Drew is Back

[gojohn99]

Drew went 1-3 last night @ Pawtucket batting 3rd.

[Spitball]

The only way I see to significantly improve the Sox with the addition of Drew is to create a strict platoon once Middlebrooks and Victorino are healthy.

 

Versus right handed starters, the Sox would have a higher team OPS with Drew at short and Bogaerts at third. Sizemore and Carp have pretty significant OPS splits and should only start versus right handers.

 

Versus lefties, the Sox should move Bogaerts to short and play Middlebrooks at third. Drew struggles against lefties and should not be in the starting line-up but employed only as a defensive replacement. Gomes and Victorino have better splits versus lefties and should start against them. It is probably due to injuries, but Gomes actually has more at-bats this year against right handers.

 

Pedroia and Ortiz are stars, but everyone else should be employed, as much as possible, to take advantage of the strengths of their platoon splits. Oakland has about a 100 advantage in run differential, and they platoon more than anyone except Cleveland. The Sox are going to have trouble acquiring improvements, but they can improve what they have by platooning the likes of Drew, Gomes, et al.

Edited May 30, 2014 by Spitball

[jad]

When hitters no. 7 and 8 (who have been doing well), are suddenly thrown into the 1 and 2 spots, because no one else seems to be able to hit, things can't be good. Maybe Farrell decided this was the only way to put the kind of pressure on them that would surely result in settling them back into the bottom of the order.

 

Hmm. What a dumb-ass. Maybe this is why they kept Farrell on as manager when they knew perfectly well I was available.

[Spudboy]

The only way I see to significantly improve the Sox with the addition of Drew is to create a strict platoon once Middlebrooks and Victorino are healthy.

 

Versus right handed starters, the Sox would have a higher team OPS with Drew at short and Bogaerts at third. Sizemore and Carp have pretty significant OPS splits and should only start versus right handers.

 

Versus lefties, the Sox should move Bogaerts to short and play Middlebrooks at third. Drew struggles against lefties and should not be in the starting line-up but employed only as a defensive replacement. Gomes and Victorino have better splits versus lefties and should start against them. It is probably due to injuries, but Gomes actually has more at-bats this year against right handers.

 

Pedroia and Ortiz are stars, but everyone else should be employed, as much as possible, to take advantage of the strengths of their platoon splits. Oakland has about a 100 advantage in run differential, and they platoon more than anyone except Cleveland. The Sox are going to have trouble acquiring improvements, but they can improve what they have by platooning the likes of Drew, Gomes, et al.

 

Where does Holt fit into your plans?

 

As I see it, if he continues to play and hit well, WMB will have difficulty getting back to Boston.

 

Holt will most likely have to play his way out of remaining with the Sox.

 

Herrera will most likely stick because of positional versatility.

[Bellhorn04]

Holt is really throwing a f*** into the Drew signing isn't he?

[Spudboy]

Holt is really throwing a f*** into the Drew signing isn't he?

 

In a sense, yes.

 

Obviously as he continues to perform well the perceived need for Drew is lessened and questioned.

 

I've liked the kid since he came up last year. However, his performance is over a small sample size and to assume that he will continue to perform to his current level is risky.

 

I keep saying this, the Sox are a better team with Drew on the roster. Now that Holt is performing unexpectedly well, the Sox have a "good" problem.

 

I suspect that if Holt continues to perform this well that WMB will be the odd man out. I hate to give up on his projected power. But for one reason or another he has not done much with the bat for the last two seasons. How many chances he will now get will be largely determined by what Holt and Drew do at the plate.

 

This will be interesting to watch.

[GomesBeard]

Where does Holt fit into your plans?

 

As I see it, if he continues to play and hit well, WMB will have difficulty getting back to Boston.

 

Holt will most likely have to play his way out of remaining with the Sox.

 

Herrera will most likely stick because of positional versatility.

 

Holt has played 2B, SS and 3B in the minors, so I think they keep him as utility guy and dump Herrera - I hope....

[sk7326]

The only way I see to significantly improve the Sox with the addition of Drew is to create a strict platoon once Middlebrooks and Victorino are healthy.

 

Versus right handed starters, the Sox would have a higher team OPS with Drew at short and Bogaerts at third. Sizemore and Carp have pretty significant OPS splits and should only start versus right handers.

 

Versus lefties, the Sox should move Bogaerts to short and play Middlebrooks at third. Drew struggles against lefties and should not be in the starting line-up but employed only as a defensive replacement. Gomes and Victorino have better splits versus lefties and should start against them. It is probably due to injuries, but Gomes actually has more at-bats this year against right handers.

 

Pedroia and Ortiz are stars, but everyone else should be employed, as much as possible, to take advantage of the strengths of their platoon splits. Oakland has about a 100 advantage in run differential, and they platoon more than anyone except Cleveland. The Sox are going to have trouble acquiring improvements, but they can improve what they have by platooning the likes of Drew, Gomes, et al.

 

I am not worried about that. Farrell handled platoon work last year quite nicely. I suspect the lineup will be worked in that direction more or less with Drew's return. At the same time Bradley really should not be involved too much in the platoon business - the ability to pick it in CF is too valuable to give up on too much.

[seabeachfred]

In a sense, yes.

 

Obviously as he continues to perform well the perceived need for Drew is lessened and questioned.

 

I've liked the kid since he came up last year. However, his performance is over a small sample size and to assume that he will continue to perform to his current level is risky.

 

I keep saying this, the Sox are a better team with Drew on the roster. Now that Holt is performing unexpectedly well, the Sox have a "good" problem.

 

I suspect that if Holt continues to perform this well that WMB will be the odd man out. I hate to give up on his projected power. But for one reason or another he has not done much with the bat for the last two seasons. How many chances he will now get will be largely determined by what Holt and Drew do at the plate.

 

This will be interesting to watch.

 

No Spud, it is NOT a good problem. Unless there is a serious injury it is a very bad problem because we signed a guy who we never ever should have resigned and most likely put a player who is playing terrific baseball for us either on the bench or back in the minors. That is ********!!!! Besides for the ten mil we're paying Drew he most likely will be in the lineup against all comers and we all know, or we all should know, that he can't hit lefthanders worth s***......196 last season, and do you remember how miserable he looked at bat in the playoffs last fall? What was it, four hits in 61 at-bats. It would be nice if Holt could play a little outfield and I don't if he can or if he has ever played out there, but the team seems to have made a small recovery and has won four games in a row and have come from behind in a couple of them to win. Our momentum should not be halted in its tracks and that is what Drew's entrance in the lineup can and most likely will do. Yes, I know this is a minority opinion and very unpopular with many here, but I still insist signing him was a mistake. I just hope I'm not proven to be right in this instance.

[a700hitter]

If Holt keeps hitting maybe they will cut Hererra when Drew is activated.

[Bellhorn04]

Yeah, I don't see how Herrera can be kept.

[VA Sox Fan]

If Holt keeps hitting maybe they will cut Hererra when Drew is activated.

 

That would be my hope.

[Spudboy]

How can having another proven MLB player on the team be bad?

 

I still don't get it.

[Spudboy]

And another thing. As much as I like what Holt is doing NOW, it's odd to award him a permanent position based on his SSS when at the same time deriding Drew for his poor production in about the same sample from the 2013 post season. Especially when one looks at Drew's career numbers when not injured.

 

I'm fully aware of Holt's experience as an infielder and I hope that he does get a chance to stick with the Sox as long as he continues to hit.

 

Somehow, I believe that this will all work itself out. My suspicion is that WMB will remain in Pawtucket until he hits consistently or gets dealt.

[VA Sox Fan]

How can having another proven MLB player on the team be bad?

 

I still don't get it.

 

It's not. sbf turns any irrational argument into a rant about Drew. I've never truly disliked a player on the Red Sox. He needs to try to root for the name on the front of the jersey and stop worrying about Drew.

[User Name]

Fred needs to STFU. There's no way to spin the fact that the team is better with Drew than without him.

[sk7326]

No Spud, it is NOT a good problem. Unless there is a serious injury it is a very bad problem because we signed a guy who we never ever should have resigned and most likely put a player who is playing terrific baseball for us either on the bench or back in the minors. That is ********!!!! Besides for the ten mil we're paying Drew he most likely will be in the lineup against all comers and we all know, or we all should know, that he can't hit lefthanders worth s***......196 last season, and do you remember how miserable he looked at bat in the playoffs last fall? What was it, four hits in 61 at-bats. It would be nice if Holt could play a little outfield and I don't if he can or if he has ever played out there, but the team seems to have made a small recovery and has won four games in a row and have come from behind in a couple of them to win. Our momentum should not be halted in its tracks and that is what Drew's entrance in the lineup can and most likely will do. Yes, I know this is a minority opinion and very unpopular with many here, but I still insist signing him was a mistake. I just hope I'm not proven to be right in this instance.

 

1. 4 for 61 in postseason, yet they could not have won it without him. Go figger. David Ortiz was totally lost in the ALCS. Things happen.

2. Useless against lefties - but there is a contingency to fix that

3. He is forcing us to sit people playing our worst position. As much as I would like to see Bogaerts keep getting reps at SS - and he has been arguably our best position player so far - this team can contend, and 3B is too big a sinkhole not to try to fix it.

4. If you think signing Drew was a mistake because you want to ride out Bogaerts and Middlebrooks - that is a fair point of view. If you want to ride out Brock Holt and turn him into the next Tony Philips, that is completely insane.

[seabeachfred]

1. 4 for 61 in postseason, yet they could not have won it without him. Go figger. David Ortiz was totally lost in the ALCS. Things happen.

2. Useless against lefties - but there is a contingency to fix that

3. He is forcing us to sit people playing our worst position. As much as I would like to see Bogaerts keep getting reps at SS - and he has been arguably our best position player so far - this team can contend, and 3B is too big a sinkhole not to try to fix it.

4. If you think signing Drew was a mistake because you want to ride out Bogaerts and Middlebrooks - that is a fair point of view. If you want to ride out Brock Holt and turn him into the next Tony Philips, that is completely insane.

 

SK, good post and thanks for getting back to me on this topic. Obviously I can't ride this out with WMB and Bogaerts because right now the former is on the DL. However, when he comes back I would much rather go with that tandem than have Bogaerts in a position he says he doesn't like as much as SS and a recently signed player who went 0 for 4 last night for Pawtucket and hasn't faced a ML pitcher in close to seven months. I take it you don't hold much for Holt's long range effectiveness. You might be right but right now I see a hungry player scratching and clawing and trying to make the most of a chance to play regularly---and holding his own while doing it. Of course, of Drew starts I have to root like hell for him and hope he meshes with the team. I'd be a total fool and complete ass if I was rooting for him to fail. Whatever success he can attain that will help our team I'm fully behind that.

[seabeachfred]

And another thing. As much as I like what Holt is doing NOW, it's odd to award him a permanent position based on his SSS when at the same time deriding Drew for his poor production in about the same sample from the 2013 post season. Especially when one looks at Drew's career numbers when not injured.

 

I'm fully aware of Holt's experience as an infielder and I hope that he does get a chance to stick with the Sox as long as he continues to hit.

 

Somehow, I believe that this will all work itself out. My suspicion is that WMB will remain in Pawtucket until he hits consistently or gets dealt.

 

Spud--I just want to be sure we don't thrown off course now that we finally seem to be playing better as a team. Our hitting is slowly improving with Gomes, Sizemore, AJ, and even Bradley starting to add to the cause. If Drew can come in and get the job done, fine. I just feel it will take him some time to get is timing and if that is so we could be putting a weak hitter in the lineup and taking out one who is hitting very well. That only works if the guys I mentioned get even hotter and Dustin and David go on a tear to cover for Drew's slow start.

[Spudboy]

If Drew does start slowly, why would Farrell stay with him while knowing that this team needs all of the offense that it can get now?

 

I seriously doubt that Farrell will play Drew at the expense of the team offense. If Holt stays hot then he has to play as much as possible.

 

In addition to the SS platoon we have been hearing about, Holt can spell Pedroia now and then. In fact, I say start giving Pedroia time off sooner rather than later because I suspect that the wrist injury is lingering and as a consequence, his hitting ( especially power ) is diminished.

 

There will be plenty of playing time for all concerned. As I said above, these things tend to work themselves out. There is no use wringing our hands over this matter now.

[VA Sox Fan]

If Drew does start slowly, why would Farrell stay with him while knowing that this team needs all of the offense that it can get now?

 

I seriously doubt that Farrell will play Drew at the expense of the team offense. If Holt stays hot then he has to play as much as possible.

 

In addition to the SS platoon we have been hearing about, Holt can spell Pedroia now and then. In fact, I say start giving Pedroia time off sooner rather than later because I suspect that the wrist injury is lingering and as a consequence, his hitting ( especially power ) is diminished.

 

There will be plenty of playing time for all concerned. As I said above, these things tend to work themselves out. There is no use wringing our hands over this matter now.

 

So Spud...a lot of times things like common sense posts like yours don't make sense to other posters. Hang in there bro.

[win red sox]

The only problem with signing drew will be if Farrell does not platoon him.

[User Name]

And Farrell has already alluded to the fact that he's essentially going to platoon him.

[Jasonbay44]

If signing Drew gets Herrera off this team, that alone is worth it

[sk7326]

SK, good post and thanks for getting back to me on this topic. Obviously I can't ride this out with WMB and Bogaerts because right now the former is on the DL. However, when he comes back I would much rather go with that tandem than have Bogaerts in a position he says he doesn't like as much as SS and a recently signed player who went 0 for 4 last night for Pawtucket and hasn't faced a ML pitcher in close to seven months. I take it you don't hold much for Holt's long range effectiveness. You might be right but right now I see a hungry player scratching and clawing and trying to make the most of a chance to play regularly---and holding his own while doing it. Of course, of Drew starts I have to root like hell for him and hope he meshes with the team. I'd be a total fool and complete ass if I was rooting for him to fail. Whatever success he can attain that will help our team I'm fully behind that.

 

Bogaerts can "not like" a change optimally. I don't care - as long as he gets into it. I see a hungry player in Holt too, but one who gives no indication this will last. That's fine - you enjoy what you get and he is a solid candidate for an extra infielder. Drew is a good major league SS who frankly got squeezed out of a market because of overestimating how many teams would pay for a SS, even a good one. (and in particular that the Cardinals chose Peralta's healthy track record over Drew, which is defensible)

[VA Sox Fan]

Maureen Mullen

@MaureenaMullen

 

 

Drew and Nava back up to Red Sox tomorrow.

[VA Sox Fan]

Maureen Mullen

@MaureenaMullen

 

 

Carp has fractured right foot, on HBP in ATL.

[seabeachfred]

We can all argue until the cows come home and no one's position will gain any traction until we see what Drew's inclusion in the lineup does for the team. If he performs well and the team keeps winning I can expect that those who think adding him to the lineup will thump their chests and tell us how wrong and off the charts those who think it will be negative. OTOH, those people had also better expect retorts in kind if his presence results in a downturn to the team, and if he fails to perform well they will certainly most hear it and loudly.

 

For the record, I hope he succeeds and I can keep my tongue but I do not expect him to hit worth a damn and I believe there will be a negative result when all is said and done. Again, it looks more and more like his signing was a mistake because of what Holt has been doing and Cecchini in his first trial today succeeded in doing. We'll just have to wait and see. Bring on the Guardians.

[User Name]

It's like he doesn't understand numbers. And Cecchini has played one game. Just wow.

[Bellhorn04]

In Drew's last game with the Red Sox he homered, singled and played great D. Boy what a game he had!