Playoff Roster - 2018

[notin]

Our catcher hitting is so pathetic, I think the idea of PH'ing for them once or twice a game has more value than we might imagine.

 

We aren't going to PH or make a defensive late inning replacement at almost every position, except C, 2B and 3B (1B platoon).

 

How many in game moves do we need to make at 2B/3B? One, maybe?

 

Pinch hit for the catchers twice in one game?

 

It's really hard to argue the value of the defense they bring on one hand while saying their offense need be so urgently replaced on the other.

 

And really, barring a very long game, how many critical at-bats do we expect the catchers to have? And if you expect a really long game with a lot of extra innings, that brings back the extra pitcher argument...

[Kimmi]

To me the only reason to carry three catchers in the postseason is to be able to pinch hit for one of them.

 

That is the whole point. But it's not like we would are just carrying a 3rd catcher. Swihart is a utility player who just happens to be able to catch.

[Kimmi]

Adding Lin would be more about having a pinch runner and late inning defensive replacement at 3B. It is a value, but to me, not as great as being able to PH for our catchers twice in a game.

 

To me, the only argument worth discussing is the 12th pitcher vs the 3rd catcher with Leon being a lock.

 

Agreed. Nunez' defense has been pretty solid at 3B. I don't really see a purpose in having Lin on the roster.

[Kimmi]

Pinch hit for the catchers twice in one game?

 

It's really hard to argue the value of the defense they bring on one hand while saying their offense need be so urgently replaced on the other.

 

And really, barring a very long game, how many critical at-bats do we expect the catchers to have? And if you expect a really long game with a lot of extra innings, that brings back the extra pitcher argument...

 

Even if we only pinch hit for a catcher once in the game, it would be nice to have that 3rd catcher so that Cora would not be hesitant to use his 2nd catcher early in the game.

 

Also, it may be my imagination, but it seems like so often when we have a good scoring opportunity, who is coming up to bat but none other than Leon.

[Kimmi]

The key here in having 3 catchers is that Swihart is not just a catcher. He provides versatility. If he were strictly a catcher, there is no way I'd be advocating 3 catchers. Swihart's ability to run and play other positions allows us that luxury.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

My choice would be 7 relievers and SWI, Holt, Pearce, Devers, and Vaz on the bench. SWI would also provide good pinch running.

[SoxnCycles]

Agreed. Nunez' defense has been pretty solid at 3B. I don't really see a purpose in having Lin on the roster.

 

Nope, Phillips, instead of Lin.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

However, if 8 relievers would be preferred, I would remove Devers.

[moonslav59]

Swihart is probably as good at 3b as Pearce is at C.

 

I doubt it, but we should need either at those positions, unless someone (the last sub) gets hurt in the game.

[moonslav59]

Pinch hit for the catchers twice in one game?

 

It's really hard to argue the value of the defense they bring on one hand while saying their offense need be so urgently replaced on the other.

 

And really, barring a very long game, how many critical at-bats do we expect the catchers to have? And if you expect a really long game with a lot of extra innings, that brings back the extra pitcher argument...

 

Since Leon does much better with starters, I'm not overly concerned about bringing in Swihart with the pen, but it is a concern.

 

Vaz is pretty good with pitchers too. PH'ing for our weak catchers once per game is almost always a good idea when the game is close. The secong time is sketchy. I think it's only happened once this year, but how many times are we going to sub for our 3Bman in a single game?

[moonslav59]

Agreed. Nunez' defense has been pretty solid at 3B...

 

What's up with that?

 

He's been negative at 3B his whole career, but is +10.0 UZR/150 this year, even though he's been a little hobbled.

[moonslav59]

I don't really see a purpose in having Lin on the roster.

 

We could start Nunez, PH Devers and then bring Lin in for D later.

[Bellhorn04]

Pinch hit for the catchers twice in one game?

 

It's really hard to argue the value of the defense they bring on one hand while saying their offense need be so urgently replaced on the other.

 

I think the basic principle is you don't pinch-hit for them unless you're behind, or if you're tied or up one and the bases are loaded, that type of thing - strictly situational.

[mvp 78]

What's up with that?

 

He's been negative at 3B his whole career, but is +10.0 UZR/150 this year, even though he's been a little hobbled.

 

Baseball is LOL random.

[oldtimer]

Even if we only pinch hit for a catcher once in the game, it would be nice to have that 3rd catcher so that Cora would not be hesitant to use his 2nd catcher early in the game.

 

Also, it may be my imagination, but it seems like so often when we have a good scoring opportunity, who is coming up to bat but none other than Leon.

 

Funny how Leon does seem to come up in important situations. He was hitting .067 for the week before not hitting last night. On top of that he is slow and a high DP risk as well. Batting him 8th means he might get up late in the 2nd or early in the third inning. Usually, we wouldn't want to pinch hit for him then. Next opportunity the 5th or 6th, at which time Cora should consider it. That does mean changing catchers on our starter in some cases.

[oldtimer]

Swihart is probably as good at 3b as Pearce is at C.

 

By playing in a pinch, I think he means an emergency. Actually, Swihart is probably decent at 3rd, since he played infield in his past. Not to say its a good idea to try that unless we find ourselves in an emergency.

[Slasher9]

Phillips?

 

idk. dont we need to see a bit more from him other than 1 good game to get him on our PO roster?

perhaps the next dozen will decide this?

[moonslav59]

I seriously doubt Phillips has any chance, unless someone gets hurt.

[notin]

I think the basic principle is you don't pinch-hit for them unless you're behind, or if you're tied or up one and the bases are loaded, that type of thing - strictly situational.

 

Exactly. And those situations don't happen every game...

[Maxbialystock]

I seriously doubt Phillips has any chance, unless someone gets hurt.

 

True. Too bad, because he is a great story.

[Spudboy]

By playing in a pinch, I think he means an emergency. Actually, Swihart is probably decent at 3rd, since he played infield in his past. Not to say its a good idea to try that unless we find ourselves in an emergency.

 

Swihart played shortstop exclusively in high school. He played catcher about twice in all star type games at the request of MLB scouts.

 

My sources are pretty solid on this.

[notin]

True. Too bad, because he is a great story.

 

What is the story? That a guy who perennially has griped about his contracts and blocked trades suddenly found himself unable to get anything but a minor league deal, which he probably grudgingly accepted, and then got 8 ABs and one (really awesome) hit for a team that still won 99 of their first 145 games without him?

[sk7326]

Swihart played shortstop exclusively in high school. He played catcher about twice in all star type games at the request of MLB scouts.

 

My sources are pretty solid on this.

 

Yeah, Swihart is an unusually good athlete for a catcher ... I am pretty confident he can handle any corner position pretty well, and possibly fake 2B if things got desperate.

[Kimmi]

Nope, Phillips, instead of Lin.

 

Yeah, I would like to see Phillips get some more playing time in the next couple of weeks.

[Kimmi]

However, if 8 relievers would be preferred, I would remove Devers.

 

I have been a big Devers supporter, but I really have to question how much playing time he gets in the postseason.

 

He is the 3rd baseman of our future. I'm just not sure about this postseason.

[Kimmi]

What's up with that?

 

He's been negative at 3B his whole career, but is +10.0 UZR/150 this year, even though he's been a little hobbled.

 

It's odd. Especially when he looked so bad at 2B.

[oldtimer]

We won the hard way tonight.

 

E-Rod was okay but was hit quite a bit.

 

Vaz had a hit tonight

 

Nunez looked good at bat while Devers ran for him (was Nunez hurt?) and ran into one for a HR. Good for him as he doesn't make a lot of contact but when he does the ball goes.

 

Poyner was hit for a HR when he left a ball out over the plate but at least he threw strikes. Kelly came in and was totally without command. Cora was perhaps too patient.

 

Bogaerts helped us with a double, a steal and came in on a ball in pllay by Swihart for the win.

 

So Devers and Nunez at 3rd were a plus. Vaz got a hit, Swihart did what he had to do.

 

On the pitching side, E-Rod still looks like a 4th starter, Poyner made one mistake but otherwise looked pretty good while Kelly was awful. No command at all.

 

We got a win and Cora got valuable information.

[moonslav59]

I think this might be the first time we lead the league in SBs since the 1930's, if we keep going like this...

[Spudboy]

I think this might be the first time we lead the league in SBs since the 1930's, if we keep going like this...

 

Not exactly the Cards of the mid sixties but they sure are the most fun to watch ( running ) Sox team I can remember.

[moonslav59]

Not exactly the Cards of the mid sixties but they sure are the most fun to watch ( running ) Sox team I can remember.

 

fangraphs has us ranked below average in their team running metric.