Who is the Biggest Problem Right Now?

[Northern Star]

Fundamentals are the one part of a player's game you can fix. You can't teach talent, you can teach fundamentals.

 

Shouldn't they be known by age 27? If not, richest IFA contract in history sounds like an overpay.

[User Name]

Shouldn't they be known by age 27? If not, richest IFA contract in history sounds like an overpay.

 

What isn't an overpay right now?

[Northern Star]

What isn't an overpay right now?

 

ikr?

[sk7326]

Except for, as I said, I have heard from multiple sources that his fundamentals suck, and even Farrell admits he's struggling to make adjustments at the plate.

 

He's a guy who has not faced many guys who were trying to get him out the last few years. Plenty of time to adjudicate this.

[Bellhorn04]

He's a guy who has not faced many guys who were trying to get him out the last few years. Plenty of time to adjudicate this.

 

To the average fan, and I guess in many respects that's me, the Castillo deal is a bit of a head-scratcher. It's something new. A 72.7 million investment in a guy who is now almost 28 years old and appears to be not MLB-ready either as a hitter or a fielder. Especially when they grab a guy like De Aza off the scrap heap and you find out your manager likes him considerably better than the 72.7 million guy.

[sk7326]

To the average fan, and I guess in many respects that's me, the Castillo deal is a bit of a head-scratcher. It's something new. A 72.7 million investment in a guy who is now almost 28 years old and appears to be not MLB-ready either as a hitter or a fielder. Especially when they grab a guy like De Aza off the scrap heap and you find out your manager likes him considerably better than the 72.7 million guy.

 

It was risky to be sure. At the same time, the tools are there - the question is how quickly could he shake the rust off. The fact is that the annual investment they made is pretty modest for a starting caliber OF. Obvious the latter has to come to fruition.

 

Also - that contract is legitimately tradeable. Now somebody has to see Castillo as a legit big league outfielder for that to happen - but if that is the case, $12M/yr for a quality starting CF is very reasonable.

[mvp 78]

What isn't an overpay right now?

 

Brock Holt's contract. He's a legit triple crown winning gold glover at 9 positions. Dude should practice pitching in the offseason.

[Spudboy]

I do not think the big contract for Castillo is justified in any way at all. Saying that $12. mil. a year for a MLB outfielder is not much these days certainly does not justify signing this guy because he simply is not a MLB outfielder. He does not have the well developed skills that we take for granted in a MLB starting player, both in the field and in the box.

 

The Sox gambled on a 27 now 28 year old player who they saw as MLB ready and who could step in and make an immediate impact. He has not done anything to indicate that the Sox assessment and plans for him were sound.

 

I'm not surprised, really. Cuba is not exactly the DR when it comes to developing MLB talent. They have crappy fields, not much equipment, and not a lot of formal quality coaching. It all comes down to money. There is very little money in Cuba for baseball and up until recently there was very little opportunity for an investment in a player to pay off.

 

I read an interview with Moncada the other day. He was asked what is the biggest difference playing ball in North America from playing in Cuba. He said that he was surprised that so many baseballs are thrown into the stands for fans. He said that never happened in Cuba because they had very few baseballs to play with.

 

I was surprised that this was his idea of a big difference. Yet his observation pretty well underscores much of the differences in the type or level of ball played there.

 

The Sox payed big for talent that they thought was ready for the now. But so far with Castillo all they have gotten is a guy with "tools" and athleticism that needs to be taught the game in the minors.

 

Yes, it is to early after 36 or so MLB games to call Castillo a bust. But it is not too early to say the Sox got this one wrong.

[RedSoxNC84]

Well Pedroia is on the DL (bad) and Joe Kelly got optioned to AAA (good) - but the offense isnt going to be the same with out Pedey

[a700hitter]

Well Pedroia is on the DL (bad) and Joe Kelly got optioned to AAA (good) - but the offense isnt going to be the same with out Pedey

How long will Pedey be out?

[RedSoxNC84]

How long will Pedey be out?

 

15 day DL for now, not sure how long they expect him out, I'll do some digging.

[Spudboy]

How long will Pedey be out?

 

Hamstring injuries linger as we all know.

 

Hopefully the Sox shut him down early and he can recover without it impacting the bulk of what remains of the season.

[Palodios]

Brock Holt's contract. He's a legit triple crown winning gold glover at 9 positions. Dude should practice pitching in the offseason.

 

Has anyone ever won the Sextuple Crown?

[dupree]

The rotation is definitely gonna have to be revamped either now at the trade deadline or in FA signings next offseason. Everyone knows that and I'm sure it will be addressed in a big way, hell it has to be this is Boston last doesn't work here.

 

But I think that the leadoff spot has hurt this club ever since Ellsbury left. The club hasn't had that true leadoff guy and the offense has struggled since. They just don't have an identity at the top leadoff spot. With a player like Ellsbury who can work a count get on base and be in the back of the pitcher's mind if he's gonna swipe 2nd on the next pitch was big for this club. I think in this offseason or at the deadline the FO needs to address the OF situation by finding a guy with speed on the bases and elite defense for the spacious outfield of Fenway who can work the count and solidify the leadoff spot for the next couple of years.

[User Name]

Mookie Betts.

[dupree]

Ellsbury - 37 GP 14 SB T-11 in league

Betts - 72 GP 12 SB T-19 in league

 

Twice as many games played, younger and a higher BA than Ellsbury he should have more SB but he doesnt. I honestly think he shoulda been moved for pitching a long time ago but that's just me. I just don't see where he is the long term answer in CF in Boston. A more elite 5 tool player should be slotted into the lead off spot.

[mvp 78]

SBs are dumb. I'd rather have Betts for the next 5 years than Ellsbury.

[Bellhorn04]

SBs are dumb. I'd rather have Betts for the next 5 years than Ellsbury.

 

+100

[User Name]

Ellsbury - 37 GP 14 SB T-11 in league

Betts - 72 GP 12 SB T-19 in league

 

Twice as many games played, younger and a higher BA than Ellsbury he should have more SB but he doesnt. I honestly think he shoulda been moved for pitching a long time ago but that's just me. I just don't see where he is the long term answer in CF in Boston. A more elite 5 tool player should be slotted into the lead off spot.

 

This argument is extremely weak. Stop.

[iortiz]

Hey Spud, here the JBJ's throw analysis you were talking about.

 

http://nesn.com/2015/06/jackie-bradley-jr-s-rocket-arm-analyzed-with-statcast-metrics-video/

[Behindenemylines]

Ellsbury - 37 GP 14 SB T-11 in league

Betts - 72 GP 12 SB T-19 in league

 

Twice as many games played, younger and a higher BA than Ellsbury he should have more SB but he doesnt. I honestly think he shoulda been moved for pitching a long time ago but that's just me. I just don't see where he is the long term answer in CF in Boston. A more elite 5 tool player should be slotted into the lead off spot.

 

Mookie is playing every day, and Ellsbury is hurt again. He has been out 5 weeks this time. Ellsbury has a lot of talent, but he can't stay on the field.

[SoxHop]

Ellsbury - 37 GP 14 SB T-11 in league

Betts - 72 GP 12 SB T-19 in league

 

Twice as many games played, younger and a higher BA than Ellsbury he should have more SB but he doesnt. I honestly think he shoulda been moved for pitching a long time ago but that's just me. I just don't see where he is the long term answer in CF in Boston. A more elite 5 tool player should be slotted into the lead off spot.

 

I'd ask more than just Hamels for him now...

[sk7326]

Ellsbury - 37 GP 14 SB T-11 in league

Betts - 72 GP 12 SB T-19 in league

 

Twice as many games played, younger and a higher BA than Ellsbury he should have more SB but he doesnt. I honestly think he shoulda been moved for pitching a long time ago but that's just me. I just don't see where he is the long term answer in CF in Boston. A more elite 5 tool player should be slotted into the lead off spot.

 

Is this trolling? I'll type it slowly ... Betts ... is ... 22 .... years ... old

[Thunder]

This argument is extremely weak. Stop.

 

My thoughts exactly when I read this. We value Mookie for things that are far more important than baserunning. For one, he's a much better defender than Ellsbury.

[a700hitter]

My thoughts exactly when I read this. We value Mookie for things that are far more important than baserunning. For one, he's a much better defender than Ellsbury.

Mookie is a much better defender than Ellsbury? I don't see that, and I doubt the metrics would back that up. If you wanted to say that about Bradley, I could see that.

[sk7326]

My thoughts exactly when I read this. We value Mookie for things that are far more important than baserunning. For one, he's a much better defender than Ellsbury.

 

Ellsbury was a plus defender by the end of his time in Boston. We value Mookie for being darn close to the guy Ellsbury is while being 9 f'in years younger.

[Bellhorn04]

Miley 4.53

Kelly 5.67

Porcello 6.08

Masterson 6.14

[Elktonnick]

Miley 4.53

Kelly 5.67

Porcello 6.08

Masterson 6.14

 

Outstanding acquisitions. Aces all!

[User Name]

Miley and Porcello are a good bet to bounce back. Masterson and Kelly should be nowhere near an MLB rotation.

[a700hitter]

Miley 4.53

Kelly 5.67

Porcello 6.08

Masterson 6.14

Enigmas.