A Realistic View at 2017 Part II

[cp176]

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.)

 

I would like to think that I had some evidence to backup my stance but i don't. I think that it is likely that rutledge and hernandez would be a wash at third base and I would bet on hernandez being a better hitter than Rutledge from either side of the plate. Just a better ballplayer in general. All that being said, I think Sandoval still gets a chance. He has the potential to hit the ball over the fence rarely perhaps but at least every now and then. That is one thing that he has going for him and it is something that this team needs.

[moonslav59]

I would like to think that I had some evidence to backup my stance but i don't. I think that it is likely that rutledge and hernandez would be a wash at third base and I would bet on hernandez being a better hitter than Rutledge from either side of the plate. Just a better ballplayer in general. All that being said, I think Sandoval still gets a chance. He has the potential to hit the ball over the fence rarely perhaps but at least every now and then. That is one thing that he has going for him and it is something that this team needs.

 

Our biggest weakness defensively is 3B (with Pablo). Our biggest weakness hitting vs LHPs is 3B (with Pablo).

 

Marco might turn out better vs LHPs than Rutledge, but it is too soon to know. And, I'm a huge Marco fan and have been since day one.

 

Rutledge offers something we may need- a right-handed bat who can play decent defense at 3B.

 

He's not a clear choice over Holt. He's not a clear choice over Marco vs LHPs. He is a clear choice, to me, vs LHPs when compared to Pablo.

[Slasher9]

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

 

hahahaha. what a douchebag troll. i cant believe you get away with it. you got these suckers fooled for sure.

[cp176]

Our biggest weakness defensively is 3B (with Pablo). Our biggest weakness hitting vs LHPs is 3B (with Pablo).

 

Marco might turn out better vs LHPs than Rutledge, but it is too soon to know. And, I'm a huge Marco fan and have been since day one.

 

Rutledge offers something we may need- a right-handed bat who can play decent defense at 3B.

 

He's not a clear choice over Holt. He's not a clear choice over Marco vs LHPs. He is a clear choice, to me, vs LHPs when compared to Pablo.

 

Believe it or not (you can), i think that we are on the same page here.

[moonslav59]

Believe it or not (you can), i think that we are on the same page here.

 

It's not like I'll be upset, if they choose Holt over Rutledge.

 

I do think Marco should stay, when Holt is activated.

 

They may choose to send the guy down who still has options- MH.

[Fisk]

It's not like I'll be upset, if they choose Holt over Rutledge.

 

I do think Marco should stay, when Holt is activated.

 

They may choose to send the guy down who still has options- MH.

When Holt comes back they will let Chase D'arnaud go. The tough decision happens when Pablo comes back. Something tells me there is no rush in getting him back.

[moonslav59]

When Holt comes back they will let Chase D'arnaud go. The tough decision happens when Pablo comes back. Something tells me there is no rush in getting him back.

 

True. There's room for all three: Marco, Rutledge and Holt. The big choice will come when Pablo returns.

[Kimmi]

When Holt comes back they will let Chase D'arnaud go. The tough decision happens when Pablo comes back. Something tells me there is no rush in getting him back.

 

I recently said the same thing about Pablo. The FO does not seem in any rush to get him back. When asked about Pablo, there always seems to be a very curt "no timetable" response.

 

I've heard a lot of talk about trading Holt. I wonder if the FO has any ideas of trading Marco?

[Fisk]

I recently said the same thing about Pablo. The FO does not seem in any rush to get him back. When asked about Pablo, there always seems to be a very curt "no timetable" response.

 

I've heard a lot of talk about trading Holt. I wonder if the FO has any ideas of trading Marco?

 

I'd be surprised if they traded Marco, maybe next year if Devers is ready. He has to important of a role on the team with the uncertainty of Pablo.

[Kimmi]

I'd be surprised if they traded Marco, maybe next year if Devers is ready. He has to important of a role on the team with the uncertainty of Pablo.

 

I'm not talking right now, but more in terms of a trade deadline deal if Pablo proves to be competent. Maybe they're not in a rush to bring Pablo back because they're showcasing Marco. Marco would bring back more in trade than Holt or Rutledge would.

[cp176]

I'm not talking right now, but more in terms of a trade deadline deal if Pablo proves to be competent. Maybe they're not in a rush to bring Pablo back because they're showcasing Marco. Marco would bring back more in trade than Holt or Rutledge would.

 

i think that you are right here. i would really miss this kid. I think the day will come that he starts for someone at second base. Right now I think that he provides a better option for us in the infield then either Holt or Rutledge but as far as a trade is concerned - In the right package he could provide very good value.

[Fisk]

To trade him you would have to make sure Pablo is capable, would not want a Holt, Rutledge platoon.

[Kimmi]

i think that you are right here. i would really miss this kid. I think the day will come that he starts for someone at second base. Right now I think that he provides a better option for us in the infield then either Holt or Rutledge but as far as a trade is concerned - In the right package he could provide very good value.

 

There's a way to go between now and the deadline, and it remains to be seen if we'll have a glaring need (I know some think we need a big bat, but I'm not sharing that concern at this moment), and also if we can afford to lose Marco. We still don't know what we will get from Pablo. I would hate to see Marco traded also.

[Kimmi]

To trade him you would have to make sure Pablo is capable, would not want a Holt, Rutledge platoon.

 

Agreed.

[cp176]

There's a way to go between now and the deadline, and it remains to be seen if we'll have a glaring need (I know some think we need a big bat, but I'm not sharing that concern at this moment), and also if we can afford to lose Marco. We still don't know what we will get from Pablo. I would hate to see Marco traded also.

 

I am one of those big bat guys I know. I still also think Pablo gets a chance. I am also very anxious to see if and when Price comes back and what he has to give when he does comes back. If our pitching staff is ever completely healthy, we may very well not need the big bat. I would still want one in there though just because ...

[Spudboy]

hahahaha. what a douchebag troll. i cant believe you get away with it. you got these suckers fooled for sure.

 

No one is fooled. We have just come to accept him. And trolling is a time honored tradition among TS members.

[Nick]

Wright to 10 day DL for sprained knee.

 

I think it's time to move past him. Knuckle ball is too freakish for me. He's giving up too many homers.

 

Why would you event want him to come off the bench? It's not as though he can ramp up the speed on his pitch.

[moonslav59]

Wright to 10 day DL for sprained knee.

 

I think it's time to move past him. Knuckle ball is too freakish for me. He's giving up too many homers.

 

Why would you event want him to come off the bench? It's not as though he can ramp up the speed on his pitch.

 

I'm not even close to "moving on" from Wright as a starter.

 

I would say that when Price returns, he looks like the logical one to go to the pen.

[Slasher9]

the warm summer months is when the knuckleball is at it's best. I am very OK with wright having another shot.....

[moonslav59]

the warm summer months is when the knuckleball is at it's best. I am very OK with wright having another shot.....

 

If Wright was not given another chance last year, we probably don't make the playoffs.

[Nick]

Apparently team is ignoring "it's not me/it's them" leader. Sale throws retaliation pitch to Machado for Betts getting thrown to yesterday.

 

Chris Sale is quietly becoming the leader of this team.

[oldtimer]

Things went our way tonight. Hanley may be heating up to give us a power threat. Hernandez appeared to make every play and looked determined not to make an error. All went very well with Sale having another very strong outing and he got a well deserved win.

 

It all looked like the team would get in an entire game without some mix-up but in the bottom of the eighth we hit into one of the most bizarre triple plays imagineable. Moreland on second, Pedroia on first and JBJ hits a pop up into short left that the wind blew enough so that the ball was dropped. Moreland on second didn't try to advance on the play as he probably would have been out at third had he, but for some reason (confusion on his part) he didn't get back on 2nd and was tagged out when the ball was thrown in. Pedroia who also hadn't advanced was on first but he was called forced out at second and JBJ who hit the ball in the first place never even touched 1st base but instead was walking back to the dugout and was out at first on the throw over. I am an older man now and never have seen anything like it. It was unusual but wouldn't you think Moreland, Pedroia, Bradley and the first base coach would have handled it better? Glad it didn't cost us the game.

[moonslav59]

Things went our way tonight. Hanley may be heating up to give us a power threat. Hernandez appeared to make every play and looked determined not to make an error. All went very well with Sale having another very strong outing and he got a well deserved win.

 

It all looked like the team would get in an entire game without some mix-up but in the bottom of the eighth we hit into one of the most bizarre triple plays imagineable. Moreland on second, Pedroia on first and JBJ hits a pop up into short left that the wind blew enough so that the ball was dropped. Moreland on second didn't try to advance on the play as he probably would have been out at third had he, but for some reason (confusion on his part) he didn't get back on 2nd and was tagged out when the ball was thrown in. Pedroia who also hadn't advanced was on first but he was called forced out at second and JBJ who hit the ball in the first place never even touched 1st base but instead was walking back to the dugout and was out at first on the throw over. I am an older man now and never have seen anything like it. It was unusual but wouldn't you think Moreland, Pedroia, Bradley and the first base coach would have handled it better? Glad it didn't cost us the game.

 

Another example of grown men not thinking.

[oldtimer]

Another example of grown men not thinking.

 

Yes, thed lead runners were in a pickle though. If they run and the ball is caught, they can be caught off base. If they don't run, then Moreland is out if tagged first and then second base is tagged to put Pedroia out. If they play it half way,then probably only one of them is an easy out if the ball is dropped with the other likely advancing. If the ball is caught then probably one of them gets back safel. JBJ definitely should have run to first and if the ball is dropped take the bag. He and the first base coach were guilty of not thinking.

[cp176]

Things went our way tonight. Hanley may be heating up to give us a power threat. Hernandez appeared to make every play and looked determined not to make an error. All went very well with Sale having another very strong outing and he got a well deserved win.

 

It all looked like the team would get in an entire game without some mix-up but in the bottom of the eighth we hit into one of the most bizarre triple plays imagineable. Moreland on second, Pedroia on first and JBJ hits a pop up into short left that the wind blew enough so that the ball was dropped. Moreland on second didn't try to advance on the play as he probably would have been out at third had he, but for some reason (confusion on his part) he didn't get back on 2nd and was tagged out when the ball was thrown in. Pedroia who also hadn't advanced was on first but he was called forced out at second and JBJ who hit the ball in the first place never even touched 1st base but instead was walking back to the dugout and was out at first on the throw over. I am an older man now and never have seen anything like it. It was unusual but wouldn't you think Moreland, Pedroia, Bradley and the first base coach would have handled it better? Glad it didn't cost us the game.

 

yes!!!

 

i think that it could have been called an infield fly but not should have. It was a tweeter. Ultimately it was one of the poorest examples of baserunning I have ever seen.

[Fisk]

yes!!!

 

i think that it could have been called an infield fly but not should have. It was a tweeter. Ultimately it was one of the poorest examples of baserunning I have ever seen.

Agree with you, not sure what Moreland was doing on that play not only not going to third base, but also essentially being picked off second. Total lack of awareness.

[cp176]

Agree with you, not sure what Moreland was doing on that play not only not going to third base, but also essentially being picked off second. Total lack of awareness.

 

i'm trying so hard to work through my frustration issues with this team. On the one hand the thought is that these are the best professional baseball players in the world and then there are obvious things that make some of us cringe.

When Sale pitches, i would not take that attitude that the offense is going to someday come around. He and Porcello I think deserve more. Now I get the fact that not everybody believes that bunting to move runners along makes any sense. When these two guys are on the mound with most of our current lineup, i would at least consider it but from my perspective I'm not sure that they could actually execute the right bunt. With a one run lead, and Sale dealing, Leon on the base paths later in the game, am I really the only one here that might have pinched run for him. He isn't the slowest player we have - looks to me like maybe Moreland wins that award, but really get a run for these guys any way that you can. I'm very happy that we won the game, but really!

[S5Dewey]

That's a good point. IMO it goes more to team construction than anything else. In thinking about the possibilities we have Vazquez, Rutledge, Young & d'Arnaud. I'd throw the first two of those names out as they're probably not much faster than Leon, and I know little to nothing about d'A's speed. Young might have been a good choice though.

It sure would be nice to have a speed merchant on that bench but I guess you can't have everything. Maybe we should have kept Buch for situations like that.

[Nick]

the ball was dropped....what the hell was our Dustin doing glued to 1B? And these guys are professionals?

[S5Dewey]

the ball was dropped....what the hell was our Dustin doing glued to 1B? And these guys are professionals?

 

IMHO Pedroia was the least culpable of the three. He had to decide whether the ball was going to be caught or not. Had it been caught he would have been in the right place by standing on the bag. When it wasn't caught he was left standing on 1B, an easy force-out.

 

My question now is what should they do the next time they're in the position of being on base and there being a popup that can reasonably be handled by an infielder. It's an all-or-nothing. They're either going to be very right or very wrong and if they're very wrong they're going to get a lot of criticism.

 

For me this all goes back to the umpiring crew. When Hardy called for the ball the umpires should have declared it an Infield Fly. The purpose of the Infield Fly is to prevent exactly what happened to the Sox - being caught in a situation where there is no "right" thing to do. In this situation the umpires dropped the ball.