Red Sox Offense – Bold Moves

[User Name]

This coaching staff is terrible, and that's on Cherington. Too many offensive players underperforming and too many boneheaded running gaffes. Also, too many GIDPs in situations where it could be avoided with some strategy while Farrell rocks back and forth like a jackass.

[Kimmi]

We all give Ben s*** for the assembly of a less than stellar staff this year. I have worked on the assumption that the Sox are setting this up for a good to outstanding 2016 and 2017.

 

Ben is brighter than we think. Maybe this is wishful thinking. I'm not sure.

 

Of course Ben is brighter than most people give him credit for. The idea that some on here think they know more and could do a better job as GM is ludicrous. Your first sentence hits on the main point of Ben's offseason moves, which is something that fans often tend to forget.

 

A GM has to build a team with both the short and long term goals in mind. As I posted before, the short term is not working very well right now, but think about the potential of this team over the next few years.

 

That's not to say that the FO blew this year off. I don't think they did. They put together a team that should be competitive (and is still only 3 games out), and would be looking much better if they were just performing to expectations.

[Kimmi]

I really think this is wishful thinking. He is just as likely an errand boy whose loyalty has been rewarded with a job that is over his head. There is nothing in his his education or work resume that would indicate a high level of intelligence. I am pretty sure that he would get smoked in TalkSox Fantasy. Lol!

 

For all the criticism Ben has received over the Lackey trade and his other moves, if Rodriguez turns out to be half as good as we hope he can be, then he will have been a steal. I realize it's only been one start, but even if Rodriguez ends up not being good, in theory, trading him for 2 months of Miller is a good move every time. I wonder why Ben gets no credit for that.

[a700hitter]

I see no reason to demean Cherington with 'errand boy' and the like. But the reference to fantasy baseball does have some relevance for me. I have this slightly disturbing feeling that Cherington and the Sox have been taking a kind of impulsive, gambling approach with their moves. You certainly can't call it a conservative approach with the money they've thrown around.

 

One thing they seem to have gotten right in their projections is that the AL East stinks and they're going to be able to stay in the race if they can only sniff .500 ball. Then, supposedly, they can decide whether to beef up the rotation or not. I don't know if I like any of this thinking.

 

The bottom line is we've got a very expensive team with a 22-27 record and a run differential that's even worse.

 

To me this is the year for both Cherington and Farrell to show what they've got. Right now it doesn't look good.

 

And if it's the coaching that's letting us down, that's Cherington's ultimate responsibility too.

 

"Errand Boy" is kind with the junk that he has run out there this season. I don't think that I am being harsh. If they finish last in 3 of 4 years, that will be a record of futility that none of us have witnessed in our life times. You would have to go back to the 1920's when they were playing in a half burned down ballpark to match such terrible results. I call him an errand boy, because I have checked his resume, and there is nothing distinguishing in it academically or professionally. They rewarded a loyal assistant with a job that is way over his head IMO. If this season continues like this, the fault is at his doorstep.

[Kimmi]

I see no reason to demean Cherington with 'errand boy' and the like. But the reference to fantasy baseball does have some relevance for me. I have this slightly disturbing feeling that Cherington and the Sox have been taking a kind of impulsive, gambling approach with their moves. You certainly can't call it a conservative approach with the money they've thrown around.

 

One thing they seem to have gotten right in their projections is that the AL East stinks and they're going to be able to stay in the race if they can only sniff .500 ball. Then, supposedly, they can decide whether to beef up the rotation or not. I don't know if I like any of this thinking.

 

The bottom line is we've got a very expensive team with a 22-27 record and a run differential that's even worse.

 

To me this is the year for both Cherington and Farrell to show what they've got. Right now it doesn't look good.

 

And if it's the coaching that's letting us down, that's Cherington's ultimate responsibility too.

 

I don't think Ben and company had any intention of building a team that would merely stay in the race by playing .500 ball. The underperformances on this team are staggering, pretty much from 1-25. Sure, you have to expect some underperformances. At the same time, it's not unrealistic to expect some overperformances.

 

It's not working out at the moment, but IMO, it was a sound approach. I don't necessarily agree with it 100%, but it was sound nonetheless.

[a700hitter]

For all the criticism Ben has received over the Lackey trade and his other moves, if Rodriguez turns out to be half as good as we hope he can be, then he will have been a steal. I realize it's only been one start, but even if Rodriguez ends up not being good, in theory, trading him for 2 months of Miller is a good move every time. I wonder why Ben gets no credit for that.

if Rodriguez is the Real McCoy, it was a great deal for a reliever. In that case, there was a bidding war for Miller and Ben played it right. He should have taken a similar tact with Lackey instead of accepting used spare parts from the Cardinals.

[Kimmi]

This coaching staff is terrible, and that's on Cherington. Too many offensive players underperforming and too many boneheaded running gaffes. Also, too many GIDPs in situations where it could be avoided with some strategy while Farrell rocks back and forth like a jackass.

 

Two things that are really annoying with this team:

 

1. The starters' inability to throw a shut down inning after our offense ties the game or takes the lead.

2. The offense's inability to have a big inning because every time they have the potential for one, the next batter comes up and GIDPs.

[Kimmi]

if Rodriguez is the Real McCoy, it was a great deal for a reliever. In that case, there was a bidding war for Miller and Ben played it right. He should have taken a similar tact with Lackey instead of accepting used spare parts from the Cardinals.

 

It was a great deal up front, even if Rodriguez doesn't pan out. Trading 2 months of a reliever for a top prospect starting pitcher is a no brainer.

 

The Sox wanted major league ready players in return for Lackey and Lester. The FO had no intention of punting away 2015.

[a700hitter]

It was a great deal up front, even if Rodriguez doesn't pan out. Trading 2 months of a reliever for a top prospect starting pitcher is a no brainer.

 

The Sox wanted major league ready players in return for Lackey and Lester. The FO had no intention of punting away 2015.

 

Whether a deal is great, is decided after the results are in. If Rodriguez was a bust, no one would care much as we only gave up our 7th inning reliever. If he turns out to be good, it is a great deal.

[Bellhorn04]

I don't think Ben and company had any intention of building a team that would merely stay in the race by playing .500 ball. The underperformances on this team are staggering, pretty much from 1-25. Sure, you have to expect some underperformances. At the same time, it's not unrealistic to expect some overperformances.

 

It's not working out at the moment, but IMO, it was a sound approach. I don't necessarily agree with it 100%, but it was sound nonetheless.

 

If the third highest payroll in the game and a sound approach gets you a 22-27 with a 20-29 Pythagorean, what does this say about sound approaches and projections?

 

Also, this is two years in a row of vastly underperforming expectations. If it was just this year it would be a bit less disturbing.

[User Name]

I'll say it until I am blue in the face: 50% of this team's problems lie with the coaching staff. Why the hell is Pedey the one finding mechanical flaws with our hitters? Why are they trying to change Porcello's approach mid-season? Why doesn't this team employ any sort of on-field strategy other than shifting? Why is Sandoval so fat?

 

All pertinent questions that tie in directly with this team's poor record thus far.

[a700hitter]

Excuses excuses. This crapfest that Ben is turning out for the third year in 4 years at the helm is starting to hit them in the pocket books. The have already opened up new subscriptions for season tickets which they have not done in around a decade. They are coming up with new ticket marketing techniques etc. Once the bottom line is affected Ben will be gone very fast. JH and LL know that prolonged terrible performance by a premium franchise can cause lasting financial damage to the franchise.

[iortiz]

Excuses excuses. This crapfest that Ben is turning out for the third year in 4 years at the helm is starting to hit them in the pocket books. The have already opened up new subscriptions for season tickets which they have not done in around a decade. They are coming up with new ticket marketing techniques etc. Once the bottom line is affected Ben will be gone very fast. JH and LL know that prolonged terrible performance by a premium franchise can cause lasting financial damage to the franchise.

 

He has to go already. Too many flaws in the team. As I said, we need another strategy.

[Spudboy]

I doubt that the FO will dump Cherrington during the season.

[Bellhorn04]

No, he certainly shouldn't be dumped during the season. Especially when the results are far from all in.

[a700hitter]

He should see the season through, but if they are in the same place at the end of the season he has to go, and his career in baseball will be finished.

 

Edit, Farrell should be fired in season if for no other reason than to light a fire under some asses in the clubhouse.

[Spudboy]

He should see the season through, but if they are in the same place at the end of the season he has to go, and his career in baseball will be finished.

 

Edit, Farrell should be fired in season if for no other reason than to light a fire under some asses in the clubhouse.

 

I'm not defending the guy but do you think that kind of thing really works?

[a700hitter]

I'm not defending the guy but do you think that kind of thing really works?

Rarely, but it might make them feel like s*** that they cost him his job. They deserve to feel like s*** for the way that they have played, and he deserves to be fired. There's no downsided to firing him.

[Spudboy]

Rarely, but it might make them feel like s*** that they cost him his job. They deserve to feel like s*** for the way that they have played, and he deserves to be fired. There's no downsided to firing him.

 

Okay. Who would you like to see take his place? You know I have my choice of Eric Wedge.

[a700hitter]

Okay. Who would you like to see take his place? You know I have my choice of Eric Wedge.

As an interim, I don't think it matters much. i haven't thought much about a full time replacement. Spud, you know that I don't have much regard for the whole lot of them. LOL!!

[Northern Star]

Rarely, but it might make them feel like s*** that they cost him his job. They deserve to feel like s*** for the way that they have played, and he deserves to be fired. There's no downsided to firing him.

 

If they've already tuned him out why would they give a s*** about him losing his job? They'd probably be glad.

[Northern Star]

Maybe we should follow Miami's lead and have Ben be the manager?

[Kimmi]

If the third highest payroll in the game and a sound approach gets you a 22-27 with a 20-29 Pythagorean, what does this say about sound approaches and projections?

 

Also, this is two years in a row of vastly underperforming expectations. If it was just this year it would be a bit less disturbing.

 

Sometimes the best laid out plans can go awry. There is nobody, scout or stat geek, who could have imagined the Sox being as bad as they are.

 

I get what you're saying about this happening two years in a row, but I would offer this. Two years in a row would be one thing if the FO had gone with the same team and/or the same philosophy for both years. However, they recognized what they felt were the fatal flaws from 2014 (lack of offense and lack of depth) and did a pretty good job of fixing them, IMO. At least on paper. It's really uncanny that the offense is as bad as it is.

[Kimmi]

I'll say it until I am blue in the face: 50% of this team's problems lie with the coaching staff. Why the hell is Pedey the one finding mechanical flaws with our hitters? Why are they trying to change Porcello's approach mid-season? Why doesn't this team employ any sort of on-field strategy other than shifting? Why is Sandoval so fat?

 

All pertinent questions that tie in directly with this team's poor record thus far.

 

I thought we agreed that we were going to let Sandoval be fat. Look at Fielder. Dude is raking right now.

 

As far as the coaching staff goes, you do have to wonder about them. I, too, questioned why Pedroia is the one finding these flaws in other hitter's mechanics. Where is the coaching staff in all of this?

 

It's like last year when one of the analysts showed some side by side video of Buchholz' delivery, and noted that that should be an easy problem to fix. I could clearly see the difference in his mechanics, and I'm just a lowly fan. Why hadn't the pitching coach corrected this problem last year?

 

There are a lot of people calling for Ben's job. As of now, besides the players themselves, I think the coaching staff, Farrell included, are the ones whose jobs should be on the line.

[Kimmi]

Maybe we should follow Miami's lead and have Ben be the manager?

 

My vote is for Pedroia as a player/manager.

 

If anyone can get this team going, he can.

[User Name]

I thought we agreed that we were going to let Sandoval be fat. Look at Fielder. Dude is raking right now.

 

As far as the coaching staff goes, you do have to wonder about them. I, too, questioned why Pedroia is the one finding these flaws in other hitter's mechanics. Where is the coaching staff in all of this?

 

It's like last year when one of the analysts showed some side by side video of Buchholz' delivery, and noted that that should be an easy problem to fix. I could clearly see the difference in his mechanics, and I'm just a lowly fan. Why hadn't the pitching coach corrected this problem last year?

 

There are a lot of people calling for Ben's job. As of now, besides the players themselves, I think the coaching staff, Farrell included, are the ones whose jobs should be on the line.

 

It was a joke.

[mvp 78]

It was a joke.

 

Good thing I deleted my 2,000 word post on complaints about Panda's weight.

[Kimmi]

It was a joke.

 

Never mind then.

[Kimmi]

Some good news:

 

A. Craig needs to hit like a mofo to get back on the 40man. Well, he just hit his first HR, .333 BA .415 OBP last 15 G. Last 7 G: 8 BB, 2 K.

[jacksonianmarch]

Looking at the individual players on this team...

 

Hanley Ramirez has a .795OPS, just a tick below his OPS from last yr. He's hit 1 less HR than he did all of last season. He's probably gonna hit a bunch more. He'll likely end up in the 25HR range this yr and should have an OPS over the .800 mark. Fangraphs has him as a slight minus when combining offense and baserunning for his position. But his defense has been abhorrent. He has a UZR/150 of -44. That's not a typo. He's a good offensive player, he's right around where fangraphs expects him to be offensively for his position, but he's a dumpster fire on a sinking ship defensively. He likely has a short rope in LF before you find a new spot for him, where I don't know

 

Pedroia has been chugging along mostly off the radar right at his career norms offensively. Almost exactly at his career average in terms of BA, OBP and SLG. On defense, he's grading out about average this yr (UZR/150 of -0.4) which is not really like Dustin. Either way, his demise was predicted far too soon.

 

I like Brock Holt. The kid makes good ABs and actually plays good D all around the diamond. He's been an excellent utility guy to this point, but because he started hot, he is starting to get over exposed. He is an option defensive in LF as Hanley sucks ass out there

 

I don't know what you can do with Napoli. The luck numbers point heavily in him turning it around. But just as soon as he gets hot, he cools off. If he starts to go into a downturn again, you might consider Hanley at 1b or Hanley at 3b with Panda moving to 1b and moving Holt to LF. Napoli isn't horrendous defensively, but he's not magnificent either. Also, Nap is smoking lefties this yr. .920OPS and a .364OBP.

 

David Ortiz has been a mystery to some as well. But looking deeper at the numbers, you see a bit of a trend here. Ortiz is absolutely getting abused vs lefties this yr. .121/.119/.172 is his slash line in 58ABs. That is not a typo. No walks, no HBP's, no HR and just 3RBI. Look at the slash vs righties. .278/.392/.500 for a .892OPS. That's more Ortiz like right there. If things continue, having Nap and Papi platoon might give you your best lineup.

 

The rest of the guys you have to deal with. Panda has ditched batting righty and has to stay in your lineup. Bogaerts is your only SS option and you kinda need to see if he puts it together. For now you have to live with Mookie and Rusney out there. And at C, you have to live with Swihart and Leon because of injury.

 

But if you moved Hanley off LF and put him at 1b or 3b (which would move Panda to 1b) and pushed Napoli to a DH platoon with Papi and moved Holt to LF (temporarily until you find a better LFer, which isn't too difficult on the market) you improve D while removing some liability offensively