A Realistic View at 2020: Part II

[Kimmi]

There are issues with being able to construct and maintain a minor league program capable of feeding the major league team with a few good players each year. The main issue that I see is the draft choices successful teams acquire are later selections. That means the selectors must be wise and the development team must be first class. It also means that clubs avoid trading away top prospects without getting great value in return. Finally, it should be a goal to avoid further penalties associated with the competitive balance tax. It comes down to having a high quality management.

 

Luck also plays a part. Sore arms, illnesses and bouncing balls can change the fortune of a team, but a sound approach should provide the best result overall. Forgive my use of bolded print as it is easier for me to read these days.

 

Well said Oldtimer. You bring up a good point that I think sometimes gets overlooked, that it's not just the drafting, but it's also the development. Emotional and mental development along with physical development. And yes, luck plays a big part in whether prospects pan out or not.

[Kimmi]

I also believe Pedey's contract was unwise, although he was well loved by the fans. When sentimentality gets involved, better opportunities are lost. A club can't be as successful when management tosses away budget room on a bad bet.

 

I liked Pedroia's contract at the time it was signed. But here is just another example in the long line of examples of long contracts that end up hurting the team. Sure, the Sox can and are absorbing that money. But wouldn't it be nice to have the extra resource?

[Kimmi]

How about what's to come next? How many position players from the '18 champs will still be Red Sox in '21? I'd say only Devers and Bogaerts are sure bets...

 

Cliff? Did somebody say cliff?

 

{Ducks}

[Bellhorn04]

Cliff? Did somebody say cliff?

 

{Ducks}

 

If Bloom turns out to be a really good one, as I'm hopeful he will (and I know you are too), John Henry and the franchise will be golden again.

[moonslav59]

If Bloom turns out to be a really good one, as I'm hopeful he will (and I know you are too), John Henry and the franchise will be golden again.

 

Exactly...

 

Right after the cliff of 2019-2020 (hopefully not 2021).

[jad]

Holy Crap!! I'm watching them LIVE! It's a miracle.

 

(But the 'no-spitting' policy clearly isn't being enforced.

Edited July 22, 2020 by jad

[Bellhorn04]

Exactly...

 

Right after the cliff of 2019-2020 (hopefully not 2021).

 

And 2019 wasn't a cliff, just a year where everything went wrong.

[Nick]

And 2019 wasn't a cliff, just a year where everything went wrong.

 

On paper, we had one of the best starting rotations.

[Bellhorn04]

On paper, we had one of the best starting rotations.

 

One of the best lineups, too. We were given a good chance to repeat.

[mvp 78]

And 2019 wasn't a cliff, just a year where everything went wrong.

 

Gotta keep that narrative going somehow!

[Kimmi]

If Bloom turns out to be a really good one, as I'm hopeful he will (and I know you are too), John Henry and the franchise will be golden again.

 

I am hopeful. Excited, actually.

[Kimmi]

And 2019 wasn't a cliff, just a year where everything went wrong.

 

I agree.

[Tedballgame]

Braiser sucks. Barnes sucks. The bullpen sucks.

[mvp 78]

Braiser sucks. Workman sucks. The bullpen sucks.

 

Workman was a 2 fWAR guy last year out of the bullpen. That's how good he was. Maybe he'll never be that good again, but it's hard to say he "sucks."

[Tedballgame]

Workman was a 2 fWAR guy last year out of the bullpen. That's how good he was. Maybe he'll never be that good again, but it's hard to say he "sucks."

 

I meant Barnes and I edited the post. LOL

[a700hitter]

Brasier is a semi-pro, independent league type. He got in a good groove for 1 season and the Red Sox benefited from it. As I said earlier, he's well past his expiration date. Workman had his career season last year and I would not expect a repeat. Barnes has been deteriorating for a while. The whole staff looks like a horror show --3 legitimate MLB starters and potluck followed up by a parade of pigs from the pen.

[Kimmi]

Roenicke really likes the idea of JD in the #2 hole. He's been paying attention.

 

Hopefully, he won't bat Devers 3rd.

[oldtimer]

Roenicke really likes the idea of JD in the #2 hole. He's been paying attention.

 

Hopefully, he won't bat Devers 3rd.

 

Isn't the idea he espoused was to break up the two lefties hitting back to back but inserting JD in between? If so, he is thinking of Devers 3rd. Don't worry, if it doesn't work Roenicke will make a change. If we are not in a competitive position after 30 games, I would hope the Sox make changes like experimenting with younger talent and offloading guys who have underperformed. JBJ comes to mind and some of our pitching staff.

[Kimmi]

Isn't the idea he espoused was to break up the two lefties hitting back to back but inserting JD in between? If so, he is thinking of Devers 3rd. Don't worry, if it doesn't work Roenicke will make a change. If we are not in a competitive position after 30 games, I would hope the Sox make changes like experimenting with younger talent and offloading guys who have underperformed. JBJ comes to mind and some of our pitching staff.

 

Yes, that is exactly what Roenicke is thinking, which is a big reason why he put JD 2nd. I'm okay with that. I would prefer Devers and JD in the 2nd and 4th spots, in either order, but I'm okay with what he's going with. As you said, there will likely be changes in the lineup throughout the short season.

[oldtimer]

Yes, that is exactly what Roenicke is thinking, which is a big reason why he put JD 2nd. I'm okay with that. I would prefer Devers and JD in the 2nd and 4th spots, in either order, but I'm okay with what he's going with. As you said, there will likely be changes in the lineup throughout the short season.

 

The only other candidate for 2nd in the order is Bogey. Not such a bad choice either.

[Kimmi]

The only other candidate for 2nd in the order is Bogey. Not such a bad choice either.

 

We hope to have a good enough line up that it doesn't matter who bats where in the top 5. (Not that it matters a whole lot to begin with.)

[jad]

OK. Speculation is over. The season has officially begun. And ok ok, Fauci's pitch may have been just a bit low and away. But this guy? I think you gotta give him that call!

 

https://www.nj.com/yankees/2020/07/watch-dr-anthony-fauci-throws-wild-1st-pitch-before-yankees-nationals-on-opening-day.html

[devildavid]

Cliff? Did somebody say cliff?

 

{Ducks}

 

It is worse than a cliff. The golden years are over. It was sweet while it lasted. Time to get comfortable with consistent mediocrity.

[mvp 78]

It is worse than a cliff. The golden years are over. It was sweet while it lasted. Time to get comfortable with consistent mediocrity.

 

Yup. 108 wins two years ago. Mediocre last year so we’ll always be mediocre going forward. Good analysis.

[a700hitter]

ERod is out again. By time he gets back to full strength, the race will be over for the Red Sox. Although if 16 teams will make the playoffs, teams with under .500 records will be in the hunt.

[moonslav59]

And 2019 wasn't a cliff, just a year where everything went wrong.

 

It shouldn't have been a cliff, but man, it felt like one.

[a700hitter]

And 2019 wasn't a cliff, just a year where everything went wrong.

The Cliff was Cora's ill-conceived Spring Training preparation for the pitching staff.

[notin]

It shouldn't have been a cliff, but man, it felt like one.

 

It felt like they could just never get going...

[mvp 78]

It shouldn't have been a cliff, but man, it felt like one.

 

3rd place in the division and above .500. What a cliff!!!!

[a700hitter]

The Puig situation is a novel one. The Braves signed him and it was contingent upon him testing negative for COVID?