Sox hitting??

[oldtimer]

Let's just hope when Pablo and Hanley's contracts expire we don't have two other albatrosses taking their places.

 

Speaking of which, we still have Castillo and Craig. Realistically, Hanley is still our hope for a power hitter at this time and yes he remains in a slump, but we need to hope that he can come out of it and provide some much needed power for the club. Lets not go completely negative on the guy as we have a much more serious problem at 3rd base. We are not going to take Hanley out of the lineup this year other than for a rest at times. Still Devers sits in AA while we bring Lin up instead.

[moonslav59]

Speaking of which, we still have Castillo and Craig. Realistically, Hanley is still our hope for a power hitter at this time and yes he remains in a slump, but we need to hope that he can come out of it and provide some much needed power for the club. Lets not go completely negative on the guy as we have a much more serious problem at 3rd base. We are not going to take Hanley out of the lineup this year other than for a rest at times. Still Devers sits in AA while we bring Lin up instead.

 

I was looking towards the end out Pablo and HRam's deals. I agree that we need HRam to get it together by playoff time.

 

We lose Craig's contract this winter. Castillo has 3 years left.

 

There's a chance Price's contract could be the next albatross contract up for wide spread criticism- maybe even before Pablo, Rusney and Hanley are gone.

[Spudboy]

Let's just hope when Pablo and Hanley's contracts expire we don't have two other albatrosses taking their places.

 

Oye.

[moonslav59]

Oye.

 

We might already have that guy on the roster in Price.

 

Had we signed a big bat to 3+ years, that player might have joined "the albatross club".

 

The drive to sign a big bat is what got us in trouble with the Pablo and HRam contracts.

 

I didn't see a 3Bman other than Turner, who appeared to only want to return to LA, so I guess 1B or DH was the only other slot to fill (instead of Moreland). We could have signed EE instead of Moreland and still been below the luxury limit (barely). Holliday would have been a DH only and squeezed HRam to 1B despite his injury. It would also have made Young a $6.5M total bench rider.

 

[oldtimer]

We might already have that guy on the roster in Price.

 

Had we signed a big bat to 3+ years, that player might have joined "the albatross club".

 

The drive to sign a big bat is what got us in trouble with the Pablo and HRam contracts.

 

I didn't see a 3Bman other than Turner, who appeared to only want to return to LA, so I guess 1B or DH was the only other slot to fill (instead of Moreland). We could have signed EE instead of Moreland and still been below the luxury limit (barely). Holliday would have been a DH only and squeezed HRam to 1B despite his injury. It would also have made Young a $6.5M total bench rider.

 

 

I did not advocate for a big bat and a big fairly long term contract. We are hobbled with too many of those now.

 

Moreland has been a reasonable signing both for his field play and his bat. I had hoped we might sign Turner, but realistically we weren't going to sign him. That leaves us either signing Moustakis (sp) or using our own Minor league system. I am for trying the latter this year and bringing Devers up to go with Travis. Like it or not, we have to use Hanley this year and he might just produce. I wonder if his knee will swell on him and keep him out of the lineup for a day or two.

 

One other thing I noticed in the game today is that Pedey's range didn't allow him to get to aany of the three balls off to his side. He made an effort and dove, but his range seems less than just a couple of years ago. Nothing can be done about that, but just something I noticed.

[Kimmi]

The weird thing is, Hanley took much less to return to Boston. Talk before he signed was 6 and even 7 year deals

 

Personally, I was okay with Hanley's contract.

[Kimmi]

I did not advocate for a big bat and a big fairly long term contract. We are hobbled with too many of those now.

 

Moreland has been a reasonable signing both for his field play and his bat. I had hoped we might sign Turner, but realistically we weren't going to sign him. That leaves us either signing Moustakis (sp) or using our own Minor league system. I am for trying the latter this year and bringing Devers up to go with Travis. Like it or not, we have to use Hanley this year and he might just produce. I wonder if his knee will swell on him and keep him out of the lineup for a day or two.

 

One other thing I noticed in the game today is that Pedey's range didn't allow him to get to aany of the three balls off to his side. He made an effort and dove, but his range seems less than just a couple of years ago. Nothing can be done about that, but just something I noticed.

 

Signing guys like Moreland for shorter term contracts is the way to go rather than signing the big name free agents for huge contracts. I'd even pay more money per year to get a shorter length.

[Kimmi]

As far as adding a big bat to 'fix' our offensive woes, sure a big bat would help. However, the solution has to start with the guys that we have. If they keep looking as feeble as they have in many games, a big bat is not going to be the difference maker.

 

In other words, the lack of a power bat is not our problem. We have enough power on this team. The problem is that the guys that we have are playing with their heads up their butts.

[Bellhorn04]

As far as adding a big bat to 'fix' our offensive woes, sure a big bat would help. However, the solution has to start with the guys that we have. If they keep looking as feeble as they have in many games, a big bat is not going to be the difference maker.

 

In other words, the lack of a power bat is not our problem. We have enough power on this team. The problem is that the guys that we have are playing with their heads up their butts.

 

Is this new SABR terminology? Let's see those HUB (Head Up Butt) numbers.

[oldtimer]

As far as adding a big bat to 'fix' our offensive woes, sure a big bat would help. However, the solution has to start with the guys that we have. If they keep looking as feeble as they have in many games, a big bat is not going to be the difference maker.

 

In other words, the lack of a power bat is not our problem. We have enough power on this team. The problem is that the guys that we have are playing with their heads up their butts.

 

To attain a team batting average of about 270, we need to get 10 hits a game. We got 8 yesterday and two were home runs. Unfortunately, with Marerro hitting 156 he doesn't do his share and yesterday neither Betts or Bogaerts were able to hit. Batting averages are just that. Against strong pitching, we will clearly do less some days. The Angels issued no walks yesterday so it all had to come from hitting. I am not concerned about either Betts or Bogaerts, but Marerro has proven he cannot hit major league pitching. I would be happy with a 3rd baseman that could hit 270 with some power and field his position. In the long run I would expect it to give us a few more wins. The longer DD procrastinates, the less chance we make the playoffs.

 

I think calling the guys out for playing poorly in a game or two is overstating the case.

[S5Dewey]

To attain a team batting average of about 270, we need to get 10 hits a game. We got 8 yesterday and two were home runs. Unfortunately, with Marerro hitting 156 he doesn't do his share and yesterday neither Betts or Bogaerts were able to hit. Batting averages are just that. Against strong pitching, we will clearly do less some days. The Angels issued no walks yesterday so it all had to come from hitting. I am not concerned about either Betts or Bogaerts, but Marerro has proven he cannot hit major league pitching. I would be happy with a 3rd baseman that could hit 270 with some power and field his position. In the long run I would expect it to give us a few more wins. The longer DD procrastinates, the less chance we make the playoffs.

 

I think calling the guys out for playing poorly in a game or two is overstating the case.

 

You hit exactly on my personal standard. I want - but don't always get - my corner IF's to hit ~.270 with an OPS >.799, and be able to field his position. He doesn't have to be Brooks Robinson @ 3B but his defense should be at least as good as Marerro's. Which is yet another reason why Mike Lowell will always be one of my favorite players.

[Kimmi]

Is this new SABR terminology? Let's see those HUB (Head Up Butt) numbers.

 

It's not all about the stats Bell.

[Kimmi]

To attain a team batting average of about 270, we need to get 10 hits a game. We got 8 yesterday and two were home runs. Unfortunately, with Marerro hitting 156 he doesn't do his share and yesterday neither Betts or Bogaerts were able to hit. Batting averages are just that. Against strong pitching, we will clearly do less some days. The Angels issued no walks yesterday so it all had to come from hitting. I am not concerned about either Betts or Bogaerts, but Marerro has proven he cannot hit major league pitching. I would be happy with a 3rd baseman that could hit 270 with some power and field his position. In the long run I would expect it to give us a few more wins. The longer DD procrastinates, the less chance we make the playoffs.

 

I think calling the guys out for playing poorly in a game or two is overstating the case.

 

Trust me, I am not one to call anyone out over a two game sample. It's not just a couple of games though. It's been an on and off thing the whole season, with really only one 10 game stretch or so when the offense was performing like they should be.

 

Compare last year's numbers to this year's numbers. The team is underperforming.

[cp176]

Trust me, I am not one to call anyone out over a two game sample. It's not just a couple of games though. It's been an on and off thing the whole season, with really only one 10 game stretch or so when the offense was performing like they should be.

 

Compare last year's numbers to this year's numbers. The team is underperforming.

 

When you say that this team is underperforming what do you mean? I agree that we should be getting more from Betts. I'm not so sure about Ramirez. You know me by now. I don't place the same significance in what they did last year as you do.

[Kimmi]

When you say that this team is underperforming what do you mean? I agree that we should be getting more from Betts. I'm not so sure about Ramirez. You know me by now. I don't place the same significance in what they did last year as you do.

 

I'm not down on Ramirez as many people seem to be. I am not buying the idea that he is not working as hard or that he does not care now that Papi is gone. Hanley is dealing with injuries, which may make it unrealistic for him to perform any better. I don't know, but I don't think it's his 'attitude'. He gets a bum rap for that whenever he is not playing well.

[Slasher9]

I'm not down on Ramirez as many people seem to be. I am not buying the idea that he is not working as hard or that he does not care now that Papi is gone. Hanley is dealing with injuries, which may make it unrealistic for him to perform any better. I don't know, but I don't think it's his 'attitude'. He gets a bum rap for that whenever he is not playing well.

 

great post. i agree 100%. he has a great attitude and gives 100% effort.

[Slasher9]

Let's just hope when Pablo and Hanley's contracts expire we don't have two other albatrosses taking their places.

 

you answered your own question but just to drive the point home.....

we are currently half way there as we already have 1 of the 2:

D. Price

[moonslav59]

I did not advocate for a big bat and a big fairly long term contract. We are hobbled with too many of those now.

 

Moreland has been a reasonable signing both for his field play and his bat. I had hoped we might sign Turner, but realistically we weren't going to sign him. That leaves us either signing Moustakis (sp) or using our own Minor league system. I am for trying the latter this year and bringing Devers up to go with Travis. Like it or not, we have to use Hanley this year and he might just produce. I wonder if his knee will swell on him and keep him out of the lineup for a day or two.

 

One other thing I noticed in the game today is that Pedey's range didn't allow him to get to aany of the three balls off to his side. He made an effort and dove, but his range seems less than just a couple of years ago. Nothing can be done about that, but just something I noticed.

 

I wonder if Pedey could play 3B, but then again, we have no 2Bman then.

[moonslav59]

you answered your own question but just to drive the point home.....

we are currently half way there as we already have 1 of the 2:

D. Price

 

It's not a certainty. I could see Price pitching like a Cy Young candidate again, before his deal is over.

[mvp 78]

I wonder if Pedey could play 3B, but then again, we have no 2Bman then.

 

http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=8370&position=2B#fsr

 

If his arm strength isn't good enough for SS, it's not good enough for 3B long term.

[cp176]

I'm not down on Ramirez as many people seem to be. I am not buying the idea that he is not working as hard or that he does not care now that Papi is gone. Hanley is dealing with injuries, which may make it unrealistic for him to perform any better. I don't know, but I don't think it's his 'attitude'. He gets a bum rap for that whenever he is not playing well.

 

I hope that you are right about Ramirez. i actually haven't seen a whole lot written about his attitude this time around. I'm sure that he has matured somewhat from his Portland days when he really was not wanted in the system. Personally, my expectations have never been particularly high with regards to him. We need a bat, if he provides it it would be great. I won't be surprised one way or the other.

[Spudboy]

I'm not down on Ramirez as many people seem to be. I am not buying the idea that he is not working as hard or that he does not care now that Papi is gone. Hanley is dealing with injuries, which may make it unrealistic for him to perform any better. I don't know, but I don't think it's his 'attitude'. He gets a bum rap for that whenever he is not playing well.

 

Is it possible that he has earned this rap over his career? Hasn't he been a problem child in the past? hasn't he "suffered from injury" quite a bit in years past?

 

Maybe this is a case of there being fire where there is smoke.

 

Also, I find his shoulder injuries curious in the way that Manny's knees were curious.

 

No one can say which one is THE problem and how it affects his ability to play.

 

He has his biceps. He has his money. He has his girly-man hair. He has attention.

 

No need to perform bigly. He is all set in his mind.

[mvp 78]

Is it possible that he has earned this rap over his career? Hasn't he been a problem child in the past? hasn't he "suffered from injury" quite a bit in years past?

 

Maybe this is a case of there being fire where there is smoke.

.

 

https://www.boston.com/sports/boston-red-sox/2014/11/26/should-the-red-sox-be-afraid-of-hanley-being-hanley

 

I'd take this with a grain of salt though.

[cp176]

Is it possible that he has earned this rap over his career? Hasn't he been a problem child in the past? hasn't he "suffered from injury" quite a bit in years past?

 

Maybe this is a case of there being fire where there is smoke.

 

Also, I find his shoulder injuries curious in the way that Manny's knees were curious.

 

No one can say which one is THE problem and how it affects his ability to play.

 

He has his biceps. He has his money. He has his girly-man hair. He has attention.

 

No need to perform bigly. He is all set in his mind.

 

I wish that he could still play a little outfield. he would look good as a part of our dance troupe . lol

[Maxbialystock]

great post. i agree 100%. he has a great attitude and gives 100% effort.

 

Hold it right there, buster. Are you and Kimmit disagreeing with me and supporting HanRam, he of the long hair?

 

Fine with me. I hope you're right and I'm wrong and that he reads your stuff, not mine.

[Maxbialystock]

Some numbers as of June 26, 2017

 

 

OPS OWAR

Bogaerts .843 2.6

JBJ .850 1.6

Betts .818 1.6

Moreland .837 1.0

Benintendi .781 0.7

Pedroia .720 0.3

Travis .962 0.2

Young .732 0.2

Vazquez .705 0.2

Ramirez .747 0.1

Leon .706 0.0

Rutledge .558 -0.2

Sandoval .622 -0.3

Marrero .488 -0.4

[Spudboy]

https://www.boston.com/sports/boston-red-sox/2014/11/26/should-the-red-sox-be-afraid-of-hanley-being-hanley

 

I'd take this with a grain of salt though.

 

Lol.

 

I suppose so since I can not substantiate my opinions with stats!

 

I expect little more than nothing from this guy going forward.

 

He can't or won't play 1st base even occasionally.

 

He can't do the job as a dedicated DH either.

 

I'd get rid of him at any chance.

[illinoisredsox]

One plus on Hanley the past few games is he appears to be starting to go the other way a little. He's a far better hitter when he does that.

[a700hitter]

One plus on Hanley the past few games is he appears to be starting to go the other way a little. He's a far better hitter when he does that.

He's an unexplained scratch today.

[bosoxmal]

As Goes Mookie, so go the Red Sox. This has been evident for two years. My guess is that as soon as he stops waving his bat around like he's waving a flag at a Memorial Day parade, he'll start hitting again.

 

Ted Williams, favorite maxum was "wit, wait, wait; quick, quick, quick." There was no "wave, wave, wave" in there!