A Realistic View at 2018: Part II

[harmony]

The Red Sox sign Adam Lind to a minor league contract:

 

[a700hitter]

I don't understand this move:

 

Red Sox Sign Adam Lind To Minor League Deal

 

By Steve Adams | May 29, 2018 at 6:05pm CDT

The Red Sox have agreed to a minor league contract with veteran first baseman Adam Lind, reports Evan Drellich of NBC Sports Boston (Twitter links). The ISE Baseball client was recently released by the Yankees. Drellich notes that president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski has confirmed the agreement to him, though the club has not yet issued a more formal announcement of the signing.

Lind is coming off a strong season with the Nationals, having raked at a.303/.362/.512 clip and clubbed 14 homers in 301 plate appearances. The 34-year-old has posted an OPS+ of 123 or better in four of the past five seasons — an ugly 2016 in Seattle being the lone exception — and batted a combined .282/.348/.473 through 2142 plate appearances in that time. He’s totaled 94 plate appearances between the Yankees’ Class-A and Triple-A affiliates this season, slashing a combined .302/.362/.477 with three homers in that time.

The addition of Lind will give the Red Sox some additional depth at first base and designated hitter following the surprising DFA and seemingly likely release of Hanley Ramirez. He’s a bit redundant with Mitch Moreland — a hitter who comes with similar platoon issues and a much better glove at first base, though. Lind, after all, has a disastrous .217/.263/.329 slash against left-handed pitchers over the course of 12-year MLB career. He’s been mostly limited to first base, though the Nats did trot him out to left field for 197 innings last season. That marked his first work on the outfield grass since 2010, and he unsurprisingly did not rate well there in the estimation of defensive metrics.

[moonslav59]

but you are missing the big picture

 

guys we have versus guys we gave up....are we as good over the last 3 years without the trades? No question we traded future for winning now.

 

Do you think sox nation would have been happy with mediocre teams on the heels of two last place finishes or three out four?

 

Let it go, moon.

 

Are you unhappy with the team we have today?

 

You ask me to let it go, then ask a loaded question.

 

1) I was responding to another post. I did not bring it up.

2) I have said I'm happy with DD and I love the fact that we have/had a 4-5 year window- not 1 or 2.

3) I was not against trading prospects, in fact I suggest many over the years.

 

The deals DD made were for players I liked a lot. Who couldn't like Kimbrel & Sale?

 

I loved the Sale trade and suggested trading for him for several years. I even suggested a very similar trade than what actually took place.

 

I disliked the Kimbrel trade, because he was making near FA money at the time, and I felt like 4 prospects for a FA contract was double paying. Since the trade, the closer contracts have sky-rocketed, so that part of the deal does not look so bad now.

 

I liked Pom when we got him, but I felt like Espinoza was going to be very special. He got hurt and Pom did well for us last year. I'd still take that trade back.

 

In short, I'd have traded Espi, Margot, and some of the side pieces for Quintana.

 

Yes, I am happy with out team today (and next year), but Quintana had more years of control than Kimbrel and Pom, and I'd have left a few more prospects than DD left.

 

I'm glad DD is our GM.

 

I love Cora.

 

I'm glad Henry is willing to nudge up to the $40M over the limit mark, but I plan on being a Sox fan in 2020 and beyong, God willing.

 

I'm not missing the "big picture," because the big picture goes into the future. Yo me, the cliff naysayers are the ones missing the big picture.

 

It's not contradictory to love the team we have and be concerned about the extended future- thinking maybe we could have both.

 

I'm not upset, I'm not obsessed.

 

There's nothing to let go of.

 

I will, however, keep responding to loaded questions and comments I feel I want to counter or agree with.

[moonslav59]

The Red Sox sign Adam Lind to a minor league contract:

 

 

Disappointment in Sam Travis?

 

Lighting a fire?

 

Just adding depth?

[oldtimer]

Disappointment in Sam Travis?

 

Lighting a fire?

 

Just adding depth?

 

Maybe wouldn't have happened have Chavis not pulled his boneheaded move. Lind has been a good ML hitter over his career and I think the signing just gives us some depth.

[a700hitter]

Maybe wouldn't have happened have Chavis not pulled his boneheaded move. Lind has been a good ML hitter over his career and I think the signing just gives us some depth.

Why sign a left handed hitter when we already have Moreland?

[Slasher9]

Here is the stat of the day:

 

Mike Axisa

13m

AL Central teams are 59-104 when not playing each other.

 

The AL Central stinks to high heaven.

Wow. Just wow!

[moonslav59]

Here is the stat of the day:

 

Mike Axisa

13m

AL Central teams are 59-104 when not playing each other.

 

The AL Central stinks to high heaven.

 

Remember those Yankee fans yapping about our weak schedule?

 

We've played 31 games vs winning teams.

The Yanks have played 25.

 

We've played 24 games vs losing teams.

The Yanks have played 25.

[Larry Cook]

This is a strong move by desperate dave. Maybe someone is not healthy? Or maybe desperate dave is anticipating. including Travis in trade in the near future?

 

But the fact that desperate dave is building depth and stock piling chips, is a sign to me that he finally realizes you need more than 25 players over the course of a season.

[Nick]

You ask me to let it go, then ask a loaded question.

 

1) I was responding to another post. I did not bring it up.

2) I have said I'm happy with DD and I love the fact that we have/had a 4-5 year window- not 1 or 2.

3) I was not against trading prospects, in fact I suggest many over the years.

 

The deals DD made were for players I liked a lot. Who couldn't like Kimbrel & Sale?

 

I loved the Sale trade and suggested trading for him for several years. I even suggested a very similar trade than what actually took place.

 

I disliked the Kimbrel trade, because he was making near FA money at the time, and I felt like 4 prospects for a FA contract was double paying. Since the trade, the closer contracts have sky-rocketed, so that part of the deal does not look so bad now.

 

I liked Pom when we got him, but I felt like Espinoza was going to be very special. He got hurt and Pom did well for us last year. I'd still take that trade back.

 

In short, I'd have traded Espi, Margot, and some of the side pieces for Quintana.

 

Yes, I am happy with out team today (and next year), but Quintana had more years of control than Kimbrel and Pom, and I'd have left a few more prospects than DD left.

 

I'm glad DD is our GM.

 

I love Cora.

 

I'm glad Henry is willing to nudge up to the $40M over the limit mark, but I plan on being a Sox fan in 2020 and beyong, God willing.

 

I'm not missing the "big picture," because the big picture goes into the future. Yo me, the cliff naysayers are the ones missing the big picture.

 

It's not contradictory to love the team we have and be concerned about the extended future- thinking maybe we could have both.

 

I'm not upset, I'm not obsessed.

 

There's nothing to let go of.

 

I will, however, keep responding to loaded questions and comments I feel I want to counter or agree with.

 

I was just tired of talking about the past. Good or bad, this is our team. Despite objections on this board by some, it sure is fun to watch JD Martinez along with dormant bats come alive as we suspected from Betts and Xander. (2017 compared to 2016).

 

I'm guessing you think there's no way we re-sign Pom? Won't we need Hanley's $22M and Pom's $9M to cover raises for Betts, Xander, JBJ and to re-sign Kimbrel and maybe Kelly? As well as Kelly is pitching, I'm not sure if we have enough money to sign him. I've been a Kelly basher for long time. He's finally mixing up pitches to go with his 100mph straight ball. He's become a pitcher and not just a thrower. Barnes on the other hand.......well he's cheap and he's young.

 

Sale

Price

E Rod

Porcello

Wright

 

Some young guys need to step up and provide depth. It's about managing payroll and you do that as well as anyone here on the board. You see the big picture. All of our position guys will come back for 2019. And only Xander and Moreland will be FA in 2020.

Edited May 30, 2018 by Nick

[Bellhorn04]

I was just tired of talking about the past. Good or bad, this is our team. Despite objections on this board by some, it sure is fun to watch JD Martinez along with dormant bats come alive as we suspected from Betts and Xander. (2017 compared to 2016).

 

I'm guessing you think there's no way we re-sign Pom? Won't we need Hanley's $22M and Pom's $9M to cover raises for Betts, Xander, JBJ and to re-sign Kimbrel and maybe Kelly? As well as Kelly is pitching, I'm not sure if we have enough money to sign him. I've been a Kelly basher for long time. He's finally mixing up pitches to go with his 100mph straight ball. He's become a pitcher and not just a thrower. Barnes on the other hand.......well he's cheap and he's young.

 

Sale

Price

E Rod

Porcello

Wright

 

Some young guys need to step up and provide depth. It's about managing payroll and you do that as well as anyone here on the board. You see the big picture. All of our position guys will come back for 2019. And only Xander and Moreland will be FA in 2020.

 

JDM could also be FA if he opts out.

[jad]

I was just tired of talking about the past. Good or bad, this is our team. Despite objections on this board by some, it sure is fun to watch JD Martinez along with dormant bats come alive as we suspected from Betts and Xander. (2017 compared to 2016).

 

I'm guessing you think there's no way we re-sign Pom? Won't we need Hanley's $22M and Pom's $9M to cover raises for Betts, Xander, JBJ and to re-sign Kimbrel and maybe Kelly? As well as Kelly is pitching, I'm not sure if we have enough money to sign him. I've been a Kelly basher for long time. He's finally mixing up pitches to go with his 100mph straight ball. He's become a pitcher and not just a thrower. Barnes on the other hand.......well he's cheap and he's young.

 

Sale

Price

E Rod

Porcello

Wright

 

Some young guys need to step up and provide depth. It's about managing payroll and you do that as well as anyone here on the board. You see the big picture. All of our position guys will come back for 2019. And only Xander and Moreland will be FA in 2020.

 

Tired of talking about the past? Fear not. In a couple of decades or so (believe me!) that's all you'll want to do.

[Maxbialystock]

You ask me to let it go, then ask a loaded question.

 

1) I was responding to another post. I did not bring it up.

2) I have said I'm happy with DD and I love the fact that we have/had a 4-5 year window- not 1 or 2.

3) I was not against trading prospects, in fact I suggest many over the years.

 

The deals DD made were for players I liked a lot. Who couldn't like Kimbrel & Sale?

 

I loved the Sale trade and suggested trading for him for several years. I even suggested a very similar trade than what actually took place.

 

I disliked the Kimbrel trade, because he was making near FA money at the time, and I felt like 4 prospects for a FA contract was double paying. Since the trade, the closer contracts have sky-rocketed, so that part of the deal does not look so bad now.

 

I liked Pom when we got him, but I felt like Espinoza was going to be very special. He got hurt and Pom did well for us last year. I'd still take that trade back.

 

In short, I'd have traded Espi, Margot, and some of the side pieces for Quintana.

 

Yes, I am happy with out team today (and next year), but Quintana had more years of control than Kimbrel and Pom, and I'd have left a few more prospects than DD left.

 

I'm glad DD is our GM.

 

I love Cora.

 

I'm glad Henry is willing to nudge up to the $40M over the limit mark, but I plan on being a Sox fan in 2020 and beyong, God willing.

 

I'm not missing the "big picture," because the big picture goes into the future. Yo me, the cliff naysayers are the ones missing the big picture.

 

It's not contradictory to love the team we have and be concerned about the extended future- thinking maybe we could have both.

 

I'm not upset, I'm not obsessed.

 

There's nothing to let go of.

 

I will, however, keep responding to loaded questions and comments I feel I want to counter or agree with.

 

Nicely put, but should have been unnecessary. I enjoy disagreeing with you, but have to stretch to do so. Glad you like Cora, as do I.

[mvp 78]

JDM could also be FA if he opts out.

 

High injury risk guy. Can’t go 162. Bum! Let him go. Can replace him with Duda, LoMo and Chavis.

[moonslav59]

I was just tired of talking about the past. Good or bad, this is our team. Despite objections on this board by some, it sure is fun to watch JD Martinez along with dormant bats come alive as we suspected from Betts and Xander. (2017 compared to 2016).

 

I'm guessing you think there's no way we re-sign Pom? Won't we need Hanley's $22M and Pom's $9M to cover raises for Betts, Xander, JBJ and to re-sign Kimbrel and maybe Kelly? As well as Kelly is pitching, I'm not sure if we have enough money to sign him. I've been a Kelly basher for long time. He's finally mixing up pitches to go with his 100mph straight ball. He's become a pitcher and not just a thrower. Barnes on the other hand.......well he's cheap and he's young.

 

Sale

Price

E Rod

Porcello

Wright

 

Some young guys need to step up and provide depth. It's about managing payroll and you do that as well as anyone here on the board. You see the big picture. All of our position guys will come back for 2019. And only Xander and Moreland will be FA in 2020.

 

I love watching this team. I'm super high on our chances to win it all. I think we'll be strong again next year.

 

I do get critical at times, but I'm mostly optimistic. I don't sit around moping about past trades and signings. I may criticize individual moves, but I haven't called for the firing of any GM in decades. I was the last to jump on the fire Valantine band wagon. I was for firing Farrell pretty early, but I didn't harp on his in game moves every second.

 

Sometimes I think some posters think if a person is being critical, they must not enjoy the team, as is. In my case, it's just not true.

 

I've watched every pitch of every game for a decade. I love the Sox, win or lose, but I really love this team and think we're going all the way.

[FredLynn]

Why sign a left handed hitter when we already have Moreland?

 

Players get hurt. If Moreland, now our primary 1B, is out for an extended period it will be good to have Lind playing in the minor league for us.

[mvp 78]

I've watched every pitch of every game for a decade.

 

Not even a bathroom break?

[a700hitter]

Players get hurt. If Moreland, now our primary 1B, is out for an extended period it will be good to have Lind playing in the minor league for us.

Was Lind in such high demand that we had to sign him while Moreland is fully healthy? Will Lind sit around in the minors for an unlimited period waiting for Moreland to get injured? It just doesn't make a lot of sense to me.

[Slasher9]

Not even a bathroom break?

 

Moon, like myself, DVR every game so that we can watch every inning at our leisure. I usually start watching a game around 8:45 - 9pm and can usually catch up by the end. FF commercials, mound visits, etc.

[a700hitter]

Not even a bathroom break?

You take bathroom breaks? You go before the game starts and that's it. Control your beverage intake and go if necessary between inning. And exercise some bowel control. For goodness sakes we are not 6 years old.

[a700hitter]

Moon, like myself, DVR every game so that we can watch every inning at our leisure. I usually start watching a game around 8:45 - 9pm and can usually catch up by the end. FF commercials, mound visits, etc.

I can't do that. I don't even like that my satellite system gives me a 5 second or so delay from cable.

[mvp 78]

You take bathroom breaks? You go before the game starts and that's it. Control your beverage intake and go if necessary between inning. And exercise some bowel control. For goodness sakes we are not 6 years old.

 

Professional couch sitting athletes.

[FredLynn]

Was Lind in such high demand that we had to sign him while Moreland is fully healthy? Will Lind sit around in the minors for an unlimited period waiting for Moreland to get injured? It just doesn't make a lot of sense to me.

 

Lind signed a minor league contract. I assume that he is prepared to play in the minors until he is called up. I don't see the down side for this move.

[a700hitter]

Lind signed a minor league contract. I assume that he is prepared to play in the minors until he is called up. I don't see the down side for this move.

I don't see a downside, but i don't think there is much reason for it either.

[a700hitter]

Professional couch sitting athletes.

Exactly!!

[mvp 78]

Exactly!!

 

I'm not old enough to be a professional yet. I'm too busy putting my kids to bed from 7-8pm that I rarely see a full game anymore. (I'm not into the DVR for sports.) Also, if the mood hits, I won't wait for a commercial break to go grab a beer and some snacks.

[a700hitter]

I'm not old enough to be a professional yet. I'm too busy putting my kids to bed from 7-8pm that I rarely see a full game anymore. (I'm not into the DVR for sports.) Also, if the mood hits, I won't wait for a commercial break to go grab a beer and some snacks.

Yes, i remember those years and i didn't have the benefit of DVR.

[jad]

You take bathroom breaks? You go before the game starts and that's it. Control your beverage intake and go if necessary between inning. And exercise some bowel control. For goodness sakes we are not 6 years old.

 

That's the problem! We are 70 years old. Welcome to being 6 again.

[a700hitter]

That's the problem! We are 70 years old. Welcome to being 6 again.

Speak for yourself. I am more than a decade short of that, but I will be prepared with my Depends when they become necessary.

[mvp 78]

Speak for yourself. I am more than a decade short of that, but I will be prepared with my Depends when they become necessary.

 

Astronaut or Professional Couch Sitting Athlete?

 

The commercials do make them look more sporty and comfortable.