A Realistic View at 2021: Part II

[Nick]

Great in depth piece on Matt Barnes on Overthemonster...snipet

 

In addition to simplifying his offerings and executing a straightforward yet effective game plan, Barnes also is working efficiently, wasting very little time in taking it right to hitters. According to FanGraphs, he has thrown a a strike on his first pitch to every batter he has faced this season. It’s not just starting with a strike. Whether by getting batters to chase or hitting the zone, Barnes isn’t giving opposing batters any time to relax throughout each plate appearance. He has reached a three-ball count only once and has gotten 17 batters combined into either 0-2 or 1-2 counts.

 

I usually look at walk numbers......guys that walk hitters will end up struggling...

[Maxbialystock]

Great in depth piece on Matt Barnes on Overthemonster...snipet

 

In addition to simplifying his offerings and executing a straightforward yet effective game plan, Barnes also is working efficiently, wasting very little time in taking it right to hitters. According to FanGraphs, he has thrown a a strike on his first pitch to every batter he has faced this season. It’s not just starting with a strike. Whether by getting batters to chase or hitting the zone, Barnes isn’t giving opposing batters any time to relax throughout each plate appearance. He has reached a three-ball count only once and has gotten 17 batters combined into either 0-2 or 1-2 counts.

 

I usually look at walk numbers......guys that walk hitters will end up struggling...

 

Thanks.

[moonslav59]

Your breakdowns of "how we spend large" are intriguing -- and what happens will go a long way in defining the new big-market Bloom. I just can't get on board yet with any guarantees of Sox spending based on past GMs; not when the next extension or contract for more than 2 years here will be Bloom's first. I'm not down on most of his acquisitions of position players for the Sox (though the musical chairs outfield doesn't thrill), but believing is seeing...

 

We have a lot of one year signings and a few options for the second year, plus some free-agents-to be.

 

We are currently testing Dalbec and Cordero as possible longer term solutions at 1B and CF/LF. We are also testing, or will again, Houck and a few other RP'ers as well as Pivetta. We may end up testing Arauz, Downs, Duran, Casas, Seabold and others, this summer. We could have __ open slots next year or up to ___ open slots. That will go a long way in determining if we spend large on player or 8+. (I do think we spend large, this winter, no matter what. Just my opinion.)

 

C- Vaz & Plawecki (Hernandez & Wong) No open slot here, but Vaz & Plaw are both FAs after '22.

1B- Dalbec or __FA____ (Devers from 3B? Casas? Chavis- outside chance?)

2B- EHern, Arroyo, Downs, Arauz, Chavis (I doubt we go outside the system for a 2Bman, this winter)

3B- Devers (to 1B?), Dalbec? or __FA___? (not 1B & 3B)

SS- Bogey (Arroyo) (May opt out after '22, so could be a worry)

LF- Cordero? (CF?), Renfroe (Chavis?) I doubt we sign a FA here.

CF- Cordero? (LF?), Duran? or ___FA___? (maybe just a 4th OF'er/CF'er)

RF- Verdugo (solid) No FA, here.

DH- JD (FA after '22/ trade at deadline. if out of it?), Dalbec/Casas?

SP-Richards and Perez have options and ERod is a FA. Eovaldi is a FA after '22.

____FA___ (ace type) and ____FA____ (4th starter type) are likely

RP- Barnes and Ottavino are FAs. This is an extreme high need area. Andriese has an option.

___FA___ (closer), ___FA___ (top set up) and ___FA___ (depth)

 

I see 5-8 high need areas, depending on what we find out this season.

 

If it's 5 (hopefully), we can go pretty large at each slot and have a very competitive team in 2022.

 

If we need 8, we might struggle to be highly competitive, but we should still get way better.

 

Some of the departing players will be hard to replace (ERod, Barnes & Ottavino), but some are not (Pedey, Marwin and maybe option players like Richards, Perez and Andriese.)

 

If we have $80+M to spend, it shouldn't be that hard to improve on what we lose, and we may bring ERod & Barnes back.

Edited April 13, 2021 by moonslav59

[Maxbialystock]

We have a lot of one year signings and a few options for the second year, plus some free-agents-to be.

 

We are currently testing Dalbec and Cordero as possible longer term solutions at 1B and CF/LF. We are also testing, or will again, Houck and a few other RP'ers as well as Pivetta. We may end up testing Arauz, Downs, Duran, Casas, Seabold and others, this summer. We could have __ open slots next year or up to ___ open slots. That will go a long way in determining if we spend large on player or 8+. (I do think we spend large, this winter, no matter what. Just my opinion.)

 

C- Vaz & Plawecki (Hernandez & Wong) No open slot here, but Vaz & Plaw are both FAs after '22.

1B- Dalbec or __FA____ (Devers from 3B? Casas? Chavis- outside chance?)

2B- EHern, Arroyo, Downs, Arauz, Chavis (I doubt we go outside the system for a 2Bman, this winter)

3B- Devers (to 1B?), Dalbec? or __FA___? (not 1B & 3B)

SS- Bogey (Arroyo) (May opt out after '22, so could be a worry)

LF- Cordero? (CF?), Renfroe (Chavis?) I doubt we sign a FA here.

CF- Cordero? (LF?), Duran? or ___FA___? (maybe just a 4th OF'er/CF'er)

RF- Verdugo (solid) No FA, here.

DH- JD (FA after '22/ trade at deadline. if out of it?), Dalbec/Casas?

SP-Richards and Perez have options and ERod is a FA. Eovaldi is a FA after '22.

____FA___ (ace type) and ____FA____ (4th starter type) are likely

RP- Barnes and Ottavino are FAs. This is an extreme high need area. Andriese has an option.

___FA___ (closer), ___FA___ (top set up) and ___FA___ (depth)

 

I see 5-8 high need areas, depending on what we find out this season.

 

If it's 5 (hopefully), we can go pretty large at each slot and have a very competitive team in 2022.

 

If we need 8, we might struggle to be highly competitive, but we should still get way better.

 

Some of the departing players will be hard to replace (ERod, Barnes & Ottavino), but some are not (Pedey, Marwin and maybe option players like Richards, Perez and Andriese.)

 

If we have $80+M to spend, it shouldn't be that hard to improve on what we lose, and we may bring ERod & Barnes back.

 

Heavy on the "realistic," but pretty light on the "view" of ongoing 2021. But that's fine. There are abundant other opportunities to go into great detail about what is happening game to game.

[moonslav59]

Heavy on the "realistic," but pretty light on the "view" of ongoing 2021. But that's fine. There are abundant other opportunities to go into great detail about what is happening game to game.

 

If several younger players come through, then we could need less than 5 players as "high need."

 

I'm pretty sure we'll need 4 solid pitchers: 2 SP'ers, a set up man and a closer. (2 could be ERod and Barnes returning.)

 

Even if Perez, Ottavino and Richards do well or very well, I still think we can do better for 2022 (or bring 1-2 back and add another top pitcher).

[Nick]

https://www.overthemonster.com/2021/4/12/22378342/boston-red-sox-bullpen-matt-barnes-strikeouts-closer-fastball-curveball

 

Here's the link to Matt Barnes piece for your pitching afecionados.

[Nick]

If several younger players come through, then we could need less than 5 players as "high need."

 

I'm pretty sure we'll need 4 solid pitchers: 2 SP'ers, a set up man and a closer. (2 could be ERod and Barnes returning.)

 

Even if Perez, Ottavino and Richards do well or very well, I still think we can do better for 2022 (or bring 1-2 back and add another top pitcher).

 

I think Ottavino is too expensive, he's on third year of $24M deal (with $3M signing bonus). We may give similar contract to Matt Barnes instead. Not sure if we can afford to pay two relievers $8M apiece.

 

I still rather focus on ace type pitcher. If Richards has a good year, we can always pick up his option and trade him this winter for younger players.

 

Starting rotation of healthy Sale, Eovaldi, E Rod and an Ace, would be very competitive in the playoffs. Can we do it with Houck instead of an ace for 2022? Maybe....

[jad]

Great in depth piece on Matt Barnes on Overthemonster...snipet

 

In addition to simplifying his offerings and executing a straightforward yet effective game plan, Barnes also is working efficiently, wasting very little time in taking it right to hitters. According to FanGraphs, he has thrown a a strike on his first pitch to every batter he has faced this season. It’s not just starting with a strike. Whether by getting batters to chase or hitting the zone, Barnes isn’t giving opposing batters any time to relax throughout each plate appearance. He has reached a three-ball count only once and has gotten 17 batters combined into either 0-2 or 1-2 counts.

 

I usually look at walk numbers......guys that walk hitters will end up struggling...

 

Along with guys that let the batters rake!

[Maxbialystock]

If several younger players come through, then we could need less than 5 players as "high need."

 

I'm pretty sure we'll need 4 solid pitchers: 2 SP'ers, a set up man and a closer. (2 could be ERod and Barnes returning.)

 

Even if Perez, Ottavino and Richards do well or very well, I still think we can do better for 2022 (or bring 1-2 back and add another top pitcher).

 

Excellent forward thinking, as always. I guess my point was/is that the 2021 Sox right now don't exactly look like the wreck of the Hesperus. I mean, they just gave up 2 in the first inning and still won--their 7th straight--in a blizzard.

[moonslav59]

I think Ottavino is too expensive, he's on third year of $24M deal (with $3M signing bonus). We may give similar contract to Matt Barnes instead. Not sure if we can afford to pay two relievers $8M apiece.

 

I still rather focus on ace type pitcher. If Richards has a good year, we can always pick up his option and trade him this winter for younger players.

 

Starting rotation of healthy Sale, Eovaldi, E Rod and an Ace, would be very competitive in the playoffs. Can we do it with Houck instead of an ace for 2022? Maybe....

 

I'm all for adding an ace. Build from the top has always been my rotation building philosophy.

[moonslav59]

Yanks playing the Jays- someone has to lose.

[moonslav59]

Devers is over the 1.000 OPS mark.

 

Dalbec and Renfroe are over .500.

 

Arroyo at .750.

 

The pen went 4 IP

1 H

0 ER

2BB

2 K

 

Our starter gave us 5, again! (All but one game has seen 5 IP+ fro our SP'er!)

 

After 10 games (7-3)

 

SP

50.1 IP

45 H

24 ER (4.29 ERA)

22 BB

51 K

 

RP

43.2 IP

37 H

17 ER (3.50 ERA)

23 BB

49 K

 

WOW!!!

Edited April 13, 2021 by moonslav59

[Bellhorn04]

Could Arroyo be a real second baseman? He was Pedey-esque today.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

NESN discussion in the late innings of today's pivotal opposite-field hits -- OB: "Great hitting." Remdawg: "Great managing." Me: "Great batting coaching?"

 

Also, wondering how far Big Puppy's home run would have gone on a warm summer day... Two years I predicted that someday Rafie might actually pull one out of Fenway. My son said today he might beat the Red Seat (but I hope they don't color it yellow with blue letters). "Deverstating" is not overstating.

[moonslav59]

Could Arroyo be a real second baseman? He was Pedey-esque today.

 

His defense has always been a bit sketchy, but he's not all that old.

 

Room to improve?

 

His bat is looking nice.

 

It would free up EHern to roam positions and take some of the heat off Cordero and Renfroe batting off-handed.

 

Arroyo doing well actually squeezes Marwin the most.

[mvp 78]

NESN discussion in the late innings of today's pivotal opposite-field hits -- OB: "Great hitting." Remdawg: "Great managing." Me: "Great batting coaching?"

 

Also, wondering how far Big Puppy's home run would have gone on a warm summer day... Two years I predicted that someday Rafie might actually pull one out of Fenway. My son said today he might beat the Red Seat (but I hope they don't color it yellow with blue letters). "Deverstating" is not overstating.

 

A ball will never get hit past the red seat during a game because they keep moving it back.

[Nick]

tidbits

 

I didn't realize double headers are 7 inning games....and we still get one extra player......

 

And he's Eduard Bazardo...love that we're getting to watch some youngsters....what a great name.

 

The Japanese reliever touched 97 today. I had heard rumors that he threw hard but I saw it on telecast. (for life of me I can't spell his name)

 

Great to see Dalbec go opposite way for two doubles. He must be watching JD.

 

Barnes only threw 14 pitches to get out of 9th. Over the years I've ragged on him for throwing 25-30 pitches.

 

Our #1 and #2 hitters have not been stellar...I guess it really doesn't matter where anyone hits in the order.

 

When did Twinkies take the top off their ballpark?

[Hitch]

I didn't realize double headers are 7 inning games....and we still get one extra player......

 

That completely passed me by. Makes sense for this year. Hopefully we can get our runs early today/tonight.

[Bellhorn04]

A ball will never get hit past the red seat during a game because they keep moving it back.

 

Is this true?

[Bellhorn04]

And he's Eduard Bazardo...love that we're getting to watch some youngsters....what a great name.

 

A slight disappointment it's not Eduardo, though.

[Bellhorn04]

When did Twinkies take the top off their ballpark?

 

Yes, why did they de-dome?

 

I guess they thought their weather was getting better.

 

Nice thinking.

[notin]

Yes, why did they de-dome?

 

I guess they thought their weather was getting better.

 

Nice thinking.

 

Target Field replaced the Metrodome in 2010.

 

It should have. The dome looked like an awful place to play. The ceiling was the same color as a baseball, and flyballs/pop ups FREQUENTLY disappeared in it.

 

Also the roof of the Metrodome collapsed under the weight of Minnesota snow, also back in 2010. Fortunately it was empty at the time...

[Bellhorn04]

Target Field replaced the Metrodome in 2010.

 

It should have. The dome looked like an awful place to play. The ceiling was the same color as a baseball, and flyballs/pop ups FREQUENTLY disappeared in it.

 

Also the roof of the Metrodome collapsed under the weight of Minnesota snow, also back in 2010. Fortunately it was empty at the time...

 

No doubt the Metrodome had design issues. Doesn't mean they couldn't be improved on.

 

The Rogers Center retractable roof works pretty good.

[moonslav59]

One-sixteenth of the season already behind us, and the standings look very bright:

 

7-3 BOS

 

5-6 BAL

 

5-6 NYY

 

5-6 TBR

 

5-6 TOR

 

We're 2.5 up on everyone!

 

It's way early, but this was the hot start we had hoped for in a season where we knew we needed nearly everything to go right.

 

With 6 games in the next 5 days, will Houck be called up for a start vs the CWS?

[notin]

No doubt the Metrodome had design issues. Doesn't mean they couldn't be improved on.

 

The Rogers Center retractable roof works pretty good.

 

The Metrodome was pretty old and the team owners wanted to move on. New stadiums often rekindle fan interest. (Winning teams do, too, and are actually cheaper. But owners like to do the “new stadium” thing. Maybe it’s easier.) Also apparently at some point Target offered them a boatload of money for the stadium naming rights...

[notin]

Also it sure how practical renovating the Metrodome, which probably didn’t have design issues as much as age and material issues. Would there have been a sufficient window to fix everything with the Vikings playing there during the MLB off-season and probably a bunch of other events?

 

And then who pays? Taxpayers? They have had enough crumbling infrastructure issues in Minneapolis . The I-35 bridge collapsing in 2007. The Metrodome in 2010....

[moonslav59]

So, the dome opens in 1982 and collapses in 2010.

 

When funding to build the dome occurred, was it with the understanding it would be crumbling within 30 years?

 

Many big dome stadiums are in the same situation 25-40 years after being built, and sometimes the taxpayers are on the hook on the expenses needed to demolish them.

[notin]

So, the dome opens in 1982 and collapses in 2010.

 

When funding to build the dome occurred, was it with the understanding it would be crumbling within 30 years?

 

Many big dome stadiums are in the same situation 25-40 years after being built, and sometimes the taxpayers are on the hook on the expenses needed to demolish them.

 

.. which should never happen, but isalso a road best not explored in this forum. Suffice to say the dome served it's purpose for nearly 30 years and the team moved on. This is not uncommon with professional sports teams. Shiny new stadiums are thigns the majority of them like. I guess it's just easier than putting together a good team for most of them....

[moonslav59]

.. which should never happen, but isalso a road best not explored in this forum. Suffice to say the dome served it's purpose for nearly 30 years and the team moved on. This is not uncommon with professional sports teams. Shiny new stadiums are thigns the majority of them like. I guess it's just easier than putting together a good team for most of them....

 

I did not intend to make this political, but here in Houston, the city and county have been trying to decide what to do with the Astrodome for a long time.

 

The voters actually voted to tear it down, long ago, but they were ignored due to the enormous cost of demolition.

[mvp 78]

I did not intend to make this political, but here in Houston, the city and county have been trying to decide what to do with the Astrodome for a long time.

 

The voters actually voted to tear it down, long ago, but they were ignored due to the enormous cost of demolition.

 

They can't tear that down! The Bad News Bears played there!