trade deadline

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

It's just a lot easier to recognize a AAA slider, apparently. Those MLB pitchers are just a whole new level.

 

Dalbec defintely has an uncertain future in Boston, but that doesn't mean he is now trade bait. I'd deal Duran before Dalbec...

 

I think we'd both deal Jimenez before Duran. I suspect the former's potential has been a bit more overrated by the franchise trying to build him up as trade bait (and not a Cordero clone).

[Bellhorn04]

If his 99 OPS+ represents an opportunity for "buying high", I think we can expect a minimal return on any deal...

 

He does have a 109 OPS+ in 132 major league games though.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Is your argument that we should just hide his bad defense at 3b?

 

No, just that he shouldn't be allowed to play first -- and this is even more critical than JD playing outfield (where he may stand around without any action for half a game). There are just a lot more outs that should be recorded at first base by a big leaguer who can actually scoop one-hoppers. But I would play Dalbec at third this month once they're buried in 4th and out of it, just to see if he is better there and to build his trade value.

[Bellhorn04]

I think mvp is right, Dalbec is probably a DH going forward.

[mvp 78]

I think we'd both deal Jimenez before Duran. I suspect the former's potential has been a bit more overrated by the franchise trying to build him up as trade bait (and not a Cordero clone).

 

It's not the franchise, it's outside scouts as well. They see potential in him. Unfortunately, a lot of guys with "potential" at low A just never make it.

[mvp 78]

No, just that he shouldn't be allowed to play first -- and this is even more critical than JD playing outfield (where he may stand around without any action for half a game). There are just a lot more outs that should be recorded at first base by a big leaguer who can actually scoop one-hoppers. But I would play Dalbec at third this month once they're buried in 4th and out of it, just to see if he is better there and to build his trade value.

 

Move Dalbec to LF.

[mvp 78]

I think mvp is right, Dalbec is probably a DH going forward.

 

DH that can play various other positions if s*** hits the fan.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

DH that can play various other positions if s*** hits the fan.

 

If the Red Sox don't win Sale Day, mere masks won't protect them; they'll all need to wear face shields with windshield wipers...

[illinoisredsox]

No, just that he shouldn't be allowed to play first -- and this is even more critical than JD playing outfield (where he may stand around without any action for half a game). There are just a lot more outs that should be recorded at first base by a big leaguer who can actually scoop one-hoppers. But I would play Dalbec at third this month once they're buried in 4th and out of it, just to see if he is better there and to build his trade value.

 

He might be able to become an average first baseman with a ton of hard work, but he’s got a lot a work to do on the offensive side as well. If he wants a decent length career, he’s going to have to find the time to work on both in the off-season.

[Nick]

Move Dalbec to LF.

 

Better yet, move him to the pen.

[Hugh2]

He might be able to become an average first baseman with a ton of hard work, but he’s got a lot a work to do on the offensive side as well. If he wants a decent length career, he’s going to have to find the time to work on both in the off-season.

 

People underestimate how much offense affects the defense. You're trying to adjust to MLB pitching, and struggling with pitchers adjusting to you while learning a new position at the same time. People assume that because it's the easiest position to play that anyone should be a better defender there than they're at the natural position. This might generally be the case but it takes time for some people, especially people like Dalbec who has his mind on many other things. This doesn't mean he's guaranteed to be a good first baseman but I don't think this argument can be dismissed either.

[mvp 78]

Better yet, move him to the pen.

 

I mean, he was a two way player at UF.

[mvp 78]

People underestimate how much offense affects the defense. You're trying to adjust to MLB pitching, and struggling with pitchers adjusting to you while learning a new position at the same time. People assume that because it's the easiest position to play that anyone should be a better defender there than they're at the natural position. This might generally be the case but it takes time for some people, especially people like Dalbec who has his mind on many other things. This doesn't mean he's guaranteed to be a good first baseman but I don't think this argument can be dismissed either.

 

Maybe his mind should be on baseball then.

[notin]

Maybe your experience playing every position on the diamond has informed your opinion. But you also know that first basemen do have twice as much responsibility than third basemen... with a baserunner in scoring position: on a hit to leftfield, the cutoff man is the third sacker; on a hit to centerfield and on a hit to rightfield, the cutoff is the first sacker. Potentially, guys playing first are called upon to make twice as many throws to try to prevent runs or cut down other runners from advancing.

 

You’re not going to change my opinion that it’s the easiest position to play defensively by citing the responsibilities of the role. You might change it if you tell me what position is you think is easier and why. And then explain why numerous players moved off that position because they couldn’t play it well enough wound up playing 1b.

 

No one said 1b was easy. But that doesn’t mean it’s not still harder to play everywhere else…

[notin]

I mean, he was a two way player at UF.

 

You mean University of Arizona, right?

[notin]

He does have a 109 OPS+ in 132 major league games though.

 

 

… which tells me “selling high” would have meant dealing him last winter…

[mvp 78]

You mean University of Arizona, right?

 

Ah s***. Did he go to UofA? Why did I think UF?

[mvp 78]

… which tells me “selling high” would have meant dealing him last winter…

 

Yup.

[notin]

Ah s***. Did he go to UofA? Why did I think UF?

 

Yeah he’s a Wildcat, not a Gator…

[Hugh2]

Maybe his mind should be on baseball then.

 

"other things on his mind" encompassed all things baseball.

[Hugh2]

… which tells me “selling high” would have meant dealing him last winter…

 

He also has a 161 OPS plus in the 2nd half of the season.

[mvp 78]

"other things on his mind" encompassed all things baseball.

 

1. Walk more

2. Get better at 1b

 

That's all we are asking. It's not that crazy.

[notin]

He also has a 161 OPS plus in the 2nd half of the season.

 

Hold Dalbec. Find a role for him. Maybe he can upgrade his horrific defense at 1b. Like maybe keep his f***ing eye on the ball once in a while. He might settle in as a weak side platoon option for 1b/LF/RF.

[mvp 78]

Hold Dalbec. Find a role for him. Maybe he can upgrade his horrific defense at 1b. Like maybe keep his f***ing eye on the ball once in a while. He might settle in as a weak side platoon option for 1b/LF/RF.

 

I agree that I wouldn't move him. I'd rather keep him than get some middle reliever. Maybe he turns it around?

[mvp 78]

JD was a negative fWAR guy until he turned Dalbec's age. Maybe Dalbec is figuring it out? Maybe he can just be a serviceable DH for the short term?

[Hugh2]

1. Walk more

2. Get better at 1b

 

That's all we are asking. It's not that crazy.

 

No it’s not crazy at all. All players (or people) progress and learn differently, progress isn’t linear. We don’t know how much adjusting to mlb pitching at same time as learning a new position no matter how much easier it’s supposed to be has effected Bobby. This doesn’t excuse his level of play, but I don’t think we can write it off either.

 

If his bat stays hot, or perhaps a more reasonable request is to ask his inevitable cold streaks aren’t as bad ensue he’s probably penciled himself into at least consideration at 1B in 2022 with the hope Casas is ready mid 2022. People might be surprised by how much he can improve with a full offseason.

 

With that said, I’m going to be 100% not shocked if the Sox sign a 1 year stop gap at first base for 2022.

[Bellhorn04]

Dalbec has been doing pretty well at the plate lately. He's been hitting righties and taking more walks. Which suggests he's been listening to the coaches and improving his approach.

[moonslav59]

If I gave you these stat lines on trade deadline day and said these three guys would have these numbers on September 1st, we'd all have been dancing in the streets.

 

1.170 OPS Dalbec (8 HRs and 24 RBI in 26 games)

 

1.092 OPS Schwarber (.492 OBP)

 

These aren't just any 3 players. These were widely viewed as key players needing to contribute more than they had before the deadline.

 

Little did we know, the whole rest of the team would implode, all at once.

 

3-0 2.35 ERA Chris Sale (15.1 IP/ 21 K)

 

 

[harmony]

I mean, he was a two way player at UF.

Bobby Dalbec indeed was a two-way player at the University of Arizona where the Seattle native reported that his favorite team was the Seattle Mariners:

 

https://arizonawildcats.com/sports/baseball/roster/bobby-dalbec/2353

[oldtimer]

The Sox are suffering the loss of 6 players and 2 coaches due to Covid. They have also been without Arroyo, Kike and D-Hern for other reasons with Renfroe out briefly as well. It has been very difficult for Cora to put a competitive team on the field. The team still does have a few good individual performers available, but not enough. Part of the problem is that our BP is very thin and the additions through Bloom haven't helped. The defense seems to have lost focus and has been weak at 3rd, SS and 1st. Mistakes are being made even by normally solid defensive players. Base running also reflects a loss of focus.

 

The pieces don't fit together very well with Schwaber and Martinez similar and best fitting in the DH slot. Dalbec has improved his offensive production but is weak defensively and Shaw is a temporary fill in. It appears we are cooked as far as this year is concerned as we won't field our best team until at least the 10th of September and in the mean time will be fortunate to win at the 500 clip.

 

The emphasis now should be on deciding on the direction for 2022 and beyond.