A Realistic View at 2021: Part II

[moonslav59]

Not enough to put him behind Chavis on the depth chart.

 

 

Gonzalez, Hernandez and Santana can all basically play anywhere. But with Arroyo back, the Sox have 4 starters plus all of them for depth. The outfield situation has just Verdugo and Renfroe as dedicated outfielders. Cordero just gives them more depth than Chavis would. The Sox simply have fewer dedicated outfielders than dedicated infielders...

 

There is no need for 4 second basemen. Without Cordero we’d have 5 OFers- Verdugo, Renfroe, Kike, Marwin & Santana plus Jd for NL parks or a pinch.

 

I don’t see Chavis vs Cordero as being a bench depth OF/IF issue. It’s about thinking Cordero will do better or has a better longer term outlook than Chavis.

 

It’s no big deal as Cordero will likely be next - Duran or back to 14 pitchers.

[moonslav59]

Yep, if I'm Chavis I'll ask to be traded. He will never get fair shake under Cora. Cora has his guys. Cora values versatile guys yet he didn't give Chavis chance to work in outfield. It is what it is. I like Chavis. I hope he's traded and becomes a 30 homer type.

 

I’m not sure he’ll ask to be traded, and Cora did give him a pretty long leash in 2018, but the writing is on the wall.

[Larry Cook]

There is no need for 4 second basemen. Without Cordero we’d have 5 OFers- Verdugo, Renfroe, Kike, Marwin & Santana plus Jd for NL parks or a pinch.

 

I don’t see Chavis vs Cordero as being a bench depth OF/IF issue. It’s about thinking Cordero will do better or has a better longer term outlook than Chavis.

 

It’s no big deal as Cordero will likely be next - Duran or back to 14 pitchers.

 

Aren’t the Sox sending Duran and cassas to the Olympic trials?

[moonslav59]

Aren’t the Sox sending Duran and cassas to the Olympic trials?

 

Yes, for 2 weeks, so Cordero May just have 2 weeks before they deem Duran “ready.”

[moonslav59]

Big series coming up. The schedule gets extremely difficult for two months starting with the Astros next week.

 

I’ll be at the Tuesday game. I usually go twice with two sets of friends, but this time I’m combining groups as the wives are staying home.

 

Let’s start a streak!

[mvp 78]

 

Yes, for 2 weeks, so Cordero May just have 2 weeks before they deem Duran “ready.”

 

I don't think we see Duran before ASB.

[notin]

I don't think we see Duran before ASB.

 

.... barring injury.

[mvp 78]

I think people don't see the potential he has which causes some of the upset. But, what's potential? Trey Ball had potential, Will Middlebrooks had potential, at a certain point you have to perform.

 

I think the Sox line of thinking is Cordero has already spent enough time at the AAA level and hit it pretty well, if he's going to make the adjustments to tap into potential as a power hitter he's got to do it at the MLB level. I think there's a point where they give up on Cordero and he plays his way down, but I think they'd rather have someone else be the up/down guy until they're ready to give up on him.

 

It would be a lot easier to give him some more rope if the Sox weren't so darn competitive this year!!!

 

Considering how much time he missed due to injury the past few years, it would make sense to have him gear up in AAA for a few weeks regardless of his previous performance in AAA 4 years ago.

[mvp 78]

.... barring injury.

 

If there is an injury, I bet they'd promote someone else.

[moonslav59]

I don't think we see Duran before ASB.

 

That would not surprise me, but if Duran keeps raking, and Cordero keeps whatever he's doing, it could be sooner.

[mvp 78]

That would not surprise me, but if Duran keeps raking, and Cordero keeps whatever he's doing, it could be sooner.

 

His k rate is a little high IMO. I'd like him to stay down longer and work on it.

[a700hitter]

His k rate is a little high IMO. I'd like him to stay down longer and work on it.

Hw still has holes in his swing. MLB pitchers will find those pretty quickly.

[moonslav59]

Cordero has massive "holes" in his swing, too.

 

I have total confidence that when Duran is called up, he'll be as ready as he needs to be.

[notin]

Cordero has massive "holes" in his swing, too.

 

I have total confidence that when Duran is called up, he'll be as ready as he needs to be.

 

Calling up Duran at least has the advantage of being a reversible change if he flops. The biggest obstacle might be whether or not the Sox want to reverse it if he flops...

[mvp 78]

Cordero has massive "holes" in his swing, too.

 

I have total confidence that when Duran is called up, he'll be as ready as he needs to be.

 

Right, "when he's called up." I don't know if he's ready yet. I think the Sox will take their time to polish the upper echelon players before they are called up. Guys like Dalbec and Chavis can be put through the ringer at any point. Future All Stars like Duran should be treated differently.

[moonslav59]

Right, "when he's called up." I don't know if he's ready yet. I think the Sox will take their time to polish the upper echelon players before they are called up. Guys like Dalbec and Chavis can be put through the ringer at any point. Future All Stars like Duran should be treated differently.

 

I agree, and honestly, I have no idea when he will be "deemed" ready.

 

IMO, his bat is ready to be tested at the ML level, but part of that decision involves evaluating a player's confidence, ability to handle set-backs, ability to make adjustments on the fly, and other aspects none of us may be aware of.

 

His defense almost certainly needs more time, but they might think it's not a big enough drawback that would drag down the plus his bat projects to be. Again, they might also be thinking about how he might react, if he makes a couple costly errors or gets roasted by the media for "taking wrong routes to the ball" or whatever.

 

I'm not sure any of know about his emotional and psychological make-up- not that the Sox know it all, either, but that is one area that may or may not be a big concern.

 

I remember seeing Devers come up and thinking, "nothing phases this kid," and I mean that in a good way. He could make 3 errors, and still hit the winning HR in the 9th. I think that was one reason they had no problem fast-tracking him to the bigs- that and the fact that throughout his whole professional minor league career, he was the youngest player at every level.

[mvp 78]

If his defense wasn't still a work in progress, maybe they'd be more inclined to bring him up. He's a great prospect and he'll be fun to watch once called up. I think they should be a little careful with him.

[moonslav59]

If his defense wasn't still a work in progress, maybe they'd be more inclined to bring him up. He's a great prospect and he'll be fun to watch once called up. I think they should be a little careful with him.

 

Well said, and it appears that is what they are doing.

[oldtimer]

I agree, and honestly, I have no idea when he will be "deemed" ready.

 

IMO, his bat is ready to be tested at the ML level, but part of that decision involves evaluating a player's confidence, ability to handle set-backs, ability to make adjustments on the fly, and other aspects none of us may be aware of.

 

His defense almost certainly needs more time, but they might think it's not a big enough drawback that would drag down the plus his bat projects to be. Again, they might also be thinking about how he might react, if he makes a couple costly errors or gets roasted by the media for "taking wrong routes to the ball" or whatever.

 

I'm not sure any of know about his emotional and psychological make-up- not that the Sox know it all, either, but that is one area that may or may not be a big concern.

 

I remember seeing Devers come up and thinking, "nothing phases this kid," and I mean that in a good way. He could make 3 errors, and still hit the winning HR in the 9th. I think that was one reason they had no problem fast-tracking him to the bigs- that and the fact that throughout his whole professional minor league career, he was the youngest player at every level.

 

He certainly appears ready and was selected to play in the Olympics qualifying round which will keep him off the roster until August. Casas is being treated similarly, although in his case he hasn't played at the AAA level as yet. Meanwhile, the Sox had a surprisingly effective, nearly ist third of the season and are in the hunt. They did this with a very weak hitting Cordero in the lineup, a Chavis for s short time who appears to still be a sucker for a high fastball, a right fielder who is good defensively but is weak hitting against right handed pitching and Dalbec, who appears to be lost at the plate.

 

I didn't understand why they refused to bring Duran up. This business about him not being ready defensively sounds like a lame excuse. The real reason may be to give him a chance to play in the Olympics, at the expense of the ML team. In addition, one could question why Casas shouldn't be given a try while letting Dalbec be platooned. Of course we also have Houck waiting in the wings for another chance. In his case, he had a slight injury so his help was not available.

 

If the Sox feel that they can't be competitive this year, then not trying hard to solve their shortcomings makes sense. Based on their record, I really think they should have made moves which at least have a shot of making the club better.

[mvp 78]

@jcmccaffrey

RHP Austin Brice cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Worcester

[moonslav59]

@jcmccaffrey

RHP Austin Brice cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Worcester

 

Kinda shows he's not all that good.

 

We can't even give him away!

[mvp 78]

Kinda shows he's not all that good.

 

We can't even give him away!

 

Also shows that we could have DFA'd him earlier in the year like I was pining for.

 

BUT HE DOESN'T HAVE OPTIONS!

[moonslav59]

Also shows that we could have DFA'd him earlier in the year like I was pining for.

 

BUT HE DOESN'T HAVE OPTIONS!

 

I was with you the whole way on this one. If someone took him, so be it.

 

Finding a replacement as bad ...errr, I mean as good as him is easy.

[moonslav59]

We are 15-0 when scoring 7 or more runs.

 

20-1 scoring 6 or more

 

1-2 in 5 runs scored games, but 5-0 in 4 run scored games.

 

3-14 when scoring 1, 2 or 3 runs.

 

We are 10-0 when allowing 1-2 runs.

 

17-3 with 1-3 runs allowed.

 

3-5 when allowing 4 but 202 when allowing 5. (Weird splits on the 4-5 run games)

 

1-4 when allowing 6, but 2-1 when allowing 7.

 

0-3 when allowing 8, but 2-0 when allowing 9!

 

Basically, we need to allow an odd number of runs:

 

17-7: 1,3,5,7,9 runs allowed

10-12: 2,4,6,8

[moonslav59]

Runs allowed by innings: (Avg per 9 inn)

 

6.19 6th inning

5.25 1st

4.10 9th

4.09 8th

3.92 2nd and 4th

3.56 3rd

3.19 5th

 

(15.75 10th, 9.0 11th and 9.0 12th)

 

Runs scored by inning:

7.31 1st

7.13 5th

6.19 2nd

5.73 8th

5.44 4th

4.50 6th

4.13 3rd

3.38 9th

3.19 7th

 

(9.0 10th & 11th and 27.0 12th)

Edited May 25, 2021 by moonslav59

[Nick]

Boston Red Sox lineup

 

1. Kiké Hernández 2B

 

2. Alex Verdugo LF

 

3. J.D. Martinez DH

 

4. Xander Bogaerts SS

 

5. Rafael Devers 3B

 

6. Christian Vázquez C

 

7. Danny Santana CF

 

8. Hunter Renfroe RF

 

9. Bobby Dalbec 1B

 

Basically the opening season lineup had Santana been healthy. Based on May production out of Renfroe, the lineup looks solid offensively. Dalbec probably has another month before being platooned if his numbers don't improve against right handers.

[Nick]

Runs allowed by innings: (Avg per 9 inn)

 

6.19 6th inning

5.25 1st

4.10 9th

4.09 8th

3.92 2nd and 4th

3.56 3rd

3.19 5th

 

(15.75 10th, 9.0 11th and 9.0 12th)

 

Runs scored by inning:

7.31 1st

7.13 5th

6.19 2nd

5.73 8th

5.44 4th

4.50 6th

4.13 3rd

3.38 9th

3.19 7th

 

(9.0 10th & 11th and 27.0 12th)

 

Not sure if it's the starters getting into trouble in 6th but the bullpen definitely has been suspect, 6, 8, 9th innings do not look good.

[moonslav59]

Not sure if it's the starters getting into trouble in 6th but the bullpen definitely has been suspect, 6, 8, 9th innings do not look good.

 

It’s almost all on the starters in the 6th, although some inherited runners were allowed to score.

[moonslav59]

Boston Red Sox lineup

 

1. Kiké Hernández 2B

 

2. Alex Verdugo LF

 

3. J.D. Martinez DH

 

4. Xander Bogaerts SS

 

5. Rafael Devers 3B

 

6. Christian Vázquez C

 

7. Danny Santana CF

 

8. Hunter Renfroe RF

 

9. Bobby Dalbec 1B

 

Basically the opening season lineup had Santana been healthy. Based on May production out of Renfroe, the lineup looks solid offensively. Dalbec probably has another month before being platooned if his numbers don't improve against right handers.

 

Arroyo’s career splits are better v RHP, so starting him instead of Dalbec or Renfroe might have been a good idea.

[Larry Cook]

Runs allowed by innings: (Avg per 9 inn)

 

6.19 6th inning

5.25 1st

4.10 9th

4.09 8th

3.92 2nd and 4th

3.56 3rd

3.19 5th

 

(15.75 10th, 9.0 11th and 9.0 12th)

 

Runs scored by inning:

7.31 1st

7.13 5th

6.19 2nd

5.73 8th

5.44 4th

4.50 6th

4.13 3rd

3.38 9th

3.19 7th

 

(9.0 10th & 11th and 27.0 12th)

 

Our 2 through 6 hitters are having an amazing year. We get more help from hitters 7 through 1 and wow, what an offense!!!!