A Realistic View at 2022: Part I

[moonslav59]

Results are what matters. This is Bloom 's third year in charge. The first year, we finished in the cellar. A crazy year , so let's give him a pass on it. Last year we finished tied for second , eight games out of first. In the final series , it took a sweep of the Nationals , a team deep in the tank , to avoid finishing fourth and missing the post season again. We did pretty well in the post season , winning the play- in versus the Yankees and " upsetting" the Rays in the ALDS before falling short against the Astros in the ALCS. That is a realistic , no spin , no excuses recap of Bloom's first two seasons. Is it reasonable to expect the Sox to win, or at least come close to winning , the A.L. East in this his third year in charge?

 

I don't disagree, but looking at the roster, does it look like one finished rebuilding or in the midst of a normal overhaul of its 40 man roster?

 

We've added 12 names to the 40 man roster since opening day 2021. The fact that we did so well, last year does not mean the rebuild was complete.

 

Sure, we will be projected to win more games in 2022 than we were before the 2021 season, but we have a ways to go to get to top contender status, and looking at the players we added, this winter- almost all on 1 year deals- I'm not seeing signs Henry and Bloom feel like "this is the year," despite what we hoped would happen.

 

No major signings.

 

No major trades.

 

Lost ERod and Ottavino, who despite struggling near the end of the season was one of our best RP'ers, last year.

 

One can say Wacha/Hill/Paxton can replace Perez/Richards/Robles, in kind, but who replaces ERod & Ottavino?

 

Our hope is a full year from Sale and Diekman/Strahm.

 

Who replaces Schwarber/Iggy/Shaw?

 

JBJ, Duran and more play from Arroyo?

 

We are far from the promise land.

[moonslav59]

Also, looking ahead, the following players see their team control end after this season:

Sale (opt out option)

Bogey (opt out option)

JD

Eovaldi

Kike

Vaz

JBJ ($8M option makes him leaving doubtful)

Paxton

Wacha

Hill

Strahm

Plawecki

(Not countign arb choices)

 

The rebuild is far from over. The Devers choice is looming, if not already upon us.

[Bellhorn04]

We are far from the promise land.

 

What promised land?

 

I mean, you get to the promised land like we did in 2018, you bring back the same team the next year, and it all goes sideways...

 

The promised land is a pipe dream.

 

Just enjoy the ride we've been on is all you can do.

[Bellhorn04]

Also, looking ahead, the following players see their team control end after this season:

Sale (opt out option)

Bogey (opt out option)

JD

Eovaldi

Kike

Vaz

JBJ ($8M option makes him leaving doubtful)

Paxton

Wacha

Hill

Strahm

Plawecki

(Not countign arb choices)

 

The rebuild is far from over. The Devers choice is looming, if not already upon us.

 

The rebuild will never be over.

[jacksonianmarch]

The rebuild will never be over.

 

Bloom means you’ll always be on unstable ground, but it also means no cliff.

[Nick]

Up 2-1 with 2 games in Fenway coming up....I'll take that every year.

 

Some of you keep bringing up E Rod being gone.

 

Here's my take. We have Chris Sale to replace him at beginning of season.

 

It's my hope that Paxton will replace last year's Chris Sale. There's still chance either Houck or Whitlock will start if needed.

 

I think we have more depth in the pen. We should get more help from our farm system. I think overall pitching depth is better with today's 2 signings.

 

We still need a right handed outfielder in my opinion.

[jacksonianmarch]

Expecting anything from Paxton is a fools errand. He’s as brittle as they come. His elbow will be fine, but one must ensure his spine isn’t an issue. That’s been his biggest problem

[jacksonianmarch]

Up 2-1 with 2 games in Fenway coming up....I'll take that every year.

 

Some of you keep bringing up E Rod being gone.

 

Here's my take. We have Chris Sale to replace him at beginning of season.

 

It's my hope that Paxton will replace last year's Chris Sale. There's still chance either Houck or Whitlock will start if needed.

 

I think we have more depth in the pen. We should get more help from our farm system. I think overall pitching depth is better with today's 2 signings.

 

We still need a right handed outfielder in my opinion.

 

Lots of things went right last year for the Sox to win 92. The Sox had tremendous health last year and most players performed at or above career norms. They say durability is a skill, and I do but I to that, but luck plays into it too. It’s best to have depth and that’s what Bloom is building. One guy goes down, there’s another capable guy behind him.

[Larry Cook]

The rebuild will never be over.

 

No, it will not be over until hang’em Chaim can count on introducing his talented youngsters to fill major holes and using journeymen for depth.

 

The biggest problem for Hang’em Chaim is that desperate Dave turned the minor league development system into a dumpster fire.

[Old Red]

Results are what matters. This is Bloom 's third year in charge. The first year, we finished in the cellar. A crazy year , so let's give him a pass on it. Last year we finished tied for second , eight games out of first. In the final series , it took a sweep of the Nationals , a team deep in the tank , to avoid finishing fourth and missing the post season again. We did pretty well in the post season , winning the play- in versus the Yankees and " upsetting" the Rays in the ALDS before falling short against the Astros in the ALCS. That is a realistic , no spin , no excuses recap of Bloom's first two seasons. Is it reasonable to expect the Sox to win, or at least come close to winning , the A.L. East in this his third year in charge?

 

People have mentioned more than once on here how John Henry has spent money on the payroll, and how they are near the top on the payroll figures, so unless they have tons of injuries in a given year there shouldn’t be ANY bottom on the standing finishes.

[Old Red]

Up 2-1 with 2 games in Fenway coming up....I'll take that every year.

 

Some of you keep bringing up E Rod being gone.

 

Here's my take. We have Chris Sale to replace him at beginning of season.

 

It's my hope that Paxton will replace last year's Chris Sale. There's still chance either Houck or Whitlock will start if needed.

 

I think we have more depth in the pen. We should get more help from our farm system. I think overall pitching depth is better with today's 2 signings.

 

We still need a right handed outfielder in my opinion.

 

Depth in the pen? Quality depth? Who is going to close? If either Houck, or Whitlock start you have even less quality in the pen.

[notin]

Depth in the pen? Quality depth? Who is going to close? If either Houck, or Whitlock start you have even less quality in the pen.

 

Houck, Whitlock or Barnes, whose struggles last year really only encompassed like 10 innings…

[jacksonianmarch]

Houck, Whitlock or Barnes, whose struggles last year really only encompassed like 10 innings…

 

But also made him akin to nuclear waste by end of year. He got left off the postseason roster for a reason

[notin]

But also made him akin to nuclear waste by end of year. He got left off the postseason roster for a reason

 

Yes. He ended the season with 10 bad innings.

 

There’s a really big difference between benching a struggling player and giving up on a player altogether after a slump…

[Old Red]

Yes. He ended the season with 10 bad innings.

 

There’s a really big difference between benching a struggling player and giving up on a player altogether after a slump…

 

I’m not counting on Barnes for anything, and I don’t think he should be plan A to start the season.

[notin]

I’m not counting on Barnes for anything, and I don’t think he should be plan A to start the season.

 

 

I think he needs to be in the picture. And I trust him as much if not over just about any free agent arm still out there..

[Larry Cook]

I’m not counting on Barnes for anything, and I don’t think he should be plan A to start the season.

 

Not sure it is relevant, but Barnes was lights out from April to June when the spin rate on the 4 seamer was around 2400 plus,

 

But by July it was down to around 2100 plus.

 

I see two things:

 

1.) Barnes got over used and his arm went dead.

2.) Barnes sustained an injury and kept his mouth shut.

 

Whatever happened is unknown, but we should know fairly early in the season how he is throwing.

[Old Red]

Not sure it is relevant, but Barnes was lights out from April to June when the spin rate on the 4 seamer was around 2400 plus,

 

But by July it was down to around 2100 plus.

 

I see two things:

 

1.) Barnes got over used and his arm went dead.

2.) Barnes sustained an injury and kept his mouth shut.

 

Whatever happened is unknown, but we should know fairly early in the season how he is throwing.

 

Maybe also he needed the sticky stuff.

[Old Red]

I think he needs to be in the picture. And I trust him as much if not over just about any free agent arm still out there..

 

We’ll find out in 3 weeks not only the plan got Barne’s, but Houck, and Whitlock as well.

[Nick]

Depth in the pen? Quality depth? Who is going to close? If either Houck, or Whitlock start you have even less quality in the pen.

 

We added two lefties today to the pen. Jake Diekman is projected to be our best lefty. Matt Strahm was the other depth piece. That's on top of three other lefties that pitched for the Sox last year, Hernandez, Taylor and Davis.

 

Bloom is making incremental improvements.

 

You simply can't dismiss every addition because they are not signed for $10M+.

 

If Houck or Whitlock starts, that means one of the projected starters will go to the pen. You NEVER see the other side of equation.

 

We had a closer in Barnes, look how well that worked out. Maybe he'll be the closer again this year.

 

You keep trying to make the team better, Old Red. Bloom is not going to give up. Henry is not going to put out a s*** show.

 

Lastly, a reminder that our 2019 opening payroll was higher than 2018 World Championship team. We reset in 2021 (forget 2020). We have $100M possibly coming off the books after this year. I doubt we'll ever have the payroll that Rays live with.

 

Bloom has done what he said he will do. Our farm system is improved. Eventually that will benefit the Sox. I think we're on the right path.

Edited March 13, 2022 by Nick

[notin]

Maybe also he needed the sticky stuff.

 

His collapse didn’t coincide with the midseason ban on sticky stuff. He actually pitched even better for a while after the ban..

[Old Red]

We added two lefties today to the pen. Jake Diekman is projected to be our best lefty. Matt Strahm was the other depth piece. That's on top of three other lefties that pitched for the Sox last year, Hernandez, Taylor and Davis.

 

Bloom is making incremental improvements.

 

You simply can't dismiss every addition because they are not signed for $10M+.

 

If Houck or Whitlock starts, that means one of the projected starters will go to the pen. You NEVER see the other side of equation.

 

We had a closer in Barnes, look how well that worked out. Maybe he'll be the closer again this year.

 

You keep trying to make the team better, Old Red. Bloom is not going to give up. Henry is not going to put out a s*** show.

 

Lastly, a reminder that our 2019 opening payroll was higher than 2018 World Championship team. We reset in 2021 (forget 2020). We have $100M possibly coming off the books after this year. I doubt we'll ever have the payroll that Rays live with.

 

Bloom has done what he said he will do. Our farm system is improved. Eventually that will benefit the Sox. I think we're on the right path.

 

Don’t make it sound like the Red Sox have have had good teams under Henry every year, and haven’t had some s*** shows in the last ten years. 93 L in 2012, and 91 L in 2014, and I believe one of those years was not only a s*** show, but a Clown show with Bobby V. If you are exited about the two lefties they picked up then good for you. No the players Bloom picks up doesn’t have to be $10M+, but it would be better to get out of the bargain basement, and I’m very well aware that if Houck, or Whitlock go into the starting rotation one of those bargain basement pitchers would go to the pen, but I think most on here we’re thinking, or hoping that the Sox would have done more than they have so far like a big FA signing, or trade.

[Larry Cook]

Hang’em Chaim is rebuilding the farm system to help eliminate the occasional dips and keep us annually winning.

[Old Red]

Hang’em Chaim is rebuilding the farm system to help eliminate the occasional dips and keep us annually winning.

 

I hope part of that rebuild is pitching.

[Hugh2]

With the DH coming to the NL I wonder if JDM becomes extremely marketable. That money + the Salary cap rises means the Sox could easily sign both Suzuki and one of Bryant/Correa. Correa fills the obvious middle infielder hole we have.

[Nick]

Don’t make it sound like the Red Sox have have had good teams under Henry every year, and haven’t had some s*** shows in the last ten years. 93 L in 2012, and 91 L in 2014, and I believe one of those years was not only a s*** show, but a Clown show with Bobby V. If you are exited about the two lefties they picked up then good for you. No the players Bloom picks up doesn’t have to be $10M+, but it would be better to get out of the bargain basement, and I’m very well aware that if Houck, or Whitlock go into the starting rotation one of those bargain basement pitchers would go to the pen, but I think most on here we’re thinking, or hoping that the Sox would have done more than they have so far like a big FA signing, or trade.

 

I became a Sox fan in 1967. Henry's teams have won 4 World Series and I will give him the benefit of doubt. He doesn't intentionally put on a s*** show. At some point, it's on the players. Look at 2019. On paper, our starting pitching looked very good. It didn't turn out that way.

 

We're almost done getting rid of dead money, Price and Pedroia contracts comes to mind.

 

I'd be surprised if we're not a finalist for Suzuki.

[Old Red]

I became a Sox fan in 1967. Henry's teams have won 4 World Series and I will give him the benefit of doubt. He doesn't intentionally put on a s*** show. At some point, it's on the players. Look at 2019. On paper, our starting pitching looked very good. It didn't turn out that way.

 

We're almost done getting rid of dead money, Price and Pedroia contracts comes to mind.

 

I'd be surprised if we're not a finalist for Suzuki.

 

I’ve been a Red Sox fan for over 60 years, so I’m fully aware how many WS the Red Sox have won in that time frame.

 

I never said Henry intentionally put on a s*** show, but the Bobby V year comes mighty close.

 

Hopefully the moves the Red Sox have made this off season works out, and Diekman looks like a good pickup, but I’m not to impressed with the rest, and that goes for JBJ. Time will tell, and there were some good hits last year with some of Bloom’s acquisitions, so hopefully he hits on some again.

[jacksonianmarch]

Not sure it is relevant, but Barnes was lights out from April to June when the spin rate on the 4 seamer was around 2400 plus,

 

But by July it was down to around 2100 plus.

 

I see two things:

 

1.) Barnes got over used and his arm went dead.

2.) Barnes sustained an injury and kept his mouth shut.

 

Whatever happened is unknown, but we should know fairly early in the season how he is throwing.

 

Maybe he was using the sticky icky

[jacksonianmarch]

Hang’em Chaim is rebuilding the farm system to help eliminate the occasional dips and keep us annually winning.

 

This seems to be the goal nowadays for a large market club. Never truly go for it but always be in the picture. This maximizes revenue without breaking the bank

[Swiharts Ghost]

kris Bryant or Correa are my wish list but I’d be happy with Wil Myers or Kyle again .