A Realistic View at 2018: Part II

[mvp 78]

No, but I miss those numbers. I missed them more in the second half of '16.

 

Hard to miss something that wasn’t yours to begin with.

[moonslav59]

Hard to miss something that wasn’t yours to begin with.

 

Maybe that's why you missed my point. It wasn't yours to begin with.

 

 

[mvp 78]

Maybe that's why you missed my point. It wasn't yours to begin with.

 

 

 

It’s a pretty terrible point tho.

[Spudboy]

My guess is that most of our members will chime in.

[mvp 78]

At what point is Swihart DFA’d for Lind?

[moonslav59]

At what point is Swihart DFA’d for Lind?

 

Natick just traded him and 8 others for Scooter!

[Maxbialystock]

The overwhelming majority of MLB teams carry 13 position players and 12 pitchers. Since Travis went back to Pawtucket 10 days ago, the Sox have carried 12 position players and 13 pitchers. I don't think this is because of some overwhelming need for good arms, but, more likely, because of a dearth of good bats in the Sox system.

 

I was completely in favor of dumping HanRam--the sooner the better. Now I'm not so sure. The real point is that the bench right now consists of Leon, Swihart, and Holt--or maybe Holt/Nunez. Swihart's OPS right now is under .400 and his OWAR is -.7. Leon is the backup catcher who I think catches about 1/5 or 2/5 of the games.

[jacksonianmarch]

Hanley may have been a negative WAR guy, but he was the least negative WAR guy on your bench. The DFA was warranted, but I’m not sure why Cora hasn’t been given something offensively.

 

Getting shut down by Berrios is expected as that kid is good. Getting shut down by Lynn when he walks 5 is inexcusable

[Bellhorn04]

Hanley may have been a negative WAR guy, but he was the least negative WAR guy on your bench. The DFA was warranted, but I’m not sure why Cora hasn’t been given something offensively.

 

There's only so much DD can do. We need a bat, we need a 2B and we probably need a reliever. And as you know he doesn't have a lot to work with. But I'm sure he'll do something soon. I think JH will ultimately give the go-ahead to blow past the 237 million, penalties and all.

[oldtimer]

The overwhelming majority of MLB teams carry 13 position players and 12 pitchers. Since Travis went back to Pawtucket 10 days ago, the Sox have carried 12 position players and 13 pitchers. I don't think this is because of some overwhelming need for good arms, but, more likely, because of a dearth of good bats in the Sox system.

 

I was completely in favor of dumping HanRam--the sooner the better. Now I'm not so sure. The real point is that the bench right now consists of Leon, Swihart, and Holt--or maybe Holt/Nunez. Swihart's OPS right now is under .400 and his OWAR is -.7. Leon is the backup catcher who I think catches about 1/5 or 2/5 of the games.

 

Playing a couple of games in SC in the 98 deg heat is a draining experience and a reminder that even the young and strong guys go through a grueling schedule. One has to assume it wears on those that are in the lineup every day. When our best guys wear down a little and go through slumps, for any reason, even unlucky BBIP locations, with our lineup there is really a weak backup. We have known this from early in the season but we somehow have been saying one of two things.

 

1. We are winning now and have a good record, so there is no need to panic and make a move until later on (presumably after we start to falter, if we do)

2. Cherington backed us into a corner and we have very limited financial capability and a depleted minor league system, so we aren't flexible enough to try to solve the obvious weaknesses (DD's legacy to date). Live with it baby.

 

So here we are, probably not in a panic situation, our pitching is still pretty good, except in BP depth maybe, but how long do we go before we shore up where we are weakest?

[Maxbialystock]

Playing a couple of games in SC in the 98 deg heat is a draining experience and a reminder that even the young and strong guys go through a grueling schedule. One has to assume it wears on those that are in the lineup every day. When our best guys wear down a little and go through slumps, for any reason, even unlucky BBIP locations, with our lineup there is really a weak backup. We have known this from early in the season but we somehow have been saying one of two things.

 

1. We are winning now and have a good record, so there is no need to panic and make a move until later on (presumably after we start to falter, if we do)

2. Cherington backed us into a corner and we have very limited financial capability and a depleted minor league system, so we aren't flexible enough to try to solve the obvious weaknesses (DD's legacy to date). Live with it baby.

 

So here we are, probably not in a panic situation, our pitching is still pretty good, except in BP depth maybe, but how long do we go before we shore up where we are weakest?

 

That's close to where I am although I don't see tiredness as a factor this early in the season.

 

One new thought I've had is that the 12 position players kind of underscore why Devers and especially JBJ stay in the lineup. I think most of us are fine with Devers, but many have wondered about JBJ's weak hitting and Cora apparently believing in him or trusting him or whatever. The real explanation is there are no other options.

 

Your 2d point about Cherington and the current salary situation is of course right on target. It's why HanRam is gone and why Castillo can't be brought up and why we are still paying Pablo, etc. Cora is basically playing the cards he was dealt.

[Maxbialystock]

Hanley may have been a negative WAR guy, but he was the least negative WAR guy on your bench. The DFA was warranted, but I’m not sure why Cora hasn’t been given something offensively.

 

Getting shut down by Berrios is expected as that kid is good. Getting shut down by Lynn when he walks 5 is inexcusable

 

I try not to agree with you, but this time I have to about last night. As for DD getting another Cora another offensive weapons, I think his options are limited. Nevertheless, I am about to go to the trade thread and admit that a deal does make sense at this point.

[Maxbialystock]

There's only so much DD can do. We need a bat, we need a 2B and we probably need a reliever. And as you know he doesn't have a lot to work with. But I'm sure he'll do something soon. I think JH will ultimately give the go-ahead to blow past the 237 million, penalties and all.

 

Good analysis and succinct.

[Yaz Fan Since 67]

Boy it was very disappointing to lose that game last night given the pitching match ups.

[notin]

There's only so much DD can do. We need a bat, we need a 2B and we probably need a reliever. And as you know he doesn't have a lot to work with. But I'm sure he'll do something soon. I think JH will ultimately give the go-ahead to blow past the 237 million, penalties and all.

 

Before the penalties go, it is entirely possible JBJ does...

[Yaz Fan Since 67]

I'll ask again, is there any update on Pedroia? Or is this a lost cause at this point?

[SoxHop]

I'll ask again' date=' is there any update on Pedroia? Or is this a lost cause at this point?[/quote']

 

OB and Remy last night said that they just don't know with Pedroia. There is no time table, there is no certainty he is coming back.

[Bellhorn04]

I'll ask again' date=' is there any update on Pedroia? Or is this a lost cause at this point?[/quote']

 

He hasn't resumed baseball activities.

 

As it says on B-R, 'there is no set timetable for his return.'

[S5Dewey]

He hasn't resumed baseball activities.

 

As it says on B-R, 'there is no set timetable for his return.'

 

I'll say it again. Thanks, Manny, you punk.

[S5Dewey]

He hasn't resumed baseball activities.

 

As it says on B-R, 'there is no set timetable for his return.'

 

I'll say it again. Thanks, Manny, you punk.

[a700hitter]

I'll say it again. Thanks, Manny, you punk.

Exactly. I wonder if Pedroia is starting to realize that his buddy, Manny has jeopardized his career.

[moonslav59]

I try not to agree with you, but this time I have to about last night. As for DD getting another Cora another offensive weapons, I think his options are limited. Nevertheless, I am about to go to the trade thread and admit that a deal does make sense at this point.

 

DD did a lot beforehand to get Cora the tools he needs. The problem is, he pretty much shot his wad totally. The max luxury line might be higher priority than getting some instant offense via trade, but maybe it isn't. The draft penalty is not all that bad.

[Maxbialystock]

DD did a lot beforehand to get Cora the tools he needs. The problem is, he pretty much shot his wad totally. The max luxury line might be higher priority than getting some instant offense via trade, but maybe it isn't. The draft penalty is not all that bad.

 

Thanks for the reminder, moonslav. I agree the options are limited. Nevertheless, silliness has broken out all over the trade thread.

 

I am also prepared to keep rooting for the team we have. I agree with you Devers will get better and that it's still possible for JBJ to get hot. The catching is about defense and helping the pitchers--hitting is a bonus when it happens. I'm OK with Holt/Nunez at 2B.

[mvp 78]

Exactly. I wonder if Pedroia is starting to realize that his buddy, Manny has jeopardized his career.

 

He got paid. I'm sure he doesn't really care.

[Bellhorn04]

He got paid. I'm sure he doesn't really care.

 

Yeah, Pedroia has never cared that much about playing baseball.

[mvp 78]

Yeah, Pedroia has never cared that much about playing baseball.

 

^ Another victim of the Sox PR dept.

[moonslav59]

Thanks for the reminder, moonslav. I agree the options are limited. Nevertheless, silliness has broken out all over the trade thread.

 

I am also prepared to keep rooting for the team we have. I agree with you Devers will get better and that it's still possible for JBJ to get hot. The catching is about defense and helping the pitchers--hitting is a bonus when it happens. I'm OK with Holt/Nunez at 2B.

 

I'm happy with the team, as is. It would be nice if we had a little more to spend or a few more prospects to trade without totally screwing the future, but it is what it is.

 

Big contract failures, injuries to Pedey, Pom, Smith, Thornburg and others and maybe a little bad luck have put us where we are today.

 

We're still a top 3 team in MLB by record. We're not as bad as we have looked recently. We're not a 17-2 team either, but I firmly believe this team will hit its stride again, and maybe have another rough patch here and there along the way, but come playoff time, we'll be a strong contender.

 

That's all I really care about in terms of this year.

[Bellhorn04]

^ Another victim of the Sox PR dept.

 

You are a victim of your own smear dept.

[mvp 78]

You are a victim of your own smear dept.

 

That is true too.

 

[Maxbialystock]

I'm happy with the team, as is. It would be nice if we had a little more to spend or a few more prospects to trade without totally screwing the future, but it is what it is.

 

Big contract failures, injuries to Pedey, Pom, Smith, Thornburg and others and maybe a little bad luck have put us where we are today.

 

We're still a top 3 team in MLB by record. We're not as bad as we have looked recently. We're not a 17-2 team either, but I firmly believe this team will hit its stride again, and maybe have another rough patch here and there along the way, but come playoff time, we'll be a strong contender.

 

That's all I really care about in terms of this year.

 

To me the huge surprise this year is the rotation, now with Sale, Price, Porcello, ERod, and Wright. Sale may not be an ace of aces, but those five are a pretty good average. You had faith in Wright and were dead right. You still believe in Pom and I remain skeptical--no changeup.

 

To get to this point, Price had to come back. Porcello had to come back big time. ERod had to improve. And Wright had to return from serious injury and a long absence.

Edited June 21, 2018 by Maxbialystock