3rd Third III

[Jack Flap]

Well, it's July now, and Shaw shows no signs of slowing down...

 

Buster Olney‏ @Buster_ESPN 45m45 minutes ago

With two more hits and a homer today, Travis Shaw on pace for 38 doubles, 34 HR, 85 runs, 115 RBI, 53 walks, 13 SB.

 

As bad as this trade looks for us right now, it's great to see him having this kind of success...he's been underestimated by a lot of people (myself included) over and over again and just keeps finding ways to exceed all expectations. I hope he goes on to have himself a nice career.

[Kimmi]

Well, it's July now, and Shaw shows no signs of slowing down...

 

Buster Olney‏ @Buster_ESPN 45m45 minutes ago

With two more hits and a homer today, Travis Shaw on pace for 38 doubles, 34 HR, 85 runs, 115 RBI, 53 walks, 13 SB.

 

As bad as this trade looks for us right now, it's great to see him having this kind of success...he's been underestimated by a lot of people (myself included) over and over again and just keeps finding ways to exceed all expectations. I hope he goes on to have himself a nice career.

 

I do not have any hard feelings against Shaw and I hope he continues to play well.

 

That said, I can't blame Dombrowski for trading him. I do blame Dombrowski for trading him and not having a better back up plan for Pablo.

[moonslav59]

Well, it's July now, and Shaw shows no signs of slowing down...

 

Buster Olney‏ @Buster_ESPN 45m45 minutes ago

With two more hits and a homer today, Travis Shaw on pace for 38 doubles, 34 HR, 85 runs, 115 RBI, 53 walks, 13 SB.

 

As bad as this trade looks for us right now, it's great to see him having this kind of success...he's been underestimated by a lot of people (myself included) over and over again and just keeps finding ways to exceed all expectations. I hope he goes on to have himself a nice career.

 

I chose Shaw as my sleeper prospect of the year way way back. I'm not patting myself on the back, because I gave up on him afterwards. (And, I liked the Thornburg trade.)

 

[Fan_since_Boggs]

Well, it's July now, and Shaw shows no signs of slowing down...

 

Buster Olney‏ @Buster_ESPN 45m45 minutes ago

With two more hits and a homer today, Travis Shaw on pace for 38 doubles, 34 HR, 85 runs, 115 RBI, 53 walks, 13 SB.

 

As bad as this trade looks for us right now, it's great to see him having this kind of success...he's been underestimated by a lot of people (myself included) over and over again and just keeps finding ways to exceed all expectations. I hope he goes on to have himself a nice career.

 

It's amazing: the Brew Crew added Shaw and E.Thames to the offense without losing any significant players in the process.. Nice work by the GM. Such moves help explain why the Brewers--a team that wasn't expected to contend--are 6 over .500 and in first place.

Edited July 5, 2017 by Fan_since_Boggs

[moonslav59]

It's amazing: the Brew Crew added Shaw and E.Thames to the offense without losing any significant players in the process.. Nice work by the GM--such moves help explain why the Brewers are 6 over .500 and in first place.

 

Maybe we'll find out the Brewers knew Thornburg was damaged goods, and we can get Shaw, Pennington & Dubon back.

[Spudboy]

I do not have any hard feelings against Shaw and I hope he continues to play well.

 

That said, I can't blame Dombrowski for trading him. I do blame Dombrowski for trading him and not having a better back up plan for Pablo.

 

I agree. However I do think that it was very short sided to deal Shaw this early. I am not surprised that he has seemed to figure things out. Maybe he is a little better than Middlebrooks?

[Spudboy]

Maybe we'll find out the Brewers knew Thornburg was damaged goods, and we can get Shaw, Pennington & Dubon back.

 

Lol. I like wishful thinking!

[Slasher9]

shaw visiting the same Dr/clinic that Braun attends.....just sayin....

[a700hitter]

shaw visiting the same Dr/clinic that Braun attends.....just sayin....

I hope that he doesn't start playing like Braun or I will be very upset that we traded him.

[Kimmi]

I agree. However I do think that it was very short sided to deal Shaw this early. I am not surprised that he has seemed to figure things out. Maybe he is a little better than Middlebrooks?

 

Fair point.

[Kimmi]

Pete Abraham‏Verified account @PeteAbe 17m17 minutes ago

 

Sox are 6-0 in games started by Tzu-Wei Lin. He is 9 of 22 in those games with 2 triples, 5 runs, 2 RBIs, 3 walks and a sacrifice.

 

 

Rob Bradford

3m

July third base intrigue: When Marrero and/or Lin starts, the Red Sox are now a combined 29-12

[Station 13]

Pete Abraham‏Verified account @PeteAbe 17m17 minutes ago

 

Sox are 6-0 in games started by Tzu-Wei Lin. He is 9 of 22 in those games with 2 triples, 5 runs, 2 RBIs, 3 walks and a sacrifice.

 

 

Rob Bradford

3m

July third base intrigue: When Marrero and/or Lin starts, the Red Sox are now a combined 29-12

 

Definitely don't need Devers (rushing) up here with them performing.

[notin]

I do not have any hard feelings against Shaw and I hope he continues to play well.

 

That said, I can't blame Dombrowski for trading him. I do blame Dombrowski for trading him and not having a better back up plan for Pablo.

 

To be fair, Holt was still in the picture at that time. ..

[moonslav59]

To be fair, Holt was still in the picture at that time. ..

 

I had high hopes for Marco Hernandez, and I felt this could have been his opportunity to show what he could do.

 

I had Marco and Rutledge ahead of Holt on the 3B depth chart.

 

I think DD felt that having 3 possible subs for Pablo was enough. Although none were great, the idea that one would be decent enough was not far-fetched.

 

It's hard to plan for your top four 3Bmen all getting hurt at the same time.

[moonslav59]

To be fair, Holt was still in the picture at that time. ..

 

BTW, wasn't it you who first opined that Holt was part of the reason we signed Pablo in the first place?

[sk7326]

Definitely don't need Devers (rushing) up here with them performing.

 

I don't think anybody will rush him. But if they think he can handle it - and that's really about the kid - then plug him in 9th and let him figure it out.

[Fan_since_Boggs]

shaw visiting the same Dr/clinic that Braun attends.....just sayin....

 

This might explain the increase in HRs throughout the league. Though, no one seems to want to talk about it very much. Instead, people are coming up with other explanations, i.e., different ball, increased velocity, etc.

 

Amazing, after all these years, baseball might be at the brink of another another steroids era. This would be Steroids Era Part II.

Edited July 5, 2017 by Fan_since_Boggs

[Fan_since_Boggs]

Pete Abraham‏Verified account @PeteAbe 17m17 minutes ago

 

Sox are 6-0 in games started by Tzu-Wei Lin. He is 9 of 22 in those games with 2 triples, 5 runs, 2 RBIs, 3 walks and a sacrifice.

 

 

Rob Bradford

3m

July third base intrigue: When Marrero and/or Lin starts, the Red Sox are now a combined 29-12

 

I've developed such a man crush on T-W Lin. I want my future daughter to marry him.

 

I'm concerned they are going to send Lin back to the minors when Holt returns. I don't like Holt very much, never did. At this point, I would rather stick with Lin but they have to make room for Holt somehow.

[moonslav59]

I've developed such a man crush on T-W Lin. I want my future daughter to marry him.

 

I'm concerned they are going to send Lin back to the minors when Holt returns. I don't like Holt very much, never did. At this point, I would rather stick with Lin but they have to make room for Holt somehow.

 

There's always Marrero.

[Fan_since_Boggs]

A couple of observations.

 

(1) I just noticed that B.Holt has an option remaining. Thus, I guess the Red Sox could send him to AAA when it is time to activate him, no? Holt hasn't been hitting very well in his rehab assignment thus far.

 

(2) According to Peter Abraham, Sandoval's rehab assignment runs through July 16. Thus, at that time, the Red Sox must decide to release him or bring him back, probably as a bench player. He could take the roster spot of S.Travis. It'll be interesting to see if the Red Sox plan to get Sandoval some reps at 1b before his rehab assignment is up.

 

(3) According to Peter Abraham:

"Farrell full of praise for the Lin/Marrero 3B combo. Said no plans to change anything any time soon."

This is why I'm thinking that Lin and Marrero stay on the team throughout July; Holt is optioned to AAA; and Sandoval replaces Travis on the bench. On the other hand, maybe Holt replaces Travis, and Sandoval is released. Based on Farrell's comments on Lin/Marrero, it doesn't sound like Sandoval is coming back to Boston to start at 3b.

Edited July 6, 2017 by Fan_since_Boggs

[moonslav59]

A couple of observations.

 

(1) I just noticed that B.Holt has an option remaining. Thus, I guess the Red Sox could send him to AAA when it is time to activate him, no? Holt hasn't been hitting very well in his rehab assignment thus far.

 

(2) According to Peter Abraham, Sandoval's rehab assignment runs through July 16. Thus, at that time, the Red Sox must decide to release him or bring him back, probably as a bench player. He could take the roster spot of S.Travis. It'll be interesting to see if the Red Sox plan to get Sandoval some reps at 1b before his rehab assignment is up.

 

(3) According to Peter Abraham:

 

This is why I'm thinking that Lin and Marrero stay on the team throughout July; Holt is optioned to AAA; and Sandoval replaces Travis on the bench. On the other hand, maybe Holt replaces Travis, and Sandoval is released. Based on Farrell's comments on Lin/Marrero, it doesn't sound like Sandoval is coming back to Boston to start at 3b.

 

I think Pablo's days are numbered, perhaps to July 16th.

 

How well Moreland is doing might have something to do with our willingness to send Travis down just to prolong the release of Pablo.

 

If we're not going to play Pablo after July 16th, then just set him free.

[a700hitter]

Set him free on the buffet line and let him eat himself into baseball oblivion.

[Kimmi]

I've developed such a man crush on T-W Lin. I want my future daughter to marry him.

 

I'm concerned they are going to send Lin back to the minors when Holt returns. I don't like Holt very much, never did. At this point, I would rather stick with Lin but they have to make room for Holt somehow.

 

As you posted in your next post, Farrell seems really high on the Marrero/Lin tandem. And it's working. I can't imagine that they'd send either one down, but if I had to guess, it would be Marrero before Lin.

 

It will be interesting to see what happens once Pablo and Holt are healthy.

[moonslav59]

I realize Holt's unfortunate injury has a lot to do with it, but his stock sure has fallen among many fans that used to cringe at the mere suggestion of trading him away.

[Dojji]

Lin is like Leon last year -- an illusion, but a very useful illusion. Ride it until you can't, that's the verdict I have.

[moonslav59]

Lin is like Leon last year -- an illusion, but a very useful illusion. Ride it until you can't, that's the verdict I have.

 

32 PAss is a tiny sample size, but Lin was hitting at an .870 clip in Portland in over 180 PAs.

 

.580 in 2016 AA (411 PAs)

.525 Fall League (54 PAs)

.635 in 2015 AA & A+ (501 PAs)

.611 in 2014 A (467)

.607 in 2013 A- (261)

.659 in 2012 Rk (130)

 

It does look like an outlier year for sure.

 

The guy was a very weak hitter beforehand

[Dojji]

That's why I used the Leon comp. Sandy Leon isn't anything like the level he was producing at for a little while last year but he did clearly absorb some level of improvement over his previous career level. Basically I suspect that like Leon, Lin made an adjustment the league will eventually catch up to, but still yielded a net improvement.

 

Someone on SoSH suggested that if you corrected for normal BABIP, Lin's line would be something in the .275/.320/.410 range. I'd take that over a punch in the face anyday. That version of Lin will do until Devers is ready or a professional can be secured. And it's more than good enough for bench service after that.

 

If Lin can produce at that level he'll be better than the majority of reserve infielders, especially with a shortstop's athleticism to back it up

[Kimmi]

I realize Holt's unfortunate injury has a lot to do with it, but his stock sure has fallen among many fans that used to cringe at the mere suggestion of trading him away.

 

I have nothing against Holt, and IMO, his value to our team as a super utility guy goes beyond his numbers. If he can produce for us like he did pre-injury, I'd be happy to have him back.

[Fan_since_Boggs]

How well Moreland is doing might have something to do with our willingness to send Travis down just to prolong the release of Pablo.

 

Travis needs to play everyday, which is why I'm expecting the Red Sox to soon replace him with Sandoval or Holt.

[moonslav59]

That's why I used the Leon comp. Sandy Leon isn't anything like the level he was producing at for a little while last year but he did clearly absorb some level of improvement over his previous career level. Basically I suspect that like Leon, Lin made an adjustment the league will eventually catch up to, but still yielded a net improvement.

 

Someone on SoSH suggested that if you corrected for normal BABIP, Lin's line would be something in the .275/.320/.410 range. I'd take that over a punch in the face anyday. That version of Lin will do until Devers is ready or a professional can be secured. And it's more than good enough for bench service after that.

 

If Lin can produce at that level he'll be better than the majority of reserve infielders, especially with a shortstop's athleticism to back it up

 

Leon had had a few good batting stretches in the minors. Lin has had no hint of good offense before this year. (Note: Lin has been in the system for 6 years with over 2000 PAs.)

 

True, Leon's hot streaks were few and far between, but he did have several over his long minor league career (11 years in professional ball with over 3500 PAs).

 

OPS

2009 .701 (195 PAs in A-)

2010 .680 (385 in A)

2012 .856 (231 in A, AA, AAA)

(Note: Leon as a .720 career OPS in AAA in 498 PAs- higher than any other level)

2013-2014 Fall League: .938 (142 PAs)

2014 .692 in AAA (193)

2015 .676 in AAA (111)

 

While leon's minor league numbers are nothing to brag about, he had better numbers than Lin. (Note: he was older than Lin at all levels.)