A Realistic View at 2019: Part I

[Kimmi]

Can benintendi get on base enough, to make this switch work?

 

Too early to tell, but it would be nice to see benintendi have a break out year.

 

Perhaps Beni will thrive in the lead off role.

 

Or perhaps Betts is back in the lead off role by June.

[Kimmi]

Pretty cool that the guy got a ring.

 

Very cool that he got a ring, and also a very cool moment for him in his lone appearance for Boston.

[Kimmi]

I'll never understand why fans get so worked up about the lineup. The manager can handle it.

 

Plus, it just doesn't matter that much!

 

Seriously, pull the line up out of a hat and you would hardly miss a beat.

[notin]

Sandy Leon leading off then!!

[Kimmi]

Sandy Leon leading off then!!

 

It wouldn't be as big a deal as most people think it would be.

[cp176]

Thanks. I'm surprised I was asked to explain.

 

Hmm - Sorry Moon that you thought that I actually expected you to explain anything to me. I actually was trying to make a point. I do agree that Betts (imo) this year would be considered our best hitter. My point is that even though every quoteable stat that you cn obviously recite to me does not mean that there will never be a debate as to what or who constitutes the best hitter on any team. It depends on what you use as your criteria and what you value. Now what I would say is that I don't think that the difference between Betts and Martinez is some huge divide.

[Bellhorn04]

Hmm - Sorry Moon that you thought that I actually expected you to explain anything to me. I actually was trying to make a point. I do agree that Betts (imo) this year would be considered our best hitter. My point is that even though every quoteable stat that you cn obviously recite to me does not mean that there will never be a debate as to what or who constitutes the best hitter on any team. It depends on what you use as your criteria and what you value. Now what I would say is that I don't think that the difference between Betts and Martinez is some huge divide.

 

I would agree that Betts and JDM are close enough that you could have an argument over who is the better hitter.

[cp176]

I would agree that Betts and JDM are close enough that you could have an argument over who is the better hitter.

 

I thank you for that. My choice would be Betts but the point is that there are many ways to look at most things.

[moonslav59]

Hmm - Sorry Moon that you thought that I actually expected you to explain anything to me. I actually was trying to make a point. I do agree that Betts (imo) this year would be considered our best hitter. My point is that even though every quoteable stat that you cn obviously recite to me does not mean that there will never be a debate as to what or who constitutes the best hitter on any team. It depends on what you use as your criteria and what you value. Now what I would say is that I don't think that the difference between Betts and Martinez is some huge divide.

 

Clear difference and huge divide are not the same thing. Plus, I was just razzin' ya.

[Kimmi]

I would agree that Betts and JDM are close enough that you could have an argument over who is the better hitter.

 

They were close and both very good, but in terms of 2018 numbers, I don't really think there's an argument over who was the better hitter.

[cp176]

Clear difference and huge divide are not the same thing. Plus, I was just razzin' ya.

 

stop that razin' - You might make me say something bad and then you will stop communicating with me. lol (I know that isn't happening - when it comes to athletics, i think that we have too much in common!)

 

For the proverbial talksox record though, I'm always apt to be that contrarian who chooses to look at things in multiple ways. I have fun here.

[Bellhorn04]

They were close and both very good, but in terms of 2018 numbers, I don't really think there's an argument over who was the better hitter.

 

For the regular season, there's no question that Mookie had the better numbers.

 

Now if you throw in the postseason, the comparison gets more interesting.

 

2018 postseason OPS

 

JDM .923

Betts .623

 

JD continued to be the same consistent force throughout the playoffs, while Mookie struggled.

[cp176]

For the regular season, there's no question that Mookie had the better numbers.

 

Now if you throw in the postseason, the comparison gets more interesting.

 

2018 postseason OPS

 

JDM .923

Betts .623

 

JD continued to be the same consistent force throughout the playoffs, while Mookie struggled.

 

We are pretty lucky to have them both I guess. I'll be happier if Betts is hitting in a spot where he gets a chance to knock in a few more runs.

[Bellhorn04]

We are pretty lucky to have them both I guess. I'll be happier if Betts is hitting in a spot where he gets a chance to knock in a few more runs.

 

Ha ha...couldn't miss another chance for a 'lineup' comment, could ya?

[cp176]

Ha ha...couldn't miss another chance for a 'lineup' comment, could ya?

 

No!!! C'mon though - i leave that stuff alone until I feel the need to rebut something I don't necessarily fall all over in love with.

[Bellhorn04]

Personally I was quite happy with Mookie in the leadoff spot. The more Mookie the better, was my way of thinking. But I'm looking forward to see how things go with Beni in that spot and Mookie in the 2 slot. It should be another source of lively discussion on the game threads.

[cp176]

Personally I was quite happy with Mookie in the leadoff spot. The more Mookie the better, was my way of thinking. But I'm looking forward to see how things go with Beni in that spot and Mookie in the 2 slot. It should be another source of lively discussion on the game threads.

 

I liked him leading off as well. the reason being though was his baserunning ability more than anything else.

[moonslav59]

stop that razin' - You might make me say something bad and then you will stop communicating with me. lol (I know that isn't happening - when it comes to athletics, i think that we have too much in common!)

 

For the proverbial talksox record though, I'm always apt to be that contrarian who chooses to look at things in multiple ways. I have fun here.

 

Me, too. I often am a contrarian, especially when people make blanket statements using the superlatives words or "always and never."

 

JD is a great hitter and is a different type of hitter than Betts. To me, Betts is better up second, because he gets on base a little more and has better speed (which is not part of my "best hitter" statement, but should be a part of the choice, when things are close). JD may be a slightly better RBI guy, but even if he's even with Betts in power and driving in runs, I put Betts second.

 

I'm okay with Betts at leadoff, but I think the extra RBI opportunities batting second outweigh the extra PAs he would get up first.

 

I like Bogey up 3rd. He's found some power, has decent speed and just seems like a great fit in front of JD up 4th.

 

I have a lot of faith in Devers having a monster or near monster year in 2019. He's up 5th for me with Pearce batting 5th vs LHPs (if he's not up 3rd).

[Bellhorn04]

One thing's for sure, Beni is not going to replicate the .438 OBP Mookie put up this year. If Beni can do .366 again I guess that will be sufficient.

[kenmeister]

I saw a quote from Cora saying he noticed Mookie was getting "lazy" when leading off. I wouldn't know how to look it up, but can we find Mookie's on base & slugging averages with men on base vs. bases empty? Maybe Mookie thrives when he feels there's an RBI opportunity, in which case moving him to 2nd or 3rd makes a huge difference.

[moonslav59]

One thing's for sure, Beni is not going to replicate the .438 OBP Mookie put up this year. If Beni can do .366 again I guess that will be sufficient.

 

True, but .366 is better than our .312 OBP from our 9 slot this year.

 

I also think Beni should keep getting batter as he gets nearer prime.

[jacksonianmarch]

One thing's for sure, Beni is not going to replicate the .438 OBP Mookie put up this year. If Beni can do .366 again I guess that will be sufficient.

 

Mookie isn’t going to replicate the .438OBP this year. His 2018 will likely be his career year.

[Bellhorn04]

Mookie isn’t going to replicate the .438OBP this year. His 2018 will likely be his career year.

 

Certainly possible. You can't get much better.

[moonslav59]

Certainly possible. You can't get much better.

 

Probably not, but it is possible.

 

I'll settle for more of the same.

[Bellhorn04]

Probably not, but it is possible.

 

I'll settle for more of the same.

 

Quite honestly the team will be better off long term if some guys have slight off-years in 2019 (as long as we still win the division).

 

If JDM has a slight off-year it reduces the chances he opts out.

 

And so on.

[sk7326]

Betts was their best hitter last year - your best hitter should be batting 2nd. It's a sensible move. Benintendi has plenty of on-base and base running skills already.

[cp176]

Me, too. I often am a contrarian, especially when people make blanket statements using the superlatives words or "always and never."

 

JD is a great hitter and is a different type of hitter than Betts. To me, Betts is better up second, because he gets on base a little more and has better speed (which is not part of my "best hitter" statement, but should be a part of the choice, when things are close). JD may be a slightly better RBI guy, but even if he's even with Betts in power and driving in runs, I put Betts second.

 

I'm okay with Betts at leadoff, but I think the extra RBI opportunities batting second outweigh the extra PAs he would get up first.

 

I like Bogey up 3rd. He's found some power, has decent speed and just seems like a great fit in front of JD up 4th.

 

I have a lot of faith in Devers having a monster or near monster year in 2019. He's up 5th for me with Pearce batting 5th vs LHPs (if he's not up 3rd).

 

Im on board with everything you posted here.

[notin]

Quite honestly the team will be better off long term if some guys have slight off-years in 2019 (as long as we still win the division).

 

If JDM has a slight off-year it reduces the chances he opts out.

 

And so on.

 

But what would constitute an off year for JDM? Winning only one Silver Slugger?

[moonslav59]

I really think, if JD opts out, he won't get much more of an AAV in his next deal... maybe $1-3M more per year.

[Bellhorn04]

But what would constitute an off year for JDM? Winning only one Silver Slugger?

 

Based on the expectations from his last 2 seasons, a .900 OPS would be an off year.