2015 Red Sox In-Season Thread

[dupree]

We shoulda of just kept Middlebrooks.

[dupree]

@TimBritton: The Red Sox have allowed six unearned runs since Sunday. All derive from a Sandoval E5.

 

Wah waaaah waaaaaaaaah...

 

We shoulda just kept Middlebrooks

[wyo-sox]

Cause last year with Middlebrooks worked out well for us....

[SoxnCycles]

We shoulda just kept Middlebrooks

 

No, thank you.

[gojohn99]

We shoulda kept Lackey...

[Kimmi]

A while back it was brought up that any good team must have a good mix of veterans and youth to be successful. Certainly that is stating the obvious but still true. I do not have faith in the leadership qualities of the veterans that makeup this team in general. Papi and Pedroia do provide some leadership. Napoli is a solid veteran. Never thought of him as a leader. If you think that Sandoval and Ramirez offer leadership, I guess we will have to disagree. 5 veterans in Farrell's office, 2 of whom I see as possible leaders. The coaching staff seems to be taking a beating here and maybe they should but I think that it is time for a heart check for the leaders on the field. We have a nice core of young players who could have bright futures if there is quality leadership to follow. If things don't turn around very soon, we will learn a great deal about the quality of the character of our so called leaders.

 

IMO, the ultimate responsibility lies with the players. The way this team is playing is on them. They are the ones who are not performing up to expectations. Ben is not to blame. He assembled what should be a good team. He is not responsible for what happens on the field.

 

Farrell and the coaching staff probably share some of the blame as well. When practically the whole team is underperforming, is having mental lapses, and is seemingly lacking in fundamentals, you have to wonder what is going on with the coaching staff.

[Kimmi]

There's a general base running stat called UBR.

 

In 2012 the blue Jays were rated at 0.2, 0 being average.

This year, the Sox are -3.0, good for 26th out of 30 teams.

 

So, I'm not sure the Sox crappy baserunning can all be attributed to Butterfield.

 

Yesterday certainly didn't help.

Sending Napoli probably wasn't the smartest play, but with two out and the way this team has been hitting, I can't call it a totally boneheaded move.

 

Somebody quoting UBR stats? A man after my own heart.

 

I can understand the Sox being aggressive. When you're not scoring runs, you need to try something to get the offense going.

[cp176]

Do you truly think that adding Hanley Ramirez was a good thing? All things considered some of which do not directly relate to hitting a baseball? There is potential for a good team in the future but not so much right now I'm afraid.

[cp176]

Somebody quoting UBR stats? A man after my own heart.

 

I can understand the Sox being aggressive. When you're not scoring runs, you need to try something to get the offense going.

 

 

Butterfield is one hell of a worker and an excellent coach. He represents another scapegoat I'm afraid.

[mvp 78]

We shoulda kept VMart, Beltre, Lowrie, Murphy, Moss, Reddick and Rizzo.

[Kimmi]

Butterfield is one hell of a worker and an excellent coach. He represents another scapegoat I'm afraid.

 

I would have to go back and look at each of the plays again to be sure, but I read tweet a little earlier that said that of the runners that were thrown out at home plate this season ( I think there have been 9), only 2 of them were bad calls by Butterfield, one of which was last night.

[Kimmi]

Do you truly think that adding Hanley Ramirez was a good thing? All things considered some of which do not directly relate to hitting a baseball? There is potential for a good team in the future but not so much right now I'm afraid.

 

FTR, I really liked the Hanley signing, outside of my concerns about his attitude, which were quickly allayed during the offseason, and I really did not like the Panda signing, even though I was happy to have him on the team after it was done. In hindsight, it's easy to say that both of these signings were terrible, even though it's far too early to judge either of those moves.

 

Third base was one of our weakest, if not our weakest, position last year, both offensively and defensively. Based on his performance last season, Panda should be a significant improvement, both offensively and defensively, over what we had last year.

 

We all knew Hanley's defense would be an issue. However, I think most of us thought that he would be able to adjust to the position well enough that his offense would overcome his lack of defense. His offense should be good enough to give us an overall upgrade at left field over what we had last year. Also, I think Hanley was signed with the idea of being the DH next year or, at the latest, in 2017.

 

When you consider that one of our biggest weaknesses from last season was right handed power and hitting overall, it makes perfect sense that the Sox signed Panda and Hanley. For whatever reasons, these signing are not looking good at the moment, but that doesn't mean that they were bad signings going in.

[mvp 78]

Hanley will be the DH next year. He's fine.

[cp176]

FTR, I really liked the Hanley signing, outside of my concerns about his attitude, which were quickly allayed during the offseason, and I really did not like the Panda signing, even though I was happy to have him on the team after it was done. In hindsight, it's easy to say that both of these signings were terrible, even though it's far too early to judge either of those moves.

 

Third base was one of our weakest, if not our weakest, position last year, both offensively and defensively. Based on his performance last season, Panda should be a significant improvement, both offensively and defensively, over what we had last year.

 

We all knew Hanley's defense would be an issue. However, I think most of us thought that he would be able to adjust to the position well enough that his offense would overcome his lack of defense. His offense should be good enough to give us an overall upgrade at left field over what we had last year. Also, I think Hanley was signed with the idea of being the DH next year or, at the latest, in 2017.

 

When you consider that one of our biggest weaknesses from last season was right handed power and hitting overall, it makes perfect sense that the Sox signed Panda and Hanley. For whatever reasons, these signing are not looking good at the moment, but that doesn't mean that they were bad signings going in.

 

No one would ever question that the addition of Ramirez's bat could be a bad move. Regardless of how or where he plays in the field, from an attitude perspective the move would always be questionable. When you sign someone who comes with baggage, if things don't work out, you are getting what you paid for. If the Hanley signing works out, good for him and us. If it doesn't, you also get exactly what you deserve.

[Northern Star]

Hanley will be the DH next year. He's fine.

 

Are they going to make sure Papi's option doesn't vest and show him the door?

[sk7326]

Butterfield is one hell of a worker and an excellent coach. He represents another scapegoat I'm afraid.

 

He's known as one of the best fielding coaches in the sport - which is his real value-add to a staff. Certainly the work with Bogaerts is showing.

[a700hitter]

http://www.talksox.com/forum/threads/17157-2015-Spring-Training-Games-Thread?p=943414&viewfull=1#post943414

 

A good set of eyes that has watched thousands of games can see things that don't show up in a box score or in a stat in some metric. To my eye on that day (March 17th), on that one play, Hanley looked like he didn't belong in the Outfield. He wasn't even involved in the play and was about 100+ feet away from the play, but his reaction on the ball spoke volumes about his lack of ability to play the outfield.

[Spudboy]

He sucks ass and makes almost no effort to improve his skills in the outfield.

 

I know this by reading an article about the subject written by Edes.

 

Edes said that while Sandoval was out very early fielding grounders yesterday morning ( after botching two costly plays the night before ), Hanley was nowhere to be found.

 

He said that if Hanley is practicing playing left field it must be under the cloak of darkness because no one ever sees him practicing left field.

 

I won't go into a tirade about this. But Obviously he needs a s*** ton of work to become even a decent defensive LF.

 

Why do the Sox not just tell him that they will be hitting balls for him to shag 1-2 hours each day for the rest of the season or until the lazy f*** shows some skill.

 

$20. Mil for that kind of effort? f*** no. His bat is not that good. Or at least it has not been while playing for Boston.

 

I say Farrell and the coaches should go all Rodey Piper on his spoon fed ass.

 

He is certainly not THE PROBLEM for the Sox. There are several, obviously. I think that it is very questionable of the Sox to allow him to continue with such lousy skills when he could be improving every day with practice.

 

He is a strapping young lad. He may never have the athleticism again to be a mobile and above average outfielder. But there is no excuse for not making the effort. Jim Rice did it. So he should be able to do it to.

 

I guess that was a tirade after all!!!

[mvp 78]

Hanley is no Jim Ed...

[cp176]

He sucks ass and makes almost no effort to improve his skills in the outfield.

 

I know this by reading an article about the subject written by Edes.

 

Edes said that while Sandoval was out very early fielding grounders yesterday morning ( after botching two costly plays the night before ), Hanley was nowhere to be found.

 

He said that if Hanley is practicing playing left field it must be under the cloak of darkness because no one ever sees him practicing left field.

 

I won't go into a tirade about this. But Obviously he needs a s*** ton of work to become even a decent defensive LF.

 

Why do the Sox not just tell him that they will be hitting balls for him to shag 1-2 hours each day for the rest of the season or until the lazy f*** shows some skill.

 

$20. Mil for that kind of effort? f*** no. His bat is not that good. Or at least it has not been while playing for Boston.

 

I say Farrell and the coaches should go all Rodey Piper on his spoon fed ass.

 

He is certainly not THE PROBLEM for the Sox. There are several, obviously. I think that it is very questionable of the Sox to allow him to continue with such lousy skills when he could be improving every day with practice.

 

He is a strapping young lad. He may never have the athleticism again to be a mobile and above average outfielder. But there is no excuse for not making the effort. Jim Rice did it. So he should be able to do it to.

 

I guess that was a tirade after all!!!

 

It was a great tirade! Manny no longer wears the collar of being the worst fielder to ever play in front of the monster.

[Kimmi]

No one would ever question that the addition of Ramirez's bat could be a bad move. Regardless of how or where he plays in the field, from an attitude perspective the move would always be questionable. When you sign someone who comes with baggage, if things don't work out, you are getting what you paid for. If the Hanley signing works out, good for him and us. If it doesn't, you also get exactly what you deserve.

 

As I said in my previous post, I had some concerns about Hanley's attitude when I heard the Sox had signed him. However, several things that I read after his signing allayed my concerns. If his attitude is still indeed a problem, which I'm not convinced it is, then no one should really be surprised. Disappointed, yes, but surprised, no.

[Northern Star]

He sucks ass and makes almost no effort to improve his skills in the outfield.

 

I know this by reading an article about the subject written by Edes.

 

Edes said that while Sandoval was out very early fielding grounders yesterday morning ( after botching two costly plays the night before ), Hanley was nowhere to be found.

 

He said that if Hanley is practicing playing left field it must be under the cloak of darkness because no one ever sees him practicing left field.

 

I won't go into a tirade about this. But Obviously he needs a s*** ton of work to become even a decent defensive LF.

 

Why do the Sox not just tell him that they will be hitting balls for him to shag 1-2 hours each day for the rest of the season or until the lazy f*** shows some skill.

 

$20. Mil for that kind of effort? f*** no. His bat is not that good. Or at least it has not been while playing for Boston.

 

I say Farrell and the coaches should go all Rodey Piper on his spoon fed ass.

 

He is certainly not THE PROBLEM for the Sox. There are several, obviously. I think that it is very questionable of the Sox to allow him to continue with such lousy skills when he could be improving every day with practice.

 

He is a strapping young lad. He may never have the athleticism again to be a mobile and above average outfielder. But there is no excuse for not making the effort. Jim Rice did it. So he should be able to do it to.

 

I guess that was a tirade after all!!!

 

Sure sounds like a tirade to me. He was apparently working out in the offseason at a stadium with a wall in DR but I haven't heard anything about his work effort here in Boston. I was against this signing from day one.

[Kimmi]

Sure sounds like a tirade to me. He was apparently working out in the offseason at a stadium with a wall in DR but I haven't heard anything about his work effort here in Boston. I was against this signing from day one.

 

He reported to ST a week early to work on his defense in left field. As far as working on it during the season, Farrell said something about "pacing" Hanley and not having him overdo it, but that Hanley has been very agreeable every time he's been asked to work on his defense.

[Spudboy]

He reported to ST a week early to work on his defense in left field. As far as working on it during the season, Farrell said something about "pacing" Hanley and not having him overdo it, but that Hanley has been very agreeable every time he's been asked to work on his defense.

 

This sounds like rationalization by Farrell. The Sox and Hanley should be doing much more to make him at least a sound left fielder.

[User Name]

....or they're scared of overworking him because he's prone to injury, which, unlike our assumptions here, isn't rationalization, but fact.

[Kimmi]

I was reading a Fangraphs article about the meaning of the current standings as far as how the rest of the season will play out. It's interesting to note that the NL is playing out close to how the preseason projections expected them to play out, and the AL is almost the complete opposite.

 

It turns out that at the 2 month mark, preseason projections have a much stronger correlation with winning percentage for the remainder of the season than either the actual W-L record or the Pythagorean W-L record during the first two months.

 

In other words, don't judge the Sox by their W-L record to date, but rather by how they were projected to do before the season started. Teams that have largely underperformed (or overperformed, see Astros, Twins) will very likely regress to their level of expectation.

[a700hitter]

I was reading a Fangraphs article about the meaning of the current standings as far as how the rest of the season will play out. It's interesting to note that the NL is playing out close to how the preseason projections expected them to play out, and the AL is almost the complete opposite.

 

It turns out that at the 2 month mark, preseason projections have a much stronger correlation with winning percentage for the remainder of the season than either the actual W-L record or the Pythagorean W-L record during the first two months.

 

In other words, don't judge the Sox by their W-L record to date, but rather by how they were projected to do before the season started. Teams that have largely underperformed (or overperformed, see Astros, Twins) will very likely regress to their level of expectation.

 

How did the 2013 Red Sox perform against those are season projections?

[Bellhorn04]

The Red Sox have been defying preseason projections since 2011.

[User Name]

Why can't they hit?

[Bellhorn04]

It's starting to look like it's the big boys in the middle-Ortiz, Napoli and Panda-that are killing us.