Referendum on John Farrell

[mvp 78]

It starts slowly in the early 50's but the pace really accelerates after 55. If you are a good friend, you should buy yourself ahem I mean him a nose hair clipper.

 

Oh, I already have a nose hair clipper and a backup.

[devildavid]

I didn't understand the Young signing. I would still like to know our record when he plays vs when he doesn't and our run production when he plays vs when he doesn't play.

 

We are 0-6 in his starts, 5-10 in his appearances. So not too good so far.

 

 

Clay Buchholz started 3 of the 6 losses when Young started.

[mvp 78]

Clay Buchholz started 3 of the 6 losses when Young started.

 

Sonuvabitch... Get Clay outta here. He's now killing other players' careers.

[a700hitter]

sonuvabitch... Get clay outta here. He's now killing other players' careers.

lol!

[bosoxmal]

I have wanted JF gone since before spring training. After one month of ST and one month of the regular season, I am ready to change my mind. The team is far more aggressive--both at the plate and on the bases--he has stuck (good decision), he kept Mookie in the lead-off spot (while I still claim Holt is a better lead-off man, and Mookie a better RBI man, they seem to be doing very well just the way it is. The pitching has developed; he is using his two catchers they way he should (while CV gets more experience), and (bottom line) the team is playing like they haven't played in 3 years!

[User Name]

Farrell's teams don't run the bases aggressively, they run the bases like idiots. But he's definitely got that Tito-ish touch with some of the young guys,

[mvp 78]

Farrell's teams don't run the bases aggressively, they run the bases like idiots. But he's definitely got that Tito-ish touch with some of the young guys,

 

Lovullo seemed to get a lot out of the youngsters last year too...

[devildavid]

Farrell's teams don't run the bases aggressively, they run the bases like idiots. But he's definitely got that Tito-ish touch with some of the young guys,

 

My main issue with Farrell is that he encourages over-aggressiveness on the bases.

[Kimmi]

My main issue with Farrell is that he encourages over-aggressiveness on the bases.

 

I think some of the over aggressiveness in the past two seasons has been due to "trying to make something happen". Our offense was terrible in 2014 and in parts of the first half of 2015. The team was trying to force the issue of taking the extra base or stealing a base when they had no business doing so. We ranked in the middle of the pack in most baserunning stats.

 

This year, speed can be a legitimate weapon for the Sox. To date, the Sox rank 1st in MLB in Spd at 6.3 (somewhat outdated stat, but still gives the overall impression), 1st in stolen base runs at 3.2, which goes along with being first in stolen base % at 91%, and 5th in baserunning runs at 2.4.

 

Stolen bases are overrated, but speed and good baserunning are not.

[devildavid]

I think some of the over aggressiveness in the past two seasons has been due to "trying to make something happen". Our offense was terrible in 2014 and in parts of the first half of 2015. The team was trying to force the issue of taking the extra base or stealing a base when they had no business doing so. We ranked in the middle of the pack in most baserunning stats.

 

This year, speed can be a legitimate weapon for the Sox. To date, the Sox rank 1st in MLB in Spd at 6.3 (somewhat outdated stat, but still gives the overall impression), 1st in stolen base runs at 3.2, which goes along with being first in stolen base % at 91%, and 5th in baserunning runs at 2.4.

 

Stolen bases are overrated, but speed and good baserunning are not.

 

I think it is part of Farrell's managerial philosophy to be overly aggressive on the bases. I prefer a manger who does not try to make things happen at the risk of making an out.

[mvp 78]

The only guy I cringe at running the bases is Hanley. He'll get thrown out trying to stretch a single into a double every week or so. I'm not sure it's something he can change at this point in his career. I was always a fan of Wendell Kim, so the baserunning doesn't bother me as much as other things.

[a700hitter]

The only guy I cringe at running the bases is Hanley. He'll get thrown out trying to stretch a single into a double every week or so. I'm not sure it's something he can change at this point in his career. I was always a fan of Wendell Kim, so the baserunning doesn't bother me as much as other things.

Hanley has pulled a one or two rocks on the bases, but he has made things happen on the bases too. I like his base running. I think that his speed is still a useful weapon.

[Maxbialystock]

I think aggressiveness on the base paths partly explains the Sox leading the AL--comfortably--in runs scored. They are below the League average in dingers, but have more SB's--with an insanely high percentage, 91%, for a team--and a lot more doubles than anyone else. The cold weather might be helping--if one assumes it affects outfielders and catchers ability to throw accurately.

[SinceYaz]

I think aggressiveness on the base paths partly explains the Sox leading the AL--comfortably--in runs scored. They are below the League average in dingers, but have more SB's--with an insanely high percentage, 91%, for a team--and a lot more doubles than anyone else. The cold weather might be helping--if one assumes it affects outfielders and catchers ability to throw accurately.

 

Max,

 

I could be wrong, but I don't think Xander has been thrown out ... not just this season but all of last. Mookie is choosing better times to run. But I heartily agree with you and am enjoying it completely. It seems to have given new basepath life to HanRam, too. Hardly make a mistake as a team. It is a blast. I like the fact that it even has the other teams announcers bothered. They are almost trying to get their team to catch a hint from them ...

[Maxbialystock]

SinceYaz,

 

"It's a blast" is exactly the right phrase. There were glimpses of that last year with Lovullo at the helm, but this year is better. Again, I'm not sure that's because of Farrell, but think Ramirez's transformation into a firstbaseman and the absence of Sandoval have helped. This is a younger team than the championship ones and maybe that's it. Of course, sometimes I think the youngest one of all is David Ortiz. Whatever the reasons, it truly is a blast.

[Kimmi]

I think aggressiveness on the base paths partly explains the Sox leading the AL--comfortably--in runs scored. They are below the League average in dingers, but have more SB's--with an insanely high percentage, 91%, for a team--and a lot more doubles than anyone else. The cold weather might be helping--if one assumes it affects outfielders and catchers ability to throw accurately.

 

Yes, the Sox baserunning does partly explain their runs scored. The team has scored 2.4 runs above average due to base running. They rank 3rd in that category.

 

That said, neither stolen bases or HRs have a very strong correlation with runs scored. The single stat that correlates best with runs scored remains OBP, with which the Sox are 1st in the AL. That is the main reason why they lead the league in runs scored.

 

As exciting as stolen bases and home runs can be, simply getting on base at a high clip is what typically drives the run count up.

[Kimmi]

Max,

 

I could be wrong, but I don't think Xander has been thrown out ... not just this season but all of last. Mookie is choosing better times to run. But I heartily agree with you and am enjoying it completely. It seems to have given new basepath life to HanRam, too. Hardly make a mistake as a team. It is a blast. I like the fact that it even has the other teams announcers bothered. They are almost trying to get their team to catch a hint from them ...

 

Surprisingly, to me anyway, Xander is the current team leader in baserunning runs above average at 1.9. Mookie is 2nd at 1.3.

 

Pedroia is last on the team with -1.1 and Hanley is 2nd to last with -0.7.

[Maxbialystock]

Yes, the Sox baserunning does partly explain their runs scored. The team has scored 2.4 runs above average due to base running. They rank 3rd in that category.

 

That said, neither stolen bases or HRs have a very strong correlation with runs scored. The single stat that correlates best with runs scored remains OBP, with which the Sox are 1st in the AL. That is the main reason why they lead the league in runs scored.

 

As exciting as stolen bases and home runs can be, simply getting on base at a high clip is what typically drives the run count up.

 

Actually, I think it's a least three things--OBP, SB's (with few CS's), and doubles--all of which the Sox lead the AL in. Anyone know what the Sox team RISP OPS is?

[Bellhorn04]

Actually, I think it's a least three things--OBP, SB's (with few CS's), and doubles--all of which the Sox lead the AL in. Anyone know what the Sox team RISP OPS is?

 

.832

[Maxbialystock]

.832

 

Wow. Just wow.

[Maxbialystock]

In case anyone is wondering, I am not now going to claim I was the lone Farrell supporter/booster because I was not. I defended not firing him, that's all, and did so on principle and not on any great insight into whether he is a good manager or not. I would have been fine with firing him last year.

 

I also believe that his so-called dumb decisions weren't so dumb, and I give the players the lion's share of the credit for their success so far. I also give the rotation credit for keeping things interesting and making the manager's job harder.

[bosoxmal]

Vazquez got a cookie tonight because Holt was running when no one expected it.

[devildavid]

In case anyone is wondering, I am not now going to claim I was the lone Farrell supporter/booster because I was not. I defended not firing him, that's all, and did so on principle and not on any great insight into whether he is a good manager or not. I would have been fine with firing him last year.

 

I also believe that his so-called dumb decisions weren't so dumb, and I give the players the lion's share of the credit for their success so far. I also give the rotation credit for keeping things interesting and making the manager's job harder.

 

Maybe I was the lone Farrell supporter. I have never advocated firing him. It is rare to find a manager that I don't question some of his individual in game moves. But I see the job of manager as more of a big picture job, and I don't have any evidence that Farrell is terrible at the broad approach to the job. Bobby Valentine was one I saw as a terrible big picture manager and a terrible fit for the Red Sox.

[SoxnCycles]

Maybe I was the lone Farrell supporter. I have never advocated firing him. It is rare to find a manager that I don't question some of his individual in game moves. But I see the job of manager as more of a big picture job, and I don't have any evidence that Farrell is terrible at the broad approach to the job. Bobby Valentine was one I saw as a terrible big picture manager and a terrible fit for the Red Sox.

 

Yup, Farrell has made some mistakes, but I wouldn't be surprised if they're a result of the pressure he's feeling at the start of the season.

The team is playing well. Hopefully, the bone-head moves will be fewer and father between.

[Slasher9]

the only person that should be fired for Young is DD. he overpaid for the guy by a grip. based on Max showing how few lefties we have faced JF had to put young in against RHP. i have now decided that to try and blame Farrel for Young is just....wrong.

[User Name]

Right, because Farrell is contractually obligated to play Young against righties.

[sk7326]

the only person that should be fired for Young is DD. he overpaid for the guy by a grip. based on Max showing how few lefties we have faced JF had to put young in against RHP. i have now decided that to try and blame Farrel for Young is just....wrong.

 

Young has always had a massive split - and while I can defend him for starting Young to get him PAs given how few lefties we have faced ... the usage of Young as a pinch hitter has been peculiar.

 

Farrell's strengths as a manager have been in the stuff "we don't see". He is getting good effort from his guys and he understands the culture here very well. And really that might be enough for me to offset the on the field stuff (the Young thing, or somehow needing 13 active pitchers)

[Maxbialystock]

Right, because Farrell is contractually obligated to play Young against righties.

 

To remind:

 

1) the Sox have faced very, very few lefties as starters or relievers. Young is the 4th outfielder, and, one of the outfielders, Holt, also plays the infield, so it would be hard not to play Young occasionally against righties. Young has the highest ratio of facing lefties vs. righties of anyone on the team--10 at bats vs. lefties and 16 vs. righties.

2) despite having a huge number of at bats--16--against righties, Young has been unable to prevent the Sox from leading the AL in runs scored (by a big margin), OBP, and doubles.

3) the Sox are now 15-10 and .5 games ahead of the Orioles in the AL East despite Young's and Farrell's best efforts to keep that from happening.

[billge]

I have no complaints about him today. Maybe tonight....

[User Name]

To remind:

 

1) the Sox have faced very, very few lefties as starters or relievers. Young is the 4th outfielder, and, one of the outfielders, Holt, also plays the infield, so it would be hard not to play Young occasionally against righties. Young has the highest ratio of facing lefties vs. righties of anyone on the team--10 at bats vs. lefties and 16 vs. righties.

2) despite having a huge number of at bats--16--against righties, Young has been unable to prevent the Sox from leading the AL in runs scored (by a big margin), OBP, and doubles.

3) the Sox are now 15-10 and .5 games ahead of the Orioles in the AL East despite Young's and Farrell's best efforts to keep that from happening.

 

A bad decision is a bad decision is a bad decision. Simple as that.

 

You are conflating different issues. The fact that it has not prevented the Sox success does not take away the fact that it's not the correct deployment of assets.

 

The fact that the Sox haven't faced many lefties doesn't force Farrell to start him against righties, or the pinch hitting decisions (which are even more head-scratching). The usage patterns have subsided, and we're about to play some more lefties, but the point stands.