Fire Bloom .

[illinoisredsox]

The defense is indefensible. It can't defend, and no fans can defend it... or soon, watch it -- unless changes are made. The Red Sox owe their spectators an entire line-up of major league fielders.

 

Nothing is worse in baseball as an entertainment product than shoddy D; it's the only aspect ever mocked and compared to Little League.

 

But legitimate defense is the first and easiest way back to respectability. Hitting is hard, and healthy pitchers are always a premium, but many soft-hand, sure-arm defenders exist in pro ball. Solid D with professional fundamentals immediately makes any pitching staff better, and gives the offense a better chance at outscoring opponents.

 

And if you're worried about adding good gloves with bad bats, can it get much worse? Boston is 2-21 when scoring three runs or less. The Sox don't win pitcher's duels, where there is even less margin for error... physical or mental (like missing cutoffs and allowing baserunners into scoring position). Offenses fluctuate, but when a team is held to two or less runs scored in half its games the past month (11 of 22), the unacceptable D becomes even more glaring.

 

The radio guys (Will Flemming in particular) were not very succinct last night about the D. I believe the quote after the game ended was “infield defense is killing this team”. Comments during the error filled inning were not any less subtle.

[Bellhorn04]

There have been a lot of defensive clown shows since Bloom took over. Generally speaking, they've moved from the outfield to the infield.

[mvp 78]

The radio guys (Will Flemming in particular) were not very succinct last night about the D. I believe the quote after the game ended was “infield defense is killing this team”. Comments during the error filled inning were not any less subtle.

 

Valdez is just horrible at 2B. I get that he can hit RHP, but he is just terrible out there.

[Old Red]

Valdez is just horrible at 2B. I get that he can hit RHP, but he is just terrible out there.

 

Valdez luster has worn off with the bat, and that’s the only reason you would have him in the lineup in the first place. With what is on the 26 right now put Reyes at SS, and Arroyo at 2B. If Arroyo can stay healthy for a few games he can handle 2B

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

I can see not spending large and long on starting pitchers over 30 -- especially after Henry broke his motto and got burned on both Sale and Price.

 

I can see not spending large and long on a good but not great shortstop who may be unproductive playing at a less impactful position at the back end half decade of an 11-year contract.

 

But I can't see not filling the line-up with legitimate big league gloves. They're plentiful, inexpensive, and to me, maybe the best investments for a front office obsessed with one-year deals and annual turnover.

 

Crap defense is an embarrassment, unacceptable, and the quickest way to turn off viewers, who are more sure-handed with TV remotes than Boston's entire infield.

[Dipre]

I can see not spending large and long on starting pitchers over 30 -- especially after Henry broke his motto and got burned on both Sale and Price.

 

I can see not spending large and long on a good but not great shortstop who may be unproductive playing at a less impactful position at the back end half decade of an 11-year contract.

 

But I can't see not filling the line-up with legitimate big league gloves. They're plentiful, inexpensive, and to me, maybe the best investments for a front office obsessed with one-year deals and annual turnover.

 

Crap defense is an embarrassment, unacceptable, and the quickest way to turn off viewers, who are more sure-handed with TV remotes than Boston's entire infield.

 

Well we finally agree on something!

[mvp 78]

Well we finally agree on something!

 

And defense should be relatively cheap to acquire. I don't understand why he just ignored it for SS/CF/2B and seemingly elsewhere. It's clear that he's trying to get to a future season to add Rafaela/Mayer and some other missing pieces from the minors. That doesn't help us out now. He also said that the team would be competitive now and that it would be awesome. I just don't have faith that he can create a team that can really be consistent year to year. In 2021, it was still largely DD's team. Not every young player has a smooth transition to MLB either (see Casas). What is Bloom's fall back plan? Does he have one? Doesn't seem like he does. He adds to the bottom of the 40 man roster so that the Sox can be an 81 win team rather than a 71 win team, but why not take the 81 win team and make it a 91 win team with better talent at the top of the roster?

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

I believe we all agree that Reyes at SS and Arroyo at 2nd strengthens the SOX middle defense. Cora, who supposedly stresses good defense, is the one making the line-up, so when he continues to use Kike and Valdez at those positions, it's on him.

[mvp 78]

I believe we all agree that Reyes at SS and Arroyo at 2nd strengthens the SOX middle defense. Cora, who supposedly stresses good defense, is the one making the line-up, so when he continues to use Kike and Valdez at those positions, it's on him.

 

And Cora was a decent defensive MIFer too. It just doesn't make much sense to me.

 

Career 10 DRS at 2b, 20 DRS at SS.

[vegasbob]

And defense should be relatively cheap to acquire. I don't understand why he just ignored it for SS/CF/2B and seemingly elsewhere. It's clear that he's trying to get to a future season to add Rafaela/Mayer and some other missing pieces from the minors. That doesn't help us out now. He also said that the team would be competitive now and that it would be awesome. I just don't have faith that he can create a team that can really be consistent year to year. In 2021, it was still largely DD's team. Not every young player has a smooth transition to MLB either (see Casas). What is Bloom's fall back plan? Does he have one? Doesn't seem like he does. He adds to the bottom of the 40 man roster so that the Sox can be an 81 win team rather than a 71 win team, but why not take the 81 win team and make it a 91 win team with better talent at the top of the roster?

 

Combine the SS/CF/2B risks ( Kike; injury prone Arroyo; AAAA Valdez ; Chang; Reyes; Duran's reality) with a virtual rookie at catcher ( Wong) and the core of your team is weak , not awesome not amazing Chaim. Which one of those 7 players has large upside ? Maybe Wong , less likely Duran ?? Then put another rookie (Casas) at 1B , a power hitting position and watch him walk or K . Then have Devers have a sort of confusing first half at the plate, highs(rbi's) lows (BA/OPS).

 

The .500+- record while in the AL East is probably an achievement . But the roster assembled by Bloom was suspect from hot stove through May , injuries( Duvall/Sale) and failure to recover more quickly ( Story) made it all the more glaring. With 100 games to go , the Sox still have a puncher's chance at a WC 3 position which is the only amazing thing about this team right now.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

And defense should be relatively cheap to acquire. I don't understand why he just ignored it for SS/CF/2B and seemingly elsewhere. It's clear that he's trying to get to a future season to add Rafaela/Mayer and some other missing pieces from the minors. That doesn't help us out now. He also said that the team would be competitive now and that it would be awesome. I just don't have faith that he can create a team that can really be consistent year to year. In 2021, it was still largely DD's team. Not every young player has a smooth transition to MLB either (see Casas). What is Bloom's fall back plan? Does he have one? Doesn't seem like he does. He adds to the bottom of the 40 man roster so that the Sox can be an 81 win team rather than a 71 win team, but why not take the 81 win team and make it a 91 win team with better talent at the top of the roster?

 

Don't get me going on Bloom's famous fallbacks: Franchy at 1B, Arroyo in RF,, Downs at SS (instead of Graterol, an actual big leaguer the past half decade), Valdez at second, Kike at short, and Mondesi at nowhere...

[moonslav59]

I believe we all agree that Reyes at SS and Arroyo at 2nd strengthens the SOX middle defense. Cora, who supposedly stresses good defense, is the one making the line-up, so when he continues to use Kike and Valdez at those positions, it's on him.

 

Kike would be okay at2B and is best in CF. His bat seems to have ticked up slightly, recently, but not nearly enough.

[mvp 78]

Combine the SS/CF/2B risks ( Kike; injury prone Arroyo; AAAA Valdez ; Chang; Reyes; Duran's reality) with a virtual rookie at catcher ( Wong) and the core of your team is weak , not awesome not amazing Chaim. Which one of those 7 players has large upside ? Maybe Wong , less likely Duran ?? Then put another rookie (Casas) at 1B , a power hitting position and watch him walk or K . Then have Devers have a sort of confusing first half at the plate, highs(rbi's) lows (BA/OPS).

 

The .500+- record while in the AL East is probably an achievement . But the roster assembled by Bloom was suspect from hot stove through May , injuries( Duvall/Sale) and failure to recover more quickly ( Story) made it all the more glaring. With 100 games to go , the Sox still have a puncher's chance at a WC 3 position which is the only amazing thing about this team right now.

 

Early on, Wong's defense was looking pretty strong, but it has taken as step back. His framing is bottom 5 of all catchers above 100 innings.

[notin]

Valdez luster has worn off with the bat, and that’s the only reason you would have him in the lineup in the first place. With what is on the 26 right now put Reyes at SS, and Arroyo at 2B. If Arroyo can stay healthy for a few games he can handle 2B

 

Kevin Newman is a good defensive SS sitting on the bench in Cincy making $2.6mill. He’s not much of as hitter, but him at SS and Hernandez shifting over to 2b would be an upgrade.

 

BTV accepted Dalbec for Newman, which actually does make some sense for Cincinnati, as they’re near the bottom of the league in fWAR from a 1b. Certainly Dalbec won’t vault them to the middle of the pack, but he can help them by hitting LHP and by not making any money…

[mvp 78]

Traded Aaron Sele plus for Damon Buford and Jim Leyritz

[mvp 78]

Left Jeff Suppan eligible to be selected in the expansion draft.

[Maxbialystock]

Not that it's relevant, but Kike's DWAR is -0.2, which means that his defense will have cost one win by the end of the season.

 

Also irrelevant is that, at least during the John Henry era, the Sox have always preferred hitting over fielding at the SS position--and, really, all other positions. That stupid approach has led to 4 World Series wins.

 

Another irrelevancy is that Kike, who has been a pretty good centerfielder, inherited the SS job when everyone else--Story, Chang, Arroyo, et al--went on the IL.

 

Anyone care to guess which two players are seriously damaging the defense? Yoshida with a DWAR of -0.8 and Casas with a DWAR of -0.9.

 

But enough of irrelevancies. Let's beat up on Kike, Cora, and Bloom some more.

[mvp 78]

Let Roger go to TOR.

[mvp 78]

Theo > DD > Ben > Duq > CB

[Old Red]

Not that it's relevant, but Kike's DWAR is -0.2, which means that his defense will have cost one win by the end of the season.

 

Also irrelevant is that, at least during the John Henry era, the Sox have always preferred hitting over fielding at the SS position--and, really, all other positions. That stupid approach has led to 4 World Series wins.

 

Another irrelevancy is that Kike, who has been a pretty good centerfielder, inherited the SS job when everyone else--Story, Chang, Arroyo, et al--went on the IL.

 

Anyone care to guess which two players are seriously damaging the defense? Yoshida with a DWAR of -0.8 and Casas with a DWAR of -0.9.

 

But enough of irrelevancies. Let's beat up on Kike, Cora, and Bloom some more.

 

Kike inherited the SS job back in Jan when Story had surgery. Kike was so bad that he finally got taken off SS by his dad (Cora) , and Chang was inserted there, and solidified the the position until he got hurt, and back to SS Kike went except for a few games by Reyes. It’s not just Kike’s D at SS, but his weak bat should keep him out of the lineup too except for an occasional fill in.

[mvp 78]

Kike inherited the SS job back in Jan when Story had surgery. Kike was so bad that he finally got taken off SS by his dad (Cora) , and Chang was inserted there, and solidified the the position until he got hurt, and back to SS Kike went except for a few games by Reyes. It’s not just Kike’s D at SS, but his weak bat should keep him out of the lineup too except for an occasional fill in.

 

I just don't understand why they haven't left Reyes in there and just used Kiké in a UTIL role. Kiké is killing this team.

[Old Red]

I just don't understand why they haven't left Reyes in there and just used Kiké in a UTIL role. Kiké is killing this team.

 

Outside of Kike being Cora’s favorite son I don’t have an answer. Like I said earlier Chang solidified the position until he got hurt, and he should be back shortly, but why Reyes hasn’t gotten more of a chance especially with the infield being such a problem to me is all on Cora.

[notin]

I just don't understand why they haven't left Reyes in there and just used Kiké in a UTIL role. Kiké is killing this team.

 

Or called up Hamilton. The guy was protected over Thad Ward and has crushed AAA pitching this year. He’s a gamble and I could understand if they had to DFA someone to try him. But that’s not the case…

[Old Red]

Or called up Hamilton. The guy was protected over Thad Ward and has crushed AAA pitching this year. He’s a gamble and I could understand if they had to DFA someone to try him. But that’s not the case…

 

Like I’ve said more than once lately that if Hamilton hasn’t gotten a chance by now with all the injuries, and problems in the IF he most likely never will.

[mvp 78]

Or called up Hamilton. The guy was protected over Thad Ward and has crushed AAA pitching this year. He’s a gamble and I could understand if they had to DFA someone to try him. But that’s not the case…

 

I don't necessarily believe in his defense, but he's on the 40 man. Why not use him? Bloom just makes some weird ass decisions.

[notin]

I don't necessarily believe in his defense, but he's on the 40 man. Why not use him? Bloom just makes some weird ass decisions.

 

I don’t even think he’s the answer. But he’s probably an improvement and easily available. Demote Valdez. Bump Kike to 2nd. And let Hamilton try SS.

[mvp 78]

I don’t even think he’s the answer. But he’s probably an improvement and easily available. Demote Valdez. Bump Kike to 2nd. And let Hamilton try SS.

 

At this point, what's the harm? Even just throw him at 2B if they really don't think his arm can cut it.

[Old Red]

At this point, what's the harm? Even just throw him at 2B if they really don't think his arm can cut it.

 

Kike back at SS tonight with Arroyo at 2B.

[mvp 78]

Kike back at SS tonight with Arroyo at 2B.

 

Yuck!

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

At this point, what's the harm? Even just throw him at 2B if they really don't think his arm can cut it.

 

I tell you the harm: Hamilton has a lot of letters that would have to be tackle-twilled to a Red Sox jersey. Every letter must cost a couple bucks apiece. Just think of the savings for Bloom every time he recalls Ort.