Hanley hope

[mvp 78]

I am not lying. You did join the Hanley bandwagon later, as in this year. I've been defending the guy since the end of last season.

 

Admit it, you had your sliver of Hanley doubt.

 

I have slivers of nothing. I'm either all in or all out.

[Bellhorn04]

Hanley's attitude has been good, his work at 1B better than expected. Unfortunately, according to FanGraphs he's on pace to have a negative WAR again. Numbers can be cruel things.

[mvp 78]

Because Fangraphs = horseshit

[SoxnCycles]

Because Fangraphs = horseshit

 

Yeah, let's all go with an evaluation system that says "trade Pedroia".

[User Name]

I like Faangraphs, but that's funny.

[sk7326]

Hanley's attitude has been good, his work at 1B better than expected. Unfortunately, according to FanGraphs he's on pace to have a negative WAR again. Numbers can be cruel things.

 

The high replacement level for 1B is the culprit. A .265/.284/.373 won't cut it - and with a .339 BABIP and a microscopic walk rate - there are signs that it could get worse. Now, SSS abounds and I am definitely betting on his bat to come around. But that's what is driving the replacement level (or a little below) results, regardless of which WAR flavor you use. His defense has risen to average at 1B from shockingly incompetent - he is definitely more comfortable there, but any Gold Glove talk is deeply flawed.

[SinceYaz]

The high replacement level for 1B is the culprit. A .265/.284/.373 won't cut it - and with a .339 BABIP and a microscopic walk rate - there are signs that it could get worse. Now, SSS abounds and I am definitely betting on his bat to come around. But that's what is driving the replacement level (or a little below) results, regardless of which WAR flavor you use. His defense has risen to average at 1B from shockingly incompetent - he is definitely more comfortable there, but any Gold Glove talk is deeply flawed.

 

 

Betting on his bat finding it's place, too. His face, if I read it anywhere correctly, seems to be relaxed to pleased everywhere but at home plate. Playing first, in the dugout, he seems to be doing fine. His approach at the plate may become more relaxed and therefore more competent as his energies expended on new things become second nature. We're asking a guy to do something new ... and we saw last season with Swihart that his bat came along after he got more comfortable as a backstop. Lifetime .290+ ... I'm thinking he returns to that area as season moves on.

[Kingface]

Betting on his bat finding it's place, too. His face, if I read it anywhere correctly, seems to be relaxed to pleased everywhere but at home plate. Playing first, in the dugout, he seems to be doing fine. His approach at the plate may become more relaxed and therefore more competent as his energies expended on new things become second nature. We're asking a guy to do something new ... and we saw last season with Swihart that his bat came along after he got more comfortable as a backstop. Lifetime .290+ ... I'm thinking he returns to that area as season moves on.

 

Agreed Yaz. If Hanley has earned anything in his career, it's his offensive play. He has pretty much always been a pretty big force with the bat.....he's more than earned a longer leash at the plate than many others. He'll be fine.

[SinceYaz]

He almost had a tater last night and almost one in Atlanta ... let a couple of those almost's run out a few feet more and we'll see a great change in his stance at the plate too.

 

It's coming. And in the mean time ... we score anyhow!

[mvp 78]

Yeah, let's all go with an evaluation system that says "trade Pedroia".

 

I'm all in on that. Overpaid.

[Kimmi]

Because Fangraphs = horseshit

 

Ha.

 

Fangraphs is baseball porn. It's that good.

[User Name]

Why are the Hanley people patting themselves on the back? He's still not hitting well.

 

Because I can. If I'm flexible enough to pat my own back, I'll pat it whenever I goddamn want. That's a badge of achievement for a fat guy.

[devildavid]

I remain a Hanley skeptic, mainly because of his recent injury history. At this point in his career Hanley is a good, but not great, offensive player. He will probably never again be the hitter he was in his prime. I think he will be a decent first basemen, not a Youk but better than a Millar. I felt the Sox should not have signed him, especially at the price and number of years he got. He would have been a better risk at a short term deal. He still doesn't really fit in on this team, but at least he fits better at 1B than LF.

[a700hitter]

Because I can. If I'm flexible enough to pat my own back, I'll pat it whenever I goddamn want. That's a badge of achievement for a fat guy.

LOL! And it requires long arms.

[a700hitter]

I remain a Hanley skeptic, mainly because of his recent injury history. At this point in his career Hanley is a good, but not great, offensive player. He will probably never again be the hitter he was in his prime. I think he will be a decent first basemen, not a Youk but better than a Millar. I felt the Sox should not have signed him, especially at the price and number of years he got. He would have been a better risk at a short term deal. He still doesn't really fit in on this team, but at least he fits better at 1B than LF.

I think Hanley is still capable of premier offensive production, and he looks just fine at 1B. Also, he is in exellent condition and is quicker than last year. He is stealing bases and running the bases very well. If he gets injured, we have various depth options like Sam Travis, Holt, and even Panda.