A Realistic View at 2016

[moonslav59]

Shaw started his tailspin before Hill showed up.

 

Yes, especially vs LHPs. That's why they got Hill.

[southpaw777]

I still think Shaw should get more regular time. His first real struggle and he gets benched? I would have let him work through it a bit more...but thats just me. Shaw is a talented and smart ballplayer whom I believe would have worked through it if given the chance.

They are young men in this game and will go through a learning curve. You cant really find out what and who they are until they go through it. Hill has been a waste overall. We have enough offense to carry a guy or two who are struggling...

[moonslav59]

I still think Shaw should get more regular time. His first real struggle and he gets benched? I would have let him work through it a bit more...but thats just me. Shaw is a talented and smart ballplayer whom I believe would have worked through it if given the chance.

They are young men in this game and will go through a learning curve. You cant really find out what and who they are until they go through it. Hill has been a waste overall. We have enough offense to carry a guy or two who are struggling...

 

I don't disagree. I think his good job vs LHPs last year should have carried more weight, even though the sample size was small. So was this sample size this year.

 

I did not like the Hill trade, and it certainly has not worked out as planned. However, he has a .733 OPS vs LHPs (43 PAs) compared to .641 for Shaw over 100 PAs. There's no guarantee Shaw would have done better, afterall, his overall AAA OPS was just .715 in 668 PAs.

 

I do think an argument can be made that Shaw's initial success in MLB was a "flash" or "fluke" (especially vs LHPs), but I agree that he should have been given more time to make that determination more valid.

[moonslav59]

Not that I'd even think about doing this, we can now field a team with all players having an .810 OPS or better:

 

C leon

1B papi

2B ped

SS bog

3B ram

LF ben

CF jbj

RF bet

DH young

 

Playing Shaw at 3B does not bring it down too much (.758).

 

[Behindenemylines]

I think based on where they are at now with the issues they have had with their starters it would be a disappointment if they don't make the playoffs.

[moonslav59]

I think based on where they are at now with the issues they have had with their starters it would be a disappointment if they don't make the playoffs.

 

Agreed, and I thought the same on opening day.

[Nick]

I don't disagree. I think his good job vs LHPs last year should have carried more weight, even though the sample size was small. So was this sample size this year.

 

I did not like the Hill trade, and it certainly has not worked out as planned. However, he has a .733 OPS vs LHPs (43 PAs) compared to .641 for Shaw over 100 PAs. There's no guarantee Shaw would have done better, afterall, his overall AAA OPS was just .715 in 668 PAs.

 

I do think an argument can be made that Shaw's initial success in MLB was a "flash" or "fluke" (especially vs LHPs), but I agree that he should have been given more time to make that determination more valid.

 

John Farrell was begging for right handed bench guy that can play infield....DD took care of it....who knew Hill would struggle?

[Nick]

Agreed, and I thought the same on opening day.

 

It's discouraging to know that even last night's game would have been in jeopardy had we not scored additional runs.....our bullpen is so capable of giving up home run balls....ugh

 

Why is it that our flame throwers throw straight fast ball with no movement? (Barnes, Kelly)

[S5Dewey]

It's discouraging to know that even last night's game would have been in jeopardy had we not scored additional runs.....our bullpen is so capable of giving up home run balls....ugh

 

Why is it that our flame throwers throw straight fast ball with no movement? (Barnes, Kelly)

 

And our closer goes through spells when he can't find the plate with both hands and a flashlight?

[cp176]

I still think Shaw should get more regular time. His first real struggle and he gets benched? I would have let him work through it a bit more...but thats just me. Shaw is a talented and smart ballplayer whom I believe would have worked through it if given the chance.

They are young men in this game and will go through a learning curve. You cant really find out what and who they are until they go through it. Hill has been a waste overall. We have enough offense to carry a guy or two who are struggling...

 

i agree with you here. Shaw earned the job but I don't think the rope tieing him to the bag was long enough. He has the type of swing that provides power that could help us down the stretch. I don't think that it is likely to happen if he can only count on 3 or maybe 4 games per week.

[mvp 78]

And our closer goes through spells when he can't find the plate with both hands and a flashlight?

 

The vast majority of closers can be classified as "white knuckle." Koji in 2013 is an abberation. Even Papelbon's early career was an outlier. Even with Kimbrel's missteps, he's still one of the best in the game right now.

[moonslav59]

John Farrell was begging for right handed bench guy that can play infield....DD took care of it....who knew Hill would struggle?

 

I can see why they made the trade, but I still didn't like it at the time.

 

I know Rutledge was on the 60 day DL, but Marco Hernandez is a switch hitter who apparently hits lefties well. I'd have given him a chance, but maybe he was hurt at that time.

 

I'd have been fine sticking with Shaw, but I'd have dropped him down in the line-up vs lefties.

[Nick]

Player of the Night: Yoan Moncada was on base five times and hit his 10th home run with the Sea Dogs. While the Red Sox could wait until September 1 to call up Moncada to avoid having to make any difficult roster decisions, he likely represents an upgrade over Travis Shaw, who entered the day batting .207 with a .643 OPS in 232 at-bats since May 22. Moncada could platoon with Aaron Hill to limit his at-bats against left-handers, and the reports on his defense have been positive since he moved to the hot corner on August 12.

 

Is it time to upgrade 3B? What are we afraid of? Benintendi experiment worked out. If you can make the team better, then you do it. Don't give me why fix something when it's working crap. Many here said the same thing

with Benintendi. What drives this team is the enthusiasm of younger players. And they are good.

Edited August 24, 2016 by Nick

[moonslav59]

Player of the Night: Yoan Moncada was on base five times and hit his 10th home run with the Sea Dogs. While the Red Sox could wait until September 1 to call up Moncada to avoid having to make any difficult roster decisions, he likely represents an upgrade over Travis Shaw, who entered the day batting .207 with a .643 OPS in 232 at-bats since May 22. Moncada could platoon with Aaron Hill to limit his at-bats against left-handers, and the reports on his defense have been positive since he moved to the hot corner on August 12.

 

Is it time to upgrade 3B?

 

I'd say it depends on where Moncada is defensively at 3B. His bat looks ready to me, but I'll leave that to Sox management.

 

From the limited information I have, I'd say call him up the minute they think he's decent enough defensively. Certainly, I'd call him up September 1st as a PR'er, PH'er, possible DH (when needed) and maybe as a back-up 2Bman or 3Bman at least.

[Nick]

I'd say it depends on where Moncada is defensively at 3B. His bat looks ready to me, but I'll leave that to Sox management.

 

From the limited information I have, I'd say call him up the minute they think he's decent enough defensively. Certainly, I'd call him up September 1st as a PR'er, PH'er, possible DH (when needed) and maybe as a back-up 2Bman or 3Bman at least.

 

the reports on his defense have been positive since he moved to the hot corner on August 12. (in previous articles, he has said that he grew up playing 3B and CF)

[mvp 78]

Player of the Night: Yoan Moncada was on base five times and hit his 10th home run with the Sea Dogs. While the Red Sox could wait until September 1 to call up Moncada to avoid having to make any difficult roster decisions, he likely represents an upgrade over Travis Shaw, who entered the day batting .207 with a .643 OPS in 232 at-bats since May 22. Moncada could platoon with Aaron Hill to limit his at-bats against left-handers, and the reports on his defense have been positive since he moved to the hot corner on August 12.

 

Is it time to upgrade 3B? What are we afraid of? Benintendi experiment worked out. If you can make the team better, then you do it. Don't give me why fix something when it's working crap. Many here said the same thing

with Benintendi. What drives this team is the enthusiasm of younger players. And they are good.

 

The issue is that management didn't believe Benintendi would be an "experiment." They thought he'd have a great chance to stay in the lineup. When they feel Moncada is ready, they'll bring him up. I'm going to trust their judgement on this one.

[moonslav59]

the reports on his defense have been positive since he moved to the hot corner on August 12. (in previous articles, he has said that he grew up playing 3B and CF)

 

I read how he had played 3B at 16, but nothing about him doing well there defensively. Maybe I missed it.

[moonslav59]

The issue is that management didn't believe Benintendi would be an "experiment." They thought he'd have a great chance to stay in the lineup. When they feel Moncada is ready, they'll bring him up. I'm going to trust their judgement on this one.

 

I agree. Like I said with Beni, the second Sox management thinks he's ready, I'd call him up.

[Nick]

 

Let's go back in time......

[Thunder]

If we call Moncada up before September 1st, he's eligible for the postseason roster. We did this with Xander in 2013, and it really worked out well for us. I say we do it just in case he shines and we want him for the postseason as a PH or PR.

[Slasher9]

If we call Moncada up before September 1st, he's eligible for the postseason roster. We did this with Xander in 2013, and it really worked out well for us. I say we do it just in case he shines and we want him for the postseason as a PH or PR.

 

doesnt he just need to be on the 40 man prior to September? or does he have to be with the big club?

[sk7326]

doesnt he just need to be on the 40 man prior to September? or does he have to be with the big club?

 

Yes. Although he could also be an injury replacement - and be added to the 40 in September and be playoff eligible on those grounds. (say replacing somebody on the 60 day DL who has served those 60 days already) Because of this I do not expect the Sox to add him ...save the roster spot for a trade

 

So - Moncada could theoretically be added on the last day of the season to the 40-man and then be playoff eligible as a replacement for Sandoval.

Edited August 24, 2016 by sk7326

[oldtimer]

Yes. Although he could also be an injury replacement - and be added to the 40 in September and be playoff eligible on those grounds. (say replacing somebody on the 60 day DL who has served those 60 days already) Because of this I do not expect the Sox to add him ...save the roster spot for a trade

 

So - Moncada could theoretically be added on the last day of the season to the 40-man and then be playoff eligible as a replacement for Sandoval.

 

I wonder who will be brought up in September to fill out the team for the stretch run. Moncada is only one of the pieces.

[moonslav59]

We don't really have a 40 man roster crunch. We have 39 players now, and could easily release or trade a couple more with no ill effects from this list:

 

Bryce Brentz (although we are thin at OF depth)

 

Bryan Holaday (once Hanigan is healthy)

 

William Cuevas

 

Williams Jerez

 

or trade....

 

Fernando Abad

 

Noe Ramirez

 

Devon Marrero

 

[Slasher9]

I wonder who will be brought up in September to fill out the team for the stretch run. Moncada is only one of the pieces.

hopefully enough folks that we dont have to have a SP pinch run........

[illinoisredsox]

I wonder who will be brought up in September to fill out the team for the stretch run. Moncada is only one of the pieces.

 

Vazquez will be back up. One or both of Hernandez or Marerro. Probably a few of the pitchers who have graced the dugout this year: Kelly, N. Ramirez (no idea why), maybe Elias. They will reactivate Hanigan.

 

The Sox seem to only bring up 4-5 guys for September call ups.

[Maxbialystock]

The Benintendi experiment cries out for a repeat with Moncada--indeed, with slightly more cause because Shaw/Hill ain't hitting much. That said, you also have to decide which players go on the 25 man roster. On the other hand, in September you can have a thousand or so. In the playoffs you can do nicely with 11 pitchers which leaves another opening for a guy like Moncada.

[mvp 78]

It wasn't an experiment.

[moonslav59]

Haven't you heard?

 

It was a move out of desperation!

 

Protocol says they had to wait.

 

They didn't.

[moonslav59]

MLBTR reports...

 

Both Ben Badler of Baseball America and Kevin Thomas of the Portland Press Herald reported that Moncada made several good plays at third base in addition to his contributions at the plate.