 

Don't get me wrong, I find it endlessly entertaining that you constantly go after A700.

 

I find you guys entertaining, what can I say.

 

By the way, brilliant analysis on WAR and FIP

[mvp 78]

I find you guys entertaining, what can I say.

 

By the way, brilliant analysis on WAR and FIP

 

As opposed to yours?

 

I've already said that I post on here for fun. To write a dissertation on FIP on my phone, it'd take too long and isn't something I'm all that interested in doing (which you should have figured out by reading my post).

 

Does that make me a dumber fan than you? Of course not.

[Youk Of The Nation]

Well, sorry that took so long. I was otherwise occupied.

[jung]

Boy, Wright fell apart in a hurry tonight. Went from having a pretty decent knuckler to the thing not even looking like a knuckler. Ball was staying up and not moving at all.

 

Obviously at the least common denominator, when that happens the ball is spinning more than it should be spinning. Often wondered how that happens with knucklers. Does their grip go on them? Are they unable to get the ball to come out of their grip the right way in order to keep it from spinning?

 

There are surely times when they just tire, like any other pitcher. But that ball seems a little different from what I have seen. When that happens the ball still seems to have knuckler action....just not as much. But then there are instances like tonight when it looks like the ball is spinning more like a normally thrown baseball...not what they want at all.

 

Anyway in my very unspectacular baseball career, I never faced one...never was on a team that had one....so I really don't know what happens to those guys when it comes apart like it did for Wright. Any idea?

[a700hitter]

Boy, Wright fell apart in a hurry tonight. Went from having a pretty decent knuckler to the thing not even looking like a knuckler. Ball was staying up and not moving at all.

 

Obviously at the least common denominator, when that happens the ball is spinning more than it should be spinning. Often wondered how that happens with knucklers. Does their grip go on them? Are they unable to get the ball to come out of their grip the right way in order to keep it from spinning?

 

There are surely times when they just tire, like any other pitcher. But that ball seems a little different from what I have seen. When that happens the ball still seems to have knuckler action....just not as much. But then there are instances like tonight when it looks like the ball is spinning more like a normally thrown baseball...not what they want at all.

 

Anyway in my very unspectacular baseball career, I never faced one...never was on a team that had one....so I really don't know what happens to those guys when it comes apart like it did for Wright. Any idea?

When I read stories about Brock Holt and Steven Wright making contributions at the major league level this year I start picking up big signals that the 2013 team will stink.

[rjortiz]

The box score says Lester and De La Rosa looked good. How did they look in person?

[a700hitter]

Well, sorry that took so long. I was otherwise occupied.

We took turns smacking him around, but his act was getting old. Your timing was just about right. I get hysterical that he thinks he could get under my skin. My best friends hurl better rapid fire insults at each other when we play cards.

[a700hitter]

The box score says Lester and De La Rosa looked good. How did they look in person?

I thought Lester had good rhythym and command. I liked what I saw. I thought De La Rosa fell a little short of all the hype that I have been reading about his radar readings. He looked good, but not dominant.

[jung]

Well I am thinkin' you mean on TV so with that qualifier.....I thought Lester looked really very good all things being equal. His location looked particularly good.....movement looked good.....velo on the FB, not quite there though.

 

I have not seen enough of Ruby to really offer anything worthwhile. His arm angle was all over the map. But, I don't know enough about the guy to know if that is common for him. When he stays on top of the ball, he has a monster FB. When he drops down a bit, things start looking a bit disorganized. For the time being, I am just going to consider him a developing young pitcher, just out of TJS. Seen in that light, I thought it was an impressive early ST outing.

 

Even given the obvious difference in experience level between the two pitchers, I was more impressed with Lester based on expectation than I was with Ruby based on expectation. By that I mean that at least based on this tiny sample size, Lester is farther along than I expected for being so early in ST.

[SoxSport]

I thought Lester had good rhythym and command. I liked what I saw. I thought De La Rosa fell a little short of all the hype that I have been reading about his radar readings. He looked good, but not dominant.

 

On DeLaRosa, I thought he didn't throw enough heat, and left a lot of pitches high. Seemed to be concentrating on his off speed stuff. His fast ball does move, and he'll be good. Probably good enough for their rotation right now--but they have a bunch of crap ahead of him.

[seabeachfred]

I don't get all of these people calling Ellsbury fragile. The man was run down at full speed by Adrian Beltre. Calling someone fragile for being injured in that situation is like calling someone fragile after they've had a piano dropped on their head from a helicopter.

 

...also, no one else create a band called Helicopter Piano, I call dibs.

 

Youk, injuries happen to players but to me the problem with Ellsbury is his unbelievable slowness in healing. He gets hurt with an injury that would take a player out for a few weeks or maybe even a month or two. With Jacoby it means practically the whole season. I have always been a big supporter of the guy, but he just doesn't seem to be able to come back when he gets hurt and I think that if such an injury occurs to him this season and he is out three or four months he will not get a big contract from anyone. He is too big a risk even with his talent.

[BSN07]

For those who are interested Bogaerts has made a couple spectacular plays on 3B in the 4 innins so far. Diving play to start the game. 0-1 with a BB at the plate so far.

[jacksonianmarch]

Youk, injuries happen to players but to me the problem with Ellsbury is his unbelievable slowness in healing. He gets hurt with an injury that would take a player out for a few weeks or maybe even a month or two. With Jacoby it means practically the whole season. I have always been a big supporter of the guy, but he just doesn't seem to be able to come back when he gets hurt and I think that if such an injury occurs to him this season and he is out three or four months he will not get a big contract from anyone. He is too big a risk even with his talent.

 

Multiple rib fractures and a labral tear take months to recover from. Especially if you refracture the ribs by coming back too soon

[BSN07]

He just made another diving play to start a DP. Dude can play 3B

 

 

Nos.nl for anyone who wants to try and watch the game online. He leads off next inning I think.

[NYlove4BoSox]

Game replay is starting now on MLB Network, so mind your spoilers.

[BSN07]

Game replay is starting now on MLB Network, so mind your spoilers.

 

noted

[Dojji]

Multiple rib fractures and a labral tear take months to recover from. Especially if you refracture the ribs by coming back too soon

 

Agreed. Made worse by the fact that there's a lot of things you can't do while recovering from a broken rib. Realistically, they should have waited until he was more or less recovered before even trying to push him to get back into game shape.

[jacksonianmarch]

Like I've said before, Ellsbury is a victim of freak accidents. How can you fault him for Beltre running full bore into his ribs. And how can you fault him for a middle infielder accidently falling at the right angle to sublux his shoulder. The rib injury is ancient history. But the labral tear could play into his production if he still has effects from it. It could diminish his ability to lift the ball and kill his power

[SoxSport]

Ellsbury has been incredibly unlucky with injuries the last few years. Boras must have had a few sleepless nights over it. I still can't forgive Epstein for that dumb decision to move him to LF and pay 38yo Cameron $15mil to play CF---a guy who was damaged goods when they signed him for 2 years. It was an early sign of Epstein's mental demise.

 

Last night, during the game, Remy said the major league level is no place to change positions--it's too hard. Much easier younger and at lower levels. I wonder if the Red Sox front office heard that. They like to move players around positions like musical chairs. Another reason why I don't like them.

[SoxSport]

Boy, Wright fell apart in a hurry tonight. Went from having a pretty decent knuckler to the thing not even looking like a knuckler. Ball was staying up and not moving at all.

 

 

He lost movement on his knuckler in the 2nd inning and his pitches were coming in high.

 

Probably mechanics. You wonder why the pitching coach wasn't out there on the mound earlier in the inning. It was pretty obvious he was a different pitcher after the 1st batter or two.

[BSN07]

Ellsbury has been incredibly unlucky with injuries the last few years. Boras must have had a few sleepless nights over it. I still can't forgive Epstein for that dumb decision to move him to LF and pay 38yo Cameron $15mil to play CF---a guy who was damaged goods when they signed him for 2 years. It was an early sign of Epstein's mental demise.

 

Last night, during the game, Remy said the major league level is no place to change positions--it's too hard. Much easier younger and at lower levels. I wonder if the Red Sox front office heard that. They like to move players around positions like musical chairs. Another reason why I don't like them.

Speaking of the commentary during the game, I kind of enjoyed the 2 broadcast teams together. Having the career Al'er and NL'er, it was interesting to hear them talk about the different cities and styles of the two leagues. I mean most baseball fans would know the differences anyway but it was a good listen regardless.

He lost movement on his knuckler in the 2nd inning and his pitches were coming in high.

 

Probably mechanics. You wonder why the pitching coach wasn't out there on the mound earlier in the inning. It was pretty obvious he was a different pitcher after the 1st batter or two.

 

He could have gone out to give him a breather, but when it comes to a KB pitcher, there isn't much the P coach is good for.

[wyo-sox]

Speaking of the commentary during the game, I kind of enjoyed the 2 broadcast teams together. Having the career Al'er and NL'er, it was interesting to hear them talk about the different cities and styles of the two leagues. I mean most baseball fans would know the differences anyway but it was a good listen regardless.

.

 

I really enjoyed that also. They should do that a little more through the year.

[seabeachfred]

Ellsbury has been incredibly unlucky with injuries the last few years. Boras must have had a few sleepless nights over it. I still can't forgive Epstein for that dumb decision to move him to LF and pay 38yo Cameron $15mil to play CF---a guy who was damaged goods when they signed him for 2 years. It was an early sign of Epstein's mental demise.

 

Last night, during the game, Remy said the major league level is no place to change positions--it's too hard. Much easier younger and at lower levels. I wonder if the Red Sox front office heard that. They like to move players around positions like musical chairs. Another reason why I don't like them.

 

Bingo Sox Sport and to Remy as well. I am getting a little upset reading all this s*** about Boegarts and third base. He can play it fine---but he is a SHORTSTOP!!!!!! Moving him to third and Middlebrooks to first is insane because they would both be playing out of position. Besides that, the players in the Majors hit the ball much harder than most of the players in the WBC and there will be pressure enough on these two guys becoming stalwarts for the Red Sox. Keep them the hell where they are and rally to the fact that we will have two clubbers on the left side of our infield for more than a decade unless the FO screws up again. Sign Dustin long term so that he finishes his career as a Red Sox and maybe switch either Swihart or Brentz to first while they are in the minors as we did with Youkilis and we may have an infield who can play together for a long time.

[SouthieFanatic]

noted

 

I envy how you don't have to stay up at absurd times to watch the kid lol. With that said i'm considering staying up for a bit of this 1am game. By the way does anybody know if Xander has a twitter?

[SoxSport]

Farrell, when asked today about where Webster will be pitching, said, "Our rotation is spoken for."

 

Yes, after all, we won the division last year, mainly on our great starting rotation--one of the best in baseball. And so we don't see any upstart prospects being able to improve it--no matter what they do in spring training.

 

This is a team that talks the talk about prospects, and walks the walk with mediocre veterans and free agents.

[BSN07]

Farrell, when asked today about where Webster will be pitching, said, "Our rotation is spoken for."

 

Yes, after all, we won the division last year, mainly on our great starting rotation--one of the best in baseball. And so we don't see any upstart prospects being able to improve it--no matter what they do in spring training.

 

This is a team that talks the talk about prospects, and walks the walk with mediocre veterans and free agents.

 

They have 5 ML SP. Again just like everyone else your complaining about, they don't need to make a spot for them now. There's no point.

 

He's injury insurance. Chances are he will be on the team at some point this year. Relax.

[BSN07]

I envy how you don't have to stay up at absurd times to watch the kid lol. With that said i'm considering staying up for a bit of this 1am game. By the way does anybody know if Xander has a twitter?

 

Ya but on the reverse side most Sox games don't start until 1am here.