A Realistic View at 2017 Part II

[Kimmi]

I have always thought that there is a better way to spend money than on relievers. I think Kimbrel will be fine...

 

I was fine with paying Kimbrel good money or trading top prospects for him but not both.

 

 

I thought that the prospect package alone was an overpay, and also that the money alone was an overpay.

 

We got the double whammy on that deal.

 

Don't get me wrong, I love having Kimbrel on the team. I just think that you can get nearly the same production in the pen at a cheaper cost. I'd rather use the money and/or prospects somewhere else.

[Kimmi]

I'm leaning towards NOT LIKING both Kimbrel and Pomeranz trades but DD did what he thought was best for Red Sox. I just can't fault him for that.

 

Dombrowski did what he thought was best for the team for the short term.

 

He deserves credit for that.

[Nick]

It's always nice to start off with a win. Good to see the offense put together a string of hits- all with 2 outs.

 

JBJ got things started with the triple, Pablo knocked him in, 2 hit Leon and Pedey got hits to set up Beni's big blast.

 

Porcello looked sharp through 6.

 

Great win!

 

Keep it going.

 

In the seventh inning, he gave up a ground ball to the right of Xander, not sure if it would have been an out if Moreland dug up the ball.

 

Next batter barely made it to the Green Monster. If Beni was 6-2 he may have caught it.

 

Porcello came out after that but he pitched like an ace today.

 

And FREAKIN' SALE IS UP NEXT.

Edited April 3, 2017 by Nick

[Kimmi]

I miss Clay.

 

I miss Clay too.

 

He is so misunderstood.

[Kimmi]

who needs Clay when we have Kimbrel.....unpredictable? you got it.

 

Absolutely worst pitch call with two strikes to a lefty....just freaking elevate the 0-2 pitch.

 

Here's a statistical fact

 

Porcello 223 IP 32 BB

 

Kimbre 53 IP 30 BB

 

He's definitely exciting to watch....he always gets my blood pressure up.

 

What I loved about Koji as a closer is that he just didn't mess around.

 

There was rarely any drama.

[mvp 78]

I bet you shed a tear the first time you see Koji in a Cubs uniform. I bet each and every one of you do. I know I will.

 

Nah. They are all just hired guns.

[Fisk]

What I loved about Koji as a closer is that he just didn't mess around.

 

There was rarely any drama.

 

Loved Koji, especially 2013 version, but was always worried about the homerun ball with him. Even with that never worried in 13 when he took the mound you knew it was over.

[Emp9]

Perfect bunt by Leon against the shift. It's usually been Mookie Time on opening day, but Beni came up big today. JBJ important on both sides of the ball.

 

Sale Wed.

[Emp9]

f***in' knew we should've given Carlos Gomez a shot last year on the cheap.

[Spudboy]

Hello Spud.

 

And....................... yes.

 

Hey Bud.

[moonslav59]

f***in' knew we should've given Carlos Gomez a shot last year on the cheap.

 

why?

[SoxHop]

Nah. They are all just hired guns.

 

You are going to need to prove you are not a robot. How did you not love the mid eighties throwing crazy Japanese guy?

 

Oh wait.....you are an accountant right?

[Nick]

Pomeranz unsure

 

Drew Pomeranz is getting closer, but the Sox won’t say if he’ll be ready to start the sixth game of the season Sunday in Detroit against the Tigers.

 

The lefty is dealing with a forearm strain after receiving a stem-cell injection in his balky elbow during the offseason. He threw six innings against minor leaguers in Fort Myers yesterday. If he isn’t ready to pitch Sunday, Kyle Kendrick likely will get the start.

 

“There was an uptick in overall stuff, so it was an encouraging day for him,” Farrell said. “We have yet to discuss what the next step is. But for what he set out to do work-wise, he was able to accomplish that.”

 

Don't we play to win? If he's not 100%, he shouldn't be pitching. We can't use this as an exhibition game just to benefit Pom. We got healthy Kendricks. Let him pitch. He's at least shown that he can locate his pitches.

[moonslav59]

We could really use Pom right now.

 

With Price & Pom out, I'm sure glad we have...

 

 

Chris Freakin' Sale!

[moonslav59]

I kind of expected more blog traffic after an opening day win.

 

Maybe everybody is busy with spring here and all.

 

I like our chances with Sale tomorrow.

[Wade Boggs]

I kind of expected more blog traffic after an opening day win.

 

Maybe everybody is busy with spring here and all.

 

I like our chances with Sale tomorrow.

 

 

I like our chances with Sale on the mound every start and so should you.

[Wade Boggs]

I thought that the prospect package alone was an overpay, and also that the money alone was an overpay.

 

We got the double whammy on that deal.

 

Don't get me wrong, I love having Kimbrel on the team. I just think that you can get nearly the same production in the pen at a cheaper cost. I'd rather use the money and/or prospects somewhere else.

 

 

The only thing I don't understand is why Kimbrel screws around with his breaking ball so much. If they have trouble catching up with 98 , why is he most of the time throwing that breaker in the dirt. It always hits someone. Go after him with the gas. I understand throwing the batter off balance or the eye level thing. I get it.

[mvp 78]

You are going to need to prove you are not a robot. How did you not love the mid eighties throwing crazy Japanese guy?

 

Oh wait.....you are an accountant right?

 

I loved him, but guys come and go these days. I've learned not to get attached. That's been ingrained in me by my Patriots fandom.

[mvp 78]

The only thing I don't understand is why Kimbrel screws around with his breaking ball so much. If they have trouble catching up with 98 , why is he most of the time throwing that breaker in the dirt. It always hits someone. Go after him with the gas. I understand throwing the batter off balance or the eye level thing. I get it.

 

When he has control of it, it's a great pitch. He didn't have control of it yesterday and probably should have used it sparingly. However, I believe Bell's 2b off the monster was on a fastball so it's not like he can just pump in straight fastballs over and over.

[Emp9]

why?

 

Why not?

[moonslav59]

I loved him, but guys come and go these days. I've learned not to get attached. That's been ingrained in me by my Patriots fandom.

 

I'm "attached" to Betts & JBJ and will soon be to Sale and Beni.

 

I seem to be rooting harder for these guys for whatever reason:

 

Marco, Hembree, Wright, ERod and Vaz

[moonslav59]

Why not?

 

Because he's been under .725 for 2 years in a row.

 

I live in the Houston area. He was horrible here last year. I realize he turned things around in a short stint with the Rangers last year, but I'm not into gambling anymore.

[mvp 78]

I'm "attached" to Betts & JBJ and will soon be to Sale and Beni.

 

I seem to be rooting harder for these guys for whatever reason:

 

Marco, Hembree, Wright, ERod and Vaz

 

It's much harder to see homegrown guys go (ala Lester).

[moonslav59]

One could argue Chris Sale has been the second best starter since 2012....

 

 

Top starters since 2012:

 

WAR

35.9 Kershaw

27.7 Scherzer

26.4 Price

26.2 Sale

21.8 Kluber (8th)

20.6 Greinke (10th)

19.6 Cueto (12th)

 

ERA-

55 Kershaw

71 Cueto

74 Sale

75 Greinke

76 Scherzer

78 Price

83 Kluber (13th)

 

WHIP

0.89 Kershaw

1.05 Bumgarner

1.05 Scherzer

1.06 Sale

1.08 Cueto (6th)

1.10 Greinke (8th)

1.11 Price (9th)

1.13 Kluber (13th)

[moonslav59]

It's much harder to see homegrown guys go (ala Lester).

 

That was a tough one, especially since he overcame cancer early in his time with Boston.

 

One of our biggest most recent "what ifs" will always be what if we kept Lester instead of signing Price (the next season).

[mvp 78]

Kershaw is a playoff choker! http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=kershcl01&t=p&post=1

[Emp9]

Because he's been under .725 for 2 years in a row.

 

I live in the Houston area. He was horrible here last year. I realize he turned things around in a short stint with the Rangers last year, but I'm not into gambling anymore.

 

I understand, but a year when we all knew Papi was retiring... that's a situation to gamble and take a chance in my opinion. It wouldn't have been a huge gamble money wise. Wouldn't have been much of a risk at all. A team full of gambles isn't ideal, but one here and there shouldn't be detrimental. When CarGo is on, he's really on. There was just as much of a chance of .830-.840.

 

HanRam 1B (just like last season), CarGo DH (more OF depth if injuries happen... and they do), still room for Young vs LHP and to spell whoever.

 

If Young or Gomez both caught fire with great first halves, there'd be a chance to trade one of them for some relief help mid-season...

[Bellhorn04]

Kershaw is a playoff choker! http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=kershcl01&t=p&post=1

 

Wrong thread?

[dgalehouse]

As a (very) long time Sox fan , I can say that I have never been more optimistic going into a season than I am this year. This is an excellent team. If the pitching gets healthy , they may run away with the division.

[Thunder]

Wrong thread?

 

mvp showing us that he is indeed human? You don't see that everyday...