Lineup Discussions

[Nick]

...the reports on his defense have been positive since he moved to the hot corner on August 12.

 

I'm not doubting you, but what reports are you talking about?

 

Sorry....I forgot to give credit to Sox Prospects site.

[Nick]

Moon, he can help the team in different ways as you've said. He would be an asset for the stretch run. My guess is that Sep 1 call up date has absolutely no meaning to DD. He is all in to win the Division Title this year. I'd give it another week.

[Dojji]

with Shaw around as a backup option I see no reason not to risk calling up Moncada. Shaw is super cold right now but makes a fine bench option that can start if needed, but if Moncada can make the same rapid adjustments that Beni did it's a no brainer

 

one thing sure, Hill is not getting it done

Edited August 24, 2016 by Dojji

[moonslav59]

Moon, he can help the team in different ways as you've said. He would be an asset for the stretch run. My guess is that Sep 1 call up date has absolutely no meaning to DD. He is all in to win the Division Title this year. I'd give it another week.

 

Agreed. If DD thinks Moncada can play 3B well enough to be a better overall choice than Shaw/Hill, I think he'll make the move.

 

If not, his other values will make him a certain September call-up.

[Slasher9]

at the very least come 01-Sep he is a pinchrunner for Wright.....

[illinoisredsox]

with Shaw around as a backup option I see no reason not to risk calling up Moncada. Shaw is super cold right now but makes a fine bench option that can start if needed, but if Moncada can make the same rapid adjustments that Beni did it's a no brainer

 

one thing sure, Hill is not getting it done

 

Unless there is an injury to one of the infielders, he will not be up until September. Hill may not be getting it done offensively, but he is defensively and as such would be valuable the last month.

 

The team is winning right now; I can't see them rocking the boat with only a week to go until roster expansion. Talented as the kid is, he is still very unproven at 3rd base. If he proves himself down the stretch, they'll figure out a way to get him on the postseason roster.

[Nick]

Unless there is an injury to one of the infielders, he will not be up until September. Hill may not be getting it done offensively, but he is defensively and as such would be valuable the last month.

 

The team is winning right now; I can't see them rocking the boat with only a week to go until roster expansion. Talented as the kid is, he is still very unproven at 3rd base. If he proves himself down the stretch, they'll figure out a way to get him on the postseason roster.

 

Well they rocked the boat with Benintendi.....over half the posters here didn't want him getting called up. You make the team better.

 

There was an interesting article in Fangraph talking about the Sox at the trade deadline. Everyone was clamoring for Sox to add pitching but the jest of the article was why not add another bat to already potent offensive lineup? Until recently, we had Leon/Benintendi hitting 8/9th. How many teams can put up quality bats that Sox did with those two? Our LF problem is solved. Next position that needs upgrade is at 3B. Shaw is hitting slightly above .200 after the hot start. Hill has not hit his stride.

 

If Moncada looks to be over matched, then you pull him out. It's that simple.

 

I will give Sox credit in looking under every rock to make the team better. They need to see what's under the big rock labeled Moncada.

[Bellhorn04]

with Shaw around as a backup option I see no reason not to risk calling up Moncada. Shaw is super cold right now but makes a fine bench option that can start if needed, but if Moncada can make the same rapid adjustments that Beni did it's a no brainer

 

one thing sure, Hill is not getting it done

 

Hill hasn't been doing much but I wouldn't write him off just yet.

[illinoisredsox]

Well they rocked the boat with Benintendi.....over half the posters here didn't want him getting called up. You make the team better.

 

There was an interesting article in Fangraph talking about the Sox at the trade deadline. Everyone was clamoring for Sox to add pitching but the jest of the article was why not add another bat to already potent offensive lineup? Until recently, we had Leon/Benintendi hitting 8/9th. How many teams can put up quality bats that Sox did with those two? Our LF problem is solved. Next position that needs upgrade is at 3B. Shaw is hitting slightly above .200 after the hot start. Hill has not hit his stride.

 

If Moncada looks to be over matched, then you pull him out. It's that simple.

 

I will give Sox credit in looking under every rock to make the team better. They need to see what's under the big rock labeled Moncada.

 

Benintendi was called up with a month to go until roster expansion, the team scuffling and at a position that was exhibiting both offensive and defensive weakness. They also didn't really need to get rid of anyone with much value to bring him up. As I recall, Michel Martinez (a back-up infielder) was let go to make room for him.

 

Now you have a week to go until expansion; to add Moncada to the roster probably means releasing Hill (who right now is superior to Shaw/Holt and probably Moncada defensively and can also play 2nd well). If it were 2 months ago or even 1 month, I have less issue with releasing Hill. With the team playing well right now, Moncada getting another 6-7 games experience at 3rd in Pawtucket isn't a bad thing. He'll be in Boston, probably iin 8 days.

[mvp 78]

Benintendi was called up with a month to go until roster expansion, the team scuffling and at a position that was exhibiting both offensive and defensive weakness. They also didn't really need to get rid of anyone with much value to bring him up. As I recall, Michel Martinez (a back-up infielder) was let go to make room for him.

 

Now you have a week to go until expansion; to add Moncada to the roster probably means releasing Hill (who right now is superior to Shaw/Holt and probably Moncada defensively and can also play 2nd well). If it were 2 months ago or even 1 month, I have less issue with releasing Hill. With the team playing well right now, Moncada getting another 6-7 games experience at 3rd in Pawtucket isn't a bad thing. He'll be in Boston, probably iin 8 days.

 

If Martinez only played IF, it would have been unremarkable. The fact that Martinez was stuck in the OF playing garbage defense, basically forced the hand on either trading for an OF or bringing Beni up.

[sk7326]

Benintendi was called up with a month to go until roster expansion, the team scuffling and at a position that was exhibiting both offensive and defensive weakness. They also didn't really need to get rid of anyone with much value to bring him up. As I recall, Michel Martinez (a back-up infielder) was let go to make room for him.

 

Now you have a week to go until expansion; to add Moncada to the roster probably means releasing Hill (who right now is superior to Shaw/Holt and probably Moncada defensively and can also play 2nd well). If it were 2 months ago or even 1 month, I have less issue with releasing Hill. With the team playing well right now, Moncada getting another 6-7 games experience at 3rd in Pawtucket isn't a bad thing. He'll be in Boston, probably iin 8 days.

 

They have an extra spot already. You could easily move Hanigan to the 60 day DL if you were desperate. Because of the DL, Moncada does not have to be added next week. He just has to be added at some point to be playoff eligible. (thanks Panda!)

[illinoisredsox]

They have an extra spot already. You could easily move Hanigan to the 60 day DL if you were desperate. Because of the DL, Moncada does not have to be added next week. He just has to be added at some point to be playoff eligible. (thanks Panda!)

 

The issue is not the 40 man roster. That part of the equation is easy.

 

If you call him up before September 1, somebody has to go off the 25 man roster.

[sk7326]

The issue is not the 40 man roster. That part of the equation is easy.

 

If you call him up before September 1, somebody has to go off the 25 man roster.

 

With the current playoff eligiblity rules, the 40 man is all that matters. They simplified the process to avoid most of the DL hijinks of the past.

[illinoisredsox]

With the current playoff eligiblity rules, the 40 man is all that matters. They simplified the process to avoid most of the DL hijinks of the past.

 

I got that. There are those who advocate bringing him up now, though, and if they bring him up any time between now and the end of August (next Wednesday), somebody has to come off the 25 man roster to make room.

[moonslav59]

They have an extra spot already. You could easily move Hanigan to the 60 day DL if you were desperate. Because of the DL, Moncada does not have to be added next week. He just has to be added at some point to be playoff eligible. (thanks Panda!)

 

Hanigan is almost ready to come off the DL.

[Spudboy]

Hill hasn't been doing much but I wouldn't write him off just yet.

 

Yup. The guy has hit an awful lot in the past.

[Kimmi]

Yup. The guy has hit an awful lot in the past.

 

I really liked, and still like, the Hill acquisition.

[Nick]

Hanigan is almost ready to come off the DL.

 

I'm almost holding my breath.

[Kimmi]

I'm almost holding my breath.

 

Long live Hanigan!

[oldtimer]

Several players are in slumps at this point which is showing up in the game tonight. Bogaerts is striking out more than is normal and Bradley is not producing a lot but at least he makes contact. Shaw and Holt haven't got it going in fact Shaw is in a freefall slump. Beni is at least making hard contact at times. Hanley is not in tonight but he is hit or miss so doesn't get the production we need from a middle of the lineup guy.

 

It's tough for a few guys to have to produce all the runs. Pedroia, Ortiz and Betts tonight with a little help from Leon. Maybe the long road trip is getting to some of the players or maybe pitching staffs are catching up to weaknesses. It also tough on the pitching staff to try to hold onto slim leads.

[Nick]

Xander's plate discipline has left town.......he looks like a shortstop at the plate

[S5Dewey]

Well put. The guy has no idea what he's doing up there. Unless the FO knows something about his progress in the cage or with Chili that we don't know he should be moved down in the order.

[sk7326]

Well put. The guy has no idea what he's doing up there. Unless the FO knows something about his progress in the cage or with Chili that we don't know he should be moved down in the order.

 

It's been a bad month - the others have been good months ... just needs to see the ball go in the hoop a little bit ...

[dustcover]

With a week to go until September 1st, what are the chances we'll see Moncada called up from Portland? And if he is added to the roster will he get a similar opportunity to play 3B on a regular and consistent basis?

[sk7326]

With a week to go until September 1st, what are the chances we'll see Moncada called up from Portland? And if he is added to the roster will he get a similar opportunity to play 3B on a regular and consistent basis?

 

1. High - but it might not be on Aug 31, since he can be added as an injury replacement to the playoff roster

2. Don't know - I imagine he will get some 3B and some LF

[bosoxmal]

1. High - but it might not be on Aug 31, since he can be added as an injury replacement to the playoff roster

2. Don't know - I imagine he will get some 3B and some LF

 

Bring him up tomorrow. Tell him, for better or worse, you are our new third baseman. You'll hit 5th behind Betts and Pape, and Good Luck!

[oldtimer]

Bring him up tomorrow. Tell him, for better or worse, you are our new third baseman. You'll hit 5tositioh behind Betts and Pape, and Good Luck!

 

I'd also bring him up but I think it is a bad idea to put him in a key middle of the lineup position.

[illinoisredsox]

1. High - but it might not be on Aug 31, since he can be added as an injury replacement to the playoff roster

2. Don't know - I imagine he will get some 3B and some LF

 

He is not going to play LF. You don't put a kid in a position he has never played before professionally in a pennant race. He doesn't even have that much time at 3rd, but at least he's been playing infield.

 

If he comes up prior to September 1st, who do you jettison off the 25man roster to make room? Basically, the candidates are Shaw, Hill and I guess Hernandez (who I guess they could send down for a week).

 

Hill's not hitting, but I see some value in him as a defensive replacement for the stretch run. Shaw isn't going anywhere.

 

They just came off a 7-4 road trip folks. Have a decent homestand and bring the kid up on 9/1.

[bosoxmal]

I'd also bring him up but I think it is a bad idea to put him in a key middle of the lineup position.

 

Well, combined numbers for the last month for JBJ, Bogie, Shaw and Holt are 81 for 419. That's .193, and that's for a month. How can this kid be any worse? Plus, I think the pitchers will have a tougher time getting his number than vice versa. The other night he was on 5 times: HR and 4 walks. I love the walks part of that as much as I like the HR that won the game!

[Dojji]

Well, combined numbers for the last month for JBJ, Bogie, Shaw and Holt are 81 for 419. That's .193, and that's for a month. How can this kid be any worse?

 

Will Middlebrooks, 2014, .191/.256/.265

 

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