Playoff Roster - 2018

[sk7326]

So, let's move Swihart to 2B, right?

 

(LOL)

 

if you committed to it and he had an offseason, I could see it. Never doubt good athletes, especially those with some infield background already. It would not be my first choice.

[moonslav59]

if you committed to it and he had an offseason, I could see it. Never doubt good athletes, especially those with some infield background already. It would not be my first choice.

 

I wouldn't do it.

 

3B, maybe, but not 2B where turning a DP is not something I see Swihart (or Shaw) doing very well.

[mvp 78]

I wouldn't do it.

 

3B, maybe, but not 2B where turning a DP is not something I see Swihart (or Shaw) doing very well.

 

I don't want a .500 OPS guy playing 3b.

[moonslav59]

I don't want a .500 OPS guy playing 3b.

 

I was talking defensively, but you're right. I don't want him at 3B either, unless it's an emergency.

[oldtimer]

My view of where we are with the PO Roster. I see it as subject to change due to injury or due to last minute performance considerations.

 

Boston Red Sox 2018 PO Roster?

Position players:

 

1. 1st Base: Moreland (Righties)

2. 1st Base; Pearce (Lefties)

3. 2nd Base; Kinsler

4. SS; Bogaerts

5. 3rd Base; Devers (Righties)

6. 3rd Base; Nunez; Lefties)

7. LF; Beni

8. CF; JBJ

9. RF; Betts

10. DH; JDM

11/12. C ; Leon, Swihart or

11/12. C; Leon, Vaz or

11/12. C; Vaz, Swihart

13. Utility; Holt

14. Utility; Swihart or

14. Utility; Lin

 

Pitchers:

Starters:

15. Sale

16. Price

17. Porcello

Long Relief:

18. E-Rod

19. Wright

20. Eovaldi

Other Relievers:

21. Closer; Kimbrel

22. 8th Bridge; Brasier

23. 7th Bridge; Barnes

24. Left Specialist; Poyner

25. Other Relief; Workman or

25. Other Relief; Kelly or

25 Other Relief; Hembree

 

Those marked in red are areas with vaiances possible. I would take Workman at 25, but either of the other two could beat him out.

 

In the case of catcher, if either Vaz or Leon are paired with Swihart, then Lin might well be chosen for a utility role. If not, the utility role will probably go to Swihart.

[moonslav59]

My view of where we are with the PO Roster. I see it as subject to change due to injury or due to last minute performance considerations.

 

Boston Red Sox 2018 PO Roster?

Position players:

 

1. 1st Base: Moreland (Righties)

2. 1st Base; Pearce (Lefties)

3. 2nd Base; Kinsler

4. SS; Bogaerts

5. 3rd Base; Devers (Righties)

6. 3rd Base; Nunez; Lefties)

7. LF; Beni

8. CF; JBJ

9. RF; Betts

10. DH; JDM

11/12. C ; Leon, Swihart or

11/12. C; Leon, Vaz or

11/12. C; Vaz, Swihart

13. Utility; Holt

14. Utility; Swihart or

14. Utility; Lin

 

Pitchers:

Starters:

15. Sale

16. Price

17. Porcello

Long Relief:

18. E-Rod

19. Wright

20. Eovaldi

Other Relievers:

21. Closer; Kimbrel

22. 8th Bridge; Brasier

23. 7th Bridge; Barnes

24. Left Specialist; Poyner

25. Other Relief; Workman or

25. Other Relief; Kelly or

25 Other Relief; Hembree

 

Those marked in red are areas with vaiances possible. I would take Workman at 25, but either of the other two could beat him out.

 

In the case of catcher, if either Vaz or Leon are paired with Swihart, then Lin might well be chosen for a utility role. If not, the utility role will probably go to Swihart.

 

Leon should not be in red. He's a lock. It's Vaz and/or Swihart.

 

I'd take Swihart over the 12th pitcher and Workman over Poyner as the 11th pitcher.

[Kimmi]

I honestly don't think catcher offense is a real need.

 

I agree, so long as the other guys in the line up are hitting like they are capable. JBJ hitting like he is now versus being in one of his prolonged slumps makes a huge difference. At any rate, I can't imagine that Leon will continue to be as bad as he's been since taking over mostly full time catching duties.

[notin]

I honestly don't think catcher offense is a real need.

 

Dombrowski typically does value offense. I could see that being one of his off-season goals. He did keep Swihart around for a reason...

[moonslav59]

I agree, so long as the other guys in the line up are hitting like they are capable. JBJ hitting like he is now versus being in one of his prolonged slumps makes a huge difference. At any rate, I can't imagine that Leon will continue to be as bad as he's been since taking over mostly full time catching duties.

 

Why should it matter about other guys hitting?

 

Leon is a big net plus, even when he hits .525. That doesn't change because others don't hit well.

 

I wouldn't get rid of Leon for an offensive catcher, if it means we add a half run to our pitching ERA.

 

If we can find a good hitting catcher who gets the same out of our staff, then go for it, but that won't come cheap.

[Kimmi]

Why should it matter about other guys hitting?

 

Leon is a big net plus, even when he hits .525. That doesn't change because others don't hit well.

 

I wouldn't get rid of Leon for an offensive catcher, if it means we add a half run to our pitching ERA.

 

If we can find a good hitting catcher who gets the same out of our staff, then go for it, but that won't come cheap.

 

I am not questioning whether Leon is a net plus or not. I completely agree with you about his defense and wanting him behind the plate.

 

A strong offense can carry a black hole in the #9 spot. A mediocre or a struggling offense, not so much. As much as I hate to give up defense behind the plate, you really have to go with the better overall catcher, even if it mean sacrifice a little defense, especially if the offense is not hitting up to par.

[moonslav59]

I am not questioning whether Leon is a net plus or not. I completely agree with you about his defense and wanting him behind the plate.

 

A strong offense can carry a black hole in the #9 spot. A mediocre or a struggling offense, not so much. As much as I hate to give up defense behind the plate, you really have to go with the better overall catcher, even if it mean sacrifice a little defense, especially if the offense is not hitting up to par.

 

A strong pitching staff can and will carry a poor offense much more than one hitter batting .750 not .550.

[moonslav59]

Tonight's update:

 

Eovaldi solidified his spot on the playoff roster. He was probably a lock beforehand.

 

Workman takes a step back, but he's still got a good chance to make it.

 

Brasier is still looking like a lock, despite the HR.

[oldtimer]

Tonight's update:

 

Eovaldi solidified his spot on the playoff roster. He was probably a lock beforehand.

 

Workman takes a step back, but he's still got a good chance to make it.

 

Brasier is still looking like a lock, despite the HR.

 

Workman lost ground because he came into a 1 run game and would not throw strikes. I think he could of but fell in love with his hard sinker, which he couldn't get over. It's a situation you wish you could talk to him and say what your doing will lose the game for us. Smarten up. Brasier gets a pass, although he too put himself into a hitters count and had to come in.

[Fan_since_Boggs]

On the topic of Eovaldi, if the Red Sox play the Yankee in the division round, there is no way that Eovaldi is not in the starting rotation for that series.

 

The Yankees have hit the lefties--Price and Rodriguez--pretty hard while Eovaldi has had much more success against the Yankees right handed lineup. This seems like a no-brainer to me. Sale pitches in games 1 and 5. The other 3 starts go to Eovaldi, Porcello, and EITHER Price or Rodriguez.

 

Against Oakland, it is a different story, but moving Eovaldi to the bullpen and starting Price AND Rodriguez in a short division series against the Yankees is a recipe for disaster.

[oldtimer]

Now we are through with the Yankee series and it ended well. Some of the PO roster directions which came out of the series include the following.

 

In the field:

 

Devers has looked better at the plate and with Nunez borderline gimpy, he appears to be a lock for the roster.

 

Pearce, Swihart and Holt also are playing well now and also should make the roster.

 

Our catchers continue to be an offensive liability. The question will be Lin or one of the catchers and it will probably be both catchers.

 

Pitching:

 

With the absolutely awful outing by E-Rod and a good one by Eovaldi, a preference for the 4th starter became obvious. I don't have the credentials to analyze why E-Rod gets so out of sycn under , but that he does is obvious. Too bad, because he might be our future 3rd starter.

 

Wright has proven his utility on the PO roster and one would assume that E-Rod will also make it so we have 4 starters, and two long relievers, leaving room for 5 relievers. Clearly Kimbrel and Brazier make it and Cora still has time to bring Barnes on board. I expect Poyner to make it so that leaves a spot for one of Kelly, Workman or Hembree. All have continually tried to move to the back of the line so Cora has a tough decision.

[moonslav59]

On the topic of Eovaldi, if the Red Sox play the Yankee in the division round, there is no way that Eovaldi is not in the starting rotation for that series.

 

The Yankees have hit the lefties--Price and Rodriguez--pretty hard while Eovaldi has had much more success against the Yankees right handed lineup. This seems like a no-brainer to me. Sale pitches in games 1 and 5. The other 3 starts go to Eovaldi, Porcello, and EITHER Price or Rodriguez.

 

Against Oakland, it is a different story, but moving Eovaldi to the bullpen and starting Price AND Rodriguez in a short division series against the Yankees is a recipe for disaster.

 

I'm not one to make judgements based on one game, and the history does go beyond one game for ERod and Eovaldi (and Price to some extent), so I'm now in agreement with this position.

 

Eovaldi should start game 3 (in NYC), and Price/ERod game 4. If we play Oakland, maybe things change.

 

Weird, we used to try and start lefties in NY.

[mvp 78]

Now we are through with the Yankee series and it ended well. Some of the PO roster directions which came out of the series include the following.

 

In the field:

 

Devers has looked better at the plate and with Nunez borderline gimpy, he appears to be a lock for the roster.

 

Pearce, Swihart and Holt also are playing well now and also should make the roster.

 

Our catchers continue to be an offensive liability. The question will be Lin or one of the catchers and it will probably be both catchers.

 

Pitching:

 

With the absolutely awful outing by E-Rod and a good one by Eovaldi, a preference for the 4th starter became obvious. I don't have the credentials to analyze why E-Rod gets so out of sycn under , but that he does is obvious. Too bad, because he might be our future 3rd starter.

 

Wright has proven his utility on the PO roster and one would assume that E-Rod will also make it so we have 4 starters, and two long relievers, leaving room for 5 relievers. Clearly Kimbrel and Brazier make it and Cora still has time to bring Barnes on board. I expect Poyner to make it so that leaves a spot for one of Kelly, Workman or Hembree. All have continually tried to move to the back of the line so Cora has a tough decision.

 

People have said this for so long about ERod. I'm not sure he ever reaches his potential.

[moonslav59]

Now we are through with the Yankee series and it ended well. Some of the PO roster directions which came out of the series include the following.

 

In the field:

 

Devers has looked better at the plate and with Nunez borderline gimpy, he appears to be a lock for the roster.

 

Pearce, Swihart and Holt also are playing well now and also should make the roster.

 

Our catchers continue to be an offensive liability. The question will be Lin or one of the catchers and it will probably be both catchers.

 

Pitching:

 

With the absolutely awful outing by E-Rod and a good one by Eovaldi, a preference for the 4th starter became obvious. I don't have the credentials to analyze why E-Rod gets so out of sycn under , but that he does is obvious. Too bad, because he might be our future 3rd starter.

 

Wright has proven his utility on the PO roster and one would assume that E-Rod will also make it so we have 4 starters, and two long relievers, leaving room for 5 relievers. Clearly Kimbrel and Brazier make it and Cora still has time to bring Barnes on board. I expect Poyner to make it so that leaves a spot for one of Kelly, Workman or Hembree. All have continually tried to move to the back of the line so Cora has a tough decision.

 

Wright and Eovaldi are sure locks.

 

I'm pretty sure Devers, Nunez and Holt make it.

 

Moreland is beginning to move towards the bubble area, but I wouldn't put him there now. Maybe some prolonged rest might help.

 

Here's my updated list:

 

Locks:

 

13-14 Everyday players

C: Leon

1B: Moreland (?) & Pearce

2B: Kinsler & Holt

3B: Nunez & Devers

SS: Bogey

LF: Beni

CF: JBJ

RF: Betts

DH: JD

C2: Vaz and/or Swihart (Swihart with the edge if just one goes)

 

Bubble (if we go with 13 everyday players): Swihart or Vaz

(If 14 everyday players) Swihart/Vaz or Lin/Phillips

 

Pretty sure locked out: Lin, Phillips, Travis

 

11-12 Pitchers

SP (5): Sale, Price, Porcello, Eovaldi & ERod

RP (3): Kimbrel, Wright & Brasier

Lock, if healthy (1): Barnes

 

Has to take another step back to not make it: Workman

 

Bubble (2-3, or 3-4 if Barnes is not healthy): Johnson, Poyner, Velazquez

 

Need multiple steps forward to have a chance at passing 1-2 from the "bubble" list (2): Hembree & Thornburg

 

Pretty much locked out, unless they stage a miracle turn around in multiple appearances(2): Kelly & Pom

 

Virtually no chance (2): Scott & Cuevas

 

[greenwell]

People have said this for so long about ERod. I'm not sure he ever reaches his potential.

 

I'm not sure about reaching his potential, but he's pitched about as well as any 3rd starter in the AL.

[S5Dewey]

Devers is the one I'm conflicted about. He's a guy who can win a game with one swing of the bat. He's also a guy who can lose a game with one error - and he's made a lot of them.

 

Devers may be the one to get the benefit of the Infield Numbers Crunch. We're talking about Devers, Holt, and Nunez splitting 2B & 3B and if that doesn't make you shudder nothing will.

 

In a more perfect world I wouldn't let Devers even pick up his glove during the playoffs. He deserves to be an emergency DH only and I wouldn't carry an emergency DH. However, we need a body in the infield and Devers is what we've got.

 

What would I give for a healthy Pedey?? Thanks again, Manny. You may end up being the deciding factor in whether the Sox win the WS. Ugh.

[Bellhorn04]

Devers may be the one to get the benefit of the Infield Numbers Crunch. We're talking about Devers, Holt, and Nunez splitting 2B & 3B and if that doesn't make you shudder nothing will.

 

What happened to Kinsler?

[a700hitter]

What happened to Kinsler?

No Kinsler makes me shudder.

[a700hitter]

As bad as Devers has been, Andujar is worse. Devers has the ability imo, but is a work in progress. He still needs to refine his footwork.

[S5Dewey]

What happened to Kinsler?

 

My bad. You're right. Now we're talking about Kinsler, Holt, Devers, and Nunez. Is that really any better??

[Bellhorn04]

My bad. You're right. Now we're talking about Kinsler, Holt, Devers, and Nunez. Is that really any better??

 

Much. Kinsler is an excellent fielder.

[a700hitter]

My bad. You're right. Now we're talking about Kinsler, Holt, Devers, and Nunez. Is that really any better??

Kinsler is an excellent glove guy at 1B and Holt is better than the other 2, so 2B should be okay even if Cora wants to go with a platoon.

[notin]

 

Moreland is beginning to move towards the bubble area, but I wouldn't put him there now. Maybe some prolonged rest might help.

 

 

 

Do you really think the Sox are going to leave their All Star 1B off the playoff roster because of a late season slump?

[S5Dewey]

As bad as Devers has been, Andujar is worse. Devers has the ability imo, but is a work in progress. He still needs to refine his footwork.

 

I agree with that post, and the playoffs isn't the place to be doing it. Moon rightly said at the beginning of the season that Devers would be a work in progress, and he still is. Do we want a work in progress out there defensively during the playoffs?

 

At the risk of being parochial, I still believe that Butterfield could have made a big difference in Devers' progress.

[mvp 78]

I'm not sure about reaching his potential, but he's pitched about as well as any 3rd starter in the AL.

 

For playoff teams based on WAR, ERod would be:

 

4th SP in BOS

6th SP in HOU

5th SP in CLE

3rd SP in NYY

2nd SP in OAK

6th SP in LAD

2nd SP in ATL

2nd SP in CHC

3rd SP in MIL

3rd SP in STL

 

Guess you're right. Just doesn't "feel" like a 3rd SP to me.

[S5Dewey]

Kinsler is an excellent glove guy at 1B and Holt is better than the other 2, so 2B should be okay even if Cora wants to go with a platoon.

 

If you mean to say Kinsler at 2B I agree with you. Now we're back to Devers, Holt and Nunez at 3B. Nunez is my choice because I like his offense and his defense better than I like the other two but he's still the ugly pup in the litter.