A Realistic View at 2018: Part II

[Bellhorn04]

To me, making an error means nothing. What I want to know is did it cost the team? How many of Devers errors lead to runs?

 

That's happenstance, though. A guy might make 10 errors that don't lead to runs, then make one that leads to 5 runs.

[mvp 78]

How sweet it is when your GM is making one good call after another.

 

And the "bad" moves haven't really come back to bite us yet. The only move that was an absolute dog was Travis Shaw, but there wasn't an uproar on here about that move when it happened so all complaints are 20/20 hindsight.

[mvp 78]

Is it time to reevaluate bringing back Kelly? Perhaps as a closer candidate? He will be cheaper than Kimbrel. I think with relievers, you got to ride the 'wave'. Maybe he's found something with repertoire of off speed pitches.

Both Kelly and Barnes have stepped up.

 

It's all about being able to throw strikes and throwing something other than a fastball, no matter how fast it's thrown.

 

I wouldn't bring him back as closer. As a RP short on years? Sure.

[Nick]

That's happenstance, though. A guy might make 10 errors that don't lead to runs, then make one that leads to 5 runs.

 

You are correct sir. But I still think there's a difference between a turnover in NBA finals game with 10 seconds remaining versus turning the ball over with 30 point lead.

[moonslav59]

That's happenstance, though. A guy might make 10 errors that don't lead to runs, then make one that leads to 5 runs.

 

...and you're playing with fire, if you have a 3Bman making 30 errors or non-error plays others make easily that happen to never lead to any meaningful runs scored against you.

 

We all know Devers is young and has a lot of time to grow and learn. My worry was that his learning curve might cost us at a very important moment during the championship run I figured we'd be right in the thick of.

 

I do think Devers has the right attitude and demeanor to be able handled a bad incident in a high leverage situation. Plus, he's done enough good with his bat during clutch times that it would be hard for anyone to hold a big error against him, but then again, look at poor Buckner.

 

I'm fine with giving Devers more time to develop at 3B. I hope he can become a plus there. He has good range and quickness. Footwork and arm accuracy may be the easiest areas to improve on.

 

I'm a 100% believer in his bat becoming MVP level at some point. The kid flat out has the hitting instincts and abilities needed to be a great one. I've been hard on his defense, but I'm still a big fan of his.

 

[moonslav59]

You are correct sir. But I still think there's a difference between a turnover in NBA finals game with 10 seconds remaining versus turning the ball over with 30 point lead.

 

Let's hope we never have to discuss a "Buckner type moment" with Rafael.

[Bellhorn04]

Let's hope we never have to discuss a "Buckner type moment" with Rafael.

 

I'd rather not even think about it. The odds against it are incredibly high. And Buckner should have been replaced by Stapleton anyway, of course.

[oldtimer]

That's happenstance, though. A guy might make 10 errors that don't lead to runs, then make one that leads to 5 runs.

 

Errors can also lead to extra pitches and stress, even though they made not lead directly to runs. I prefer a solid defender who makes few if any during the season.

[oldtimer]

...and you're playing with fire, if you have a 3Bman making 30 errors or non-error plays others make easily that happen to never lead to any meaningful runs scored against you.

 

We all know Devers is young and has a lot of time to grow and learn. My worry was that his learning curve might cost us at a very important moment during the championship run I figured we'd be right in the thick of.

 

I do think Devers has the right attitude and demeanor to be able handled a bad incident in a high leverage situation. Plus, he's done enough good with his bat during clutch times that it would be hard for anyone to hold a big error against him, but then again, look at poor Buckner.

 

I'm fine with giving Devers more time to develop at 3B. I hope he can become a plus there. He has good range and quickness. Footwork and arm accuracy may be the easiest areas to improve on.

 

I'm a 100% believer in his bat becoming MVP level at some point. The kid flat out has the hitting instincts and abilities needed to be a great one. I've been hard on his defense, but I'm still a big fan of his.

 

 

At 22 he is still learning and the age helps with his fluidity. I don't like his weight if it is 238 as listed. I hope they work with him in the off season to get him down to something like 215 or so. The power should still be there but he will have a longer career if he slims down.

[Kimmi]

I would think Roberts would have been better off with Baez vs Devers , rather than Wood vs Nunez. Baez was throwing very well. If he thought he was better off with Wood vs Nunez , I would be surprised . It seemed to me that he thought he would get Wood vs Devers. It didn't happen.

 

I don't disagree with you about leaving Baez in the game. I don't like seeing a reliever who has easily gotten outs removed from the game according to some 'script', unless it's against us, then I'm happy.

 

I'm sure that Roberts had a very good rationale for making the moves that he did. It just didn't work out.

[Kimmi]

Yes, Devers has looked good out there fielding his position. But I think most of us, if we are honest, hold our collective breaths every time a ball is hit his way.

 

I'm not gonna lie, I certainly do. I'm more worried about his throws than anything else.

 

I also hold my breath whenever the pitcher fields the ball, especially if there's a double play possibility. Pitchers have an uncanny ability to muck the most routine throws to 2nd base.

[Kimmi]

That's happenstance, though. A guy might make 10 errors that don't lead to runs, then make one that leads to 5 runs.

 

It's also not nearly as simple as that. A player's error can have an indirect impact on the game that leads to a run scoring 3 innings later.

[Kimmi]

And the "bad" moves haven't really come back to bite us yet. The only move that was an absolute dog was Travis Shaw, but there wasn't an uproar on here about that move when it happened so all complaints are 20/20 hindsight.

 

There really weren't any 'bad' moves as far as the short term is concerned. Dombrowski did an excellent job of building a championship team.

[cp176]

Let's hope we never have to discuss a "Buckner type moment" with Rafael.

 

Hope that Rafael Devers can someday become the player Billy Buck was. It is sad that people still don't think of what he did for us and every team he played for as opposed to this one moment in time.

With respect to Devers it is also a little sad that the concern over his fielding is even being discussed when he has looked so good out there. He'll make his mistakes but this discussion is happening because a few of us were talking about how good he has looked. Go figure!

[mvp 78]

Let's hope we never have to discuss a "Buckner type moment" with Rafael.

 

“I have always supported Devers! What if he turns into Bill Buckner?”

 

What is wrong with you?

[moonslav59]

“I have always supported Devers! What if he turns into Bill Buckner?”

 

What is wrong with you?

 

Nothing, and you?

[Emp9]

At 22 he is still learning and the age helps with his fluidity. I don't like his weight if it is 238 as listed. I hope they work with him in the off season to get him down to something like 215 or so. The power should still be there but he will have a longer career if he slims down.

 

Dr. Keto, phone call from 3B... Dr. Keto

[Bellhorn04]

Nothing, and you?

 

It's just, why keep raising such a catastrophic and remote possibility?

[Emp9]

The Sox aren’t perfect. This team seems to make mistakes but when they do they don’t dwell on them. They shake them off and go back to work. I blame Cora for this.

[mvp 78]

It's just, why keep raising such a catastrophic and remote possibility?

 

You see, he's really SUPPORTING Devers by always talking about the worst case scenario!

[moonslav59]

It's just, why keep raising such a catastrophic and remote possibility?

 

I wasn't the one who brought up the subject of how many of his errors lead to runs scored.

 

I'm sorry for voicing a concern I've had all year and even before the season started. I didn't realize it would stir up the pot and make people think I'm not a Devers' supporter.

 

I'm a huge Devers fan and have been since he was in his first season in the minors. I supported his call-up, while many wanted him to stay on the farm to improve his defense or protect a perceived fragile ego, in case he failed out of the gate.

 

I'm not the only one who stops breathing every time a ball is hit to 3B in a close game. I'm thankful he is our 3Bman, and I have always felt like his bat will significantly outweigh any issues he has on defense-- by a long shot.

 

Sometimes, I feel like even a slight criticism gets taken out of context or blown into a bigger issue than intended.(I am guilty of doing this myself to others, at times.)

[moonslav59]

You see, he's really SUPPORTING Devers by always talking about the worst case scenario!

 

Selective listening is what you "always do".

[SoxnCycles]

I wasn't the one who brought up the subject of how many of his errors lead to runs scored.

 

I'm sorry for voicing a concern I've had all year and even before the season started. I didn't realize it would stir up the pot and make people think I'm not a Devers' supporter.

 

I'm a huge Devers fan and have been since he was in his first season in the minors. I supported his call-up, while many wanted him to stay on the farm to improve his defense or protect a perceived fragile ego, in case he failed out of the gate.

 

I'm not the only one who stops breathing every time a ball is hit to 3B in a close game. I'm thankful he is our 3Bman, and I have always felt like his bat will significantly outweigh any issues he has on defense-- by a long shot.

 

Sometimes, I feel like even a slight criticism gets taken out of context or blown into a bigger issue than intended.(I am guilty of doing this myself to others, at times.)

 

No, you're not the only one that holds their breath when Devers throws to first.

But, I don't think the Sox, as a whole, will get themselves into a position where a throw to the dugout will cost them the series.

I think they're that much better than the Dodgers.

[moonslav59]

No, you're not the only one that holds their breath when Devers throws to first.

But, I don't think the Sox, as a whole, will get themselves into a position where a throw to the dugout will cost them the series.

I think they're that much better than the Dodgers.

 

I don't think the series will come down to one play, either.

 

I was responding to a post where the writer asked how many runs have his errors lead to, and I brought up the concern that it might take just one to make a lasting memory.

 

I never said I thought it would happen. I know the chances are remote, but that doesn't mean the discussion is off limits.

 

The chance Nunez hit that homer was remote, too.

[mvp 78]

Selective listening is what you "always do".

 

"Selective listening" as in I listen to EVERYTHING and then people get upset when I do.

[moonslav59]

"Selective listening" as in I listen to EVERYTHING and then people get upset when I do.

 

I have posted positively about Devers way more than on his defensive issues.

 

I guess maybe you only remember some, or your "always" statement was hyperbole.

[mvp 78]

I have posted positively about Devers way more than on his defensive issues.

 

I guess maybe you only remember some, or your "always" statement was hyperbole.

 

Listen dum dum, don't say you support him but then compare him to Bill Buckner. Stop it with that stuff. That's some s***** "support" right there. You are the most negative "I'm a positive Red Sox fan" poster on here.

[moonslav59]

Listen dum dum, don't say you support him but then compare him to Bill Buckner. Stop it with that stuff. That's some s***** "support" right there. You are the most negative "I'm a positive Red Sox fan" poster on here.

 

No, you listen up, DUMBO! There's no bigger and more positive fan on this site than me.

 

BTW, Bill Buckner was a great player and a great Sox player. Stop being so negative about him. That's some "s***** support" right there for a guy who got us to the WS.

[mvp 78]

No, you listen up, DUMBO! There's no bigger and more positive fan on this site than me.

 

BTW, Bill Buckner was a great player and a great Sox player. Stop being so negative about him. That's some "s***** support" right there for a guy who got us to the WS.

 

Buckner was a great player who turned into a running joke, which is what I guess you want Devers to become. Wow, what a fan.

 

[moonslav59]

Buckner was a great player who turned into a running joke, which is what I guess you want Devers to become. Wow, what a fan.

 

 

I never said he'd become a running joke. You're the only one who used that term.

 

Nice back-peddle on Buck and your so-called Sox fandom and player support. We all know now, you think of him as a joke.

 

Wow, what a bogus fan!