A Realistic View at 2021: Part II

[oldtimer]

Has anyone yet seen what transactions have occurred to the 40 man to allow Duran to come up ad Houck to be added to the active roster?

[moonslav59]

Has anyone yet seen what transactions have occurred to the 40 man to allow Duran to come up ad Houck to be added to the active roster?

 

Not yet

[dgalehouse]

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

 

Okay. Maybe not for the super serious, super knowledgeable members of Red Sox Nation.

[Hugh2]

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.

 

I think it’s more of a function of not wanting to throw a new position at him and Renfroe at the same time. Keep Verdugo in LF. Durans speed does not play up in CF because he doesn’t get great reads.

 

Reportedly he has made strides in his defense the past couple months which is encouraging. I hope he continues to do so.

[notin]

I think it’s more of a function of not wanting to throw a new position at him and Renfroe at the same time. Keep Verdugo in LF. Durans speed does not play up in CF because he doesn’t get great reads.

 

Reportedly he has made strides in his defense the past couple months which is encouraging. I hope he continues to do so.

 

If his defensive learning curve was one reason for delaying his promotion, it would be unfathomably stupid to just thrust him into another completely new position…

[mvp 78]

If his defensive learning curve was one reason for delaying his promotion, it would be unfathomably stupid to just thrust him into another completely new position…

 

He's played all 3 OF positions in AAA this year, but primarily CF.

[notin]

He's played all 3 OF positions in AAA this year, but primarily CF.

 

So no 1b?

 

My point stands…

[mvp 78]

So no 1b?

 

My point stands…

 

The 1b idea whooshed right past me because of how silly it was. I thought they were referencing moving him to LF or RF.

[notin]

The 1b idea whooshed right past me because of how silly it was. I thought they were referencing moving him to LF or RF.

 

It’s one thing to suggest it on an innocuous message board. We get 5 sillier ideas before breakfast. (I’m good for two of them.) But if the Sox actually attempted it, I’d lose all faith in Cora and Bloom…

[harmony]

@ChrisCotillo

The Ryan Weber era is over. Brewers have claimed him off waivers.

And the Seattle Mariners have claimed Ryan Weber off waivers.

 

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/07/mariners-claim-ryan-weber-off-waivers-from-brewers.html#comments

[Nick]

It’s one thing to suggest it on an innocuous message board. We get 5 sillier ideas before breakfast. (I’m good for two of them.) But if the Sox actually attempted it, I’d lose all faith in Cora and Bloom…

 

I am curious from strategy standpoint why we would have Arroyo work out at 1B. Does he have a reverse split or something? This is an organization that's having Cordero work out at 1B (apparently his first position was as a shortstop I've been told). Is it so far fetched to work out Duran at 1B? I was half ass joking when I made the comment.

 

So if we play Duran in CF, Kike at 2B and Arroyo at 1B, why are we keeping Dalbec? No one but me thinks it's odd? Dalbec is not only platooning but he's also held out from hitting certain left handers?

 

It's also interesting that many here, including Bloom has commented 1B is the easiest position to learn to play. But it's a tough position to master for one young man apparently.

Edited July 16, 2021 by Nick

[Bellhorn04]

I am curious from strategy standpoint why we would have Arroyo work out at 1B. Does he have a reverse split or something? This is an organization that's having Cordero work out at 1B (apparently his first position was as a shortstop I've been told). Is it so far fetched to work out Duran at 1B? I was half ass joking when I made the comment.

 

So if we play Duran in CF, Kike at 2B and Arroyo at 1B, why are we keeping Dalbec? No one but me thinks it's odd? Dalbec is not only platooning but he's also held out from hitting certain left handers?

 

No one knows a gosh darn thing about how they're going to work this.

[Nick]

Great lineup today against a lefty.

 

No Marwin, No Santana.

 

Let's put the damn Yankees out of their misery. Time to step on their throats.

[moonslav59]

Brice officially DFA'd to make room for Duran.

[moonslav59]

I am curious from strategy standpoint why we would have Arroyo work out at 1B. Does he have a reverse split or something? This is an organization that's having Cordero work out at 1B (apparently his first position was as a shortstop I've been told). Is it so far fetched to work out Duran at 1B? I was half ass joking when I made the comment.

 

So if we play Duran in CF, Kike at 2B and Arroyo at 1B, why are we keeping Dalbec? No one but me thinks it's odd? Dalbec is not only platooning but he's also held out from hitting certain left handers?

 

It's also interesting that many here, including Bloom has commented 1B is the easiest position to learn to play. But it's a tough position to master for one young man apparently.

 

Dalbec can play vs every LHP. That may be only 3-4 times out of 10 games.

 

Arroyo or Kike play 1B vs RHPs. The other plays 2B.

 

vs LHPs, Arroyo plays 2B and Kike plays the OF as Verdugo or Duran sit.

[oldtimer]

I am curious from strategy standpoint why we would have Arroyo work out at 1B. Does he have a reverse split or something? This is an organization that's having Cordero work out at 1B (apparently his first position was as a shortstop I've been told). Is it so far fetched to work out Duran at 1B? I was half ass joking when I made the comment.

 

So if we play Duran in CF, Kike at 2B and Arroyo at 1B, why are we keeping Dalbec? No one but me thinks it's odd? Dalbec is not only platooning but he's also held out from hitting certain left handers?

 

It's also interesting that many here, including Bloom has commented 1B is the easiest position to learn to play. But it's a tough position to master for one young man apparently.

 

Dalbec has enormous power, which is something to develop. The question is can he at least hit left handers well enough to justify keeping him. My early watching of his plate approach was that he was taking a lot of hittable pitches and then chasing when down on the count. Was he coached to take these pitches or was his recognition that bad so he didn't see them as strikes? I don't know but he has to modify his approach to have any chance of sticking long term. Casas is a ways from making it to the big leagues but already seems to recognize pitches better than Dalbec. If Casas comes up, I doubt if we see him until as a cameo in Sept. next season. Until then we have no regular first baseman unless we trade for one.

[moonslav59]

Dalbec has enormous power, which is something to develop. The question is can he at least hit left handers well enough to justify keeping him. My early watching of his plate approach was that he was taking a lot of hittable pitches and then chasing when down on the count. Was he coached to take these pitches or was his recognition that bad so he didn't see them as strikes? I don't know but he has to modify his approach to have any chance of sticking long term. Casas is a ways from making it to the big leagues but already seems to recognize pitches better than Dalbec. If Casas comes up, I doubt if we see him until as a cameo in Sept. next season. Until then we have no regular first baseman unless we trade for one.

 

This year, Dalbec is .599 v RHPs and .799 vs LHPs.

 

That .799 number is top 9 on the team, so yes, he should play vs LHPs.

 

Why bench a .799 hitter so one of these guys play instead?

 

2021 OPS vs LHPs

 

.506 Verdugo (Why is nobody talking Verdugo platoon? He's .687 career.)

.521 Vaz (cant't platoon with anyone buy Plawecki/Wong)

.616 Santana

.683 Devers (do not platoon Devers)

.700 Chavis

.752 Plawecki

.784 Kike (.816 career)

.788 Marwin (.728 career)

.798 Dalbec (.859 career)

.858 Arroyo (career splits are nearly identical but in the 680's)

 

Edited July 16, 2021 by moonslav59

[Nick]

TANNER TIME....the team already looks better.

 

Moon did call it but Arroyo now .800 OPS, 4th on the team. All 3 OF's behind him. I think he's little bigger than Pedey and stronger.

[moonslav59]

The official moves today:

 

Brice DFA'd- Duran added to 40 man and called up.

 

Marwin placed on 10 day IL (right hamstring)- Houck called up.

 

Santana sent on rehab assignment to AAA.

 

 

[moonslav59]

TANNER TIME....the team already looks better.

 

Moon did call it but Arroyo now .800 OPS, 4th on the team. All 3 OF's behind him. I think he's little bigger than Pedey and stronger.

 

When I said he reminds me of Pedey, I meant his approach. The guy has grit.

[Nick]

When I said he reminds me of Pedey, I meant his approach. The guy has grit.

 

I don't disagree with you...

[moonslav59]

I don't disagree with you...

 

So many of our off season questions are being answered in good ways.

 

We tend to hear more about the ones that are not, but such is the way of the world.

[Larry Cook]

So many of our off season questions are being answered in good ways.

 

We tend to hear more about the ones that are not, but such is the way of the world.

 

To that end, I think Hang’em Chaim needs to give, whoever it was in the baseball analytics department that said we need to take Whitlock in the rule 5 draft, a huge raise! That guy wins find of the year.

[moonslav59]

Next Roster moves:

 

Marwin will replace Chavis.

 

Sale will replace Workman or Rios.

 

Andriese may not return, or he may replace Rios or Workman.

 

Cordero, Brasier & Valdez wait in the wings.

[moonslav59]

To that end, I think Hang’em Chaim needs to give, whoever it was in the baseball analytics department that said we need to take Whitlock in the rule 5 draft, a huge raise! That guy wins find of the year.

 

This could be one of the first signs our new guys are changing the tune on finding and developing fine young pitchers.

 

I'm not sure, if they should get credit for "developing" or putting the finishing touches on Houck, but did anyone expect anything from him back when DD and his farm crew were in charge?

[oldtimer]

This could be one of the first signs our new guys are changing the tune on finding and developing fine young pitchers.

 

I'm not sure, if they should get as icredit for "developing" or putting the finishing touches on Houck, but did anyone expect anything from him back when DD and his farm crew were in charge?

 

Houck answered some questions tonight. He showed a good fastball with life and a good slider. It looks like Cora does intend to use him in long relief and possibly in spot starts. The good news tonight, Houck and E-Rod pitched to all except one batter. The BP should be fresh as we continue on a stretch of very tough games. Takes some pressure off looking for pitching in the trade market.

 

Other good news was Arroyo's continued very good AB's. This kid could prove to be a steal for us. Also Rafi put together outstanding AB's.

 

I did notice both Renfroe and Dalbec have trouble recognizing the curve ball.

[moonslav59]

Houck answered some questions tonight. He showed a good fastball with life and a good slider. It looks like Cora does intend to use him in long relief and possibly in spot starts. The good news tonight, Houck and E-Rod pitched to all except one batter. The BP should be fresh as we continue on a stretch of very tough games. Takes some pressure off looking for pitching in the trade market.

 

Other good news was Arroyo's continued very good AB's. This kid could prove to be a steal for us. Also Rafi put together outstanding AB's.

 

I did notice both Renfroe and Dalbec have trouble recognizing the curve ball.

 

I read some where, Houck was going to start a game in Toronto.

[notin]

I am curious from strategy standpoint why we would have Arroyo work out at 1B. Does he have a reverse split or something? This is an organization that's having Cordero work out at 1B (apparently his first position was as a shortstop I've been told). Is it so far fetched to work out Duran at 1B? I was half ass joking when I made the comment.

 

So if we play Duran in CF, Kike at 2B and Arroyo at 1B, why are we keeping Dalbec? No one but me thinks it's odd? Dalbec is not only platooning but he's also held out from hitting certain left handers?

 

It's also interesting that many here, including Bloom has commented 1B is the easiest position to learn to play. But it's a tough position to master for one young man apparently.

 

The Sox just spent 2 1/2 years making Duran learn the OF. Not likely they switch him back to IF so quickly. Especially if they moved him off 2b in the first place because they didn’t like his defense there…

[moonslav59]

The Sox just spent 2 1/2 years making Duran learn the OF. Not likely they switch him back to IF so quickly. Especially if they moved him off 2b in the first place because they didn’t like his defense there…

 

Plus, there is Cora being all gah-gah over Kike's 2B defense.

 

I was all gah-gah over his CF play, especially of late.

[Larry Cook]

This could be one of the first signs our new guys are changing the tune on finding and developing fine young pitchers.

 

I'm not sure, if they should get credit for "developing" or putting the finishing touches on Houck, but did anyone expect anything from him back when DD and his farm crew were in charge?

 

Maybe our new strategy for “developing” pitching is signing/grabbing it from other teams.

 

Could he why our 2020 and 2021 drafts were a bunch of positions guys and a bunch of relievers and really only one or two real starters!