A Realistic View at 2022: Part I

[notin]

Charlie Blackmon was also drafted as a LHP in 2005.

 

Sox drafted Anthony DeSclafani in 2008.

 

The only person moon really is doing dirty is Brian Johnson.

 

Well, I think we can all agree Bon Scott was much better than Brian Johnson...

[moonslav59]

Because your low opinion seems to be tied to your belief that he doesn't handle the pitching staff well, but you also point out how good the pitching was this year.

 

That's the disconnect.

 

Ok. Good point.

 

I've also said the pitching is better than the numbers indicate due to poor defense, and Vaz is part of that position, although not much to do with the high BAbip.

 

I won't be hurt, if we bring Vaz back. I just don't think he's worth $7M, especially if he can't hit over .675.

[moonslav59]

I’m not a big Vaz fan, but who you going to replace him with?

 

Who knows who other teams might trade, but it's not easy to find good one.

 

We could sign Pina. We could try Wong, but I'm not sure how well he handles pitchers, either.

[notin]

Who knows who other teams might trade, but it's not easy to find good one.

 

We could sign Pina. We could try Wong, but I'm not sure how well he handles pitchers, either.

 

Tucker B! I already answered this one for you...

[moonslav59]

Let's not overblow the need for pitching here.

 

The Sox won 92 games with virtually nothing from Sale. Now, maybe this is Sale going forward, but maybe not. Either way, is there a free agent option available that is a definitive improvement over what we expect from Sale next season?

 

If one of Houck or Whitlock move to the rotation, that leaves one spot remaining that might go to ERod (along with Sale, Eovaldi, and Pivetta). If ERod is not returning, that leaves one available rotation (re: expensive) slot to fill, before acquiring all the uninspiring but necessary depth arms. In the bullpen, I expect to see Houck/Whitlock, Barnes, Brasier, Taylor, Davis, Hernandez and Sawamura. So maybe one or two relievers, and probably some MiLB depth.

 

I expect additions, but unless if ERod returns, it might not be so drastic.

 

And depending what happens with Schwarber and/or 2B, the Sox do have adequate trade bait with Duran to make at least one pitching acquisition...

 

We need another quality SP'er, IMO.

 

That is our highest priority. Depending on where Houck and Whitlock end up, we need another pitcher at Starter or relief.

 

If we have a much higher spending budget, I'm fine with adding Baez and or Schwarber.

 

ERod

Verlander

Schwarber

Iggy

 

or

 

ERod

Scherzer

Baez

[moonslav59]

I think you're forgetting about the Plawecki Effect!

 

It's not about Plawecki being great with the staff, except maybe Eovaldi.

 

It's about Vaz being worse or much worse than whoever else is our back-up.

[mvp 78]

Well, I think we can all agree Bon Scott was much better than Brian Johnson...

 

Yes.

[moonslav59]

Why are we assuming no big deals this winter again?

 

There is a difference between what I want to happen and what I think will happen, but in this case, both point to no mega deals, this winter.

 

$30-40M to spend: 4-5 slots open. That does not leave much room for a $30M deal, unless we sign Scherzer and 3 Iggy types.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Seager is a Yankee target which means outbidding the deepest pocketed team (although one that should get a new owner!).

 

Freeman isnt going anywhere.

 

Marte is interesting. He had his best WAR year by far in a year he missed 42 games and turned 33. I stay away from him as he’s got major risk attached as his legs slow.

 

But he's 6'1"!

[mvp 78]

Who knows who other teams might trade, but it's not easy to find good one.

 

We could sign Pina. We could try Wong, but I'm not sure how well he handles pitchers, either.

 

Hard to say, but his framing rate and strike rate is on par with Vaz.

[notin]

But he's 6'1"!

 

So let him go to LA and help Mookie reach those items on the higher shelves in his cupboard...

[notin]

Hard to say, but his framing rate and strike rate is on par with Vaz.

 

Pitch framing is going to be a useless skill anyway...

[moonslav59]

Tucker B! I already answered this one for you...

 

As long as the guy is good at handling the staff and decent at other defensive aspects, I'm on board.

 

I know very little about other teams' catchers and staff-handling.

[moonslav59]

I think it is pretty clear why Maldanado is the starting catcher for the Astros, despite his .300 OPS.

[mvp 78]

Pitch framing is going to be a useless skill anyway...

 

In 2022? In 2023?

[notin]

In 2022? In 2023?

 

Yes and yes.

 

Why do you think Henry Davis was the top draft pick?

[mvp 78]

I think it is pretty clear why Maldanado is the starting catcher for the Astros, despite his .300 OPS.

 

He has the same Runs Extra Strikes as Plawecki.

[mvp 78]

Yes and yes.

 

Why do you think Henry Davis was the top draft pick?

 

Henry Davis will be in MLB next season? Do they often change the rules based on the #1 pick? Is that why they juiced the ball in the late 80's for Shawn Abner?

[notin]

Henry Davis will be in MLB next season? Do they often change the rules based on the #1 pick? Is that why they juiced the ball in the late 80's for Shawn Abner?

 

You're finally catching on. I see I have achieved my goal of making you a better poster...

[Bellhorn04]

It's not about Plawecki being great with the staff, except maybe Eovaldi.

 

It's about Vaz being worse or much worse than whoever else is our back-up.

 

So it's all CERA.

 

You know, if ERA is a deeply flawed stat, it follows that CERA is, too.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

If the Sox stay away from longterm free agent contracts -- for a variety of reasons, including CBA uncertainty -- then committing to Duran as at least a platoon regular would free up Renfroe as the most likely trade bait for a young arm. This post has nothing to do with Renfroe's postseason; a 30-homer outfielder who threw out the most baserunners in the bigs for only $3.5 million is affordable in just about any market.

 

Bloom hit big on Renfroe for '21, and might want to sell high.

[Bellhorn04]

I think it is pretty clear why Maldanado is the starting catcher for the Astros, despite his .300 OPS.

 

Sure. Just like it's pretty clear why Vaz got most of the innings in spite of Plawecki having better numbers with the stick.

[mvp 78]

You're finally catching on. I see I have achieved my goal of making you a better poster...

 

Oh, you have a lot of work cut out for you if that's your goal. I'm a lost soul. At least moon could be redeemed.

[notin]

Oh, you have a lot of work cut out for you if that's your goal. I'm a lost soul. At least moon could be redeemed.

 

Well, I said "better" not "good" or even "acceptable".

 

Let's say right now I have upgraded you from "Little Caesar's" level to "Domino's" level...

[mvp 78]

So it's all CERA.

 

You know, if ERA is a deeply flawed stat, it follows that CERA is, too.

 

Per Baseball Prospectus:

 

Vaz 20th in Fielding Runs Above Average, 25th in Framing Runs, 10th in Blocking Runs

Maldonato is 29th in Fielding Runs Above Average, 28th in Framing Runs, 78th in Errant Pitches Above Average, 100th in Blocking Runs

[mvp 78]

Well, I said "better" not "good" or even "acceptable".

 

Let's say right now I have upgraded you from "Little Caesar's" level to "Domino's" level...

 

*insert Planes, Trains and Automobiles YOU'REGOINGTHEWRONGWAY gif*

[Bellhorn04]

Per Baseball Prospectus:

 

Vaz 20th in Fielding Runs Above Average, 25th in Framing Runs, 10th in Blocking Runs

Maldonato is 29th in Fielding Runs Above Average, 28th in Framing Runs, 78th in Errant Pitches Above Average, 100th in Blocking Runs

 

How 'bout that, moon?

 

Of course it's all Deeply Flawed CERA all the time with moon.

[notin]

*insert Planes, Trains and Automobiles YOU'REGOINGTHEWRONGWAY gif*

 

If you like Little Caesar's more than Domino's, then I am much further away from m goal than I thought. That's akin to preferring arsenic over strychnine. Almost literally...

[moonslav59]

How 'bout that, moon?

 

Of course it's all Deeply Flawed CERA all the time with moon.

 

Why else would Maldanado be playing, if he is so horrible at traditional defensive stats and is hitting like .100?

 

You tell me.

 

These numbers support my position.

 

[notin]

Why else would Maldanado be playing, if he is so horrible at traditional defensive stats and is hitting like .100?

 

You tell me.

 

These numbers support my position.

 

 

Because hes a hot lover...