The 2021-2022 Offseason Thread

[moonslav59]

Ok, but the market souring on these guys wasn't the reason they didn't perform (AGon was great when he was here).

 

AGon certainly "handled" Boston, well.

 

His exit might have been slightly related to the whole crapola thing that went down in the clubhouse, but you are right on AGon.

[mvp 78]

AGon certainly "handled" Boston, well.

 

His exit might have been slightly related to the whole crapola thing that went down in the clubhouse, but you are right on AGon.

 

He just didn't like Bobby V. Can't say I blame him.

[Bellhorn04]

AGon posted good numbers for us, but we were fortunate to move him when we did, because he declined soon after.

[Bellhorn04]

Man, when you look at all these busted contracts, it's no wonder Henry wanted to hire a guy like Bloom.

[notin]

"The market" (media & fans) soured on these guys, and not just because of injuries.

 

No.

 

Tony LaRussa gave a massive backhanded compliment to Edgar Renteria as he left, saying he wouldn’t be able to handle Boston because he was too sweet. LaRussa very possibly meant “he’ll fail without me,” but when Renteria had a bad season (possibly due to injury), the myth about MLB players not being able to handle Boston was born…

[mvp 78]

No.

 

Tony LaRussa gave a massive backhanded compliment to Edgar Renteria as he left, saying he wouldn’t be able to handle Boston because he was too sweet. LaRussa very possibly meant “he’ll fail without me,” but when Renteria had a bad season (possibly due to injury), the myth about MLB players not being able to handle Boston was born…

 

I think that myth existed long before Renteria.

[notin]

I think that myth existed long before Renteria.

 

I actually never heard anything about it before him…

[mvp 78]

Renteria by fWAR:

3.5

1.0

0.9

1.2

2.0

1.7

4.1

6.3

2.0

1.8

3.6

4.0

1.1

-0.1

1.2

0.7

 

Doesn't seem like his one season is Boston is that much of an outlier. The only real outlier is 2003. He averaged out to about 2 fWAR per year.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Price had an issue with Eck, not the market.

 

Beergate had nothing to do with the market.

 

Crawford's 2011 was wrecked by a hamstring injury, which ruined his biggest strength. He played well during May, but was out soon after in June with the hamstring stuff.

 

I never said they couldn't handle it, just that they didn't want to deal with it. Price loathed every media member. AGon hated national Sunday night games that come with the market.

 

Crawford may have been damaged goods, but maybe it was his eyesight as much as his leg -- he couldn't make contact (I've never seen a guy with so many at bats in an 0-2 count) and couldn't even judge a fly ball. Had to be many factors; a .300 hitter and Gold Glover doesn't forget how to play baseball well overnight. It couldn't all be a high-fat, too-rich diet commensurate with his contract...

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

I think that myth existed long before Renteria.

 

Didn't Rentaleria blame his poor fielding in Boston on the grounds crew for the way they manicured the Fenway infield?

[mvp 78]

I actually never heard anything about it before him…

 

I feel like (could be misremembering) that the knock on Boston has always been "black players don't want to play here (past/current racism whether true or not) and it's a tough market to play in because of the rabid fanbase." This goes back to at least the 80's if not earlier.

[mvp 78]

Didn't Rentaleria blame his poor fielding in Boston on the grounds crew for the way they manicured the Fenway infield?

 

Maybe? Nomar did that long before Edgar came around.

[notin]

I never said they couldn't handle it, just that they didn't want to deal with it. Price loathed every media member. AGon hated national Sunday night games that come with the market.

 

Crawford may have been damaged goods, but maybe it was his eyesight as much as his leg -- he couldn't make contact (I've never seen a guy with so many at bats in an 0-2 count) and couldn't even judge a fly ball. Had to be many factors; a .300 hitter and Gold Glover doesn't forget how to play baseball well overnight. It couldn't all be a high-fat, too-rich diet commensurate with his contract...

 

 

For all the times I’ve seen someone ask that silly question “but can they play in Boston?”, I would guess somewhere between 99% and 101% of the inquiries were about on-field performance, and no one was concerned about whether or not they wanted to be the topic of an article by Dan Shaughnessy…

[notin]

I feel like (could be misremembering) that the knock on Boston has always been "black players don't want to play here (past/current racism whether true or not) and it's a tough market to play in because of the rabid fanbase." This goes back to at least the 80's if not earlier.

 

There has been the racist aspect. I can agree with that.

 

When Dee Brown was drafted by the Celtics, reportedly a lot of players told him he was going “up South”. Ironic as Brown played his college ball at Jacksonville University in Florida.

 

The follow up was a story about Brown getting accosted by police as he house-hunted in Wellesley…

[Bellhorn04]

I feel like (could be misremembering) that the knock on Boston has always been "black players don't want to play here (past/current racism whether true or not) and it's a tough market to play in because of the rabid fanbase." This goes back to at least the 80's if not earlier.

 

FWIW David Wells said playing in Boston was different from anywhere else he played, because of the intensity of the fans...

[mvp 78]

FWIW David Wells said playing in Boston was different from anywhere else he played, because of the intensity of the fans...

 

The same year Renteria was signed. Maybe it just became MORE of a talking point starting then?

[Bellhorn04]

The same year Renteria was signed. Maybe it just became MORE of a talking point starting then?

 

Hard to say. Wells was just kind of marveling at the way fans would come up to him everywhere he went and start jabbering about the team, I think.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

There has been the racist aspect. I can agree with that.

 

When Dee Brown was drafted by the Celtics, reportedly a lot of players told him he was going “up South”. Ironic as Brown played his college ball at Jacksonville University in Florida.

 

The follow up was a story about Brown getting accosted by police as he house-hunted in Wellesley…

 

One of the worst stories was about Frank Robinson and a postseason party honoring his team, hosted in some fancy place in the city. Frank was the Most Valuable Player in the league, but wasn't allowed to attend the party because he was black.

 

One of the best stories is when Frank had a real estate agent find his family a new home in Baltimore, and when the Robinson superstar of the Orioles showed up to move in, the previous owner and some neighbors were shocked... they thought the house had been sold to Brooks.

[notin]

FWIW David Wells said playing in Boston was different from anywhere else he played, because of the intensity of the fans...

 

He was just being pissy about not getting his Famous Original Ray’s…

[mvp 78]

https://www.mlb.com/news/lou-trivino-leader-of-a-s-bullpen

[moonslav59]

Pujols returns to Cards for $2.5M and announces he will retire after 2022.

[SCM33]

Saw this today.

 

Jason Varitek looks in better shape than Pujols.

 

When you compare their real ages, Varitek is probably still younger!

[iortiz]

saw this today.

 

Jason varitek looks in better shape than pujols.

 

When you compare their real ages, varitek is probably still younger!

 

lol!

[moonslav59]

I guy named Benintendi hit 2 dingers, today.

 

Why can't we get players like that?

[moonslav59]

Chris Archer to the Twins for $3.5M.

[notin]

I guy named Benintendi hit 2 dingers, today.

 

Why can't we get players like that?

 

Interestingly enough, the Sox eventually turned Benintendi into Bradley…

[Bellhorn04]

Interestingly enough, the Sox eventually turned Benintendi into Bradley…

 

Bloom will probably bring Beni back at some point too...

[Larry Cook]

I guy named Benintendi hit 2 dingers, today.

 

Why can't we get players like that?

 

Dude!

 

Weren’t you berating me endlessly when I criticized that trade?

[moonslav59]

Dude!

 

Weren’t you berating me endlessly when I criticized that trade?

 

You and others, yes.

 

I don't miss Beni.

[mvp 78]

@BeyondtheMnstr

The Braves released infielder Brock Holt per his request, he will become a free agent.

 

C'mon, Bloom... Do somethin...