Travis Shaw

[Bellhorn04]

So, what's the harm in giving Pablo and Castillo 1-2 months of regular season starting time to see if they can bounce back? If they fail, you bench them at that point, and the same message is still sent.

 

There are many benefits to doing that.

 

There is also a risk, of course, that Pablo and Castillo stinking up the joint like they have been for 1-2 months would cost a few precious games in the standings.

 

And Farrell is concerned about his job status - with good reason. A bad start and he might be fired in 1-2 months or less, and he knows it. You can't fault him for a sense of great urgency.

[Kimmi]

There is also a risk, of course, that Pablo and Castillo stinking up the joint like they have been for 1-2 months would cost a few precious games in the standings.

 

And Farrell is concerned about his job status - with good reason. A bad start and he might be fired in 1-2 months or less, and he knows it. You can't fault him for a sense of great urgency.

 

As I've said, if either one or both of them are doing that badly, then they get a shorter leash if the team is struggling in the standings. As I said in another thread, if the team is doing that badly after 1-2 months, then it's likely going to be due to more problems than just Pablo or Castillo.

 

I understand the sense of urgency. I don't think a sense of urgency always results in the best decisions.

[Dojji]

I think you have to distinguish the two. you cannot put Sandoval and Castillo on the same plane, they're very different situations.

 

Castillo is an unproven player who had a mediocre showing last year and isn't regaining the skills he lost to 2 years of forced inactivity, as quickly as some fans would like. Sandoval on the other hand was once very skilled, has played regularly up to this point, but is in the process of eating himself out of the league.

 

In other words decisions Pablo is making and actions he is taking are eroding his ability to play this game at the level we are paying him to perform at, while Castillo is a victim of border politics he had no control over. That's the difference here between Sandoval and Castillo. And also why I feel Castillo should get an extended opportunity to continue to try and regain his skills and want Pablo shipped out of town on the next dump truck.

[jad]

The harm is you're not playing the players who have proven to be the best. (I wonder if this is in part why Stephen Drew never seemed to correct whatever went wrong when his avg. plunged to .100 -- why should he bother, since he was playing every day anyway?)

[a700hitter]

I see no change of philosophy other than playing the best players regardless of contract size, which is the way it should be. Playing the big contract guys despite subpar performance is not patience. It is stubbornly clinging to a hope that they will justify the money you gave them -- a way of saving face. I see no other change of philosophy. There have been no aging pitchers given huge contracts. DD has spent far less than the amount squandered by Ben (around $351 million on Hanley, Pablo, Porcello, Castillo and Craig). I see no evidence of a 180 degree change of philosophy. There is no evidence of that.

[mvp 78]

Philosophy points that may take a hit:

 

1. Not handing out big contracts, especially to aging pitchers, except in very rare instances

2. The use of analytics as a large part (note that I did not say the only part) of building a team

3. Making moves that are best for both the short and long terms, rather than a 'win now at any cost' philosophy

4. The importance of and prioritizing the farm system

 

Which career? Henry's baseball and business career.

They've handed out tons of big contracts.

I think they value analytics just as much (maybe even more considering Pablo's defense).

Not sure how they changed the prioritization of the farm.

[StephenCurry30]

Before you guys get mad about my nicknames, this one is real!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Travis_Shaw

http://www.barstoolsports.com/boston/travis-shaw-mayor-of-ding-dong-city-t-shirts-now-on-sale/

 

So how about this Travis Shaw guy? I know its been talked about a lot, but man do I love this nickname and you can bet your ass I ordered this shirt.

 

DingDong city has done everything correctly since being called up, he's hit, he's defended, he's even run the bases well. So how exactly do you guys expect him to end the season with

 

.280, 25 homers, 100 RBI? Thats all star level at 3B.

 

Makes you really forget about Sandoval, and Allen Craig, and hope neither are ever seen in Boston again.

[mvp 78]

He's great. Not sure there's much debate about it.

 

Shaw is providing what peak Sandoval did.

[Dojji]

He's been amazing. He's a candidate for the All Star Game at this point. A longshot since he's a dark horse, but third base isn't overcrowded so he's got a fighting chance.

[Spudboy]

I've liked him for several years and am not surprised that he is doing as well as he is. Except possibly with the bat. I think he has taken almost everyone by surprise with is approach and production.

 

All Star voting is a f***ing joke. It's worse than Gold Glove.

 

Even if Shaw is raking as the ASG approaches, I bet he does not make it. Especially with Donaldson doing his thing with the Jays. Maybe a reserve? I would not bet on it.

[Slasher9]

he's doing better than i thought he would. your numbers are not out of the realm of possibility if he continues his success.

[Dojji]

The big pleasant surprise with shaw is the glove, we knew he'd hit he did that last year. but he's shown very good instnicts as a defensive 3B, I don't think he's a gold glove candidate but he's very solid, doesn't make a lot of mistakes out there and 3B is a pretty tough defensive position if you're not fully ready which Shaw surprised me by being. This is a guy who played maybe 100 games at 3B since college and he's out there playing like he's done it all his life. It's just plain impressive.

[Spudboy]

The big pleasant surprise with shaw is the glove, we knew he'd hit he did that last year. but he's shown very good instnicts as a defensive 3B, I don't think he's a gold glove candidate but he's very solid, doesn't make a lot of mistakes out there and 3B is a pretty tough defensive position if you're not fully ready which Shaw surprised me by being. This is a guy who played maybe 100 games at 3B since college and he's out there playing like he's done it all his life. It's just plain impressive.

 

It is impressive. But he was a 3rd baseman through college and only moved to 1st because he was blocked by higher rated 3b in the system. That and probably the fact that he has an unlikely physique for a 3rd baseman.

 

Yeah, he's not Machado, but I'm glad he is on my team.

 

By the way, Machado is a f***ing punk. A talented punk, but a punk never the less.

[User Name]

The really talented guys are usually punks though. It's the heightened sense of confidence that comes with all-world talent.

[Jasonbay44]

How many 3B make All Star game? 2? Even with Shaw's numbers, he is still at best the 3rd best 3B in his own division, behind Donaldson and Machado. Not a knock on Shaw at all, those two are probably two best at the position in the MLB and are both MVP candidates, but Shaw would need a ridiculous season/injury to beat both those guys out.

 

Even if he isn't Machado or Donaldson, he is a hell of a player and is performing better both offensively and defensively then anyone could've hoped. Lets hope he keeps it up.

[User Name]

How many 3B make All Star game? 2? Even with Shaw's numbers, he is still at best the 3rd best 3B in his own division, behind Donaldson and Machado. Not a knock on Shaw at all, those two are probably two best at the position in the MLB and are both MVP candidates, but Shaw would need a ridiculous season/injury to beat both those guys out.

 

Even if he isn't Machado or Donaldson, he is a hell of a player and is performing better both offensively and defensively then anyone could've hoped. Lets hope he keeps it up.

 

Arenado.

[Jasonbay44]

Arenado.

 

He's great as well, I could see an argument for having Machado, Donaldson and Arenado ranked in any order 1-3 as three best 3B in baseball and wouldn't disagree with it. All three are ridiculously good.

[Dojji]

Give Shaw some time. He'll get into that conversation.

[User Name]

Love Shaw. Doubt that. Not because of the bat, but because Arenado and Machado are as close as you'll find to a wizard with a glove at 3B.

[Dojji]

I suppose Mike Moustakas should be considered as well.

 

Man, we've seen a lot of very talented 3B graduate in the past few years. There was a time about 5-6 years ago when it was all but impossible to find a really good third baseman and I got it in my head that it was a barren position, but they've really started coming out of the woodwork haven't they?

[StephenCurry30]

Moustakas isn't even in same conversation as these other guys being discussed.

[User Name]

But there's a possibility he gets there.

[Dojji]

Moustakas isn't even in same conversation as these other guys being discussed.

 

He's a low average hitter who runs into a lot of homers and is good on the defensive side of the ball. He was rushed, and is just now really starting to hit his stride, and he was a big part of the Royals championship last year. He's another of the surprising (to me) number of really good high quality oung 3B there are in the league recently.