Spring Training 2018 Thread

[mvp 78]

I know I keep harping on it but Jesus has Holt porked out. It similar to what Robert De Niro went through in Raging Bull.

 

Holt was a speedy athletic type. Now he is about half a Panda.

 

I think his mobility will be impaired.

 

I try not to get too worked up about how players look in ST t shirts in the FL wind.

[mvp 78]

Marrero has an above average glove. If he could put it together at the plate, that would be a huge problem solved for us.

 

If he "could put it together" at the plate, he'd be the starting SS.

[sk7326]

Cashner's K-rate fell through the floor last year. Liriano has been shaky - but there is reasonable upside for the cost. Lynn is probably the most reliable of that level of guy - but you have to be okay with him turning in 2017 Porcello sort of work ... where the value is in the bulk.

[Kimmi]

Sounds like Mitch is really happy to be back.

 

http://www.weei.com/articles/column/bradford-why-mitch-moreland-didnt-wait-around-jd-martinez-or-any-other-free-agents

 

 

Listen to how the first baseman's 6-year-old son responded upon his father landing for another spring training at JetBlue Park. "He's fired up," Moreland said in a sit-down interview Tuesday afternoon. "Yesterday, as soon as I got on the phone with him he said, 'Have any of the guys asked about me?' He's excited about it."

 

"I just told my agent that if we get close, I'm ready to do it. It's just nice to have the security of knowing everybody here and not having to learn a new organization. Being somewhere where my family is comfortable and somewhere that is a winning environment. All of those things factor into something like free agency. This is a great place to be, so obviously, it was my first choice."

 

"I knew I had a good time here. Obviously, all of our conversations with staff and front office were good heading out. I guess the way everything has been going the last few years, you never know what's going to happen. This year has been a prime example of that even more. I really didn't know what to think. Just keep an open mind and let them know I had fun playing being part of this organization and playing for the Red Sox. I would love to come back, but I also understand it's a business. That's kind of the way I approached it. Obviously, when the time rolled around and we started talking a little bit, I was happy to come back. I wanted to be here.

 

"I told my agent, 'Listen, man, I want to be somewhere I'm going to be happy and somewhere I'm going to win.' I loved playing here last year. So when the opportunity came about, it checked all the boxes. I've got to take care of my family. I'm not worried about the market part of it. When I saw the opportunity, with something I was happy with, and my family was happy with, I jumped at it."

 

"I go to the field ready to go every day," Moreland said. "That's what I do. I try and be ready to go when my number is called, whether it's in the first inning, fifth inning, whenever. That's what I shoot for. Last year I was supposed to be part-time and I got more at-bats than I have ever had. I don't think you can look at a scheduled set-up of playing time because we're still two months away from the season right now and there is a lot of stuff that can happen. I'm going to be focused on getting ready to play every day and being ready to go when that time comes here."

 

"I got in yesterday and went and hung out with the guys the first night. I told my wife, "Hey, I got invited to hang out with the guys the first night.' Last year it took me a week before I hung out with the guys. It's nice," he said. "Just having familiar faces and knowing the situation. Everyone talks about how it helps having that comfort level in baseball whether you're on the field or off the field. It makes those adjustments easier. We had a blast, so I'm happy to do it a couple of more years."

 

One of the reasons why I am happy to have Mitch back.

 

Good signing, IMO.

[Spudboy]

One of the reasons why I am happy to have Mitch back.

 

Good signing, IMO.

 

I fully agree.

[moonslav59]

I'd rather have LoMo, but if we end up with both or JD, I'm okay with it, but I still think we need more power from the 1B position.

[Larry Cook]

Sounds like Cora has a plan for how he wants to run our team. So far I am liking what I am hearing.

 

Of course it is easy to talk a good game in spring training. Let’s see how he does during the crush of the regular season and hopefully a pennant race.

[mvp 78]

@jcmccaffrey

 

Northeastern lineup vs Red Sox: Koppens CF, McConnell RF, Burt SS, Perry DH, Lang 3B, Farrell 1B, Holzwasser 2B, Gealson C, Walsh LF. RHP Ennen

[mvp 78]

@jcmccaffrey

 

Red Sox lineup vs. Northeastern: Bradley Jr. CF, Benintendi LF, Devers 3B, Moreland 1B, Swihart C, Holt 2B, Marrero SS, Selsky RF, Rei DH, Beeks LHP

 

*insert it's happening gif*

[a700hitter]

@jcmccaffrey

 

Red Sox lineup vs. Northeastern: Bradley Jr. CF, Benintendi LF, Devers 3B, Moreland 1B, Swihart C, Holt 2B, Marrero SS, Selsky RF, Rei DH, Beeks LHP

 

*insert it's happening gif*

Is it televised?

[cp176]

It probably is a rare day that I can say this, but everything that Cora has said makes me think that he really could be a very good one for us. He isn't hung up on the whole concept of lefty, righty,lefty, righty ... A statement like - if you can hit you are going to hit - I like. His approach so far just seems to me to be one of common sense. Doesn't sound like much is going to be scripted. Put your best players on the field and do what it takes to win.

[mvp 78]

Is it televised?

 

See here

[a700hitter]

See here

Thanks. Watching. Retirement is good.

[a700hitter]

I feel bad for the Northeastern pitcher. He's a freshman and he looks like he is going to have a heart attack. He walked all 5 batters that he faced.

[cp176]

wow actually watching some bb

[mvp 78]

@ScottLauber

 

By my count, Rafael Devers is younger than 10 players on Northeastern's roster.

[bkzwhitestrican]

Geez give the kids a break. Bring in Mike Carp.

[Kimmi]

Woot! Baseball is back!

[baseball jones]

where the hell is martinez? three games in and nothing

 

wonder whats up with this.is it the red sox dishing out some payback? or is there really something wrong.

 

maybe he needs a little more time to get in shape? i guese that could make sense too.

[oldtimer]

where the hell is martinez? three games in and nothing

 

wonder whats up with this.is it the red sox dishing out some payback? or is there really something wrong.

 

maybe he needs a little more time to get in shape? i guese that could make sense too.

 

Relax. The Sox know what he can do and would rather have him get into playing shape rather than risk him early on. We will see him fairly soon.

[FredLynn]

I was at the game today. Nice stadium. First time there. The staff is very helpful and everyone is really friendly. Its hot as hell in Ft Myers, even in February. Not much to say about the game itself other than we won. Swihart hit a nice rope to LF for a double.....lots of guys playing who will never make the team, but that is to be expected.

[fxkatt]

where the hell is martinez? three games in and nothing

 

wonder whats up with this.is it the red sox dishing out some payback? or is there really something wrong.

 

maybe he needs a little more time to get in shape? i guese that could make sense too.

 

I heard that the physical process takes much longer when the salary exceeds 100 mill. And certain tests take a long time to read.

[cp176]

Thought Elias looked really sharp today. Someone earlier said that they thought Holt had gained some weight. He looked pretty fit to me. As a matter of fact, they all looked pretty fit to me.

[Nick]

Thought Elias looked really sharp today. Someone earlier said that they thought Holt had gained some weight. He looked pretty fit to me. As a matter of fact, they all looked pretty fit to me.

 

I don't like Holt as a player but I doubt he'll ever be accused of being fat. Matter of fact, he looks like he could use some paperweights to hold him down on windy days.

[Spudboy]

You two should see an eye Doctor. Holt is noticeably larger in the mid-section. His arms now look very similar to the pumped-up arms of Bennie last spring.

 

Holt has said he has gained 20 pounds.

[Natick to NC]

I cringe every at bat ....Devin Marrero how the hell is he on this team ?

[moonslav59]

I cringe every at bat ....Devin Marrero how the hell is he on this team ?

 

You're watching the wrong half innings.

 

Watch the glove.

 

(He's also half way decent vs lefties at .710 career)

[cp176]

You two should see an eye Doctor. Holt is noticeably larger in the mid-section. His arms now look very similar to the pumped-up arms of Bennie last spring.

 

Holt has said he has gained 20 pounds.

 

I'll admit to not having the 20-15 I used to have. My arms are no longer long enough to help me read without the glasses!

[baseball jones]

poor Will. never understood what happened to him with the red sox but it still isnt getting better for him.

 

Phillies Will Middlebrooks carted off field

WWW.MLB.COM

---

CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Phillies infielder Will Middlebrooks appeared to suffer a serious left leg injury in the eighth inning of Saturday afternoon's 9-6 win over the Orioles at Spectrum Field.Middlebrooks collided with left fielder Andrew Pullin as both pursued a pop fly. It appeared Middlebrooks' left ankle got caught underneath

[notin]

poor Will. never understood what happened to him with the red sox but it still isnt getting better for him.

 

Phillies Will Middlebrooks carted off field

WWW.MLB.COM

---

CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Phillies infielder Will Middlebrooks appeared to suffer a serious left leg injury in the eighth inning of Saturday afternoon's 9-6 win over the Orioles at Spectrum Field.Middlebrooks collided with left fielder Andrew Pullin as both pursued a pop fly. It appeared Middlebrooks' left ankle got caught underneath

 

He was always overrated, but at least he got to marry Jenny Dell...