Spring training

[SoxHop]

In fact, when interviewed early in the offseason, the only thing he referred to was his hitting. He said that as long as he hits, everything will be fine. And honestly, that's true, unless he's an absolute train wreck at 1B.

 

I wish someone could impress upon him that first base isn't an easy job and how important it is. He has repeatedly stated that it should be easy for him to move to first, which is the wrong frame of mind to have at that position, or in moving to any position.

 

I just don't think Hanley gets it. A botched catch at first can throw away a game. One missed catch. These divisions could come down to a game or two.

[User Name]

Then again, he did play a lot of SS, which is a harder position that requires a lot more mobility. 1B is all about keeping your eyes on the baseball. You don't even throw or move (depending on the game) that much. That, however, represents its own set of challenges to someone as prone to mental lapses as Hanley.

[Kimmi]

Farrell stated the Chris Young will play against every LHP. If JBJ is playing CF, does that mean Young will start in CF for 50 games? If so, whynot just leave Betts in CF?!?!?!?

 

Farrell stated that he was not going to bounce Betts back and forth between right and center. Therefore, when Young starts in place of JBJ, Young will be in CF. Not a great idea, since Young is not a great CFer. Also, JBJ's splits against LHP has been pretty good.

 

I'm not quite sure where Farrell is going with this one.

[Kimmi]

Don't think it made much sense to announce this early that Young would play against every LH pitcher and I think it makes more sense to just leave Mookie in CF.

 

I have to check the ST schedule. I think the first games are the 29th. Hopefully they are televised or at least on radio.

 

Hey, we agree on something!

[Kimmi]

Farrell's statement was based on what he saw in Dec, not when Pablo showed up at ST.

I don't doubt that Pablo dropped 20. The problem is, it looks like he wasn't able to keep it off.

 

As usual, the Sox FO don't know how to handle a controversial issue.

John Henry's "17% BMI" comment was just dumb.

Pablo better start off the season on a good note, or the Boston media and more fans, masquerading as comedians, will make things tough on him.

 

That makes sense that Pablo might have gained back some weight since December. That said, it's quite possible that Pablo is lighter than when he left last offseason. As someone else mentioned, when a fat person loses 20 pounds, it's really noticeable.

 

To the bigger point, Pablo was the same size when he played in SF, and he was, on average over his 6 full seasons there, about a 3 WAR player each year. If Pablo had played like that last season, his weight would not be the issue that it is right now.

 

LOL about fans "masquerading as comedians". You got that right.

[mvp 78]

Farrell stated that he was not going to bounce Betts back and forth between right and center. Therefore, when Young starts in place of JBJ, Young will be in CF. Not a great idea, since Young is not a great CFer. Also, JBJ's splits against LHP has been pretty good.

 

I'm not quite sure where Farrell is going with this one.

That's all I'm saying. Betts should stay in CF until JBJ becomes an everyday player. I still prefer to have Bradley's arm in RF.

[a700hitter]

Pablo was so worried about the pressure of a bad start in 2016 that he sought solace in comfort food. He doesn't give a damn what the media or the press think of him. Last year he was stinking up the place and his response was to tweet from the toilet in between innings instead of studying video. Let's all cry for the $95 million ball of powered dough who will be criticized on Talk radio and some message boards. He probably doesn't follow either form of media, so the criticism is like a tree falling in the forest with no one around.

[Kimmi]

That's all I'm saying. Betts should stay in CF until JBJ becomes an everyday player. I still prefer to have Bradley's arm in RF.

 

I completely agree.

 

I thought Mookie looked really comfortable in CF, and besides JBJ's great arm, I think he is better suited to handle Fenway's tough right field.

[wyo-sox]

Farrell stated that he was not going to bounce Betts back and forth between right and center. Therefore, when Young starts in place of JBJ, Young will be in CF. Not a great idea, since Young is not a great CFer. Also, JBJ's splits against LHP has been pretty good.

 

I'm not quite sure where Farrell is going with this one.

 

Hard to imagine Youngs bat is so great against lefties that it worth taking JBJ's defense out of center field.

[mvp 78]

I think Panda maybe slimmed down in December. Once he realized that ST was around the corner, he had one last binge-a-thon on pizza and cookies and pizza topped with cookies. I do the same before I start any new diet. Only difference is that I only do it for a weekend, while he probably didn't stop chewing for 4-5 weeks.

 

Parcells once said that he hated Thanksgiving because his OL would go home and "put their winter coats on." I think that's probably what Pablo did.

Edited February 27, 2016 by mvp 78

[a700hitter]

I think Panda maybe slimmed down in December. Once he realized that ST was around the corner, he had one last binge-a-thon on pizza and cookies and pizza topped with cookies. I do the sane before I start any new diet. Only difference is that I only do it for a weekend, while he probably didn't stop chewing for 4-5 weeks.

 

Parcells once said that he hated Thanksgiving because his OL would go home and "put their winter coats on." I think that's probably what Pablo did.

LOL!! I think he had pizza doughnuts and doughnut pizza -- probably a few cheeseburgers between a couple of glazed doughnuts too.

[Spudboy]

I just do not understand why a man who ascends to highest level in his chosen endeavor does not strive to be the best that he can be.

 

He is lucky to be in the Majors and making so much money. He should be thankful and working to be better. He is not. That's on him.

[a700hitter]

I just do not understand why a man who ascends to highest level in his chosen endeavor does not strive to be the best that he can be.

 

He is lucky to be in the Majors and making so much money. He should be thankful and working to be better. He is not. That's on him.

If he gets fat-shamed, he ate himself into that predicament.

[Kimmi]

Hard to imagine Youngs bat is so great against lefties that it worth taking JBJ's defense out of center field.

 

I guess that depends on how JBJ hits this season. I tend to agree with you though. JBJ's defense is much better than Young's, so I'm not sure any improvement in offense is worth it.

[Spudboy]

Is anyone else concerned about E-Rod's knee?

[cp176]

Is anyone else concerned about E-Rod's knee?

 

I am a little bit Spud. We need him to be able to pitch so badly that any setback is going to cause concern. Sounds like he is going to be ok but who knows.

 

Good little writeup about Sam Travis this a.m. I think that we are going to like him a lot. I like him at first base and Travis Shaw at third.

[jacksonianmarch]

1b is a different task than SS. Less mobility required for sure. And most of the GB hit to you can be smothered with enough time to get a runner at 1st. But as a former SS and former collegiate 1b, there are two insanely difficult things to master at 1b that are unique to the position. The first is receiving the throws. Most people don't see the nuanced foot work involved in getting out to the ball and stretching from the base with either foot. Most newbies to 1b stretch out before the ball is thrown, and that's a good way to not catch a ball, especially if it's off line. Then there's scooping, which is much different than actually fielding a ball, as you're trying to hold a bag. Practice makes perfect.

 

The other thing that's hard to master is the pickoff. 1b doesn't have a set pick off play, like most MIF have. You have to be ready at all times. You also have to avoid getting picked off yourself, especially vs lefties. Learning the pickoff moves of all your pitchers is imperative to keep yourself from getting picked off.

 

Hanley has a leg up as he's already faced grounders as a former SS. But learning the nuances of 1b takes work. We'll see if he does it

[a700hitter]

Watching the Opening Spring Training game on NESN.

[a700hitter]

Allen Craig can't even hit College pitching.

[jung]

Craig looks terrible....does not even look like he has any wheels left.

 

Pablo's 1st chance....can't get the glove down to the ball....nice Pablo. He is definitely bigger than he was at the start of last season....quite possibly not as large as he ended last season. We are unfortunately coming into his gorging season. He is like a bear standing in a steam of water waiting for the next fat salmon to come along during the baseball season.

[a700hitter]

No red flags for Hanley at 1B today.

[a700hitter]

Farrell is insisting on Betts in RF. IMO, the wrong decision -- not a terrible decision, but Bradley's arm belongs in RF.

[a700hitter]

Betts crushed a HR to LF that looked like it was hit by Jim Ed Rice.

[mvp 78]

No red flags for Hanley at 1B today.

 

As long as he can be adequate...

[a700hitter]

Remy and O'Brien are talking about Buchholz being our #2. DD needed another pitcher.

[a700hitter]

Announcers point out that we had the #3 offense in runs produced and the #14 pitching staff. One last time and then I am putting it to bed, "It was the pitching, stupid!" That is why we finished in last place.

[Station 13]

That was a bomb from Betts. The wall at jet blue is about 8 feet taller than the real thing.

[SoxHop]

No red flags for Hanley at 1B today.

 

I like hearing this.

[a700hitter]

Sam Travis in his first AB took a pitchers pitch down and away up the RF gap hard for a double. In his last AB he hit a laser (apologies to Pedey) to LF for a double. The kid has a fast bat and great pitch tracking. I realize that it is only 2 ABs ad they are facing a college, but his scouting reports look accurate. If he is as good as some think he is, it is very bad news for Shaw.

[a700hitter]

Joe Cronin #4 named MVP of today's game by Remy and O'Brien.