Red Sox Offense – Bold Moves

[bostopz]

Player’s need to be held accountable. The team isn’t hitting like it should not close. And Castillo is coming. What are some moves you think the sox will make?

 

 

Mike Napoli – When do the sox say they’ve had enough? Excellent defense but his hitting is god-awful. Right now there isn’t much to do unless you consider platooning him until he shows you something. Do you think platooning? If so what is breaking point to do it? Platoon him with Holt? Or if season is declared over (long ways away from that) – consider moving Ramirez to first base? When does sox management say they had enough of a lousy hitting Napoli if he doesn’t improve much and he is likely gone next year? Or if he improves and we’re out of it when do you put him on the bench?

 

 

Victorino – IS there a type of pitcher he gets overwhelmed by at this point in his career? Play him 2 out of every 3 days as long as he is hitting decent and the sox are in the playoff hunt?

 

 

Nava—In 2013 he tanked in the playoffs I think. Understandable. Last year when we needed him early in the year he tanked. He did well when the season was basically over. This year so far we have a repeat performance of god-awful hitting. He tanked yet again for us when we needed him early. Will there ever be breaking point with this guy that you have had enough and just trade him?

 

 

Panda part 1– He thinks he is going to come around right-handed but what would be the breaking point? I thought we’d be a 4th place team this year so I’m okay with his 1st year “waiting” for him to work out his right-handed woes despite his trend showing otherwise. He’s an automatic right-handed hitting out. What would be the breaking point by pulling him consistently late when we need a big hit in 8th or 9th inning when opposing team has a lefty? Would that embarrass him enough to scrap hitting right-handed? Heck you can even pull him for a left handed-hitter and he’ll probably hit the lefty better than Panda has shown. How long do you wait for him to show you he can be at least decent as a righty otherwise pinch hit for him regularly?

 

 

Papi – One my favorite players ever – what is the breaking point for having him hit 3rd? Right now we don’t really have a legit 3 hitter (maybe you can say Ramirez) in terms of performance – but if a player would emerge would the sox have the guts to drop Papi to 5 or 6? And he is probably going to be back next year – if he continues to hit pretty bad would the sox have the guts to be hard on him?

 

 

Panda part 2 – If he could show he can hit decent right-handed (or bat left-handed vs lefties and hit decent that way) and hit very good left-handed vs righties, do you think he can be a 3 hitter? And if he is a legit .300 hitter who also is decent vs lefties – do you think the sox would have the guts to use him as a 3 and drop Ortiz?

[mvp 78]

Don't move Ramirez to a new position midseason. Maybe next year, but not now.

[Kimmi]

I think people think that giving up switch hitting is easier than it is. If you've batted from the right side against LHP your whole career, turning around and batting from the other side is probably not as easy as it seems. I'm not sure there would be a significant improvement from Panda batting lefty against lefty. Same reason Varitek never did it. Victorino did it out of necessity, and is probably the exception to the rule.

[bostopz]

I think people think that giving up switch hitting is easier than it is. If you've batted from the right side against LHP your whole career, turning around and batting from the other side is probably not as easy as it seems. I'm not sure there would be a significant improvement from Panda batting lefty against lefty. Same reason Varitek never did it. Victorino did it out of necessity, and is probably the exception to the rule.

 

However we know sometimes people are resistant to change. It happens to many people-- ball players are not exempt. In this case these pros have succeeded all their lives - and basically leading up to their pro ball career they've silenced many of their critics through their sheer will and stubbornness. Sometimes that becomes their undoing.

 

If Victorino can do it- maybe so can Panda. If he never tries we'll never know. For me as a fan (which panda can care less about) -- I can wait with no harsh statements this year. If he wants to try to work it out for a year I don't think our Sox will be much of a factor- then go for it. But if his pathetic disgraceful right-handed hitting extends into mid-may next year and we have a legit chance to be contenders, Farrell has to consider platooning him if he doesn't try the left-handed alternative. Which the platooning would be outrageous but the team can't live with "two-for forty-one," can they?

 

Panda is two-for-forty-one right-handed. Panda is two-for-forty-one right-handed. Panda is two-for-forty-one right-handed. Panda is two-for-forty-one right-handed. Panda is two-for-forty-one right-handed. You can't have such a miserable right-handed hitter in your lienup batting 5th or 6th -- unless you are going to actively pinch hit for him.

[a700hitter]

However we know sometimes people are resistant to change. It happens to many people-- ball players are not exempt. In this case these pros have succeeded all their lives - and basically leading up to their pro ball career they've silenced many of their critics through their sheer will and stubbornness. Sometimes that becomes their undoing.

 

If Victorino can do it- maybe so can Panda. If he never tries we'll never know. For me as a fan (which panda can care less about) -- I can wait with no harsh statements this year. If he wants to try to work it out for a year I don't think our Sox will be much of a factor- then go for it. But if his pathetic disgraceful right-handed hitting extends into mid-may next year and we have a legit chance to be contenders, Farrell has to consider platooning him if he doesn't try the left-handed alternative. Which the platooning would be outrageous but the team can't live with "two-for forty-one," can they?

 

Panda is two-for-forty-one right-handed. Panda is two-for-forty-one right-handed. Panda is two-for-forty-one right-handed. Panda is two-for-forty-one right-handed. Panda is two-for-forty-one right-handed. You can't have such a miserable right-handed hitter in your lienup batting 5th or 6th -- unless you are going to actively pinch hit for him.

I don't think it will be an easy transition, but he really has nothing to lose. His career splits against lefties are pretty bad and 2014 was putrid. This season is looking even worse.

[Palodios]

I honestly don't understand switch hitting. The majority of switch hitters we have seen suck from the other side of the plate, and suck badly. Why not continue hitting with against your side, so you atleast get more ABs to potentially improve your dominant side?

[cp176]

here is a bold move for you - Bring up Castillo and try something different. Possibly even give Brentz a shot. JbJ sadly is on borrowed time. He needs to hit or go. Castillo appears to currently be healthy. It can't be about the $. We need hitters and he or even they could provide them.

[yankthis]

I'll agree about Napoli. Patience is indeed a virtue and you've got to give slumping players their chance to shake it off, but letting a guy go 6-for-90 in 20 games adds a few notches to the "L" column. The sun has set on him; it is time for him to go home and watch the games on TV.

[Palodios]

Napoli has seen a much bigger decline against righties. His split against lefties seems okay: .206/.357/.382/.740

 

Nava probably goes first.

[Kimmi]

here is a bold move for you - Bring up Castillo and try something different. Possibly even give Brentz a shot. JbJ sadly is on borrowed time. He needs to hit or go. Castillo appears to currently be healthy. It can't be about the $. We need hitters and he or even they could provide them.

 

Farrell hinted today that Castillo will be brought up soon. He is on paternity leave right now, and he may be with the Red Sox shortly after he returns if not as soon as he returns.

[Spudboy]

Anyone here wondering about Craig? After he was sent down to Pawtucket, he now has been waived. No team claimed him and his 31 mil contract.

 

I wonder what happens now. I assume that the Sox will trade him and eat more salary.

 

At what point does a team believe that they may have eaten too much money in this process?

[Kimmi]

Anyone here wondering about Craig? After he was sent down to Pawtucket, he now has been waived. No team claimed him and his 31 mil contract.

 

I wonder what happens now. I assume that the Sox will trade him and eat more salary.

 

At what point does a team believe that they may have eaten too much money in this process?

 

Personally, I hope the Sox keep him and let him play everyday in AAA to see if he can regain his stroke.

[Kimmi]

I honestly don't understand switch hitting. The majority of switch hitters we have seen suck from the other side of the plate, and suck badly. Why not continue hitting with against your side, so you atleast get more ABs to potentially improve your dominant side?

 

There are some exceptions, but on the whole, the left/right splits for switch hitters are smaller than the left/right splits for those who bat from one side only. In other words, most switch hitters would do worse batting from their "strong" side against a like-handed pitcher.

[cp176]

Anyone here wondering about Craig? After he was sent down to Pawtucket, he now has been waived. No team claimed him and his 31 mil contract.

 

I wonder what happens now. I assume that the Sox will trade him and eat more salary.

 

At what point does a team believe that they may have eaten too much money in this process?

 

 

He went 2 for 5 last night and is playing first tonight.

[GomesBeard]

Nava needs to go for sure. I think Napoli can use a little more time - right-handed power is hard to come by, and he certainly has that when he is on. He is very streaky. I also would like to see them keep Craig in AAA and see if he can hit again. We need to find the Carl Willis of hitting coaches to fix the offense.... But I do think the hitters will hit.

[sk7326]

We know what the bold move is - just a matter of when Castillo and the org are ready to pull the trigger.

[Spudboy]

Victorino is hitting very well in a sample. If he stays healthy and productive I don't see him being replaced.

[GomesBeard]

Victorino is hitting very well in a sample. If he stays healthy and productive I don't see him being replaced.

 

Jinx!

[Spudboy]

Jinx!

 

Well I stated the obvious and then he tweaks a calf or something.

 

As I said, "IF HE STAYS HEALTHY". His recent offensive spurt was fools gold. He does not stay healthy.

[Bellhorn04]

Well I stated the obvious and then he tweaks a calf or something.

 

As I said, "IF HE STAYS HEALTHY". His recent offensive spurt was fools gold. He does not stay healthy.

 

Even when he's healthy he's day to day.

[Spudboy]

Even when he's healthy he's a ? for the next game.

 

Yes he is. And that is why I can't see counting on him to stay healthy enough to contribute any where near the level of his performance in 2013. It's a shame because he has the skills.

[NativeBostonian]

I think both Nava and Jackie Bradley Jr. need to go. But, if the Red Sox are only going to get rid of one, then I hate to say it, because I hate Jackie with a passion. But, it needs to be Nava that is sent away.

 

Both players can’t hit a side of a barn. But, at least Jackie can save some runs from being scored. That and he’d make a good pinch runner when you have situations where you need someone with speed on base instead of a slow David Ortiz.

 

In a perfect world though, both players would get the axe. Especially Jackie Bradley Jr..I mean for God sakes, how long are we going to give this kid? He got an entire year and some of this and he hasn’t shown any signs that he can hit at this level.

 

Jackie needs someone to sit down and tell him that he is either going to be a career minor leaguer, or a bench guy who comes in to run for someone or if we need some defensive help.

[mvp 78]

Agreed! 11 AT BATS IS CLEARLY ENOUGH TIME TO JUDGE WHETHER HE HAS IMPROVED OR NOT!!!!

[mvp 78]

Get rid of that dumpster fire! Bring up Brentz!

[jacksonianmarch]

Jackie hasn't been given a legitimate shot, but at the same time, he has shown no capability to handle the spotlight. He got a full year last yr and instead of improving, he turtled. I think Farrell is using him as he feels he is best suited, as a late inning defensive replacement and 4th OFer. My bet is that the sox deal JBJ for something of value to try and make the POs as every team in the AL East has sucked for the most part and the division is wide open for the taking. And depending on the spot, JBJ should thrive. If he was dealt to TB or Philly where the expectations (or the fan base in terms of TB) just aren't there, he should play well. I think I said when he came up that he was probably a bottom tier starting CFer as his upside. Not a lot of power. Solid defense. Minor league solid hit tool. Not a lot of speed. He's a young Melky Cabrera with better D and worse power.

[jacksonianmarch]

So I have a theoretical for you guys. You have the option to deal for a middle of the order power hitter or an ace. Let's put this in a bubble and consider salary, length of contract and trade pieces the same. Which trade do you pull off?

[Spudboy]

Agreed! 11 AT BATS IS CLEARLY ENOUGH TIME TO JUDGE WHETHER HE HAS IMPROVED OR NOT!!!!

 

Lulz. And those AB were against good pitching.

 

Still, if the Sox are not going to give him regular starts then he should be in Pawtucket playing every day. Maybe he can put up consistently good numbers down there.

[Spudboy]

So I have a theoretical for you guys. You have the option to deal for a middle of the order power hitter or an ace. Let's put this in a bubble and consider salary, length of contract and trade pieces the same. Which trade do you pull off?

 

Obviously both types of players are at a premium. For the Sox, who have on paper at least several middle of the order power type hitters, I'd look for an Ace.

 

The Sox need two top of the rotation guys.

[sk7326]

So I have a theoretical for you guys. You have the option to deal for a middle of the order power hitter or an ace. Let's put this in a bubble and consider salary, length of contract and trade pieces the same. Which trade do you pull off?

 

For a 3-5 year time horizon, the power hitter.

 

For this year's team - the ace would make a larger marginal difference to a part of the team less likely to improve naturally.

[NativeBostonian]

Jackie hasn't been given a legitimate shot, but at the same time, he has shown no capability to handle the spotlight. He got a full year last yr and instead of improving, he turtled. I think Farrell is using him as he feels he is best suited, as a late inning defensive replacement and 4th OFer. My bet is that the sox deal JBJ for something of value to try and make the POs as every team in the AL East has sucked for the most part and the division is wide open for the taking. And depending on the spot, JBJ should thrive. If he was dealt to TB or Philly where the expectations (or the fan base in terms of TB) just aren't there, he should play well. I think I said when he came up that he was probably a bottom tier starting CFer as his upside. Not a lot of power. Solid defense. Minor league solid hit tool. Not a lot of speed. He's a young Melky Cabrera with better D and worse power.

 

What’s a legitimate shot to you? Most players who played as bad as Jackie did offensively wouldn’t have gotten the full year to prove himself.