A Realistic View at 2021: Part III

[mvp 78]

Just get in that game. Doesn't matter who against or where.

 

Yours truly, Cap'n Obvious.

 

We still have another 50% of the org to infect with COVID first.

[Bellhorn04]

We are getting in.

 

It matters where.

 

Marginally.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Just get in that game. Doesn't matter who against or where.

 

Yours truly, Cap'n Obvious.

 

This may be jinxing the Sox, but who would fans rather face in one game: New York or Toronto? I'd love to see a one-and-done vs. the Yanks, who sport many of the same flaws as Boston. I actually favor the Red Sox in Fenway or the Stadium (but only if Cora starts Eovaldi in the Bronx). I also think the Blue Jays will crush anyone if they get to the Wild Card game.

 

I'm not assuming any of them get in; maybe it will be an A-M match-up...in the PM.

[Nick]

This may be jinxing the Sox, but who would fans rather face in one game: New York or Toronto? I'd love to see a one-and-done vs. the Yanks, who sport many of the same flaws as Boston. I actually favor the Red Sox in Fenway or the Stadium (but only if Cora starts Eovaldi in the Bronx). I also think the Blue Jays will crush anyone if they get to the Wild Card game.

 

I'm not assuming any of them get in; maybe it will be an A-M match-up...in the PM.

 

How exciting would it be to have 3 team wild Card? Best record team hosts in a double header. #2 WC vs #3 WC at noon, winner plays #1 WC at 7 pm....little bit of College World Series. Yankees, Jays and Sox fighting to play the Rays.....

[Bellhorn04]

This may be jinxing the Sox, but who would fans rather face in one game: New York or Toronto? I'd love to see a one-and-done vs. the Yanks, who sport many of the same flaws as Boston. I actually favor the Red Sox in Fenway or the Stadium (but only if Cora starts Eovaldi in the Bronx). I also think the Blue Jays will crush anyone if they get to the Wild Card game.

 

I'm not assuming any of them get in; maybe it will be an A-M match-up...in the PM.

 

Anything can happen in a single game, honestly.

 

The Yankees-Rays playoff series last year came down to Game 5 with Cole on the mound for the Yanks. And he pitched very well. Rays still won it.

[mvp 78]

@redsoxstats

In 30 games since August 1st Hunter Renfroe is batting .302/.347/.690 over 124 plate appearances with 9 2B, 12 HR, and 29 RBI. His 172 wRC+ in that time ranks 5th behind Harper, Cron, Schwindel, and Soto (min. 120 PA).

 

Dalbec has 99 PA and a 200 WRC+ in that timeframe.

[notin]

This may be jinxing the Sox, but who would fans rather face in one game: New York or Toronto? I'd love to see a one-and-done vs. the Yanks, who sport many of the same flaws as Boston. I actually favor the Red Sox in Fenway or the Stadium (but only if Cora starts Eovaldi in the Bronx). I also think the Blue Jays will crush anyone if they get to the Wild Card game.

 

I'm not assuming any of them get in; maybe it will be an A-M match-up...in the PM.

 

The way this race is shaping up, it’s probably a folly to assume Cole or Ray or Eovaldi or Sale is lined up to pitch. The teams that survive probably won’t have sufficient time to set up their staffs. The game could end up with Pivetta facing Taillon or Matz…

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

How exciting would it be to have 3 team wild Card? Best record team hosts in a double header. #2 WC vs #3 WC at noon, winner plays #1 WC at 7 pm....little bit of College World Series. Yankees, Jays and Sox fighting to play the Rays.....

 

It would be great... but teams would insist rosters expand so they could carry 20-man bullpens... then it wouldn't be.

[MADSTORK]

The boys are toast.

It was a good run with a "few has beens and once was" type players. End of the Day you need Pitching Pitching and Pitching. 6 Game stretch you need at least a 4 2 road trip. Not going to happen vs play-off caliber teams. 1 5 at best with this pitching staff as constituted.

 

If you Pink hats find out later Orlando had the chance to get Berrios for Durran and an A arm you might as well jump off the Tobin. Bloom's inability to add SP and RP at the deadline due to incompetence or perhaps he listened to Crockett and Abraham telling "how great the minor league system is developing" clouded his judgement.

 

Betts in LA, AB in KC, Jackie gone, Priceless!

[Bellhorn04]

The boys are toast.

It was a good run with a "few has beens and once was" type players. End of the Day you need Pitching Pitching and Pitching. 6 Game stretch you need at least a 4 2 road trip. Not going to happen vs play-off caliber teams. 1 5 at best with this pitching staff as constituted.

 

If you Pink hats find out later Orlando had the chance to get Berrios for Durran and an A arm you might as well jump off the Tobin. Bloom's inability to add SP and RP at the deadline due to incompetence or perhaps he listened to Crockett and Abraham telling "how great the minor league system is developing" clouded his judgement.

 

Betts in LA, AB in KC, Jackie gone, Priceless!

 

AB and Jackie are stinking. Jackie is making 13 mill and hitting .168.

 

I've seen some dumb posters on message boards, but you are the champ. Congrats.

[mvp 78]

AB and Jackie are stinking. Jackie is making 13 mill and hitting .168.

 

I've seen some dumb posters on message boards, but you are the champ. Congrats.

 

I might be up there. I didn't figure out that "Orlando" was Bloom until just now.

[notin]

I might be up there. I didn't figure out that "Orlando" was Bloom until just now.

 

You didn’t know the Sox Chief of Baseball Operations was instrumental in destroying the Ring of Power and freeing all of Middle Earth from the clutches of Sauron? Do you even follow baseball?!?!

[mvp 78]

@JoeyMacHockey

Hearing Seabold, Ort, Herrmann and Lopez all called up to join Red Sox' taxi squad for upcoming road trip.

 

Seabold is highly likely to make his first appearance.

[oldtimer]

I was thinking of who Bloom added that has provided the most value for the money and or prospects/players used in the acquisition. To me, it is Renfroe and I didn't see that coming. I think he comes first because he is an everyday player and is having his best ML season. A second is Whitlock who has been great and was a steal for us made better because he came from the Yankee system. If he had gotten to play more often he might be up there at #1. Pivetta was also a steal but rates below the first two in impact. I would rate Swamamura as an honorable mention. Certainly Kike is also high on the list as he is a high value player but was more costly for us. Schwaber would also be up there as well except for being a shorter term guy. Richards has been a helpful, if not great player but we spent a lot to get him.

 

Bloom has done a lot of dumpster diving and viewed from the list above has struck gold a few times. Let's hope with more money for 2022 he can find another 5 or 6 guys to bolster the program.

[mvp 78]

@MerloniFauria

Hunter Renfroe on the #RedSox COVID issues:

 

"MLB basically told us to stop the testing and just treat the symptoms. We're like "No. We're gonna figure out what's going and keep this thing under control.""

 

@loumerloni

: MLB asked you to stop testing?

 

Renfroe: "Yes."

 

DAFUQ?

[Bellhorn04]

I was thinking of who Bloom added that has provided the most value for the money and or prospects/players used in the acquisition. To me, it is Renfroe and I didn't see that coming. I think he comes first because he is an everyday player and is having his best ML season. A second is Whitlock who has been great and was a steal for us made better because he came from the Yankee system. If he had gotten to play more often he might be up there at #1. Pivetta was also a steal but rates below the first two in impact. I would rate Swamamura as an honorable mention. Certainly Kike is also high on the list as he is a high value player but was more costly for us. Schwaber would also be up there as well except for being a shorter term guy. Richards has been a helpful, if not great player but we spent a lot to get him.

 

Bloom has done a lot of dumpster diving and viewed from the list above has struck gold a few times. Let's hope with more money for 2022 he can find another 5 or 6 guys to bolster the program.

 

Kike is actually a pretty good bargain.

[moonslav59]

Kike is actually a pretty good bargain.

 

Damn good bargain, especially since we had great needs at the 2 positions he plays, well.

 

He way more than earned $7M.

 

Had he been able to play CF all year, his WAR would be higher. (I think he still leads the team in bWAR!)

[Nick]

Yankees going down for four straight versus Jays.

 

Where is Jacksonianmarch when you want to ask him a question. Last time he said he was busy during Yankee slump.

[moonslav59]

Yankees going down for four straight versus Jays.

 

Where is Jacksonianmarch when you want to ask him a question. Last time he said he was busy during Yankee slump.

 

Post on the Yankee thread. He always responds, there.

[Fan_since_Boggs]

With Duran struggling and looking like he might need some time to get major league pitching figured out, the Red Sox best lineup going forward for this season (and into the playoffs) might be (when Bogaerts & Arroyo return):

 

Hernandez: CF

Schwarber: 1b

Bogaerts: SS

Devers: 3b

Martinez: DH

Renfroe: RF

Verdugo: LF

Arroyo: 2b

Vazquez: C

 

Defensively, the Red Sox would have a strong OF with Verdugo, Kike, and Renfroe. The infield defense would continue to be weak, but there is really no way to fix the infield defense anyway with Devers and Bogaerts on the left side.

Edited September 10, 2021 by Fan_since_Boggs

[Bellhorn04]

Post on the Yankee thread. He always responds, there.

 

It's just that his posts are a lot shorter when the Yankees are sucking. When they're going good you get essays.

[moonslav59]

With Duran struggling and looking like he might need some time to get major league pitching figured out, the Red Sox best lineup going forward for this season (and into the playoffs) might be (when Bogaerts & Arroyo return):

 

Hernandez: CF

Schwarber: 1b

Bogaerts: SS

Devers: 3b

Martinez: DH

Renfroe: RF

Verdugo: LF

Arroyo: 2b

Vazquez: C

 

Defensively, the Red Sox would have a strong OF. The infield defense would continue to be weak, but there is really no way to fix the infield defense anyway (with Devers and Bogaerts on the left side).

 

Close call might be this better offensive lineup:

 

Hernandez 2B

Schwarber LF

Bogey SS

Devers 3B

Renfroe RF

JD DH

Verdugo CF

Dalbec 1B

Vaz C

[Fan_since_Boggs]

I don't like Verdugo in CF. I would like to see the Red Sox field an above average OF defense and I think they have that with Verduo in LF, Kike in CF, and Renfroe in RF. Edited September 10, 2021 by Fan_since_Boggs

[notin]

I don't like Verdugo in CF. I would like to see the Red Sox field an above average OF defense and I think they have that with Verduo in LF, Kike in CF, and Renfroe in RF.

 

Defensively, that is their best alignment.

 

It does leave Schwarber out in the cold...

[Nick]

Defensively, that is their best alignment.

 

It does leave Schwarber out in the cold...

 

Not directed at you......

 

We did not acquire Schwarber to sit on the bench. He's exceeded our expectations including his willingness to play 1B.

[moonslav59]

I don't like Verdugo in CF. I would like to see the Red Sox field an above average OF defense and I think they have that with Verduo in LF, Kike in CF, and Renfroe in RF.

 

I agree. I've been ragging on our D all year, but benching our hottest hitter stings.

[notin]

Not directed at you......

 

We did not acquire Schwarber to sit on the bench. He's exceeded our expectations including his willingness to play 1B.

 

I hope they keep Schwarber next year as well, but if they do it really creates a logjam in the LF/1B/DH positions with 5 bodies struggling to fit into 3 spots...

[Bellhorn04]

I hope they keep Schwarber next year as well, but if they do it really creates a logjam in the LF/1B/DH positions with 5 bodies struggling to fit into 3 spots...

 

Exactly. If they keep Schwarber, someone has to go - Duran or Verdugo.

[notin]

Close call might be this better offensive lineup:

 

Hernandez 2B

Schwarber LF

Bogey SS

Devers 3B

Renfroe RF

JD DH

Verdugo CF

Dalbec 1B

Vaz C

 

I love that lineup offensively, but there should be no arguing that it is much worse defensively...

[notin]

Exactly. If they keep Schwarber, someone has to go - Duran or Verdugo.

 

I agree.

 

BTV right now has Verdugo with a higher surplus value. But after this year, he is eligible for arbitration, so I would expect that to drop as he will be making more money. Duran, as the minimum wage player, will have a stronger appeal around the league.

 

I still think a Duran/Montas swap is possible. But Dave Forst is not answering my texts right now...