A Realistic View at 2019: Part I

[dgalehouse]

True, but Cora chooses who to play at 2B: Lin or Chavis.

 

When he said Chacis would not play 2B, was he expecting some other choice being made by DD? Was he expecting Nunez or Holt to be beck by today?

I just think that it is D.D. 's job to set the roster , and Cora's job to manage the roster . I don't want Cora deciding who should be called up or who should be demoted , traded or DFA'd . I don't want D.D. deciding who should play and where in the order they should hit . The job descriptions should be well defined . When there is disconnect it leads to problems. And it doesn't look good when the manager says that a guy is not ready , and two days later he is starting.

[moonslav59]

I just think that it is D.D. 's job to set the roster , and Cora's job to manage the roster . I don't want Cora deciding who should be called up or who should be demoted , traded or DFA'd . I don't want D.D. deciding who should play and where in the order they should hit . The job descriptions should be well defined . When there is disconnect it leads to problems. And it doesn't look good when the manager says that a guy is not ready , and two days later he is starting.

 

I agree, but where was the disconnect on this one?

 

Was Cora expecting someone else not named Chavis being called up?

[Sox75]

I agree.....

 

I want him back but I'm not going to lose sleep over him.

 

He has a serious knee condition......he can't be counted.

 

I get the frustration over his health, & the need to move forward, but I kinda think Pedey has earned "the fuss?"

 

No? 07, 13, *18

 

I'd say the last man standing from this incredible Sox run deserves the fuss!

 

Look.... I too think he's likely DONE, but is there anybody in the last 12 years with the Sox that has left more on the field for this team? He IS the last dirtdog, & he deserves every bit of concern possible from Sox fans.

 

'I love Holt & Nuner! Holt & Nuner are friends of mine.... But those 2 sirs are no Pedey!'

 

It probably won't happen, but I'm hoping & praying for 1 more run for Pedroia!

[Larry Cook]

I agree, but where was the disconnect on this one?

 

Was Cora expecting someone else not named Chavis being called up?

 

Wouldn’t dombroski and Cora discuss who got called up prior to calling anybody up?

[dgalehouse]

I agree, but where was the disconnect on this one?

 

Was Cora expecting someone else not named Chavis being called up?

 

I don't know what he was expecting. He did say that Chavis wasn't ready just before he was promoted. But Chavis started at second base today against a right hander . Where was Lin ?

[Sox75]

Lin came in as a D move after we took the lead

[moonslav59]

I don't know what he was expecting. He did say that Chavis wasn't ready just before he was promoted. But Chavis started at second base today against a right hander . Where was Lin ?

 

Yes.

 

So, what was the disconnect and why did it happen?

[SCM33]

Yes.

 

So, what was the disconnect and why did it happen?

 

Lin can't even get a bunt down.

 

He had his shot the other day. Marginal players need to do little things to earn their keep. Lin failed.........next please.

[cp176]

I think that it is a little early to start the conspiracy theories just yet. I don't think that there is much that has happened to date to indicate any disconnect between DD and Cora. Believe it or not it is possible that Cora just doesn't think that Lin starting at second base is a real good thing based on his recent play. Alex gets to change his mind if he wants to.

[Nick]

Should we not look to see where the highest ceiling maybe at each position within the organization?

 

Obviously it's not Lin. He's our next Brock Holt, at best.

 

Why not try Chavis? He came up as a shortstop. We're asking him to be adequate 2B. You know, just make routine plays.

 

I applaud the team for turning over every rock looking for an edge.

 

If Pedey does not come back, I can see Chatham getting a shot at 2B.

[S5Dewey]

Where's our old pal Jax now? He's usually here to tell us how "fragile" the Sox are and how the team's chances are diminishing after every injury.

 

Maybe we should send a contingency over to a Yankees board looking for him.

[moonslav59]

I think that it is a little early to start the conspiracy theories just yet. I don't think that there is much that has happened to date to indicate any disconnect between DD and Cora. Believe it or not it is possible that Cora just doesn't think that Lin starting at second base is a real good thing based on his recent play. Alex gets to change his mind if he wants to.

 

It could be that. I'm just wondering, if something changed between the statement Cora made and the choice to play Chavis at 2B. I'm fine with the choice, even though I am a big defensive-minded fan.

[S5Dewey]

It could be that. I'm just wondering, if something changed between the statement Cora made and the choice to play Chavis at 2B. I'm fine with the choice, even though I am a big defensive-minded fan.

 

Four words: SOLID UP THE MIDDLE.

[notin]

Lin can't even get a bunt down.

 

He had his shot the other day. Marginal players need to do little things to earn their keep. Lin failed.........next please.

 

Lin’s shot was one plate appearance?

 

I agree Lin’s ceiling is probably utility infielder, but no need to write him off yet. Will you advocate cutting Chavis after his first botched double play?

[cp176]

It could be that. I'm just wondering, if something changed between the statement Cora made and the choice to play Chavis at 2B. I'm fine with the choice, even though I am a big defensive-minded fan.

 

Maybe Cora just had a revelation and came to his senses.

[notin]

I just think that it is D.D. 's job to set the roster , and Cora's job to manage the roster . I don't want Cora deciding who should be called up or who should be demoted , traded or DFA'd . I don't want D.D. deciding who should play and where in the order they should hit . The job descriptions should be well defined . When there is disconnect it leads to problems. And it doesn't look good when the manager says that a guy is not ready , and two days later he is starting.

 

This “disconnect” is probably as simple as just not having much in the way of options.

 

Neither Lin nor Chavis are capable of doing everything a healthy Pedroia can do in their own. But Cora will give each a chance or two (or however many?) until one of his MLB middle infielders is healthy. What else can he do? Jose Altuve ain’t walking through that door anytime soon.

 

And really, the MLB options of Holt and Nunez aren’t really all that exciting. If they were, the Sox wouldn’t have had to acquire Kinsler last season...

[cp176]

Four words: SOLID UP THE MIDDLE.

 

 

Do we all just know for sure that Lin makes us all that better up the middle? I see him as at best a late gamer used to maybe help us out defensively in close game situations.

We really have no clue whether Chavis will hit consistently either plus he actually might be able to play second. We just don't know. What I think is apparent is that Lin can field adequately and he hasn't shown much life at the plate. I just don't see how we can plug another none bat in the lineup and feel good about it. I don't think that this type of experimentation will hurt us at all. Might even help.

[Maxbialystock]

Right now the the Sox team ERA is ranked 29th in MLB, runs scored (by the offense) are 22d--ditto the team OPS--and on fewest errors by the defense are ranked 27th.

 

So, me, I think it's really hard to criticize any lineup moves made by Cora right now, especially after the Sox just swept the AL East leaders in Tampa. Speaking of which, I guess it's just the Trop, but did anyone else notice that our sterling outfield defense gave up 5 triples in this series and that their outfield gave up none?

 

And this just in--some player WAR's, season to date--

 

JBJ -.9 That's worst than Hanley's was when he was dumped. JBJ's DWAR is -.3.

Nunez -.7 Not the answer at 2b.

Pedey -.4 Also not the answer at 2b.

Pearce -.4 WS MVP has not returned from hibernation

Bogie .8 Leading the Sox but getting almost no praise on talksox or anywhere else for that matter. And he's the guy who just signed a long-term contract.

 

Vazquez .2 Also an OPS of .855.

[mvp 78]

Love to talk about WAR season totals on APRIL 22nd.

[Maxbialystock]

Love to talk about WAR season totals on APRIL 22nd.

 

A fair comment, but I would remind that these are the only numbers we have for this season and that they are not devoid of meaning. JBJ so far ain't helping, nor have Nunez or Pedey at 2b. Lin is the proverbial good field no hit infielder, which is probably why Cora gambled with Chavis, who was the pivot for one DP but maybe not as quick as Pedey (or Lin) on the other one--the throw to 1b was late by a whisker.

[Bellhorn04]

Vazquez .2 Also an OPS of .855.

 

Vaz's OPS is .723. It's like you're converting from US dollars to Canadian dollars or something.

[mvp 78]

A fair comment, but I would remind that these are the only numbers we have for this season and that they are not devoid of meaning. JBJ so far ain't helping, nor have Nunez or Pedey at 2b. Lin is the proverbial good field no hit infielder, which is probably why Cora gambled with Chavis, who was the pivot for one DP but maybe not as quick as Pedey (or Lin) on the other one--the throw to 1b was late by a whisker.

 

Well, Pedroia played only 6 games and may not ever return to the lineup. Nunez is what he is, a guy slightly above replacement whose versatility is the sole reason he's on the club.

 

I'm not sure bringing Chavis up is the "gamble" or "panic move" that people are saying it his. He's a guy that can hit in the minors. He's their top prospect and has nothing left to prove down there. His defense may never get better, so there's no issue with just bringing him up and see if he can stick.

 

To me, a panic move would be bringing up Dalbec, Hernandez or Chatham today. Those guys need more time in the minors. Hernandez may be up later this season, which seems like an ok timetable for me. If Chatham gets a cup of coffee at the end of the year, it would make sense too. It would just be weird to bring him up right now. Feltman, Shawaryn and Lakins will also probably be up at some point and those guys are ready to contribute sooner than later.

[mvp 78]

Vaz's OPS is .723. It's like you're converting from US dollars to Canadian dollars or something.

 

847 since the Swihart trade.

[Slasher9]

Maybe Cora just had a revelation and came to his senses.

 

In all fairness CP, then Cora sounds like a dummy.

“He’s not ready to play at MLB level yet”

Next day: he’s the starting 2bman vs the division leader.

To me? That SCREAMS disconnect between Cora and DD

[mvp 78]

In all fairness CP, then Cora sounds like a dummy.

“He’s not ready to play at MLB level yet”

Next day: he’s the starting 2bman vs the division leader.

To me? That SCREAMS disconnect between Cora and DD

 

It screams "he's not ready, but is better than our other options so why not give it a shot" to me. But what do I know? I'm only right the vast majority of the time.

[a700hitter]

In all fairness CP, then Cora sounds like a dummy.

“He’s not ready to play at MLB level yet”

Next day: he’s the starting 2bman vs the division leader.

To me? That SCREAMS disconnect between Cora and DD

Maybe Cora didn’t want to get the kid’s hopes up, or maybe he wanted to motivate him to put in some extra work.

[mvp 78]

Don't know why Cora and DD have to have a 100% symbiosis and have no differing opinions.

[Slasher9]

It screams "he's not ready, but is better than our other options so why not give it a shot" to me. But what do I know? I'm only right the vast majority of the time.

 

This could very well be true and I’m fine with it. It still makes him look like a dummy tho...IMO

[Slasher9]

Don't know why Cora and DD have to have a 100% symbiosis and have no differing opinions.

 

 

They should have differing opinions. But publicly they should appear to know what is going on the next day....

[mvp 78]

They should have differing opinions. But publicly they should appear to know what is going on the next day....

 

Honestly, I think you read too much into it.