Major Concerns

[notin]

I totally agree, but I am stopping short on bashing Cora for doing anything, so far. He has the long view to consider.

 

Not to mention, Cora did not sign the versatile players...

[mvp 78]

I totally agree, but I am stopping short on bashing Cora for doing anything, so far. He has the long view to consider.

 

I'm not bashing yet. Just questioning the thought process.

[mvp 78]

Not to mention, Cora did not sign the versatile players...

 

Yes, I am underwhelmed over the moves that Bloom made this offseason for sure.

 

Renfroe? Richards? Marwin and Kiké are ok, I guess? Ottavino doesn't look that great.

 

Whitlock was a gem, but that's about it.

[moonslav59]

Not to mention, Cora did not sign the versatile players...

 

He probably had some influence, especially on the 14 pitcher choice, but it's not like anyone is really pining for Chavis to be on the 26.

 

Duran is not ready, IMO.

Casas may be months or a year plus away.

Downs, too.

Arauz may have the best argument, but with Arroyo doing so well, where would he play?

 

I've been against the 14 pitcher idea while trying not to be critical of Cora or Bloom, and one thing it does allow for is the ability of Cora to pick and choose pitchers he thinks can be placed in a situation where they are most likely to succeed and not be forced to use someone just because they are the best of 2-3 arms left that night.

[mvp 78]

He probably had some influence, especially on the 14 pitcher choice, but it's not like anyone is really pining for Chavis to be on the 26.

 

Duran is not ready, IMO.

Casas may be months or a year plus away.

Downs, too.

Arauz may have the best argument, but with Arroyo doing so well, where would he play?

 

I've been against the 14 pitcher idea while trying not to be critical of Cora or Bloom, and one thing it does allow for is the ability of Cora to pick and choose pitchers he thinks can be placed in a situation where they are most likely to succeed and not be forced to use someone just because they are the best of 2-3 arms left that night.

 

To me, Brice was the 14th guy. He still seems to be. No need for him on the roster IMO.

[moonslav59]

Yes, I am underwhelmed over the moves that Bloom made this offseason for sure.

 

Renfroe? Richards? Marwin and Kiké are ok, I guess? Ottavino doesn't look that great.

 

Whitlock was a gem, but that's about it.

 

I think the Ottavino deal was more about getting Frank German and still staying under the tax line.

 

Plus, it's not like the guy has had a bad history.

[moonslav59]

To me, Brice was the 14th guy. He still seems to be. No need for him on the roster IMO.

 

I agree, but since he's out of options, maybe the thought is to keep as many arms "live" as possible.

 

I'm not sure anyone would claim him, if he was DFA'd.

[moonslav59]

I'm not bashing yet. Just questioning the thought process.

 

That's how I feel, and voicing an opinion that differs from the team does not always mean you think the choice they made was wrong.

[Bellhorn04]

Yes, I am underwhelmed over the moves that Bloom made this offseason for sure.

 

Renfroe? Richards? Marwin and Kiké are ok, I guess? Ottavino doesn't look that great.

 

Whitlock was a gem, but that's about it.

 

Andriese and Sawamura have also been good.

[oldtimer]

He probably had some influence, especially on the 14 pitcher choice, but it's not like anyone is really pining for Chavis to be on the 26.

 

Duran is not ready, IMO.

Casas may be months or a year plus away.

Downs, too.

Arauz may have the best argument, but with Arroyo doing so well, where would he play?

 

I've been against the 14 pitcher idea while trying not to be critical of Cora or Bloom, and one thing it does allow for is the ability of Cora to pick and choose pitchers he thinks can be placed in a situation where they are most likely to succeed and not be forced to use someone just because they are the best of 2-3 arms left that night.

 

You say Duran is not ready, but in comparison to who. Are Renfroe and or Codero more ready?

[mvp 78]

I think the Ottavino deal was more about getting Frank German and still staying under the tax line.

 

Plus, it's not like the guy has had a bad history.

 

I guess? That's a lot to pay for German.

[mvp 78]

Andriese and Sawamura have also been good.

 

That is true.

[moonslav59]

12 Winter Additions plus 3 more coming:

 

Whitlock

Andriese

Sawamura

 

Hernandez

Marwin

Cordero

 

Richards

Renfroe

Ottavino

 

Ronaldo Hernandez

Frank German

Josh Winkowski

 

3 PTBNL (2 from KC & 1 from NYM)

Edited April 23, 2021 by moonslav59

[moonslav59]

I guess? That's a lot to pay for German.

 

Obviously, yes- I should not have said "more about," but I do think it was a significant part of us doing that deal.

 

We thought Ottavino would be good, and he still might be.

[notin]

I guess? That's a lot to pay for German.

 

Well getting a prospect you like without giving up anything can be tricky...

[moonslav59]

I guess? That's a lot to pay for German.

 

Maybe he's the next Whitlock.

[notin]

Maybe he's the next Whitlock.

 

After only 9 IP, do we even know what the first Whitlock is?

[moonslav59]

You say Duran is not ready, but in comparison to who. Are Renfroe and or Codero more ready?

 

Yes, way more ML ready.

 

Renfroe has already proven he can play at the ML level.

 

No 20 game sample size negates that.

 

Cordero is more of a question mark, but he's played OF much longer than Duran.

 

Look, Duran may or may not be deemed ML ready by the Sox brass. I trust they know more than both of us combined.

 

They may think he's ready, but are holding him back for maybe these other reasons, like...

 

team control years

won't be playing FT, so AAA is better for development

want to give Renfroe and Cordero a longer look before pulling the plug

think Marwin is ahead of him, anyway

might want to find out more about Chavis before Duran

[moonslav59]

After only 9 IP, do we even know what the first Whitlock is?

 

Good point.

[notin]

Yes, way more ML ready.

 

Renfroe has already proven he can play at the ML level.

 

No 20 game sample size negates that.

 

Cordero is more of a question mark, but he's played OF much longer than Duran.

 

Look, Duran may or may not be deemed ML ready by the Sox brass. I trust they know more than both of us combined.

 

They may think he's ready, but are holding him back for maybe these other reasons, like...

 

team control years

won't be playing FT, so AAA is better for development

want to give Renfroe and Cordero a longer look before pulling the plug

think Marwin is ahead of him, anyway

might want to find out more about Chavis before Duran

 

I think some fans forget Duran didn’t play outfield until late in the 2018 season, played there regularly in 2019, and then didn’t have a 2020...

[moonslav59]

I think some fans forget Duran didn’t play outfield until late in the 2018 season, played there regularly in 2019, and then didn’t have a 2020...

 

...or, they think anyone can do what Mookie did.

 

Look, I'm not saying he is not ready. He might be. What counts is what the Sox think, AND even if he is "ready" in their opinion, do they think now is the time.

 

Word was he also recently changed his batting approach, so maybe they want him to have more time working that out. He did only hit .775 in 2019, which included a bunch of infield hits he may not get in the bigs.

 

I certainly am not going to pull the plug on a Renfroe-Cordero platoon after just 20 games, especially when both have hit against the wrong handed pitcher, too often.

 

I also think Cora wants to get Marwin as many PAs as possible, so even if Duran was on the 26, he might not play much.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

You say Duran is not ready, but in comparison to who. Are Renfroe and or Codero more ready?

 

Nobody expected the Sox to contend for the division title this year, so many fans (here; I won't say most in the Nation) accepted Bloom's offseason "stop-gap" "band-aid" "bridge-building" acquisitions. But since Boston has had such a strong start, Renfroe and Cordero are major concerns... because well, they kinda suck. Their histories can't be brushed off like established regulars or stars who typically heat up with the thermometer or maybe had a sub-par pandemic summer.

 

For all we know, the sensible plan may have been to get Duran a few months of actual regular minor league PT to hone his assets and improve his weaknesses before easing him into a big league lineup. The Sox surprise start -- and really, the mediocre nines the other AL East foes have revealed thus far -- may put pressure on Bloom and Co. to expedite Duran's development. Not that Bloom will cave to fandom and media demands, though the standings may inconvenience him having to hear them more...

[moonslav59]

Nobody expected the Sox to contend for the division title this year, so many fans (here; I won't say most in the Nation) accepted Bloom's offseason "stop-gap" "band-aid" "bridge-building" acquisitions. But since Boston has had such a strong start, Renfroe and Cordero are major concerns... because well, they kinda suck. Their histories can't be brushed off like established regulars or stars who typically heat up with the thermometer or maybe had a sub-par pandemic summer.

 

For all we know, the sensible plan may have been to get Duran a few months of actual regular minor league PT to hone his assets and improve his weaknesses before easing him into a big league lineup. The Sox surprise start -- and really, the mediocre nines the other AL East foes have revealed thus far -- may put pressure on Bloom and Co. to expedite Duran's development. Not that Bloom will cave to fandom and media demands, though the standings may inconvenience him having to hear them more...

 

Well said, and I do think the plan is to give some younger players and prospects a significant look, at some point this season.

 

If we are in the playoff hunt and think bringing a prospect up or playing a young ML player might hurt our chances, maybe we'll hold off. (Maybe not.)

 

I also think we will take into consideration years of team control, even with players like Houck, although some knowledgeable posters disagree with me on him.

 

We signed a bunch of one year players, one year + one option players and then EHern to 2 years. That has all the earmarks of making this season a "look see" season. There are a lot of players who I'm sure management would like to come to or close to a final determination- like Chavis, Taylor, Brewer and maybe about Devers continuing at 3B or not.

 

Here are all the players I think management might view as having a chance at sticking around beyond 2021 and 2022, beyond the vets like Sale and are or might be ready to play, this year. I won't list anyone with just 1-2 years of team control, but certainly an extension of re-signing could occur with someone like ERod, Barnes and others.

 

Vets with 3 or more years of team control (born in 1994 or earlier):

3

Devers

Renfroe

Brasier

Brice

4

Sale

Brewer

5

Bogey (no opt out)

Valdez

 

By Position and Age -Born in 1993 or later only (yrs of team control)

Red= not yet on 40 man roster

 

C

25 Wong (5+)

24 Ro Hernandez (5+)

 

1B

26 Dalbec (5+)

26 Chavis (5)

21 Casas

 

2B

26 Arroyo (4)

22 Downs

 

3B

25 Devers (3)

 

SS

23 Arauz (5)

 

LF

27 Cordero (3)

 

CF

25 Wilson (5+)

24 Duran

 

RF

25 Verdugo (4)

 

SP

28 Pivetta (4)

26 Seabold (5+)

25 Whitlock (5+)

25 Houck (5+)

24 Ward

 

RP

28 Taylor

26 Bazardo

25 DHern

 

Others not on 40 man roster:

31 Rondon (P)

30 Puello (OF)

30 Weber (P)

29 Ort (P)

28 K Hart (P)

Edited April 23, 2021 by moonslav59

[notin]

...or, they think anyone can do what Mookie did.

 

Look, I'm not saying he is not ready. He might be. What counts is what the Sox think, AND even if he is "ready" in their opinion, do they think now is the time.

 

Word was he also recently changed his batting approach, so maybe they want him to have more time working that out. He did only hit .775 in 2019, which included a bunch of infield hits he may not get in the bigs.

 

I certainly am not going to pull the plug on a Renfroe-Cordero platoon after just 20 games, especially when both have hit against the wrong handed pitcher, too often.

 

I also think Cora wants to get Marwin as many PAs as possible, so even if Duran was on the 26, he might not play much.

 

Of course, Mookie never took a year off for pandemic reasons...

[notin]

Nobody expected the Sox to contend for the division title this year, so many fans (here; I won't say most in the Nation) accepted Bloom's offseason "stop-gap" "band-aid" "bridge-building" acquisitions. But since Boston has had such a strong start, Renfroe and Cordero are major concerns... because well, they kinda suck. Their histories can't be brushed off like established regulars or stars who typically heat up with the thermometer or maybe had a sub-par pandemic summer.

 

For all we know, the sensible plan may have been to get Duran a few months of actual regular minor league PT to hone his assets and improve his weaknesses before easing him into a big league lineup. The Sox surprise start -- and really, the mediocre nines the other AL East foes have revealed thus far -- may put pressure on Bloom and Co. to expedite Duran's development. Not that Bloom will cave to fandom and media demands, though the standings may inconvenience him having to hear them more...

 

Cordero has never had 160 PA in a season. He really doesn't have a history.

 

Renfroe is a weak side platoon role player.

 

I do think Duran will get a shot this year, but until then the answer might best be either Hernandez in CF, Verdugo in RF and platoon Renfroe and Cordero in LF with Arroyo at 2B. Or at a bare minimum, platoon Renfroe with Marwin Gonzalez in LF.

 

The only actual potential OF in the Sox system above A ball is Duran, with the possible exception of an AAAA type like Gettys or Puello. Or Munoz, who is just another versatile utility player who possesses the skill to play 7 positions equally poorly. Options are pretty limited internally...

[moonslav59]

I do think Duran will get a shot this year, but until then the answer might best be either Hernandez in CF, Verdugo in RF and platoon Renfroe and Cordero in LF with Arroyo at 2B. Or at a bare minimum, platoon Renfroe with Marwin Gonzalez in LF.

 

It took you a while, but you finally came around to my way of thinking from way back in February.

[moonslav59]

No more "major concerns."

 

Game won.

[notin]

It took you a while, but you finally came around to my way of thinking from way back in February.

 

I just couldn’t back Arroyo at the time given his limited sample and even more limited success...

[moonslav59]

I just couldn’t back Arroyo at the time given his limited sample and even more limited success...

 

I wasn't so sure about Arroyo either, but not much more so with Cordero or Renfroe off-handed (or Marwin).

 

I also felt like the chances were better that one from the 5 or 6 had a better chance than just Arroyo. (Arroyo, Chavis, Marwin, Arauz, Munoz/Downs)

 

BTW, ir's early, yet. Plenty of time for Arroyo to prove Cordero and Renfroe, even off handed, are better than him.

[Bellhorn04]

No more "major concerns."

 

Game won.

 

And with our next loss, 'major concerns' will return.