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

[moonslav59]

His K/BB and FIP are both good.

 

I'm starting to wonder if some of these peripherals should be chucked out the window, though...

 

They are good because they were better than good over his first few starts. His peripherals have not been good over his last 4 starts.

 

First 4 starts:

26 K

2 BB

18 H in 23.0 IP

 

Last 4 starts

23 K

8 BB

30 H in 20.0 IP

 

He's not the same pitcher.

[mvp 78]

His K/BB and FIP are both good.

 

I'm starting to wonder if some of these peripherals should be chucked out the window, though...

 

His hard hit % is way up this year. He's not walking guys, but he's not missing bats. He needs to dump his slider which has turned more into a slurve. It's not an effective pitch. He needs to be more of a FB/CHG guy. Also, his 3rd pitch should be his sinker, not his cutter.

[moonslav59]

His hard hit % is way up this year. He's not walking guys, but he's not missing bats. He needs to dump his slider which has turned more into a slurve. It's not an effective pitch. He needs to be more of a FB/CHG guy. Also, his 3rd pitch should be his sinker, not his cutter.

 

Even his K/BB% has changed dramatically from April to May:

20.9% April (led all Sox starters)

16.2% May

 

LD%

25.0% April

30.4% May

 

Hard Hit%

27.1% April

29.1% May

 

BAbip

.363 April

.461 May

[Bellhorn04]

Even his K/BB% has changed dramatically from April to May:

20.9% April (led all Sox starters)

16.2% May

 

LD%

25.0% April

30.4% May

 

Hard Hit%

27.1% April

29.1% May

 

BAbip

.363 April

.461 May

 

That's a hefty BAbip in May! Looks like April should be .246, though.

[moonslav59]

That's a hefty BAbip in May! Looks like April should be .246, though.

 

fanraphs showed .363.

[mvp 78]

fanraphs showed .363.

 

Nope, it shows .246. You're using the "1st half" number.

[moonslav59]

Nope, it shows .246. You're using the "1st half" number.

 

Weird, cause I never even clicked on that.

[Elktonnick]

The Sox are 30 and 20 after 50 games. Who would have thunk it in March?😀

[Larry Cook]

The Sox are 30 and 20 after 50 games. Who would have thunk it in March?😀

 

Cora has been a definite improvement over the old guy they had last year!

[moonslav59]

Cora has been a definite improvement over the old guy they had last year!

 

And the guy we had before him... lol.

[Jasonbay44]

This team has really exceeded my expectations. I expected the team to score runs and thought the offense would be elite, but I was really worried about the pitching staff. The Ottavino/Whitlock trade was highway robbery and it makes it even sweeter we stole them from the Yankees and the bullpen as a whole has been shockingly good. This team is truly enjoyable to watch this season and I actually look forward to their games. Last season it felt like turning on a Sox game was cruel and unusual punishment.

[Kimmi]

This team has really exceeded my expectations. I expected the team to score runs and thought the offense would be elite, but I was really worried about the pitching staff. The Ottavino/Whitlock trade was highway robbery and it makes it even sweeter we stole them from the Yankees and the bullpen as a whole has been shockingly good. This team is truly enjoyable to watch this season and I actually look forward to their games. Last season it felt like turning on a Sox game was cruel and unusual punishment.

 

The Sox are exceeding my expectations as well, and I was pretty optimistic about this team going in. It's been a fun and much needed season after last year.

 

The Yankees are currently experiencing our 2020 season. LOL

[Larry Cook]

Toronto is a starter away from being a special team.

 

The rays are fading since glascow got hurt.

 

The miasmic Yankees have so much talent and yet are a little better than .500.

 

Cora has done an incredible job and very few media experts picked us to win 81 games this year, let alone be in pace for 100. Except for Larussa, I do not see much competition for manager of the year!

[Kimmi]

Toronto is a starter away from being a special team.

 

Thanks Ben! I agree about Toronto.

 

It's still early, but if things continue as they are, Cora has to be in the discussion for MOY.

[oldtimer]

Thanks Ben! I agree about Toronto.

 

It's still early, but if things continue as they are, Cora has to be in the discussion for MOY.

 

I hope Bloom goes after significant additions. Ist base, outfield and BP help are targets. With Sale coming available and Duran also, maybe the BP additions are the most important.

[moonslav59]

I hope Bloom goes after significant additions. Ist base, outfield and BP help are targets. With Sale coming available and Duran also, maybe the BP additions are the most important.

 

It’s not going to happen. Book it.

 

Our additions are Sale, Brasier, Houck and Duran.

[Bellhorn04]

It’s not going to happen. Book it.

 

Our additions are Sale, Brasier, Houck and Duran.

 

Maybe a reliever, and that's it.

[moonslav59]

Maybe a reliever, and that's it.

 

That makes the most sense. Maybe a cheap left-handed hitting 1B man, too.

 

I doubt we go over the tax line.

[notin]

That makes the most sense. Maybe a cheap left-handed hitting 1B man, too.

 

I doubt we go over the tax line.

 

 

There’s no reason to avoid the tax line…

[moonslav59]

There’s no reason to avoid the tax line…

 

Of course there is.

 

3 years from now we can and should be better than now, but winning it all this year does look more and more doable with every winning streak along with watching almost every other AL team expose their weaknesses.

 

I can see deciding the tax limit priority is worth less than increasing our odds of winning in2021.

 

To me, we are not going to trade top prospects unless Bloom doesn’t rate them highly. The way we acquire useful pieces, this summer, is by adding good salary dump players at minimal player return cost.

[oldtimer]

It’s not going to happen. Book it.

 

Our additions are Sale, Brasier, Houck and Duran.

 

I still believe they will consider BP help.

[Bellhorn04]

I still believe they will consider BP help.

 

Absolutely they will.

[oldtimer]

Of course there is.

 

3 years from now we can and should be better than now, but winning it all this year does look more and more doable with every winning streak along with watching almost every other AL team expose their weaknesses.

 

I can see deciding the tax limit priority is worth less than increasing our odds of winning in2021.

 

To me, we are not going to trade top prospects unless Bloom doesn’t rate them highly. The way we acquire useful pieces, this summer, is by adding good salary dump players at minimal player return cost.

 

If we can get a player or prospect for players that don't figure in our plans going forward, why not?

[moonslav59]

If we can get a player or prospect for players that don't figure in our plans going forward, why not?

 

Of course.

 

The point is, if we have a player who does not figure to be in our plans, long term, how much return value will we get for him?

 

I see Chavis as being a player that may fit that mold, but what can we get for him? Moreland? A middle RP'er? Sure, I can see that, but I was talking about giving up good prospects for rental. I don't see that happening.

 

Now, maybe Bloom does not think someone like Groome, Ward or some borderline rule 5 player to be will make the 40 man roster, next year, but we think of that prospect orprospects as being promising. I could see Bloom dealing 2-3 of those type players for a rental or two or someone with more years of team control at a somewhat high cost.

 

He did trade for Ottavino and his deal.

 

I could see us trading Chavis, Groome and maybe someone like Potts for a good RP'er and LH'd hitting 1Bman.

 

[vegasbob]

The 52-32 Red Sox lineup has consistently featured and carried some marginal performers like Chavis, Dalbec, Gonzales and Santana, while the bullpen backend of Andriesse and Rios are seat holders out there.

 

Dropping Santana in favor of almost any LH hitting 1Bman would be one step towards strengthening. Chavis, IMO, has already missed the bus to his MLB future with Boston. Dalbec has maybe 1-2 years to catch that bus, but is clearly not yet primetime. Marwin is a Cora favorite and will be a part of the mix for 2021 to the end.

 

Sale and Brasier represent some hope for improvement , and Valdez could be back when they DFA Andriesse. Arroyo's return from IL may be considered an upgrade. Duran's arrival in the midst of a pennant race will be interesting to see. So, Chaim may need only one move LH 1Bman, some returns from IL and no further big injuries to roll on to take the AL East.

[SCM33]

It’s not going to happen. Book it.

 

Our additions are Sale, Brasier, Houck and Duran.

 

Sale is an addition.

 

I am hesitant to call the other guys additions. They may be better than some of the other options we have, but wont likely see them til September anyway.

 

Brasier blows.

 

You are right though, they are unlikely to do much to add to the team. Not sure what could make these deals work, but a couple of guys on expiring contracts on s***** teams playing 1B this year are:

35 Asdrubal Cabrera 1yr.

31 CJ Cron COL 1yr.

31 Anthony Rizzo CHC 1yr.

 

Carlos Santana, who we just saw, is 35 with a year left making 10.5M in 2022.

[notin]

Of course there is.

 

3 years from now we can and should be better than now, but winning it all this year does look more and more doable with every winning streak along with watching almost every other AL team expose their weaknesses.

 

I can see deciding the tax limit priority is worth less than increasing our odds of winning in2021.

 

To me, we are not going to trade top prospects unless Bloom doesn’t rate them highly. The way we acquire useful pieces, this summer, is by adding good salary dump players at minimal player return cost.

 

 

Again, there’s no reason to avoid the tax line. The argument that “but we might be even better in 3 years” is not only hypothetical and uncontrollable, but also falls outside the current CBA and this penalty might not exist in 3 years. Also it ignores the other obvious outcome - that the Sox might be worse in 3 years.

 

Plus the Sox are winning NOW. The 2024 season should NOT be the priority…

[Hugh2]

With the uncertainties of a new CBA looming overhead, I don’t see any team going past the Luxury Tax Line. We might not like it, but I believe the Sox will not do so.

[Bellhorn04]

Again, there’s no reason to avoid the tax line. The argument that “but we might be even better in 3 years” is not only hypothetical and uncontrollable, but also falls outside the current CBA and this penalty might not exist in 3 years. Also it ignores the other obvious outcome - that the Sox might be worse in 3 years.

 

Plus the Sox are winning NOW. The 2024 season should NOT be the priority…

 

I have to approve of your logic here.

[Bellhorn04]

With the uncertainties of a new CBA looming overhead, I don’t see any team going past the Luxury Tax Line. We might not like it, but I believe the Sox will not do so.

 

No team? The Dodgers blew WAY past it this year.