A Realistic View at 2021: Part II

[notin]

The Braves acquired Joc Pederson from the Cubs. Pederson was one guy I completely overlooked as a potential LHH platoon partner for Dalbec. (Pederson has 149 career innings at 1b. Not ideal, but it’s something.).

[moonslav59]

The thing is, the guy most likely to platoon with Dalbec is Marwin…

 

I think Kike.

[mvp 78]

The Braves acquired Joc Pederson from the Cubs. Pederson was one guy I completely overlooked as a potential LHH platoon partner for Dalbec. (Pederson has 149 career innings at 1b. Not ideal, but it’s something.).

 

Pederson has been terrible this year.

[mvp 78]

I think Kike.

 

Is it really a platoon with Dalbec and Duran?

 

Dalbec plays vs LHP, Kiké plays against RHP

Duran plays vs RHP, Kiké plays against LHP

 

Kiké is the everyday guy who just switches between CF/1B?

[moonslav59]

Is it really a platoon with Dalbec and Duran?

 

Dalbec plays vs LHP, Kiké plays against RHP

Duran plays vs RHP, Kiké plays against LHP

 

Kiké is the everyday guy who just switches between CF/1B?

 

Yes.

 

He'll also play some 2B, when Arroyo gets a rest.

 

Verdugo may start sitting a little more (vs L) than before.

 

Maybe we give Renfroe a few breathers v R than he has gotten, so far.

 

Arroyo could also give Bogey a breather while Kike plays 2B.

 

Kike is the rover, but he should play 9 out of 10 games, along with Renfroe and maybe Verdugo & Arroyo.

 

Duran may play 7-8 out of 10.

 

Dalbec loses the most playing time, IMO.

 

[Nick]

I don't think that's what he had in mind. Nice rant, though.

 

I thought so....I'm a good ranter.

[Nick]

Bloom is happy with the Draft...

 

Hope to sign 13-15, maybe couple of more......

 

One of the draft analysis was surprised that we did not draft any 'seniors' that can be signed for $100K and save money for others.

 

Sounds like Bloom drafted players that will skip altogether and attend college, thus saving even more money.

 

These guys are sneaky smart.

[Nick]

Bloom seem ecstatic with our 2nd pick from Florida(?). Many though he was a first rounder before he had slight slump this past season. Nothing we can't fix was the jest of it.

 

Also very intrigued with the long shot, a teenage pitcher who is 6-4 and weighs 160lbs. He needs to room with Pablo. Oh wait.....never mind.

[Nick]

This was just a terrible game all-around for Worcester, who fell behind 7-0 after three innings and the game was just about over from there. Presumably, it would have been Tanner Houck’s turn to start and they went with a bullpen game instead. But I really want to focus on Jeter Downs, whose season has been a major disappointment. He’s been able to hide in the Jarren Duran shadow for most of the year, but with Duran up in the majors now there is nowhere to hide. After this latest 0-fer, Downs is now sitting with a .649 OPS and a strikeout rate over 30 percent. With Connor Wong also struggling — he has a .459 OPS, though he also missed a bunch of time with injury — and Alex Verdugo hitting a major slump, it is not a great stretch for the players in the Mookie deal Per OvertheMonster...

 

And there's this....

[Nick]

Seems like we should keep an eye on this Sale guy. The Red Sox ace made his first rehab appearance on Thursday, and it seems things went pretty well. There were a few hits scattered around, but he reportedly had his fastball sitting in the 93-94 range and was seemingly hitting the zone at a decent enough rate to go without a walk. Next stop is most likely going to be in Portland on Tuesday night, and yours truly happens to have some tickets. Should be neat

 

And there's this Sale's kid hoping to get to the majors soon...

[Nick]

It was a rare contest under the lights for the FCL Sox, and the on-field events were worthy of the event. Connor Seabold, out since the start of the season with right elbow inflammation, took the mound in a rehab start against fellow rehabbing hurler Chris Archer. Seabold, currently ranked 6th in the system, went 2 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on one hit. Seven of the eight outs he recorded were via strikeout. Seabold also walked three and hit a batter. A trio of relievers followed, with Wilkelman Gonzalez the most impressive. Gonzalez was perfect over five innings, striking out nine batters.

 

Will Seabold be called up later this year?

[mvp 78]

Bloom is happy with the Draft...

 

Hope to sign 13-15, maybe couple of more......

 

One of the draft analysis was surprised that we did not draft any 'seniors' that can be signed for $100K and save money for others.

 

Sounds like Bloom drafted players that will skip altogether and attend college, thus saving even more money.

 

These guys are sneaky smart.

 

If it's only 13, Mayer probably wants 1st pick money and Fabian wants 1st round money.

[mvp 78]

This was just a terrible game all-around for Worcester, who fell behind 7-0 after three innings and the game was just about over from there. Presumably, it would have been Tanner Houck’s turn to start and they went with a bullpen game instead. But I really want to focus on Jeter Downs, whose season has been a major disappointment. He’s been able to hide in the Jarren Duran shadow for most of the year, but with Duran up in the majors now there is nowhere to hide. After this latest 0-fer, Downs is now sitting with a .649 OPS and a strikeout rate over 30 percent. With Connor Wong also struggling — he has a .459 OPS, though he also missed a bunch of time with injury — and Alex Verdugo hitting a major slump, it is not a great stretch for the players in the Mookie deal Per OvertheMonster...

 

And there's this....

 

Verdugo and Downs have been disappointments this year.

[mvp 78]

It was a rare contest under the lights for the FCL Sox, and the on-field events were worthy of the event. Connor Seabold, out since the start of the season with right elbow inflammation, took the mound in a rehab start against fellow rehabbing hurler Chris Archer. Seabold, currently ranked 6th in the system, went 2 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on one hit. Seven of the eight outs he recorded were via strikeout. Seabold also walked three and hit a batter. A trio of relievers followed, with Wilkelman Gonzalez the most impressive. Gonzalez was perfect over five innings, striking out nine batters.

 

Will Seabold be called up later this year?

 

We're hopeful. Not sure it's likely at this point.

[Fan_since_Boggs]

This was just a terrible game all-around for Worcester, who fell behind 7-0 after three innings and the game was just about over from there. Presumably, it would have been Tanner Houck’s turn to start and they went with a bullpen game instead. But I really want to focus on Jeter Downs, whose season has been a major disappointment. He’s been able to hide in the Jarren Duran shadow for most of the year, but with Duran up in the majors now there is nowhere to hide. After this latest 0-fer, Downs is now sitting with a .649 OPS and a strikeout rate over 30 percent. With Connor Wong also struggling — he has a .459 OPS, though he also missed a bunch of time with injury — and Alex Verdugo hitting a major slump, it is not a great stretch for the players in the Mookie deal Per OvertheMonster...

 

And there's this....

 

You offer Downs and Jimenez (a starting offer) to the Twins for Berrios and see where it goes from there. The Twins will probably want an SP prospect too. It is hard to judge deals like this--we don't know what the Twins are looking for and how much value they might place on Downs and his "down" year.

 

I wonder if a guy like Marcus Wilson together with a lower level lottery ticket would fetch Schoop.

 

Let's say Berrios goes to another team. Who should the Red Sox's second choice be for the starting rotation? Kyle Gibson?

Edited July 16, 2021 by Fan_since_Boggs

[mvp 78]

You offer Downs and Jimenez (a starting offer) to the Twins for Berrios and see where it goes from there. The Twins will probably want an SP prospect too. It is hard to judge deals like this--we don't know what the Twins are looking for and how much value they might place on Downs and his "down" year.

 

I wonder if a guy like Marcus Wilson together with a lower level lottery ticket would fetch Schoop.

 

Let's say Berrios goes to another team. Who should the Red Sox's second choice be for the starting rotation? Kyle Gibson?

 

Houck.

[Fan_since_Boggs]

Houck.

 

OK, so the postseason rotation would look something like this

 

1. Eovaldi

2. Sale

3. ???

4. ???

 

With Houck, E-Rod, Pivetta, and Perez competing for spots 3 & 4. The two pitchers with the best second half earn the two remaining rotation spots for the postseason.

 

In the scenario in which the Red Sox don't trade for an SP, I would like to see them acquire a reliever and upgrade the pen.

[mvp 78]

OK, so the postseason rotation would look something like this

 

1. Eovaldi

2. Sale

3. ???

4. ???

 

With Houck, E-Rod, Pivetta, and Perez competing for spots 3 & 4. The two pitchers with the best second half earn the two remaining rotation spots for the postseason.

 

In the scenario in which the Red Sox don't trade for an SP, I would like to see them acquire a reliever and upgrade the pen.

 

Eovaldi

Sale

Houck

ERod

 

Pivetta and Perez to the pen.

[oldtimer]

Yes.

 

He'll also play some 2B, when Arroyo gets a rest.

 

Verdugo may start sitting a little more (vs L) than before.

 

Maybe we give Renfroe a few breathers v R than he has gotten, so far.

 

Arroyo could also give Bogey a breather while Kike plays 2B.

 

Kike is the rover, but he should play 9 out of 10 games, along with Renfroe and maybe Verdugo & Arroyo.

 

Duran may play 7-8 out of 10.

 

Dalbec loses the most playing time, IMO.

 

 

Pretty reasonable assessment of how Cora will handle position play unless the Sox pickup a lefthanded first baseman to platoon with Dalbec.

[moonslav59]

Verdugo and Downs have been disappointments this year.

 

So far...

[moonslav59]

Pretty reasonable assessment of how Cora will handle position play unless the Sox pickup a lefthanded first baseman to platoon with Dalbec.

 

If Duran does very well, we may just stick with Kike at 1B vs RHPs, Dalbec vs LHPs, and Kike plays rover vs LHPs, mostly spelling Verdugo, Duran and Arroyo.

[Hugh2]

Playoff rotation

 

Sale

Eovaldi

Erod

Pivetta.

 

Tha'ts it. I wouldn't be surprised if one of Martin/Richards isn't on the playoff roster. Houck in the pen.

[oldtimer]

The thing is, every AL playoff bound team has a black hole. Some have 2-4.

 

Also, with Duran up, we need to find ways for Kike and Arroyo to play nearly everyday.

 

Kike can play 1B. I think we found our 1B platoon or coverage guy in Kike.

 

Out of their top 9 hitters by PAs, the Rays have 4 guys at under .707 (2 under .641). Their next 3 guys are under .700, so 7 of their top 12 guys are under .707. Can they keep winning with just one guy under .700?

 

The CWS have 2 of their top 9 under .700. Can they win?

 

The A's have two, including one at .599. 6 of their top 13 hitters are below .700. They have one hitter over .826.

 

The Astros have 2, including one at .548! Having 7 of their top 10 over .800 kinda makes up for that.

 

Our top 3 guys by PAs are over .925, our next 3 are over .745. The next 3 are under .700 but Arroyo, our 10th man in PAs is now playing more than Marwin and Dalbec.

7. .659 Vaz

8. .673 Dalbec

9. .583 Marwin

10. .762 Arroyo

 

We have 3 "black hole," but Dalbec seems to be squeezed out of playing time by the addition of Duran, and Marwin should not remain 9th in PAs, unless Arroyo gets hurt, again.

Ca

Maybe Duran ends up in the top 9 or 10 in PAs, but that remains to be seen, and who knows what he will hit?

 

Your correct that Duran is an experiment at this point. Can he add some spark to the team with hitting and speed on the base paths? He will be the fastest player on the team, that we know. It has to be stay tuned for now.

[dgalehouse]

Verdugo and Downs have been disappointments this year.

 

It sounds crazy , but Downs gets extra attention because of his given name. If he were David Downs he would be just another hopeful.

[Hugh2]

It sounds crazy , but Downs gets extra attention because of his given name. If he were David Downs he would be just another hopeful.

 

Are….are you….this is a joke right?

[mvp 78]

It sounds crazy , but Downs gets extra attention because of his given name. If he were David Downs he would be just another hopeful.

 

Sometimes it goes against you though. Consider Babe. When he first started sheepherding, most people were like "this pig can't be the Babe Ruth of sheepherding, no way." Then when he lays the bah ram ewe smackdown it's all "that'll do pig, that'll do."

[moonslav59]

Your correct that Duran is an experiment at this point. Can he add some spark to the team with hitting and speed on the base paths? He will be the fastest player on the team, that we know. It has to be stay tuned for now.

 

I’d bet Duran does very well. He may have. Few blips here and there, and starting off well helps with the fans and media.

[oldtimer]

I hear you, and although I do enjoy stats, I also like to enjoy and discuss the finer points of the game and the aspects data can never capture.

 

I'd never love this game like I do, if I never played it.

 

I was never good at hitting, but I got on base enough, ran well and defended very well.

 

I enjoy watching the game like you do. Being a stat nerd does not mean I can't see other things- not that you implied I cannot or do not.

 

Yes, the game threads are dominated by frustration fueled insults and lashing out.

 

I'd love to sit down with you to watch a game, sometime. Just us two.

 

I always respect your views and opinions.

 

Thanks for your kind words. As you probably know from my posts I am over 80 now but still play ball fairly well (softball) year round. I could never hit at even the minor league level but like to think all these years of watching have given me an appreciation of this ever changing game. The complexities interest me and I must say I still love the game just as my father (born in 1896) did going back so many years. We probably never will sit together at a game bu many of the posts.t can share opinions here and that is enjoyable to me. I value your thoughtful analysis, even if I do rag on you once in a while. I also respect many other posters here for their knowledge and interest. This site is a good one because of the quality of many of the posts.

[moonslav59]

Thanks for your kind words. As you probably know from my posts I am over 80 now but still play ball fairly well (softball) year round. I could never hit at even the minor league level but like to think all these years of watching have given me an appreciation of this ever changing game. The complexities interest me and I must say I still love the game just as my father (born in 1896) did going back so many years. We probably never will sit together at a game bu many of the posts.t can share opinions here and that is enjoyable to me. I value your thoughtful analysis, even if I do rag on you once in a while. I also respect many other posters here for their knowledge and interest. This site is a good one because of the quality of many of the posts.

 

Well said.

 

When I lived in Maine, there was always someone to talk Sox with, but when I moved to Mexico after the 2004 ring, I needed my Sox fix.

 

These sites work well for that.

[oldtimer]

Duran is 6' 3" tall. He came up as second baseman. Obviously he's fielded groundballs. Why not teach him to play 1B?

 

Unless of course he can't learn to take direct route to the first base bag.

 

I'm only half kidding.

 

Duran is the fastest player now on the active roster. All kidding aside, it is probably best to use him in a position where speed matters.