2015 Red Sox In-Season Thread

[Elktonnick]

I doubt that post season performance was the only reason they signed Fatboy. But I am confident that it was part of the decision. The guy is an average player with a big reputation gained mostly during his most recent playoff experience. The Sox needed some new star power and wanted to sign a player with sizzle to market to the dumbed down masses of pink hats. It only make sense. It has to since signing a mediocre player in decline that caries 60-80 pounds more than is healthy clearly was not a good idea by itself.

 

But I guess that the fact that he is an upgrade from WMB makes it all make sense!

 

Never said it was the only reason but to put another way it was what sealed the deal for Boston for all the reasons I indicated. You are of course correct Sandoval is an upgrade over WMB.

[Kimmi]

It is unfortunate.

 

I've actually genuinely respected Larry. He has proven to be a good at running a baseball franchise - and that includes building a front office. Since a lot of "president" types come from the baseball operations side, it is easy to scapegoat a guy who does not - especially if he is a total loudmouth like Lucchino is. But from the time this ownership group took hold, he has hired exceptional baseball operations people. There was a power struggle - but you expect that, especially with a guy like Epstein who is too young to not have ambition for more. If he were in charge of the next GM hire, it would be a sound one (like a Jason McLeod perhaps).

 

SK, your posts are so level-headed and rational that you could get me to change my opinion of Lucchino. Not saying that I have yet, but I really respect what you have to say.

[Kimmi]

You are right about one thing I do think Ben is an idiot. And of course Cherrington signed him on his post season. The Sox were coming off a disastrous season. They let their number one pitcher walk after offering him an insulting contract. They refused to go after a front line starter. ( and don't say that Porcello was one) Their 2014 team had putrid offensive production. The Sox wanted to make a splash to calm the faithful so they signed the World Series MVP. Do you seriously believe that even the idiot Ben would have offered Sandoval a 95 million contract if hadn't had such an outstanding playoff performance. If you do then you think Ben is more incompetent than I do. And it isn't as if Ben and the Red Sox don't have a history of bad personnel decisions. That's how they got into the mess they are in.

 

Yes, the 2014 team had a putrid offense. One of their weakest positions was 3B. They wanted to upgrade at that position and Sandoval should have been an upgrade. They would have signed him regardless of the postseason numbers.

[Elktonnick]

Yes, the 2014 team had a putrid offense. One of their weakest positions was 3B. They wanted to upgrade at that position and Sandoval should have been an upgrade. They would have signed him regardless of the postseason numbers.

 

That is purely speculative. There are a lot of players who were an upgrade over WMB. The Sox IMO were seduced by Sandoval's playoff numbers which is why they grossly overpaid for his services. You can think they would have signed him anyway. You can also say that that they would have overpaid him any way But it is highly improbable that his market value would have reached the ridiculous sum without his playoff numbers. In any case you tend to be Cherrington's biggest defender. I don't think his mother thinks as highly of him as do you.

[Kimmi]

That is purely speculative. There are a lot of players who were an upgrade over WMB. The Sox IMO were seduced by Sandoval's playoff numbers which is why they grossly overpaid for his services. You can think they would have signed him anyway. You can also say that that they would have overpaid him any way But it is highly improbable that his market value would have reached the ridiculous sum without his playoff numbers. In any case you tend to be Cherrington's biggest defender. I don't think his mother thinks as highly of him as do you.

 

My opinion is no more speculative than yours.

[Bellhorn04]

It is unfortunate.

 

I've actually genuinely respected Larry. He has proven to be a good at running a baseball franchise - and that includes building a front office. Since a lot of "president" types come from the baseball operations side, it is easy to scapegoat a guy who does not - especially if he is a total loudmouth like Lucchino is. But from the time this ownership group took hold, he has hired exceptional baseball operations people. There was a power struggle - but you expect that, especially with a guy like Epstein who is too young to not have ambition for more. If he were in charge of the next GM hire, it would be a sound one (like a Jason McLeod perhaps).

 

Just in: Larry is stepping down.

[Elktonnick]

My opinion is no more speculative than yours.

 

Fair point.

[sk7326]

SK, your posts are so level-headed and rational that you could get me to change my opinion of Lucchino. Not saying that I have yet, but I really respect what you have to say.

 

Here is the thing. When Lucchino clashed with some of the baseball ops, he was clashing with guys who he hired. And in Epstein's case, not just hire, but give his first job in baseball. He's had an eye for executive talent. And the baseball operations department has always been first rate. One hopes Kennedy has his eye on the ball and doesn't screw up the good stuff.

 

His ultimate legacy in baseball is Camden Yards of course. I remember then too - the last 2 parks which had opened were SkyDome - which was out of a Jetson's episode, and US Cellular (then the New Comiskey Park). Camden Yards was such a striking difference - and it's still probably the best ballpark I have been to, in terms of emulating some of the distinctiveness of an old stadium without being cheesy.

Edited August 2, 2015 by sk7326

[Elktonnick]

Here is the thing. When Lucchino clashed with some of the baseball ops, he was clashing with guys who he hired. And in Epstein's case, not just hire, but give his first job in baseball. He's had an eye for executive talent. And the baseball operations department has always been first rate. One hopes Kennedy has his eye on the ball and doesn't screw up the good stuff.

 

His ultimate legacy in baseball is Camden Yards of course. I remember then too - the last 2 parks which had opened were SkyDome - which was out of a Jetson's episode, and US Cellular (then the New Comiskey Park). Camden Yards was such a striking difference - and it's still probably the best ballpark I have been to, in terms of emulating some of the distinctiveness of an old stadium without being cheesy.

 

Having been to Camden Yards many times it is wonderful place to watch a baseball game.

[Kimmi]

Porcello has been placed on the DL. It's possible that Owens will be getting the start on Tuesday.

[Kimmi]

Here is the thing. When Lucchino clashed with some of the baseball ops, he was clashing with guys who he hired. And in Epstein's case, not just hire, but give his first job in baseball. He's had an eye for executive talent. And the baseball operations department has always been first rate. One hopes Kennedy has his eye on the ball and doesn't screw up the good stuff.

 

His ultimate legacy in baseball is Camden Yards of course. I remember then too - the last 2 parks which had opened were SkyDome - which was out of a Jetson's episode, and US Cellular (then the New Comiskey Park). Camden Yards was such a striking difference - and it's still probably the best ballpark I have been to, in terms of emulating some of the distinctiveness of an old stadium without being cheesy.

 

It's a fair point that Lucchino is the one that hired Theo. That being the case, it's kind of interesting that the two reportedly butted heads so often about philosophies.

 

Camden Yards is a great ballpark.

[RedSoxNC84]

Porcello has been placed on the DL. It's possible that Owens will be getting the start on Tuesday.

 

I hope so, really want to see what he can do

[a700hitter]

Porcello on the DL with tendonitis. I thought that such arm problems were not supposed to be a worry for young pitchers in their 20's. I thought that is why we didn't sign old farts like Scherzer, Lester and Shields. Oh well, it can't be disputed that Porcello is a Poorsigning.

[RedSoxNC84]

Porcello on the DL with tendonitis. I thought that such arm problems were not supposed to be a worry for young pitchers in their 20's. I thought that is why we didn't sign old farts like Scherzer, Lester and Shields. Oh well, it can't be disputed that Porcello is a Poorsigning.

 

Porcello to the DL? I see my blood magic finally paid off.

[sk7326]

It's a fair point that Lucchino is the one that hired Theo. That being the case, it's kind of interesting that the two reportedly butted heads so often about philosophies.

 

Camden Yards is a great ballpark.

 

Both wanted to be in charge. Lucchino is a loudmouth. Theo is too young to be happy as a 2nd in command forever.

[Kimmi]

I hope so, really want to see what he can do

 

It's been confirmed that Owens will get the start on Tuesday.

 

Our starters in that series will be Owens, Rodriguez, and Wright. Who would have imagined?

[cp176]

It's been confirmed that Owens will get the start on Tuesday.

 

Our starters in that series will be Owens, Rodriguez, and Wright. Who would have imagined?

 

Me for sure. Substitute Johnson for wright and it would be what I expected.

[cp176]

Me for sure. Substitute Johnson for wright and it would be what I expected.

 

i'm the guy who said give me Rodriguez, Owens, Johnson, Wright , and Barnes as opposed to what we were yarding out there in April. The absolute definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and and over again with the same negative results.

[sk7326]

i'm the guy who said give me Rodriguez, Owens, Johnson, Wright , and Barnes as opposed to what we were yarding out there in April. The absolute definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and and over again with the same negative results.

 

It was not a terrible notion, although it was going to be very hard to deliver the necessary bulk over 6 months with that little ML starting experience. But I certainly would have been more aggressive in folding in Owens - although "more aggressive" might have been just before the ASB.

[Northern Star]

Porcello has been placed on the DL. It's possible that Owens will be getting the start on Tuesday.

 

Phantom?

[Kimmi]

i'm the guy who said give me Rodriguez, Owens, Johnson, Wright , and Barnes as opposed to what we were yarding out there in April. The absolute definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and and over again with the same negative results.

 

 

I do remember you saying that. That is all well and good, but the chances of making it to the playoffs with that many rookies is very small. It's hard enough to have 2 rookies in the rotation, much less four. I know our rotation stunk worse than they probably would have, but starting off the season with the above rotation is likely a recipe for disaster. Going in, the rotation we had was less of a risk.

[Kimmi]

Phantom?

 

I have no idea, but I wouldn't be surprised.

[a700hitter]

I do remember you saying that. That is all well and good, but the chances of making it to the playoffs with that many rookies is very small. It's hard enough to have 2 rookies in the rotation, much less four. I know our rotation stunk worse than they probably would have, but starting off the season with the above rotation is likely a recipe for disaster. Going in, the rotation we had was less of a risk.

You can't make it to the playoffs with 2 rookies in the rotation at the start of the season. I think people here envisioned all of those rookies in the rotation because the rotation that broke camp was so bad that we had no chance of competing with them. They also had almost no chance of getting through the season as a unit.

[mvp 78]

Sox are closer to #1 pick than Wild Card. Waste of a trade deadline imo.

[cp176]

I do remember you saying that. That is all well and good, but the chances of making it to the playoffs with that many rookies is very small. It's hard enough to have 2 rookies in the rotation, much less four. I know our rotation stunk worse than they probably would have, but starting off the season with the above rotation is likely a recipe for disaster. Going in, the rotation we had was less of a risk.

 

At the time the point that I was trying to make was that moves to go younger sooner should have been made. I think that it was evident quite awhile back that a big playoff push was not going to come. Sometimes you just cut losses.

[iortiz]

Porcello on the DL with tendonitis. I thought that such arm problems were not supposed to be a worry for young pitchers in their 20's. I thought that is why we didn't sign old farts like Scherzer, Lester and Shields. Oh well, it can't be disputed that Porcello is a Poorsigning.

He's not only a bad pitcher but the gas in that tank is beginning to tax him as well.

 

His contract has not even started and it is a mess already.

[sk7326]

Porcello on the DL with tendonitis. I thought that such arm problems were not supposed to be a worry for young pitchers in their 20's. I thought that is why we didn't sign old farts like Scherzer, Lester and Shields. Oh well, it can't be disputed that Porcello is a Poorsigning.

 

The 2015 performance is almost as bad as that pun.

[mvp 78]

Brian Johnson will be placed on DL due to elbow tightness. Evaluation coming today/tomorrow. Left Sunday's game after 4 IP, 60 pitches

 

f*** f*** f***ing f***. What the s*** 2015?!?

[a700hitter]

Brian Johnson will be placed on DL due to elbow tightness. Evaluation coming today/tomorrow. Left Sunday's game after 4 IP, 60 pitches

 

f*** f*** f***ing f***. What the s*** 2015?!?

I was hoping to see what the 3 kids had the rest of the season and was hoping that one possibly 2 could play significant role in 2016. It looks like we are down to watching only 2. I don't see that the FO has any recourse but to rebuild the staff from outside the organization.

[dupree]

Report says Hanley wants to stay in LF for 2016. Well then who the f*** plays 1B? Trade? FA? Someone from within?