A Realistic View at 2017 Part III

[Maxbialystock]

I still can't think of one time that Moreland has picked a ball or made a difficult play on a throw.

 

Among regular ("qualified") MLB first basemen this year, his DWAR is well above average.

[a700hitter]

I don't have a replay, but saw the replays during the game and disagree. Moreland has to make a split second decision on whether to block the throw or to keep his foot on the bag and stretch for it. He wanted the out and no doubt felt he could field it on the hop. As for what happened, I just trust that a first baseman with his experience had the glove in the right place but of course could not be certain of the bounce. I also think it's a tad strange to blame this on Moreland when Devers was the one the official scorer charged with the error. Let's not forget that Devers had abundant time on that throw, so he is the one that made that play close and the decision on whether to block or get the out had to be made.

Must you always see blame being cast where none is being cast? read the posts. All I and CP said was that Moreland usually scoops that ball. No blame on him. It was a tough play, an players are not perfect. I was just not throwing Devers under the bus for the throw. He made a lot of plays last night and handled them flawlessly. The errant throw at the end was not overly concerning to me, because that ball usually gets picked. Keep in mind that when looking to defend against the unfair blame that you always perceive, there is no blame when we win. There is just analysis.

[mvp 78]

Among regular ("qualified") MLB first basemen this year, his DWAR is well above average.

 

That seems like more of an indictment on how horrible 1b's are now.

[Slasher9]

I don't have a replay, but saw the replays during the game and disagree. Moreland has to make a split second decision on whether to block the throw or to keep his foot on the bag and stretch for it. He wanted the out and no doubt felt he could field it on the hop. As for what happened, I just trust that a first baseman with his experience had the glove in the right place but of course could not be certain of the bounce. I also think it's a tad strange to blame this on Moreland when Devers was the one the official scorer charged with the error. Let's not forget that Devers had abundant time on that throw, so he is the one that made that play close and the decision on whether to block or get the out had to be made.

 

i watched it frame by frame on my DVR. this should have been scooped by any person with a glove on their hand and some barehanded. elderly and the sick would have picked this throw. you have watched baseball long enough to know that the official scorer has no choice but to give the thrower of the ball the E. even though he knows the true blame is with the first baseman.....

[cp176]

I don't have a replay, but saw the replays during the game and disagree. Moreland has to make a split second decision on whether to block the throw or to keep his foot on the bag and stretch for it. He wanted the out and no doubt felt he could field it on the hop. As for what happened, I just trust that a first baseman with his experience had the glove in the right place but of course could not be certain of the bounce. I also think it's a tad strange to blame this on Moreland when Devers was the one the official scorer charged with the error. Let's not forget that Devers had abundant time on that throw, so he is the one that made that play close and the decision on whether to block or get the out had to be made.

 

What's the deal with you Max? - The people who have posted on this particular play are people who I think know the game better than some who post here. When critiquing plays like this, yes I do think that it helps understanding if you have actually been in that situation before. No one made any accusations no one said anything strange. The error went to the person who deserved it. That being said, I was trying to give our gold glove firstbaseman the benefit of the doubt here. What I really should have said is that that particular hop is an easy play to make and he should have made it. I watched him all season like you have and if he is a gold glover at first I don't think that it says much for the rest of the first basemen in the league.

[moonslav59]

Morison has had a very uneventful career, until suddenly busting out with the Rays this year.

 

He's no sure bet to repeat, and although nobody really is a sure bet, some are more sure than others.

 

I want a more "sure" bet.

[SoxnCycles]

i watched it frame by frame on my DVR. this should have been scooped by any person with a glove on their hand and some barehanded. elderly and the sick would have picked this throw. you have watched baseball long enough to know that the official scorer has no choice but to give the thrower of the ball the E. even though he knows the true blame is with the first baseman.....

 

Which would be easier to accomplish, a good throw to the chest of the 1st baseman or picking a short-hopped throw?

Devers had been throwing the ball to 1st all night.

One more, with 2 outs, to keep the tying run off the base was too much to ask?

 

If that's the case, he was brought up too early.

[Slasher9]

Morison has had a very uneventful career, until suddenly busting out with the Rays this year.

 

He's no sure bet to repeat, and although nobody really is a sure bet, some are more sure than others.

 

I want a more "sure" bet.

 

i'm almost certain Giancarlo can play 1b. way more confidant than i was in hanley playing LF.

[mvp 78]

Morison has had a very uneventful career, until suddenly busting out with the Rays this year.

 

He's no sure bet to repeat, and although nobody really is a sure bet, some are more sure than others.

 

I want a more "sure" bet.

 

If someone is a sure bet, they're probably not reaching FA.

[Slasher9]

Which would be easier to accomplish, a good throw to the chest of the 1st baseman or picking a short-hopped throw?

Devers had been throwing the ball to 1st all night.

One more, with 2 outs, to keep the tying run off the base was too much to ask?

 

If that's the case, he was brought up too early.

 

I hear you S&C. sometimes an infielder needs the 1b to pick them up, help them out, give them a bit of confidence that even if the throw isn't "perfect" the man is there to carry the load. i honestly cannot remember too many instances where mitch has saved our fielders an E. honestly his footwork looks terrible to me most of the time. even on throws that are clean. wide throws or short throws he never seems to step the correct direction to elongate himself fully to the ball.

[SoxnCycles]

I hear you S&C. sometimes an infielder needs the 1b to pick them up, help them out, give them a bit of confidence that even if the throw isn't "perfect" the man is there to carry the load. i honestly cannot remember too many instances where mitch has saved our fielders an E. honestly his footwork looks terrible to me most of the time. even on throws that are clean. wide throws or short throws he never seems to step the correct direction to elongate himself fully to the ball.

 

Yup, Moreland is certainly not God's gift to infielders.

The game sped up on Devers a bit and he rushed a throw that didn't need to rush, it happens.

I think he'll get better, but there's no reason to pretend he didn't screw up that play.

[oldtimer]

Yup, Moreland is certainly not God's gift to infielders.

The game sped up on Devers a bit and he rushed a throw that didn't need to rush, it happens.

I think he'll get better, but there's no reason to pretend he didn't screw up that play.

 

They were talking on BB tonight about how Devers puts three fingers on the ball when he throws it but the preferred way is two fingers. More accurate, like a pitcher throwing a fastball. I cannot comment on this as I don't have to make that throw, but these are former players who have a modicum of knowledge.

[a700hitter]

They were talking on BB tonight about how Devers puts three fingers on the ball when he throws it but the preferred way is two fingers. More accurate, like a pitcher throwing a fastball. I cannot comment on this as I don't have to make that throw, but these are former players who have a modicum of knowledge.

A Softball is thrown with 3 fingers. Maybe he has small hands. I don't think 3 fingers would affect accuracy, velocity maybe, but he has good pace on the ball.

[moonslav59]

The hesitation before throwing drives me nuts.

 

I remember Luis Aparicio used to look at the ball in his hand when he had the runner out by 15 feet, but he was a truly great defender.

 

The 3 finger things sounds wacko to me.

 

My guess is, that will have to be changed (as with the hez crap).

 

[Spudboy]

Morison has had a very uneventful career, until suddenly busting out with the Rays this year.

 

He's no sure bet to repeat, and although nobody really is a sure bet, some are more sure than others.

 

I want a more "sure" bet.

 

Cool. I have not looked at his numbers because I can't remember his first name!!! Lol!!!

 

Is he young enough to gamble on?

[Spudboy]

I hear you S&C. sometimes an infielder needs the 1b to pick them up, help them out, give them a bit of confidence that even if the throw isn't "perfect" the man is there to carry the load. i honestly cannot remember too many instances where mitch has saved our fielders an E. honestly his footwork looks terrible to me most of the time. even on throws that are clean. wide throws or short throws he never seems to step the correct direction to elongate himself fully to the ball.

 

I am pleased that you have observed and mentioned these things.

 

I have mentioned them before and no one had any interest in the subject. Now they do for some reason.

[moonslav59]

Cool. I have not looked at his numbers because I can't remember his first name!!! Lol!!!

 

Is he young enough to gamble on?

 

Logan Morrison just turned 30. TB has a way of finding player that have a career year there, then move on and suck again.

 

Morrison did well his first 1.5 seasons way back in '11-'12. (He was over .800 his first 800 PAs.)

 

From 2012 to 2016, he never got above .735 and was below .710 in 3 of the 5 seasons.

 

Not someone I'd gamble on, but he might be a better choice than Moreland.

[mvp 78]

I am pleased that you have observed and mentioned these things.

 

I have mentioned them before and no one had any interest in the subject. Now they do for some reason.

 

He's basically the same exact player he was at 29 statistically, except now he added 20 more dingers somehow. He could be Brandon Moss. He could Bautista. Hard to say for sure.

[harmony]

FWIW I am at AT&T Park where I just witnessed a hustling double from Pablo Sandoval

[Northern Star]

FWIW I am at AT&T Park where I just witnessed a hustling double from Pablo Sandoval

 

By which I can only assume you mean you're playing Playstation on easy mode.

[harmony]

By which I can only assume you mean you're playing Playstation on easy mode.

Kung Fu Panda hit another double before I left the park😀

[Kimmi]

FWIW I am at AT&T Park where I just witnessed a hustling double from Pablo Sandoval

 

Go Pablo!

 

I hope you enjoyed the game!

[moonslav59]

Why can't we ever get guys like this Pablo character?????

[Northern Star]

Who else thinks this is coming down to a one game playoff?

[moonslav59]

Who else thinks this is coming down to a one game playoff?

 

We win the division by 4 games.

[moonslav59]

Nice win.

 

I wouldn't have given Sale 8 innings, but I guess that's just me.

 

Nice to see the offense show signs of life as we near crunch time.

[Nick]

Nice win.

 

I wouldn't have given Sale 8 innings, but I guess that's just me.

 

Nice to see the offense show signs of life as we near crunch time.

 

Yep, and Moon I can be an ass at times (maybe always) but as I get older I seem to get to be that grouchy old guy. I never mean any ill will towards anyone on this board (other than that annoying Yankee fan). Maybe my life is pathetic that I check this board few times every day.

 

It's good to be a Sox fan these days. I hope Henry keeps spending his money.

[moonslav59]

Yep, and Moon I can be an ass at times (maybe always) but as I get older I seem to get to be that grouchy old guy. I never mean any ill will towards anyone on this board (other than that annoying Yankee fan). Maybe my life is pathetic that I check this board few times every day.

 

It's good to be a Sox fan these days. I hope Henry keeps spending his money.

 

I hear you, Nick, and I feel the same way. Grouchiness increases with age.

 

I'm really happy with this team's position. I wish our extended future looked a little brighter, but we have smart people in our organization. As long as we remain big spenders, we should be decent even after this "window".

 

The resurgence of Chavis and fast growth by Mata and others, plus the very nice international signings under the new restricted system are encouraging.

 

I know that even with the wide variety of opinions here, we are all huge Sox fans... maybe not as much as I am (I wouldn't wish having an OCD on anyone), but still....

 

[illinoisredsox]

Nice win.

 

I wouldn't have given Sale 8 innings, but I guess that's just me.

 

Nice to see the offense show signs of life as we near crunch time.

 

I'm not too worried about the 8 innings; they were pretty stress free. 4 runners over 8 innings and did one ever even get to second? 111 pitches over 5-6 innings with guys constantly on base takes a lot more out of a pitcher than the way it happened last night.

[moonslav59]

I'm not too worried about the 8 innings; they were pretty stress free. 4 runners over 8 innings and did one ever even get to second? 111 pitches over 5-6 innings with guys constantly on base takes a lot more out of a pitcher than the way it happened last night.

 

There was no reason to keep him out there, even for the 7th inning, let alone the 8th.