The Playoff Roster

[sk7326]

(ducking lightning bolt) - now that it looks likely there will be at least 163 games in this season ... let's put a dedicated playoff roster thread ... for me?

 

C : Leon

1B : Ramirez

2B : Pedroia

3B: Shaw

SS: Bogaerts

LF: Benintendi

CF: Bradley

RF: Betts

DH: Ortiz

 

RESERVES (5): Hanigan, Young, Holt, Hill, Moncada ... Red Sox have liked having an extra guy to PR in these short series - Moncada can clearly do at least that.

 

Starters (4): Price, Porcello, Rodriguez, Buchholz ... it's clear Pomeranz is about to drop dead if he has to start any more

Relievers (7): Kimbrel, Uehara, Tazawa, Ross, Hembree, Pomeranz, Barnes ... keep Pomeranz as a long man/LOOGY as needed.

[Kimmi]

I got the impression that Farrell was hesitant to use Moncada as a pinch runner after his mental gaffe. I'm not sure Farrell will have the confidence to use him as a pinch runner in such a crucial spot.

[sk7326]

I got the impression that Farrell was hesitant to use Moncada as a pinch runner after his mental gaffe. I'm not sure Farrell will have the confidence to use him as a pinch runner in such a crucial spot.

 

hernandez, merrero or brentz all make sense also ... but you want to play folks you will use ... i'd still go moncada but not with a ton of conviction

[Dojji]

If you want a pinch runner, bring Marrero, not Moncada. At least Marrero can also fill in on one side of the ball with a little confidence right now.

[d-money]

Likely facing cleveland on the road. I still want that top record. On the road's never easy. Would you consider the season a failure if this team's not in the alcs at least?

[Dojji]

I consider the season a success with a division pennant. We haven't won very many of those, even in the last few years. For me this is all gravy.

[Thunder]

The problem is... If we put Pomeranz on the roster, we have to put Holaday on the roster, which would probably bump out Hanigan. There's nothing wrong with that, necessarily, but I would rather have Hanigan as the backup catcher than Holaday, if I'm being perfectly honest. The rest of the playoff roster, to me, seems pretty obvious.

[sk7326]

Note I totally forgot about Kelly - who could bump Ross I suppose. I could argue Tazawa also, but he has pitched quite well down the stretch and there is some "been there, done that" for what it's worth.

 

Now the Sox could just carry 12 pitchers - but I am not sure I would agree.

[moonslav59]

I'd go with this...

 

SP (4) Price, Porcello, ERod, Buch

RP (7) Kimbrel, Ziegler, Uehara, Ross, Tazawa, Pomeranz, Abad

C (2) Leon, Hanigan (Holaday?)

1B (1) HanRam

2B (2) Pedroia, Holt

3B (2) Shaw, Hill

SS (2) Bogaerts, Hernandez

LF (2) Benintendi, Young

CF (1) Bradley

RF (1) Betts

DH (1) Ortiz

 

Since Holt, Hill and Hernandez are somewhat redundant, I might swap out one (Hill) for PR'er Moncada. I can see the argument for Holaday over Hanigan, but I doubt it makes much difference. Leon will likely start all playoff games, except maybe two within the two consecutive three game stretches.

 

I don't see any advantage of going with 12 pitchers with so many days off. If we did, I might go with Scott over Barnes or Kelly.

 

 

[oldtimer]

I'd go with this...

 

SP (4) Price, Porcello, ERod, Buch

RP (7) Kimbrel, Ziegler, Uehara, Ross, Tazawa, Pomeranz, Abad

C (2) Leon, Hanigan (Holaday?)

1B (1) HanRam

2B (2) Pedroia, Holt

3B (2) Shaw, Hill

SS (2) Bogaerts, Hernandez

LF (2) Benintendi, Young

CF (1) Bradley

RF (1) Betts

DH (1) Ortiz

 

Since Holt, Hill and Hernandez are somewhat redundant, I might swap out one (Hill) for PR'er Moncada. I can see the argument for Holaday over Hanigan, but I doubt it makes much difference. Leon will likely start all playoff games, except maybe two within the two consecutive three game stretches.

 

I don't see any advantage of going with 12 pitchers with so many days off. If we did, I might go with Scott over Barnes or Kelly.

 

 

 

Repeating some of my earlier comments, I wonder if Scott is a better choice to get out that one left hander than Abad who doesn't seem to get it done despite fairly good stuff. Tazawa vs Kelly or Barnes is also a question in my mind.

 

Holaday has gotten a few hits recently whereas Hannigan seems to be a lost cause at the bat. We also need to consider possible pinch hitting.

 

I really don't like Hill on the playoff roster but have trouble making suggestions since no other one we have is capable there. Moncada to run? Hard to put him in after his very weak showing.

 

Some guys who need a rest are Pedey (0 for a lot), Shaw (also 0 for a lot) and Leon (in a slump). Maybe with the magic number at 4 we will get a chance to rest them for the playoffs.

[moonslav59]

I really don't like Hill on the playoff roster but have trouble making suggestions since no other one we have is capable there.

 

I am flabbergasted why they haven't given Hernandez a longer look at 3B. What do we have to lose?

 

I'm thinking even Holt is a better option than Shaw and Hill.

[Spudboy]

(ducking lightning bolt) - now that it looks likely there will be at least 163 games in this season ... let's put a dedicated playoff roster thread ... for me?

 

C : Leon

1B : Ramirez

2B : Pedroia

3B: Shaw

SS: Bogaerts

LF: Benintendi

CF: Bradley

RF: Betts

DH: Ortiz

 

RESERVES (5): Hanigan, Young, Holt, Hill, Moncada ... Red Sox have liked having an extra guy to PR in these short series - Moncada can clearly do at least that.

Starters (4): Price, Porcello, Rodriguez, Buchholz ... it's clear Pomeranz is about to drop dead if he has to start any more

Relievers (7): Kimbrel, Uehara, Tazawa, Ross, Hembree, Pomeranz, Barnes ... keep Pomeranz as a long man/LOOGY as needed.

 

No he can not from what he has shown. Waste of roster space in the playoffs.

[greenwell]

I'd go with this...

 

SP (4) Price, Porcello, ERod, Buch

RP (7) Kimbrel, Ziegler, Uehara, Ross, Tazawa, Pomeranz, Abad

C (2) Leon, Hanigan (Holaday?)

1B (1) HanRam

2B (2) Pedroia, Holt

3B (2) Shaw, Hill

SS (2) Bogaerts, Hernandez

LF (2) Benintendi, Young

CF (1) Bradley

RF (1) Betts

DH (1) Ortiz

 

Since Holt, Hill and Hernandez are somewhat redundant, I might swap out one (Hill) for PR'er Moncada. I can see the argument for Holaday over Hanigan, but I doubt it makes much difference. Leon will likely start all playoff games, except maybe two within the two consecutive three game stretches.

 

I don't see any advantage of going with 12 pitchers with so many days off. If we did, I might go with Scott over Barnes or Kelly.

 

 

 

In my opinion Kelley should be on the roster. I wish Farrell would give Moncada some more opportunities. Hopefully they clinch early enough to see if he can be useful.

[Nick]

So Moncada made one mental mistake or two and now he's vanished forever? This is why I hate JF. He has his favorites and he keeps couple of guys in his dog house.

 

Of course no one else on this roster ever made running errors this season. And they were seasoned veterans. Good f***ing grief.

[Emp9]

So Moncada made one mental mistake or two and now he's vanished forever? This is why I hate JF. He has his favorites and he keeps couple of guys in his dog house.

 

Of course no one else on this roster ever made running errors this season. And they were seasoned veterans. Good f***ing grief.

 

I'm sure Moncada knows to keep running with two outs just in case a hit falls in, so he basically forgot how many outs there were. It's a common mistake, one that Mookie made last season ( did JBJ make that mistake last year too? I know someone else did). One that Trout made just this past week btw. Not any of these proved consequential. Moncada's speed is worth the risk having him able to PR on our post season roster IMHO. What I would like to see: Sox reach their magic number early with these last 8 games and play guys like Moncada and Hernandez as much as they can.

[moonslav59]

I realize adding a PR'er to the playoff roster might not seem like much, but having a 12th pitcher (Kelly? Scott?) probably means less. With so many days off before the first 5 day series, and then 2 days off within the series, I can't see the need for a 12th pitcher. We'll have Pomeranz for long relief needs.

 

Having Holt, Hernandez and Hill is clearly redundant, even with Holt's ability to play OF. I could see a time where we might want to PH Moncada for Holaday/Hannigan or even the lifeless Shaw or Hill, so maybe Moncada could be used more than just as a PR'er.

 

I like my roster, but I'd have no issue with subbing Moncada for Hill. Hill is JF's guy, so I doubt it happens. If anything, they may sub Moncada for Hernandez.

 

[oldtimer]

I really don't like Hill on the playoff roster but have trouble making suggestions since no other one we have is capable there.

 

I am flabbergasted why they haven't given Hernandez a longer look at 3B. What do we have to lose?

 

I'm thinking even Holt is a better option than Shaw and Hill.

 

I am not sure what JF has against Hernandez, but admit I don't see the day to day work they do as he does. Hernandez looks composed at bat and is a good fielder so in my opinion didn't get as many opportunities as were warranted by the poor hitting of Shaw and Hill. Hernandez may turn out to be a utility player for us next year.

[oldtimer]

As important as selecting a playoff roster, which on the top is obvious anyway, is getting our better players some rest with the hope of getting them hitting where they are currently in slumps. Pedey is mired in one (rest his sore knee ASAP), Shaw only seems to hit when threatened of losing his position (play Hernandez or Holt there for a couple of days), Leon (probably could use rest).

 

It is difficult to rest players until we clinch the division, so I hope we can get a couple of wins and Toronto a couple of losses in the next few days.

[Bellhorn04]

So Moncada made one mental mistake or two and now he's vanished forever? This is why I hate JF. He has his favorites and he keeps couple of guys in his dog house.

 

Yeah, this is terrible, winning all these big games.

[Maxbialystock]

Moncada has great speed on the basepaths, which we have seen. If he plays 3B, he also has a great arm. But that long period of inaction--18 months of no baseball at all, I think--has clearly affected his ability to focus. He didn't just forget the number of outs, he got picked off 1B by a mile. And, unlike others cited--Trout, Betts, whoever--he has not had literally hundreds of opportunities to lose focus this season. He has lost focus repeatedly over just a short period. My guess is he daydreams about the expensive fast cars he bought with the $30M or whatever bonus he received last year.

 

Putting him on the playoff roster will reinforce his impression that MLB is easy and the big money guaranteed for his level of talent. Effort and focus are not needed.

 

If Farrell is playing favorites, it was Moncada who initially benefited when Farrell reportedly said Shaw needs to learn how to play the outfield, implying Moncada was a lock for 3B this year. If I'm right, that was a bonehead play by Farrell.

[cp176]

It is incredible that this is even discussion worthy. Things must be just to good for us right now. Nothing else to cry about. Putting him on the playoff roster accomplishes nothing. Would Usain Bolt help us on the base paths? i think not. It would make 0 sense. He is just a kid, once again said with 19 ml at bats. Not his time!

[sk7326]

It is incredible that this is even discussion worthy. Things must be just to good for us right now. Nothing else to cry about. Putting him on the playoff roster accomplishes nothing. Would Usain Bolt help us on the base paths? i think not. It would make 0 sense. He is just a kid, once again said with 19 ml at bats. Not his time!

 

they have carried guys just to run before - Quintin Berry in 2013 ... old what's his name in 2004

[Jasonbay44]

The problem is... If we put Pomeranz on the roster, we have to put Holaday on the roster, which would probably bump out Hanigan. There's nothing wrong with that, necessarily, but I would rather have Hanigan as the backup catcher than Holaday, if I'm being perfectly honest. The rest of the playoff roster, to me, seems pretty obvious.

 

Why? Hanigan blows. Its not like he's done anything this season to warrant being on a playoff roster, Holaday hasn't been great but he's been better than Hanigan.

 

As for people talking about using Moncada as a pinch runner - I like Moncada and think he'll be a great MLB player but he has made a lot of mistakes on the base paths in his limited time, that I sure as hell wouldn't trust him in a playoff game. Quintin Berry and Dave Roberts weren't great players but they were elite at one thing and you could trust them to do it. Right now, Moncada isn't a guy I'd trust on the base paths. He's already been picked off once and could've been another time, not to mention the mistake he made with how many others there was in another game.

[Dojji]

I think they carried Joey Gathright one year too.

 

If I was looking for a rookie pinch runner I'd go with Marrero, not Moncada.

[sk7326]

Moncada has great speed on the basepaths, which we have seen. If he plays 3B, he also has a great arm. But that long period of inaction--18 months of no baseball at all, I think--has clearly affected his ability to focus. He didn't just forget the number of outs, he got picked off 1B by a mile. And, unlike others cited--Trout, Betts, whoever--he has not had literally hundreds of opportunities to lose focus this season. He has lost focus repeatedly over just a short period. My guess is he daydreams about the expensive fast cars he bought with the $30M or whatever bonus he received last year.

 

Putting him on the playoff roster will reinforce his impression that MLB is easy and the big money guaranteed for his level of talent. Effort and focus are not needed.

 

If Farrell is playing favorites, it was Moncada who initially benefited when Farrell reportedly said Shaw needs to learn how to play the outfield, implying Moncada was a lock for 3B this year. If I'm right, that was a bonehead play by Farrell.

 

I am glad I tuned in to read such novel insights about Moncada's personality. These are the sort of insights which is colored with the bias associated with players in his demo through baseball history. The guy cannot hit a big league curveball yet - but you are talking about (for the playoffs) a roster with 25 roles.

 

What does putting him on the roster mean? It means that all hands are on deck - including yours. Farrell was excited to see what Moncada could do - it turned out he struggled, which kids do - so Shaw got his job back. Nobody got hurt - and it wasn't really a dumb move by Farrell, just executing a piece of organizational business.

Edited September 24, 2016 by sk7326

[cp176]

they have carried guys just to run before - Quintin Berry in 2013 ... old what's his name in 2004

 

You would be the one who has done the research - although I did know about about Berry and what's his name. Not sure I see where you are going if you are comparing Moncada to these two. Regardless of how much faster than both of the two you reference Moncada is, I would rather have him learn how to steal bases at the ml level in a regular season game as opposed to the playoffs. He doesn't have the experience.

[sk7326]

Why? Hanigan blows. Its not like he's done anything this season to warrant being on a playoff roster, Holaday hasn't been great but he's been better than Hanigan.

 

As for people talking about using Moncada as a pinch runner - I like Moncada and think he'll be a great MLB player but he has made a lot of mistakes on the base paths in his limited time, that I sure as hell wouldn't trust him in a playoff game. Quintin Berry and Dave Roberts weren't great players but they were elite at one thing and you could trust them to do it. Right now, Moncada isn't a guy I'd trust on the base paths. He's already been picked off once and could've been another time, not to mention the mistake he made with how many others there was in another game.

 

He also stole 40+ on the farm ... i have no real conviction here, Merrero makes sense also, as does Hernandez. Now, the bigger question is 12 pitchers or 11 - I go with 11, so you can get an extra specialist out there.

[Spudboy]

they have carried guys just to run before - Quintin Berry in 2013 ... old what's his name in 2004

 

Those were experienced and accomplished MLB players that understood game situations and strategy. They could also play in the field and take responsible AB.

 

Weak sauce.

[sk7326]

Those were experienced and accomplished MLB players that understood game situations and strategy. They could also play in the field and take responsible AB.

 

Weak sauce.

 

Berry did not see the field - only basepaths. Of course arguing over the 25th man is a good thing.

[Jasonbay44]

Berry was also a good fielder and was an elite base runner. Moncada will be the better player obviously, Quintin Berry was by no means a great player, but as a base runner, he was a stud. Including the playoffs, he was 32-33 in his career in stolen base attempts and he started his career 32-32. For the Sox in '13 alone he was 3-3 in the playoffs. I don't think Moncada at this stage in his career is a good bet to do that, based on what we've seen from him in the MLB level.