The Benintendi Thread

[sk7326]

Since some guys are backups, that's just the way it works out. There is no way I sit one of our starters vs a RHP just so we keep Young fresh. Young should only start vs lefties and only lefties, unless someone is injured.

 

I predate the BDC(?) merger on this site - so those who have followed my work(?) previously would perhaps be surprise I am making a "human beans" argument here vs a cold analytic argument.

 

But I think this argument here to staple Young to the bench whenever a RHP is out there is kind of silly. There are not many LH starters in the AL East - and it is not reasonable to ask somebody to work like a starter does without any real playing time. The numbers back your argument - but reality of major league baseball as a job and a work environment do not to the same degree. He has to play against LHPs, but you also have to smooth out the workload so he is not being asked to take a test cold.

[Bellhorn04]

I predate the BDC(?) merger on this site - so those who have followed my work(?) previously would perhaps be surprise I am making a "human beans" argument here vs a cold analytic argument.

 

But I think this argument here to staple Young to the bench whenever a RHP is out there is kind of silly. There are not many LH starters in the AL East - and it is not reasonable to ask somebody to work like a starter does without any real playing time. The numbers back your argument - but reality of major league baseball as a job and a work environment do not to the same degree. He has to play against LHPs, but you also have to smooth out the workload so he is not being asked to take a test cold.

 

The question is who is Young going to take AB's from, especially since we're getting late in the game and all the guys he might take AB's from are going well.

[sk7326]

The question is who is Young going to take AB's from, especially since we're getting late in the game and all the guys he might take AB's from are going well.

 

I think it can be a little bit of Benintendi, perhaps a little Ortiz and a little bit of Ramirez. Team still has 11 consecutive games on the docket so guys are going to be cycled through a bit.

[Slasher9]

if he is raking on his rehab vs LHP than the following players need to take turns sitting vs LHP:

Beni x 2

JBj

Papi

and if betts needs a blow he can sit for a game.

if young is not raking then he can rot.

[cp176]

I predate the BDC(?) merger on this site - so those who have followed my work(?) previously would perhaps be surprise I am making a "human beans" argument here vs a cold analytic argument.

 

But I think this argument here to staple Young to the bench whenever a RHP is out there is kind of silly. There are not many LH starters in the AL East - and it is not reasonable to ask somebody to work like a starter does without any real playing time. The numbers back your argument - but reality of major league baseball as a job and a work environment do not to the same degree. He has to play against LHPs, but you also have to smooth out the workload so he is not being asked to take a test cold.

 

Agree here - I'm just not sure that we have seen the best of Young just yet. I think that he can still be very valuable and as a 4th outfielder should not be looked at as a "backup".

[Nick]

Agree here - I'm just not sure that we have seen the best of Young just yet. I think that he can still be very valuable and as a 4th outfielder should not be looked at as a "backup".

 

What was the thinking behind Sox signing Young in the first place? Did they look at number of lefties in AL East and other Divisions?

 

We quickly forget that Bradley Jr started the year batting 9th. I'm quite sure Young was also a back up plan for relieving Bradley vs left handed pitching. Slide Mookie to center field and Hot to right.

 

Now that Bradley Jr is established in CF, there are fewer at bats available for Young. He was not only a platoon candidate in LF (limited at bats) but insurance against Bradley in case of prolong slump.

 

We didn't have similar backup plan for Shaw at the start of the season.

[illinoisredsox]

I predate the BDC(?) merger on this site - so those who have followed my work(?) previously would perhaps be surprise I am making a "human beans" argument here vs a cold analytic argument.

 

But I think this argument here to staple Young to the bench whenever a RHP is out there is kind of silly. There are not many LH starters in the AL East - and it is not reasonable to ask somebody to work like a starter does without any real playing time. The numbers back your argument - but reality of major league baseball as a job and a work environment do not to the same degree. He has to play against LHPs, but you also have to smooth out the workload so he is not being asked to take a test cold.

 

^This.

 

You can't have a guy sit on the bench for 2-3 weeks, never see the plate and the all of a sudden stick him in the line-up and expect him to perform. The NL has an advantage in this regard, as bench players will hit for pitchers 3-4 times (or more) a week. With the DH, it's harder to get back-ups plate appearances in the AL.

[Bellhorn04]

JBJ sits tonight for Young, Beni to CF.

[moonslav59]

I predate the BDC(?) merger on this site - so those who have followed my work(?) previously would perhaps be surprise I am making a "human beans" argument here vs a cold analytic argument.

 

But I think this argument here to staple Young to the bench whenever a RHP is out there is kind of silly. There are not many LH starters in the AL East - and it is not reasonable to ask somebody to work like a starter does without any real playing time. The numbers back your argument - but reality of major league baseball as a job and a work environment do not to the same degree. He has to play against LHPs, but you also have to smooth out the workload so he is not being asked to take a test cold.

 

There's enough lefty starters to give Betts and JBj one to two rest days for the remaining season. The rest comes from Beni and Papi.

 

I'm not sitting clearly (way) better hitters vs RHPs just so Young stays fresh.

 

It's not about numbers: it's about winning.

[moonslav59]

JBJ sits tonight for Young, Beni to CF.

 

JBJ has a career .692 OPS vs LHPs. It's about the same this year (.689). As hot as JBJ is (4 Hrs in his last 33 ABs), he could probably use a rest vs the lefty tonight. He responded very well to his last day off. He is 2 for his last 17.

 

Let's hope it works tonight. We need to kill the Rays.

[moonslav59]

^This.

 

You can't have a guy sit on the bench for 2-3 weeks, never see the plate and the all of a sudden stick him in the line-up and expect him to perform. The NL has an advantage in this regard, as bench players will hit for pitchers 3-4 times (or more) a week. With the DH, it's harder to get back-ups plate appearances in the AL.

 

He's not going to sit for 3-4 weeks. He'll PH some and we will face lefties more than people are making it out to be. We face one tonight.

[sk7326]

There's enough lefty starters to give Betts and JBj one to two rest days for the remaining season. The rest comes from Beni and Papi.

 

I'm not sitting clearly (way) better hitters vs RHPs just so Young stays fresh.

 

It's not about numbers: it's about winning.

 

I think we are in basic agreement here - although you are shouting from the mountaintop we share much more loudly.

[Nick]

Should we bring up Benintendi? Waste one of his options and bring him closer to FA?

[a700hitter]

Should we bring up Benintendi? Waste one of his options and bring him closer to FA?

I am fretting over the loss of control 1 year earlier.

[oldtimer]

The flexibility of having 3 outfielders capable of playing CF gave JF a chance to rest JBJ tonight although he used him as a pinch runner and JBJ did get an at bat. It is a positive thing to have 3 young and quick outfielders on this team.

[S5Dewey]

I am fretting over the loss of control 1 year earlier.

 

I'm not concerned about it now. We don't lose that year of control now regardless of what happens to him.

 

I was concerned about it at the time and I still believe that bringing up a player for a one month trial and risking losing a year of control is a legitimate concern. As I said at the time, bring him up but don't send him back. And now it doesn't matter because he can't be sent back down for the requisite 20 days.

[mvp 78]

I am fretting over the loss of control 1 year earlier.

 

I'm so sad that we will be losing all these guys in a few years. We won't be able to sign them all. :(

[southpaw777]

I'm so sad that we will be losing all these guys in a few years. We won't be able to sign them all. :(

 

Hopefully the LT is up past 200m by that time. Unfortunately two of the Bs are represented by Boras. Not that we cant deal with that, but the fact he really likes his guys to get to FA. My hope is that at least one of them signes early for that security. I really think Betts and Bogey are ahead of JBJ on the priority list for the team, although Im sure theyd love to lock them all up for the next 10 years...first thing is to clear some wasted payroll.

Some tough decisions to be made in the next couple years.

[Dojji]

I'm wondering where Leon is on that list. If he's anything near "fo-real" he's one of the most valuable players in major league baseball right now.

[southpaw777]

I'm wondering where Leon is on that list. If he's anything near "fo-real" he's one of the most valuable players in major league baseball right now.

 

I imagine he has a couple years before the decision is made on him. Id like to see him carry it through next year first. Get some consistency, although hes been pretty consistent so far this year. Now, if the same hapoens with Vaz regarding his bat, then you will have the two best all around catchers in MLB on your team....not bad.

[Nick]

I'm so sad that we will be losing all these guys in a few years. We won't be able to sign them all. :(

 

Pablo and Hanley's contracts will be expiring. That should help. I'm high on Bradley but OF position maybe the easiest to replace. I'm not convinced Moncada can play infield at major league level. He maybe a left fielder and move Benintendi to CF.

 

Betts is a must get. I would still sign Bradley before Xander. I think there are plenty of defensive shortstops in our system. I just like Bradley's athleticism.

 

But I'm playing with monopoly money and I think we should sign them all. Maybe Price will opt out of his contract and be replaceable with a young, cheap arm...Kopech?

[Yaz Fan Since 67]

Loved that catch and it obviously came at a huge time. But good God ESPN is treating it like Willie Mays robbing Vick Wertz. I'm more excited at the way he is hitting major league pitching.

[Bellhorn04]

I'm so sad that we will be losing all these guys in a few years. We won't be able to sign them all. :(

 

Your sarcasm is truly at an advanced level.

[moonslav59]

The flexibility of having 3 outfielders capable of playing CF gave JF a chance to rest JBJ tonight although he used him as a pinch runner and JBJ did get an at bat. It is a positive thing to have 3 young and quick outfielders on this team.

 

That is a huge asset. It also allows the team to go with 4 OF'ers more easily.

 

Having Holt as the 5th OF'er is also a big asset, especially when you have a DH that is essentially only a DH.

[moonslav59]

Hopefully the LT is up past 200m by that time. Unfortunately two of the Bs are represented by Boras. Not that we cant deal with that, but the fact he really likes his guys to get to FA. My hope is that at least one of them signes early for that security. I really think Betts and Bogey are ahead of JBJ on the priority list for the team, although Im sure theyd love to lock them all up for the next 10 years...first thing is to clear some wasted payroll.

Some tough decisions to be made in the next couple years.

 

It should be over $200M next year.

 

I'm not sure we want JBJ locked up until age 36 or 37, but your point is well taken.

 

[User Name]

I think it's hilarious how people are jumping off the Xander bandwagon as soon as he struggled for a stretch.

[mvp 78]

Pablo and Hanley's contracts will be expiring. That should help. I'm high on Bradley but OF position maybe the easiest to replace. I'm not convinced Moncada can play infield at major league level. He maybe a left fielder and move Benintendi to CF.

 

Betts is a must get. I would still sign Bradley before Xander. I think there are plenty of defensive shortstops in our system. I just like Bradley's athleticism.

 

But I'm playing with monopoly money and I think we should sign them all. Maybe Price will opt out of his contract and be replaceable with a young, cheap arm...Kopech?

 

So, you'll resign Betts and Bradley and move Moncada to LF. Are you trading Beni? Or are you moving Beni to SS? Maybe moving Betts to 2b and Beni to SS with a Pedroia trade? You're not moving Pedroia to SS are you?

[mvp 78]

I think it's hilarious how people are jumping off the Xander bandwagon as soon as he struggled for a stretch.

 

Well, if he was a little more clutch we wouldn't be having this conversation...

[oldtimer]

I think it's hilarious how people are jumping off the Xander bandwagon as soon as he struggled for a stretch.

 

We have the elements of a great team for years to come. It means shedding dead weight contracts but keeping our proven talent. That means Bogaerts, Betts, Bradley, Leon, Pedroia and probably Benintendi. Shaw is still young and may yet become a solid power hitter and his fielding and flexibility is useful. Get rid of the dead wood contracts the best way possible. If there is no alternative but to let them run out, then such is life. Rameriz is the one iffy player, who isn't worth the money he is getting but produces just enough to be with the club next year.

 

Time will tell on Moncada and I would bring up Hernandez with the thought of keeping him along with Holt for flexibility and Young as a solid outfield/DH sub.

 

Pitching will need more attention.

[Nick]

So, you'll resign Betts and Bradley and move Moncada to LF. Are you trading Beni? Or are you moving Beni to SS? Maybe moving Betts to 2b and Beni to SS with a Pedroia trade? You're not moving Pedroia to SS are you?

 

I'm just the big moron here......

 

Betts is a must get. Give him what he wants. I want Bradley more than Xander but losing Bradley maybe an easier fill. IF, and that'a a big if, then Benintendi can move over to CF.

 

C Sandy 1B Hanley 2B Pedy SS Xander 3B Moncada LF Benintendi CF Bradley RF Betts DH Encarnacion......Young (1 yr), Swihart, Vasquez, Shaw and Holt on the bench

 

How about that line up *******s....