A Realistic View at 2019: Part I

[FredLynn]

He’s been better than expected, but there could be an upheaval in the infield for 2020 that leaves his position to be determined. And apparently, in the case of Chavis, that includes the possibility of outfield.

 

In fact, I wouldn’t rule out outfield for him in 2019...

 

Chavis at 2B is much better than Devers at 3B defensively. Devers is still playing despite his defensive liability; Chavis isn't going anywhere as long as he continue to hit and is better than Devers in the field.

[mvp 78]

Chavis at 2B is much better than Devers at 3B defensively. Devers is still playing despite his defensive liability; Chavis isn't going anywhere as long as he continue to hit and is better than Devers in the field.

 

Nope.

[Bellhorn04]

Also, this is the team that signed Pablo for his WS heroics and marketability. How much are those panda hats going for on Ebay now?

 

I don't think Steve Pearce merchandise is a big seller either.

[Maxbialystock]

While I do appreciate all the insights into specific players, I think arguing about, say JBJ or Chavis or Pearce or whoever, can lose sight of the bigger picture, which is--

 

The Sox hitting is vastly improved--now ranked 4th in runs scored and rbi's, 10th in OPS, 4th in OBP, and 13th in dingers.

 

Pitching is also improving, now 18th--up from 29th--in ERA, despite the near term absence of Price and Eovaldi and the season long absence of Kimbrel and Kelly.

 

The Sox, after a 6-13 start, are now 3 games over .500 and have won 5 in a row.

 

I think that last factoid is important because I keep reading on talksox about how really terrible the Sox defense is. Chavis can't play 2b, Devers is an error machine at 3b, JDM is still sometimes allowed to butcher every play in RF or LF, the great JBJ is being benched now and then and is badly, badly, badly missed, etc. Thus the Sox have 26 errors in 41 games--awful!!!!. And, of course, we all know that defense, not hitting or pitching-- is how you win games.

[mvp 78]

I don't think Steve Pearce merchandise is a big seller either.

 

Terrible marketing job by the Sox, honestly.

[mvp 78]

While I do appreciate all the insights into specific players, I think arguing about, say JBJ or Chavis or Pearce or whoever, can lose sight of the bigger picture, which is--

 

The Sox hitting is vastly improved--now ranked 4th in runs scored and rbi's, 10th in OPS, 4th in OBP, and 13th in dingers.

 

Pitching is also improving, now 18th--up from 29th--in ERA, despite the near term absence of Price and Eovaldi and the season long absence of Kimbrel and Kelly.

 

The Sox, after a 6-13 start, are now 3 games over .500 and have won 5 in a row.

 

I think that last factoid is important because I keep reading on talksox about how really terrible the Sox defense is. Chavis can't play 2b, Devers is an error machine at 3b, JDM is still sometimes allowed to butcher every play in RF or LF, the great JBJ is being benched now and then and is badly, badly, badly missed, etc. Thus the Sox have 26 errors in 41 games--awful!!!!. And, of course, we all know that defense, not hitting or pitching-- is how you win games.

 

There always needs to be something to bitch about.

[cp176]

While I do appreciate all the insights into specific players, I think arguing about, say JBJ or Chavis or Pearce or whoever, can lose sight of the bigger picture, which is--

 

The Sox hitting is vastly improved--now ranked 4th in runs scored and rbi's, 10th in OPS, 4th in OBP, and 13th in dingers.

 

Pitching is also improving, now 18th--up from 29th--in ERA, despite the near term absence of Price and Eovaldi and the season long absence of Kimbrel and Kelly.

 

The Sox, after a 6-13 start, are now 3 games over .500 and have won 5 in a row.

 

I think that last factoid is important because I keep reading on talksox about how really terrible the Sox defense is. Chavis can't play 2b, Devers is an error machine at 3b, JDM is still sometimes allowed to butcher every play in RF or LF, the great JBJ is being benched now and then and is badly, badly, badly missed, etc. Thus the Sox have 26 errors in 41 games--awful!!!!. And, of course, we all know that defense, not hitting or pitching-- is how you win games.

 

Having watched the games, none of the players that you mentioned are incapable of doing the jobs that they have been asked to do. I clearly do not see what others are seeing.

[Maxbialystock]

There always needs to be something to bitch about.

 

I'm being facetious, of course. I don't think the defense is all that bad--average at worst, in fact. Thus I am fine when Chavis plays 2b to get his bat in the lineup and when Cora puts JDM in RF or LF in order to take JBJ out. Someone, Kimmi, I think, pointed out that Devers range is actually pretty decent--despite the errors.

 

And right now I'm even fine with JBJ playing, bad as his hitting is, because usually there are still 8 pretty good bats in there--Beni, Betts, JDM, Moreland, Bogie, Devers, Chavis, and Vazquez.

 

I believe strongly that hitting and pitching win games--defense only sometimes/

[jacksonianmarch]

Right now Chavis is a better defensive 2d baseman than Nunez, who cannot go back for popups with any degree of confidence. So far, I don't think his range is a plus and do agree his GIDP throws to 1b need work, but he is usable at 2b and his bat has helped a ton. Chavis at 1b allows Devers to stay at 3b and Moreland/Pearce at 1b.

 

You could be right about Chavis cooling off, but right now he is huge.

 

And there ain't no cavalry this year. Certainly not Nunez or Pedey. Maybe Holt with the lefty bat, but he doesn't normally play every day.

 

I am looking at Holt as "cavalry". He will be the LH platoon mate for someone, be it Nunez or Chavis. If Pearce doesn't get it started soon, he will be jettisoned for someone with versatility or speed off the bench. Pearce used to have versatility, but he is mostly a 1b/DH type who isn't hitting and doesn't play a great 1b. If Pearce goes and Holt and Nunez come back, you have Chavis be the RH part of a platoon at 1b which gets him into 30% of the games. Then he rotates into 3b/2b/DH to get guys rest vs RHP. This would get him into maybe 50-60% of the games and will keep guys like JD and all the OFers fresh (Chavis goes to DH, JD to OF, one of the 3 OFers rests). When the next injury comes, he goes back to full time duties as does everyone else. Right now, he doesn't come out. You ride him til he misses. Once he cools off and guys return, then I assume he'd be used as above

[mvp 78]

I'm being facetious, of course. I don't think the defense is all that bad--average at worst, in fact. Thus I am fine when Chavis plays 2b to get his bat in the lineup and when Cora puts JDM in RF or LF in order to take JBJ out. Someone, Kimmi, I think, pointed out that Devers range is actually pretty decent--despite the errors.

 

And right now I'm even fine with JBJ playing, bad as his hitting is, because usually there are still 8 pretty good bats in there--Beni, Betts, JDM, Moreland, Bogie, Devers, Chavis, and Vazquez.

 

I believe strongly that hitting and pitching win games--defense only sometimes/

 

The best lineup right now includes JDM, Chavis, Devers, Moreland and JBJ. Until there is a reasonable change at 2b to be made, I just don't see what messing with the lineup can bring them.

[mvp 78]

I am looking at Holt as "cavalry". He will be the LH platoon mate for someone, be it Nunez or Chavis. If Pearce doesn't get it started soon, he will be jettisoned for someone with versatility or speed off the bench. Pearce used to have versatility, but he is mostly a 1b/DH type who isn't hitting and doesn't play a great 1b. If Pearce goes and Holt and Nunez come back, you have Chavis be the RH part of a platoon at 1b which gets him into 30% of the games. Then he rotates into 3b/2b/DH to get guys rest vs RHP. This would get him into maybe 50-60% of the games and will keep guys like JD and all the OFers fresh (Chavis goes to DH, JD to OF, one of the 3 OFers rests). When the next injury comes, he goes back to full time duties as does everyone else. Right now, he doesn't come out. You ride him til he misses. Once he cools off and guys return, then I assume he'd be used as above

 

I'm not sure Chavis needs a LH platoon as he doesn't have a history of a huge split. Until he struggles against RHP, there's no reason to platoon him.

[notin]

I'm not sure Chavis needs a LH platoon as he doesn't have a history of a huge split. Until he struggles against RHP, there's no reason to platoon him.

 

 

Especially not with the offensive struggles on the Sox bench...

[mvp 78]

Especially not with the offensive struggles on the Sox bench...

 

Exactly. There's just no reasonable explanation to bench JBJ or even platoon Chavis right now.

[Slasher9]

And, of course, we all know that defense, not hitting or pitching-- is how you win games.

 

you are sort of correct.

pitching is part of defense. so pitching + fielding = W's.

hitting is what chicks dig.

[Slasher9]

I'm not sure Chavis needs a LH platoon as he doesn't have a history of a huge split. Until he struggles against RHP, there's no reason to platoon him.

 

agreed. there is no other option at 2b right now. maybe when Holt can see again he can get some AB's vs RHP. Chavis may get some games at DH while JD rotates with Beni / JBj / Betts days off...

[vegasbob]

Especially not with the offensive struggles on the Sox bench...

 

In a 13 pitcher scenario ( 5+ inning starters) , the Red Sox bench is well worth noting. Pearce, Nunez and Leon . Holt in the wings, coming off a long rest after a terrible start to his season. Pedroia is truly stuck in no man's land with his balky knee and is one positional, unlike Nunez. Who else is waiting and staying ready ; Lin or Sam Travis ? These same guys contributed to a record WS winning season in 2018, but a year older , fatter and no further development of the young guys, except Chavis. Hard to see the Red Sox going real deep with the current bench players.

[moonslav59]

Nunez has a positive dWAR in all OF positions though? Holt has a negative dWAR in CF and LF.

 

Nunez is hobbled.

[moonslav59]

Calling him a second baseman is an affront to second basemen past and present. He is playing there because there’s no other place to put him and his offense warrants a spot in the lineup. Once the league adjusts to him and his huge swing, and once the cavalry returns, my guess is you’ll see him slot in as a stalwart vs lefty pitching and a PHer or random 2b/3b/1b for rest purposes. His presence makes the Steve Pearce singing look rather stupid in retrospect and his presence may cost Pearce a spot

 

For 2020, it’s very simple. Chavis, right now, will be your starting 1b on opening day 2020. You can save the $13 mil and reinvest it elsewhere.

 

Key words: "right now."

[moonslav59]

I am looking at Holt as "cavalry". He will be the LH platoon mate for someone, be it Nunez or Chavis. If Pearce doesn't get it started soon, he will be jettisoned for someone with versatility or speed off the bench. Pearce used to have versatility, but he is mostly a 1b/DH type who isn't hitting and doesn't play a great 1b. If Pearce goes and Holt and Nunez come back, you have Chavis be the RH part of a platoon at 1b which gets him into 30% of the games. Then he rotates into 3b/2b/DH to get guys rest vs RHP. This would get him into maybe 50-60% of the games and will keep guys like JD and all the OFers fresh (Chavis goes to DH, JD to OF, one of the 3 OFers rests). When the next injury comes, he goes back to full time duties as does everyone else. Right now, he doesn't come out. You ride him til he misses. Once he cools off and guys return, then I assume he'd be used as above

 

Forget the platoon talk with Holt. His career splits are almost identical.

[mvp 78]

Nunez is hobbled.

 

Wow, rude!

[moonslav59]

Wow, rude!

 

Truth.

 

The guy can't hardly move. (He DH'd yesterday as Chavis played 2B, so there's the proof.)

[Kimmi]

Have you seen brewer and Thornburg pitch? They are uglier than a Steinbrenner family reunion on Halloween!

 

I'm still holding out hope for both Brewer and Thornburg.

 

Also, our pen is currently ranked 9th overall in MLB. Last year, we were 12th.

[moonslav59]

I'm still holding out hope for both Brewer and Thornburg.

 

Also, our pen is currently ranked 9th overall in MLB. Last year, we were 12th.

 

It's not like we have obvious better choices, but I'm at my last straw with both of them. I'd probably have already cut both, but if they have 1 or 2 more bad outings in their next 2-3 appearances, I'll be calling for their DFA.

[d-money]

Can’t wait for the stros series. I think that series will tell us a lot about this team right now. The stros are hitting on all cylinders.

[Station 13]

Can’t wait for the stros series. I think that series will tell us a lot about this team right now. The stros are hitting on all cylinders.

 

So 1% of the schedule will tell us something about this team that you didn't already knew?

[d-money]

So 1% of the schedule will tell us something about this team that you didn't already knew?

 

We are a good team but we have been beating on the sisters of the poor. Stros are a World Series contender.

[Nick]

you are sort of correct.

pitching is part of defense. so pitching + fielding = W's.

hitting is what chicks dig.

not true....chicks dig long ball...

[Thunder]

not true....chicks dig long ball...

 

This is true. Everybody is taught to hit dingers so they can look into the bleachers when they round the bases

[Thunder]

Can’t wait for the stros series. I think that series will tell us a lot about this team right now. The stros are hitting on all cylinders.

 

I feel like this has been posted (by you) in like 5 different threads

[moonslav59]

At times, the 'Stros looked unbeatable, last year- as did the Yanks.

 

We're looking good, now, and I'm not worried.