A Realistic View at 2018: Part II

[Kimmi]

Kind of hard to pinpoint thate exact time a slump is starting (or will continue).

 

I'm not against the idea, but let's see how it works out.

 

I agree.

 

Also, is it better to bench someone who is struggling, and give him a chance to 'clear his head', or is it better to let the player play through the slump? I think some players respond better to the former approach, and others respond better to the latter.

[Kimmi]

On the flip side, it often felt like JF would sit players just as they were showing signs of heating up.

 

No data to back that up- just a feeling I got often.

 

OTOH, unless there is an actual reason for the slump, like an injury or a personal crisis, a slump, like a hot hand, has little predictive value.

[oldtimer]

OTOH, unless there is an actual reason for the slump, like an injury or a personal crisis, a slump, like a hot hand, has little predictive value.

 

Funny how they can creep up on you. Slight changes can lead to the beginning and perhaps negative thoughts can lead to making additional slight changes and pretty soon a person is lost. I believe it is a complex situation and even with all the camera footage, coaches and the like, it is still difficult to climb out of it.

[cp176]

Funny how they can creep up on you. Slight changes can lead to the beginning and perhaps negative thoughts can lead to making additional slight changes and pretty soon a person is lost. I believe it is a complex situation and even with all the camera footage, coaches and the like, it is still difficult to climb out of it.

 

It was a very good read for me when I read what JD Martinez said about what he considers "being in the zone" . He believes that as soon as you start thinking about being in that special place where hits just seem to come easily you are out of it. Kind of looks to me as though he truly believes that the mental approach to the game is actually certainly equal to if not more important than the physical approach. I like what he had to say and believe in it very much.

[cp176]

It was a very good read for me when I read what JD Martinez said about what he considers "being in the zone" . He believes that as soon as you start thinking about being in that special place where hits just seem to come easily you are out of it. Kind of looks to me as though he truly believes that the mental approach to the game is actually certainly equal to if not more important than the physical approach. I like what he had to say and believe in it very much.

 

Inside the Mind of JD Martinez - a very good read.

[Larry Cook]

In 2013 being patient at the plate worked. The goal was to get into opponent's bullpen.

 

I'm not sure that's a big deal against the good teams in 2018. Several teams pose good 1 2 3 punch to close out the games. Why would anyone want to get to Kimbrel as an example?

 

Our record was 76-19 when tied or lead after 4 innings. It really is about scoring 1st.

 

I think this is so key for us this year. We must score runs early. Scoring early puts the pressure on the opponents and our guys seem more relaxed when they have the lead.

[moonslav59]

I think this is so key for us this year. We must score runs early. Scoring early puts the pressure on the opponents and our guys seem more relaxed when they have the lead.

 

Yes, and that probably goes for every team, except those with crappy pens.

[mvp 78]

@ClearTheBases

 

#RedSox officially announce opening day roster. Bobby Poyner and Marcus Walden added. To make room on 40-man roster, Marco Hernandez placed on 60-day DL.

 

Looks like Pedey will be back before Marco.

[moonslav59]

@ClearTheBases

 

#RedSox officially announce opening day roster. Bobby Poyner and Marcus Walden added. To make room on 40-man roster, Marco Hernandez placed on 60-day DL.

 

Looks like Pedey will be back before Marco.

 

I kinda doubt Pedey will be back in 60 days, so it might not matter much which one the placed on the 60-day DL.

[moonslav59]

@ClearTheBases

 

#RedSox officially announce opening day roster. Bobby Poyner and Marcus Walden added. To make room on 40-man roster, Marco Hernandez placed on 60-day DL.

 

Looks like Pedey will be back before Marco.

 

When Marco comes back, who goes? Trade? DFA Jerez?

[mvp 78]

When Marco comes back, who goes? Trade? DFA Jerez?

 

Pedey to KC for Duffy.

[moonslav59]

Pedey to KC for Duffy.

 

Not a bad suggestion.

 

Pedey owed $56M/4 ($13.75M against luxury budget)

Duffy owed $60M/4 ($13M on luxury budget)

 

Nunez goes FT, our defense gets worse, but our rotation and starter depth improves.

[mvp 78]

Not a bad suggestion.

 

Pedey owed $56M/4 ($13.75M against luxury budget)

Duffy owed $60M/4 ($13M on luxury budget)

 

Nunez goes FT, our defense gets worse, but our rotation and starter depth improves.

 

KC won't do it. They have a much better 2b.

[moonslav59]

KC won't do it. They have a much better 2b.

 

Pedey plus $2M a year, Wright and Beeks.

[oldtimer]

Not a bad suggestion.

 

Pedey owed $56M/4 ($13.75M against luxury budget)

Duffy owed $60M/4 ($13M on luxury budget)

 

Nunez goes FT, our defense gets worse, but our rotation and starter depth improves.

 

All these years where Pedey has been a mainstay of the Sox and a consistently good hitter when healthy. Any players has ups and downs and age eventually catches up with them all, but I'm willing to wait on Pedey and see if he can be even 90% of the player he was 3 years ago. Unless there is an offer that is too great to pass, I would stick with Pedey and see what he can do.

[moonslav59]

All these years where Pedey has been a mainstay of the Sox and a consistently good hitter when healthy. Any players has ups and downs and age eventually catches up with them all, but I'm willing to wait on Pedey and see if he can be even 90% of the player he was 3 years ago. Unless there is an offer that is too great to pass, I would stick with Pedey and see what he can do.

 

I'm wondering, if you're the only one who would not trade Pedey for Duffy straight up... other than the KC GM.

[harmony]

Not a bad suggestion.

 

Pedey owed $56M/4 ($13.75M against luxury budget)

Duffy owed $60M/4 ($13M on luxury budget)

 

Nunez goes FT, our defense gets worse, but our rotation and starter depth improves.

As a 29-year-old left-handed starter, Danny Duffy has trade value but a 34-year-old second baseman on the disabled list might be the last player the Kansas City Royals would target.

[moonslav59]

As a 29-year-old left-handed starter, Danny Duffy has trade value but a 34-year-old second baseman on the disabled list might be the last player the Kansas City Royals would target.

 

Yes. KC would say no- not the Sox.

[oldtimer]

I'm wondering, if you're the only one who would not trade Pedey for Duffy straight up... other than the KC GM.

 

I doubt it.

[Spudboy]

Sox should have moved Pedroia when MVP started barking about it.

 

He had value then.

 

Now he is likely a shell of himself with a surgically repaired knee.

 

He is most likely useless and of no values now.

[mvp 78]

Sox should have moved Pedroia when MVP started barking about it.

 

He had value then.

 

Now he is likely a shell of himself with a surgically repaired knee.

 

He is most likely useless and of no values now.

 

I agree 100%.

[moonslav59]

I agree 100%.

 

I'm surprised!

[Maxbialystock]

Yes, and that probably goes for every team, except those with crappy pens.

 

Yup. We got the early lead. Sale had a solid start--6 innings, 0 runs, 92 pitches, a slew of strikeouts.

 

But a crappy pen did us in.

[Maxbialystock]

I like Pedroia and always have, but completely agree that age and knees are against him. And his contract makes him less tradeable.

[jacksonianmarch]

Pedroia knows how to hit. He might not have the power he once did, but he can generate an OBP out of the 2b hole. He does have value, but it doesn’t match his AAV. That being said, Nunez isn’t exactly an iron man either. You will need both players to perform this year. Depth is an issue beyond Nunez and injuries do happen. Don’t write off Pedey just yet

[moonslav59]

Yup. We got the early lead. Sale had a solid start--6 innings, 0 runs, 92 pitches, a slew of strikeouts.

 

But a crappy pen did us in.

 

It was "crappy" yesterday, but I think it's a pen that is better than it was last year- a year of pretty good pitching from our relievers.

[moonslav59]

...Depth is an issue beyond Nunez and injuries do happen....

 

Nunez may be one of the best 5+ position subs in MLB,and you're right, he hasn't been an iron man by any stretch of the imagination. However, I think our depth beyond our number one sub (Nunez) is as good as anyone's else beyond their first sub, if not better.

 

C- Leon & Swihart

1B- Moreland, Travis, Swihart

2B/3B/SS- Hernandez, Holt, Lin

OF- JMart, Holt, Swihart, Lin (Castillo)

 

These guys aren't great, but no teams have great subs beyond their best sub. Some teams even have bad first subs.

[moonslav59]

In 14 out of 70 appearances, last year, barnes pitched more thaan 1.0 innings.

 

Would it be a good idea to try and get him to go longer but with less appearances this year?

[oldtimer]

Nunez may be one of the best 5+ position subs in MLB,and you're right, he hasn't been an iron man by any stretch of the imagination. However, I think our depth beyond our number one sub (Nunez) is as good as anyone's else beyond their first sub, if not better.

 

C- Leon & Swihart

1B- Moreland, Travis, Swihart

2B/3B/SS- Hernandez, Holt, Lin

OF- JMart, Holt, Swihart, Lin (Castillo)

 

These guys aren't great, but no teams have great subs beyond their best sub. Some teams even have bad first subs.

 

Nunez was a hero at the plate but his defense was shaky, which is to be expected with him. His lack of range on one play was evident and Hanley saved him on a wild throw to first. Hope his defense improves with repetition.

[moonslav59]

Nunez was a hero at the plate but his defense was shaky, which is to be expected with him. His lack of range on one play was evident and Hanley saved him on a wild throw to first. Hope his defense improves with repetition.

 

He's been around too long to expect significant improvement.