Fire Bloom .

[moonslav59]

Bloom is definitely not running the Red Sox... can't say he's walking them, either.

 

Meandering? Certainly, contorting them... but after four years, it's not so curleycute anymore.

 

I think a lot comes down to where one felt the Sox were after 2019 and then the Betts/Price trade, and then what was expected and how quickly.

[notin]

Results do clearly matter to me with the most important the WL record of the big league club. I was against the Bloom signing from day 1.

 

They needed a clear change of direction. That became obvious after 2019…

[notin]

Results do clearly matter to me with the most important the WL record of the big league club. I was against the Bloom signing from day 1.

 

Doesn’t schedule matter?

 

The Sox so far have played the third toughest schedule in MLB, per http://powerrankingsguru.com/mlb/strength-of-schedule.php.

 

 

And still have a winning record.

 

I hope you agree schedule matters after repeatedly pointing out last seasons hot stretch came against weaker teams…

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

I think a lot comes down to where one felt the Sox were after 2019 and then the Betts/Price trade, and then what was expected and how quickly.

 

Look, I'm glad the Sox have some decent prospects in the minors. Some seem to have potential to become stars in the majors. For example, Bello dominated at every level, so it's reasonable to hope that will continue when many of those same peers from lower levels also make the big leagues.

 

But for a GM or CBO, building the farm comes with the badge. Every club has the opportunity to draft and sign amateurs. There are zero bosses who build world champs solely by signing players from other teams. So it's hard to give Bloom too much credit for just recruiting prospects.

[sk7326]

Look, I'm glad the Sox have some decent prospects in the minors. Some seem to have potential to become stars in the majors. For example, Bello dominated at every level, so it's reasonable to hope that will continue when many of those same peers from lower levels also make the big leagues.

 

But for a GM or CBO, building the farm comes with the badge. Every club has the opportunity to draft and sign amateurs. There are zero bosses who build world champs solely by signing players from other teams. So it's hard to give Bloom too much credit for just recruiting prospects.

 

If it was easy, everyone would do it. And good teams by definition have fewer chances at blue chippers. The team has got more interesting pitching in the org than in a long time - but the ceiling is questionable. Bello's development is a very good datapoint in the team's corner tho

[mvp 78]

Results do clearly matter to me with the most important the WL record of the big league club. I was against the Bloom signing from day 1.

 

On day 1 you had a problem with him? Wow. I really didn't have an idea who he was back then. You must really do your research!

[mvp 78]

If it was easy, everyone would do it. And good teams by definition have fewer chances at blue chippers. The team has got more interesting pitching in the org than in a long time - but the ceiling is questionable. Bello's development is a very good datapoint in the team's corner tho

 

Probably the best the pitching has looked in about a decade. When ERod was the #1 prospect, there were a few intriguing arms in the system.

[sk7326]

Results do clearly matter to me with the most important the WL record of the big league club. I was against the Bloom signing from day 1.

 

Wait ... you didn't think one of the architects of the Rays machine (the forefather of the current Dodgers machine) was not a good choice to run the Sox?

[mvp 78]

Wait ... you didn't think one of the architects of the Rays machine (the forefather of the current Dodgers machine) was not a good choice to run the Sox?

 

Rays bad. Rays bad. Rays bad. Rays bad. Rays bad.

[dgalehouse]

The Sox have done just enough to keep a glimmer of hope for an improved second half and a possible playoff run. So, I have not given up on this season as yet. What bothers me is that the Red Sox have lost the look and feel of a big time ballclub. They seem like just another average team. And they seem content with it. And it shows in the declining fan interest. Honestly, it is often more fun to flip the channel and watch former Sox stars playing for another team. And I have done a lot of that recently.

[redsoxrules]

Doesn’t schedule matter?

 

The Sox so far have played the third toughest schedule in MLB, per http://powerrankingsguru.com/mlb/strength-of-schedule.php.

 

 

And still have a winning record.

 

I hope you agree schedule matters after repeatedly pointing out last seasons hot stretch came against weaker teams…

 

This does not matter until they can beat s*** teams. What's their record vs teams that are under 500?

[notin]

This does not matter until they can beat s*** teams. What's their record vs teams that are under 500?

 

It seems like a yes or no question. Yes they’ve struggled against teams under .500, but they have a winning record against teams over .500.

 

A quick look tells me they’re 12-15 against teams under .500.

 

Of course that also means they’re 28-24 against teams over .500. (No team is currently exactly .500.)

 

Are you saying that first record makes the second one moot?

[redsoxrules]

It seems like a yes or no question. Yes they’ve struggled against teams under .500, but they have a winning record against teams over .500.

 

A quick look tells me they’re 12-15 against teams under .500.

 

Of course that also means they’re 28-24 against teams over .500. (No team is currently exactly .500.)

 

Are you saying that first record makes the second one moot?

 

Basically yes. You have to beat both the good AND bad teams. Otherwise they are not making the playoffs. While it's great to see that they are 28-24 VS teams with a winning record, it's demoralizing at the same time that they are having problems against s*** teams

[redsoxrules]

The Sox from July 7th to July 19 are playing VS Oakland 6 games and the Cubs for 3. That's a 9 game stretch where they need to go a minimum 7-2. They should be destroying those teams.

[moonslav59]

Look, I'm glad the Sox have some decent prospects in the minors. Some seem to have potential to become stars in the majors. For example, Bello dominated at every level, so it's reasonable to hope that will continue when many of those same peers from lower levels also make the big leagues.

 

But for a GM or CBO, building the farm comes with the badge. Every club has the opportunity to draft and sign amateurs. There are zero bosses who build world champs solely by signing players from other teams. So it's hard to give Bloom too much credit for just recruiting prospects.

 

It’s too speculative, at this point,especially since he drafted almost all HS kids.

 

I gave him the same grade for MLB and overall.

 

He did add young talent Whitlock, Wink, Wong and young vets like Dugo, Ref and Schreiber.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

It’s too speculative, at this point,especially since he drafted almost all HS kids.

 

I gave him the same grade for MLB and overall.

 

He did add young talent Whitlock, Wink, Wong and young vets like Dugo, Ref and Schreiber.

 

No doubt those players fill specific roles necessary on a big league roster. But when Bloom was hired, it felt like we were led to expect a boy wonder who would not only "win every trade" but land some superstars. Maybe not a Yordan Alvarez for Josh Fields steal, but at least a Joe Ryan for Nelson Cruz type deal...

[moonslav59]

No doubt those players fill specific roles necessary on a big league roster. But when Bloom was hired, it felt like we were led to expect a boy wonder who would not only "win every trade" but land some superstars. Maybe not a Yordan Alvarez for Josh Fields steal, but at least a Joe Ryan for Nelson Cruz type deal...

 

I’m not living in New England anymore, but I just don’t recall all this hype talk.

 

Nobody should have expected this to be quick and painless. Wasn’t the Betts/Price trade followed by further budget cuts enough to lower everyone’s expectation?

 

To be fair, I did expect more gems found in the roughs- via trades, waivers and slight of hand, like Whitlock, Schreiber, Ref and Wink,but anyone who thinks any GM can come close to winning every trade is kidding themselves.

 

I was hoping more farm players would be nearing ML readiness by now, but I did not expect so many HS top draftees. That’s not a knock, but it pushes back the time expectations on that front.

 

I did expect better than Kluber and Richards, but it’s not easy finding guys like Wacha, Hill, and Paxtonfor peanuts.

[Randy Red Sox]

those of us tht were realistic expected that we would be getting a guy who would cut the payroll and try to build the farm system. Well we got the former but not so sure about the latter.

No doubt those players fill specific roles necessary on a big league roster. But when Bloom was hired, it felt like we were led to expect a boy wonder who would not only "win every trade" but land some superstars. Maybe not a Yordan Alvarez for Josh Fields steal, but at least a Joe Ryan for Nelson Cruz type deal...

[Randy Red Sox]

great post

The Sox have done just enough to keep a glimmer of hope for an improved second half and a possible playoff run. So, I have not given up on this season as yet. What bothers me is that the Red Sox have lost the look and feel of a big time ballclub. They seem like just another average team. And they seem content with it. And it shows in the declining fan interest. Honestly, it is often more fun to flip the channel and watch former Sox stars playing for another team. And I have done a lot of that recently.

[Randy Red Sox]

that has been my argument all along. Bloom's hands are tied by Henry who needs to SELL the team.

As many as the budget set by JH allows, IMO.

 

If you need to add a ton of depth, there is not many other options on a fixed budget.

[notin]

No doubt those players fill specific roles necessary on a big league roster. But when Bloom was hired, it felt like we were led to expect a boy wonder who would not only "win every trade" but land some superstars. Maybe not a Yordan Alvarez for Josh Fields steal, but at least a Joe Ryan for Nelson Cruz type deal...

 

Joe Ryan is the low bar? Most of us can limbo under that one without getting off our stilts.

 

Of course Garrett Whitlock for nothing is looking ok. And Pivetta - like him or not - is an upgrade over Workman and Hembree…

[notin]

that has been my argument all along. Bloom's hands are tied by Henry who needs to SELL the team.

 

It’s easier to step down from Henry than it is to upgrade. Be careful what you wish for…

[moonslav59]

those of us tht were realistic expected that we would be getting a guy who would cut the payroll and try to build the farm system. Well we got the former but not so sure about the latter.

 

Slash and burn because you are unsure.

 

Sounds like a well thought out plan!

[MADSTORK]

Pink hat purgatory

 

Has a ring to it, don’t it boys?

[notin]

Pink hat purgatory

 

Has a ring to it, don’t it boys?

 

Youn clearly don’t know what that means…

[cp176]

The Sox have done just enough to keep a glimmer of hope for an improved second half and a possible playoff run. So, I have not given up on this season as yet. What bothers me is that the Red Sox have lost the look and feel of a big time ballclub. They seem like just another average team. And they seem content with it. And it shows in the declining fan interest. Honestly, it is often more fun to flip the channel and watch former Sox stars playing for another team. And I have done a lot of that recently.

 

This pretty much sums it up for me. Reruns of the Big Bang have been more entertaining for me lately.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Joe Ryan is the low bar? Most of us can limbo under that one without getting off our stilts.

 

Of course Garrett Whitlock for nothing is looking ok. And Pivetta - like him or not - is an upgrade over Workman and Hembree…

 

No, the low bar is building the farm system... because that's a basic part of the duties for any chief of baseball operations. I can't give Bloom credit for just doing his job -- and it will be years before we know whether any of his many high school draft picks become big leaguers with potential (much like Bello-Casas-Duran now, as products of the Dombrowski days).

 

Bloom defenders laud his work in replenishing the Red Sox minor league rosters that were supposedly ravaged by Dombro. But how much grief does Dealing Dave deserve, when his trades fortified a parent club that won -- isn't that the ultimate goal of a GM? And even revisionists realize there were no Bagwells swapped out; the best prospects and their combined bWAR -- Dubon 3.5, Espinol 5.4, Kopech 5.5, Margot 12.1, Moncada 13.3 -- equate to the career value of John Valentin 32.2 and Daniel Nava 7.8.

 

Valentin was underrated -- 12th in Boston bWAR since 1969 (just ahead of Fred Lynn and Yooook) -- but what GM/CBO wouldn't trade Val and Nava for a ring?

[Bellhorn04]

This pretty much sums it up for me. Reruns of the Big Bang have been more entertaining for me lately.

 

There's definitely part of me that won't be sad if the 2023 Sox go in the tank along with attendance and ratings. I'm not proud of myself for thinking that way, but I can't help it. I've had enough last-place finishes for a while. Maybe it's an old guy thing, I don't know. I'm 67.

[Bellhorn04]

No, the low bar is building the farm system... because that's a basic part of the duties for any chief of baseball operations. I can't give Bloom credit for just doing his job -- and it will be years before we know whether any of his many high school draft picks become big leaguers with potential (much like Bello-Casas-Duran now, as products of the Dombrowski days).

 

Bloom defenders laud his work in replenishing the Red Sox minor league rosters that were supposedly ravaged by Dombro. But how much grief does Dealing Dave deserve, when his trades fortified a parent club that won -- isn't that the ultimate goal of a GM? And even revisionists realize there were no Bagwells swapped out; the best prospects and their combined bWAR -- Dubon 3.5, Espinol 5.4, Kopech 5.5, Margot 12.1, Moncada 13.3 -- equate to the career value of John Valentin 32.2 and Daniel Nava 7.8.

 

Valentin was underrated -- 12th in Boston bWAR since 1969 (just ahead of Fred Lynn and Yooook) -- but what GM/CBO wouldn't trade Val and Nava for a ring?

 

Excellent post.

[Bellhorn04]

It seems like a yes or no question. Yes they’ve struggled against teams under .500, but they have a winning record against teams over .500.

 

A quick look tells me they’re 12-15 against teams under .500.

 

Of course that also means they’re 28-24 against teams over .500. (No team is currently exactly .500.)

 

Are you saying that first record makes the second one moot?

 

Well of course, there's that well-worn sports cliche about "playing to the level of the competition". The 2023 Sox seem to be giving it some validation...