Pablo Sandoval

[Northern Star]

 

Seriously, what is the harm in giving them a chance in regular season games, other than Pablo is fat and therefore he has every character flaw imaginable?

 

So in other words, tell Sandoval there's no repercussions for coming in horribly out of shape after a lousy season? And why would there be when they didn't put any clause about it in the contract? He gets to play because...he costs so much?

[Spudboy]

I cannot make the case for the Pablo situation better than Dojji made it. As for Castillo, the guy cannot see breaking balls...CAN'T' He gets toasted by people complaining about his performance against FB's not really that he is swinging at any FB he sees to avoid a two strike breaking ball. He does not know how to run bases.

 

These are not skills you learn for 1-2 months at the ML level costing your team all along the way. He in fact should not sit...he should simply go down.

 

Yup. And while I too liked Dojji's post very much, I do not agree that he should have another chance on a MLB ball field to "shake of the rust". He has had about a year and a half to do so. Enough is enough. Send him down to Pawtucket to refine his skills if anything. He is too old to be considered a prospect but the Sox have to bite the bullet on their mistake.

 

And while I'm at it, Graig has worked hard to get back to what he was. He may not be there, who knows? But I would be more inclined to have him on the MLB bench than Rusney at this point. The only sacrifice would be speed. Otherwise he can play 3 positions and probably hit league average. I have far more confidence in his ability to find his way back to his hitting ways than I have for Pablo or for Rusney to morph into an MLB ready starter.

 

Unfortunately, Graig is probably gone soon.

Edited April 2, 2016 by Spudboy

[Dojji]

You mean Allen Craig I think, yes?

[Dojji]

So in other words, tell Sandoval there's no repercussions for coming in horribly out of shape after a lousy season? And why would there be when they didn't put any clause about it in the contract? He gets to play because...he costs so much?

 

I believe that you get chances until you prove you shouldn't get them. Pablo Sandoval has long since used up his grace period, and he doesn't seem to have realized this.

[mvp 78]

No one has really given me a good reason as to what the harm would be in allowing Pablo and Castillo a chance to start for 1-2 months, with the understanding that if either one and the team get off to a poor start then they get pulled sooner.

 

Seriously, what is the harm in giving them a chance in regular season games, other than Pablo is fat and therefore he has every character flaw imaginable?

We have provided good reasons, you just don't agree. My reasoning conflicts with yours, so I could never convince you no matter what my reasoning.

[mvp 78]

I cannot make the case for the Pablo situation better than Dojji made it. As for Castillo, the guy cannot see breaking balls...CAN'T' He gets toasted by people complaining about his performance against FB's not really that he is swinging at any FB he sees to avoid a two strike breaking ball. He does not know how to run bases.

 

These are not skills you learn for 1-2 months at the ML level costing your team all along the way. He in fact should not sit...he should simply go down.

 

Sorry, but you're wrong about the offspeed stuff.

[jung]

Sorry, but you're wrong about the offspeed stuff.

 

In what way....he is meat to any two strike breaking ball. He just does not get that chance that often because he has already hit a FB into an out before he gets there.

 

Just did it again just now. Two strike nothing of a slider and his bat was a foot away from it.

[User Name]

I cannot make the case for the Pablo situation better than Dojji made it. As for Castillo, the guy cannot see breaking balls...CAN'T' He gets toasted by people complaining about his performance against FB's not really that he is swinging at any FB he sees to avoid a two strike breaking ball. He does not know how to run bases.

 

These are not skills you learn for 1-2 months at the ML level costing your team all along the way. He in fact should not sit...he should simply go down.

 

As usual, you are dead wrong. Castillo has been hitting breaking balls (specially CB's) with positive or slightly below average results since he got to the MLB. You are not a scout. You are telling that a report from a scout is wrong, and what you're making up from wathing the TV is right? Seriously?

[Spudboy]

You mean Allen Craig I think, yes?

 

Yes.

 

That trade has been a disaster so far. I always have a hard time understanding how an accomplished hitter can just lose it all over night. He can still play decent defense both at first and corner outfield. He looks pretty decent at the plate now. It's probably too late for him here in Boston if he has turned it around. That is what I am saying.

[Spudboy]

As usual, you are dead wrong. Castillo has been hitting breaking balls (specially CB's) with positive or slightly below average results since he got to the MLB. You are not a scout. You are telling that a report from a scout is wrong, and what you're making up from wathing the TV is right? Seriously?

 

In any case Castillo looks lost at the plate.

[User Name]

In what way....he is meat to any two strike breaking ball. He just does not get that chance that often because he has already hit a FB into an out before he gets there.

 

Just did it again just now. Two strike nothing of a slider and his bat was a foot away from it.

 

Confirmation bias, as usual. I saw him flail helplessly at high heat the other days on at least three occasions and didn't rush here to make a post about it pretending to be a talent evaluator.

[Kimmi]

But it in the opinion of others, you haven't given a good reason as to the harm in giving Shaw and Holt a chance to start the season.

 

Sure I have. More than once.

 

Let me ask you the question that no one will answer with a simple yes or no.

 

If Pablo and Castillo played their positions at good levels, would the team be better off with them as starters and Shaw and Holt as bench players than they would be the other way around? Let's assume that Pablo and Castillo would play as well as Shaw and Holt would play, which is certainly within the realm of possibility.

 

Yes or no? If you answer yes, then I think that's all the reason you need to give them a chance. If you answer no, I think you're kidding yourself.

[Bellhorn04]

Sure I have. More than once.

 

Let me ask you the question that no one will answer with a simple yes or no.

 

If Pablo and Castillo played their positions at good levels, would the team be better off with them as starters and Shaw and Holt as bench players than they would be the other way around? Let's assume that Pablo and Castillo would play as well as Shaw and Holt would play, which is certainly within the realm of possibility.

 

Yes or no? If you answer yes, then I think that's all the reason you need to give them a chance. If you answer no, I think you're kidding yourself.

 

Those options are not much better than 'Heads I win, tails you lose.'

[Kimmi]

just something to think about Kimmi.

 

Believe me, I have thought about everything you posted. And what you posted could very well be the case, but at this point, it's speculation.

 

Several points:

 

1. I don't know why Pablo should have two strikes on him after last season. One strike. And we have no way of knowing how fluky last season was.

2. I agree with you that this franchise is desperate, and in panic mode. But that is not Pablo's fault.

3. I do realize how unprecedented this move is. And why is it unprecedented? Because quite frankly, it's stupid.

4. I have no idea where you are getting your 40 pounds heavier than what he said he was "fact" from. More speculation.

[Kimmi]

I'm also now thinking that despite what they said publicly, the Sox brass was furious with Pablo for showing up like that.

 

If the Sox brass is furious, then they are largely at fault for this fiasco.

 

As if the spotlight isn't bright enough on the Red Sox already, the decision to bench Pablo and Castillo has magnified it 100 times. Not that that should factor into the decision one way or another, but we better all hope that these decisions are the correct ones.

[Kimmi]

Kimmi, you can't play the game as a third baseman at 295 lbs. when you are under 6' tall. You can't. He needs to take off at least 20 lbs. There is no chance that needs to be given. You can't perform at that weight.

 

Where is everyone getting an "official weight of 295 lbs."?

 

I agree that Pablo should lose weight, which would no doubt improve his range. I have not debated that.

[Kimmi]

So in other words, tell Sandoval there's no repercussions for coming in horribly out of shape after a lousy season? And why would there be when they didn't put any clause about it in the contract? He gets to play because...he costs so much?

 

He's not playing anything out. He is being given 1-2 months in real games to show the team what he has. If he stinks, that's strike 3. Same repercussions, just better timing. For many reasons.

[Kimmi]

I believe that you get chances until you prove you shouldn't get them. Pablo Sandoval has long since used up his grace period, and he doesn't seem to have realized this.

 

Personally, I can agree more with Castillo's benching than I can with Pablo's. That said, the decision to release Murphy, knowing that they were not starting Castillo, as well as the decision to not send Castillo down to AAA since they are benching him are both stupid decisions.

[Kimmi]

We have provided good reasons, you just don't agree. My reasoning conflicts with yours, so I could never convince you no matter what my reasoning.

 

No, you have provided the "Pablo is fat and lazy" reason.

[Kimmi]

Those options are not much better than 'Heads I win, tails you lose.'

 

LOL Fair point.

 

But no one has answered with a simple yes or no. Because what I say is the truth.

 

If you can honestly and sincerely answer no to that question, I will accept your word on it.

[User Name]

Personally, I can agree more with Castillo's benching than I can with Pablo's. That said, the decision to release Murphy, knowing that they were not starting Castillo, as well as the decision to not send Castillo down to AAA since they are benching him are both stupid decisions.

 

That is literally indefensible. Castillo can at least play his position.

[mvp 78]

If the Sox brass is furious, then they are largely at fault for this fiasco.

 

As if the spotlight isn't bright enough on the Red Sox already, the decision to bench Pablo and Castillo has magnified it 100 times. Not that that should factor into the decision one way or another, but we better all hope that these decisions are the correct ones.

Pablo is at fault for being out of shape.

[mvp 78]

No, you have provided the "Pablo is fat and lazy" reason.

 

And that he was the worst fulltime player last year.

[SoxHop]

For the Red Sox to throw convention out the window and throw 3B up to such an open competition that a bench 1B won the job in spring, they had to have been utterly steamed, so far beyond furious that there may not be a word for it outside of Lovecraftian horror.

.

 

AHAAHAHAH !!!!!!! Seriously ...... I've never heard Lovecraft mentioned in referencing the Sox......... well played. I read this earlier today, and it's more funny tonight than earlier.

[mvp 78]

AHAAHAHAH !!!!!!! Seriously ...... I've never heard Lovecraft mentioned in referencing the Sox......... well played. I read this earlier today, and it's more funny tonight than earlier.

 

A Lovecraft story is the perfect way to describe the past two years.

 

Story is about facing certain doom (last place). Narrator passes out from fear (fans bail on the season by August). Narrator wakes up after unspeakable horrors (fans come back for ST).

 

That's basically every Lovecraft story.

[Dojji]

No, you have provided the "Pablo is fat and lazy" reason.

 

And the reason is that Pablo is out of condition, but you keep lumping any reference that suggests Pablo is not in peak physical condition, in with all the "lolfat" posts so that you can conveniently ignore it.

[cp176]

Pablo gets what Pablo earned and the Red sox do not become ml laughing stock once again. Poor past signings and trending toward playing people who just haven't earned the right to be out there is not a formula for success. Pablo will get his chance, we'll see how badly he wants to be on this team. Shaw will play some third, a little at first and possibly even dhing. there will will plenty of opportunities for Pablo.

[Dojji]

Shaw's good enough at third to make the basic defensive plays, he doesn't seem to exactly have top flight reactions, probably owing to the lack of reps he's gotten at the position over the last few years (hey, anyone gets rusty without reps). I'm curious to see if we get lucky here -- if Shaw can get comfortable at third and keep hitting at something approaching the level he demonstrated last year, we could have a stealth All-Star on our hands. Not very probable, but all the pieces are there, andI think the talent is there too, it's down to Shaw figuring out on the fly how to put them all together. That would make Pablo showing up 40 lbs overweight one of the best things that could have happened to the team this Spring.

[Kimmi]

That is literally indefensible. Castillo can at least play his position.

 

Castillo has never shown that he can hit though. At least Pablo can hit and he has a proven track record, aside from last year.

[Kimmi]

And that he was the worst fulltime player last year.

 

That was last year. How does that harm giving him a chance this year?