Let the Swihart watch begin

[cp176]

He only disappears when his Pollyanna predictions blow up in his face. He doesn't stick around to take the beatings that he has coming to him even though he freely dishes it out when others are wrong. His excuse is that his life got busy. Of course that only happens when his predictions are crumbling.

 

Lastly, it is no coincidence that this place is strife-free and the discourse is very civil when he goes into hiding. The lack of flame wars when he is gone is not a mere coincidence. The ignore feature works great for me. I urge others to use it.

 

700 and Fred - I am going to have fun with this. I know that there are some fine people and great fans who post here. I do need this outlet right now. Like I said - coached for a long long time. This is the first time I have felt retired and I truly miss everything about the game. Baseball, football, golf, track and of course basketball over the years. I am a baseball/basketball guy though. I miss the practices, the strategy, the games, and mostly the kids. It is amazing how young working with talented athletes can make you feel. I think that I will miss their foolish humor more than anything. Oh well- Spring training starts, I am quite close to Lakeland. I will hop up to see the Tigers for something to do. Fort Myers is quite a ways away. I wish they had stayed in Winter Haven. 15 minutes from where I am. A lot more $ on the coasts though. Happy New Year boys.

,,

[seabeachfred]

He only disappears when his Pollyanna predictions blow up in his face. He doesn't stick around to take the beatings that he has coming to him even though he freely dishes it out when others are wrong. His excuse is that his life got busy. Of course that only happens when his predictions are crumbling.

 

Lastly, it is no coincidence that this place is strife-free and the discourse is very civil when he goes into hiding. The lack of flame wars when he is gone is not a mere coincidence. The ignore feature works great for me. I urge others to use it.

 

Very good point Ted......We had all been getting along rather well, and when we disagreed it was pretty civil. I did make the mistake of going off on someone when I took something very personal that wasn't that so at all and I had to personally apologize to the guy for acting like a total ass. Aside from that we all seem to get on ok. I know that mvp likes to push my buttons but I know it is not malice intended. With Luser and one other poster who also disappeared late last season, it was always personal and nasty. I guess one way for this forum to hum unity would be if our team could rally big time and come back a winner this year. I think all of us would be in sync with that. Happy New Year my friend.

[seabeachfred]

700 and Fred - I am going to have fun with this. I know that there are some fine people and great fans who post here. I do need this outlet right now. Like I said - coached for a long long time. This is the first time I have felt retired and I truly miss everything about the game. Baseball, football, golf, track and of course basketball over the years. I am a baseball/basketball guy though. I miss the practices, the strategy, the games, and mostly the kids. It is amazing how young working with talented athletes can make you feel. I think that I will miss their foolish humor more than anything. Oh well- Spring training starts, I am quite close to Lakeland. I will hop up to see the Tigers for something to do. Fort Myers is quite a ways away. I wish they had stayed in Winter Haven. 15 minutes from where I am. A lot more $ on the coasts though. Happy New Year boys.

,,

 

You just stay on this board and don't dare leave it. It is nice to know that I can share insights and ideas from someone who has been in the arena and knows all facets of what makes for a successful program and individual player. That is why Ted and I hit it off so well from the start. He is up to date on things but old school enough to know that there is no one right answer to anything. Everything has to be scrutinized. I have gotten into this cybermetrics game the past two or three seasons but know that is not a cure all to understand the workings of how a team plays or why they do or don't succeed. What I think we must all strive to do is listen to the other side out of respect with the caveat that they will do the same with us. Most importantly, when we're wrong we admit it freely instead of circling the wagons or fleeing the scene. Good to have you here. BTW, take Ted's advice. Try and get down to Fort Myers for a short ST vacation. I went there in 2006 and 2007 and had a great time.

[cp176]

I am going to stay on this board. You do what we did one thing that you realize is that there are many ways to get a job done and if you take the time to listen you never know what you might learn or from whom you might learn it. When I first started posting, I just wanted to be a part of a group that shared a common interest and a love of mine. Never meant to make any personal attacks against anyone. But I, just like you, have a tendency to react when I sense nastiness. I don't care if someone disagrees with me. Normally that is how I learn. I did take your friend's advice by the way and it is good to be here. Always look forward to your posts.

[Spudboy]

I am going to stay on this board. You do what we did one thing that you realize is that there are many ways to get a job done and if you take the time to listen you never know what you might learn or from whom you might learn it. When I first started posting, I just wanted to be a part of a group that shared a common interest and a love of mine. Never meant to make any personal attacks against anyone. But I, just like you, have a tendency to react when I sense nastiness. I don't care if someone disagrees with me. Normally that is how I learn. I did take your friend's advice by the way and it is good to be here. Always look forward to your posts.

 

Your experience when joining Talksox is sort of similar to my own. I joined for the same reasons as you. At the time there were many very young and immature people on board who would say anything to anyone at any time. No filter at all. No regard for who they may offend or hurt. I did not understand how people could interact this way as it is counter intuitive and 180 away from how I was raised. I got crapped on many times in my first few months. I am not saying that this is normal or that you should have to endure the same foolishness. I guess to some extent this is what happens on the internet. Although that does not make it right.

 

Naturally you will come to be more comfortable with some posters and possibly become irritated with others. I say stick around and say what you have to say. Just be aware that if you happen to say anything at all about the game that you can not substantiate with facts and stats it is very likely that your post will be called out by someone.

 

I see this as helpful sometimes as I learn. But other times I see it as some ass-hat trying to compensate for his own insecurities and small penis.

 

Whatever.

 

Welcome to Talksox.

[cp176]

Very , very helpful post for me. I felt exactly as you did. since I had my little spat, I have realized that there are some really nice people on this board. I have always believed that if everybody agreed with me all the time, I would never learn anything. Your last paragraph. is a beauty. Probably just like you, I wasn't raised to quit when things got tough or even nasty. Just time to keep grinding. Thank you - this is going to be fun!

[Palodios]

Swihart is MLB.com's #1 catching prospect for 2015.

[seabeachfred]

Swihart is MLB.com's #1 catching prospect for 2015.

 

We must NOT lose this guy.....no way, no how.

[Kimmi]

Just be aware that if you happen to say anything at all about the game that you can not substantiate with facts and stats it is very likely that your post will be called out by someone.

 

I see this as helpful sometimes as I learn. But other times I see it as some ass-hat trying to compensate for his own insecurities and small penis.

 

 

 

 

Baseball is a very numbers driven game. Much more so than other sports. IMO, you need stats, and in particular, the saberstats, to tell the whole story. Also IMO, when someone says "I don't need stats, I know what my eyes see", that is a cop out on so many levels.

 

And FTR, I do not have a small penis.

[Spudboy]

Baseball is a very numbers driven game. Much more so than other sports. IMO, you need stats, and in particular, the saberstats, to tell the whole story. Also IMO, when someone says "I don't need stats, I know what my eyes see", that is a cop out on so many levels.

 

And FTR, I do not have a small penis.

 

GOOD!!!

 

And you seemed to have missed my point.

 

And, access to stats does not assure than anyone's opinion will be accurate or valid.

[User Name]

But it sure beats flinging s*** at the wall.

[Kimmi]

GOOD!!!

 

And you seemed to have missed my point.

 

And, access to stats does not assure than anyone's opinion will be accurate or valid.

 

 

Maybe I missed your point. I just think that if you're going to make some claims, you should be able to back them up. I don't mean you personally, but you in the general sense. Maybe that doesn't always mean with stats, but I think it usually does.

 

For instance, if someone claims that Jeter was a decent defender, I'm going to disprove that with stats. He was horrible defensively. The response I usually get is something along the lines of "why don't you try watching a game sometime?". Sorry, but I have to call BS on that.

[Kimmi]

But it sure beats flinging s*** at the wall.

 

 

LOL

 

Much more direct and to the point than my response.

[User Name]

LOL

 

Much more direct and to the point than my response.

 

That's the problem a lot of people have with me. They mistake my bluntness with aggression, when honestly, i'm usually laughing at some of the stuff the old timers here come up with. Not Spud though, he's nothing if not consistent and coherent.

[a700hitter]

I follow the Vin Scully philosophy of stats.

[pruneface]

We must NOT lose this guy.....no way, no how.

[Spudboy]

Maybe I missed your point. I just think that if you're going to make some claims, you should be able to back them up. I don't mean you personally, but you in the general sense. Maybe that doesn't always mean with stats, but I think it usually does.

 

For instance, if someone claims that Jeter was a decent defender, I'm going to disprove that with stats. He was horrible defensively. The response I usually get is something along the lines of "why don't you try watching a game sometime?". Sorry, but I have to call BS on that.

 

 

I agree with you. However, even armed with legitimate stats some people come to the wrong conclusion and spout an opinion that is just not correct. I see that a lot.

[mvp 78]

That's the problem a lot of people have with me. They mistake my bluntness with aggression, when honestly, i'm usually laughing at some of the stuff the old timers here come up with. Not Spud though, he's nothing if not consistent and coherent.

 

They are just mad you're right 99% of the time.

[a700hitter]

I can't have a problem with him if I can't see his posts. That being said, the quote feature does make a mockery of the ignore feature.

[iortiz]

They are just mad you're right 99% of the time.

 

And Ted, 99.99% LOL!

[User Name]

They are just mad you're right 99% of the time.

 

Come to think of it, I should be the King of Talksox!

[a700hitter]

And Ted, 99.99% LOL!

It's a game of inches that separates the men from the boys. LOL!!

[mvp 78]

Come to think of it, I should be the King of Talksox!

 

All hail our most benevolent dictator! He wears a crown of fWAR and holds a sword of xFIP!

[User Name]

Don't forget my UZR armor!

[User Name]

All hail our most benevolent overlord! He wears a crown of fWAR and holds a sword of xFIP!

 

Fixed.

[seabeachfred]

I can't have a problem with him if I can't see his posts. That being said, the quote feature does make a mockery of the ignore feature.

 

I wish there was a way that if we have someone on ignore we would also be free of the quote feature as well. This was we would have no way of knowing what the guy wrote. Short of that I will settle for that ignore button. It saves a lot of stress and anger and, who knows, maybe some day we won't have to have anyone on ignore and wouldn't that be nice.

[Palodios]

I wish there was a way that if we have someone on ignore we would also be free of the quote feature as well. This was we would have no way of knowing what the guy wrote. Short of that I will settle for that ignore button. It saves a lot of stress and anger and, who knows, maybe some day we won't have to have anyone on ignore and wouldn't that be nice.

 

We were looking for that a few years back, but sadly it doesn't exist on these boards.

[bostopz]

Hi guys - new to to the board. Just a few comments.

 

I dont't agree with those that don't believe in Vasquz as a full-time catcher. I've read things such as--

 

"He's a .200 hitter." -- IMO he isn't a .200 hitter - last year he hit .240 -(in the minors he was around .279 in Pawtucket and .291 in Portland)- I can see him as a .230 -- .240 hitter with little power. Maybe he won't. But at least as of now he looks like .230 - .240 to me. Obviously not good but . . .

 

I've read that his defense (and framing -- how can know about "framing?") is no big deal -- I got the impression some think his defense "dime-a-dozen." I don't know of his range -- and I hear how he handles the pitchers great and frames great-- but all this can be homerism too. There is one thing I do know is that he has a cannon and I don't recall seeing poor handling of wild pitches. With that said -- we all know our 2013 champ Red Sox ran wild. - Of course until we got to the World Series. I recall pundits saying we can't run on their catcher - and frankly we didn't when he played. Vasquez gunned down 52% of baserunners. last year That isn't "just good." It's phenomenal. The belief that there is now "many catchers like him" when I KNOW just two years ago it was a rare catcher like the Cardinals or maybe Baltimore that had the ability to shutdown ours- I think that belief is wrong. The arm of Vasquez impacts the opposing team's running game just like elite catcher's such as Cards catcher did. So to characterize him as being like others imo is wrong.

 

Third I read someone predicting Hanigan would beat out Vasquez and maybe someone else expecting close to a 50-50 split of playing time. I don't see it. Hanigan's numbers of throwing out runners and hitting were poor last year (very good the year's before). I read on one site overall he isn't that great defensively to boot. Maybe they were wrong but until I see more of him-- logic dictates that he won't be improving much at 34 years old as both a hitter and defender - at least not gunning down runners. We have an opportunity to see what Vasquez can do for a full season on the other hand. Thus I expect Vasquez to be the primary starter this year then trade him depending on Swihart's development this year or some point late next year.

 

Fourth- - Sure Bogaerts is a concern defensively. I'm not sure what Prospect America or other scouting services thought of him defensively but he never looked that great of a defender. Unless someone can correct me- it looks like to me his potential / rating came from his bat. Last year he didn't give us bat or glove. But going forward if you are expecting Gold Glove material there imo you'll be disappointed for quite some time until he leaves the position. However if you don't think a 22 year old can improve incrementally over the next 3 or 4 years from a defensive standpoint despite Bogaerts size, then I think maybe you might be the type awaiting for the big asteroid to hit any day now.

Edited March 15, 2015 by bostopz

[Dojji]

I agree with you that Vazquez' arm is a match for that of "the Cards' catcher" (6x Gold Glove catcher Yadier Molina) as is the overall package of defensive talent.

 

And in fact I think Yadi is a pretty solid comp for Vazquez' potential upside. He's got the same kind of elite arm, and if you look at Molina's stats, he spent his first few seasons doing nothing on the offensive side. He came around because his defense kept him in the Cardinals' lineup and he was a good enough hitter to figure out adjustments after a few thousand reps. Vazquez could do that. He doesn't have elite offensive talent, but he may be able to figure out how to approach at bats well enough to produce something, and even if he doesn't, the very worst he possibly is is a great defensive platoon catcher.

 

Vazquez would be a starting catcher on 80% of big league teams for his defense alone. Defensive catchers who can do what he does are worth their weight in gold. The question is can the Red Sox stomach his offense. They want that 1-9 threat and with Vazquez in the lineup they won't get it. With Swihart to dream on, will the Red Sox brass ignore the bird in the hand? I don't know. Should they? I don't know. But I do think the Sox brass knows what they have in Vazquez, and if I was in charge, I'd make sure that if Swihart does supplant Vazquez it's because he bloody well earned it.

Edited March 19, 2015 by Dojji

[Kimmi]

Vazquez would be a starting catcher on 80% of big league teams for his defense alone. Defensive catchers who can do what he does are worth their weight in gold. The question is can the Red Sox stomach his offense. They want that 1-9 threat and with Vazquez in the lineup they won't get it. With Swihart to dream on, will the Red Sox brass ignore the bird in the hand? I don't know. Should they? I don't know. But I do think the Sox brass knows what they have in Vazquez, and if I was in charge, I'd make sure that if Swihart does supplant Vazquez it's because he bloody well earned it.

 

 

The Sox pitchers are already singing praises for how many extra strikes Vazquez has gotten them. If nothing else, he certainly will instill some confidence in the pitching staff, which may enable them to be more effective in expanding the zone. Who knows how many runs he can actually save defensively, but to me, that is worth more than having a catcher who will provide more offense. I think the FO knows how important Vazquez' defense is.