Sox get Moreland

[moonslav59]

I recently read an article at Fangraphs about how eerily similar Moreland and Shaw are, not only in their career stats but also in their projections for next season.

 

Moreland was not signed to try to replace Papi, but rather to replace Shaw.

 

Except he can't back up Pablo at 3B.

[moonslav59]

At first I didn't like the Moreland signing. But the more I stew on it, the more I like it. He's a good fit and while I've never really valued 1Bman defense all that much, his defensive capabilities can not be ignored. Worst case, he stinks up the joint and we trade for a 1B/DH and slot HanRam back at first if need be.

 

I nver valued 1B defense all that much either, until someone provided a list of all the starting 1B on the championship teams over the last few decades. It was pretty eye-opening how many were GG or near GG quality. That list was made many years ago, so I'm not sure what an updated list would look like.

[raider_35_24]

http://www.foxsports.com/mlb/story/boston-red-sox-mitch-moreland-and-the-belleville-basher-121016

[Kimmi]

Except he can't back up Pablo at 3B.

 

No, he can't. It's Pablo or bust.

[moonslav59]

No, he can't. It's Pablo or bust.

 

Well, we do have Holt, Rutledge and Hernandez who all could turn out better than Shaw in 2017.

[Fan_since_Boggs]

I nver valued 1B defense all that much either, until someone provided a list of all the starting 1B on the championship teams over the last few decades. It was pretty eye-opening how many were GG or near GG quality. That list was made many years ago, so I'm not sure what an updated list would look like.

 

I'm starting to think that Moreland will play against righties and lefties, and that Young will give Benintenti and Bradley some days off against lefties. The Red Sox may prioritize Moreland's defense especially with uncertainty surrounding Sandoval's glove at 3b. It would also be interesting to examine a hit chart on Moreland. He may be the type of hitter who goes the other way and can take advantage of the wall.

[moonslav59]

I'm starting to think that Moreland will play against righties and lefties, and that Young will give Benintenti and Bradley some days off against lefties. The Red Sox may prioritize Moreland's defense especially with uncertainty surrounding Sandoval's glove at 3b. It would also be interesting to examine a hit chart on Moreland. He may be the type of hitter who goes the other way and can take advantage of the wall.

 

They may want HnRam to play 1B some, in case Moreland gets hurt or struggles. HanRam will certainly play 1B in NL parks.

 

Young needs to plaly every game when a LH'er starts. I would not sit Beni vs lefties, unless he need a rest- no more. He might struggle vs lefties, so eventually, he might be partially platooned with. JBJ might be one that could sit vs LH'd starters a little more than just on normal days of rest, but I'd still rather have JBJ's defense in CF than Moreland's at 1B. Plus, Young in LF is a downgrade from Beni.

 

We won't make this choice for defensive purposes. I don't think Moreland's numbers vs LHPs are good enough for a 1Bman anyways. .673 does not cut it for me, except maybe at catcher.

[Foe-Jarmer]

I'm starting to think that Moreland will play against righties and lefties, and that Young will give Benintenti and Bradley some days off against lefties. The Red Sox may prioritize Moreland's defense especially with uncertainty surrounding Sandoval's glove at 3b. It would also be interesting to examine a hit chart on Moreland. He may be the type of hitter who goes the other way and can take advantage of the wall.

 

I wouldn't necessarily count on that. Having young DH against lefties and sitting Moreland still allows us the opportunity to give an outfielder rest if need be with Holt or Swihart. I personally hope they keep Moreland in a platoon vs RHP/defensive replacement role. Maybe throw him out against LHP if he's on a hot streak.. But even then, his numbers aren't great vs LHP and considering how well Young does, it doesn't make sense to have Moreland as an everyday player.

[moonslav59]

I wouldn't necessarily count on that. Having young DH against lefties and sitting Moreland still allows us the opportunity to give an outfielder rest if need be with Holt or Swihart. I personally hope they keep Moreland in a platoon vs RHP/defensive replacement role. Maybe throw him out against LHP if he's on a hot streak.. But even then, his numbers aren't great vs LHP and considering how well Young does, it doesn't make sense to have Moreland as an everyday player.

 

I agree. We're not talking SS, CF or catcher here. We're talking 1B and DH (by extension). It's nice having a great defensive 1Bman out there everyday, but Moreland's numbers vs LHPs just don't support the decision to play him every day.

 

.240/.295/.378/.673

 

I wouldn't be fooled by his revers splits in 2016 (.799 vs LHPs and .700 vs RHPs), but certainly he might get a chance here and there to show he can hit lefties and play some games vs certain ones..

 

[Emp9]

On offense, I just hope we get the 2015 version of Mitch Moreland instead of the 2016 one. Along with the GG defense. That wouldn't be such a huge drop-off from what we had or... atleast it would definitely be tolerable.

 

Regardless of what we get from our infield corners (I'm hoping we get average play from them), I'm counting on XB hitting for more power and consistency, JBJ hitting more consistent, along with a full season of Beni, hoping these guys can cushion the blow from not having Ortiz. Very curious on how we'll handle the DH spot. I, we, have been talking about a rotating DH for years now. Gives some players a little rest, lets them focus on their hitting for a game. If I was manager, I'd treat it like a reward system when applicable. Could build a lot of camaraderie. When HanRam isn't the DH of course, 'cause I'm sure he'll get the most time there.

[moonslav59]

On offense, I just hope we get the 2015 version of Mitch Moreland instead of the 2016 one. Along with the GG defense. That wouldn't be such a huge drop-off from what we had or... atleast it would definitely be tolerable.

 

Regardless of what we get from our infield corners (I'm hoping we get average play from them), I'm counting on XB hitting for more power and consistency, JBJ hitting more consistent, along with a full season of Beni, hoping these guys can cushion the blow from not having Ortiz. Very curious on how we'll handle the DH spot. I, we, have been talking about a rotating DH for years now. Gives some players a little rest, lets them focus on their hitting for a game. If I was manager, I'd treat it like a reward system when applicable. Could build a lot of camaraderie. When HanRam isn't the DH of course, 'cause I'm sure he'll get the most time there.

 

I think HanRam will DH vs almost all RHPs and Young vs. almost all LHPs. Moreland plays 1B vs almost all RHPs. Young will play OF only when one of the B's need a rest or are injured.

 

One player that worries me maybe more than he should is HanRam. He's been up and down a lot in his career and has a long injury history.

 

Swihart is the wild card. This could be his breakout year, but finding him a position might take a catcher injury or trade, since both Vaz and Leon are out of options. I know I caught a lot of grief for saying this in the past, but I'm going to say it again; if Swihart is doing very well in AAA, and there is an injury or major issue at 1B, DH or OF, we could see Swihart playing LF or DH as well as being the third catcher at times.

[Emp9]

I keep forgetting about Young. He's nice to have. He started off a bit slow last year but when he warmed up he's was great.

[moonslav59]

I keep forgetting about Young. He's nice to have. He started off a bit slow last year but when he warmed up he's was great.

 

He did start out slowly, but got over .900 bu June 1st.

 

By the end of June he was near .850. He missed some time with an injury, and basically his about .850 from mid-August to the end of September.

 

I've been tooting Young's horn vs lefties since we got him. The guy has been one of MLB's best hitters vs lefties over the last 3 years.

 

Young's .875 OPS v LHPs since 2014 places him 24th among all MLB batters with 350+ PAs vs lefties. Only HanRam (.902) has a better OPS on the current Sox roster.

 

Not playing Young vs all LH'd starters would be criminal.