2017/18 Hot Stove Thread

[mvp 78]

I appreciate everyone's line up input BUT

 

What part of Cora saying he wants to bat Betts and Beni at the top of the order don't you understand?

 

Um, I put Betts and Beni at the top of the lineup?

[mvp 78]

It's no use, a lot of people love playing here's my lineup for some reason.

 

Because there's little else to talk about right now.

[cp176]

The Pollyanna take is that Hanley was hurt in 2015, healthy in 2016, hurt in 2017, healthy in 2018.

 

 

I think that the Pollyanna approach began when he was signed. He has put up some good numbers for us but I remember the number of people who focused on what he had done prior to 2012.

[mvp 78]

I think that the Pollyanna approach began when he was signed. He has put up some good numbers for us but I remember the number of people who focused on what he had done prior to 2012.

 

He was good when healthy in 13 and 14.

[cp176]

He was good when healthy in 13 and 14.

 

With him, I think that it is about the health. If he is healthy, he could still be a devastating hitter.

[mvp 78]

With him, I think that it is about the health. If he is healthy, he could still be a devastating hitter.

 

I'm not sure that's even possible after all of his shoulder issues.

[Larry Cook]

I'm not sure that's even possible after all of his shoulder issues.

 

Last year I thought there was talk in the media about both shoulders hurting. I know he got one fixed.

[mvp 78]

Last year I thought there was talk in the media about both shoulders hurting. I know he got one fixed.

 

He's 34 with multiple years hindered by shoulder issues. Surgery can only do so much. He's no longer playing on the back 9 of his career. He's approaching the 19th hole.

[cp176]

He's 34 with multiple years hindered by shoulder issues. Surgery can only do so much. He's no longer playing on the back 9 of his career. He's approaching the 19th hole.

 

You very well might be right but he is worth a shot. For what it's worth, Many is the day on the course that I couldn't wait to get to the 19th hole!

[moonslav59]

I don't see any harm in saying, "this is what I think the line-up should be."

[Nick]

I don't see any harm in saying, "this is what I think the line-up should be."

 

Yeah I get it.......Now would your line up be different if I bet you $100? I bet you would have Betts and Beni at the top then.

 

Can Cora just say I'm leading off Beni so we can say Beni and the Betts?

[cp176]

Yeah I get it.......Now would your line up be different if I bet you $100? I bet you would have Betts and Beni at the top then.

 

Can Cora just say I'm leading off Beni so we can say Beni and the Betts?

 

I like that - Beni and the Betts - good one!

[Kimmi]

HRam was one of the worst hitters on the club last year. Not sure why you think he'd be top 4 this year.

 

Because he's healthy?

[Kimmi]

It's no use, a lot of people love playing here's my lineup for some reason.

 

Just think if line ups really mattered!

[Spudboy]

Because he's healthy?

 

More likely because he is playing for his contract to vest.

[moonslav59]

Yeah I get it.......Now would your line up be different if I bet you $100? I bet you would have Betts and Beni at the top then.

 

Can Cora just say I'm leading off Beni so we can say Beni and the Betts?

 

When I say, "This is the line-up I would do," I'm not saying, "This is what I think it will be," so I would not bet on Cora choosing my line-up.

 

On Beni-Betts, Cora may lead off Beni vs RHPs and Betts vs LHPs and swap them vs LHPs.

 

In a small sample size, Beni has done very poorly vs LHPs.

 

Personally, I'd move Beni down when a lefty starts. I do not think Cora agrees.

[Spudboy]

When I say, "This is the line-up I would do," I'm not saying, "This is what I think it will be," so I would not bet on Cora choosing my line-up.

 

On Beni-Betts, Cora may lead off Beni vs RHPs and Betts vs LHPs and swap them vs LHPs.

 

In a small sample size, Beni has done very poorly vs LHPs.

 

Personally, I'd move Beni down when a lefty starts. I do not think Cora agrees.

 

But if batting order does not matter how is moving him down of benefit?

[moonslav59]

But if batting order does not matter how is moving him down of benefit?

 

Kimmi is running that show.

 

I do think it matters.

 

I'd also argue that even if it just matters a little, why not put the best one out there?

[Bellhorn04]

I'm quite confident Alex Cora will do a fine job with the lineups.

[moonslav59]

I'm quite confident Alex Cora will do a fine job with the lineups.

 

Me, too.

 

Just because I might do something differently, does not mean I think Cora is making a mistake.

 

Just about every time I criticized JF for his line-ups, I prefaced it with, "I don't pretend to be smarter than JF."

 

I did think batting Holt 1st or 2nd 10 times was idiotic, and yes, I was smarter than JF on that one... LOL. (Holt did end up with a .327 OBP in those 10 games/.250 BA)

 

[oldtimer]

Me, too.

 

Just because I might do something differently, does not mean I think Cora is making a mistake.

 

Just about every time I criticized JF for his line-ups, I prefaced it with, "I don't pretend to be smarter than JF."

 

I did think batting Holt 1st or 2nd 10 times was idiotic, and yes, I was smarter than JF on that one... LOL. (Holt did end up with a .327 OBP in those 10 games/.250 BA)

 

 

The manager should have insights that are not available to ordinary or even clued in fans. Slight injuries, fatigue, lack of confidence and a host of other insights are going to shape the managers decision. In general, we can form ideas based on stats or eye tests, but the manager and his coaches know more and it is the results which determine if they are doing a good job.

[moonslav59]

Of course managers have more insights and information that the common fan, but they can and do make mistakes.

 

One manager might choose a different thing to do than another under the exact same circumstances. That doesn't mean one was right and one was wrong, and sometimes the results don't necessarily confirm who was right or wrong.

 

I try hard to avoid criticizing in game managerial decisions, and I try to preface most of my suggestions and philosophical differences with managers by saying things like, "I don't pretend to know more than ______." (On a side note, I was one of the last posters to call for Bobby V's neck, so I think I'm pretty accepting of managers doing things I would not suggest doing.)

 

I'm very excited about having Cora as our manager. While I would not bat Beni 1st or second vs LH'd starters, I am fine with Cora doing so and will not think any less of him for making that choice.

 

[oldtimer]

The next big questions for the Sox is who makes the 25 man roster, who makes the 40 man roster, who is sent back to AAA and who is traded or lost. Pedey will start on the DL but we have at least 10 field players in addition to Pedey, not counting a backup catcher. Those decisions don't have to be made until later in March. Will we trade a meaningful player or stand pat?

[Bellhorn04]

I try hard to avoid criticizing in game managerial decisions, and I try to preface most of my suggestions and philosophical differences with managers by saying things like, "I don't pretend to know more than ______." (On a side note, I was one of the last posters to call for Bobby V's neck, so I think I'm pretty accepting of managers doing things I would not suggest doing.)

 

This may have been true until last year, when you really started going off on Farrell about lineups and such, calling him a clown, idiot, criminally negligent etc. That was when I said you seemed to have morphed into Fred LOL

[Nick]

The next big questions for the Sox is who makes the 25 man roster, who makes the 40 man roster, who is sent back to AAA and who is traded or lost. Pedey will start on the DL but we have at least 10 field players in addition to Pedey, not counting a backup catcher. Those decisions don't have to be made until later in March. Will we trade a meaningful player or stand pat?

 

For players 26-40 on our 40 man roster, good performance during spring training by non-rosters invitees may allow us to trade our 'surplus'.

 

I'm not into making changes without a road map. Some of the players at lower level need to make some major progress this year. CJ Chatham is someone who has to stay healthy and show us what he's got. It's also time for Jay Groome get some innings in this year. I'm also curious to see where Josh Ockimey is this year. He's someone that has shown power in batting cage but not during games.

 

We need to develop a major league ready 2B. I just don't think Pedey will ever be 100% and will need to DH from time to time. (rest Beni vs LP, let JD play left and Pedey DH, Nunez to 2B).

 

I think this is a big year for Xander. He has not followed up his world series performance. Yeah I get the hand injury. We need to find out if he's simply a mediocre SS or bona fide star.

Edited February 22, 2018 by Nick

[cp176]

So Joe kelly gets hit by a ball hit by Brock Holt and limps off the field. How do like his odds of being ready for opening day?

[moonslav59]

This may have been true until last year, when you really started going off on Farrell about lineups and such, calling him a clown, idiot, criminally negligent etc. That was when I said you seemed to have morphed into Fred LOL

 

I admitted I veered from my usual non in-game criticism on putting Holt 1-2 ten times.

[moonslav59]

For players 26-40 on our 40 man roster, good performance during spring training by non-rosters invitees may allow us to trade our 'surplus'.

 

I'm not into making changes without a road map. Some of the players at lower level need to make some major progress this year. CJ Chatham is someone who has to stay healthy and show us what he's got. It's also time for Jay Groome get some innings in this year. I'm also curious to see where Josh Ockimey is this year. He's someone that has shown power in batting cage but not during games.

 

We need to develop a major league ready 2B. I just don't think Pedey will ever be 100% and will need to DH from time to time. (rest Beni vs LP, let JD play left and Pedey DH, Nunez to 2B).

 

I think this is a big year for Xander. He has not followed up his world series performance. Yeah I get the hand injury. We need to find out if he's simply a mediocre SS or bona fide star.

 

Nunez will be Pedey's replacement.

 

We have Hernandez & Quiroz in the wings.

[moonslav59]

So Joe kelly gets hit by a ball hit by Brock Holt and limps off the field. How do like his odds of being ready for opening day?

 

I'd trade Holt before he hurts more players.

[mvp 78]

So Joe kelly gets hit by a ball hit by Brock Holt and limps off the field. How do like his odds of being ready for opening day?

 

Fine. Same as before.