A Realistic View at 2021: Part II

[Hugh2]

Illinois is dead on accurate.

 

I second this.

[Bellhorn04]

Maybe for some fans, it's not as much the actual number Kike signed for, but that of all Bloom's recruits, Kike got paid the most...(for two years)

 

Anyone who is really paying attention sees that Bloom spent just enough to put us about $5 mill under the first tax threshold, presumably leaving that for the deadline. And by doing so, in spite of all our issues, payroll and otherwise, he managed to assemble a contending team.

 

The rest is just noise, really.

[oldtimer]

Don't know where to put draft related comments but I see the Sox have $11,359,600 to spend in bonus money.

 

By rounds (1st 5) these is what the slot expectations are:

 

1st round $6,664,000

2nd. round $1,856,700

3rd round $831,100

4th round $554,300

5th round $410,100

 

The Sox may take Leiter but the top catcher also fits the Sox needs

[notin]

Grading Boston Red Sox’s winter additions: the good (Garrett Whitlock, Hunter Renfroe), the bad (Kiké Hernández) and the ugly (Danny Santana) | Chris Cotillo (MLB Notebook)

 

Finally.....imagine the Rays paying 2 year $14M for former bench player. Not a very good FA signing. If he is what he is then we had no business signing him for $14M. This was Cora signing.

 

Is Cora the new Lucchino? The guy credited with unpopular free agents?

[notin]

Don't know where to put draft related comments but I see the Sox have $11,359,600 to spend in bonus money.

 

By rounds (1st 5) these is what the slot expectations are:

 

1st round $6,664,000

2nd. round $1,856,700

3rd round $831,100

4th round $554,300

5th round $410,100

 

The Sox may take Leiter but the top catcher also fits the Sox needs

 

Drafting for need is silly because no one knows what those needs will be in 2024…

[Bellhorn04]

Is Cora the new Lucchino? The guy credited with unpopular free agents?

 

Lucchino got blamed for $95 million contracts. Cora is only on the hook for $14 million. So it's progress.

[mvp 78]

Except he's not batting 1st any more.

 

Did the animosity start before or after he moved out of the top spot?

[Bellhorn04]

Did the animosity start before or after he moved out of the top spot?

 

Well, this particular back and forth started with Nick's post above.

[notin]

Lucchino got blamed for $95 million contracts. Cora is only on the hook for $14 million. So it's progress.

 

I have a simpler formula. Blame/credit the GM. For everything. Screw pretending to know the inner machinations of the front office….

[Nick]

Just because we're bigger market team than Rays doesn't mean we should waste money.

 

I"m extremely happy with Bloom.

 

But it's about getting 'value' in return. $14M for Kike does not look like value addition so far.

 

Hell I would have been happy with Brock Holt and use the other $5M on a reliever.

[Nick]

I have nothing against Kike.

 

1 I didn't agree Cora's decision to have him lead off after the slow start. Cora was stubborn about it. He was confident he was right.

2 Kike's overpaid from where I sit, on my couch with rear view mirrors.

 

We're playing with less than a full deck. What's the trigger even for getting rid of Santana? Arroyo comes back and Chavis demoted?

 

Does Red Sox have PR department?

 

I love watching Whitlock pitch. I don't care about the score when he comes in. He works quick, he attacks hitters, he doesn't walk very many hitters, he's got quality pitches. He's mentally tough.

 

I will love watching Duran hit and run the bases. I don't get that tingly feeling with Santana. Because it's all about pleasing me. (jk)

Edited June 26, 2021 by Nick

[Nick]

Sooooo, with Richards fiasco, did a memo go out to the scouting department to re-evaluate the spin rate?

[notin]

Sooooo, with Richards fiasco, did a memo go out to the scouting department to re-evaluate the spin rate?

 

The “Richards Fiasco” proved they were right about spin rate. Just look at the difference before and after…

[Bellhorn04]

Just because we're bigger market team than Rays doesn't mean we should waste money.

 

I"m extremely happy with Bloom.

 

But it's about getting 'value' in return. $14M for Kike does not look like value addition so far.

 

Hell I would have been happy with Brock Holt and use the other $5M on a reliever.

 

Kike 0.9 bWAR

Holt -0.1 bWAR

 

That's a win in difference, in less than half a season.

 

I would argue that money for Holt would have been even more wasted.

 

Kike's defensive numbers are what boost his WAR.

[Nick]

Kike 0.9 bWAR

Holt -0.1 bWAR

 

That's a win in difference, in less than half a season.

 

I would argue that money for Holt would have been even more wasted.

 

Kike's defensive numbers are what boost his WAR.

 

Man, you always bust me with facts....stop it.

[Nick]

Some Gems from New York Post

 

Garrett Whitlock, a Rule 5 selection by the Red Sox from the Yankees’ list of unprotected players last December, tossed a pair of shutout innings, the sixth and seventh, for his new club. He owns a 1.49 ERA in 21 games totaling 36 ¹/₃ innings.

 

Adam Ottavino, whom the Yankees salary-dumped on the Red Sox last January, recorded a 1-2-3 eighth inning with a pair of strikeouts (Giancarlo Stanton and Luke Voit). The veteran now owns a 2.64 ERA in 34 games totaling 30 ²/₃ innings.

 

That and $153 million, nearly eight years ago, would have landed you Jacoby Ellsbury, who emerged from the shadows here Friday, wearing his Bosox jersey, to salute his retiring pal Dustin Pedroia. (ok that's funny)

 

The Yankees have a Deivi Garcia problem.

 

Once seen as a potential option for rotation depth — or perhaps a trade chip at next month’s deadline — the 22-year-old right-hander’s season has been a disaster that only grew worse Friday.

Garcia allowed five runs in just two innings for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and has allowed 18 runs in his past 8 ²/₃ innings.

 

Yankees’ Zack Britton exits with hamstring injury

 

It was the latest setback for Britton, who was pitching in his fifth game of the season after his debut was delayed following elbow surgery in March to remove a bone chip. He returned on June 12 and threw three scoreless innings across three games in six days.

Edited June 26, 2021 by Nick

[dgalehouse]

Some Gems from New York Post

 

Garrett Whitlock, a Rule 5 selection by the Red Sox from the Yankees’ list of unprotected players last December, tossed a pair of shutout innings, the sixth and seventh, for his new club. He owns a 1.49 ERA in 21 games totaling 36 ¹/₃ innings.

 

Adam Ottavino, whom the Yankees salary-dumped on the Red Sox last January, recorded a 1-2-3 eighth inning with a pair of strikeouts (Giancarlo Stanton and Luke Voit). The veteran now owns a 2.64 ERA in 34 games totaling 30 ²/₃ innings.

C

That and $153 million, nearly eight years ago, would have landed you Jacoby Ellsbury, who emerged from the shadows here Friday, wearing his Bosox jersey, to salute his retiring pal Dustin Pedroia. (ok that's funny)

 

The Yankees have a Deivi Garcia problem.

 

Once seen as a potential option for rotation depth — or perhaps a trade chip at next month’s deadline — the 22-year-old right-hander’s season has been a disaster that only grew worse Friday.

Garcia allowed five runs in just two innings for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and has allowed 18 runs in his past 8 ²/₃ innings.

 

Yankees’ Zack Britton exits with hamstring injury

 

It was the latest setback for Britton, who was pitching in his fifth game of the season after his debut was delayed following elbow surgery in March to remove a bone chip. He returned on June 12 and threw three scoreless innings across three games in six days.

 

Cashman: " Momma said there'd be days like this." ( But she didn't say how many)

[moonslav59]

Between last year’s trade deadline and the start of 2021, Bloom has added a lot of good players at mostly low or not extreme prices.

 

Sure, we can highlight the Andriese & Santana deals or complain that Kike is 40-50 points below expectations at the 40% point in his first of two seasons, but to me, he’s done a fantastic job readying this team to springboard back into serious contention while giving us a pleasant surprise “bridge year.”

[Larry Cook]

Between last year’s trade deadline and the start of 2021, Bloom has added a lot of good players at mostly low or not extreme prices.

 

Sure, we can highlight the Andriese & Santana deals or complain that Kike is 40-50 points below expectations at the 40% point in his first of two seasons, but to me, he’s done a fantastic job readying this team to springboard back into serious contention while giving us a pleasant surprise “bridge year.”

 

No doubt hang’em Chaim has had a great off season. No one, except Ben’s one amazing offseason, ever hits on all his signings. But hang’em Chaim has really come close.

 

What is truly incredible is about two years after taking control, hang’em Chaim has improved the on field product for both the major league team and minor league system.

[Nick]

We can all agree that Bloom is the best 'get' the Sox got.

 

My guess is Sox expected more from Cordero. He was the left fielder and Kike the second baseman.

 

At some point it's on the players.

 

Cordero is not done. I think he'll get another look.

 

I'm pleased that Sox has been patient with Dalbec. Can't say that he has not had his opportunity. Again, at some point, it's on the player. Based on what he did in 2020, pretty sure Sox wanted more from him this year.

 

Getting Pivetta and Seabold for two relievers last year was Bloom's best trade so far.

 

Whitlock will be a regular starting pitcher next year with five years of team control. Knowledgeable Yankees fans will hurt a little every time he pitches for Sox.

 

Sawamura signing for $1.2M (21), $1.2M (22) and $3.0M club option (23) has not been discussed much but this type of deal is where Bloom shines.

[Bellhorn04]

We can all agree that Bloom is the best 'get' the Sox got.

 

My guess is Sox expected more from Cordero. He was the left fielder and Kike the second baseman.

 

At some point it's on the players.

 

Cordero is not done. I think he'll get another look.

 

I'm pleased that Sox has been patient with Dalbec. Can't say that he has not had his opportunity. Again, at some point, it's on the player. Based on what he did in 2020, pretty sure Sox wanted more from him this year.

 

Getting Pivetta and Seabold for two relievers last year was Bloom's best trade so far.

 

Whitlock will be a regular starting pitcher next year with five years of team control. Knowledgeable Yankees fans will hurt a little every time he pitches for Sox.

 

Sawamura signing for $1.2M (21), $1.2M (22) and $3.0M club option (23) has not been discussed much but this type of deal is where Bloom shines.

 

Agree on all those points.

 

Renfroe has also proved to be an excellent signing. He has become a key player.

[Larry Cook]

Agree on all those points.

 

Renfroe has also proved to be an excellent signing. He has become a key player.

 

Isn’t he up to 11 outfield assists? I think we are among the league leaders in outfield assists.

[moonslav59]

We can all agree that Bloom is the best 'get' the Sox got.

 

My guess is Sox expected more from Cordero. He was the left fielder and Kike the second baseman.

 

At some point it's on the players.

 

Cordero is not done. I think he'll get another look.

 

I'm pleased that Sox has been patient with Dalbec. Can't say that he has not had his opportunity. Again, at some point, it's on the player. Based on what he did in 2020, pretty sure Sox wanted more from him this year.

 

Getting Pivetta and Seabold for two relievers last year was Bloom's best trade so far.

 

Whitlock will be a regular starting pitcher next year with five years of team control. Knowledgeable Yankees fans will hurt a little every time he pitches for Sox.

 

Sawamura signing for $1.2M (21), $1.2M (22) and $3.0M club option (23) has not been discussed much but this type of deal is where Bloom shines.

 

Sadly, not everyone agrees on Bloom being the best get.

 

The Pivetta deal does look like his best, but the Ottavino deal is looking better everyday.

 

If we go back 2 years, some might say the Verdugo deal was the best

[Bellhorn04]

This just in from Cherry-Picked Stat Samples R Us

 

In his last 26 games Hunter Renfroe is hitting 333/413/578 for an OPS of 991. (OK, his BAbip is a little high at 382)

[oldtimer]

Sadly, not everyone agrees on Bloom being the best get.

 

The Pivetta deal does look like his best, but the Ottavino deal is looking better everyday.

 

If we go back 2 years, some might say the Verdugo deal was the best

 

The deals look very good in terms of the team and also the quality of our minor league prospects. We shouldn't expect that projects from other teams would all be doing well. A significant number are a

and that is to Bloom's credit and remember we are doing it while staying below the CBT. What I do question is the tenacity and stubbornness of staying with players who are not getting the job done instead of trying alternatives. Even then, I admit to not being privy to the information available to management. I just hope they don't drag their feet and lose a number of games that we might have won by being more proactive.

[Larry Cook]

The deals look very good in terms of the team and also the quality of our minor league prospects. We shouldn't expect that projects from other teams would all be doing well. A significant number are a

and that is to Bloom's credit and remember we are doing it while staying below the CBT. What I do question is the tenacity and stubbornness of staying with players who are not getting the job done instead of trying alternatives. Even then, I admit to not being privy to the information available to management. I just hope they don't drag their feet and lose a number of games that we might have won by being more proactive.

 

Not everybody can be a 162 game hit machine.

 

Some guys need time to work through issues. Hopefully when they figure it out, the reward was worth the patience!

[Nick]

Santana hit a homer in his first two games and a triple in his fourth game. (3-13, .231)

 

Since then, he's gone 5-52 with five singles. Looks like one of JBJ's slump.

[mvp 78]

Santana hit a homer in his first two games and a triple in his fourth game. (3-13, .231)

 

Since then, he's gone 5-52 with five singles. Looks like one of JBJ's slump.

 

W/o the D

[moonslav59]

The deals look very good in terms of the team and also the quality of our minor league prospects. We shouldn't expect that projects from other teams would all be doing well. A significant number are a

and that is to Bloom's credit and remember we are doing it while staying below the CBT. What I do question is the tenacity and stubbornness of staying with players who are not getting the job done instead of trying alternatives. Even then, I admit to not being privy to the information available to management. I just hope they don't drag their feet and lose a number of games that we might have won by being more proactive.

 

Could it be that maybe we are wrong about thinking smaller sample sizes should be used to make long-lasting choices?

 

It's easy to look back and say, we gave Cordero, Dalbec and Santana (funny how nobody mentions Marwin) too much time.

 

But, what about Renfroe's poor April? Had Bloom & Cora gave up on him, we'd never have known what we missed.

 

Hell, there was a poster talking about sending Devers down in April (not knowing there was no "down" as AAA started in May).

 

[moonslav59]

Santana hit a homer in his first two games and a triple in his fourth game. (3-13, .231)

 

Since then, he's gone 5-52 with five singles. Looks like one of JBJ's slump.

 

His OPS after 2 games was 1.333.

 

It was still over 1.000 after 6 games and at .791 after 8 games.

 

Near total freefall in his last 15 games.

 

Yes, 15 games to determine all we need to know about him, right?