Outlook for 2016

[Palodios]

Wright's not really suited for relief work if you ask me. I've never liked knuckleballers as relief pitchers.

 

With Wakefield, the problem was he took an unusually long time to warm up. It hasn't seemed to be a problem for Wright, has it?

[Dojji]

An individual fan knows nothing. Collectively, the fans know everything.

[jacksonianmarch]

6 games under isn't .500. I think you're 82-82 maybe 84-86 wins max without upgrading the rotation further

[Kimmi]

It will be very interesting for sure if Vazquez is in fact healthy and ready to go. Health should be the reason and not the excuse for sending Vazquez down.

 

Farrell has already backed down from his earlier statement that Swihart will be the starting catcher. He is being noncommittal now.

[Kimmi]

I'd rather put Wright in the running for the rotation spot. Frankly I trust either of Owens or Johnson more in long relief than I trust wright. Not only does Wright have a better track record in limited samples as a starter than a reliever by nearly a full ERA run,not every catcher can handle a knuckleballer, so putting one in the bullpen limits your flexibility in an area where flexibility is crucial.

 

I like Wright better as a 5th starter than I like him in a relief role. That said, with the way that Kelly pitched late in the season last year, he has to be given another look as a starter, which means Wright will be in the pen since he has no options.

[cp176]

Farrell has already backed down from his earlier statement that Swihart will be the starting catcher. He is being noncommittal now.

 

In a healthy ready to roll C. Vazquez we are looking at possibly the best (certainly one of the top 2 or 3 best) catchers in the game. Outside of Mr. Fisk, and that would include Jason, really he stands alone. If he is healthy it is a no brainer. It is a conundrum. Do you really want Swihart to be your backup guy going forward? Hannigan fits the role of backup catcher much better than Swihart. I really don't see a job share here. Sooner as opposed to later it is going to be Vazquez.

[Kimmi]

6 games under isn't .500. I think you're 82-82 maybe 84-86 wins max without upgrading the rotation further

 

Pythagorean W-L record last year was 81-81.

 

That's the number you start with.

[Kimmi]

In a healthy ready to roll C. Vazquez we are looking at possibly the best (certainly one of the top 2 or 3 best) catchers in the game. Outside of Mr. Fisk, and that would include Jason, really he stands alone. If he is healthy it is a no brainer. It is a conundrum. Do you really want Swihart to be your backup guy going forward? Hannigan fits the role of backup catcher much better than Swihart. I really don't see a job share here. Sooner as opposed to later it is going to be Vazquez.

 

On this we agree.

 

I would still like to see Swihart tried out at first and third base, even though I realize his greatest value is at catcher.

[jacksonianmarch]

No, I'll start with their real win loss record. You know, the one not made of theories and relies on actual results

[cp176]

On this we agree.

 

I would still like to see Swihart tried out at first and third base, even though I realize his greatest value is at catcher.

 

Agreeing now and then is a good thing. I also think that Swihart's greatest value right now is as a catcher. I don't think that many other teams see him as being as valuable as the boston fan base does though.

[Spudboy]

I like Wright better as a 5th starter than I like him in a relief role. That said, with the way that Kelly pitched late in the season last year, he has to be given another look as a starter, which means Wright will be in the pen since he has no options.

 

And it probably won't take long before he starts. In addition to giving the starters a blow now and then ( I highly recommend this, especially with Laptop and Cy Kelly ), one or more of the starters is bound to have elbow or shoulder tightness or some other malady du jour and Wright could be the guy to make those starts.

 

Last year at this time I asked the board who would be the sixth starter. This year the Sox have pretty good depth in the 6-9 spots. I have always liked Wright but if he falters Owens, Workman, and Johnson will be there.

 

I understand Workman has a way to go in rehab so he will probably be low man on the totem pole at the beginning of the season.

 

f*** I can't wait for games!!!!!

[Kimmi]

No, I'll start with their real win loss record. You know, the one not made of theories and relies on actual results

 

And you will be wrong.

[Kimmi]

Agreeing now and then is a good thing. I also think that Swihart's greatest value right now is as a catcher. I don't think that many other teams see him as being as valuable as the boston fan base does though.

 

I'm not sure about that.

 

The Sox fan base might be a little more biased towards Swihart than the rest of the league, but I think most other teams see some pretty good value in him as a catcher.

[Kimmi]

And it probably won't take long before he starts. In addition to giving the starters a blow now and then ( I highly recommend this, especially with Laptop and Cy Kelly ), one or more of the starters is bound to have elbow or shoulder tightness or some other malady du jour and Wright could be the guy to make those starts.

 

Last year at this time I asked the board who would be the sixth starter. This year the Sox have pretty good depth in the 6-9 spots. I have always liked Wright but if he falters Owens, Workman, and Johnson will be there.

 

I understand Workman has a way to go in rehab so he will probably be low man on the totem pole at the beginning of the season.

 

f*** I can't wait for games!!!!!

 

You're right. Wright will likely get his share of starts in soon enough, for the reasons that you posted.

 

Barring a multitude of injuries, I think our staff, the rotation and the pen, are in pretty good shape.

[Dojji]

On this we agree.

 

I would still like to see Swihart tried out at first and third base, even though I realize his greatest value is at catcher.

 

That's a bit of an oversimplication. His greatest personal value is at catcher in theory, but in practice his greatest value is as a hitter in the lineup, and if third base accomodates that, then his greatest value is as a third baseman.

[Kimmi]

That's a bit of an oversimplication. His greatest personal value is at catcher in theory, but in practice his greatest value is as a hitter in the lineup, and if third base accomodates that, then his greatest value is as a third baseman.

 

I don't disagree. As I've said, I really like the idea of having him playing first or third.

[Kimmi]

I read some nice things about Shaw having an intense, optional workout at 1B today, while many position players, including Hanley, opted to take the weekend off. Shaw has that hunger that is so refreshing to see in young players.

[Kimmi]

Also read that Price stayed 45 minutes after his workout today and signed roughly 200 autographs for fans. Kudos to him.

 

Edit: Oops. Meant to put these last 2 posts in the ST thread.

[Northern Star]

It's settled then. No need to play out the season, as our fate has already been decided and Nostradouchebag The Enlightened here has informed us of it. Time to pack it up boys!

 

+1.

[Northern Star]

This team should be improved beyond doubt, but I am not ready to anoint us 2016 WS champions just yet. The rotation behind Price still has a lot to prove, this should be the make or break year for JBJ, enough f***ing around with him already, and I foresee plenty of howlers from Dr Strangeglove at 1B. Not as many as in left field - holy f***, was he a train wreck out there - but I don't see it all being plain sailing. Not expecting anything but the usual subpar crap from Sandoval in the field and at bat.

[Spudboy]

I don't disagree. As I've said, I really like the idea of having him playing first or third.

 

 

I'm with you on this. People can argue that his best value is at catcher but if we already have two very good catchers and playing time is lessened for him then he is of little value. He has experience at 3rd and he certainly has the athleticism for infield play. He's a .280 hitter already. More doubles, triples, and homers will come so the argument that he does not have the offensive profile for a corner infielder is kind of shallow.

 

I say put your best athletes on the field at all times.

[Spudboy]

I read some nice things about Shaw having an intense, optional workout at 1B today, while many position players, including Hanley, opted to take the weekend off. Shaw has that hunger that is so refreshing to see in young players.

 

Normally he would be the starting 1st baseman. But the Hanley situation sort of f***s him. Hopefully if Hanley is a stiff Shaw will play.

[cp176]

I'm with you on this. People can argue that his best value is at catcher but if we already have two very good catchers and playing time is lessened for him then he is of little value. He has experience at 3rd and he certainly has the athleticism for infield play. He's a .280 hitter already. More doubles, triples, and homers will come so the argument that he does not have the offensive profile for a corner infielder is kind of shallow.

 

I say put your best athletes on the field at all times.

 

No one should question his athleticism for sure. He is an athlete. I just think that we will have better options for corner infield play from both the hitting an fielding perspective that he can give us. Shaw for one. His sample size is small for sure but so is Swihart's. More power potential coming out of Shaw. Sam Travis in Portland this year is a hitting machine. Moncada should be moved to third or to the outfield. I'm not saying that Swihart isn't and will continue to be valuable. I am just saying that his best value to us is as a catcher who can hit. It would be the classic moot point if you didn't have potentially the best catcher in baseball so close to being ready to go. All that being said, I really don't think anyone will give us any kind of great deal in trade because we think that Swihart will become average or maybe better some day behind the plate. He is a good one for sure but it is tangled and will need to be sorted out.

[User Name]

That's a bit of an oversimplication. His greatest personal value is at catcher in theory, but in practice his greatest value is as a hitter in the lineup, and if third base accomodates that, then his greatest value is as a third baseman.

 

In practice, a catcher that hits .270/.330/.420 is more valuable than a third baseman who hits .270/.330/.420, because of positional scarcity. You're oversimplifying too. The correct answer is, his greatest value is whatever helps the team win the most games.

[Kimmi]

This team should be improved beyond doubt, but I am not ready to anoint us 2016 WS champions just yet. The rotation behind Price still has a lot to prove, this should be the make or break year for JBJ, enough f***ing around with him already, and I foresee plenty of howlers from Dr Strangeglove at 1B. Not as many as in left field - holy f***, was he a train wreck out there - but I don't see it all being plain sailing. Not expecting anything but the usual subpar crap from Sandoval in the field and at bat.

 

No one is anointing anyone WS Champions yet, but they should be contenders, and they should be playing meaningful baseball in September.

 

I think Pablo will pleasantly surprise us this year.

[User Name]

No one should question his athleticism for sure. He is an athlete. I just think that we will have better options for corner infield play from both the hitting an fielding perspective that he can give us. Shaw for one. His sample size is small for sure but so is Swihart's. More power potential coming out of Shaw. Sam Travis in Portland this year is a hitting machine. Moncada should be moved to third or to the outfield. I'm not saying that Swihart isn't and will continue to be valuable. I am just saying that his best value to us is as a catcher who can hit. It would be the classic moot point if you didn't have potentially the best catcher in baseball so close to being ready to go. All that being said, I really don't think anyone will give us any kind of great deal in trade because we think that Swihart will become average or maybe better some day behind the plate. He is a good one for sure but it is tangled and will need to be sorted out.

 

You keep saying this, but Cole Hamels is not a Red Sox right now in large part because one of the centerpieces the Red Sox were unwilling to part with in one of the many proposed deal was Swihart. I don't see any justification to the notion that he's not a highly valuable asset to the rest of the league. A highly athletic catcher prospect who can hit is about as rare (and valuable) in today's game as an SP prospect who can throw hard, throw strikes, and has a quality breaking ball and changeup. That's the type of package (and the phrase "Buster Posey starter kit" has been thrown around a lot) you'd compare Swihart's toolset with.

[Spudboy]

In practice, a catcher that hits .270/.330/.420 is more valuable than a third baseman who hits .270/.330/.420, because of positional scarcity. You're oversimplifying too. The correct answer is, his greatest value is whatever helps the team win the most games.

 

Absolutely! I just believe that with a probability of "under performance" by the incumbents at the corners and the probability that both Vasquez and Hannigan will be very good behind the plate, more wins may be had with those guys at catcher while Swilhart plays a corner. That would seem to me putting the best foot forward.

[Spudboy]

No one is anointing anyone WS Champions yet, but they should be contenders, and they should be playing meaningful baseball in September.

 

I think Pablo will pleasantly surprise us this year.

 

Based on his outstanding offensive numbers from the past four years!

 

If he does surprise us with significantly better defense and offense it will be a truly pleasant surprise!!!!!

[cp176]

You keep saying this, but Cole Hamels is not a Red Sox right now in large part because one of the centerpieces the Red Sox were unwilling to part with in one of the many proposed deal was Swihart. I don't see any justification to the notion that he's not a highly valuable asset to the rest of the league. A highly athletic catcher prospect who can hit is about as rare (and valuable) in today's game as an SP prospect who can throw hard, throw strikes, and has a quality breaking ball and changeup. That's the type of package (and the phrase "Buster Posey starter kit" has been thrown around a lot) you'd compare Swihart's toolset with.

 

I think that having a healthy Vazquez (if and when) will change how much the Red sox value Swihart. I certainly understand why they didn't consider moving him last year and probably right now as well. You very well might be right and that is why I am a fan and not involved in the nuts and bolts of these types of baseball decisions. I am sure that I would not be hired because I really would not be willing to give up much one on one for Swihart until his skill as a catcher goes beyond the level of potential. Once again - I like him. You going to keep them both? You could I guess. I don't think you maximize the value of either one that way. Possibly introduce Swihart to a different position i guess. I still think that there are better options at the corners. Once again just my opinion but I think the chances are very slim that both Vazquez and Swihart play on the same team for long.

[User Name]

I think that having a healthy Vazquez (if and when) will change how much the Red sox value Swihart. I certainly understand why they didn't consider moving him last year and probably right now as well. You very well might be right and that is why I am a fan and not involved in the nuts and bolts of these types of baseball decisions. I am sure that I would not be hired because I really would not be willing to give up much one on one for Swihart until his skill as a catcher goes beyond the level of potential. Once again - I like him. You going to keep them both? You could I guess. I don't think you maximize the value of either one that way. Possibly introduce Swihart to a different position i guess. I still think that there are better options at the corners. Once again just my opinion but I think the chances are very slim that both Vazquez and Swihart play on the same team for long.

 

Vasquez hasn't even proven he's ready to go yet. It's not really a viable question right now either way.