2018 World Series: The Dodgers vS The Red Sox

[jacksonianmarch]

What the Sox did is rare. Rarely do you find teams who throw good money after bad become successful. The Yanks did it for years and got one ring out of it. The Sox have now done it for three and are on the verge of a win

[Maxbialystock]

And your point is...............?

If the Sox take the title they will also be one of the most dominant teams in the history of baseball. Hopefully you can sit back and enjoy the show.

 

A great run in the John Henry era, no question. Dominant is terrible choice of words because these days nobody dominates. The Ruth Yankees dominated. The 49-53 Yankees dominated. And the Yankees overall have, what, 27 WS wins? Oh, and the A's won 3 straight WS. Great.

 

But man oh man the postseason format is brutal. 4 wins definitely gives the Sox bragging rights, but no way, no how can I call the John Henry Sox dominant. Not when they finished dead last in the AL East twice in the last 5 years. Not when they got hammered in the ALDS the last two years. Not when they blow the AL East worse than any team in history in 2011. And so on.

[Bellhorn04]

But man oh man the postseason format is brutal. 4 wins definitely gives the Sox bragging rights, but no way, no how can I call the John Henry Sox dominant. Not when they finished dead last in the AL East twice in the last 5 years. Not when they got hammered in the ALDS the last two years. Not when they blow the AL East worse than any team in history in 2011. And so on.

 

I'll settle for 'highly successful', I guess.

[Nick]

What the Sox did is rare. Rarely do you find teams who throw good money after bad become successful. The Yanks did it for years and got one ring out of it. The Sox have now done it for three and are on the verge of a win

 

Maybe it's easy being more gracious when you are winning (speaking for myself). If we get there, this will be Sox's 4th championships in 15 years, ahead of Giants' 3 and Cardinals' 2. That's pretty amazing. We will have done it with 3 GM's (I'm counting DD as a GM) and 3 different managers.

 

I think we have at least one more go at it in 2019. Yankees are probably our main competitor with young core and money to burn.

 

I think little things matter when it comes to winning the world championship.

 

We were not going to overtax ourselves to have the best record but having the home field advantage I think still matters. IT DOESN'T HURT FOR SURE.

 

In hindsight, signing Eovaldi along with Pearce and Kinsler were huge, especially Eovaldi. You prepare for the marathon (regular season) but you also have to have a kick (playoff games). Eovaldi certainly has bolstered Sox's resume for the playoffs.

 

Pitching still wins big games and getting a #2 type pitcher goes long ways in winning the big series come playoff time. Many here advocate a depth piece at #5/#6 starter for 2019, but I would argue someone in line of Eovaldi talent is needed to get us over the hump come playoff time.

 

My guess is Yankees will go hard after Eovaldi. I hope DD will too.

 

Do we say f*** it and bring back Kimbrel, Eovaldi and Kelly? We have approximately $34M before we hit the 47.5% surtax. But if you go over by say $10M, That's 100% penalty, $2 for $1, (30%+12%+47.5%=say 100%), that's only $10M penalty. I'd say it's worth winning the 5th world series ring. Not my money. For less than $150, I can watch almost every Red Sox game. Still the best bargain in the world.

Edited October 25, 2018 by Nick

[Emp9]

If the Sox take the title, they will become the most expensive championship team of all time and it ain’t close. That record, to this point, belongs to the 2009 Yankees. The Yanks were the only team to win a title with a payroll north of $200 mil. They finished the year at $203 mil. The Sox, this season, have spent over $40 mil more.

 

If the Dodgers won last year, they'd of had Us by 0ver $30 Million on this very petty point.

[FredLynn]

A great run in the John Henry era, no question. Dominant is terrible choice of words because these days nobody dominates. The Ruth Yankees dominated. The 49-53 Yankees dominated. And the Yankees overall have, what, 27 WS wins? Oh, and the A's won 3 straight WS. Great.

 

But man oh man the postseason format is brutal. 4 wins definitely gives the Sox bragging rights, but no way, no how can I call the John Henry Sox dominant. Not when they finished dead last in the AL East twice in the last 5 years. Not when they got hammered in the ALDS the last two years. Not when they blow the AL East worse than any team in history in 2011. And so on.

 

I will stick with dominant, for this year only, obviously. When you win 108 games then relatively easily eliminate two 100+ win teams and, I am assuming, win the championship, thats dominant in my book.

[Emp9]

A great run in the John Henry era, no question. Dominant is terrible choice of words because these days nobody dominates. The Ruth Yankees dominated. The 49-53 Yankees dominated. And the Yankees overall have, what, 27 WS wins? Oh, and the A's won 3 straight WS. Great.

 

But man oh man the postseason format is brutal. 4 wins definitely gives the Sox bragging rights, but no way, no how can I call the John Henry Sox dominant. Not when they finished dead last in the AL East twice in the last 5 years. Not when they got hammered in the ALDS the last two years. Not when they blow the AL East worse than any team in history in 2011. And so on.

 

Sox got "Hammered" in the ALDS the last two years? I mean, I remember them losing. I don't remember them getting "hammered" as you so put it. Am I misremembering or are you just being really f***ing obnoxious right now?

[Nick]

Cora! Cora! Cora! Wasn't that a movie about the Japanese attack of Pearl Harbor?

 

I thought it was the Germans.

[Nick]

If the Sox take the title, they will become the most expensive championship team of all time and it ain’t close. That record, to this point, belongs to the 2009 Yankees. The Yanks were the only team to win a title with a payroll north of $200 mil. They finished the year at $203 mil. The Sox, this season, have spent over $40 mil more.

 

Cot's Baseball has Sox CB Payroll at $233,300,600. If we are breaking records, I want to be accurate.

[dannycater]

"Germans? Don't stop him, he's on a roll."

[jung]

I am convinced of two things:

1) this Dodgers team has no clue how to play us....no clue whatsoever

2) they are not a good defensive team, not by a long shot. This whole play everybody everywhere crap is being exposed for what it is...crap. They have all of two solid defenders, Bellinger and Turner and that is it.

 

Where the heck was Puig on the JD hit that got us back the lead. I knew Puig was too deep in RF for JD. But they just said today that he was at 319'. 319'!!! What defense is that? That is 15' past anything I have ever seen in Fenway. Probably 15' past where anybody ever played Ted Williams.

[jacksonianmarch]

Cot's Baseball has Sox CB Payroll at $233,300,600. If we are breaking records, I want to be accurate.

 

Cots isn’t adding in the $15 mil in medicals that is required now for cap calculation

[jacksonianmarch]

I am convinced of two things:

1) this Dodgers team has no clue how to play us....no clue whatsoever

2) they are not a good defensive team, not by a long shot. This whole play everybody everywhere crap is being exposed for what it is...crap. They have all of two solid defenders, Bellinger and Turner and that is it.

 

Where the heck was Puig on the JD hit that got us back the lead. I knew Puig was too deep in RF for JD. But they just said today that he was at 319'. 319'!!! What defense is that? That is 15' past anything I have ever seen in Fenway. Probably 15' past where anybody ever played Ted Williams.

 

Roberts has managed incredibly poorly. While I get platooning Pederson with his awful splits, I don’t get platooning your two most powerful hitters. Muncy and Bellinger can at least work a count. The scrubs starting in their place are effectively fodder and useless

[Nick]

Cots isn’t adding in the $15 mil in medicals that is required now for cap calculation

 

Yes they have......look it up. Thus the language I use, CB Payroll includes benefits. I can count.

[mvp 78]

It’s more an observation. I legitimately could care less. But the next time I hear the Sox brass or fans whine about the Yankees spending, I’ll bring this nice tidbit back to life

 

Even the whole "Evil Empire" nonsense was played out in 2004. Sox and Yanks both spend $$$ when they have it. It's a dumb talking point.

[Nick]

$55M for Pablo, Hanley and Pedey

 

And that's not even taking into account Rusney Castillo's money.

[Emp9]

Roberts has managed incredibly poorly. While I get platooning Pederson with his awful splits, I don’t get platooning your two most powerful hitters. Muncy and Bellinger can at least work a count. The scrubs starting in their place are effectively fodder and useless

 

Weren't they hyping up Hernandez? Going into this series they had me convinced he was something special. But I'm looking at his 2018 post season stats and he's batting a whopping .094 in 32 AB with a .404OPS. During the year he was OPSing .806. I think I have to agree with going with the hot hand or if there isn't one to be had, at least go with the higher upside guy if all things are equal. One article said Roberts has to throw away the binder and I'd have to agree.

[Bellhorn04]

Yes they have......look it up. Thus the language I use, CB Payroll includes benefits. I can count.

 

You have the right number except for one thing. Cot's doesn't update the tax numbers for in-season acquisitions. So whatever our tax cost is for Eovaldi, Pearce and Kinsler has to be added on.

[notin]

Weren't they hyping up Hernandez? Going into this series they had me convinced he was something special. But I'm looking at his 2018 post season stats and he's batting a whopping .094 in 32 AB with a .404OPS. During the year he was OPSing .806. I think I have to agree with going with the hot hand or if there isn't one to be had, at least go with the higher upside guy if all things are equal. One article said Roberts has to throw away the binder and I'd have to agree.

 

Didn’t Hernandez have a 3 home run game against the Cubs last year in the postseason?

[notin]

I thought it was the Germans.

 

Forget it. He’s rolling...

[oldtimer]

I am convinced of two things:

1) this Dodgers team has no clue how to play us....no clue whatsoever

2) they are not a good defensive team, not by a long shot. This whole play everybody everywhere crap is being exposed for what it is...crap. They have all of two solid defenders, Bellinger and Turner and that is it.

 

Where the heck was Puig on the JD hit that got us back the lead. I knew Puig was too deep in RF for JD. But they just said today that he was at 319'. 319'!!! What defense is that? That is 15' past anything I have ever seen in Fenway. Probably 15' past where anybody ever played Ted Williams.

 

They also have Machado who I rate as a top defender.

[jung]

They also have Machado who I rate as a top defender.

 

Put him back and 3rd and he is. Short, not so much at his current size and with the current condition of his knees. He is out of position at Short now.

Edited October 25, 2018 by jung

[jacksonianmarch]

Agreed. He’s a GG style 3b, he’s a below average SS

[Kimmi]

That says a lot!

Even Pomeranz thinks Pomeranz stinks.

 

LOL

 

He will probably start Game 4 and throw a complete game shut out.

 

Cora has that kind of magic.

[Kimmi]

HEY ALL! DOES THE SERIES COME BACK TO FENWAY PARK?

 

I picked the Red Sox in 6.. I think that the Dodgers may scrap two wins out of three

down in LA.. they are a formidable opponent plus it would be sweet to see us win again

at Fenway Park!

 

PS-Who am I kidding? Let's sweep Hollywood's ass!!!

 

GO RED SOX!

 

It's hard to say whether this series will get back to Fenway. It's a nice feeling to know that no matter what happens in LA, at the very least the Sox will have a chance to close it out at home.

 

If I had to guess now, I'd say the Sox win it in 5, which is changed from my original prediction of them winning it in 6.

[Kimmi]

If the Sox take the title, they will become the most expensive championship team of all time and it ain’t close. That record, to this point, belongs to the 2009 Yankees. The Yanks were the only team to win a title with a payroll north of $200 mil. They finished the year at $203 mil. The Sox, this season, have spent over $40 mil more.

 

I hope that will provide you some comfort over the long, cold winter.

[Kimmi]

It’s more an observation. I legitimately could care less. But the next time I hear the Sox brass or fans whine about the Yankees spending, I’ll bring this nice tidbit back to life

 

Oh, you'll hear me complain about the Yankees spending. But to be fair, you'll hear me complain about the Red Sox spending just as much.

[jung]

I think the whole weather in Boston v LA thing is hysterical. Yes the Dodgers will likely play better in their home park and yes it is warmer in LA. But its not like Boston will fizzle in the heat. Game 3 likely offers LA the best chance to win a game that they have had based mainly on Buehler at home, their LH lineup against a RH pitcher, Porcello plus JD gimpy.

 

LA is learning a lesson the hard way. There is no hierarchy that I can define on that team. Just a bunch a' guys that are all about the same age that all think they are the cats meow plus some vets that are over the hill plus Turner. I don't count Machado in this bunch as he is not part of the hierarchy for anybody. He has come in for a cup of coffee.

 

The great Yankee teams from the 30's through the 50's had a hierarchy. They had great players just sitting on the bench waiting their turn. So coming up on the end of that run for example, Joe DiMaggio was the man no matter who came up and was great, Joe was at the top of the pyramid. You did what Joe told you to do and you played when Casey told you to play and that was that. Other than that, shut up and learn your craft.

 

Our modern equivalent in Boston was David Ortiz who gave up the role at the top of the pyramid to Mookie Betts. Pedey was never going to be that guy. Pedey was always going to be second fiddle as that is the role he is comfortable playing. You don't get the impression that any of the young Dodgers are comfortable with anything. Media is part of the problem as they and we as fans anoint these guys as the second coming when they are still in diapers.

 

I see the Dodgers winning Game 3 and maybe one other and that IMO will be it. Message to LA upper management. A so-called super team is not a team of young equals fighting for playing time. A super team is a mixed bag of mature and maturing vets and young guys all knowing their roles and happy and productive in them.

Edited October 26, 2018 by jung

[Slasher9]

Cots isn’t adding in the $15 mil in medicals that is required now for cap calculation

 

Payroll!

Wait until next year!

Our farm is better than yours!

Hahahaha. How the 20th century mighty have fallen mightily

[OH FOY]

It’s more an observation. I legitimately could care less. But the next time I hear the Sox brass or fans whine about the Yankees spending, I’ll bring this nice tidbit back to life

 

I have no problem with it. Never did. I think the tide is turning. Farm is the way to go nowadays. For all teams, Smart Trades and Farms, and just some smart spending.