Playoff Roster - 2018

[Slasher9]

I agree with both sides of this. But lean towards starting devers as it’s not like we have brooks Robinson sitting on the bench for 3rd base defense.

SSS alert....devers was pretty good in postseason pressure last year.

[Bellhorn04]

I agree with both sides of this. But lean towards starting devers as it’s not like we have brooks Robinson sitting on the bench for 3rd base defense.

 

That's a pretty good point too.

[SoxnCycles]

I agree with both sides of this. But lean towards starting devers as it’s not like we have brooks Robinson sitting on the bench for 3rd base defense.

SSS alert....devers was pretty good in postseason pressure last year.

 

Yup, and it looks like Devers is heating up at the right time.

I want his bat in the lineup, but i"m going to cringe every time he uncorks one to first.

[moonslav59]

Why not just have a late inning defensive replacement lined up for him?

 

There-in lies the rub. Although Nunez has looked surprisingly okay at 3B this year, he's not remarkably better on defense than Devers or Holt at 3B.

 

Devers might make a few more plays than both of them, but he also makes unforced errors at a shocking rate, and those seem to be seared in everyone's minds- fair or unfairly. JD should DH, so it comes down to Devers vs Nunez or Holt at 3B. I suppose we could take Lin over Vazquez or Swihart, but Vaz has been the personal caddy to a couple starters all year, and Swihart gives us the ability to PH for our weak-hitting catcher 1-2 times each game.

 

(We should be fooled by Lin's recent hitting, either.)

[moonslav59]

We're talking about the playoffs now, the time of the season when pitching and defense are the premier commodities. If we don't win the WS I want it to be because we didn't score enough runs, not because we threw the game away with errors. As I have said before, a team simply cannot give a good team 'extra outs' in an inning and expect to win.

 

I keep thinking back to 2013 when Iggy's error may very well have been responsible for the Tiger's bowing out of the playoffs.

 

Yes, but Iggy was in there for his defense.

 

There's only a slightly better chance Nunez doesn't make a crucial error over Devers' chances.

[SoxnCycles]

Yes, but Iggy was in there for his defense.

 

There's only a slightly better chance Nunez doesn't make a crucial error over Devers' chances.

 

Really?

They've played a similar amount of innings, but Devers has committed 23 errors. Nunez has committed 7.

Like Slasher said, the Sox don't have Brooks Robinson, but there are better defensive options than Devers, particularly late in games.

[mvp 78]

I agree with both sides of this. But lean towards starting devers as it’s not like we have brooks Robinson sitting on the bench for 3rd base defense.

SSS alert....devers was pretty good in postseason pressure last year.

 

He also has a 1060 OPS since I saw him at Fenway earlier this month. Maybe he just needed reassurance that his super fan didn't desert him.

[moonslav59]

Really?

They've played a similar amount of innings, but Devers has committed 23 errors. Nunez has committed 7.

Like Slasher said, the Sox don't have Brooks Robinson, but there are better defensive options than Devers, particularly late in games.

 

Yes, really.

 

Okay, maybe Nunez does not make a play Devers would have made, but it's not called an "error".

 

Range factor

 

2.3 Devers

 

0.7 Nunez

 

-0.1 Holt

[mvp 78]

Yes, really.

 

Okay, maybe Nunez does not make a play Devers would have made, but it's not called an "error".

 

Range factor

 

2.3 Devers

 

0.7 Nunez

 

-0.1 Holt

 

If Devers can fix his footwork on his throws, he's winning a gold glove.

[oldtimer]

Yes, but Iggy was in there for his defense.

 

There's only a slightly better chance Nunez doesn't make a crucial error over Devers' chances.

 

That is true. Nunez does have a very good bat and was hot before having to sit. We could play him at second, but would give up defense and then where would Holt and Swihart play. No doubt that Devers is swinging a good bat right now and having left hand power in the lineup lengthens our lineup. Good problem to have.

[notin]

If Devers can fix his footwork on his throws, he's winning a gold glove.

 

While fixing his footwork will certainly improve his fielding, will it make him better than all the other 3B in the AL, including Matt Chapman, Kyle Seager and Jose Ramirez?

[mvp 78]

While fixing his footwork will certainly improve his fielding, will it make him better than all the other 3B in the AL, including Matt Chapman, Kyle Seager and Jose Ramirez?

 

Yes, those dudes are shlubs...

[SoxnCycles]

Yes, really.

 

Okay, maybe Nunez does not make a play Devers would have made, but it's not called an "error".

 

Range factor

 

2.3 Devers

 

0.7 Nunez

 

-0.1 Holt

 

That's true, but that is also not a "crucial error" (your words, not mine).

 

There have been plays where Nunez let a single get by him, due to lack of range.

Devers can get to those, but then can also turn them into doubles by air mailing it into the the dugout.

[notin]

Yes, those dudes are shlubs...

 

And equally capable of winning thr Golden Shlub...

[S5Dewey]

That's true, but that is also not a "crucial error" (your words, not mine).

 

There have been plays where Nunez let a single get by him, due to lack of range.

Devers can get to those, but then can also turn them into doubles by air mailing it into the the dugout.

 

This is maybe the greater issue with Devers vs. Nunez. When Nunez makes an error the runner reaches first. When Devers makes an error the runner gets to scoring position. The difference is in how many more hits it takes to score the runner.

[Maxbialystock]

I'm pretty sure both Nunez and Devers will be on the roster and am fine with whoever Cora starts in a given game. The other one can always pinch hit.

 

Speaking of which, there was a discussion earlier about Cora having options to pinch hit for his catcher. Thus the 3d catcher on the roster and maybe an extra bat.

 

Lately, I'm thinking it might be smarter to beef up the pitching because it sure is looking like the weak link. Normally, usually a MLB carries 12, but lately just 11 in the playoffs because of the rest days. So I'm thinking Cora carries 8 starters: Sale, Price, Porcello, ERod, Eovaldi, Wright, Velazquez, and Johnson (or that kid Cuevas). The last four have already relieved once or more this season, so they can relieve, but I'm thinking right now early relief before the game gets out of hand. The other three pitchers would probably be Kimbrel, Brasier, and Barnes. Cora might even consider a 12th arm on the roster to beef up the short relievers with Poyner or Workman or whoever.

[moonslav59]

That's true, but that is also not a "crucial error" (your words, not mine).

 

There have been plays where Nunez let a single get by him, due to lack of range.

Devers can get to those, but then can also turn them into doubles by air mailing it into the the dugout.

 

Yes, I said "crucial error," and certainly Nunez or Holt have a significantly less chance of that, but even then...

 

Devers 23 errors in 298 chances

 

Nunez 7 errors in 101 chances

 

The difference is not so great, when you even up the innings.

 

The chances Devers make one more error than Nunez over 5 games is probably less than 50-50.

 

[moonslav59]

I'm pretty sure both Nunez and Devers will be on the roster and am fine with whoever Cora starts in a given game. The other one can always pinch hit.

 

Speaking of which, there was a discussion earlier about Cora having options to pinch hit for his catcher. Thus the 3d catcher on the roster and maybe an extra bat.

 

Lately, I'm thinking it might be smarter to beef up the pitching because it sure is looking like the weak link. Normally, usually a MLB carries 12, but lately just 11 in the playoffs because of the rest days. So I'm thinking Cora carries 8 starters: Sale, Price, Porcello, ERod, Eovaldi, Wright, Velazquez, and Johnson (or that kid Cuevas). The last four have already relieved once or more this season, so they can relieve, but I'm thinking right now early relief before the game gets out of hand. The other three pitchers would probably be Kimbrel, Brasier, and Barnes. Cora might even consider a 12th arm on the roster to beef up the short relievers with Poyner or Workman or whoever.

 

I doubt Johnson makes it. Velazquez is bubble at best.

[Bellhorn04]

I doubt Johnson makes it. Velazquez is bubble at best.

 

Yeah, Johnson has only been used 4 times in September. He's not in the plans.

[kenmeister]

Yeah, Johnson has only been used 4 times in September. He's not in the plans.

 

I just hope he gets a chance at starting next year.

[moonslav59]

I just hope he gets a chance at starting next year.

 

I'd rather Wright starts, but I'm sure he'll get some chances.

[notin]

I'd rather Wright starts, but I'm sure he'll get some chances.

 

That will be the big debate on this board - Wright or Johnson for fifth starter. As if they both won't start games...

[moonslav59]

That will be the big debate on this board - Wright or Johnson for fifth starter. As if they both won't start games...

 

A bigger debate might be about signing a starter.

[Bellhorn04]

I'm sure there will be plenty of debates.

[moonslav59]

I'm sure there will be plenty of debates.

 

YES!

 

Kimbrel vs no Kimbrel?

 

Replace Pom with Wright/Johnson/Velazquez or go outside the system?

 

How to rebuild the pen?

 

Is Moreland our starter in 2019? (Devers to 1B? Chavis, Ockimey or Dalbec?)

 

2B? Pedey/Nunez/Holt/Hernandez/Quiro/Lin or someone else?

 

3B? Devers again? Platoon with Nunez?

 

Of course, another trade JBJ thread.

 

More urgent talk about 2020 (Bogey, Sale...)

 

[Maxbialystock]

Here is my prediction for our playoff roster. I am thinking 12 pitchers for ALDS:

1b Moreland

2b Kinsler

3b Devers

SS Xander

LF Beni

CF JBj

RF Mookie

C Leon

DH JDM

SP1 Sale

SP2 Price

SP3 Porcello

SP4 Erod

RP1 Kimbrel

RP2 Barnes

RP3 Kelly

RP4 Eovaldi

RP5 Brasier

RP6 Hembree

RP7 Johnson

RP8 Pom

UT1 Holt

UT2 Pearce

UT3 Nunez

UT4 Swihart

 

Left off: Neck tat, Vazquez, workman, thornburg, wright

 

I think this was a pretty good first stab, but vehemently disagree on dropping Vazquez. And not including Wright is criminal. I also see 3 relievers you could drop without hurting the bullpen: Kelly, Pom, and Johnson.

 

Vazquez brings you back to 14 position players, about normal for the postseason and leaves 11 pitchers, also normal for the playoffs.

 

If you drop Kelly, Pom, and Johnson, you can bring back Wright and Vazquez--and maybe Poyner (lone lefty in bullpen). Pom has a WAR of -.6, which I think is earned. Johnson's is 0.0, ditto. Kelly's is .3, but he is just so inconsistent and has been horrible in September.

[Kimmi]

Who does?

 

I like engineers.

[Kimmi]

Tell the judge you are willing to let Betts walk. " This juror is excused."

 

For the reason of being too rational.

[Kimmi]

I understand your position.

 

Personally I think Devers is a bit more likely to win a game for us with his bat than he is to lose one with his fielding, especially if you have a late inning replacement lined up.

 

But that could be wishful thinking on my part, admittedly.

 

To me, it seems that Devers tends to get overly anxious in big moments, not that I'm calling for him to be benched. I'm okay with Devers starting against a right hander and being replaced for defensive purposes late in the game.

[Kimmi]

Yes, really.

 

Okay, maybe Nunez does not make a play Devers would have made, but it's not called an "error".

 

Range factor

 

2.3 Devers

 

0.7 Nunez

 

-0.1 Holt

 

Yes, but even with Devers' better range, his UZR/150 is -4.6 as compared to Nunez at 7.1. Devers' better range does not make up for his errors.