Since they lost last night, I need to tell you what I REALLY feel about the 2021 Sox!

[mvp 78]

They're pretty good actually. This season has been downright enjoyable. So far, they haven't been the .500 team that some of the naysayers were projecting.

[Thunder]

What's up Swihart's Ghost?

[moonslav59]

I'm enjoying the ride.

 

I know it may not last, but these guys are fun to watch- win or lose.

 

I look forward to seeing some youth coming up, at some point, too.

[mvp 78]

What's up Swihart's Ghost?

 

Waiting for the punchline.

[mvp 78]

I'm enjoying the ride.

 

I know it may not last, but these guys are fun to watch- win or lose.

 

I look forward to seeing some youth coming up, at some point, too.

 

It's funny that our biggest needs 1B/2B/LF all happen to be our best offensive prospects.

 

The pen may be a "mess" but it's still top 10 in baseball. Getting rid of the bottom 2 guys and replacing them with productive young arms will help.

[notin]

It's funny that our biggest needs 1B/2B/LF all happen to be our best offensive prospects.

.

 

Also three positions Danny Santana can play

[moonslav59]

Also three positions Danny Santana can play

 

...and Chavis.

[mvp 78]

Also three positions Danny Santana can play

 

That's less funny, but ok.

[mvp 78]

...and Chavis.

 

Half chuckle.

 

I still don't understand why they didn't have him play LF at all in ST. Just crazy to me.

[notin]

That's less funny, but ok.

 

It’s also more immediate

[mvp 78]

It’s also more immediate

 

But less exciting unless he can recreate his 2019 aberration.

[Bellhorn04]

They're pretty good actually. This season has been downright enjoyable. So far, they haven't been the .500 team that some of the naysayers were projecting.

 

You must be the Anti-Ghost.

[moonslav59]

It's funny that our biggest needs 1B/2B/LF all happen to be our best offensive prospects.

 

I've made this point, before, and one can argue SP'ing is one of our top 4 high need areas. According to soxprospects.com, there are our top prospects, as of now:

 

1B Casas

2B Downs

CF Duran

SP Whitlock

SP Houck

OF Jimenez

SP Seabold

SP Ward

 

It's no mistake Bloom did not go out and spend large and long at these 4 positions.

 

On top of this, we also have other depth at some of these areas- some AAAA types, some more promising:

 

1B: Chavis, Santana, Ockimey (kills LHP)

2B: Chavis, Santana, Arauz

OF: Santana, Puello, Gettys (This area is thin)

P: (Besides moving Whitlock to SP) Weber, Gossett, Hart, Politi & others (also thin)

 

[mvp 78]

You must be the Anti-Ghost.

 

Boo!!!

 

Gotcha again. I'm the proto-ghost. The creme de la creme. The pinnacle. The apex. The zenith. The alpha. The omega.

[Maxbialystock]

I figured this season would be sub-.500. I remember the years when the June swoon was normale, but not since JH took over.

[mvp 78]

I've made this point, before, and one can argue SP'ing is one of our top 4 high need areas. According to soxprospects.com, there are our top prospects, as of now:

 

1B Casas

2B Downs

CF Duran

SP Whitlock

SP Houck

OF Jimenez

SP Seabold

SP Ward

 

It's no mistake Bloom did not go out and spend large and long at these 4 positions.

 

On top of this, we also have other depth at some of these areas- some AAAA types, some more promising:

 

1B: Chavis, Santana, Ockimey (kills LHP)

2B: Chavis, Santana, Arauz

OF: Santana, Puello, Gettys (This area is thin)

P: (Besides moving Whitlock to SP) Weber, Gossett, Hart, Politi & others (also thin)

 

 

I think he didn't spend large this offseason on SP was less due to our prospects and more due to it not being the right year to open the checkbook. I think it's likely that he grabs a big name arm or two the next two offseasons.

[moonslav59]

But less exciting unless he can recreate his 2019 aberration.

 

He also had a decent rookie year with MN with a 430 PA sample size.

 

.319/.353/.472/.824

41 XBH

20 SB (4 CS)

 

(In between, he was a god awful .575 in 735 PAs.)

[mvp 78]

I figured this season would be sub-.500. I remember the years when the June swoon was normale, but not since JH took over.

 

They've had more below .500 seasons since Henry took over than all the other years of my lifetime combined.

[mvp 78]

He also had a decent rookie year with MN with a 430 PA sample size.

 

.319/.353/.472/.824

41 XBH

20 SB (4 CS)

 

(In between, he was a god awful .575 in 735 PAs.)

 

It's the god awful part that gives me a little pause.

[Maxbialystock]

Boo!!!

 

Gotcha again. I'm the proto-ghost. The creme de la creme. The pinnacle. The apex. The zenith. The alpha. The omega.

 

You're the Coliseum, the Louver Museum, a melody from a symphony by Strauss, a Bendel bonnet, a Shakespeare's sonnet, Mickey Mouse, the Nile, the Tower of Pisa, the smile on the Mona Lisa

[moonslav59]

I think he didn't spend large this offseason on SP was less due to our prospects and more due to it not being the right year to open the checkbook. I think it's likely that he grabs a big name arm or two the next two offseasons.

 

I agree. I do think he won't spend just for the sake of spending, and he may end up not thinking the best pitchers available, this winter, are worth their price tag. I could see him signing 2 moderately good pitchers, instead, which is usually not my favorite strategy, but a lot depends on how Sale looks and what happens with ERod.

 

If Sale looks like the old Sale and we can extend ERod, we might be fine looking for another guy like Richards, as well as exercising Garrett's option for 2022, too.

 

With Barnes and Ottavino both FAs, we may need to spend large there, this winter.

 

We may put off spending at 1B, 2B and OF, again this winter. We should know more about Dalbec & Casas, Arroyo & Downs, and Kike & Duran.

[moonslav59]

It's the god awful part that gives me a little pause.

 

It should give all of us pause, but he'll get his look, soon, and rightfully so.

 

Casas, Downs and Duran likely need more time, anyway, and AAA just got underway.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

These first six weeks have been an unexpected treat, but now it's gets tough. Based on their history, we should be prepared for some pitchers in the rotation to eventually regress, break down or both. If the Sox are serious about contending, they're going to need another good starter this summer. It's unreasonable to count on Sale as the savior, because any contribution he gives will be a bonus. Since help probably won't be coming from the minors -- Mata is done for the year, and Seabold and Houck are already ailing -- Bloom may have to pull the trigger on a deal. If they're going for it...

 

I'm not advocating for these particular arms, just looking at current standings and considering which impending free agents may be available... but imagine the boost to both players and fans if say, in a month or so, the Sox added guys like Max Scherzer and Brad Hand? Would it be worth it to go deep into October to trade say, Jeter Downs?

[Maxbialystock]

They've had more below .500 seasons since Henry took over than all the other years of my lifetime combined.

 

Ah, youth. You had to be born in 1984 or sooner. 1983 is the 5th losing season pre-JH, counting back. During JH, the Sox have had 4 (2020, 2015, 2014, and 2012), which also happens to be the same number of years the Sox won the WS. 1959-1966, the Sox had 8 straight losing seasons.

[mvp 78]

I agree. I do think he won't spend just for the sake of spending, and he may end up not thinking the best pitchers available, this winter, are worth their price tag. I could see him signing 2 moderately good pitchers, instead, which is usually not my favorite strategy, but a lot depends on how Sale looks and what happens with ERod.

 

If Sale looks like the old Sale and we can extend ERod, we might be fine looking for another guy like Richards, as well as exercising Garrett's option for 2022, too.

 

With Barnes and Ottavino both FAs, we may need to spend large there, this winter.

 

We may put off spending at 1B, 2B and OF, again this winter. We should know more about Dalbec & Casas, Arroyo & Downs, and Kike & Duran.

 

I would agree that the pen may need more immediate help than the rotation if they are able to re-sign ERod and Sale is healthy.

[mvp 78]

It should give all of us pause, but he'll get his look, soon, and rightfully so.

 

Casas, Downs and Duran likely need more time, anyway, and AAA just got underway.

 

None of those 3 are ready yet.

[moonslav59]

I would agree that the pen may need more immediate help than the rotation if they are able to re-sign ERod and Sale is healthy.

 

I'm almost alwayd for adding and ace as the best way to take a major step forward. The cost has gone through the roof, and the Price example is fair warning, but sometimes, you gotta do what you gotta do.

 

I'm not sure, if this winter is the right time, and many of the best starters are over 37, so maybe we'll see a shorter term deal with one of them in hopes of bridging us to the next ace.

[moonslav59]

None of those 3 are ready yet.

 

Agreed.

 

I'd call up Santana, Arauz, and even Ockimey before the big 3 prospects.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Having just played the O's, which rookie, Dalbec or Mountcastle, do you guys believe will develop into the better hitter?

[Maxbialystock]

Good discussion on the pitching, which to me has been better than expected. But, as you all seem to agree, can it hold up, especially the rotation? Meanwhile the bullpen is leaking runs almost every game.

 

Every year, or almost every year, the hitting seems to be good, the pitching less so--and this year more than ever. Hitting is #1 in MLB and pitching is #14.