A Realistic View at 2020: Part II

[vegasbob]

And with 57 to go the Sox only trail the O's by 1 game. Looking strong. Top it off with Daniel Bard picking up a win for the Rockies.

[mvp 78]

Time to call this season for what it is.

A turd!

 

Play the youngsters and let’s see what we got. Duran, dalbec, Chavis, houck, etc.

 

Ps: hang’em Chaim - please go back to scout school and learn how to properly scout pitchers. No more Perez’s, Weber’s, etc. your rookie 2020 class of pitching signings is beyond awful! This coming offseason, please sign a pitcher with actual talent!

 

Due to his “cut payroll” mandate, he really wasn’t given anything to work with this year. Let’s see what next year’s offseason looks like.

[Larry Cook]

Due to his “cut payroll” mandate, he really wasn’t given anything to work with this year. Let’s see what next year’s offseason looks like.

 

Is the “cut payroll mandate” an excuse for signing a terrible batch of pitchers? Talent identification is paramount in his job and he just embarrassed himself this past offseason!

 

Time to see what the youngsters can do.

[Bellhorn04]

Is the “cut payroll mandate” an excuse for signing a terrible batch of pitchers?

 

Yes.

[dgalehouse]

We take you now to a conversation between long time Sox fan , Tommy Lykitis and young rising star in the Sox analytics department , Ferdie Nerdwell . Ferdie : " Hey Tommy . Long time no see ." Tommy : " Hi Ferdie . A lot has happened since we last talked to each other . " Ferdie: " Yeah . Things are looking good ." Tommy : " How so ? We got rid of a G.M. who won three straight division titles and one World Series , and replaced him with a small market upstart who has never won anything ." Ferdie : " It's not about winning . Like I told Mr. Kennedy , Dombrowski had to go . He literally decimated the farm . Not only that , but he didn't work well with the rest of us in management . Why , he didn't even return my e-mails . Mr. Bloom cares about the farm . And he is a much better communicator . And he can work magic . I call him " The Magic Man " . I think he likes that ." Tommy : The magic man ? That sounds like ass kissing . The only thing he has done so far is trade the best player we have produced in years . " Ferdie : " Like I told Mr. Bloom , Mookie is too expensive . He needs to be dealt . It's not about great players . It's about the farm . And the reset . And youth . Youth is our future ." Tommy : " If it's about youth , why did we fire a young , successful manager like Cora , and replace with a tired veteran war horse like Roenicke ?" Ferdie : " I like Alex , but like I told Mr. Werner , Alex got jammed up , so he had to go . And the manager doesn't matter anyway . Me and my brother Harold will give Ron the same instructions , er I mean suggestions , that we gave Alex . It's all good ." Tommy : " Good luck with this season , Ferdie . " Ferdie : " It's not about luck . It's not about this season . It's about the farm . And the reset . And the future . " Tommy : " Right . And magic , right Ferdie ?" Ferdie : " Right Tommy. Now you are starting to get it ." Tommy: " See you later, Ferdie . " Edited July 26, 2020 by dgalehouse

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Due to his “cut payroll” mandate, he really wasn’t given anything to work with this year. Let’s see what next year’s offseason looks like.

 

It will hard to believe -- especially after this sprint summer (if it even finishes), with MLB clubs losing kajillions of dollars -- that the Boston Red Sox won't try to make a splash next winter to try to sell tickets. And we all know instant improvement doesn't happen by stockpiling prospects, because even really good ones take a few years to develop.

 

So if they're not going to exceed their limits on a long-term Cole or Betts, the only other way Bloom can get MLB-ready talent is to exchange it. If the Sox do tank -- or just stank -- expect major trades where not one single player in the organization is untouchable.

[Bellhorn04]

So if they're not going to exceed their limits on a long-term Cole or Betts, the only other way Bloom can get MLB-ready talent is to exchange it. If the Sox do tank -- or just stank -- expect major trades where not one single player in the organization is untouchable.

 

There's no need to trade Bogey or Devers, of course.

[jacksonianmarch]

If you’re going to reset and punt a season it is best to punt a 60 game, shortened, potentially shut down season, right? Now that games have started, the season will count and the Sox reset will be complete

[Bellhorn04]

We take you now to a conversation between long time Sox fan , Tommy Lykitis and young rising star in the Sox analytics department , Ferdie Nerdwell . Ferdie : " Hey Tommy . Long time no see ." Tommy : " Hi Ferdie . A lot has happened since we last talked to each other . " Ferdie: " Yeah . Things are looking good ." Tommy : " How so ? We got rid of a G.M. who won three straight division titles and one World Series , and replaced him with a small market upstart who has never won anything ." Ferdie : " It's not about winning . Like I told Mr. Kennedy , Dombrowski had to go . He literally decimated the farm . Not only that , but he didn't work well with the rest of us in management . Why , he didn't even return my e-mails . Mr. Bloom cares about the farm . And he is a much better communicator . And he can work magic . I call him " The Magic Man " . I think he likes that ." Tommy : The magic man ? That sounds like ass kissing . The only thing he has done so far is trade the best player we have produced in years . " Ferdie : " Like I told Mr. Bloom , Mookie is too expensive . He needs to be dealt . It's not about great players . It's about the farm . And the reset . And youth . Youth is our future ." Tommy : " If it's about youth , why did we fire a young , successful manager like Cora , and replace with a tired veteran war horse like Roenicke ?" Ferdie : " I like Alex , but like I told Mr. Werner , Alex got jammed up , so he had to go . And the manager doesn't matter anyway . Me and my brother Harold will give Ron the same instructions , er I mean suggestions , that we gave Alex . It's all good ." Tommy : " Good luck with this season , Ferdie . " Ferdie : " It's not about luck . It's not about this season . It's about the farm . And the reset . And the future . " Tommy : " Right . And magic , right Ferdie ?" Ferdie : " Right Tommy. Now you are starting to get it ." Tommy: " See you later, Ferdie . "

 

And we're 1-2 in the Bloom era.

 

We should probably give him a bit of a chance.

 

Wouldn't mind seeing Cora back next year, I hope that's on the table.

[mvp 78]

If you’re going to reset and punt a season it is best to punt a 60 game, shortened, potentially shut down season, right? Now that games have started, the season will count and the Sox reset will be complete

 

Nope.

 

They won’t reap the reward of that if COVID-19 derails the season, according to the Boston Globe’s Alex Speier. The full schedule must be played, or else things revert to 2019, where the Red Sox spent beyond the highest luxury tax ceiling.

[mvp 78]

For the 2020 campaign to count for logging luxury-tax years, it must continue beyond the August 31 trade deadline. In the event of a midseason cancellation prior to that time, the Sox will remain in the penalty box. Should MLB find a way to keep its contests going into September (and hopefully beyond), then the Red Sox’s record of excess spending will be expunged in advance of the 2020-21 offseason.

 

[Maxbialystock]

Sox look just as bad as we thought they would be. The pitching situation this season was irremediable the moment it collapsed last season. No fault lies with the current GM or with the owner. Blame lies with DD.

[Bellhorn04]

Sox look just as bad as we thought they would be. The pitching situation this season was irremediable the moment it collapsed last season. No fault lies with the current GM or with the owner. Blame lies with DD.

 

"Irremediable" is an excellent word, Max.

[mvp 78]

Sox look just as bad as we thought they would be. The pitching situation this season was irremediable the moment it collapsed last season. No fault lies with the current GM or with the owner. Blame lies with DD.

 

Hard disagree.

[Larry Cook]

We take you now to a conversation between long time Sox fan , Tommy Lykitis and young rising star in the Sox analytics department , Ferdie Nerdwell . Ferdie : " Hey Tommy . Long time no see ." Tommy : " Hi Ferdie . A lot has happened since we last talked to each other . " Ferdie: " Yeah . Things are looking good ." Tommy : " How so ? We got rid of a G.M. who won three straight division titles and one World Series , and replaced him with a small market upstart who has never won anything ." Ferdie : " It's not about winning . Like I told Mr. Kennedy , Dombrowski had to go . He literally decimated the farm . Not only that , but he didn't work well with the rest of us in management . Why , he didn't even return my e-mails . Mr. Bloom cares about the farm . And he is a much better communicator . And he can work magic . I call him " The Magic Man " . I think he likes that ." Tommy : The magic man ? That sounds like ass kissing . The only thing he has done so far is trade the best player we have produced in years . " Ferdie : " Like I told Mr. Bloom , Mookie is too expensive . He needs to be dealt . It's not about great players . It's about the farm . And the reset . And youth . Youth is our future ." Tommy : " If it's about youth , why did we fire a young , successful manager like Cora , and replace with a tired veteran war horse like Roenicke ?" Ferdie : " I like Alex , but like I told Mr. Werner , Alex got jammed up , so he had to go . And the manager doesn't matter anyway . Me and my brother Harold will give Ron the same instructions , er I mean suggestions , that we gave Alex . It's all good ." Tommy : " Good luck with this season , Ferdie . " Ferdie : " It's not about luck . It's not about this season . It's about the farm . And the reset . And the future . " Tommy : " Right . And magic , right Ferdie ?" Ferdie : " Right Tommy. Now you are starting to get it ." Tommy: " See you later, Ferdie . "

 

Last time I looked, desperate Dave had run off the brightest and best in our baseball operations and analytics department. All we have left in those departments are a bunch of ancient deadbeat underachievers working on an old 386 computer. These guys have no clue even on a good day and lord knows they have not seen any good days in the 2000’s!

[dgalehouse]

Last time I looked, desperate Dave had run off the brightest and best in our baseball operations and analytics department. All we have left in those departments are a bunch of ancient deadbeat underachievers working on an old 386 computer. These guys have no clue even on a good day and lord knows they have not seen any good days in the 2000’s!

 

There have a lot of good days in the past four years . Let's hope there are a few in the next four.

[Larry Cook]

There have a lot of good days in the past four years . Let's hope there are a few in the next four.

 

Literally everyone of value in the baseball operations and analytics department that contributed anything to our past success over those four years has been run off by desperate Dave!

 

Hang’em Chaim is literally starting from scratch and he appears to be completely devoid of any scouting ability when it comes to starting pitching!

 

Maybe my decade prediction was a bit overly aggressive!

[Bellhorn04]

Hang’em Chaim is literally starting from scratch and he appears to be completely devoid of any scouting ability when it comes to starting pitching!

 

Isn't that a tiny bit premature?

[Larry Cook]

Isn't that a tiny bit premature?

 

Yes, probably! I hope I am wrong!

[mvp 78]

Red Sox claim Robert Stock off waivers from the Phillies, the team just announced. Stock had a 10.13 ERA in just 10 innings last year, but was more effective the year before: 2.50 ERA in 39 2/3 innings, totaling 38 strikeouts. Big arm.

[a700hitter]

Red Sox claim Robert Stock off waivers from the Phillies, the team just announced. Stock had a 10.13 ERA in just 10 innings last year, but was more effective the year before: 2.50 ERA in 39 2/3 innings, totaling 38 strikeouts. Big arm.

Does Bloom wait for garbage day to go riding around in his SUV looking Pitchers with 4 limbs?

[dgalehouse]

Some of these pitching acquisitions should at least come with a BOGO offer.

[mvp 78]

Some of these pitching acquisitions should at least come with a BOGO offer.

 

I love BOGO

[dgalehouse]

Anyone else notice that without the crowd , the announcers have a hard time judging the fly out / home run balls ?

[illinoisredsox]

Anyone else notice that without the crowd , the announcers have a hard time judging the fly out / home run balls ?

 

Not surprising since they are not physically at Fenway, but in the NESN studios. They probably don’t see a lot more than we do, and unlike us, they are not used to judging things from the sound of a tv feed.

[Larry Cook]

Does Bloom wait for garbage day to go riding around in his SUV looking Pitchers with 4 limbs?

 

If bloom turns over enough rocks, eventually he thinks he is going to find a diamond?

 

Isn’t that how we found Ortiz?

[a700hitter]

If bloom turns over enough rocks, eventually he thinks he is going to find a diamond?

 

Isn’t that how we found Ortiz?

Pedro called Theo and said that Ortiz can hit. He wasn’t a washed up bum.

[Larry Cook]

Pedro called Theo and said that Ortiz can hit. He wasn’t a washed up bum.

 

Maybe one of our current players can help uncover a gem pitcher than has been released!

 

Lord knows hang’em Chaim is worse than ray Charles when it comes evaluating pitching talent from film!

[jacksonianmarch]

For the 2020 campaign to count for logging luxury-tax years, it must continue beyond the August 31 trade deadline. In the event of a midseason cancellation prior to that time, the Sox will remain in the penalty box. Should MLB find a way to keep its contests going into September (and hopefully beyond), then the Red Sox’s record of excess spending will be expunged in advance of the 2020-21 offseason.

 

 

I don’t expect the season to have the plug pulled, beyond a major player complication like ERod, until the fall. My concern is that the playoffs won’t get off the ground

[jacksonianmarch]

3 games in and you guys wanna blow it up. I get it, don’t get me wrong, but if the conviction going into the season was to ride it out, then it’s too early to blow it up.

 

But if you were to blow it up, you’ve lost your best trade chip. ERod was your best trade chip and now that his heart is damaged (even if it’s not permanent, crossing fingers), he’s not tradeable for 2020.

 

Workman would be a great trade chip, but you’re assuming he’s going to be a dominant force and worthy of a trade. His track record coming into 2019 was not good, so he needs to prove he’s not a flash in the pan. If he isn’t, then he should return a pretty high ransom. Relievers in this sprint season will be very valuable, so I’d expect a few good prospects or maybe even a top 100 in return to restock the farm.

 

Barnes needs to prove 2019 was a fluke. If he is crushing it at deadline time, dealing him would make tons of sense and should rebuild the farm.

 

JD is a big time trade chip, although he comes with the uncertainty that he’d opt out, so teams looking for 2 more years of control would be wary of offering a lot.

 

JBJ has a good first two games, but he’s going to need to stay relatively hot (for him) to be worth more than a flier by Aug 31.