A Realistic View at 2017 Part II

[Maxbialystock]

Using the bunt to avoid a double play is kind of silly. "Ok in order to not make two outs on one play, we're going to start intentionally making that first out right away and get it out of the way. That'll teach 'em."

 

The issue isn't a lack of busting and stealing, and thst certainly doesn't originate with the Bill James Red Sox. Back in the 1980's, the Era of the Lead Off Hitter, where teams and players were breaking stolen bases record annually, who was stealing for the Sox?

 

A fair critique except the bunt also puts a man in scoring position--which of course a hit and run does as well.

[RedSoxNC84]

Wait, do we seriously still have Allen Craig? I thought that guy got moved or retired or something.

[Emp9]

The ground is soggy? Lol. Tell that to Cincy, Milwaukee, Seattle and NYY. 4 teams from the north who are in the top six in steals

 

I was talking about the Red Sox, not other teams. I said soggy not "ground is soggy" per se, so stop adding words to what I said. I've always known the Sox to take a cautious approach to base stealing in the early weeks. They say it or allude to it every year around this time. 1) They want to avoid injury 2) They care more about SB efficiency. They're looking for quality opportunities, not quantity exactly. Don't half of the teams you mentioned have retractable roofs, no? And is it a coincidence Arizona has the most SB attempts in MLB right now?

[jad]

Let's see: I have a runner on first. It takes 3 bases to score. There are 3 outs per inning. Should I adopt a strategy that gives up one run for one base? (Hmmm. Tough one).

[cp176]

Whenever the team isn't scoring runs the smallball aficianados come out of the woodwork.

 

Don't start throwing around the labels. That type of thinking gets latched onto to easily. I am not a small ball guy at all. My thought is though that if something isn't working, then trying something else is a good thing. I think that it is absolutely ridiculous to not try something different when what is supposed to happen isn't happening. Thus the argument behind bunting, stealing, hitting and running. When the runs start coming, great back to the original plan. I just don't think losing games now and saying everything is ok because we soon will start to hit makes any sense.

[cp176]

Let's see: I have a runner on first. It takes 3 bases to score. There are 3 outs per inning. Should I adopt a strategy that gives up one run for one base? (Hmmm. Tough one).

 

Or you don't try to move that base runner over and just ground into another dp. Hmm - whatever floats your boat. Wait though because pretty soon these guys are all going to start busting it right.

[Kimmi]

Using the bunt to avoid a double play is kind of silly. "Ok in order to not make two outs on one play, we're going to start intentionally making that first out right away and get it out of the way. That'll teach 'em."

 

The issue isn't a lack of busting and stealing, and thst certainly doesn't originate with the Bill James Red Sox. Back in the 1980's, the Era of the Lead Off Hitter, where teams and players were breaking stolen bases record annually, who was stealing for the Sox?

 

Oh goodness no. I'm not talking about sac bunting when I say try to 'make something happen'. Hit and run, bunting for a base hit against the shift, stealing a base now and then (though stolen bases are overrated).

 

As I said earlier, we can't be doing things just for the sake of doing them. It has to be the right players in the right situations. Hanley trying to steal a base in last night's game was not the right situation. I don't know whether Farrell called for that or Hanley did it on his own.

[Kimmi]

I was talking about the Red Sox, not other teams. I said soggy not "ground is soggy" per se, so stop adding words to what I said. I've always known the Sox to take a cautious approach to base stealing in the early weeks. They say it or allude to it every year around this time. 1) They want to avoid injury 2) They care more about SB efficiency. They're looking for quality opportunities, not quantity exactly. Don't half of the teams you mentioned have retractable roofs, no? And is it a coincidence Arizona has the most SB attempts in MLB right now?

 

I understood what you were saying, and you have a valid point.

[jad]

Or you don't try to move that base runner over and just ground into another dp. Hmm - whatever floats your boat. Wait though because pretty soon these guys are all going to start busting it right.

 

Yup. I'll concede your point. If the only alternatives are (1) give up 1 out, or (2) give up 2, then you're right. Is this what you mean by hitters 'busting it right'?

[cp176]

Yup. I'll concede your point. If the only alternatives are (1) give up 1 out, or (2) give up 2, then you're right. Is this what you mean by hitters 'busting it right'?

 

interesting concession. Nope - busting it would be when they all start hitting the home runs that people are so sure that they are going to hit. i think that it makes sense to just wait it out and not try anything different at all don't you?

[Northern Star]

Wait, do we seriously still have Allen Craig? I thought that guy got moved or retired or something.

 

Say what you want, we fleeced the Cardinals in that trade.

[cp176]

Yup. I'll concede your point. If the only alternatives are (1) give up 1 out, or (2) give up 2, then you're right. Is this what you mean by hitters 'busting it right'?

 

 

jad- what Hanley just did - that is what I mean by busting it. Hope that clears it up.

[Nick]

I don't care how light the bullpen is right now.

 

Why did JF send back out Wright after he's thrown 98 pitches and had the lead? Wasn't it time to give Wright some positive mojo after couple of rough starts?

 

The manager who wouldn't send out our elite pitcher to finish the game leading 1-0 but keeps struggling starter to pitch his 99th pitch.

 

I'm sorry, JF sucks. I've had enough of his act. It's time for him to go. I NEED CHANGE.

[jad]

jad- what Hanley just did - that is what I mean by busting it. Hope that clears it up.

 

Wow. Your rapier-like wit is clearly blunted on the stone of my understanding. But since we agree (HRs are what get it done, not 'small ball'), then why on earth are you arguing for the bunt? (just to argue?)

[cp176]

Wow. Your rapier-like wit is clearly blunted on the stone of my understanding. But since we agree (HRs are what get it done, not 'small ball'), then why on earth are you arguing for the bunt? (just to argue?)

 

Not really arguing with you jad just love to see you spinning the words. rapier like wit - blunted on the stone of "your understanding" - my goodness . Don't hold back. lol

[jacksonianmarch]

One interesting tidbit about the second yankee game was that it wasn't a sellout and the crowd was very late arriving. Strange to see such apathy for a team anointed AL East champs at the beginning of the season

[Jasonbay44]

One interesting tidbit about the second yankee game was that it wasn't a sellout and the crowd was very late arriving. Strange to see such apathy for a team anointed AL East champs at the beginning of the season

 

Wasn't the weather also really s***** that night?

[notin]

One interesting tidbit about the second yankee game was that it wasn't a sellout and the crowd was very late arriving. Strange to see such apathy for a team anointed AL East champs at the beginning of the season

 

What are you talking about? I saw the pictures. It was the largest crowd ever to see a Sox-Yankees game. At least, according to the people who count crowds for Trump, anyway...

[mvp 78]

One interesting tidbit about the second yankee game was that it wasn't a sellout and the crowd was very late arriving. Strange to see such apathy for a team anointed AL East champs at the beginning of the season

 

The Yankee rivalry isn't what it was in the early 00's.

[Nick]

Holt ready to return.....WOW..I'm excited....does he have a picture of JF or what? Another little non athletic dude that can hit singles.

[SoxHop]

holt ready to return.....wow..i'm excited....does he have a picture of jf or what? Another little non athletic dude that can hit singles.

 

holt!!!!!!!!!

[moonslav59]

It might be time to trade him.

[SoxHop]

It might be time to trade him.

 

I love that you can't stand Holt.

[Station 13]

It might be time to trade him.

 

A bag of balls?

[SoxHop]

A bag of balls?

 

crazy part was he was an allstar two years ago.........

[moonslav59]

Now that Beni has graduated from prospect status, soxprospects.com has a new ranking list. The first 6 guys went up one slot, but after that there was some movement.

 

Some notable or significant swings...

 

(Remember up 1 is expected.)

Lakins up 5 from 12 to 7th.

Ockimey up 2 to 8th.

Chavis up 2 to 9th.

Johnson up 3 to 10th

Shaun Anderson up 6 to 13th

Ben Taylor up 4 to 16th.

Beeks up 6 to 17th.

A Taverez up 10 to 18th.

Callahan up 12 to 21st.

 

Raudes down 4 to 12th.

Longhi down 2 to 11th.

Jake Cosart down 11 to 26th

T Ball down 13 to 30th.

 

1-20th: http://soxprospects.com/index.html

 

21+: http://soxprospects.com/moreprospects.htm

 

 

[Station 13]

crazy part was he was an allstar two years ago.........

 

lol allstar

What a joke that is.

[moonslav59]

I love that you can't stand Holt.

 

You got it wrong.

 

I love Hernandez more.

 

Rutledge fits with Hernandez and Pablo better than Holt.

[cp176]

You got it wrong.

 

I love Hernandez more.

 

Rutledge fits with Hernandez and Pablo better than Holt.

 

Rutledge does not fit. Use him to give Hernandez a break now and then. I would much prefer to see what Hernandez can really do against both righties and lefties as opposed to platooning strictly. Regardless of what the stats say. Old school right.

[moonslav59]

Rutledge does not fit. Use him to give Hernandez a break now and then. I would much prefer to see what Hernandez can really do against both righties and lefties as opposed to platooning strictly. Regardless of what the stats say. Old school right.

 

Rutledge is probably a better fielding 3Bman than Pablo and Marco, and he hits from the right side.

 

(In all fairness, Holt hits LHPs slightly better than righties, but I still think Rutledge at 3B vs LHPs is better than Marco, Pablo and Holt.)