A Realistic View at 2021: Part II

[dgalehouse]

If I'm not mistaken, they were all 1 run leads that he has blown. Still a blown save, but better than blowing 2 or 3 run leads.

 

An important thing is to not lose your composure when you inevitably do blow a save . Limit the damage and give your team a chance to come back. (Of course , the dumb extra inning baserunner rule makes everything a little wackier.)

[Kimmi]

An important thing is to not lose your composure when you inevitably do blow a save . Limit the damage and give your team a chance to come back. (Of course , the dumb extra inning baserunner rule makes everything a little wackier.)

 

Good point. And Barnes has apparently done just that. The Sox have won 3 out of 4 of those games.

[Bellhorn04]

Because ERod hasn't shown any ill effects of COVID since returning, I don't think it's a big concern. Of course, the Sox would do their due diligence on medicals, for what that's worth. Also, I'm not talking about a monster contract. I'm talking about a 4 year deal type of thing, buying out his last arb year.

 

He's a free agent after this year.

[Nick]

AL East Standing...Yankees and Rays lose

 

52-31 Red Sox

47-36 Rays(5GB)

43-38 Jays(8GB)

41-40 Yankees(10GB)

[Donnie Sadler was short]

AL East Standing...Yankees and Rays lose

 

52-31 Red Sox

47-36 Rays(5GB)

43-38 Jays(8GB)

41-40 Yankees(10GB)

 

Im tellin ya, if you want a laugh, google some of the Yankee talkshows or whatever they are on YouTube...they are in full meltdown mode..saying things like "Why doesnt our team have a personality like the Red Sox with the laundry cart/etc".....its almost as good as October '04.

[Fan_since_Boggs]

A tiny reminder. This year Dalbec has hit righties better--higher OPS--than Cordero.

 

The assumption is that Cordero will be a better hitter against RHP once he settles in, he certainly profiles as a better hitter against RHP and he has been raking against RHP in AAA this year.

 

Cordero will need to play a decent 1b at the AAA level before he is promoted into a platoon role at the position.

 

It is still possible that the Red Sox address 1b via trade market, Carlos Santana would be an excellent addition. But I'm starting to think the Red Sox will go after a pitcher--a starter or reliever or perhaps both--and might not trade for a position player at all.

[Fan_since_Boggs]

What if Santana keeps hitting well?

1.212 OPS last 3 games

.785 last 8 games

 

Perhaps he needed more regular and consistent playing time? I don't know. But they should keep playing him while he is hot.

[Nick]

Cot's baseball contract does not show any type of payroll amount for Danny Santana.

 

Maybe they felt he didn't deserve any money....just kidding...I can't help myself.

 

So he signed a minor league contract on 3/5/21. His major league amount was $1.75M with up to $1M in bonuses. Sox picked up his major league contract on 5/21/21.

 

So I'm guessing he'll earn about 75% of his pay? $1.3M or thereabouts?

 

I e-mail them...they are good about responding. Just a fyi.

[Fan_since_Boggs]

For 2022, I would consider bringing back Ottavino if he would sign a one year deal. Due to his age, he might not be looking at longer offers anyway, and maybe the Red Sox can entice him with a juicy one year deal. Barnes will want a multi-year deal and I'm skeptical that he will be worth it. A one year deal for Ottavino is a safer way to go. Of course, the Red Sox would need to find a way to replace Barnes' production.

[oldtimer]

AL East Standing...Yankees and Rays lose

 

52-31 Red Sox

47-36 Rays(5GB)

43-38 Jays(8GB)

41-40 Yankees(10GB)

 

Right now the Jays have the club that could make a run with their terrific lineup. Their pitching has held them back but neither the Yankees or the Rays appear to be a serious threat.

[oldtimer]

Good point. And Barnes has apparently done just that. The Sox have won 3 out of 4 of those games.

 

I get the feeling that opposing teams have been sitting on Barnes fastball of late.

[Larry Cook]

Hembre seems to be settling in as the reds new closer!

[moonslav59]

What would people say if Kike passed Verdugo & Renfroe in OPS?

 

Don’t look, now, but it’s trending that way!

[Nick]

What would people say if Kike passed Verdugo & Renfroe in OPS?

 

Don’t look, now, but it’s trending that way!

 

He should be batting 3rd?

[moonslav59]

He should be batting 3rd?

 

LOL! I’m hoping Verdugo and Renfroe have a say about Kike trying to pass them.

[Nick]

Moon I know you're watching the game......I'm sorry but I can't take Santana much longer. I want to be nice....

[moonslav59]

Moon I know you're watching the game......I'm sorry but I can't take Santana much longer. I want to be nice....

 

I’ve been saying DFA him for weeks.

[Nick]

We can chalk it up as a just a loss or....admit this is why we need to shore up players 24-26 on our roster. Need another bullpen arm. Need someone not named Santana.

 

Everyone on this board sees it. We don't need a $30M guy. Let's get Houck up here. Just a little internal tweak.

[iortiz]

In key moments Cora sent our worst assets last game.

 

My guess? Cora is gambling man.

[Larry Cook]

We can chalk it up as a just a loss or....admit this is why we need to shore up players 24-26 on our roster. Need another bullpen arm. Need someone not named Santana.

 

Everyone on this board sees it. We don't need a $30M guy. Let's get Houck up here. Just a little internal tweak.

 

Is houck really ready? And it looks like the Sox are using him as a starter.

 

Two bullpen guys in triple a I think can help are espinal and ort. But neither is in the 40 man roster.

[Fan_since_Boggs]

Cora made some weird moves but you sometimes lose a game like that for the simple reason that your top bullpen arms weren't available. I thought the decision to bring in Rios with a 2 run lead in the 8th was curious, since he has pretty much been crap throughout his career. Why not go to Hernandez in the 8th and Ottavino in the 9th? But maybe Cora was hoping Rios would give him a clean 8th and Hernandez would close in the ninth, giving Ottavino a day off. It was great to see Cora show confidence in Rios but of course Rios wasn't up for the challenge and blew it -- let's face it, Rios sucks.

 

I also thought the decision to pinch hit for Darbec was curious. If the Red Sox don't want him up in that spot, why not just trade for a starting 1b and move on from Dalbec?

 

I would release Andriese and replace him on the 40 man with K.Ort. Not only is Ort probably better, but he has options, giving the Red Sox more roster flexibility.

 

Short term moves: (1) release Andriese and promote K.Ort. (2) Move Richards to the bullpen. (3) When Richards' rotation spot comes up again, promote Houck and option either Ort or Rios to AAA.

Edited July 4, 2021 by Fan_since_Boggs

[Fan_since_Boggs]

Dalbec and ??? to the Royals for C.Santana and K.Zimmer.

 

The hard part is finding another player that would make this deal appealing to the Royals.

[oldtimer]

I’ve been saying DFA him for weeks.

Between those times you chose to remind me that Santana hadn't gotten enough AB's to justify moving him. Kind of having it both ways.

 

The Sox have to be a tired team, having played a long Fenway series then flown immediately to the West coast to be in their second overtime game in two days. Small wonder the BP choices were limited and I don't blame Cora for going to Andriese as long as he was on the roster. Of course he has been unable to be successful at getting ML hitters out. What I have trouble understanding is why the Sox have stayed with him instead of bringing up their best alternative. The same is true for Santana where Duran sits waiting for a chance. I don't know what management is thinking but it certainly looks like they are willing to sacrifice games like the one last night.

 

At least Arroyo should be up soon which will send Chavis down if he already hasn't been moved. Dalbec needs to be platooned as well. The Sox have a great season underway, but bad losses need to be avoided to maintain their lofty achievements to date.

[Nick]

Between those times you chose to remind me that Santana hadn't gotten enough AB's to justify moving him. Kind of having it both ways.

 

The Sox have to be a tired team, having played a long Fenway series then flown immediately to the West coast to be in their second overtime game in two days. Small wonder the BP choices were limited and I don't blame Cora for going to Andriese as long as he was on the roster. Of course he has been unable to be successful at getting ML hitters out. What I have trouble understanding is why the Sox have stayed with him instead of bringing up their best alternative. The same is true for Santana where Duran sits waiting for a chance. I don't know what management is thinking but it certainly looks like they are willing to sacrifice games like the one last night.

 

At least Arroyo should be up soon which will send Chavis down if he already hasn't been moved. Dalbec needs to be platooned as well. The Sox have a great season underway, but bad losses need to be avoided to maintain their lofty achievements to date.

 

I know I always come up with stupid ideas but last night with 2 run lead in extra innings, you do everything you can to win it.

 

Why not bring in a starter? So what if he misses a turn? Bring up a minor leaguer to fill the starter spot. I rather take a chance on winning a one inning game with 2 run lead than trying to win in 9 innings with 0-0 score. It's just probability.

 

Although JD made a terrific play to save the game, I question playing him in a big ball park. He just can't get to batted balls.

 

"we're not going to give up on him"....words from Cora. Let's hope he was just being kind to Andriese. He's had bad two months, on his way to third.

 

Workman was very fortunate to get his two innings in. He was hit pretty hard, luckily it was always hit at someone.

[moonslav59]

In key moments Cora sent our worst assets last game.

 

My guess? Cora is gambling man.

 

Every option he had at that point was a gamble

[moonslav59]

Between those times you chose to remind me that Santana hadn't gotten enough AB's to justify moving him. Kind of having it both ways.

 

The Sox have to be a tired team, having played a long Fenway series then flown immediately to the West coast to be in their second overtime game in two days. Small wonder the BP choices were limited and I don't blame Cora for going to Andriese as long as he was on the roster. Of course he has been unable to be successful at getting ML hitters out. What I have trouble understanding is why the Sox have stayed with him instead of bringing up their best alternative. The same is true for Santana where Duran sits waiting for a chance. I don't know what management is thinking but it certainly looks like they are willing to sacrifice games like the one last night.

 

At least Arroyo should be up soon which will send Chavis down if he already hasn't been moved. Dalbec needs to be platooned as well. The Sox have a great season underway, but bad losses need to be avoided to maintain their lofty achievements to date.

 

When I talk about small sample sizes, I don’t say they don’t matter or that they don’t factor into decisions, only that they should not be the only reason.

 

Santana’s sample is as big as Renfroe’s early season slump. How can we justify one over the other? No, it’s not about Renfroe’s better D. Go back and read posts at the end of April. Posters were calling his signing a mistake.

 

I want Andriese and Santana released, yesterday, I also realise their sample sizes are small and they could very well turn it around for another team. I’m ok with that. So be it.

[mvp 78]

When I talk about small sample sizes, I don’t say they don’t matter or that they don’t factor into decisions, only that they should not be the only reason.

 

Santana’s sample is as big as Renfroe’s early season slump. How can we justify one over the other? No, it’s not about Renfroe’s better D. Go back and read posts at the end of April. Posters were calling his signing a mistake.

 

I want Andriese and Santana released, yesterday, I also realise their sample sizes are small and they could very well turn it around for another team. I’m ok with that. So be it.

 

Santana has a long track record of not being very good. Renfroe had a few good years in SD and then sucked last year. I’d bet on Renfroe. At the minimum, he’s a good platoon bat against LHP.

[Bellhorn04]

When I talk about small sample sizes, I don’t say they don’t matter or that they don’t factor into decisions, only that they should not be the only reason.

 

Santana’s sample is as big as Renfroe’s early season slump. How can we justify one over the other? No, it’s not about Renfroe’s better D. Go back and read posts at the end of April. Posters were calling his signing a mistake.

 

I want Andriese and Santana released, yesterday, I also realise their sample sizes are small and they could very well turn it around for another team. I’m ok with that. So be it.

 

Bloom and Cora get paid to make all these tough decisions.

 

We should just sit back and relax.

 

:D

[Elktonnick]

Santana has a long track record of not being very good. Renfroe had a few good years in SD and then sucked last year. I’d bet on Renfroe. At the minimum, he’s a good platoon bat against LHP.

Santana can not hit. Plays shoddy defense. Doesn't run the bases well. Plus he nearly collided with JD on a routine fly out to left. Why is he still in the majors?

[Maxbialystock]

We can chalk it up as a just a loss or....admit this is why we need to shore up players 24-26 on our roster. Need another bullpen arm. Need someone not named Santana.

 

Everyone on this board sees it. We don't need a $30M guy. Let's get Houck up here. Just a little internal tweak.

 

Agree completely. This loss is so telling. If they win 8 in a row and then lose the 9th, what the heck good are they? What was Cora thinking last night? Why hasn't Bloom given him the players he so desperately needs?

 

On the other hand, maybe we should remember that last night was the Sox 12th game in 12 days and that they still have 7 to go for 19 straight games without a break. I'm no expert, but some folks think that 19 straight games can be hard on a bullpen, to say nothing of the starters and lineup players. Or haven't you noticed that Cora has been resting his position players? That's why JDM was in LF and Verdugo DH'ing.