A Realistic View at 2017 Part II

[Kimmi]

I think that your take is a good one. Very sensible. I just keep looking at Sandy and thinking what is there about him (lacking I guess) that makes him any less of a defensive catcher than CV. Actually I think he is a decent framer of pitches and I really can't see anything wrong with his arm. He has a very strong and accurate one. I want the best for Vazquez too but I think that Sandy gets sold a little short by some people in comparison to him. it is a good problem to have. the one I really am beginning to feel sorry for is Swihart.

 

Trust me, I'm not selling Leon short.

 

I was the one praising his defense when we acquired him, while most here complained about how we picked up a catcher who wasn't good enough to be another team's 3rd stringer.

[cp176]

I think it is smart to bet on the track record - so the Red Sox should have the eject button ready for Leon. But - he was really good last season, and clearly DESERVES the chance to prove that his transformation last year will hold.

 

Eject button? really? Who would you eject him for in all honesty? Sounds like someone expecting him to fail to me. I'm happy we have him and don't consider him someone simply holding a job for someone else. I really don't think that the Red sox have an eject button ready for Leon.

[cp176]

Trust me, I'm not selling Leon short.

 

I was the one praising his defense when we acquired him, while most here complained about how we picked up a catcher who wasn't good enough to be another team's 3rd stringer.

 

I understand.

[cp176]

I don't have anything against Leon. IMO, he's a very good defender in his own right, maybe as good as or better than Vazquez will be going forward.

 

That said, based off of his minor league reputation and his limited numbers in 2014, I think that Vazquez can reach 'elite' status as a defender. He won me over in 2014 and I've been pulling for him ever since.

 

I won't be upset if Leon keeps the starting job over Vazquez based on merit. I'm not pulling against Leon in any way. I'm just pulling for Vazquez.

 

This I get - kind of like me pulling for Hernandez. I actually understand and appreciate your stand. You like Vazquez and it isn't a comparison that is data driven. He is young and still might be the guy moving forward. We all want the best catcher that we can have.

[moonslav59]

I don't have anything against Leon. IMO, he's a very good defender in his own right, maybe as good as or better than Vazquez will be going forward.

 

That said, based off of his minor league reputation and his limited numbers in 2014, I think that Vazquez can reach 'elite' status as a defender. He won me over in 2014 and I've been pulling for him ever since.

 

I won't be upset if Leon keeps the starting job over Vazquez based on merit. I'm not pulling against Leon in any way. I'm just pulling for Vazquez.

 

I felt the same way about Vaz back then, too. He has "the look" of a great catcher.

 

Leon looks like a plumber. An "average Joe". He's only about a year and half older than Vaz. It's hard not to pull for a guy like Sandy.

 

I'm glad we have so many chances at hitting it good at the catcher position. I miss the VTek days.

[moonslav59]

This I get - kind of like me pulling for Hernandez. I actually understand and appreciate your stand. You like Vazquez and it isn't a comparison that is data driven. He is young and still might be the guy moving forward. We all want the best catcher that we can have.

 

I find myself pulling hardest for Marco and Wright. I'm super high on ERod, JBJ, and of course Betts, but I often find myself pulling for the more unsung players.

[Nick]

JF did not want to put in Kimbrel in a 4 out situation this early in the year. What the hell does that mean?

 

I've seen Kimbrel face 5 or 6 hitters in 9th inning. With two runners on and two out, tie game, isn't this the time to put your 'best finisher'?

 

He could possibly faced only 4 batters in getting those 4 outs.

 

With 4 outs to go, and that first out being most critical, why not pitch him and take him out if the pitch count gets out of hand? U

ultimately is it not the pitch count that matters the most?

 

I'm sorry but I WANT TO SCREAM, WHAT A BUNCH OF *USSIES. Cy Young would be rolling in his graves.

 

I almost forgot, we are at a disadvantage because we have to overcome our inept manager. Edge goes to Cleveland.

Edited April 8, 2017 by Nick

[Bellhorn04]

JF did not want to put in Kimbrel in a 4 out situation this early in the year. What the hell does that mean?

 

I've seen Kimbrel face 5 or 6 hitters in 9th inning. With two runners on and two out, tie game, isn't this the time to put your 'best finisher'?

 

He could possibly faced only 4 batters in getting those 4 outs.

 

With 4 outs to go, and that first out being most critical, why not pitch him and take him out if the pitch count gets out of hand? U

ultimately is it not the pitch count that matters the most?

 

I'm sorry but I WANT TO SCREAM, WHAT A BUNCH OF *USSIES. Cy Young would be rolling in his graves.

 

I almost forgot, we are at a disadvantage because we have to overcome our inept manager. Edge goes to Cleveland.

 

I understand the frustration, I hate blowing games too.

 

With regard to the managing though, I think Farrell actually tries to follow the philosophy of Francona, which is to 'manage the season', and that's why you try to avoid burning out your closer in the first week of the season. Managing our bullpen is going to be tricky with both of our 8th inning guys on the DL, and we're going to see some ugly results.

 

'We need somebody to step up', as the saying goes.

[Kimmi]

This I get - kind of like me pulling for Hernandez. I actually understand and appreciate your stand. You like Vazquez and it isn't a comparison that is data driven. He is young and still might be the guy moving forward. We all want the best catcher that we can have.

 

I like Leon too. You remember the quote I posted about him not playing in the WBC because the team came first.

 

If he ends up becoming our permanent starting catcher, I won't be unhappy.

[Michfan]

Yesterday was an ugly game. Finally some excitement when we went ahead. I'll have to opt out today as my granddaughter has a track meet. Sunday should be a really nice day for a ballgame. Suppose to be almost 80 here in Michigan.

[Kimmi]

I felt the same way about Vaz back then, too. He has "the look" of a great catcher.

 

Leon looks like a plumber. An "average Joe". He's only about a year and half older than Vaz. It's hard not to pull for a guy like Sandy.

 

I'm glad we have so many chances at hitting it good at the catcher position. I miss the VTek days.

 

Varitek was the man. I'd still have him behind the plate if I were manager.

[Kimmi]

I find myself pulling hardest for Marco and Wright. I'm super high on ERod, JBJ, and of course Betts, but I often find myself pulling for the more unsung players.

 

Besides Vazquez, JBJ is the other player that I've always pulled the hardest for.

 

That said, I pretty much pull hard for all of our players. Others have talked about not getting attached to players, but I can't help it. I get too emotionally invested in these guys for my own good.

[Kimmi]

JF did not want to put in Kimbrel in a 4 out situation this early in the year. What the hell does that mean?

 

I've seen Kimbrel face 5 or 6 hitters in 9th inning. With two runners on and two out, tie game, isn't this the time to put your 'best finisher'?

 

He could possibly faced only 4 batters in getting those 4 outs.

 

With 4 outs to go, and that first out being most critical, why not pitch him and take him out if the pitch count gets out of hand? U

ultimately is it not the pitch count that matters the most?

 

I'm sorry but I WANT TO SCREAM, WHAT A BUNCH OF *USSIES. Cy Young would be rolling in his graves.

 

I almost forgot, we are at a disadvantage because we have to overcome our inept manager. Edge goes to Cleveland.

 

MacPherson made a good point in his tweet.

 

Farrell did not go with his closer for 4 outs and got burned. Ausmus went with his closer for 4 outs and got burned.

 

Baseball is a funny game.

[Kimmi]

I understand the frustration, I hate blowing games too.

 

With regard to the managing though, I think Farrell actually tries to follow the philosophy of Francona, which is to 'manage the season', and that's why you try to avoid burning out your closer in the first week of the season. Managing our bullpen is going to be tricky with both of our 8th inning guys on the DL, and we're going to see some ugly results.

 

'We need somebody to step up', as the saying goes.

 

Blowing a lead late is the worst way to lose a game. I think I would have been better off if the Sox had just lost 4-0.

 

While I believe that the closer should not always be saved for the 9th inning, I also strongly agree that Farrell has to manage for the season and not for one early game.

 

As you said, somebody needs to step up. Joe Kelly needs to trust his fastball.

[Kimmi]

Yesterday was an ugly game. Finally some excitement when we went ahead. I'll have to opt out today as my granddaughter has a track meet. Sunday should be a really nice day for a ballgame. Suppose to be almost 80 here in Michigan.

 

Enjoy your granddaughter's track meet.

[Fisk]

MacPherson made a good point in his tweet.

 

Farrell did not go with his closer for 4 outs and got burned. Ausmus went with his closer for 4 outs and got burned.

 

Baseball is a funny game.

 

I'm guessing if Kimbrel came in and blew a 4 out save we would have second guessed that.

[Kimmi]

I'm guessing if Kimbrel came in and blew a 4 out save we would have second guessed that.

 

You know it.

[moonslav59]

Some positives came out of the loss. We fought back hard. We should have the feeling "we're never out of it" from here on out.

 

Pablo got a big hit.

 

Moreland finally got a hit(s).

 

On to the next game after a tough loss.

[Fisk]

Some positives came out of the loss. We fought back hard. We should have the feeling "we're never out of it" from here on out.

 

Pablo got a big hit.

 

Moreland finally got a hit(s).

 

On to the next game after a tough loss.

 

It sucked to lose the game, but besides the bullpen it was mostly positive.

 

Kelly now also out with the flu.

[oldtimer]

Some positives came out of the loss. We fought back hard. We should have the feeling "we're never out of it" from here on out.

 

Pablo got a big hit.

 

Moreland finally got a hit(s).

 

On to the next game after a tough loss.

 

Moreland was coming back from the flu so had an excuse for the slow start. Pablo is a free swinger, but he is making solid contact. Could this continue? Wait and see.

 

What kills me is when pitchers have two strikes on a batter yet fool around and walk them rather than come in. Batters only get a hit once in three times so a ball in play is a better result than a walk. Hembree was guilty of that. our pen is somewhat decimated with the flu as is the team. I hope it runs its course soon as we could pick up a few losses just due to the flu.

[S5Dewey]

It sucked to lose the game, but besides the bullpen it was mostly positive.

 

Kelly now also out with the flu.

 

Are we going to be able to field a team today?

 

At the risk of being accused of finding an excuse for what Kelly did yesterday, it may be that he didn't pitch well because he had this 'coming on'. IIRC he pitched better than this at ST.

 

Oh well.. time will tell.

[S5Dewey]

 

Batters only get a hit once in three times so a ball in play is a better result than a walk.

 

THIS ^^

 

I've never understood walking in a run, especially in that situation. There are a lot of things that can go wrong on every pitch but throwing a ball that's off the plate in that situation removes almost any chance of anything going right.

 

THROW A FREAKIN' STRIKE!!

[Bellhorn04]

THIS ^^

 

I've never understood walking in a run, especially in that situation. There are a lot of things that can go wrong on every pitch but throwing a ball that's off the plate in that situation removes almost any chance of anything going right.

 

THROW A FREAKIN' STRIKE!!

 

You're right, but I guarantee the pitcher is not trying to throw a ball in that situation.

 

Also, if you throw a straight fastball down the middle, major league hitters are usually going to crush it. If pitchers threw nothing but straight fastballs down the middle major league hitters would probably be hitting .600 and games would be won by scores of 30-25.

[S5Dewey]

You're right, but I guarantee the pitcher is not trying to throw a ball in that situation.

 

Also, if you throw a straight fastball down the middle, major league hitters are usually going to crush it. If pitchers threw nothing but straight fastballs down the middle major league hitters would probably be hitting .600 and games would be won by scores of 30-25.

 

What a pitcher needs to be doing in that situation is telling himself to throw the pitch that he KNOWS he can throw for a strike. If a pitcher doesn't have a pitch he knows that he can throw for a strike he won't last long as a pitcher at any level. He shouldn't be dicking around with it - most likely nothing good is going to happen if he throws a pitch that's off the plate.

[Bellhorn04]

What a pitcher needs to be doing in that situation is telling himself to throw the pitch that he KNOWS he can throw for a strike. If a pitcher doesn't have a pitch he knows that he can throw for a strike he won't last long as a pitcher at any level. He shouldn't be dicking around with it - most likely nothing good is going to happen if he throws a pitch that's off the plate.

 

Sure he has a pitch he knows he can throw for a strike. A straight fastball down the middle. A sweet juicy meatball.

[S5Dewey]

Sure he has a pitch he knows he can throw for a strike. A straight fastball down the middle. A sweet juicy meatball.

 

If that's the only one he's got that he can depend on he's in big trouble.

[Nick]

I'm guessing if Kimbrel came in and blew a 4 out save we would have second guessed that.

 

Nope, I will always give credit to the team for going for a win, even in our 3rd game.

 

That's why I will never second guess DD for trading for Pom last year. He owed every player on the 25 man roster every chance to win the pennant. How can you sacrifice a whole year's worth of effort from Pedy, Ortiz, Betts, Bradley Jr, etc for a kid who may or may not pitch in the majors? He did the right thing.

 

I bet Miller would have come in.

Edited April 8, 2017 by Nick

[Emp9]

If that's the only one he's got that he can depend on he's in big trouble.

 

Kelly got a swing and miss on a 99MPH fastball and it'd been a strike either way (over the plate). He just never went back to it and instead threw outside breaking balls. Maybe he lost command on his FB, but that's hard to know when he never attempted to throw another one. It's a little too early in the season to make any definitive assessment on how future appearances will go for him. I just didn't like what I saw from him GM #3 because he didn't challenge hitters, hitters that shouldn't have put the fear of god in him that's for sure. Maybe the flu caught up to him? IDK? Another issue for me is that when the hell do our relievers trust in the defense behind them like our SPers have. They seem to be pitching like it's all on them and it's not. Are they paying attention to JBJ at all?

[S5Dewey]

Another issue for me is that when the hell do our relievers trust in the defense behind them like our SPers have. They seem to be pitching like it's all on them and it's not. Are they paying attention to JBJ at all?

 

No freakin' kidding!! :-( These relievers have a great defense - especially in the OF - behind them and they're pitching like they have to strike everyone out. There's a lot to be said for pitching to contact.

[moonslav59]

When are we going to finally have our complete line-up intact?

 

I thought having 5 pitchers on the DL was enough bad luck.