Red Sox To Sign J.D. Martinez

[Emp9]

Maybe it's time for you to explain why you are so preoccupied with what happens in particular games here and there instead of what happens over a long period of time?

 

I already have, pages ago. Maybe it’s time you look?

 

You fail to catch a fly with a sledgehammer, then claim that flies don’t exist. (More poetic than I wanted but it’ll have to do for today)

[cp176]

I'm still thrilled we signed JD, and I'd love for him to say right now, "I give up my opt out clauses".

 

I disagree that talking numbers and projections scares anyone away. If it does, it might also attract some stat geeks to the game to make up for any losses.

 

 

Please don't misunderstand what I am saying. Talking about the numbers and making projections based upon them I doubt is turning anyone away from the game. It is when believing absolutely that the numbers tell all and the result lead to what some might consider to be negative change to the game that I think might affect interest. Attendance is down that we know.

[moonslav59]

Please don't misunderstand what I am saying. Talking about the numbers and making projections based upon them I doubt is turning anyone away from the game. It is when believing absolutely that the numbers tell all and the result lead to what some might consider to be negative change to the game that I think might affect interest. Attendance is down that we know.

 

I'm trying to understand.

 

Are the fans that "believe", love or trust in "numbers" being turned away?

 

Or, are the fans who have a disdain for numbers being turned away, because they are being overly inundated with numbers, stats and metrics?

 

Personally, I don't think a single fam has walked away based on the proliferation of numbers. There is a lot more entertainment available to the average person/kid than when we were young. The game is slow, and we live in an era of impatience and instant gratification. I also think about two-thirds of teams' fans think they have little to no chance at winning a ring due the massive unbalance of skill between the best teams and the rest.

 

I love the fact that the game is slow, but as the years go by, I have been partially sucked into the media blitz of choices. I often watch the game on tape delay and fast forward through commercials and pitching changes. I also am on the computer as I watch and multi-task. I don't do that watching football or hockey or NCAA basketball.

 

I hope baseball doesn't become a game for just old folks to watch, but I just don't see any way that fans who like to use numbers and stats to bolster their positions is driving anyone away.

[cp176]

I don't like the following:

 

1. instant replay - which isn't instant

 

2. the potential concept of relying on robots to ultimately replace umpires

 

3. a homerun or a strikeout with a de-emplahsis on many of the things that some baseball fans still love such as bunting, hitting and

running, and stealing bases.

 

4. pitdhers not pitching to conatact

 

As the game changes, i don't think that it is the old folks that you have to worry about losing.

 

Numbers have always been important to the game and will continue to be. If the numbers dictate change, I hope that they are the types of changes that the average fan wants to see. I don't think that the game is as entertaining as it once was and I don't think that I am alone in feeling that way.

[OH FOY]

I crack up when I look in Dugout now, and see the whole bench eating Sunflower Seeds, like a flock of Pigeons. Gone is gum and Tobacco that's for sure.

[Bellhorn04]

I already have, pages ago. Maybe it’s time you look?

 

You fail to catch a fly with a sledgehammer, then claim that flies don’t exist. (More poetic than I wanted but it’ll have to do for today)

 

I guess your point is that the protection effect occurs in some isolated instances, but not consistently. Sort of like really cheap condoms?

[moonslav59]

I don't like the following:

 

1. instant replay - which isn't instant

 

It does slow the game down, and it doesn't always get the call "right." I do think getting the call right more often outweighs the negatives, but it's a close call by me. I think they should try to speed up the process. In this high tech age, it shouldn't be too hard.

 

2. the potential concept of relying on robots to ultimately replace umpires

 

I'd like to see balls and strikes called by a robot and maybe plays at 1B.

 

 

3. a homerun or a strikeout with a de-emplahsis on many of the things that some baseball fans still love such as bunting, hitting and

running, and stealing bases.

 

Sacrifice bunting is really not a good strategy almost all the time, except when a weak hitter is up, but yes, this is hardly even taught anymore, even to those who are weak hitters.

 

 

4. pitdhers not pitching to conatact

 

Their loss. I've always felt K's were over-rated. (I'm not a fan of FIP or xFIP)

 

 

As the game changes, i don't think that it is the old folks that you have to worry about losing.

 

My question is whether the changing game is what is not pulling younger people in. I have my doubts.

 

 

Numbers have always been important to the game and will continue to be. If the numbers dictate change, I hope that they are the types of changes that the average fan wants to see. I don't think that the game is as entertaining as it once was and I don't think that I am alone in feeling that way.

 

Numbers cause the shift to be used more. Is the shift driving fans away?

 

Would disallowing the shift be a remedy? (They used it on Ted Williams way back when.)

 

I'm not pretending to know the answers. I'm not sure what can be done to get young people more interested. There may be no solution short of radically changing the game.

[OH FOY]

Length of game is the biggest factor why hard to watch entire game anymore. Watching baseball long time, now even I turn it off, and move on somewhere else, for a while. Listen to games on radio every night, at lunch break, and in 30 minutes if get through 1 inning its a miracle. Happened 1 time this year, a full 2 innings done in 30 minutes.

Its exhausting, the wait between Pitches.

Baseball better do something about it, when die hard fans are sick of length of games.

Go to a Minor League Game, and see the difference in length of time.

Edited August 22, 2018 by OH FOY!

[mvp 78]

I don't like the following:

 

1. instant replay - which isn't instant

 

2. the potential concept of relying on robots to ultimately replace umpires

 

3. a homerun or a strikeout with a de-emplahsis on many of the things that some baseball fans still love such as bunting, hitting and

running, and stealing bases.

 

4. pitdhers not pitching to conatact

 

As the game changes, i don't think that it is the old folks that you have to worry about losing.

 

Numbers have always been important to the game and will continue to be. If the numbers dictate change, I hope that they are the types of changes that the average fan wants to see. I don't think that the game is as entertaining as it once was and I don't think that I am alone in feeling that way.

 

1. Agree

 

2. Strongly disagree

 

3. People love dingers. It's what got fans back after the strike shortened season. No one cares about bunting.

 

4. Not every pitcher has the ability to pitch to contact based on their stuff.

 

Honestly, none of us posting on here are "average fans". To spend hours upon hours debating the Sox online is not something the typical fan does.

[Station 13]

Tell that to Albert Pujols. I think the Sox move on from JD if he opts out. Let him get a 5 year deal from someone else where he shows another year or two of prime and 3-4 years of sub prime decline.

 

Pujols was dog aged by the time the Angels foolishly signed him. JD will have a tough time again as he is a DH to find a market just like this past season. The AL is all nearly is in rebuilding phase.

Edited August 22, 2018 by Station 13

[mvp 78]

Length of game is the biggest factor why hard to watch entire game anymore.

 

Not only baseball is dealing with cord cutting, their s***** MLB blackout policy and numerous other entertainment options available today, but the average game is longer than it ever has been before. It's slower than it ever has been before. In the 50's through the 70's, the average game length was consistently 2:30. Now, we have an additional 30 minutes to sit through with pitching changes, commercial breaks and pitchers lollygagging on the mound. None of that increases viewer interest. The game is longer and more boring than ever. The amount of plate appearances per game has been 75 - 77 in the modern era. The bloat has come from the game just slowing to a crawl. Attention spans aren't what they once were and it is killing these broadcasts.

 

Attendance figures overall are still really strong so the interest is still there. However, MLB has just not been able to fix the product for the at home viewer.

 

If I were commissioner:

 

1. no more interleague play

2. pitching clock

3. robot assistance for balls and strikes (would just have homeplate umps were google glass or something behind the plate)

4. built in double headers (provides more overall days off for players)

5. increase roster size

6. limit the amount of pitching changes per inning

7. instant replay for scoring plays only

8. completely revamp the All Star Game (have a money prize for the winners)

[moonslav59]

Not only baseball is dealing with cord cutting, their s***** MLB blackout policy and numerous other entertainment options available today, but the average game is longer than it ever has been before. It's slower than it ever has been before. In the 50's through the 70's, the average game length was consistently 2:30. Now, we have an additional 30 minutes to sit through with pitching changes, commercial breaks and pitchers lollygagging on the mound. None of that increases viewer interest. The game is longer and more boring than ever. The amount of plate appearances per game has been 75 - 77 in the modern era. The bloat has come from the game just slowing to a crawl. Attention spans aren't what they once were and it is killing these broadcasts.

 

Attendance figures overall are still really strong so the interest is still there. However, MLB has just not been able to fix the product for the at home viewer.

 

If I were commissioner:

 

1. no more interleague play

2. pitching clock

3. robot assistance for balls and strikes (would just have homeplate umps were google glass or something behind the plate)

4. built in double headers (provides more overall days off for players)

5. increase roster size

6. limit the amount of pitching changes per inning

7. instant replay for scoring plays only

8. completely revamp the All Star Game (have a money prize for the winners)

 

1. I'd have more interleague play.

2. Yes.

3. Just have balls and strikes called by a computer.

4. I like having a game every day. That's one great thing about baseball.

5. I've always thought the roster should be 27 (3 x 9 positions).

6. Might be going too far.

7. Disagree. Many plays could lead to runs or no/less runs. They are just as important, though not as memorable.

8. Something needs to be done. The AS game is a joke and has been for decades.

[mvp 78]

9. force the NL to use the DH

[Station 13]

10. Force them to surrendered the DH at the AL ballpark. Those clowns deserves to see their pitcher hit because they force the AL pitchers to do that for 20 years.

[Kimmi]

He is strictly a DH, he can have a longer career. We can't let a 50HR bat go.

 

I don't think JD is going to drop off a cliff at 32. I think he will be very good for a few more years.

 

That said, I'm not signing him to a ludicrous contract, especially since he already is technically in the 'decline' phase.

[Kimmi]

Is there an echo in here? Yes, I’m very aware that everything is counted. Again, it tells you nothing about any particular game. Besides, You said “average” & “overall offensive production” which I can only take as Avg/OBP/SG%/OPS.

 

I am just not seeing the significance of a protected batter having success in certain situations.

 

That same batter will have similar success in certain situations even if he is not protected.

[Station 13]

I don't think JD is going to drop off a cliff at 32. I think he will be very good for a few more years.

 

That said, I'm not signing him to a ludicrous contract, especially since he already is technically in the 'decline' phase.

 

We signed him to 5, just right for his prime. I'm pretty confident his market is just Boston unless 100% Reversal next off season when the NL adopts a DH.

[cp176]

1. Agree

 

2. Strongly disagree

 

3. People love dingers. It's what got fans back after the strike shortened season. No one cares about bunting.

 

4. Not every pitcher has the ability to pitch to contact based on their stuff.

 

Honestly, none of us posting on here are "average fans". To spend hours upon hours debating the Sox online is not something the typical fan does.

 

2. wasn't really just about the bunting but I do get the point.

 

 

I think that I might be what I consider the average fan. Maybe the average fan of yesteryear. I post primarily from the heart. I understand that. I really don't care much about the advanced metrics. I also think that big money is the culprit of the game to some extent as well. I'm not saying that change is bad. In most cases it is good.

[Kimmi]

Maybe it's time for you to explain why you are so preoccupied with what happens in particular games here and there instead of what happens over a long period of time?

 

As we have discussed before, you can't really look at particular games or instances because it is impossible to know what would have happened if a different decision were made or a different batter were hitting behind another batter.

[Kimmi]

I'm still thrilled we signed JD, and I'd love for him to say right now, "I give up my opt out clauses".

 

I disagree that talking numbers and projections scares anyone away. If it does, it might also attract some stat geeks to the game to make up for any losses.

 

The thing is, no one is trying to take the human element out of the game. No one.

 

Except for maybe those who want robot umps.

[Kimmi]

Length of game is the biggest factor why hard to watch entire game anymore. Watching baseball long time, now even I turn it off, and move on somewhere else, for a while. Listen to games on radio every night, at lunch break, and in 30 minutes if get through 1 inning its a miracle. Happened 1 time this year, a full 2 innings done in 30 minutes.

Its exhausting, the wait between Pitches.

Baseball better do something about it, when die hard fans are sick of length of games.

Go to a Minor League Game, and see the difference in length of time.

 

I have no problem with the length of games, outside of all the commercial breaks.

 

Like a few others, I DVR the games and start about an hour later and ff through all the ads. (Actually, I do that with all the shows I watch.) You can watch a 3 hour game in about 2 hours.

[Bellhorn04]

I have no problem with the length of games, outside of all the commercial breaks.

 

Like a few others, I DVR the games and start about an hour later and ff through all the ads. (Actually, I do that with all the shows I watch.) You can watch a 3 hour game in about 2 hours.

 

Of course, if the length of the games is only tolerable when you DVR them, that might be a problem.

[Kimmi]

Not only baseball is dealing with cord cutting, their s***** MLB blackout policy and numerous other entertainment options available today, but the average game is longer than it ever has been before. It's slower than it ever has been before. In the 50's through the 70's, the average game length was consistently 2:30. Now, we have an additional 30 minutes to sit through with pitching changes, commercial breaks and pitchers lollygagging on the mound. None of that increases viewer interest. The game is longer and more boring than ever. The amount of plate appearances per game has been 75 - 77 in the modern era. The bloat has come from the game just slowing to a crawl. Attention spans aren't what they once were and it is killing these broadcasts.

 

Attendance figures overall are still really strong so the interest is still there. However, MLB has just not been able to fix the product for the at home viewer.

 

If I were commissioner:

 

1. no more interleague play

2. pitching clock

3. robot assistance for balls and strikes (would just have homeplate umps were google glass or something behind the plate)

4. built in double headers (provides more overall days off for players)

5. increase roster size

6. limit the amount of pitching changes per inning

7. instant replay for scoring plays only

8. completely revamp the All Star Game (have a money prize for the winners)

 

I am opposed to most of the pace of play ideas that are being thrown around. Simple solution to speed up the game - get rid of commercial breaks, or at least shorten them. I know that will never happen, but that's the biggest culprit, IMO.

 

1. What does interleague play have to do with speeding up the game?

2. No to the pitching clock.

3. No

4. OK

5. OK

6. No, but limit the commercial breaks during the pitching changes.

7. Eliminate replay altogether. What makes scoring plays more important than any other plays in the game? Every play, one way or another, affects the scoring.

8. Neither here nor there.

[mvp 78]

Of course, if the length of the games is only tolerable when you DVR them, that might be a problem.

 

A million times this...

[Kimmi]

9. force the NL to use the DH

 

Whether they keep the DH or not, make it consistent in both leagues.

[mvp 78]

I am opposed to most of the pace of play ideas that are being thrown around. Simple solution to speed up the game - get rid of commercial breaks, or at least shorten them. I know that will never happen, but that's the biggest culprit, IMO.

 

1. What does interleague play have to do with speeding up the game?

2. No to the pitching clock.

3. No

4. OK

5. OK

6. No, but limit the commercial breaks during the pitching changes.

7. Eliminate replay altogether. What makes scoring plays more important than any other plays in the game? Every play, one way or another, affects the scoring.

8. Neither here nor there.

 

Interleague has nothing to do with pacing. It has everything to do with fixing baseball. When teams play each other all year, the All Star Game and the World Series lose some of their aura.

[mvp 78]

Whether they keep the DH or not, make it consistent in both leagues.

 

Watching pitchers hit is embarrassing. Just get rid of it.

[Kimmi]

We signed him to 5, just right for his prime. I'm pretty confident his market is just Boston unless 100% Reversal next off season when the NL adopts a DH.

 

I have no problem with JD's current contract. In fact, I really like it. I think Dombrowski did an awesome job with it.

 

If he continues to hit like he has so far this year, he will be looking for a much larger payday. You may be right that he won't have a big market, but I wouldn't be so sure.

[Kimmi]

Of course, if the length of the games is only tolerable when you DVR them, that might be a problem.

 

Fair enough.

 

However, I do think there's a difference in the length of game being a problem due to ads versus the actual playing time.

[Kimmi]

A million times this...

 

Yeah, so cut the ads.

 

Problem solved.