Barnes RISING?

[Sox75]

Is Barnes a legit closer?

 

Kinda looks like it?

[jacksonianmarch]

Barnes has altered his approach and is ready to cash in for his contract year

[moonslav59]

Barnes has altered his approach and is ready to cash in for his contract year

 

His K rate of 15.4 is the same as 2019.

 

Where he's really gone off his previous path is with the BB/9. It's 1.6, this year. It was 4.2 career, before 2021 and 4.5 from 2016-2020. It was 5.4 from 2019-2020!

His H/9 is also way down: 3.2 from 7.9 career.

[jacksonianmarch]

His K rate of 15.4 is the same as 2019.

 

Where he's really gone off his previous path is with the BB/9. It's 1.6, this year. It was 4.2 career, before 2021 and 4.5 from 2016-2020. It was 5.4 from 2019-2020!

His H/9 is also way down: 3.2 from 7.9 career.

 

He has changed his approach. He tried to be a power pitcher who had fine command. He nibbled like he was a soft tosser. He seems to have finally realized that his stuff is special and he needs to just attack the zone. In doing so, he is mowing people down. His issue has never been stuff, it has always been between the ears. He seems to have fixed that

[moonslav59]

Highest K/9 since 2018 (150+ IP);

 

15.96 Hader

15.41 E Diaz

14.42 Barnes

13.41 Sale

13.04 Cole

12.69 Hand

12.49 Ottavino

 

xFIP-

56 Hader & Diaz

58 Pressley

59 Sale

63 deGrom & Cole

66 Barnes

 

 

[mvp 78]

His K rate of 15.4 is the same as 2019.

 

Where he's really gone off his previous path is with the BB/9. It's 1.6, this year. It was 4.2 career, before 2021 and 4.5 from 2016-2020. It was 5.4 from 2019-2020!

His H/9 is also way down: 3.2 from 7.9 career.

 

He's throwing more first pitch strikes and is going after hitters with his FB. Last year, he'd just toss lots of junk.

[mvp 78]

He has changed his approach. He tried to be a power pitcher who had fine command. He nibbled like he was a soft tosser. He seems to have finally realized that his stuff is special and he needs to just attack the zone. In doing so, he is mowing people down. His issue has never been stuff, it has always been between the ears. He seems to have fixed that

 

This.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

No one is saying it here, but some have to be wondering: if the Sox are a .500 team come July, Barnes might just be the one player who can fetch the most or best prospects at the trade deadline. How can Bloom possibly resist such a temptation... unless one believes he plans on offering Barnes a competitive, multi-year free agent contract commensurate with the top MLB closers next winter.

[moonslav59]

No one is saying it here, but some have to be wondering: if the Sox are a .500 team come July, Barnes might just be the one player who can fetch the most or best prospects at the trade deadline. How can Bloom possibly resist such a temptation... unless one believes he plans on offering Barnes a competitive, multi-year free agent contract commensurate with the top MLB closers next winter.

 

He could very well be trade bait and bring the best return.

[notin]

No one is saying it here, but some have to be wondering: if the Sox are a .500 team come July, Barnes might just be the one player who can fetch the most or best prospects at the trade deadline. How can Bloom possibly resist such a temptation... unless one believes he plans on offering Barnes a competitive, multi-year free agent contract commensurate with the top MLB closers next winter.

 

He could do both...

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

He could do both...

 

As long as he doesn't trade him to a California team, where a someone who has had a longtime job in New England may like the weather better...

[mvp 78]

As long as he doesn't trade him to a California team, where a someone who has had a longtime job in New England may like the weather better...

 

He's a New England boy. I think he doesn't mind the weather.

[Bellhorn04]

Modern baseball fans. A guy is off to a great start, and most of the discussion revolves around his contract situation and whether he should be traded at the deadline.

[mvp 78]

Modern baseball fans. A guy is off to a great start, and most of the discussion revolves around his contract situation and whether he should be traded at the deadline.

 

Fun, ain't it?!?

 

*insert Seinfeld rooting for laundry joke*

[Bellhorn04]

Fun, ain't it?!?

 

*insert Seinfeld rooting for laundry joke*

 

I think maybe it's advanced beyond that, to rooting for Bloom against Cashman, Friedman et al.

[Maxbialystock]

Modern baseball fans. A guy is off to a great start, and most of the discussion revolves around his contract situation and whether he should be traded at the deadline.

 

Agree completely. Being a fan is no longer enough on blog sites. You gotta be a GM and/or President of Baseball Operations. It's not about winning and losing as much as it is making a deal--and not a DD deal, but a smart deal that lowers the total salary of the Sox.

 

So, even though the Sox have the best winning percentage and the most wins in MLB, Talksox is replete with discussions about preparing for the worst, dumping good players deemed no long affordable, etc.

 

So far this year the Sox hitting is the best in MLB, the rotation is almost decent, and the bullpen is bringing up the rear. A "save" these days has a bad odor, but this year Barnes has saved the Sox ass repeatedly. JD Martinez's OPS is 1.127 with 10 dingers and 31 rbis. His War is 2.0. Barnes's WAR is .9, tied for highest on the Sox pitching staff.

 

So to me it's so simple. Plan on keeping Barnes because he's doing a great job and actually helping to win games. I will admit an age bias on this point. I frankly am less interested in the 2022 season or, heaven forbid, the ones after.

 

About Barnes. I think the key to his success is relying on just two pitches, a terrific knuckle curve and a decent fast (95 mph) fastball. He doesn't need any other pitches because those two together keep hitters off balance and he can focus on hitting his spots. Uehara did exactly the same thing with the slowest fastball in the history of organized baseball, a devilish splitter, the control of a knife thrower you only see in movies, and the guts of a high-wire artist. The only difference is that Uehara actually had a personality.

[Bellhorn04]

Agree completely. Being a fan is no longer enough on blog sites. You gotta be a GM and/or President of Baseball Operations. It's not about winning and losing as much as it is making a deal--and not a DD deal, but a smart deal that lowers the total salary of the Sox.

 

So, even though the Sox have the best winning percentage and the most wins in MLB, Talksox is replete with discussions about preparing for the worst, dumping good players deemed no long affordable, etc.

 

So far this year the Sox hitting is the best in MLB, the rotation is almost decent, and the bullpen is bringing up the rear. A "save" these days has a bad odor, but this year Barnes has saved the Sox ass repeatedly. JD Martinez's OPS is 1.127 with 10 dingers and 31 rbis. His War is 2.0. Barnes's WAR is .9, tied for highest on the Sox pitching staff.

 

So to me it's so simple. Plan on keeping Barnes because he's doing a great job and actually helping to win games. I will admit an age bias on this point. I frankly am less interested in the 2022 season or, heaven forbid, the ones after.

 

Sorry Max, but this is antiquated thinking. Be happy Barnes is doing a good job, but only because it increases what we can get for him.

[Maxbialystock]

Right again.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

He's a New England boy. I think he doesn't mind the weather.

 

I was once a New England boy who went to visit San Diego for the first time and discovered it had the best weather in the world. Part of my bias at the time may have been influenced by living on the beach and being 21.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Right again.

 

Max, I brought up the notion that Bloom may trade Barnes, even while the Sox are trying to contend -- not that I want him to, but because constant wheeling and dealing to improve the roster, especially for the future, is what Bloom does. We've seen him replace or recruit players to save a few mil, which is a lot for mere mortals, but nothing for a big market club that pays $30 mil to entice guys to stay, and $15 mil to make some go away.

 

I love Verdugo, and have hopes that either Downs or Wong makes it, but I hate the idea that Boston felt like it had to trade Mookie. A lot of posters are convinced that the Sox will soon resume their big spending ways, because that's always been a trademark of Henry teams, but I won't completely trust Bloom until he finally signs or extends someone, anyone, for a star salary.

 

ps. I hope it's Devers, because from an entertainment viewpoint, his are the nightly must-see at bats. But I'm concerned that if his D doesn't mature, he may be the next stud on the block who "could bring back the biggest haul" (and I'm disgusted I just wrote that).

[moonslav59]

Most of Bloom's dealing away stars with the rays was due to budget constraints. I'm not sure that M.O. will carry over to the Sox.

 

I do think it makes sense to trade away free agents to be, but it gets tricky when we are still in contention. Bloom did just that while in Tampa, but it remains to be seen, if he goes that route, here.

[notin]

Max, I brought up the notion that Bloom may trade Barnes, even while the Sox are trying to contend -- not that I want him to, but because constant wheeling and dealing to improve the roster, especially for the future, is what Bloom does. We've seen him replace or recruit players to save a few mil, which is a lot for mere mortals, but nothing for a big market club that pays $30 mil to entice guys to stay, and $15 mil to make some go away.

 

I love Verdugo, and have hopes that either Downs or Wong makes it, but I hate the idea that Boston felt like it had to trade Mookie. A lot of posters are convinced that the Sox will soon resume their big spending ways, because that's always been a trademark of Henry teams, but I won't completely trust Bloom until he finally signs or extends someone, anyone, for a star salary.

 

ps. I hope it's Devers, because from an entertainment viewpoint, his are the nightly must-see at bats. But I'm concerned that if his D doesn't mature, he may be the next stud on the block who "could bring back the biggest haul" (and I'm disgusted I just wrote that).

 

I know you fear the unknown and think Bloom will always spend like a small market revolving door roster GM like he was in Tampa, but that notion seems silly. Don’t forget that even after two years of no pricey additions and several pricey subtractions, THE SOX STILL ARE AMONG THE HIGHEST PAYROLLS IN MLB.

 

Sorry for the caps and hope your ears are ok.

 

We’ve seen small market GMs go to big market teams before. I’ve never seen any of them turn down the chance to spend. Whether it was Duquette in Boston or Friedman in LA, if they get to spend it, they usually do. Now they might not spend the way you or I want it spent. Maybe Bloom thinks Devers won’t be worth it. But he likes Luis Castillo or Cody Bellinger instead (no idea if those contracts coincide). Maybe he spends there.

 

But he will spend. Because his job depends on winning. In Tampa and Oakland and Pittsburgh, a GM makes a name for himself by building a competitive team on a budget. In Boston, New York and LA, that’s not enough to make anyone care about the job you did...

[moonslav59]

I know you fear the unknown and think Bloom will always spend like a small market revolving door roster GM like he was in Tampa, but that notion seems silly. Don’t forget that even after two years of no pricey additions and several pricey subtractions, THE SOX STILL ARE AMONG THE HIGHEST PAYROLLS IN MLB.

 

Sorry for the caps and hope your ears are ok.

 

We’ve seen small market GMs go to big market teams before. I’ve never seen any of them turn down the chance to spend. Whether it was Duquette in Boston or Friedman in LA, if they get to spend it, they usually do. Now they might not spend the way you or I want it spent. Maybe Bloom thinks Devers won’t be worth it. But he likes Luis Castillo or Cody Bellinger instead (no idea if those contracts coincide). Maybe he spends there.

 

But he will spend. Because his job depends on winning. In Tampa and Oakland and Pittsburgh, a GM makes a name for himself by building a competitive team on a budget. In Boston, New York and LA, that’s not enough to make anyone care about the job you did...

 

Bloom probably spent more, this winter than his whole time in Tampa.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

THE SOX STILL ARE AMONG THE HIGHEST PAYROLLS IN MLB.

 

 

Fans all over Red Sox Nation are thrilled about the payroll, and while some won't accept anything less than the highest payroll, most just want Boston to contend for the highest payroll. No one really cares how much of it is taken up by money owed to rehabbing players or early-retirement players or guys the Sox pay other teams to use -- as long the total payroll is near the top.

 

Nobody especially cares about how much Bloom, himself, has actually spent on acquisitions -- which max on 2-year contracts for Kike Hernandez and Garret Richards. Fans are too busy celebrating with the front office about resetting the tax. They're positive Bloom will sign their favorite players to longterm extensions to keep them in Boston, and that he'll invest in other stars... because even though Bloom has never done either in his career, people who are skeptical are obviously silly.

[jad]

Agree completely. Being a fan is no longer enough on blog sites. You gotta be a GM and/or President of Baseball Operations. It's not about winning and losing as much as it is making a deal--and not a DD deal, but a smart deal that lowers the total salary of the Sox.

 

So, even though the Sox have the best winning percentage and the most wins in MLB, Talksox is replete with discussions about preparing for the worst, dumping good players deemed no long affordable, etc.

 

So far this year the Sox hitting is the best in MLB, the rotation is almost decent, and the bullpen is bringing up the rear. A "save" these days has a bad odor, but this year Barnes has saved the Sox ass repeatedly. JD Martinez's OPS is 1.127 with 10 dingers and 31 rbis. His War is 2.0. Barnes's WAR is .9, tied for highest on the Sox pitching staff.

 

So to me it's so simple. Plan on keeping Barnes because he's doing a great job and actually helping to win games. I will admit an age bias on this point. I frankly am less interested in the 2022 season or, heaven forbid, the ones after.

 

About Barnes. I think the key to his success is relying on just two pitches, a terrific knuckle curve and a decent fast (95 mph) fastball. He doesn't need any other pitches because those two together keep hitters off balance and he can focus on hitting his spots. Uehara did exactly the same thing with the slowest fastball in the history of organized baseball, a devilish splitter, the control of a knife thrower you only see in movies, and the guts of a high-wire artist. The only difference is that Uehara actually had a personality.

 

I agree entirely. I'm not sure which central aspect of modern sports irritates me the most: the emphasis on the post-season (all 0 games of it) over the 82 or 162 regular season games, or the notion that the 'true' baseball fan is no longer a 10-year-old with a glove, but rather an 8-year-old with a play station longing for the days of adulthood when he can play fantasy sports.

[Bellhorn04]

Fans all over Red Sox Nation are thrilled about the payroll, and while some won't accept anything less than the highest payroll, most just want Boston to contend for the highest payroll. No one really cares how much of it is taken up by money owed to rehabbing players or early-retirement players or guys the Sox pay other teams to use -- as long the total payroll is near the top.

 

Nobody especially cares about how much Bloom, himself, has actually spent on acquisitions -- which max on 2-year contracts for Kike Hernandez and Garret Richards. Fans are too busy celebrating with the front office about resetting the tax. They're positive Bloom will sign their favorite players to longterm extensions to keep them in Boston, and that he'll invest in other stars... because even though Bloom has never done either in his career, people who are skeptical are obviously silly.

 

I do think it's reasonable to assume that Bloom will be given the same type of latitude as the other ex-Rays guru Friedman got from the Dodgers, and that he will exercise it.

[moonslav59]

Fans all over Red Sox Nation are thrilled about the payroll, and while some won't accept anything less than the highest payroll, most just want Boston to contend for the highest payroll. No one really cares how much of it is taken up by money owed to rehabbing players or early-retirement players or guys the Sox pay other teams to use -- as long the total payroll is near the top.

 

Nobody especially cares about how much Bloom, himself, has actually spent on acquisitions -- which max on 2-year contracts for Kike Hernandez and Garret Richards. Fans are too busy celebrating with the front office about resetting the tax. They're positive Bloom will sign their favorite players to longterm extensions to keep them in Boston, and that he'll invest in other stars... because even though Bloom has never done either in his career, people who are skeptical are obviously silly.

 

Nailed it.

[notin]

I do think it's reasonable to assume that Bloom will be given the same type of latitude as the other ex-Rays guru Friedman got from the Dodgers, and that he will exercise it.

 

I have never heard of any GM in any sport telling his boss

“Keep the money. I don’t want to spend.”

 

It’s a bit shocking. The guy has managed to put together a winning team in Tampa on no budget, and some fans are trying to hold that against him. “Well he never spent before.” Yeah neither did LeBron when he was growing up in Akron. Go Google his house.

 

It turns out access to money can impact people’s spending habits...

[Maxbialystock]

Max, I brought up the notion that Bloom may trade Barnes, even while the Sox are trying to contend -- not that I want him to, but because constant wheeling and dealing to improve the roster, especially for the future, is what Bloom does. We've seen him replace or recruit players to save a few mil, which is a lot for mere mortals, but nothing for a big market club that pays $30 mil to entice guys to stay, and $15 mil to make some go away.

 

I love Verdugo, and have hopes that either Downs or Wong makes it, but I hate the idea that Boston felt like it had to trade Mookie. A lot of posters are convinced that the Sox will soon resume their big spending ways, because that's always been a trademark of Henry teams, but I won't completely trust Bloom until he finally signs or extends someone, anyone, for a star salary.

 

ps. I hope it's Devers, because from an entertainment viewpoint, his are the nightly must-see at bats. But I'm concerned that if his D doesn't mature, he may be the next stud on the block who "could bring back the biggest haul" (and I'm disgusted I just wrote that).

 

Overall, I like keeping players, especially good ones like Mookie. But I broke that habit with Ellsbury, who was so great early on and even stole 3d and home on the same passed ball. But he kept missing games until 2011 when he had a career season, after which the Yankees gave him $140M+ for 7 years. Good riddance, I thought. I didn't like losing Manny, but also thought he wanted too much. Mookie was definitely a keeper until I saw the probable cost of keeping him. I also liked dumping Beckett and Adrian Gonzalez in 2012 and Price in 2019.

 

I guess I just don't think any player is worth more than $25M a year although Harper might be. Not because he's that good because he isn't, but because he seems to have boosted the Phillies attendance significantly. Not so Mookie with the Dodgers or Trout with the Angels.

[Larry Cook]

Doesn’t a good bit of money come off the books after this season?

 

Hang’em Chaim should have some decent payroll flexibility this offseason.

 

Thanks desperate Dave!!!