A Realistic View at 2017 Part II

[cp176]

The thought would be to yank him, if one guy gets on, unless it was an IF single or blooper or yank him if 2 guys get on or he's near 115-120 pitches with 0-1 outs and a guy at second.

 

I've already said, I have no problem bringing in Kimbrel, but certainly at 102 pitches a case can be made, April or not, for leaving him in for a few more pitches.

 

The most rational and for me really the only reason for not sending Sale back out for the ninth was that there was just enough of a delay while they waited for the replay to get finalized that JF felt uncomfortable with Sale sitting in the dugout for any extended time. If this is what really finalized his decision, then it was a good one for him to make. If it was just about playing the numbers game - whether it was Sale's 102 pitches or the fact the Kimbrel has done a very good job - then not so much for me. When you have one of the best pitchers in baseball (sorry not Kimbrel in this instance) pitching against a team that absolutely can not hit him, it has nothing to do with Sale's win loss record or the fact that it is April or that the numbers say how good Kimbrel has been. It has everything to do with winning the game. Sale on the mound gives you a better chance to win then Kimbrel yesterday. That being said, if JF felt that Sale had been sitting around too long, it was an excellent coaches decision and I am sure as hell glad it all worked out. To Sale's credit, I think that he is a lot more interested in the team winning than his win loss record.

[moonslav59]

The case could be made but if he gave up a lead off home run or even a hit the complaints would have been, why not Kimbrel.

 

Agreed, and that's why I have no problem with the choice Jf made.

[moonslav59]

I think we had a better chance to win with Sale going out to start the 9th.

I get the argument about not pushing a starter in April, but it was just 102 pitches.

That being said, the choice JF made was reasonable, and I have no issue with the choice he made.

[Wade Boggs]

I would have left Sale in. But I have NO problem Farrell bringing in Kimbrel. They don't want a 1st and 2nd with 2 out and Sale would be at 125-130 pitches. Then you say should I leave him in with the last out on the line. Or bring Kimbrel in 2 pitch from the stretch , knowing he gets wild at times, even though the stats don't say that this year.

 

It's line checkers you get corned both ways double / triple jumped.

[cp176]

I would have left Sale in. But I have NO problem Farrell bringing in Kimbrel. They don't want a 1st and 2nd with 2 out and Sale would be at 125-130 pitches. Then you say should I leave him in with the last out on the line. Or bring Kimbrel in 2 pitch from the stretch , knowing he gets wild at times, even though the stats don't say that this year.

 

It's line checkers you get corned both ways double / triple jumped.

 

I'm just hoping that Farrell would have been smart enough to realize how long he was good for.

[RedSoxRooter]

I have to say, I love this year's Sox. Yeah, up and down so far, but it's early still. The loss of Oritz still looms, but overall I like the pitching upgrades (and we still have Price in the back pocket at some point). Seriously, it cannot be said enough that getting rid of Clay was a major upgrade. Kimbrel is what he is - a thrower, not a pitcher. But ehh, I can live with that. I think this will be a good year. Been a while since I've been here. Is Yeszir still alive? Slasher9 has the best user pic!

[Nick]

I have to say, I love this year's Sox. Yeah, up and down so far, but it's early still. The loss of Oritz still looms, but overall I like the pitching upgrades (and we still have Price in the back pocket at some point). Seriously, it cannot be said enough that getting rid of Clay was a major upgrade. Kimbrel is what he is - a thrower, not a pitcher. But ehh, I can live with that. I think this will be a good year. Been a while since I've been here. Is Yeszir still alive? Slasher9 has the best user pic!

 

It was the best decision for the Sox. Team needs to take inventory of players. Sometimes you make the team better by subtraction. Pablo fits that category.

[Spudboy]

I think we had a better chance to win with Sale going out to start the 9th.

I get the argument about not pushing a starter in April, but it was just 102 pitches.

That being said, the choice JF made was reasonable, and I have no issue with the choice he made.

 

This post sums it up for me.

 

Besides, why is anyone bitching about a Red Sox WIN?

[RedSoxRooter]

It was the best decision for the Sox. Team needs to take inventory of players. Sometimes you make the team better by subtraction. Pablo fits that category.

Agree. I hate the whole idea of "you gotta play 'em cuz of what we pay 'em" mentality. I don't mind Pablo that much, but the only reason he gets any time is because of his contract. Plus I wanted to see where the Travis Shaw thing went. Oh well.

[Nick]

When will MLB stat list Hanley as DH and not as 1B? Is it that hard to keep track of players? Not having one fielding chance maybe an indicator?

[cp176]

This post sums it up for me.

 

Besides, why is anyone bitching about a Red Sox WIN?

 

Wasn't bitching coming out of me. I might be guilty of bitching just little when he made the move. Ultimately it was and is about winning. I bet that I was the only one who was whining about it when Sale didn't get the ball in the 9th.

[moonslav59]

Agree. I hate the whole idea of "you gotta play 'em cuz of what we pay 'em" mentality. I don't mind Pablo that much, but the only reason he gets any time is because of his contract. Plus I wanted to see where the Travis Shaw thing went. Oh well.

 

Don't be surprised if Pablo ends up with better numbers than Shaw.

[RedSoxRooter]

I wouldn't be surprised. And I wouldn't be surprised if it were the other way. The point is being the Sox do tend to leave players on the field because of the money they gave them. Not because of performance. And if you wanna do math on it, Panda is a puppy. Shaw had really awesome raw power. As for D. To me? it's a wash.

[moonslav59]

I wouldn't be surprised. And I wouldn't be surprised if it were the other way. The point is being the Sox do tend to leave players on the field because of the money they gave them. Not because of performance. And if you wanna do math on it, Panda is a puppy. Shaw had really awesome raw power. As for D. To me? it's a wash.

 

They benched Pablo for Shaw last year.

 

I'm not saying money doesn't play a role in the decisions, but the Sox have proven it's not "all about money".

 

While Shaw might end up being better than Pablo over the next 2-3 years, I doubt he ends up a plus 3Bman.

[RedSoxRooter]

 

, but the Sox have proven it's not "all about money".

 

Oh sweet jesus. Really?

[RedSoxRooter]

And mexico will build that wall too

[a700hitter]

And mexico will build that wall too

The US will build the wall. Mexico will pay for it.

[FredLynn]

Don't be surprised if Pablo ends up with better numbers than Shaw.

 

Coming into todays game Pablo is at .214/.655 with four errors (I think). He is playing himself, slowly, out of a job. Good intentions, but over the hill. We need to find a realistic alternative by June.

[moonslav59]

Oh sweet jesus. Really?

 

Yup.

 

Shaw beat out Pablo.

[moonslav59]

Coming into todays game Pablo is at .214/.655 with four errors (I think). He is playing himself, slowly, out of a job. Good intentions, but over the hill. We need to find a realistic alternative by June.

 

Maybe=maybe not.

 

Certainly there is a strong chance Pablo is never going to come close to what he used to be.

 

My statement that Pablo may end up with better numbers than Shaw was more about my lack of confidence in Shaw than any great hope for Pablo.

[Spudboy]

Moon if Pablow was not "earning" almost $20. mil/year there is no f***ing way he would start in front of Hernandez or someone else.

 

He has been lousy in the field and is a near Mendoza hitter.

 

I would fire a GM for imposing that kind of performance on my team if that is all that he could find to play 3rd base.

[moonslav59]

I disagree. I think the Sox still think Pablo can regain a large part of what he used to be. I'm not sure I agree he can, but he got himself in shape and has been given a shot.

 

The sample size of this year is tiny.

 

Look, I hated the Pablo signing from day one. I like the choice of Shaw over Pablo last spring, despite my lack of confidence in Shaw.

 

I've been one of Marco's biggest cheerleaders, and advocated trading Holt for over a year, so Hernandez could get some playing time.

 

That being said, Marco is not really a 3Bman. Now, no doubt, if Pablo continues his current defensive look, it doesn't matter if Marco is a slight negative on defense. There's no way Pablo stays at 3B, if he fields like he did in 2015. I'll be Marco's number one advocate to play 3B once the sample size gets large enough to determine anything definitive. (Speaking of tiny sample sizes, Marco has a worse fldg% at 3B than Pablo this year and also from 2015-2017.

 

UZR/150 (note: Marco's career sample size is just 77 innings)

-22.7 Pablo

-50.5 Marco

 

I'd love nothing more than for Marco to get a chance to shine, but I just don't like the feel of him at 3B. I'm not hoping for Pablo to fail, so Marco will get a chance.

 

I'm not saying money has nothing to do with this choice, but choosing Shaw over Pablo last spring shows it's not ALL ABOUT money.

 

[Wade Boggs]

I'll repeat what you all are saying.

 

Panda has zero range. It will not come back in June. He has hit a couple of big bombs but overall he's stunk. With saying all of this, nobody is taking this contract. That means even if he finds his form or not. My concern and it's a big one is...we have no power at first and third. I agree Moreland has been a surprise. It's just everything is a struggle with this team scoring runs. IMO Hernandez is the utility man. He has beaten out the worn down Holt who gives you nothing. They will move Hernandez around the infield and ride the panda out. It's the right call. I agree with everybody. It just won't end well.

[cp176]

I'll repeat what you all are saying.

 

Panda has zero range. It will not come back in June. He has hit a couple of big bombs but overall he's stunk. With saying all of this, nobody is taking this contract. That means even if he finds his form or not. My concern and it's a big one is...we have no power at first and third. I agree Moreland has been a surprise. It's just everything is a struggle with this team scoring runs. IMO Hernandez is the utility man. He has beaten out the worn down Holt who gives you nothing. They will move Hernandez around the infield and ride the panda out. It's the right call. I agree with everybody. It just won't end well.

 

I agree with what you have said here. Although I see Hernandez as being potentially very good at 3 infield positions, I still see him as a second baseman or a shortstop. There is no question at all imm that he provides a far better fielding option at third than does Sandoval. The problem is that I also think that they are looking for a little more pop from a third base bat than Hernandez will ever provide. It is going to be the Panda unless he just implodes completely. Sad situation but it is the reality.

[Jack Flap]

The US will build the wall. Mexico will pay for it.

 

They will pay for it bigly, believe me, and it will be the biggest, most beautiful wall, such a wonderful wall, you will love it, it will be yuge, very yuuge.

[Bellhorn04]

As a team we have 8 HR's in 18 games. We have 1 guy with more than 1 - Pablo.

 

The next lowest total in the big leagues is 13.

 

The MLB average is 20.

[mvp 78]

But Pablo is a bum?!?!? How he homerun?

[Station 13]

But Pablo is a bum?!?!? How he homerun?

 

Good for an ops 79+

 

Still a bum.

[jacksonianmarch]

Guys, the only two players who are underperforming on the whole are Pedroia and Hanley. Betts isn't hitting with as much power, but the average is there. Beni has been as expected. XB is hitting for average. Moreland has been really good. Bradley just got back. Thing is, your offense lost a ton when Papi left

[Bellhorn04]

They will pay for it bigly, believe me, and it will be the biggest, most beautiful wall, such a wonderful wall, you will love it, it will be yuge, very yuuge.

 

One thing's for sure, the Sox won't be able to hit any balls over it.