Fire Bloom .

[a700hitter]

Hey, dummy. 2018 and 2019 belonged to DD, not Bloom. 2020 was a nonseason. 2021 was a surprisingly good season despite the departure of Mookie, the absence of highly paid starter Price, the weak season of highly paid starter Sale, the lack of a closer in the postseason (which had absolutely zero impact on game outcomes), etc.

 

As for 2022, the Sox pitching staff was hit with a tsunami of injuries followed by injuries to two--Devers and Story--of the Sox three best lineup players this year. Plus Kike.

 

What has become clear from your commentary is that you must have been a huge DD fan because his approach was so simple: spend like a drunken sailor and/or trade away your farm system because the future is now--and never later.

 

Bloom has the unenviable task of paying for DD's extravagance--specifically, shelling out $63M this year for Price, Sale, and Eovaldi whose combined WAR is a paltry 0.9. By himself, Bloom-acquisition Wacha has a WAR of +2.2. Schreiber's is 2.1--another Bloom acquisition. Pivetta's is 2.0--still another Bloom acquisition. Whitlock's is 1.5--yep, another Bloom guy.

This was a bit over the top. ^ Edited August 3, 2022 by a700hitter

[jacksonianmarch]

Bloom was given the opportunity to rebuild the Red Sox. He was given a unique chance to add depth and talent to a farm system that he’s been trying to wean off life support since he got to Boston.

 

And rather than take that opportunity, he decided to do what exactly?

 

He dealt Vázquez for two guys who are not highly rated at all. Downgrades on the most important position in baseball with a player who is all too fascinated with his pud. He doesn’t deal off the players with expiring contracts, but he also doesn’t entirely reinforce the team. He added Hosmer, who sucks a bit less than Bobby D. He added Pham who sucks a little less than JBJ. He does nothing for the dying bullpen. He adds nothing to the injured rotation. He half assedly shored up a s***** team that is currently not in a playoff spot.

 

I’ve told everyone that he’s a master trader, and he whiffed at this deadline. Maybe it’s Henry. Maybe he put the kaibosh on a rebuild. Whatever it was, it’s time to fire Bloom. If he’s gonna hesitate to do what he’s best at, then you don’t want him. If Henry wouldn’t let him do what he’s best at then why have him.

 

As a Yankee fan, I LOVE what you did at this deadline!

[Fan_since_Boggs]

Interesting point:

 

Entering yesterday, Bloom and the Red Sox had traded away Mookie Betts, Andrew Benintendi and Hunter Renfroe over a two-year span with almost nothing to show for it, which raises the question of whether Bloom can do the most important thing for any baseball decision maker.

 

Evaluate talent.

https://985thesportshub.com/listicle/mazz-if-chaim-blooms-wheeling-and-dealing-has-you-spinning-youre-not-alone/

Edited August 3, 2022 by Fan_since_Boggs

[Old Red]

Hey, dummy. 2018 and 2019 belonged to DD, not Bloom. 2020 was a nonseason. 2021 was a surprisingly good season despite the departure of Mookie, the absence of highly paid starter Price, the weak season of highly paid starter Sale, the lack of a closer in the postseason (which had absolutely zero impact on game outcomes), etc.

 

As for 2022, the Sox pitching staff was hit with a tsunami of injuries followed by injuries to two--Devers and Story--of the Sox three best lineup players this year. Plus Kike.

 

What has become clear from your commentary is that you must have been a huge DD fan because his approach was so simple: spend like a drunken sailor and/or trade away your farm system because the future is now--and never later.

 

Bloom has the unenviable task of paying for DD's extravagance--specifically, shelling out $63M this year for Price, Sale, and Eovaldi whose combined WAR is a paltry 0.9. By himself, Bloom-acquisition Wacha has a WAR of +2.2. Schreiber's is 2.1--another Bloom acquisition. Pivetta's is 2.0--still another Bloom acquisition. Whitlock's is 1.5--yep, another Bloom guy.

I’m very well aware that 2018, and 2019 belonged to DD. Didn’t a WS championship happen in one of those years? More Whine, and MaxSlop that DD traded the farm away. Wha wha wha.

[Hugh2]

Blooms deadline moves would have looked a lot better if the bullpen was fortified/.

[Old Red]

Blooms deadline moves would have looked a lot better if the bullpen was fortified/.

 

Well said. It worked out last night, but do you want, and trust Davis, and the SOURMAN coming into a 1 run ballgame in the 7-8 inning and shut things down?

[Yaz Fan Since 67]

Yeah I could not figure out if they were buyers or sellers. They gave away Vaz for 2 guys who will never be factors in Red Sox uniforms. But then he filled a huge hole at 1st base and retained the big names, then he did nothing to deal with the bullpen issues. They are making a run I guess with no closer and huge pitching issues.

[Old Red]

Out in the Nation Bloom is getting roasted, and toasted, but still on here to some he gets boasted.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Out in the Nation Bloom is getting roasted, and toasted, but still on here to some he gets boasted.

 

Haven't you read elsewhere that team interns posing as fans join forums like this to put positive spins on their organizations no matter what? It's their jobs; just accept it.

 

And instead of complaining about them, call out their boss for specific moves or non-moves... like: 1) why add a legitimate 1B and right-swinging OF now -- did it really take 100 games to realize Arroyo in RF and Franchy anywhere on the big league diamond wasn't the answer; 2) why not add a legitimate bullpen arm or two or three -- or is the plan to burn out Schreiber, Whitlock and Houck in every game sniffing a lead the rest of the season and postseason (except in Toronto); 3) next time replacing an important regular position player -- like catcher -- get the new guy first, because really, it's ok if the tradebait return is then a little less than someone's #28 and 29 prospects.

[Bellhorn04]

Interesting point:

 

Neither Benintendi or Renfroe are big talents, so it's a weird statement.

 

Plus we got Winckowski for Beni, who is a free agent after this year.

[Bellhorn04]

Yeah I could not figure out if they were buyers or sellers. They gave away Vaz for 2 guys who will never be factors in Red Sox uniforms. But then he filled a huge hole at 1st base and retained the big names' date=' then he did nothing to deal with the bullpen issues. They are making a run I guess with no closer and huge pitching issues.[/quote']

 

No closer? I'd say Houck, Whitlock and Schreiber have all shown they can close games.

[notin]

Haven't you read elsewhere that team interns posing as fans join forums like this to put positive spins on their organizations no matter what? It's their jobs; just accept it.

 

And instead of complaining about them, call out their boss for specific moves or non-moves... like: 1) why add a legitimate 1B and right-swinging OF now -- did it really take 100 games to realize Arroyo in RF and Franchy anywhere on the big league diamond wasn't the answer; 2) why not add a legitimate bullpen arm or two or three -- or is the plan to burn out Schreiber, Whitlock and Houck in every game sniffing a lead the rest of the season and postseason (except in Toronto); 3) next time replacing an important regular position player -- like catcher -- get the new guy first, because really, it's ok if the tradebait return is then a little less than someone's #28 and 29 prospects.

 

 

So was Arroyo in RF Bloom’s idea or Cora’s?

 

And don’t defend Cora by saying he had no other choice; he absolutely did…

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

So was Arroyo in RF Bloom’s idea or Cora’s?

 

And don’t defend Cora by saying he had no other choice; he absolutely did…

 

Your second line answers your first. And I agree Cora had other choices:

 

First he asked Xander to move to the outfield, but was refused. Then he tried to get Shaw to do it and switch hit, but ol Trav had put on too many lbs. Next AC placed a call to Hanley, to try to get him to come out of retirement, but he was still sleeping. The worst part is during all this, Vazquez volunteered to play RF -- but Bloom forbid it, lest he get hurt before the trade deadline and the Sox only get someone's #30th or #31st best prospect for him.

[Hugh2]

Well said. It worked out last night, but do you want, and trust Davis, and the SOURMAN coming into a 1 run ballgame in the 7-8 inning and shut things down?

 

Not the slightest bit. My hope is Sale and Wacha come back healthy, and some arms can go to the bullpen and shine. Hill? Bello? Crawford? I feel like Bello could dominate in short stints. Not as good of a plan as going out and getting a proven closer/set up guy......but it's all we got right now.

[notin]

Your second line answers your first. And I agree Cora had other choices:

 

First he asked Xander to move to the outfield, but was refused. Then he tried to get Shaw to do it and switch hit, but ol Trav had put on too many lbs. Next AC placed a call to Hanley, to try to get him to come out of retirement, but he was still sleeping. The worst part is during all this, Vazquez volunteered to play RF -- but Bloom forbid it, lest he get hurt before the trade deadline and the Sox only get someone's #30th or #31st best prospect for him.

 

 

Stop.

 

So you’re going to pretend Cora had no other options but to play Arroyo? And Bloom forced him to do it.

 

I don’t pretend to know the ins and outs of being an MLB GM, apparently unlike a lot of people here. Of course for some it appears to simply be “I don’t like this idea or that GM, so clearly it’s his fault.”

[Bellhorn04]

Stop.

 

So you’re going to pretend Cora had no other options but to play Arroyo? And Bloom forced him to do it.

 

I don't think Bloom literally forced him, but I expect he was involved in conversations about the outfield configuration and how to use Arroyo, and he is the guy who actually put the personnel in place.

[mvp 78]

Out in the Nation Bloom is getting roasted, and toasted, but still on here to some he gets boasted.

 

Again, the nation doesn't just consist of radio talk show callers.

[mvp 78]

Haven't you read elsewhere that team interns posing as fans join forums like this to put positive spins on their organizations no matter what? It's their jobs; just accept it.

 

And instead of complaining about them, call out their boss for specific moves or non-moves... like: 1) why add a legitimate 1B and right-swinging OF now -- did it really take 100 games to realize Arroyo in RF and Franchy anywhere on the big league diamond wasn't the answer; 2) why not add a legitimate bullpen arm or two or three -- or is the plan to burn out Schreiber, Whitlock and Houck in every game sniffing a lead the rest of the season and postseason (except in Toronto); 3) next time replacing an important regular position player -- like catcher -- get the new guy first, because really, it's ok if the tradebait return is then a little less than someone's #28 and 29 prospects.

 

I wish I was getting team swag for this.

[mvp 78]

Neither Benintendi or Renfroe are big talents, so it's a weird statement.

 

Plus we got Winckowski for Beni, who is a free agent after this year.

 

People still remember 2018 Benintendi. That guy and that potential doesn't exist anymore.

[Old Red]

Again, the nation doesn't just consist of radio talk show callers.

 

It’s a lot more than radio talk show callers, and you know it, and you left out people who post on forums.

[JDavis76]

Out in the Nation Bloom is getting roasted, and toasted, but still on here to some he gets boasted.

 

Most outlets that I have read have given hang 'em chaim a failing grade for his deadline moves.

[Old Red]

Most outlets that I have read have given hang 'em chaim a failing grade for his deadline moves.

 

Tell Moon those outlets. He likes to read those things.

[JDavis76]

Tell Moon those outlets. He likes to read those things.

 

Why bother, he would just add some moonslop to try and prove them wrong.....

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Stop.

 

So you’re going to pretend Cora had no other options but to play Arroyo? And Bloom forced him to do it.

 

I don’t pretend to know the ins and outs of being an MLB GM, apparently unlike a lot of people here. Of course for some it appears to simply be “I don’t like this idea or that GM, so clearly it’s his fault.”

 

None of us are pretending. Before the season, you and I both agreed Tommy Pham was a decent option for a right-handed hitting outfielder.

 

For whatever reasons -- which we'll never know for sure -- the Red Sox went an entire half season without one more legitimate MLB outfielder on their roster. Once Kike got hurt, the choices were an infielder, a guy not ready to be a big leaguer, and a guy who has proven over and over he is not a big leaguer.

[notin]

Blooms deadline moves would have looked a lot better if the bullpen was fortified/.

 

Or at least improved beyond giving Cora the chance to let Diekman pitch.

 

Although I will say the Houck-Whitlock-Schreiber late inning combo is actually very effective so far.

 

However, the middle reliever core is suspect, to be kind. There’s nobody the Sox can bring in in the 5th or 6th innings to get the starter out of a jam that makes you think “Goid. This is the guy we want in there right now.”

[mvp 78]

None of us are pretending. Before the season, you and I both agreed Tommy Pham was a decent option for a right-handed hitting outfielder.

 

For whatever reasons -- which we'll never know for sure -- the Red Sox went an entire half season without one more legitimate MLB outfielder on their roster. Once Kike got hurt, the choices were an infielder, a guy not ready to be a big leaguer, and a guy who has proven over and over he is not a big leaguer.

 

It was a mystery.

[mvp 78]

Or at least improved beyond giving Cora the chance to let Diekman pitch.

 

Although I will say the Houck-Whitlock-Schreiber late inning combo is actually very effective so far.

 

However, the middle reliever core is suspect, to be kind. There’s nobody the Sox can bring in in the 5th or 6th innings to get the starter out of a jam that makes you think “Goid. This is the guy we want in there right now.”

 

Now that they are past the deadline, I want to see if Bastardo/Kelly get a shot.

[notin]

None of us are pretending. Before the season, you and I both agreed Tommy Pham was a decent option for a right-handed hitting outfielder.

 

For whatever reasons -- which we'll never know for sure -- the Red Sox went an entire half season without one more legitimate MLB outfielder on their roster. Once Kike got hurt, the choices were an infielder, a guy not ready to be a big leaguer, and a guy who has proven over and over he is not a big leaguer.

 

I was all onboard the Pham idea once (I believe) you suggested it.

 

But that doesn’t mean a platoon was ever necessarily the plan. The Sox could have simply trotted JBJ out to RF every day solely for the very reason he was acquired in the first place - defense. Which is an aspect of the game that is independent of the arm used by the opposing starting pitcher.

 

But somehow, Arroyo got into the mix. A lot of people have said this was Bloom’s idea or that Cora had no other RHH options. (In his previous job, Tampa never just thrust a player into a position he never played before for the sake of a platoon.)

 

So did Bloom decide Arroyo was the RHH corner OF? Or did Cora use him because he wanted a platoon in RF?

 

You can argue that maybe Cora wanted a RHH OF for a platoon and Bloom didn’t come through. I’m sure that kind of roster oversight is rampant in MLB. But Cora still would have had the option of simply not platooning JBJ. So again, whose idea was it to put Arroyo in RF? On this board, that decision appears to fall unilaterally on Bloom.

 

I know at one point, Bloom talked about getting a RHH OF. But was that to platoon with Bradley? Or was it to start in RF? As Story was not yet onboard, it is possible the plan was Kike at 2b, Bradley in CF, and the RHH OF (Suzuki?) in RF. That the Sox were interested in Suzuki at all indicates this is possible. Certainly their interest in him wasn’t to platoon him with JBJ. That would make zero sense for the expected money involved.

 

So maybe the “RHH OF” some were expecting turned out to be Story, and the roster was built without a RF platoon? So how did Arroyo get into the mix at all? Too many seem to think “Bloom did it because he’s clueless.” But maybe Cora - who has absolutely shown he is a fan of Arroyo - decided it was one way to get his bat into the lineup on occasion and thought he was athletic enough to handle the change…

[Kimmi]

Why do you keep saying Bloom knows what he’s doing? Making the farm system better in the rankings doesn’t guarantee a winning season for the big club?

 

Of course having a strong farm system doesn't guarantee anything. It's only my opinion, but building a strong franchise starts with building a strong farm system. Everything else a team does should revolve around that.

[Kimmi]

Bloom has a very loyal group of supporters on here. If things go bad , they will throw any player under the bus. They are even willing to throw Cora under that bus. They gladly threw Dombrowski under. But Bloom is untouchable. No matter what.

 

Stop.