Is there a point at which the solution to the Betts program involves moving Pedroia?

[Bellhorn04]

With Petey the question with his decline the last two years is how much decline is left. Honestly though, as long as he can still make a lot of contact and field his position at approximately his current level, there is no real near term reason to look to replace him. Betts is an entirely qualified 2B, but if he is established at CF that might be the more valuable spot. That said, could I see a future in three years of Betts at 2B and Margot in CF? Why not? But it's not a "current problem" or "elephant in the room".

 

Exactly. It's more like a hedgehog in the room.

[mvp 78]

So now that everyone wants JBJ in CF, we may as well push Mookie back to 2b. Beninterdi will be up sooner or later and he can slide over to RF as his athleticism would be wasted in LF. For now, we can just platoon Holt with Young.

 

If this team was a WS contender, I'd be reluctant to move Pedroia, but I think now might be the perfect opportunity before he really starts to decline. Maybe for some high upside young pitching? The Sox haven't been the greatest at internally developing pitchers.

[Bellhorn04]

And that will happen, when Pandas fly.

[Spudboy]

lol

[jacksonianmarch]

Pedroia isn't moving. He's been either hurt or less productive for the last 3 seasons. He's a short stature, all out middle infielder as well. He's got a lengthy contract as well. He's got value, but you're not returning a big arm for him unless a lot is added to the pot.

[Dojji]

In 2014, the MLB average slash line at 2nd base was .250/.307/.364/.671 . While Dustin has shown some decline from where he once was, he still hit .278/.337/.376/.713 during a season in which he was not completely healthy. Throw in his elite defense, and he is far from being a liability or a problem to this team. Pedroia is among the least of the team's concerns.

 

I would agree with that if "not completely healthy" wasn't the entire problem at the center of Pedroia's issues right now. He's a little guy who's getting older and who has a long and glorious history of pushing his small body very hard in order to perform at such a high level, and as he ages, his body will respond less and less well to this.

 

Being too small isn't quite as bad as being too fat, ala Pablob, but it's not a good thing either, and waving off his health issues as if there was not a fundamental reason why they are very likely to keep happening isn't honest IMHO.

[User Name]

I would agree with that if "not completely healthy" wasn't the entire problem at the center of Pedroia's issues right now. He's a little guy who's getting older and who has a long and glorious history of pushing his small body very hard in order to perform at such a high level, and as he ages, his body will respond less and less well to this.

 

Being too small isn't quite as bad as being too fat, ala Pablob, but it's not a good thing either, and waving off his health issues as if there was not a fundamental reason why they are very likely to keep happening isn't honest IMHO.

 

Pablob sucks. Use Fatso Fatsoval, the official Sandoval nickname here on Talksox.

[a700hitter]

I think Pedroia is going to have a big bounce back season. His hands and wrists will finally be fully healthy. He recovered his power last year. He needs to make sure that his legs stay healthy and play a full season, and he will have a big season, imo. If we are out of the playoff hunt at the Trading Deadline, they could capitalize on his rebuilt value. Trading him in the next off season should also be considered.

[User Name]

I don't think they will ever trade him. But if healthy, he will hit.

[a700hitter]

I don't think they will ever trade him. But if healthy, he will hit.

I agree. They view him as the face of the franchise. As Branch Rickey used to say, it is better to trade a player 1 year too early than 1 year too late.

[Kimmi]

So now that everyone wants JBJ in CF, we may as well push Mookie back to 2b. Beninterdi will be up sooner or later and he can slide over to RF as his athleticism would be wasted in LF. For now, we can just platoon Holt with Young.

 

If this team was a WS contender, I'd be reluctant to move Pedroia, but I think now might be the perfect opportunity before he really starts to decline. Maybe for some high upside young pitching? The Sox haven't been the greatest at internally developing pitchers.

 

FTR, I have always preferred keeping Betts in CF and JBJ in RF, and I believe the majority of posters here feel the same way. My post saying that JBJ will be our everyday CF was based on the Farrell making that statement, not my agreement with it. I'm thinking Farrell is in the minority with his wanting JBJ in CF.

 

As far as Pedroia being traded, it's not happening.

[Kimmi]

I would agree with that if "not completely healthy" wasn't the entire problem at the center of Pedroia's issues right now. He's a little guy who's getting older and who has a long and glorious history of pushing his small body very hard in order to perform at such a high level, and as he ages, his body will respond less and less well to this.

 

Being too small isn't quite as bad as being too fat, ala Pablob, but it's not a good thing either, and waving off his health issues as if there was not a fundamental reason why they are very likely to keep happening isn't honest IMHO.

 

His injuries in recent years are a valid concern. I think Farrell needs to give Pedroia regular days off throughout the season, whether Pedroia likes it or not.

 

That said, when Pedroia is on the field, he is still an above average 2nd baseman, both offensively and defensively, even with any decline that we've seen over the past few years. Additionally, if anyone can make Hanley an adequate defensive first baseman, it's Pedroia. I have read that Pedroia is giving Hanley a narrative after every play.

[Kimmi]

Pablob sucks. Use Fatso Fatsoval, the official Sandoval nickname here on Talksox.

 

It's my worst nightmare UN. You have gone all Fred on me.

[mvp 78]

It's my worst nightmare UN. You have gone all Fred on me.

 

Is he not a fatso???

[SoxHop]

Is he not a fatso???

 

I like "The Iron Sheik" better.

[User Name]

It's my worst nightmare UN. You have gone all Fred on me.

 

I have a personal resentment towards Pablo's attitude, because I've gotten a more up close look at him this offseason. He was here for the caribbean series, and he was fat, gorging, and avoiding questions about his offseason regime. The guy's attitude is just terrible. Unlike fred, I will root for him to succeed, but I'm not counting on it.

[Spudboy]

I have a personal resentment towards Pablo's attitude, because I've gotten a more up close look at him this offseason. He was here for the caribbean series, and he was fat, gorging, and avoiding questions about his offseason regime. The guy's attitude is just terrible. Unlike fred, I will root for him to succeed, but I'm not counting on it.

 

Pablo should have hooked up with you and gone to the gym. You look outstanding. Which is one of the reasons I am justified in giving him s***. You don't have his resources or job. Yet you have found a way to remake your physique.

 

f*** him and the door he floated in on.

[User Name]

Ain't no door gon' float with that much weight on it.

[Spudboy]

Ain't no door gon' float with that much weight on it.

 

Okay. Barge then.

[User Name]

They dropped him off from the same fatcopter that flies Chris Christie around.

[Kimmi]

I have a personal resentment towards Pablo's attitude, because I've gotten a more up close look at him this offseason. He was here for the caribbean series, and he was fat, gorging, and avoiding questions about his offseason regime. The guy's attitude is just terrible. Unlike fred, I will root for him to succeed, but I'm not counting on it.

 

If I were Pablo, I wouldn't want to answer questions regarding his weight or offseason regimen either. The media has been ruthless with him.

[User Name]

If I were Pablo, I wouldn't want to answer questions regarding his weight or offseason regimen either. The media has been ruthless with him.

 

The Latin American media is not the Boston media. And most of the questions about his offseason regime revolved around the fact that there was the possibility that he played in Venezuela's WL, but the Sox killed that possibility early like they did with Hanley. Also, there is clearly a way to handle the media without sounding like an *******. As much hate as guys like Manny used to get, he sure was (and is) charming when dealing with hometown media.

[Kimmi]

The Latin American media is not the Boston media. And most of the questions about his offseason regime revolved around the fact that there was the possibility that he played in Venezuela's WL, but the Sox killed that possibility early like they did with Hanley. Also, there is clearly a way to handle the media without sounding like an *******. As much hate as guys like Manny used to get, he sure was (and is) charming when dealing with hometown media.

 

I'm sure the Latin America media is not the feeding frenzy that the Boston media is. Regardless, Pablo has surely had to deal with questions about his weight and his conditioning throughout his entire career. I can't blame him for being wary of speaking to any media, and I also can't blame him for being a little snarky when the topic of his conditioning is brought up.

 

That said, coming across as anything less than cooperative towards the media will certainly not help the fans' perception of him. He's not doing himself any favors.

[Spudboy]

And Pablo can turn this around. Put up decent numbers the entire season and don't be a f***-up at 3rd. If he does that, most of the s*** he is catching will die down.

[Yaz Fan Since 67]

And Pablo can turn this around. Put up decent numbers the entire season and don't be a f***-up at 3rd. If he does that, most of the s*** he is catching will die down.

 

Exactly. People forgive fat, drunk and stupid if you hit .310.

[Dojji]

Exactly. People forgive fat' date=' drunk and stupid if you hit .310.[/quote']

 

I don't think he even has ti hit .310. Just manage to be an asset to the team overall and don't get your namr in the paper for random dumb crap and you should be all right here. Not many players or managers ever got run out of Boston without failing at least one of those conditions.