A Realistic View at 2021: Part II

[iortiz]

We're 18-8 vs AL East. We win the division if we keep that up.

 

Sox now 15 games above .500 for third time this year. Let's get to 16.

 

Rays 2 games behind in the loss column.

 

Life is good. Even Santana got a hit today.

And 3 of them were against the birds beginning the season.

[moonslav59]

Updated AL Standings

 

Red=Wildcard

 

45-28 HOU

44-29 BOS

45-30 OAK

43-30 CWS

43-32 TBR

40-31 CLE

38-34 NYY

38-36 SEA

36-35 TOR

[moonslav59]

As strange as it seems, ERod's ERA went down, Santana's OPS climbed, Dalbec went back under .690 and Kike passed him and is now poised to pass .700, again.

[oldtimer]

As strange as it seems, ERod's ERA went down, Santana's OPS climbed, Dalbec went back under .690 and Kike passed him and is now poised to pass .700, again.

 

It will be interesting to see what the Sox do in the starting pitching area going forward. We don't appear to have an ACE this year. We have Houck possible in July and Sale in August, so there is hope internally. Could we design a trade to get a serviceable starter with a couple of years of control? With Brasier coming back the pen should be solid so it is beginning to look like we can make some noise if we reach the playoffs.

 

Our defense and base running needs some help and we may already have help for the offense internally so going after starting pitching might be the smartest move.

[Hugh2]

At this point I’d put someone like Verdugo or Bogaerts leading off.

 

I get the argument against batting them lead off, but at this point you’re effectively leading off with your #2 with one out. Mine as well start things up with 1 out.

[Bellhorn04]

At this point I’d put someone like Verdugo or Bogaerts leading off.

 

I get the argument against batting them lead off, but at this point you’re effectively leading off with your #2 with one out. Mine as well start things up with 1 out.

 

There's no chance in hell Cora is moving any of the 4 studs in the order if he hasn't by now.

 

Maybe in August Duran will be our leadoff hitter.

 

Santana did get on base twice last night.

[moonslav59]

It will be interesting to see what the Sox do in the starting pitching area going forward. We don't appear to have an ACE this year. We have Houck possible in July and Sale in August, so there is hope internally. Could we design a trade to get a serviceable starter with a couple of years of control? With Brasier coming back the pen should be solid so it is beginning to look like we can make some noise if we reach the playoffs.

 

Our defense and base running needs some help and we may already have help for the offense internally so going after starting pitching might be the smartest move.

 

I'm not sure just Brasier makes our pen solid.

 

I think our hope is with Sale, Whitlock (weakens the pen by starting him) and Houck/Seabold is all we will get for starters.

 

The pen is where we may look at an addition. Maybe a cheap 1B rental. (We are not bringing up Casas.)

[Bellhorn04]

As strange as it seems, ERod's ERA went down, Santana's OPS climbed, Dalbec went back under .690 and Kike passed him and is now poised to pass .700, again.

 

The first one is a little strange, but the other 3 are just the usual vagaries.

[moonslav59]

I'm off on a long road trip to Maine.

 

Catch you guys here and there along the way. Yes, we are driving but taking stops along the way.

[Bellhorn04]

I'm off on a long road trip to Maine.

 

Catch you guys here and there along the way. Yes, we are driving but taking stops along the way.

 

You'll still out-post us all.

 

Safe travels.

[notin]

You'll still out-post us all.

 

Safe travels.

 

 

But his analytics will be less thorough…

[oldtimer]

I'm off on a long road trip to Maine.

 

Catch you guys here and there along the way. Yes, we are driving but taking stops along the way.

 

My brother sold his place on Damarascotta Lake a few years ago. We used to fish there every summer and catch a lot of bass, some really large ones. My brother is 85 now so the place got to be too much for him. Have a nice visit as Maine is a beautiful and still rural state.

[oldtimer]

One note from Worcester yesterday is that Cordero went 1 for 5 but struck out 4 times. Gives one pause about promoting him.

[notin]

One note from Worcester yesterday is that Cordero went 1 for 5 but struck out 4 times. Gives one pause about promoting him.

 

Cordero has an OPS of 1.152 in 98 PA. Not so sure the last 5 PA negate the previous 93.

 

The game before, Duran went 1 for 4 with 3 K’s. Should he also get less consideration based on one game?

 

Both will see time in Boston this year. Cordero is likely first, most because he’s already on the 40 man roster. So if you want Duran up, you should be calling for a Cordero promotion just to get it out of the way…

[mvp 78]

Cordero has an OPS of 1.152 in 98 PA. Not so sure the last 5 PA negate the previous 93.

 

The game before, Duran went 1 for 4 with 3 K’s. Should he also get less consideration based on one game?

 

Both will see time in Boston this year. Cordero is likely first, most because he’s already on the 40 man roster. So if you want Duran up, you should be calling for a Cordero promotion just to get it out of the way…

 

Yes, probably needs some seasoning in AA.

 

We'll see Chavis again before Cordero or Duran.

[Maxbialystock]

As strange as it seems, ERod's ERA went down, Santana's OPS climbed, Dalbec went back under .690 and Kike passed him and is now poised to pass .700, again.

 

ERod went 6, giving up 3 earned runs, which I believe means he had a quality start, which I frankly think he deserved, given the worst defense in MLB backing him up.

 

Santana was a blind squirrel who found a nut. Dalbec struck out 4 times against 4 different Rays pitchers, and the rest of the Sox hitters struck out 7 times. Just one game, but still noteworthy. Kike is just happy not leading off and grateful that Santana has that job (for now).

[Nick]

I'm going to be positive today.

 

Great thing about striking out is that there's no chance of hitting into double play. Sometimes I wish for a strike out when say Vaz comes to bat.

[notin]

I'm going to be positive today.

 

Great thing about striking out is that there's no chance of hitting into double play. Sometimes I wish for a strike out when say Vaz comes to bat.

 

Sadly, the old-fashioned “Strike ‘Em, Throw ‘Em Out” double play is still a thing. Fortunately a team as inactive on the base paths as the Red Sox don’t have to deal with this very often…

[Nick]

I love Bloom's approach.

 

I don't want to see any Sox prospect traded for a 'rental'. None, not Chavis, not Matta, no one, period.

 

We should look at every prospect in the organization to make current team better.

 

What exactly is the downside to replacing Santana? That someone else will pick him up and then he goes on a tear? Do you see that happening? We can be patient with Dalbec, but not Santana. He's a veteran. He was hired gun to hit for us. I've watched almost his every at bat. I don't see anything resembling what everyone else sees.

 

Doing everything also means to stretch out Whitlock. Again, no one here has told me it can't be done. Our starters often fail in first couple of innings. Why not go with an opener? Bloom has had success with it.

 

Why not exhaust every f***ing possibility within the organization before emptying out the farm to acquire a rental?

[notin]

Typically internal solutions are first, since they can be undone. Most trades have some sort of “no backsies” policy, but they use confusing legal jargon.

 

That said, one reason to have a good farm is prospects are a form of currency around MLB. You need them to make trades in many cases. And I don’t worry about losing Chavis. My fear with him is not many teams will have much interest. His only two useful skills are occasionally hitting with power and making league minimum wage…

[oldtimer]

Cordero has an OPS of 1.152 in 98 PA. Not so sure the last 5 PA negate the previous 93.

 

The game before, Duran went 1 for 4 with 3 K’s. Should he also get less consideration based on one game?

 

Both will see time in Boston this year. Cordero is likely first, most because he’s already on the 40 man roster. So if you want Duran up, you should be calling for a Cordero promotion just to get it out of the way…

 

Yes, and I recall someone said the same thing about Duran's striking out three times. Cordero has had a problem with striking out at the ML level as well. It does give one pause about both of them. I do think Cordero gets called up before Duran primarily because Duran will be given a chance to play in the Olympics. I think Duran with his speed is likely to be given a chance to lead off when he gets called up, probably in August.

[Nick]

Typically internal solutions are first, since they can be undone. Most trades have some sort of “no backsies” policy, but they use confusing legal jargon.

 

That said, one reason to have a good farm is prospects are a form of currency around MLB. You need them to make trades in many cases. And I don’t worry about losing Chavis. My fear with him is not many teams will have much interest. His only two useful skills are occasionally hitting with power and making league minimum wage…

 

 

I come back to this post.....I don't see us advancing in 'playoff's' with current starting rotation. We need Sale, Whitlock and/or Houck inserted.

 

Red Sox

ERA--WHIP

3.90-1.27 Eovaldi

4.32-1.40 Perez

4.36-1.35 Pivetta

4.36-1.61 Richards

6.07-1.46 E Rod

 

All with 14 starts other than Eovaldi, 15 starts.

 

White Sox (possible 1st round opponent)

ERA--WHIP

3.98-1.34 Keuchel

3.99-1.30 Cease

3.86-1.10 Giolito

2.14-1.00 Lynn

1.83-0.84 Rodon

Edited June 23, 2021 by Nick

[notin]

Yes, and I recall someone said the same thing about Duran's striking out three times. Cordero has had a problem with striking out at the ML level as well. It does give one pause about both of them. I do think Cordero gets called up before Duran primarily because Duran will be given a chance to play in the Olympics. I think Duran with his speed is likely to be given a chance to lead off when he gets called up, probably in August.

 

I’d like to see Cordero face MLB pitchers who can’t use Spider Tack…

[Nick]

The Red Sox bullpen picture is coming into focus

 

It’ll never be beyond improvement, but the foundation is solid.

 

https://www.overthemonster.com/2021/6/23/22546918/boston-red-sox-bullpen-barnes-ottavino-whitlock-taylor-hernandez-sawamura

 

"They have a group of five arms they are willing to throw out in late and close situations, all of whom continue to come through at a strong rate. Matt Barnes has been playing the role of the relief ace, and doing it just about as well as any pitcher in baseball. Adam Ottavino has recovered from a rough start to settle in nicely as the primary setup option, shutting teams down in the eighth inning. Josh Taylor and Darwinzon Hernandez are executing as a dynamic duo from the left side, with Taylor in particular dominating right now. And Hirokazu Sawamura is using his mid-90s splitter to give batters a look they aren’t seeing from anybody else.

 

Of his (Whitlock) 20 appearances this season, half of them have seen him go at least two innings, with another four on top of that being between one and two frames.

 

The Red Sox should absolutely target some sort of relief help at the trade deadline, and they should continue to keep an open mind about their own in-house options like Eduard Bazardo (whenever he’s healthy again) and Kaleb Ort, among others in Worcester."

Edited June 23, 2021 by Nick

[oldtimer]

I love Bloom's approach.

 

I don't want to see any Sox prospect traded for a 'rental'. None, not Chavis, not Matta, no one, period.

 

We should look at every prospect in the organization to make current team better.

 

What exactly is the downside to replacing Santana? That someone else will pick him up and then he goes on a tear? Do you see that happening? We can be patient with Dalbec, but not Santana. He's a veteran. He was hired gun to hit for us. I've watched almost his every at bat. I don't see anything resembling what everyone else sees.

 

Doing everything also means to stretch out Whitlock. Again, no one here has told me it can't be done. Our starters often fail in first couple of innings. Why not go with an opener? Bloom has had success with it.

 

Why not exhaust every f***ing possibility within the organization before emptying out the farm to acquire a rental?

 

There was talk of trading Brayan Bello and another to pick up a 32 YO pitcher from the Diamondbacks. We need to keep our promising pitching prospects.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

I love Bloom's approach.

 

I don't want to see any Sox prospect traded for a 'rental'. None, not Chavis, not Matta, no one, period.

 

We should look at every prospect in the organization to make current team better.

 

What exactly is the downside to replacing Santana? That someone else will pick him up and then he goes on a tear? Do you see that happening? We can be patient with Dalbec, but not Santana. He's a veteran. He was hired gun to hit for us. I've watched almost his every at bat. I don't see anything resembling what everyone else sees.

 

Doing everything also means to stretch out Whitlock. Again, no one here has told me it can't be done. Our starters often fail in first couple of innings. Why not go with an opener? Bloom has had success with it.

 

Why not exhaust every f***ing possibility within the organization before emptying out the farm to acquire a rental?

 

A year when things are going mostly right is rare, so I'm ok with trading a few prospects for a rental. Acquiring an established big leaguer that veteran players respect can boost team morale. It shows that management is trying to augment the roster, more so I think than calling up unproven young guys vying to take someone else's job.

 

As a fan -- if the team is a contender -- I always expect the GM to make a few moves to go for it, to assure me that it will be worth investing my time and money through the rest of the season. I'm never thinking about two or three years from now.

 

For an example, I loved the 1988 Mike Boddicker trade because it won two division titles for the Sox. I hated to see Brady Anderson go, but Schilling was just a minor leaguer at the time -- and a pitcher who would take five years in the majors to reach stardom.

[Nick]

I am all for Ottavino type deal. But we'll need to keep the money below $10M. (prorated, less than $5M).

[Maxbialystock]

I love Bloom's approach.

 

I don't want to see any Sox prospect traded for a 'rental'. None, not Chavis, not Matta, no one, period.

 

We should look at every prospect in the organization to make current team better.

 

What exactly is the downside to replacing Santana? That someone else will pick him up and then he goes on a tear? Do you see that happening? We can be patient with Dalbec, but not Santana. He's a veteran. He was hired gun to hit for us. I've watched almost his every at bat. I don't see anything resembling what everyone else sees.

 

Doing everything also means to stretch out Whitlock. Again, no one here has told me it can't be done. Our starters often fail in first couple of innings. Why not go with an opener? Bloom has had success with it.

 

Why not exhaust every f***ing possibility within the organization before emptying out the farm to acquire a rental?

 

Vehemently agree on Bloom's approach and on not acquiring a rental.

 

I also don't like Santana but have to trust the same guy, Bloom, and his manager, Cora, that Santana--at least for now--is worthy hanging onto. He is fast on the basepaths and a versatile fielder. He's 30 and 2 years ago his OPS was .857 in 130 games for Texas.

 

However, a bigger clue is that his lifetime OPS is .703 and OBP .297. Except for baserunning and versatile defense, he mostly stunk in 4 seasons (2014, his first season, was pretty good with an OPS of .814) at Minnesota and 2 at Atlanta. The Twins, the Braves, and the Rangers have all been more than happy to let him go.

 

Maybe the rub is that Santana this year is being paid $1.75M, more than each of 9 other Sox active roster players: Sawamura, Workman, Verdugo, Pivetta, Arroyo, Taylor, Darwinzon Hernandez, Dalbec, and Whitlock. $1.75M is a far cry from the horrors of HanRam and Sandoval, but still.

[Nick]

Vehemently agree on Bloom's approach and on not acquiring a rental.

 

I also don't like Santana but have to trust the same guy, Bloom, and his manager, Cora, that Santana--at least for now--is worthy hanging onto. He is fast on the basepaths and a versatile fielder. He's 30 and 2 years ago his OPS was .857 in 130 games for Texas.

 

However, a bigger clue is that his lifetime OPS is .703 and OBP .297. Except for baserunning and versatile defense, he mostly stunk in 4 seasons (2014, his first season, was pretty good with an OPS of .814) at Minnesota and 2 at Atlanta. The Twins, the Braves, and the Rangers have all been more than happy to let him go.

 

Maybe the rub is that Santana this year is being paid $1.75M, more than each of 9 other Sox active roster players: Sawamura, Workman, Verdugo, Pivetta, Arroyo, Taylor, Darwinzon Hernandez, Dalbec, and Whitlock. $1.75M is a far cry from the horrors of HanRam and Sandoval, but still.

 

I would agree on Santana's versatility if not for having Marwin on our roster. Arroyo can play both short and second base, Kike second and centfield, Marwin pretty much every position. I'm a Sox fan and I want all to do well.

 

My only point being that we exhaust internal possibilities before looking outside the organization. I don't think we've done that yet.

 

Bringing up Duran as an example maybe a desperate move but it won't cost us anything. We've already dealt with less than stellar performances from the likes of Cordero, Santana, Marwin and Dalbec. Maybe, just maybe they're wrong on Duran. Bloom is smart enough to know he's not perfect.

Edited June 23, 2021 by Nick

[moonslav59]

I love Bloom's approach.

 

I don't want to see any Sox prospect traded for a 'rental'. None, not Chavis, not Matta, no one, period.

 

We should look at every prospect in the organization to make current team better.

 

What exactly is the downside to replacing Santana? That someone else will pick him up and then he goes on a tear? Do you see that happening? We can be patient with Dalbec, but not Santana. He's a veteran. He was hired gun to hit for us. I've watched almost his every at bat. I don't see anything resembling what everyone else sees.

 

Doing everything also means to stretch out Whitlock. Again, no one here has told me it can't be done. Our starters often fail in first couple of innings. Why not go with an opener? Bloom has had success with it.

 

Why not exhaust every f***ing possibility within the organization before emptying out the farm to acquire a rental?

 

One reason I see for trading Chavis is that he most likely wi. Not make our 40 man roster, next year.