A Realistic View at 2017 Part I

[Fisk]

Farrell has spoken highly of Hernandez this spring, I know it would hurt depth, but I don't think it's a foregone conclusion that Rutledge will make the team.

[moonslav59]

It kind of looks like Hernandez might be one of the odd guys out. If he is, I will feel very bad for this kid. He is good enough to start for any number of teams at either second or short. I get all of that ******** about his options too but that will never enter in to any philosophy that I have about athletics. Your team should consist of the best players available. I truly believe that he is better than Rutledge(no I would not care if he had to be returned to colorado)and I actually believe that in terms of playing second or short, he is a solid upgrade over Holt. He really does deserve a chance. i wish that they would trade him!

 

The only place Hernandez or Rutledge might play barring injury is 3B, especially vs. LHPs, and in that one area, Rutledge is probably better. If a middle infielder gets hurt, Marco can get the call.

[moonslav59]

Farrell has spoken highly of Hernandez this spring, I know it would hurt depth, but I don't think it's a foregone conclusion that Rutledge will make the team.

 

If Prdey or Bogey get hurt, we may need Hernandez and Rutledge.

[Gringo]

A 2017 infield of Leon-Mooreland-Pedroia-Boegarts-Sandoval doesn't exactly make you shiver...I think this season will tell the tale of John Farrell. Should be an interesting year though. Big pressure on Price to improve on last, his injury isn't a very good start. I think Chris Sale will be immense for the ball club, best signing in years.

[a700hitter]

A 2017 infield of Leon-Mooreland-Pedroia-Boegarts-Sandoval doesn't exactly make you shiver...I think this season will tell the tale of John Farrell. Should be an interesting year though. Big pressure on Price to improve on last, his injury isn't a very good start. I think Chris Sale will be immense for the ball club, best signing in years.

Marco Hernandez is lining the ball all over the field. If he continues slashing like this, maybe he will beat out Pablo as a starter. It would be funny if he lost the starting job 2 years in a row. Pablo could sit on the bench and be the first one on line for the buffet spread.

[moonslav59]

Marco Hernandez is lining the ball all over the field. If he continues slashing like this, maybe he will beat out Pablo as a starter. It would be funny if he lost the starting job 2 years in a row. Pablo could sit on the bench and be the first one on line for the buffet spread.

 

ST'ing numbers are not very telling.

 

While true, Marco his hitting the ball hard, Pablo is doing much better than the last time he lost the FT job.

[Fisk]

If Prdey or Bogey get hurt, we may need Hernandez and Rutledge.

 

We still have Holt and Marrero. It comes down to if Rutledge is better then a replacement level player and you can just replace his spot during the season if you need to. Example Kelly Johnson and Aaron Hill still do not have jobs, is Rutledge better then either of them?

[cp176]

Marco Hernandez is lining the ball all over the field. If he continues slashing like this, maybe he will beat out Pablo as a starter. It would be funny if he lost the starting job 2 years in a row. Pablo could sit on the bench and be the first one on line for the buffet spread.

 

I remember being that guy a couple of years ago who took some grief for going on about how good I thought Hernandez could be after I saw him play a bit in Portland. I still feel the same way about him (lol). Even though I think that he is a legit shortstop or second baseman, I think that he is an all-star in comparison to any of the others that have been mentioned here - Rutledge, Marrero, maybe even Holt. I still don't think that he is just a utility player and wish that they could move him in a trade as opposed to keeping him for the "proverbial" depth. He is good enough to at least get a chance. Like everybody else his clock is ticking.

[oldtimer]

I remember being that guy a couple of years ago who took some grief for going on about how good I thought Hernandez could be after I saw him play a bit in Portland. I still feel the same way about him (lol). Even though I think that he is a legit shortstop or second baseman, I think that he is an all-star in comparison to any of the others that have been mentioned here - Rutledge, Marrero, maybe even Holt. I still don't think that he is just a utility player and wish that they could move him in a trade as opposed to keeping him for the "proverbial" depth. He is good enough to at least get a chance. Like everybody else his clock is ticking.

 

Yes, you, Moon and myself have argued that Hernandez looks like a good alternative in the infield and has a nice stroke at the plate. Hope they give the kid serious consideration on the 25 man roster. He and Travis look like they could help the club now.

[S5Dewey]

All I'm saying is there's a chance they we are out of the race. Price may not pitch. Pom could flame out. I could see the Sox be at .500 near the AS Break even if Hanley and Pablo are playing well. If that happens, I wouldn't be surprised if Farrell was shown the door and the Sox looked to trim payroll.

 

Wow. Why all the gloom and doom? Sure, there's a chance all of those things will happen. There's also a chance that the team will have three 25 game winners and Benintendi will win the triple-crown too - but I don't see any of those things happening.

 

Things are almost never as bad as we fear nor as good as we hope.

[S5Dewey]

I remember being that guy a couple of years ago who took some grief for going on about how good I thought Hernandez could be after I saw him play a bit in Portland. I still feel the same way about him (lol). Even though I think that he is a legit shortstop or second baseman, I think that he is an all-star in comparison to any of the others that have been mentioned here - Rutledge, Marrero, maybe even Holt. I still don't think that he is just a utility player and wish that they could move him in a trade as opposed to keeping him for the "proverbial" depth. He is good enough to at least get a chance. Like everybody else his clock is ticking.

 

That was a good call, cp. I know it's only Spring Training, but based on what I've seen this year and in the past if we suddenly have a longer term need at 3B-SS-2B I'd rather see Hernandez there as the long term option than Holt or Rutledge.

 

We tend to continue to make the same mistake of posting here based on what we see someone do at the plate. Unless a player stinks the place up defensively we tend to minimize his defense and focus on his offense. Hernandez defense is what it is - pretty darn good - and he's stroking the ball well this year too. All things being equal (and I stress that I know they're not) I'd be seriously thinking about starting Hernandez at 3B over Sandoval.

[mvp 78]

Wow. Why all the gloom and doom? Sure, there's a chance all of those things will happen. There's also a chance that the team will have three 25 game winners and Benintendi will win the triple-crown too - but I don't see any of those things happening.

 

Things are almost never as bad as we fear nor as good as we hope.

 

My guess is that it's far more likely that they have a rough season than 3 25 game winners. It's not doom and gloom. I think the Sox will do fine this year. I'm just saying there's a shot that things might not go as planned.

[jacksonianmarch]

Pablo has "recommitted" himself and is being paid $19 mil for the next 3 seasons. Pablo will win the job if only to see what you have. Last year, Pablo mailed it in and ultimately was injured. If you are paying this guy that kind of money and he is dedicated and working hard, you need to see what the new and improved Pablo is

[Nick]

Pablo has "recommitted" himself and is being paid $19 mil for the next 3 seasons. Pablo will win the job if only to see what you have. Last year, Pablo mailed it in and ultimately was injured. If you are paying this guy that kind of money and he is dedicated and working hard, you need to see what the new and improved Pablo is

 

Yep....I think it's his job to lose. Lets find out in real games where he is.

[cp176]

That was a good call, cp. I know it's only Spring Training, but based on what I've seen this year and in the past if we suddenly have a longer term need at 3B-SS-2B I'd rather see Hernandez there as the long term option than Holt or Rutledge.

 

We tend to continue to make the same mistake of posting here based on what we see someone do at the plate. Unless a player stinks the place up defensively we tend to minimize his defense and focus on his offense. Hernandez defense is what it is - pretty darn good - and he's stroking the ball well this year too. All things being equal (and I stress that I know they're not) I'd be seriously thinking about starting Hernandez at 3B over Sandoval.

 

Just my little rant that I have to take. Every now and then, players that are ready to contribute don't get the chance because of the size of someone elses contract. I want the best players available to be on the roster. I know that it doesn't work that way always. Claiming that they provide depth or that they have remaining options as opposed to someone else who doesn't still just doesn't work for me. Oh well - I still get it.

[Slasher9]

BTW - just as i predicted...Big Dick Rick is our 2017 opening day starter.

[cp176]

BTW - just as i predicted...Big Dick Rick is our 2017 opening day starter.

 

You went out so far on that branch, I'm surprised the limb held up! lol

It is the right call as far as I'm concerned.

[moonslav59]

Yes, you, Moon and myself have argued that Hernandez looks like a good alternative in the infield and has a nice stroke at the plate. Hope they give the kid serious consideration on the 25 man roster. He and Travis look like they could help the club now.

 

I know I may be solo on this one, but if we really want Hernandez on the 25 man roster, I'd see what we could get for Holt.

 

In no way would I hand him away, and I would not trade him for lesser value, but Hernandez is a better fielding SS, maybe even at 2b and 3B. Trading Holt would put our OF depth in peril, but with Selsky looking good, we might be okay.

 

I still think, as much as I like Hernandez, he should start the season in AAA.

[Bellhorn04]

BTW - just as i predicted...Big Dick Rick is our 2017 opening day starter.

 

59% of us were right.

 

http://www.talksox.com/forum/threads/18040-Who-is-our-opening-day-starter

[Slasher9]

59% of us were right.

 

http://www.talksox.com/forum/threads/18040-Who-is-our-opening-day-starter

 

we are a smart bunch.

[Nick]

E Rod pitched strong 4 innings. 0 runs, 6 K's,3 BB. Best news? He's heatlthy.

 

Good news front;

 

Porcello healthy

Sale healthy

E Rod healthy

Wright appears healthy

Pom appears healthy

Kyle healthy, willing, throws strikes

 

I'd keep Price on the shelf as long as we can. Give the guy some rest.

[Bellhorn04]

E Rod pitched strong 4 innings. 0 runs, 6 K's,3 BB. Best news? He's heatlthy.

 

Good news front;

 

Porcello healthy

Sale healthy

E Rod healthy

Wright appears healthy

Pom appears healthy

Kyle healthy, willing, throws strikes

 

I'd keep Price on the shelf as long as we can. Give the guy some rest.

 

Excellent news about ERod and Wright especially.

[Slasher9]

this is going to be a fun season. cannot wait for it to start!

[jacksonianmarch]

Pomeranz seems healthy? He debuted yesterday, got shelled, and saw his velocity in the high 80s.

[mvp 78]

Pomeranz seems healthy? He debuted yesterday, got shelled, and saw his velocity in the high 80s.

 

That's midseason form for him!

[Nick]

Kendrick leads the majors in IP with 18.

 

He has 16 K, 3 BB, 12 Hits, 3 runs, 1 HR, WHIP of .083.

 

Yeah, it's spring training and stats mean nothing.....but I rather see this than say Thornburg's.

[Nick]

Pomeranz seems healthy? He debuted yesterday, got shelled, and saw his velocity in the high 80s.

 

There you go again, throwing out facts in my face. Damn doctors.

[FredLynn]

Pomeranz seems healthy? He debuted yesterday, got shelled, and saw his velocity in the high 80s.

 

Last year his average FB was 91.2. This guy is not a hard thrower. And its still spring training. Not worried at all about his velocity.

[Fisk]

Last year his average FB was 91.2. This guy is not a hard thrower. And its still spring training. Not worried at all about his velocity.

 

It was his first game this spring I'm sure he will ramp it up.

[cp176]

Pomeranz seems healthy? He debuted yesterday, got shelled, and saw his velocity in the high 80s.

 

Debbie Downer