The Alex Cora Managerial Decision Thread

[Slasher9]

i dont know about Cla and Charlie but we DEF killed D. Bard's career.....

[sk7326]

So then leaving Johnson in to give up a bomb should be fine and not an issue.

 

His took time off for treatment. We have to assume he is fine - or that his illness is being treated. He has certainly done a solid job.

[mvp 78]

i dont know about Cla and Charlie but we DEF killed D. Bard's career.....

 

Hell no. Bard wanted to start. He was starting to falter at the end of the previous season. He was an average reliever with one good season (2010). That dude was overrated as hell.

 

He had a 10.64 ERA in September 2011. Dude had s***** mental makeup.

 

Sometimes pitchers just lose it (see Rick Ankiel). You can't blame the team for that.

[mvp 78]

His took time off for treatment. We have to assume he is fine - or that his illness is being treated. He has certainly done a solid job.

 

His anxiety definitely isn't a concern for me. But it's a reason to be mad at Cora for something I guess???

[Kimmi]

You sound kind of like my wife, who was a college math professor before she retired. The analytical approach and I agree with you. It probably was the right move but not a no-brainer.

 

Your wife sounds like my kind of lady.

[Kimmi]

The failure to have an arm up and ready in the bullpen in the 7th inning was a big mistake by Mr. Cora. Not prepared to deal with Johnson's unfortunate 3 run HR. BJ pitched a freat game up to that point and even ended the inning with no further help, but that was on Cora and he needs to suffer Red Sox Nation banishment for it.

 

If the score were closer, I would agree. Or if Johnson had really labored up to that point.

 

I think Cora probably should have had someone warming in the pen, but under the circumstances, I don't fault him for not having someone ready.

[Dojji]

Long bomb aside, I doubt anyone on the Red Sox is giving Johnson anything but congratulations after his performance tonight. He looked good aside from that one mistake when he was gassed, he never surrendered the lead, and going 7 has a value all its own no matter how many runs the pitcher gives up.

 

If I had to guess, at least to Johnson, Cora eats that decision as a my-bad, tells the kid he did great last night (which he did) and probably came away with a very positive impression of Johnson's work last night.

[Kimmi]

fine. but what did it do to BJ's psyche?

He could have walked off that mound with his chest puffed out and been the man.

as a pretty good (HoF) catcher once said...

BASEBALL IS 90% MENTAL AND THE OTHER HALF IS PHYSICAL

 

In case everyone forgot...BJ has had some well known mental issues/anxiety.

 

I don't think it will harm his psyche at all, given the big lead.

 

He was then able to finish the 7th inning. Giving your team 7 innings is no small task. That feat should make him feel very good about the outing.

 

Cora was very sure to compliment Johnson on that outing. All is good.

[Kimmi]

So after the game Cora says, 'Brian, we really needed you to give us 7 and you delivered the goods. Normally I would have gotten you out of there a little earlier but everything worked out. Great job, big guy.' (Hugs him.)

 

Yup.

[Dojji]

Why not rest him for a game where you actually need him?

 

Why not build up Johnson's arm strength to the point where he can go 7 IP most nights?

 

If Johnson can regularly go between 6 and 7 innings with an era ~4.00, there's going to be teams asking about his availability this offseason. Because what I just described is a #3 starter.

 

I have no problem with Cora letting it ride with a comfortable lead and finding out what Johnson can do

[jacksonianmarch]

If Johnson can regularly go between 6 and 7 innings with an era ~4.00, there's going to be teams asking about his availability this offseason. Because what I just described is a #3 starter.

 

I have no problem with Cora letting it ride with a comfortable lead and finding out what Johnson can do

 

I will tell you this right now. If ERod makes it back and is stretched out, you'll see Brian Johnson shut down and essentially used as a mop-up guy. Johnson is getting by on smoke and mirrors and you all know it. He gave up 5 runs vs us and that was with us missing 2 HR power bats and letting him off the hook too many times. He reminds me of Shawn Chacon from years past. Stuff isn't passable beyond a single good breaking ball. Far too many batters reach against him. He has the uncanny ability to wriggle out of jams (ie good luck). This is what DD needs to do. Once he has the depth, he needs to moth ball him then introduce him to the market next year as a trade chip. This is how DD will tighten the bridge to whichever closer he signs without having to shell out big bucks beyond a single closer.

[Kimmi]

I will tell you this right now. If ERod makes it back and is stretched out, you'll see Brian Johnson shut down and essentially used as a mop-up guy. Johnson is getting by on smoke and mirrors and you all know it. He gave up 5 runs vs us and that was with us missing 2 HR power bats and letting him off the hook too many times. He reminds me of Shawn Chacon from years past. Stuff isn't passable beyond a single good breaking ball. Far too many batters reach against him. He has the uncanny ability to wriggle out of jams (ie good luck). This is what DD needs to do. Once he has the depth, he needs to moth ball him then introduce him to the market next year as a trade chip. This is how DD will tighten the bridge to whichever closer he signs without having to shell out big bucks beyond a single closer.

 

Of course ERod, if healthy, will have a rotation spot over Johnson. Johnson is like our #7 pitcher, ERod is our #4.

 

That said, for a back of the rotation guy, Johnson's fine. I don't see anything that screams to me that he's benefited from a ton of good luck. Also, a 1.39 WHIP for a back end starter is not alarming.

[vegasbob]

After the 19-12 win over the Orioles, the scheduled Day-Night would be a great test of Cora's ability to best use all the pitchers . It looks like weather will interfere in the second game which is fine with all concerned after a long game with much running last night. Price just needs to help Alex with 7 or 8 good innings. The bats will win it as usual.

 

EO and Porcello sure gave Cora a kick in the groin , basically saying, go figure, Skip.

[a700hitter]

I will tell you this right now. If ERod makes it back and is stretched out, you'll see Brian Johnson shut down and essentially used as a mop-up guy. Johnson is getting by on smoke and mirrors and you all know it. He gave up 5 runs vs us and that was with us missing 2 HR power bats and letting him off the hook too many times. He reminds me of Shawn Chacon from years past. Stuff isn't passable beyond a single good breaking ball. Far too many batters reach against him. He has the uncanny ability to wriggle out of jams (ie good luck). This is what DD needs to do. Once he has the depth, he needs to moth ball him then introduce him to the market next year as a trade chip. This is how DD will tighten the bridge to whichever closer he signs without having to shell out big bucks beyond a single closer.

BJ has a good curve ball.

[Kimmi]

Cora on the team's luck (randomness):

 

The Sox entered Wednesday with the best record in baseball, their 86 wins the franchise’s most ever through 121 games, but the math would say some luck has been involved.

 

Baseball-Reference.com’s Pythagorean luck statistic, which measures the difference between actual won-loss record and Pythagorean won-loss record, claims five of those wins have come with a little good fortune.

 

Cora didn’t dispute that number. He also didn’t feel bad for whatever breaks the Sox might have gotten this season.

 

“Sometimes I look at baseball-reference, their expanded standings,” he said. “We’ve been lucky for their standards. Oh, well. I’ll take it.”

 

 

My man.

[Slasher9]

15-Aug

Cora was completely outmanaged by another rookie manager - Kapler.

Kapler used his pen perfectly. Cora sat on his hands while Pom imploded.

Perhaps this was just the result of the Sox being 10 games up and the Phillies chasing the braves but it still bears acknowledgement in this thread.

[Kimmi]

15-Aug

Cora was completely outmanaged by another rookie manager - Kapler.

Kapler used his pen perfectly. Cora sat on his hands while Pom imploded.

Perhaps this was just the result of the Sox being 10 games up and the Phillies chasing the braves but it still bears acknowledgement in this thread.

 

Cora was not outmanaged.

 

Cora has the luxury of still managing the marathon and long term season goals while Kapler does not.

[Slasher9]

Cora was not outmanaged.

 

Cora has the luxury of still managing the marathon and long term season goals while Kapler does not.

 

if you just look at this one game (which was the point of my post) he was completely outmanaged.

[Bellhorn04]

if you just look at this one game (which was the point of my post) he was completely outmanaged.

 

A lot of it comes down to luck, Slash. Kapler used some relievers with some pretty lousy numbers and it just so happened they didn't give up any runs on this particular night. Tends to make your decisions look better.

[Kimmi]

if you just look at this one game (which was the point of my post) he was completely outmanaged.

 

I disagree because they were managing with different priorities.

 

If both managers were trying to go all out to win the game, then I could agree that Cora was outmanaged. But Cora was managing more with the long term goals in mind, not the specific game.

[Slasher9]

I disagree because they were managing with different priorities.

 

If both managers were trying to go all out to win the game, then I could agree that Cora was outmanaged. But Cora was managing more with the long term goals in mind, not the specific game.

 

Fair.

[User Name]

15-Aug

Cora was completely outmanaged by another rookie manager - Kapler.

Kapler used his pen perfectly. Cora sat on his hands while Pom imploded.

Perhaps this was just the result of the Sox being 10 games up and the Phillies chasing the braves but it still bears acknowledgement in this thread.

 

Results over process.

[Station 13]

Cora said after the game many relievers needed time off. Kelly and Pomeranz are not making the post season rosters even before their predictable performances after the game.

[dannycater]

Cora barely speaks English, maybe the pitching coach and the bullpen coach can't figure out what he is saying. oh yeah, we're 50 games up over .500 and it's the greatest start by a manager over 120 games IN MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL HISTORY.

[oldtimer]

Cora said after the game many relievers needed time off. Kelly and Pomeranz are not making the post season rosters even before their predictable performances after the game.

 

Cora handled the BP well tonight against the Rays. We got a look at what might be his late inning rotation where a save is not in the cards. Henbree was only in for one out, then Brasier who has been terrific, Barnes also is a definite and Thornburg was used last since it wasn't a save situation.Good handling and similar to what I suspect we would see in the post season. I wouldn't rule Kelly out of the post season although I would suspect Pom is not doing enough to stay in and Henbree has also looked bad for many of his appearances.

[Bellhorn04]

Funny how much better bullpen handling looks when the relievers give up no runs.

[Spudboy]

Funny how much better bullpen handling looks when the relievers give up no runs.

 

You noticed that too, eh?

 

Yeah that Cora is a pretty clever dude!

[notin]

Cora barely speaks English, maybe the pitching coach and the bullpen coach can't figure out what he is saying. oh yeah, we're 50 games up over .500 and it's the greatest start by a manager over 120 games IN MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL HISTORY.

 

When you say “greatest start in history”, are you referring to Cora’s career and not the Sox season?

[moonslav59]

Funny how much better bullpen handling looks when the relievers give up no runs.

 

...and how Cora gets the credit or blame depending on how well or baldy they do.

[Maxbialystock]

15-Aug

Cora was completely outmanaged by another rookie manager - Kapler.

Kapler used his pen perfectly. Cora sat on his hands while Pom imploded.

Perhaps this was just the result of the Sox being 10 games up and the Phillies chasing the braves but it still bears acknowledgement in this thread.

 

Really disagree. I loved leaving Pom in because it exposed--reconfirmed--his weaknesses. He has basically two pitches, a decent knuckle curve and a weakish fastball, and not very good control. But he is still on the active roster because of that insane salary. HanRam played a lot right before they dumped him. If nothing else, Cora was sending a message to DD: we do not need this guy on the postseason roster.