Stanton or Votto

[mvp 78]

So how did they manage to win the division?

 

You can still win if you hate the guy next to you. It's just not a good long term strategy.

[mvp 78]

I think we got beat by a better team.

 

This is true too.

[moonslav59]

I think we got beat by a better team.

 

Yes, on paper, the Astros and Guardians were better. One could argue the Yanks, too. I won't: it might sicken me.

[S5Dewey]

YOU ARE THE BEST!

awesome job steve!

that is EPIC.

very telling answer: "gets cut a lot of leeway"

that HAD to have been the best question of the night. i swear to god, i bet after the forum those guys were backstage and definitely talked about your question. "holy s***, can you believe someone asked about the pedroia incident" "f***, i wasnt sure how to answer that"

AHAHAHAHAHA. awesome.

 

Thanks. There was what we here in Maine call a "Deer in the headlights moment" when nobody knew exactly what was going to be replied. I thought that moment answered my question.

 

To expand on that a bit, Butter's first words were, "Errrr....That's a good question. That's a really good question....". I've done a little public speaking and found myself in situations like that where I had to come up with something to say that didn't throw anyone under the bus. When that happens I stall a bit by saying something like, "That's a good question". LOL

 

Butter went on to say how Pedey is a very emotional player and wears those emotions on his sleeve and that's something he now wishes he hadn't said.

 

To summarize, based on what I heard and saw I don't think it "played any better" in the clubhouse than it did with most fans.

[mvp 78]

Pedey had a rough 2017.

 

1. Machado coverup

2. Illegal sign stealing

 

I don't want to hear about him "playing the right way" anymore.

[moonslav59]

Thanks. There was what we here in Maine call a "Deer in the headlights moment" when nobody knew exactly what was going to be replied. I thought that moment answered my question.

 

To expand on that a bit, Butter's first words were, "Errrr....That's a good question. That's a really good question....". I've done a little public speaking and found myself in situations like that where I had to come up with something to say that didn't throw anyone under the bus. When that happens I stall a bit by saying something like, "That's a good question". LOL

 

Butter went on to say how Pedey is a very emotional player and wears those emotions on his sleeve and that's something he now wishes he hadn't said.

 

To summarize, based on what I heard and saw I don't think it "played any better" in the clubhouse than it did with most fans.

 

Great insights... something we don't seem to get from beat reporters these days.

[moonslav59]

Pedey had a rough 2017.

 

1. Machado coverup

2. Illegal sign stealing

 

I don't want to hear about him "playing the right way" anymore.

 

Wearing your emotions on your sleeve is all fine and good, when the emotions are perceived to be "grit", "dirtdog" and "determination", but then we had this...

[S5Dewey]

I think we can read between the lines on that answer. The clubhouse didn't like it.

 

It sounds like it was a fun event.

 

It was a great event. This is the 14th year of it and it always entertains.

 

Stephen King lives in Bangor, Maine and owns a share of the Sox as well as owning the local radio station that broadcasts the game and he foots the bill for the entire evening, including the food (pizza, hot dogs, popcorn, drinks - ballpark food). Admission is free but you have to be listening to King's radio station to hear which business is giving away tickets that day and then go and visit the business to get the tickets. The only thing we have to pay for is our drinks at the cash bar.

In the past it's only been the two radio guys there but this year it expanded to the four I mentioned. They come as emissaries of the Red Sox and always put the best spin on everything so I didn't expect any more than what I got. I guess I was being a bit of a dick by asking that question, but I thought it needed asking.

 

I have to say, Dave O'Brian is extremely approachable. This is the second year in a row when I've been able to walk up to him and have a 'moment' - about a full minute with him - and he always seems genuinely glad to stop and talk with a fan. I even got him to do about 30 seconds of his dead-nuts on Vin Scully impression for me and the few people around me.

[cp176]

It was a great event. This is the 14th year of it and it always entertains.

 

Stephen King lives in Bangor, Maine and owns a share of the Sox as well as owning the local radio station that broadcasts the game and he foots the bill for the entire evening, including the food (pizza, hot dogs, popcorn, drinks - ballpark food). Admission is free but you have to be listening to King's radio station to hear which business is giving away tickets that day and then go and visit the business to get the tickets. The only thing we have to pay for is our drinks at the cash bar.

In the past it's only been the two radio guys there but this year it expanded to the four I mentioned. They come as emissaries of the Red Sox and always put the best spin on everything so I didn't expect any more than what I got. I guess I was being a bit of a dick by asking that question, but I thought it needed asking.

 

I have to say, Dave O'Brian is extremely approachable. This is the second year in a row when I've been able to walk up to him and have a 'moment' - about a full minute with him - and he always seems genuinely glad to stop and talk with a fan. I even got him to do about 30 seconds of his dead-nuts on Vin Scully impression for me and the few people around me.

 

I'm proud of you for asking that question! I think that that is the answer you probably expected as well. Butterfield is a good man. With people like him sometimes you can read between he lines. My guess is that deep inside, he didn't have much fun in that clubhouse this year. He deserves better.

[moonslav59]

It was a great event. This is the 14th year of it and it always entertains.

 

Stephen King lives in Bangor, Maine and owns a share of the Sox as well as owning the local radio station that broadcasts the game and he foots the bill for the entire evening, including the food (pizza, hot dogs, popcorn, drinks - ballpark food). Admission is free but you have to be listening to King's radio station to hear which business is giving away tickets that day and then go and visit the business to get the tickets. The only thing we have to pay for is our drinks at the cash bar.

In the past it's only been the two radio guys there but this year it expanded to the four I mentioned. They come as emissaries of the Red Sox and always put the best spin on everything so I didn't expect any more than what I got. I guess I was being a bit of a dick by asking that question, but I thought it needed asking.

 

I have to say, Dave O'Brian is extremely approachable. This is the second year in a row when I've been able to walk up to him and have a 'moment' - about a full minute with him - and he always seems genuinely glad to stop and talk with a fan. I even got him to do about 30 seconds of his dead-nuts on Vin Scully impression for me and the few people around me.

 

Love this stuff. Keep it coming, Dewey.

 

Thanks.

[S5Dewey]

You can still win if you hate the guy next to you. It's just not a good long term strategy.

 

Yep. Been there, done that.

 

I was on a team that won a state championship in the afternoon following a morning when our SS was chasing our 1B around a picnic table with a baseball bat after learning that the 1B was nailing the SS's girlfriend.

 

Those were the days, my friend!

[mvp 78]

Yep. Been there, done that.

 

I was on a team that won a state championship in the afternoon following a morning when our SS was chasing our 1B around a picnic table with a baseball bat after learning that the 1B was nailing the SS's girlfriend.

 

Those were the days, my friend!

 

Jesus Christ!

[S5Dewey]

Jesus Christ!

 

It was many years ago, and both the SS & the 1B were young enough to have been my offspring.

 

After the games were over we all - all of us - got together and did a lot of damage to some 30-packs. Those were the days when I drank cheap beer. :-)

 

I've had some fun times.

[Slasher9]

damn. a couple pages ago i was so sad about not getting Giancarlo that i wanted this thread closed. boy was i wrong as it now has become my alltime favorite TS thread......

[Jack Flap]

Good stuff, S5...appreciate the exclusive scoop.

[S5Dewey]

I'm proud of you for asking that question! I think that that is the answer you probably expected as well. Butterfield is a good man. With people like him sometimes you can read between he lines. My guess is that deep inside, he didn't have much fun in that clubhouse this year. He deserves better.

 

Contrary to the rumor I'd heard, Butter did want to stay with the Sox. He said he'd contacted DD and told him that since he was from Maine he'd been a Sox fan all his life and wanted to, as he put it, "Be buried in a Red Sox uniform". He also said that he "understood" the need for Cora to bring in his own people so he wasn't surprised that the Sox didn't rehire him.

[Slasher9]

The Giancarlo Stanton renovations at Fenway have commenced.....

 

[Kimmi]

lol. if that is the case i wish he did that before giving price the worst contract ever written.

 

The point was brought up that Dombrowski must not have really wanted Stanton because if he did, he would have offered enough to get the deal done, overpaying quite a bit if necessary. If Dombrowski has his sights set on a player, he will get him. We keep hearing that Stanton did not want to come to Boston, which might be true, but the impression that I'm getting from what I've read recently is that the Sox did not really engage that seriously in talks.

[moonslav59]

The point was brought up that Dombrowski must not have really wanted Stanton because if he did, he would have offered enough to get the deal done, overpaying quite a bit if necessary. If Dombrowski has his sights set on a player, he will get him. We keep hearing that Stanton did not want to come to Boston, which might be true, but the impression that I'm getting from what I've read recently is that the Sox did not really engage that seriously in talks.

 

We'll be left to wonder if DD had seriously engaged in talks maybe Stanton might have had the Sox on his list.

 

I doubt it, but there might always be a "what if..." feeling.

[cp176]

The point was brought up that Dombrowski must not have really wanted Stanton because if he did, he would have offered enough to get the deal done, overpaying quite a bit if necessary. If Dombrowski has his sights set on a player, he will get him. We keep hearing that Stanton did not want to come to Boston, which might be true, but the impression that I'm getting from what I've read recently is that the Sox did not really engage that seriously in talks.

 

so it appears that DD has his sights set on Martinez - will he get him?

[SCM33]

He was a 2.8 WAR player last season in 133 games. Tell me more about him being "over rated"

 

"Below average offensive player"??? He has a 6.5 OWAR in 5 seasons. On what planet is that below avg?

 

To compare him to Darren Lewis is ridiculously stupid. Lewis had a 10 WAR over 13 MLB seaosons. JBj has 10.8 in 5....

 

Darren Lewis with power. I didnt compare him to Darren Lewis. I compared him to Darren Lewis with power, and its not so ridiculous if you think about it. Players like JBJ are the reason why we don't get players like Stanton.

 

Redsox fans/FO overhype/overrate their middling talent to the point that better players go to smarter teams willing to make a move, or take a risk.

[Spudboy]

Darren Lewis with power. I didnt compare him to Darren Lewis. I compared him to Darren Lewis with power, and its not so ridiculous if you think about it. Players like JBJ are the reason why we don't get players like Stanton.

 

Redsox fans/FO overhype/overrate their middling talent to the point that better players go to smarter teams willing to make a move, or take a risk.

 

And for less money!

[sk7326]

Darren Lewis with power. I didnt compare him to Darren Lewis. I compared him to Darren Lewis with power, and its not so ridiculous if you think about it. Players like JBJ are the reason why we don't get players like Stanton.

 

Redsox fans/FO overhype/overrate their middling talent to the point that better players go to smarter teams willing to make a move, or take a risk.

 

Bradley is a quality starter.

 

We did not get Stanton because Stanton did not want to go to Boston, period. And since Jeter was not exactly fielding Stanton's input - the opportunity to expand his horizons was largely absent. If there was someone in the trade market worth trading JBJ, they'd deal him.

[notin]

Darren Lewis with power. I didnt compare him to Darren Lewis. I compared him to Darren Lewis with power, and its not so ridiculous if you think about it. Players like JBJ are the reason why we don't get players like Stanton.

 

Redsox fans/FO overhype/overrate their middling talent to the point that better players go to smarter teams willing to make a move, or take a risk.

 

Bradley is a very, very good outfielder.

 

But the sillier part of this post is thinking how any fan overhyping or overrating has anything to do woth not getting Stanton. Seriously?

[notin]

so it appears that DD has his sights set on Martinez - will he get him?

 

Not if we don't rearrange the OF....

[a700hitter]

Not if we don't rearrange the OF....

If we get J.D., I think Bradley will be traded for Abreu.

[notin]

If we get J.D., I think Bradley will be traded for Abreu.

 

Possible.

 

Bradley is easily worth Abreu in a trade, with the only stumbling block being whether or not Hahn wants a player who only has 3 arb years left. Reportedly he balked at this offer once already this off-season.

 

If that is the case, deal Bradley for prospects or younger players (Cubs? Guardians? Giants?) and send them to the White Sox...

[moonslav59]

Possible.

 

Bradley is easily worth Abreu in a trade, with the only stumbling block being whether or not Hahn wants a player who only has 3 arb years left. Reportedly he balked at this offer once already this off-season.

 

If that is the case, deal Bradley for prospects or younger players (Cubs? Guardians? Giants?) and send them to the White Sox...

 

Yes, and maybe add Travis or Ockimey, if needed.

[cp176]

Not if we don't rearrange the OF....

 

This is not some new revelation. Anyone who has followed the story knows that it has always been J.D's preference to play in the field. Unless DD can do a good job of stick handling the situation, Bradley has been in the trade lights for quite some time. I would hate to see him go but sign two good free agents and package him up and trade for more pitching and there you have it. Sounds easy doesn't it. I would also say that Martinez isn't the poorest fielding outfielder in the world either but I don't agree that the stats tell the whole story about Bogaerts at short either. They are both adequate or better and sometimes the trade offs with the bats are just worth it. Now - hit me with all of the statistical mumbo jumbo to show me just how wrong I am - Let's go.

[moonslav59]

This is not some new revelation. Anyone who has followed the story knows that it has always been J.D's preference to play in the field. Unless DD can do a good job of stick handling the situation, Bradley has been in the trade lights for quite some time. I would hate to see him go but sign two good free agents and package him up and trade for more pitching and there you have it. Sounds easy doesn't it. I would also say that Martinez isn't the poorest fielding outfielder in the world either but I don't agree that the stats tell the whole story about Bogaerts at short either. They are both adequate or better and sometimes the trade offs with the bats are just worth it. Now - hit me with all of the statistical mumbo jumbo to show me just how wrong I am - Let's go.

 

I'm okay with Bogey at SS, and I don't need stats to support my position that he is, at best, a below average defender. Now that Cozart is gone, I see no option that looks good enough out there to warrant switching two player's positions (XB>SS & RD>1B/DH).

 

With our infield defense looking suspect, especially with Pedey our and devers learning on the fly, I'd hate to weaken our OF defense and CF to boot, but I realize our middle-order offense needs a big boost- mostly powerwise.

 

I'm not buying into the idea that we need to pay JD more to get him to agree to play DH. I'd offer him the max we think he's worth (maybe $155M/5) and tell Bore-A$$ take it or leave it. We might even have to give him a drop dead date, so we don't lose out on other options by waiting and waiting.

 

If we sign JD and Morrison, and then trade JBJ (and others like Holt, Marrero, Swihart or Travis/Ockimey plus maybe a low prospect or two) for a quality SP'er, I'd say we improved enough to be a top contender. I'd rather sign JD to DH, keep JBJ and then just sign a quality SP'er. Maybe add a cheap, 1 year guy like Duda to support HRam at 1B and offer a back-up DH when JD plays the OF.