Referendum on John Farrell

[StephenCurry30]

There is a lot more managers than just two who are better than Farrell. However, you are off base on a few points

 

1. there is very few games a manager will EVER win by himself. there is a reason there isn't a manager WAR state, if there was, Farrell is probably at about -5 right now.

 

2. Ortiz is not a great fielder, and never was a great fielder. However, that is not even why he is not starting. He is old, has bad legs and can't handle the stress of playing games in the field, especially not three in a row.

[Youk Of The Nation]

"Not embarrassing" at the easiest (relatively speaking) fielding position does not make someone a great fielder. SC30 is right, keeping Ortiz on the bench in NL parks is the right move. Putting him in the field might result in a few more HRs or RBIs and maybe, maybe might even make the difference in one game, but it drastically increases the chances of losing Papi for far more games, and that tradeoff is not worth it in any way.

[Emp9]

There is a lot more managers than just two who are better than Farrell. However, you are off base on a few points

 

1. there is very few games a manager will EVER win by himself. there is a reason there isn't a manager WAR state, if there was, Farrell is probably at about -5 right now.

 

2. Ortiz is not a great fielder, and never was a great fielder. However, that is not even why he is not starting. He is old, has bad legs and can't handle the stress of playing games in the field, especially not three in a row.

 

While I can see not playing Ortiz at 1B in his farewell season, he was never a bad fielder.

[mvp 78]

I'm not a Farrell fan, but I can't blame him for going easy on Ortiz this year. I want him as close to 100% as possible when October comes around.

[oldtimer]

I'm not a Farrell fan, but I can't blame him for going easy on Ortiz this year. I want him as close to 100% as possible when October comes around.

 

I do question why we picked up Holaday? Is it strictly a Pomeranz move? I just don't see him as adding anything to the offense, which is already short based on being in a NL park.

[Slasher9]

OK, one play or one decision can't ever be the sole factor, but they can be the single biggest factor.

 

steroids. without a doubt. those 2 HR's Giambi hit in that game barely cleared the fence. he is an admitted proven cheater. a clean giambi and they are simply flyouts and grady never has to buy a beer in Boston again.....

[mvp 78]

I do question why we picked up Holaday? Is it strictly a Pomeranz move? I just don't see him as adding anything to the offense, which is already short based on being in a NL park.

 

He had never caught for Pomeranz before the trade, so why would it be a Pomeranz move?

 

They picked him up because Hanigan was injured and they wanted a solid backup to Leon while Vazquez was still playing in AAA.

[Slasher9]

A very pretty point you make. Based on what we've seen, we might also include among Farrell's bad in game tactics--

 

Letting Benintendi get into a game situation where he would have to avoid a tag and do injury to himself. For that matter, he should have been told beforehand not to make that spectacular catch the game before because that too would risk injury. Good managers don't let those things happen, especially to rookies.

 

Forcing Moncada to play 3B and thereby putting him in position to misplay a routine grounder, to say nothing of allowing him to take to big a lead off 1B thereby getting him picked off by a mile. Very poor management there and certainly not in the spirit of putting his players in a position to excel.

 

Not just forcing poor Wright to pinch run, but also making him pitch in adverse conditions--too hot, too wet, etc. How was that putting Wright in the best position to succeed? A simple rule should suffice: Farrell should treat Wright the same way he would treat his own mother.

 

Last year expecting Sandoval to play 3B when he was clearly not in shape to play. I'm surprised the MLBPA didn't come down on him for that one. Terrible judgment.

 

Keeping players in the lineup when they are in slumps. Many's the time we've read on Talksox that Bogaerts or JBJ or whoever should be rested because they weren't hitting. If a manager can't nurture the delicate psyches of his players, what good is he?

 

Bringing any relief pitcher in when men are already on base. Every reliever deserves a clean inning, preferably against the bottom part of the order.

 

Speaking of which, a closer should close, period. None of this pitching in late and close games when the score is tied or the Sox are down one. In addition, on the off chance the closer has lost his control, the manager alone is responsible for stopping the bleeding by selecting precisely the right reliever to come in and save the day. In no way should a closer be expected to perform as a professional baseball player. He is to be coddled and nurtured so that he can give his best in the least trying of circumstances.

 

Making a starter keep pitching at the first sign of trouble. How can that be interpreted as bringing out the best in him? Mr. Wright could cite chapter and verse on this topic.

 

Not playing Shaw when he has a hot bat. For that matter, not playing Moncada when he is clearly the greatest Sox rookie ever.

 

Playing Young against a righty starter or reliever. Madness.

 

Making poor Buchholz bounce back and forth between starting and relieving. This is a highly paid professional who deserves every consideration and, clearly, a full-time position in the rotation. Or as the closer. Or as the setup man. Or something.

 

lol.

this may be the post of the year Max. very well played.

[sk7326]

I get on Farrell - because he's a manager, and that's what watching baseball is. But you look at the box scores - and the team has piled up a lot of annoying losses - and honestly, it is hard not to say Farrell played the right (or at least a thoroughly reasonable) pitcher in the right spot. On some level that is all you can do. Now he has not been hyper vigilant in hitting the eject button - but that is not the best way to manage the regular season. I know in 2013 he was much more cutthroat with that stuff - and generally did not let a chance go to make sure his best relievers had a say in the highest leverage spots.

[S5Dewey]

I get on Farrell - because he's a manager, and that's what watching baseball is. But you look at the box scores - and the team has piled up a lot of annoying losses - and honestly, it is hard not to say Farrell played the right (or at least a thoroughly reasonable) pitcher in the right spot. On some level that is all you can do. Now he has not been hyper vigilant in hitting the eject button - but that is not the best way to manage the regular season. I know in 2013 he was much more cutthroat with that stuff - and generally did not let a chance go to make sure his best relievers had a say in the highest leverage spots.

 

The difference of course is in identifying "his best relievers" in 2016.

[sk7326]

The difference of course is in identifying "his best relievers" in 2016.

 

They sort of have to announce themselves. Hell, bringing Kimbrel into the 9th was exactly the right call - and something most managers don't do!

[S5Dewey]

They sort of have to announce themselves. Hell, bringing Kimbrel into the 9th was exactly the right call - and something most managers don't do!

 

I agree that it was the right call. As Bill James has said, sometimes a manager should bring in his closer to face the best hitters regardless of the inning. However, I believe my frustration with Mr. Kimbrel has been documented elsewhere in this forum. (I don't trust the guy!! - but I didn't see a better option sitting in the bullpen either).

[sk7326]

I agree that it was the right call. As Bill James has said, sometimes a manager should bring in his closer to face the best hitters regardless of the inning. However, I believe my frustration with Mr. Kimbrel has been documented elsewhere in this forum. (I don't trust the guy!! - but I didn't see a better option sitting in the bullpen either).

 

If Holt doesn't make the error - at least it puts the strikeout in play (which he is more than capable of doing). He was not sharp - had not gotten much work in ... some of that could be put on Farrell, but circumstance is what it is sometimes.

 

For the record - I did not love the Kimbrel trade ... not because he was not good, but I just did not see the marginal value of that position.

[S5Dewey]

If Holt doesn't make the error - at least it puts the strikeout in play (which he is more than capable of doing). He was not sharp - had not gotten much work in ... some of that could be put on Farrell, but circumstance is what it is sometimes.

 

For the record - I did not love the Kimbrel trade ... not because he was not good, but I just did not see the marginal value of that position.

 

I agree, but let's not sugar-coat that thing. Kimbrel gave up a walk and then a double. IMO that game was over without the error. All Holt did was speed up the process.

[sk7326]

I agree, but let's not sugar-coat that thing. Kimbrel gave up a walk and then a double. IMO that game was over without the error. All Holt did was speed up the process.

 

Not sugarcoating - but at least you had a guy who missed bats up there, that's all.

[mvp 78]

I'm just glad that Farrell decided he didn't need Wright to be able to pitch down the stretch. They really didn't need their 3rd (maybe 4th) best starter for the stretch run.

[Kimmi]

I'm just glad that Farrell decided he didn't need Wright to be able to pitch down the stretch. They really didn't need their 3rd (maybe 4th) best starter for the stretch run.

 

If Buchholz continues to pitch well down the stretch, does Farrell get credit for knocking Wright out of the game and giving Buch another chance?

[mvp 78]

If Buchholz continues to pitch well down the stretch, does Farrell get credit for knocking Wright out of the game and giving Buch another chance?

 

No. That would be an insane take.

[Maxbialystock]

Farrell stinks. Worst manager in Sox history. Sox are winning despite him. If they keep this up and win the WS, DD should bring him back as the Asst bullpen and backup 1b coach.

[a700hitter]

I have always thought very highly of JF.

[Bellhorn04]

There's a rumor that JF's 2 neurons mated and there's a little third one helping out now.

[southpaw777]

I just want him gone next year...i really could care less about his managing style here. Let him and his little notebook he has his face in all game work for another organization

[illinoisredsox]

I just want him gone next year...i really could care less about his managing style here. Let him and his little notebook he has his face in all game work for another organization

 

So in other words you are looking to see them lose the last 20 games of the season. Because other than Farrell himself deciding to quit or him getting caught molesting collies, that's the only way he will not be the manager next year.

[bobpick68]

I think Farrell is gone even if they win the WS.

[Bellhorn04]

I think Farrell is gone even if they win the WS.

 

Now that's utter nonsense.

[Kimmi]

If the Sox make the playoffs, Farrell's job would be mostly safe. However, if we suffer a tough loss in the playoffs, similar to the Grady Little loss, which leads to elimination, I could see Farrell being fired.

[oldtimer]

There's always going to be a question abut losing Wright and having to use Buchholz, but if you get past that, JF used all his bull pen and although there were some shaky moment, our good hitting and decent BP performance after Hembree rewarded us. We live for another day with Baltimore winning and the Yankees finally stumbling, we now have a 2 game lead on the Blue Jays, a 3 game lead on the Orioles and a 4 game lead on the Yankees. We are back to our better SP. The Yankees play the Dodgers at home, not an easy task. The Blue Jays play the Rays at home (pretty good Rays pitching) and we get Baltimore at home. We need to win 2 of 3 from Baltimore to move our cause forward. JF and the coaching staff are well aware of the importance of each game so here's hoping.

[Maxbialystock]

Farrell was nothing short of masterful today after Buchholz bombed--6 runs in 3 innings.

[a700hitter]

Farrell was nothing short of masterful today after Buchholz bombed--6 runs in 3 innings.

I have always liked the guy even though he is a doofus.

[RedSuxlastchance]

I have always liked the guy even though he is a doofus.

 

Yeah! Doofus leaking a pack of em