2015 Red Sox In-Season Thread

[Kimmi]

Don't argie woth me. The reactionary FO made these moves firing Nieves and cutting Mujica.

 

FWIW, if there aren't any underlying reasons why Nieves was fired that we don't know about, I would agree with you that the FO is being reactionary with his firing. Not something that I am a fan of.

[Northern Star]

Kimmi, the starting rotation has been so bad that the offense hasn't even had a chance to get going before they are behind. It is a far different beast hitting with RISP when trailing than when you are ahead or tied. BTW, I feel for Nieves. Nothing like dealing away your pitching talent last year, bringing in a bunch of stiffs and then expecting the pitching coach to turn back the clock on them. Nieves hopefully will find work in short order

 

Masterson and Miley are questionable acquisitions, and turning a Lester rental into Porcello doesn't particularly impress me. I felt at the time that decimating the rotation last year was somewhat rash, especially when he left arguably the worst piece of it, Blowholz, on the roster. I have yet to hear of another team blowing up their rotation in one season to the extent that Ben did.

[a700hitter]

FWIW, if there aren't any underlying reasons why Nieves was fired that we don't know about, I would agree with you that the FO is being reactionary with his firing. Not something that I am a fan of.

The pitching staff has the worst ERA in baseball. The pitching coach is the same pitching coach that was in place when the 2013 staff got off to a very hot start. Do the math. You are a math teacher. This is a desperation move by the organization which has realized that it has built a very shaky staff. Of course there is a possibility that Nievees has taken to the bottle. This pitching staff has increased my alcohol consumption. Am I understanding correctly that you oppose this management decision?

[Northern Star]

I know Miley's deal isn't much money all things considered, but my God, Ben, what's the rush? The dude was middle of the pack facing a pitcher every night, at least give him half a season of facing the DH before extending him.

[Kimmi]

The pitching staff has the worst ERA in baseball. The pitching coach is the same pitching coach that was in place when the 2013 staff got off to a very hot start. Do the math. You are a math teacher. This is a desperation move by the organization which has realized that it has built a very shaky staff. Of course there is a possibility that Nievees has taken to the bottle. This pitching staff has increased my alcohol consumption. Am I understanding correctly that you oppose this management decision?

 

First off, none of us knows the whole story. There may be something going on behind the scenes that we don't know about.

 

That said, if this is simply a reactionary move due to the poor start, then no, I do not approve.

[Northern Star]

I nominate Kimmi for next pitching coach.

[Northern Star]

So far they've DFA'd Varvaro and Mujica and fired the pitching coach. Not sure if any of those moves address the problems with the pitching, since it's the starters that are more of a problem than a taxed bullpen pitching poorly. Nieves couldn't get anything out of Bucholz and Masterson - can anyone else? Can someone else get Miley to keep the ball down and not fall apart if he loses his tempo?

[jacksonianmarch]

I liked Varvaro. I think he's gonna land on his feet in Chicago. Mujica was done

[a700hitter]

First off, none of us knows the whole story. There may be something going on behind the scenes that we don't know about.

 

That said, if this is simply a reactionary move due to the poor start, then no, I do not approve.

 

Like I said maybe Nieves is drinking or maybe he slept with Henry's girlfriend, or maybe the obvious is the truth-- he was a sacrificial lamb. If Nieves was the problem, why have they cleaned out Mujica and Varvaro also. Are they drinking too.

Edited May 8, 2015 by a700hitter

[User Name]

I know Miley's deal isn't much money all things considered, but my God, Ben, what's the rush? The dude was middle of the pack facing a pitcher every night, at least give him half a season of facing the DH before extending him.

 

The more they pitch, the more expensive they get. The problem isn't the DH, or the park or whatnot. A lot of the time these guys have an adjustment period which is to be expected. The problem is that Red Sox fans are ready to judge based on ST stats, let alone give a guy a full year.

[User Name]

Kimmi, the starting rotation has been so bad that the offense hasn't even had a chance to get going before they are behind. It is a far different beast hitting with RISP when trailing than when you are ahead or tied. BTW, I feel for Nieves. Nothing like dealing away your pitching talent last year, bringing in a bunch of stiffs and then expecting the pitching coach to turn back the clock on them. Nieves hopefully will find work in short order

 

What the hell are you talking about? They've lost a bunch of low-scoring games. Stop making s*** up.

[mvp 78]

What the hell are you talking about? They've lost a bunch of low-scoring games. Stop making s*** up.

 

But that's what we do here at Make s*** Up University.

[Northern Star]

The more they pitch, the more expensive they get. The problem isn't the DH, or the park or whatnot. A lot of the time these guys have an adjustment period which is to be expected. The problem is that Red Sox fans are ready to judge based on ST stats, let alone give a guy a full year.

 

What are you talking about? Ben didn't even give him one start before extending him! I'm the one advocating for even half a year. So every team should immediately extend a guy for 3-4 years before he's thrown a pitch? Is that what you're advocating? Switching leagues DOES have an impact for some lesser pitchers who boosted their stats striking out the pitcher twice every game. How more expensive do you suppose Miley would be in the middle of this year? You seriously think he would become ace material? You're dreaming.

[Northern Star]

Not to mention Wade Mileys are a dime a dozen. If he did pitch well enough to be unaffordable - highly dubious for a team with the Sox's deep pockets - you just let him walk and plug in another guy.

[a700hitter]

I guess that Nieves got fired as a result of pressure from the reactionary fans who fill Fenway every game. That must be the reason since everything has been going according to plan.

[Northern Star]

I guess that Nieves got fired as a result of pressure from the reactionary fans who fill Fenway every game. That must be the reason since everything has been going according to plan.

 

http://www.viewfromtheblueridge.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Remain-Calm.gif

[User Name]

What are you talking about? Ben didn't even give him one start before extending him! I'm the one advocating for even half a year. So every team should immediately extend a guy for 3-4 years before he's thrown a pitch? Is that what you're advocating? Switching leagues DOES have an impact for some lesser pitchers who boosted their stats striking out the pitcher twice every game. How more expensive do you suppose Miley would be in the middle of this year? You seriously think he would become ace material? You're dreaming.

 

More strawmen please. That post doesn't have enough.

 

They signed him on the cheap before he even threw a pitch here, because as you point out in the post right below the one I'm quoting, if he pans out, he's a bargain, if he doesn't, it doesn't really affect them much. You're whining about them trying to save a penny when it doesn't really affect them that much financially either way. They just sign these guys to below-market deals in exchange for security. It's not a novel concept. Again, we're not reinventing the wheel here.

[a700hitter]

http://www.viewfromtheblueridge.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Remain-Calm.gif

lol!

[User Name]

What are you talking about? Ben didn't even give him one start before extending him! I'm the one advocating for even half a year. So every team should immediately extend a guy for 3-4 years before he's thrown a pitch? Is that what you're advocating? Switching leagues DOES have an impact for some lesser pitchers who boosted their stats striking out the pitcher twice every game. How more expensive do you suppose Miley would be in the middle of this year? You seriously think he would become ace material? You're dreaming.

 

Also, you absolutely missed the point of the post. Read it again. I'm saying that whether or not they signed him before he pitched here, Sox fans are reactionary entitled brats (for the most part) who don't understand that some guys struggle out of the gate. Even if Miley ends up being a sunk cost (not nearly enough time to know that yet) he's a blip on the radar for a team with the financial might the Red Sox boast. In that respect btw, you are talking out of both sides of your mouth.

[a700hitter]

As much as I have enjoyed having Ben as GM, you're absolutely right. He's lost a lot of games as GM. He clearly has a goal in mind, but if this ends up being another awful season, 2013 won't save him.

 

Also what about Farrell? He came in last in both years at the helm of the Blue Jays. If we come in last this year, he will have a track record of 3 last place finishes in 4 years.

[Kimmi]

I nominate Kimmi for next pitching coach.

 

Ha! I don't know about pitching coach, but I could probably pitch or hit as well as some of our guys have.

[Northern Star]

Ha! I don't know about pitching coach, but I could probably pitch or hit as well as some of our guys have.

 

What kind of speed have you got on your heater?

[Northern Star]

More strawmen please. That post doesn't have enough.

 

They signed him on the cheap before he even threw a pitch here, because as you point out in the post right below the one I'm quoting, if he pans out, he's a bargain, if he doesn't, it doesn't really affect them much. You're whining about them trying to save a penny when it doesn't really affect them that much financially either way. They just sign these guys to below-market deals in exchange for security. It's not a novel concept. Again, we're not reinventing the wheel here.

 

No, I'm saying waiting half a season would not increase his value to exorbitant levels. Look around the league - do you see any other teams regularly trading for middle of the rotation guys and immediately locking them up for a few years as a hedge that they MIGHT improve and increase in value? No, because it's a ridiculous and somewhat dangerous concept. By your logic every player should immediately be extended at least three years at team-friendly terms, just on the off chance. Ridiculous.

 

Also, I think you just like arguing and stirring s*** by sticking to ridiculous points. It's called trolling.

[Northern Star]

Also, you absolutely missed the point of the post. Read it again. I'm saying that whether or not they signed him before he pitched here, Sox fans are reactionary entitled brats (for the most part) who don't understand that some guys struggle out of the gate. Even if Miley ends up being a sunk cost (not nearly enough time to know that yet) he's a blip on the radar for a team with the financial might the Red Sox boast. In that respect btw, you are talking out of both sides of your mouth.

 

To my knowledge, and I am not going back trawling through pages of posts, all I have said is Miley is ordinary, spent his career to date in the pitcher-friendlier NL, is traded for and IMMEDIATELY signed to an extention when there was NO NEED to do so. You are coming up with this flimsy "well the more they pitch the more expensive" argument which is ridiculous to counter an argument that the Sox should wait 12-15 starts, see how the guy is doing facing another legit bat in the lineup every night. You yourself mention the financial might that the Red Sox boast - yet advocate for them pinching pennies by paying less up front. Now who's talking out of both sides of their mouth? There is no player out there outside the reach of the SOx, pretty much. What is driving their behavior is not players get more expensive, but that they don't want to go beyond four years period. Which isn't a bad idea at all, but it means they will miss out on some top FAs. Meanwhile, you can't name a single reason against waiting half a year on Miley. Your argument won't wash.

[iortiz]

No, I'm saying waiting half a season would not increase his value to exorbitant levels. Look around the league - do you see any other teams regularly trading for middle of the rotation guys and immediately locking them up for a few years as a hedge that they MIGHT improve and increase in value? No, because it's a ridiculous and somewhat dangerous concept. By your logic every player should immediately be extended at least three years at team-friendly terms, just on the off chance. Ridiculous.

 

Also, I think you just like arguing and stirring s*** by sticking to ridiculous points. It's called trolling.

 

I'm going to quote some from my pal A700; a discussion with him is considered whining, bitching, make no sense, reading comp problems, etc. etc. etc... if you disagree with him. He is always obnoxious and belligerent, so be careful.

[SoxHop]

First off, none of us knows the whole story. There may be something going on behind the scenes that we don't know about.

 

That said, if this is simply a reactionary move due to the poor start, then no, I do not approve.

 

If this was WWII and you were in the German army, and across the table you handed half the FO a Luger and asked them to do the honorable thing, then there would be multiple caskets on order.

[SoxHop]

More strawmen please. That post doesn't have enough.

 

They signed him on the cheap before he even threw a pitch here, because as you point out in the post right below the one I'm quoting, if he pans out, he's a bargain, if he doesn't, it doesn't really affect them much. You're whining about them trying to save a penny when it doesn't really affect them that much financially either way. They just sign these guys to below-market deals in exchange for security. It's not a novel concept. Again, we're not reinventing the wheel here.

 

He is costing more than money so far this year, he is a good reason the Sox are in last. And he wasn't paid so little that they can't just not have him hang around in hopes he gets better. He's paid enough so that he has to get better or we have to see him lose 10 games, put us out of contention, play f***y-d f*** with him and not look else where for help in hoping he gets better, while I bitch about every game he looses.

 

There's no way can you spin Miley a good deal right now..... minus 2 points to the FO so far.

[SoxHop]

Also what about Farrell? He came in last in both years at the helm of the Blue Jays. If we come in last this year, he will have a track record of 3 last place finishes in 4 years.

 

His extension really seemed questionable to me. He got lucky in 2013.

[User Name]

He is costing more than money so far this year, he is a good reason the Sox are in last. And he wasn't paid so little that they can't just not have him hang around in hopes he gets better. He's paid enough so that he has to get better or we have to see him lose 10 games, put us out of contention, play f***y-d f*** with him and not look else where for help in hoping he gets better, while I bitch about every game he looses.

 

There's no way can you spin Miley a good deal right now..... minus 2 points to the FO so far.

 

It's May. I'm not trying to spin anything. Did you actually read what I wrote at all?

[SoxHop]

FWIW, if there aren't any underlying reasons why Nieves was fired that we don't know about, I would agree with you that the FO is being reactionary with his firing. Not something that I am a fan of.

 

Sorry..... I mean to agree with you before I posted a dumb post about WWII or something.

 

Wasn't Farrell the pitching coach for years and years..........