2014 Offseason Thread

[Palodios]

First spring training lineup. Looks surprisingly close to what we'd expect.

 

Betts CF,

Pedroia 2B,

Ortiz DH,

Ramirez LF,

Sandoval 3B,

Napoli 1B,

Victorino RF,

Bogaerts SS

Vazquez C

 

Buchholz P

[a700hitter]

First spring training lineup. Looks surprisingly close to what we'd expect.

 

Betts CF,

Pedroia 2B,

Ortiz DH,

Ramirez LF,

Sandoval 3B,

Napoli 1B,

Victorino RF,

Bogaerts SS

Vazquez C

 

Buchholz P

Is the game televised?

[alphilip77]

Not today. Televised games start (for the Sox anyway) Thursday. I think I heard somewhere today's game will be on WEEI.

[Bellhorn04]

Oh I am not dismissing that - and rules of thumb do not mean 100%. And I do think the externalities of playing in Boston did affect Crawford. That is not clutchness (which I isolate as within the game) so much as job environment. The latter exists to me, although it might be smaller than writers make it. Who knows why a guy isn't comfortable in a new job.

 

It's hard to explain, yes, but it seems to be that certain players are not 'comfortable' in certain environments. I think it's also quite reasonable to believe that certain players are less 'comfortable' than others in certain game situations.

[User Name]

It's hard to explain, yes, but it seems to be that certain players are not 'comfortable' in certain environments. I think it's also quite reasonable to believe that certain players are less 'comfortable' than others in certain game situations.

 

Stats can show you that, and scouts can see it too. The problem is that the guys who "can't handle" certain situations usually get themselves ousted from the league pretty fast.

[User Name]

First spring training lineup. Looks surprisingly close to what we'd expect.

 

Betts CF,

Pedroia 2B,

Ortiz DH,

Ramirez LF,

Sandoval 3B,

Napoli 1B,

Victorino RF,

Bogaerts SS

Vazquez C

 

Buchholz P

 

With a fully healthy Victorino, that is my ideal lineup.

[Bellhorn04]

I don't think Crawford had a problem with in-game situations being too big for him, which what the "clutch" discussion is about.

I think the market, fan expectation and his own expectations got the better of him.

 

I don't think the two things are all that dissimilar. You believe that outside influences affected him mentally and directly impacted his performance. I don't see a big leap to believing that pressure situations and the fear of failing in them can directly impact a player's performance.

[User Name]

I don't think the two things are all that dissimilar. You believe that outside influences affected him mentally and directly impacted his performance. I don't see a big leap to believing that pressure situations and the fear of failing in them can directly impact a player's performance.

 

I wholeheartedly disagree. Environmental and situational pressure are extremely different IMO.

[Bellhorn04]

I wholeheartedly disagree. Environmental and situational pressure are extremely different IMO.

 

Why? They're both external pressures that affect you psychologically, not physically.

[User Name]

Why? They're both external pressures that affect you psychologically, not physically.

 

Guys can learn to handle "big city syndrome", but a guy with a mental block for performing at big spots almost never recovers. Also, guys with problems handling the spotlight tend to fare better being moved to a smaller/less insane city (think Mark Melancon), but when what you can't handle is the bright spot, how do you change scenery? Do they replace you when the game's on the line?

[mvp 78]

With a fully healthy Victorino, that is my ideal lineup.

 

What's your plan with Castillo?

[User Name]

What's your plan with Castillo?

 

It doesn't matter how much they're paying him. He needs to start in Pawtucket and get regular, unimpeded reps. He'll be up for good eventually when Victorino gets his season-ending back injury.

[sk7326]

Assuming 12 pitchers come up north, projecting the 25:

 

C: Vasquez

1B: Napoli

2B: Pedroia

3B: Sandoval

SS: Bogaerts

LF: Ramirez

CF: SOMEBODY

RF: Victorino

DH: Ortiz

 

4 roster spots left

 

Backup C: Hanigan

Backup IF: Holt

Backup OF: Craig, Nava

 

Centerfield is the only position where we have minor league options left - so 2 of Betts, Castillo and Bradley will be in AAA (I include Bradley because I am a nice person). Now, theoretically the team could cut Nava (they could cut anybody, but assuming a realistic maximum the team wants to eat). But otherwise something has to give numberswise.

 

Now if the Red Sox bring 11 pitchers - which is possible but I doubt myself - Castillo might be the next man up. But if that's the case, Bradley might be a better choice early. This would give Castillo regular game reps (for a guy who has not played much baseball lately), and an excellent defensive CF replacement since I am deathly afraid of Victorino breaking in half.

[User Name]

They could also start the season with 11 pitchers, but that would also muddle the OF picture even more.

[SoxnCycles]

I don't think the two things are all that dissimilar. You believe that outside influences affected him mentally and directly impacted his performance. I don't see a big leap to believing that pressure situations and the fear of failing in them can directly impact a player's performance.

 

You don't think he faced pressure situations in TB?

If I remember correctly, the guy killed the Sox in the '08 ALCS.

 

Playing for a lager market team, with a large market contract damaged his entire game, not just "clutch" situations.

[mvp 78]

Should go with 13 since we have too many 5th starters.

[sk7326]

They could also start the season with 11 pitchers, but that would also muddle the OF picture even more.

 

Yeah - I noted in my edit. If they go 11, I think Bradley makes more sense as a defensive replacement - unless you want to pencil in Victorino as a backup CF. I'd be afraid he shattered into tiny pieces if he had to do that.

[Bellhorn04]

You don't think he faced pressure situations in TB?

If I remember correctly, the guy killed the Sox in the '08 ALCS.

 

Playing for a lager market team, with a large market contract damaged his entire game, not just "clutch" situations.

 

I understand. All I'm saying is, if a guy's game can be that damaged by being uncomfortable where he's playing -obviously a mental issue- I don't think it's a great stretch to also believe that some guys will be more affected than others by pressure situations. Just my opinion.

[iortiz]

The argument about whether clutch exists is similar to the argument about closers being overvalued because the 3 ninth inning outs are no different than the other 24. Anyone who has ever pitched will tell you that the 9th inning is different, and they will also tell you how much tougher the clutch hitter is to get out in a big spot in that 9th inning. It is truly a battle of wills.

This!

 

The 9th inning is the most pressure inning in a game of baseball for both batters and pitchers, and only few pitchers can pitch well with that kind of pressure mostly when the game close.

[mvp 78]

Fred is right about this.

 

@PeteAbe: Bogaerts pops up with two on to end the fourth inning. Still no score. #RedSox have subbed out all their starters.

 

Couldn't even get a clutch hit off a college nobody.

[sk7326]

This!

 

The 9th inning is the most pressure inning in a game of baseball for both batters and pitchers, and only few pitchers can pitch well with that kind of pressure mostly when the game close.

 

Fernando Rodney, Jason Motte, Joel Hanrahan, Brandon League, Derek Lowe, Sergio Romo, Grant Balfour, Jose Mesa

[User Name]

Fernando Rodney, Jason Motte, Joel Hanrahan, Brandon League, Derek Lowe, Sergio Romo, Grant Balfour, Jose Mesa

 

iortiz and common sense don't get along very well unfortunately.

[iortiz]

Fernando Rodney, Jason Motte, Joel Hanrahan, Brandon League, Derek Lowe, Sergio Romo, Grant Balfour, Jose Mesa

 

Not sure what you want to say.

[iortiz]

iortiz and common sense don't get along very well unfortunately.

 

What does the common sense have to do with it? hahaha, if you think that the 9th inning is just another inning, why the best reliever in a staff oftenly pitch in that inning and not in the 7th or other one.

Edited March 3, 2015 by iortiz

[SoxnCycles]

I understand. All I'm saying is, if a guy's game can be that damaged by being uncomfortable where he's playing -obviously a mental issue- I don't think it's a great stretch to also believe that some guys will be more affected than others by pressure situations. Just my opinion.

 

Maybe. I still have to believe that by the time they get to the majors, they've already dealt with many pressure situations.

 

Maybe the addition of living up to a big contract or playing in front of a packed house every day magnifies it.

I think those players that let it get to them are rare in the ML.

[sk7326]

Not sure what you want to say.

 

That's a lot of not very special pitchers who have capably handled the biggest inning in the game.

[User Name]

That's a lot of not very special pitchers who have capably handled the biggest inning in the game.

 

And have been the closers for championship teams to boot. Like with hitters, there are guys who wilt under pressure. But any good pitcher can close. The variable here is being "good". The funny thing is that most great closers have either been failed starters or very good setup men. Some people around here are trying to fit a square peg in a round hole so they can keep spouting their archaic (and disproven) theories, because reasons.

[sk7326]

I understand. All I'm saying is, if a guy's game can be that damaged by being uncomfortable where he's playing -obviously a mental issue- I don't think it's a great stretch to also believe that some guys will be more affected than others by pressure situations. Just my opinion.

 

I think it is a little more specific. Crawford changed gigs because the Red Sox gave him a giant pile of money. He came to Boston, and for whatever reason, hated his new job. Not every company is the same in any field, and you can be happy in one place and miserable in another. That can (and does) seep into performance. He made a poor lifestyle choice - and while nobody is weeping for him paywise - one of the downsides of that 7 year hitch is that HE was stuck there too. (until the trade fell from the sky)

 

I think that stands outside of whether he can come through in a big spot.

[User Name]

Maybe. I still have to believe that by the time they get to the majors, they've already dealt with many pressure situations.

 

Maybe the addition of living up to a big contract or playing in front of a packed house every day magnifies it.

I think those players that let it get to them are rare in the ML.

 

You can learn to handle the media/fans, or you can switch teams. It's almost impossible to overcome self-imposed pressure/mental blocks. Just ask Rick Ankiel.

[iortiz]

That's a lot of not very special pitchers who have capably handled the biggest inning in the game.

 

In a BP staff only one or two can close consistently and those that you named were the best relievers at some point in their teams. On the other hand only a few can close consistently through years like Mo and Papelbon... Kimberl is in that direction as well.