A Realistic View at 2016

[Critter]

Finally found my way! A few random thoughts. DD was patiently watching last summer and now I think he moves firm and fast. Pablo out. Vasquez in. I don't think these were Farrell moves, they would have taken all summer. I think DD works with pace.

When Rodriguez returns I think Buch will go to the pen where he might pitch an inning or two and be more successful. Watching Price and Cueto (with Giants) now, both winning with bad stuff while Buch is losing with good stuff. To me they are aces who

pitch around and through and find a way. Buch just doesn't know how to do that. I love the way Price stuck out ARod in his last at bat though ARod had homered, doubled previously. I'm hoping Price will influence the younger guys. Moon, seems you've got an edge about Shaw. I know it's stat driven and you don't play favorites with your stats. But you took a swipe at his defense too, and it seems to me he won the job because of his D, something Pablo wasn't providing in ST. I'll put this as two questions: when would enough time pass so that you would say he's proved himself? Also do you accept the idea that some players actually do play better in the majors than the minors? I think I mentioned Boggs before and you pointed out that his minor record was vastly superior. Also, I think Shaw's father was a player, and I wonder if kids growing up like that are less awed when they get to the majors...Moon, I'm really excited about our boy Wright, how the kids are doing, how Hanley is playing at

first (waiting for his power to show up), and generally with the pitching. We've got some great kids in the wings, things are looking good.

[Critter]

OK, not too crazy about Holt playing full time in left. Short term fine, long term not a strength.

[moonslav59]

Finally found my way! A few random thoughts. DD was patiently watching last summer and now I think he moves firm and fast. Pablo out. Vasquez in. I don't think these were Farrell moves, they would have taken all summer. I think DD works with pace.

When Rodriguez returns I think Buch will go to the pen where he might pitch an inning or two and be more successful. Watching Price and Cueto (with Giants) now, both winning with bad stuff while Buch is losing with good stuff. To me they are aces who

pitch around and through and find a way. Buch just doesn't know how to do that. I love the way Price stuck out ARod in his last at bat though ARod had homered, doubled previously. I'm hoping Price will influence the younger guys. Moon, seems you've got an edge about Shaw. I know it's stat driven and you don't play favorites with your stats. But you took a swipe at his defense too, and it seems to me he won the job because of his D, something Pablo wasn't providing in ST. I'll put this as two questions: when would enough time pass so that you would say he's proved himself? Also do you accept the idea that some players actually do play better in the majors than the minors? I think I mentioned Boggs before and you pointed out that his minor record was vastly superior. Also, I think Shaw's father was a player, and I wonder if kids growing up like that are less awed when they get to the majors...Moon, I'm really excited about our boy Wright, how the kids are doing, how Hanley is playing at

first (waiting for his power to show up), and generally with the pitching. We've got some great kids in the wings, things are looking good.

 

Glad to see you here Crit. Maybe I'll see you in Maine around/after the 4th,

[Emp9]

Nope, and Sale isn't going anywhere anyway.

 

 

Strasburg would be a terrible investment. He's been very inconsistent, has horrible mechanics (inverted W, and so does Sale actually) that have already lead to TJS , and is going to get stupid money/years from someone. The Red Sox would do well to pass on him.

 

Christ, half the Mets' Starting pitchers have had early TJS. I wish we had one of them, poor mechanics or not. Yeah, I'm curious to see what he get's in FA, I'm sure he'll get crazy $, they all do.

[Slasher9]

Christ, half the Mets' Starting pitchers have had early TJS. I wish we had one of them, poor mechanics or not. Yeah, I'm curious to see what he get's in FA, I'm sure he'll get crazy $, they all do.

 

dads are having their HS kids get TJS when they dont even need it because they come back throwing harder to get that scholarship $$$.

no longer the steroids era...the surgery era.

[Bellhorn04]

dads are having their HS kids get TJS when they dont even need it because they come back throwing harder to get that scholarship $$$.

no longer the steroids era...the surgery era.

 

Wow, that's an ugly thought.

[Emp9]

dads are having their HS kids get TJS when they dont even need it because they come back throwing harder to get that scholarship $$$.

no longer the steroids era...the surgery era.

 

Which is kinda disgusting, I've heard that too Slash. Thing is, if you're any good it won't kill your career to have the surgery when/if you actually need it. The stigma of needing it or having it done has gone away. This preemptive bs just to gain 2mph on your kid's FB should be illegal.

[Emp9]

I'm not a psychic but I wouldn't be surprised if DD is active in this coming off-season FA market. If that's the case, i think i'd rather him go after 28 yr old Strasburg than a 36 yr old Bautista. Even when Papi retires we need more SP help than offensive help. Sox are already proving this past month you don't need HRs to win or to have the best offense in the league. Not sure when we graduate guys like Moncada or Benintendi, but a revolving DH is thought when/if the time comes.

[Slasher9]

I'm not a psychic but I wouldn't be surprised if DD is active in this coming off-season FA market. If that's the case, i think i'd rather him go after 28 yr old Strasburg than a 36 yr old Bautista. Even when Papi retires we need more SP help than offensive help. Sox are already proving this past month you don't need HRs to win or to have the best offense in the league. Not sure when we graduate guys like Moncada or Benintendi, but a revolving DH is thought when/if the time comes.

 

Agree. HR's = "ooohs & ahhhhs". Pitching = Parades.

[sk7326]

Agree. HR's = "ooohs & ahhhhs". Pitching = Parades.

 

You need all three phases ...

[Kingface]

Well.......so far our pitching has been a roller coaster and there are only 5 teams with fewer HR's than the Sox......yet we have one of the better records in the league. I look at the season in 3 parts: 1) April-mid August, 2) August- Sept, 3) Playoffs. It always seems that hitting carries the teams in the first part, Hitting and good BP work in the second part when the 'pressure mounts' and pitching in the playoffs when you really need to win and the pressure is huge. Probably doesn't make sense......but it does to me.....

[Dojji]

Actually it does work. In the early phases, hitting is king because you can lose a game then win the next 2. Hitting is inconsistent from game to game but tends to level out from month to month and you can play the law of averages when a guy is slumping. In the late season wins are a little more important but you can afford to let this game or that game go. In the playoffs Every. Game. Matters, and your pitching had better be up to snuff because it's rare for the offense to stay hot throughout the playoffs.

[Critter]

Glad to see you here Crit. Maybe I'll see you in Maine around/after the 4th,

 

Moon, retiring this year and driving cross country, stopping in Boston to watch the Sox. Will arrive about July 1. Will call and try for Portland Sea Dogs? Looking forward to Maine...Critter

[Critter]

No comment on Shaw huh? I expected a reprimand from you but you can give it to me in Portland if you want. Another month to see if he can stay on top of things...

[illinoisredsox]

dads are having their HS kids get TJS when they dont even need it because they come back throwing harder to get that scholarship $$$.

no longer the steroids era...the surgery era.

 

I've heard that as well, and it's absolutely sick. That surgery costs in the area of $20,000 and since in these cases it's elective, that's out of pocket. That's a year of college at many places.

 

Another dirty little secret is that division 1 scholarships are limited to 11.7 per team. That covers 4 years worth of players, so a) almost no one gets a full ride (in some cases, you might get your books covered) and even if you do, scholarships are year to year, so even if you get a full ride year 1, odds are you aren't getting one after that because it will be needed to lure another frosh. In other words, you are going to lay out big $ anyway.

 

Division 2 schools are allowed 9 per team and Division 3 don't give "athletic" scholarships. You want $ for college? Hit the books.

Edited May 4, 2016 by illinoisredsox

[Kimmi]

OK, not too crazy about Holt playing full time in left. Short term fine, long term not a strength.

 

Holt should not be our full time left fielder. IMO, he has far more value to us in his super utility role.

[Kimmi]

dads are having their HS kids get TJS when they dont even need it because they come back throwing harder to get that scholarship $$$.

no longer the steroids era...the surgery era.

 

That is a really sick and scary thought.

 

As a parent, I cannot imagine even considering such a thing.

[moonslav59]

Moon, retiring this year and driving cross country, stopping in Boston to watch the Sox. Will arrive about July 1. Will call and try for Portland Sea Dogs? Looking forward to Maine...Critter

 

I'm gonna try to get to Maine before the 4th, but it may be just afterwards. I can't stay long. I'll be gone by the 15th.

On Shaw. This kid was my sleeper pick a few years back. I had high hopes for him. His minor league record was not impressive, so I rarely get my hopes up on guys with his AA and AAA numbers. I'm also not a big yahoo for small sample sizes, but I admit his sample size is getting big enough to start believing it could be legit.

[moonslav59]

Tonight's line-up is the one I have suggested as the top 4: Betts-Bogey-Papi-Pedey (then HanRam 5th)...

[Critter]

Tonight's line-up is the one I have suggested as the top 4: Betts-Bogey-Papi-Pedey (then HanRam 5th)...

 

It seems to me Hanley is pressing at the bat instead of letting the game come to him. Seems like he wants to debate balls and strikes in every at bat. I would think that would detract from concentration. On the other hand things are going really well with the Offense. I hope Hanley will start getting better as it warms up. Interesting to me that last night Big Papi seemed first to hit that single opposite the shift and then later try a bunt. So great to see Buch pitch a solid game. Seems like the pressure is on him a bit from management and maybe he needed that. Whatever. When he pitches well it's a huge boost for RS.

[Maxbialystock]

The thing about Holt playing LF so much is that so far he has best bat among himself, Castillo, and Young even though Farrell has sometimes platooned Young into LF against a lefty pitcher. I think Holt will stay in LF as long as he has the best bat. And why not? Playing LF does not prevent him from moving to an infield position, including during games.

[Kingface]

Agree Max. I'd still rather have Castillo here than Young though. I just think he has more to offer in terms of D and speed. Heck....the guy is probably one of, if not THE fastest guy we have not names Moncada......never a bad thing to have speed coming in off the bench as a pinch runner late in the game......worked out pretty well in 2004....

[Maxbialystock]

Agree Max. I'd still rather have Castillo here than Young though. I just think he has more to offer in terms of D and speed. Heck....the guy is probably one of, if not THE fastest guy we have not names Moncada......never a bad thing to have speed coming in off the bench as a pinch runner late in the game......worked out pretty well in 2004....

 

I forgot the speed part, thanks. My guess is the FO reasoning is as follows: we signed Young for two years and $13M; we also signed Castillo for more than that; neither has delivered to date; but in the near term Young makes more sense because he wasn't too bad playing 140 games for the Yankees last year; Castillo, meanwhile, will benefit from more innings and at bats down at Pawtucket until we are ready to give him another shot in Boston; longer term, if he is up to it, Castillo gets LF (or RF), and Young or Holt is traded away (even though trading away Young won't be easy).

[Maxbialystock]

Tonight's line-up is the one I have suggested as the top 4: Betts-Bogey-Papi-Pedey (then HanRam 5th)...

 

Meh. I'm sure you're approach is better than mine, but what I like about Farrell's lineup with Pedroia #2 and Ortiz #4 is that it seems to be working despite the fact that our leadoff man gets lots of rbi's (and runs scored) even though his OBP is under .300 and Bogaerts hasn't driven in many runs from the 3 slot. I do remember Pedroia has good stats when batting 4th. Right now I even like Bradley in 9th because he has done a lot of damage there even though it seems to put an over .800 OPS at the bottom. Eventually, I think Bradley will move up in the order even though 9th has been good for him and the team.

 

If I did anything up top, it might be to switch Ortiz with Bogaerts. After Manny left, Ortiz used to complain he couldn't get a good pitch to hit. So far this year, I think Ortiz has been IBB'd a couple or so times because Hanley is seen to be much easier to pitch to. On the other hand, it is also apparent that Ortiz has in fact gotten plenty of good pitches to hit so far this year.

[Emp9]

It seems to me Hanley is pressing at the bat instead of letting the game come to him. Seems like he wants to debate balls and strikes in every at bat. I would think that would detract from concentration. On the other hand things are going really well with the Offense. I hope Hanley will start getting better as it warms up. Interesting to me that last night Big Papi seemed first to hit that single opposite the shift and then later try a bunt. So great to see Buch pitch a solid game. Seems like the pressure is on him a bit from management and maybe he needed that. Whatever. When he pitches well it's a huge boost for RS.

 

Crit, I'm actually a big fan of the new Hanley. He's batting .284, 14 R, 2 HR, 16 RBI, 3 SB and his helmet stays on his head. It'll warm up soon enough and we'll start to see more natural (for lack of a better term) HRs. W/ Buchholz, we simply need quality Starts from him. No blow-ups. 5 1/3 - 6 Innings 2-run ball. Just keep us in it.

[cp176]

have to tell you - have been looking at that picture for a while now. Actually it is the first time that I have seen it in color. the greatist hitter of all time bar none. He really was! Looks better in color.

[Emp9]

Image from http://www.notesfromaztlan.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/Ted-Williams.jpg.

 

The red makes him pop. It's compressed on here, hence the lower picture quality. The original has the catcher & the ump. Simple google search for Ted Williams pics.

Edited May 6, 2016 by Emp9
Made sense

[moonslav59]

Before the season started, many were pointing out all this team's weaknesses then projecting doom. I tried to show that the vast majority of teams, especially in the AL had way more weaknesses or "question marks" than we did. I thought our offense was pretty balanced, and so far the numbers are showing this to be the case. Thde whole "we can't handle 2 or more blackholes" is not materializing (so far).

 

Players on the top 10 OPS teams with a .705+ OPS and 85+ PAs:

 

8 Pirates (all above .769)

8 Red Sox (.786 team OPS)

7 Mets

7 D'backs

6 Cards

6 Giants

6 Marlins

4 Cubs

3 Orioles

 

[moonslav59]

Maybe by June or July, we may see Moncada and Benintendi in Portland.

 

I'd also like to see Chavis get to Salem and maybe Portland by year's end.

 

Maybe Ockimey and Basabe to Salem at some point this year.

 

Dubon to Portland.

 

Stanki up to Pawtucket?

[moonslav59]

We let up 7 hits and 8 walks in 4 and a third innings to start the game, but allowed only 3 runs!