A Realistic View at 2021: Part II

[Nick]

Power of Having A Competitive Team

 

Viewership for the Red Sox on NESN this season is up 84% on the Household level versus last year’s full season average rating, and up 72% as compared to last year’s season average for A25-54. In addition, Adults 18-34 is up 53% versus last year and touts the highest rating since 2011.”

 

Put a winning team on the field and Sox fans will follow......look ma...no Mookie Betts! Bloom maybe the best thing to happen to this organization.

[Hugh2]

You add Duran because you're in the midst of pennant race.

 

Speed, speed, speed, left handed bat......can't do any worse than Santana. He's still locked in for six years beginning 2022.

 

Don't worry, you will see Duran up in 3 days.

[Bellhorn04]

Don't worry, you will see Duran up in 3 days.

 

Why?

 

The team is rolling and they're not going to promote him unless he can play a lot. And he'll be gone for the Olympics.

[iortiz]

What have you done with Kike?

 

Arroyo has been having a lot of trouble staying healthy.

 

Forgot Kike. He could be the first option in the mix with Santana and Marwin.

 

Arroyo has had accidents (bad luck), HbP, Collisions, etc., it hasn't been something structural in his body as long as I recall this year.

 

Arroyo IMO is way better option in all aspects than Kike, Marwin or Santana.

[iortiz]

You add Duran because you're in the midst of pennant race.

 

Speed, speed, speed, left handed bat......can't do any worse than Santana. He's still locked in for six years beginning 2022.

 

This.

 

He can't be worse than Marwin, Santana and even Kike. Not even close actually.

[mvp 78]

Why?

 

The team is rolling and they're not going to promote him unless he can play a lot. And he'll be gone for the Olympics.

 

He's under no obligation to play in the Olympics.

[Hugh2]

Why?

 

The team is rolling and they're not going to promote him unless he can play a lot. And he'll be gone for the Olympics.

 

Hey, I wouldn't bet on my predictions, but if the Sox want him for playoff run he's not going to the Olympics.

[Hugh2]

Correction: Playoff chase.

[mvp 78]

@bostonsportsinf

Red Sox thru 79 games

 

2021 - (48-31, .608)

2018 - (52-27, .658)

2013 - (46-33, .582)

2007 - (49-30, .620)

2004 - (43-36, .544)

[mvp 78]

@alexspeier

Tanner Houck, who turns 25 today, is starting for Triple-A Worcester tonight - his third start back from his flexor strain. He’s struck out 12 with one walk in 6 2/3 innings in his first two starts back from the injury.

 

Dalbec is 26 today and is hitting 9th for the BOSOX.

 

Travis Lakins is 27 today and is starting for the O's against HOU tonight.

 

Big birthday day for current and former prospects.

[notin]

This.

 

He can't be worse than Marwin, Santana and even Kike. Not even close actually.

 

Well, he could be. In his first 92 PA, the more highly regarded Jarred Kelenic post an OPS+ of 9. Yes, 9. Even Santana has an OPS+ of 32….

[mvp 78]

Well, he could be. In his first 92 PA, the more highly regarded Jarred Kelenic post an OPS+ of 9. Yes, 9. Even Santana has an OPS+ of 32….

 

Why didn't harmony compare Duran to HIM?

[Bellhorn04]

This.

 

He can't be worse than Marwin, Santana and even Kike. Not even close actually.

 

You're underrating Kike a bit. He's now 5th on the team in bWAR.

 

Bloom knows what he's doing.

[iortiz]

You're underrating Kike a bit. He's now 5th on the team in bWAR.

 

Bloom knows what he's doing.

 

Oh yeah, I am Bloom’s fan, he definitely knows better than me. And yeah, Kike has improved considerably in last games, which I love it.

 

Said that, IMHO Duran will be a super star and can’t wait to see him in BSOX uniform.

Edited June 29, 2021 by iortiz

[Nick]

Why?

 

The team is rolling and they're not going to promote him unless he can play a lot. And he'll be gone for the Olympics.

 

I have ton of respect for you.

 

But I don't get the team is rolling....

 

Yes it's rolling despite having someone like Santana.

 

Yes it's rolling despite not having had someone like Houck to add pitching depth.

 

We're in a pennant chase. Don't we want to do everything we can to complete the task short of trading out our young talent?

 

I just don't see why anyone would be hesitant to give Duran some playing time. Why? Why? So he goes 0-50, send his ass down and try again next year.

 

He's not going to accrue a year's worth of major league time this year. He'll be under team control for six years starting in 2022. This year becomes 'bonus'.

 

Send him back if he can't hack it. That's what we do.

 

He's not 12. We're not going to hurt his feeling if gets sent back down.

 

I would be very surprised if he's not called up. He can help this ball club.

[Maxbialystock]

I have ton of respect for you.

 

But I don't get the team is rolling....

 

Yes it's rolling despite having someone like Santana.

 

Yes it's rolling despite not having had someone like Houck to add pitching depth.

 

We're in a pennant chase. Don't we want to do everything we can to complete the task short of trading out our young talent?

 

I just don't see why anyone would be hesitant to give Duran some playing time. Why? Why? So he goes 0-50, send his ass down and try again next year.

 

He's not going to accrue a year's worth of major league time this year. He'll be under team control for six years starting in 2022. This year becomes 'bonus'.

 

Send him back if he can't hack it. That's what we do.

 

He's not 12. We're not going to hurt his feeling if gets sent back down.

 

I would be very surprised if he's not called up. He can help this ball club.

 

 

This team may not be rolling, but it has performed way beyond any reasonable expectations. Every time they seem to be doing a nosedive--like losing 4 of 6 last week to the Royals and Rays--they also bounce back.

 

Our rotation ain't so great, but even ERod, who has struggled, and Richards, who looked dead in the water before last night, have battled. So right now I'm happy with the battlers and await the return of Chris Sale.

 

The hitting is actually pretty good so far. 3d most runs scored in MLB, also the 3d best OPS, and Arroyo, currently on the IL, has been part of that, whereas Duran has yet to see a MLB pitch at a time when the divide between minors and majors is bigger than ever.

 

Most of all, however, I like how Bloom and Cora have worked together to create a competitive team when none was expected. It they are slow to bring up Houck or Duran, fine with me. Same applies if both show up tonight or tomorrow.

[Elktonnick]

I agree. The in-game pitching changes are pretty important for various reasons.

 

Cora has excellent judgment and feel for the game and his players.

I also think that defensive shifting has further increased the importance of in game managerial decisions. Let's face it the increased use of analytics means coaches and managers in baseball are acting more like NFL coaches when it comes to where players are placed on the field. This placement changes with each batter.

[Bellhorn04]

I have ton of respect for you.

 

But I don't get the team is rolling....

 

Yes it's rolling despite having someone like Santana.

 

Yes it's rolling despite not having had someone like Houck to add pitching depth.

 

We're in a pennant chase. Don't we want to do everything we can to complete the task short of trading out our young talent?

 

I just don't see why anyone would be hesitant to give Duran some playing time. Why? Why? So he goes 0-50, send his ass down and try again next year.

 

He's not going to accrue a year's worth of major league time this year. He'll be under team control for six years starting in 2022. This year becomes 'bonus'.

 

Send him back if he can't hack it. That's what we do.

 

He's not 12. We're not going to hurt his feeling if gets sent back down.

 

I would be very surprised if he's not called up. He can help this ball club.

 

All I'm saying is they're not going to call him up unless it's to be a starter.

 

Right now we're pretty well set with an outfield of Verdugo, Kike and Renfroe, and Arroyo at second when he's healthy.

 

Santana is already pretty much out of the picture. He's playing tonight, but only because Arroyo isn't healthy yet and Kike is at second.

[iortiz]

I have ton of respect for you.

 

But I don't get the team is rolling....

 

Yes it's rolling despite having someone like Santana.

 

Yes it's rolling despite not having had someone like Houck to add pitching depth.

 

We're in a pennant chase. Don't we want to do everything we can to complete the task short of trading out our young talent?

 

I just don't see why anyone would be hesitant to give Duran some playing time. Why? Why? So he goes 0-50, send his ass down and try again next year.

 

He's not going to accrue a year's worth of major league time this year. He'll be under team control for six years starting in 2022. This year becomes 'bonus'.

 

Send him back if he can't hack it. That's what we do.

 

He's not 12. We're not going to hurt his feeling if gets sent back down.

 

I would be very surprised if he's not called up. He can help this ball club.

 

Once again, this is pure 100% common sense.

 

Give the kid a chance.

[iortiz]

I see the things regarding Duran, just the way Nick is seeing it

 

Said that it doesn’t mean I don’t like Bloom or Cora.

 

Duran won’t hurt this team, just the opposite. As Nick said if he goes 0-50 (which is very very unlikely), you can send him back to minors again. He is not that young either. I’d push the button if I were Bloom.

[Bellhorn04]

Well, I think you guys are going to be disappointed, unless we have an injury. If Duran comes up that would seriously reduce Kike's playing time, and Kike is playing great right now. Plus there may be concerns about Duran's defense.

[Hugh2]

Well, I think you guys are going to be disappointed, unless we have an injury. If Duran comes up that would seriously reduce Kike's playing time, and Kike is playing great right now. Plus there may be concerns about Duran's defense.

 

That’s the case for him not coming up. But if he did come up and slid into left, Verdugo in CF and Renfroe I. Right Kike could return to the role of super utility who gets close to starter reps.

 

We know Cora has been, and continues to be very good at getting people their at bats.

[notin]

I see the things regarding Duran, just the way Nick is seeing it

 

Said that it doesn’t mean I don’t like Bloom or Cora.

 

Duran won’t hurt this team, just the opposite. As Nick said if he goes 0-50 (which is very very unlikely), you can send him back to minors again. He is not that young either. I’d push the button if I were Bloom.

 

Maybe the issue is solely defense?

 

Duran has played just over 200 games in the outfield in his minor league career after playing infield for the majority/entirety of his college career and possibly his high school one as well. And not everybody who converts to outfield takes to the position as quickly and effectively as Mookie did. Does this team need any more questionable defenders?

[iortiz]

Well, I think you guys are going to be disappointed, unless we have an injury. If Duran comes up that would seriously reduce Kike's playing time, and Kike is playing great right now. Plus there may be concerns about Duran's defense.

 

You are not addressing the problem Bell.

 

The problem is having Santana/Gonzalez. He is way better than them playing everyday.

[iortiz]

Maybe the issue is solely defense?

 

Duran has played just over 200 games in the outfield in his minor league career after playing infield for the majority/entirety of his college career and possibly his high school one as well. And not everybody who converts to outfield takes to the position as quickly and effectively as Mookie did. Does this team need any more questionable defenders?

You have to give him a chance and figure out but I bet he won’t play the OF worse than JD —which would be the very least you would ask.

[notin]

You have to give him a chance and figure out but I bet he won’t play the OF worse than JD —which would be the very least you would ask.

 

JD only plays the OF during inter league road games, which is going to continue as long as he keeps hitting and Duran isn’t going to take those limited innings away from him. The Sox don’t play Martinez in the OF for his glove.

 

It’s possible the entire reason Duran is still in AAA is to “figure it out” defensively. He can do that in Worcester. In fact, he’ll do it faster there…

[notin]

You are not addressing the problem Bell.

 

The problem is having Santana/Gonzalez. He is way better than them playing everyday.

 

When Arroyo is healthy, they don’t need to play them every day. Those guys are injury replacements from the bench…

[iortiz]

JD only plays the OF during inter league road games, which is going to continue as long as he keeps hitting and Duran isn’t going to take those limited innings away from him. The Sox don’t play Martinez in the OF for his glove.

 

It’s possible the entire reason Duran is still in AAA is to “figure it out” defensively. He can do that in Worcester. In fact, he’ll do it faster there…

 

I don’t think you got the point. The JD defense thing is just the bar level.

 

JD is not the best defensive player but he is good enough to play decently. If Duran plays better than JD, say 50% better, we will not have a problem regarding defense.

[iortiz]

When Arroyo is healthy, they don’t need to play them every day. Those guys are injury replacements from the bench…

 

Arroyo has been healthy and still those guys play way more. Also, Duran can share AB with Kike and Arroyo in the worst case scenario.

 

i.e. you will have a “luxury” depth on the bench and more competitiveness by definition with Duran there. Kike and Arroyo won’t relax and Santana/Gonzalez could level up their game.

 

Said that, don’t get me wrong, I trust in Bloom and Cora but it doesn’t mean I disagree at times on how they manage things like the leadoff issue and the keeping Santana/Gonzalez and not calling up Duran.

 

Not sure how this could be a wrong move in any way.

[mvp 78]

If Duran is going to share AB’s, he should stay in WOO.