Fire Bloom .

[mvp 78]

Even if the Red Sox make the unlikely moves this winter to acquire both a #1 and #2 starter for the rotation, the wildly inconsistent offense needs another anchor.

 

And not just another all-or-nothing slugger, but someone who can hit both .300 and 30 home runs. In the recent past, it looked like Raffy would be that guy -- when he regularly used the entire field -- but nobody pulls their head more in every at bat than Devers this year.

 

Raffy would certainly benefit from more protection in the line-up from another hitter like Turner, but ideally someone in his prime that's not as injury-prone. Yoshida is a contact guy, but not a constant power threat. Story and Duvall, even when healthy, aren't feared.

 

Hopefully, Casas will continue to develop, make more contact, and cut down on the Ks; he's already passed Devers in OPS...

 

There are only two batters in all of MLB this year projected to hit .300 and 30 HRs: Ohtani and Acuna.

[mvp 78]

We need someone like Mookie Betts, who can hit, hit for power, is a great fielder, great arm, great baserunner. Guys like that are hard to find, though. Plus only big market teams can afford to keep them.

 

They choose... poorly.

[notin]

There are only two batters in all of MLB this year projected to hit .300 and 30 HRs: Ohtani and Acuna.

 

And both are front runners for MVP in their respective leagues…

[mvp 78]

Well, maybe if we didn’t sign Price and expose Henry to the riskier side of MLB mega-contracts…

 

One contract doesn't bury a franchise. They could have traded him for a low A guy and received salary relief.

[mvp 78]

And both are front runners for MVP in their respective leagues…

 

But they should just go pick one up!

[Bellhorn04]

There are only two batters in all of MLB this year projected to hit .300 and 30 HRs: Ohtani and Acuna.

 

Betts is at .295 with 31 HR.

[redsoxrules]

And both are front runners for MVP in their respective leagues…

 

I wouldn't say front Runners. Freeman and Betts are quite even with Acuna right now. If Betts keeps this hot streak going he will pass him.

It's a tight race for NL MVP.

 

Matt Olson is getting in the picture now too

[mvp 78]

Betts is at .295 with 31 HR.

 

My brain intentionally obscures his stats so that I don't do self harm.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

There are only two batters in all of MLB this year projected to hit .300 and 30 HRs: Ohtani and Acuna.

 

The Sox can settle for a .299 guy with 29 HRs... or a .290 guy with 25 HRs... or just find a younger Turner -- someone who goes oppo with two strikes to at least move runners and doesn't just flail away.

 

Maybe they should just make JT the batting coach. Seriously.

[notin]

But they should just go pick one up!

 

Just fill out the forms…

[a700hitter]

My brain intentionally obscures his stats so that I don't do self harm.

Between Mookie and J.D., I think they have hit 60 bombs for the Dodgers, and Mookie has played 2d base, Shortstop and the Outfield at GG quality.

[notin]

Between Mookie and J.D., I think they have hit 60 bombs for the Dodgers, and Mookie has played 2d base, Shortstop and the Outfield at GG quality.

 

I’d rather have Turner and his 6 fewer home runs than Martinez right now. Martinez’ .312 OBP isn’t dazzling me…

[moonslav59]

I’d rather have Turner and his 6 fewer home runs than Martinez right now. Martinez’ .312 OBP isn’t dazzling me…

 

Plus, Turner has been a nice back-up at 1B and 3B.

 

Lots of key hits, too.

[a700hitter]

I’d rather have Turner and his 6 fewer home runs than Martinez right now. Martinez’ .312 OBP isn’t dazzling me…

His .868 OPS is higher than anyone on the Red Sox.

[moonslav59]

His .868 OPS is higher than anyone on the Red Sox.

 

So?

 

OPS on...

 

May 1: .840 JD/ .723 Turner

June 1: .931 JD/ .759 Turner

July 1: .872 JD/ .812 Turner

Aug 1: .872 JD/ .837 Turner

Now: .866 JD/ .838 Turner

 

Let's see where they are at season's end.

 

AUG 19, 2022> season end

.837 JD/ .972 Turner

 

 

[a700hitter]

JD could have played some LF when Turner was DH’ng and Turner could have played 1st when Casas was slumping and some second base when we were rolling out garbage to that position. They could have both been in the lineup for many games and had ample time to rest their old bones. They could have passed on Yoshida and put that money toward pitching.

[notin]

JD could have played some LF when Turner was DH’ng and Turner could have played 1st when Casas was slumping and some second base when we were rolling out garbage to that position. They could have both been in the lineup for many games and had ample time to rest their old bones. They could have passed on Yoshida and put that money toward pitching.

 

Cora didn’t put Martinez in the OF last year where he could have replaced Jackie Bradley and his anorexic batting average. I don’t see him putting Martinez out there over Yoshida.

 

Besides the Sox would very likely have not signed Turner if they brought back JD. And having both in the lineup creates the potential for somehow even worse defense…

[a700hitter]

Cora didn’t put Martinez in the OF last year where he could have replaced Jackie Bradley and his anorexic batting average. I don’t see him putting Martinez out there over Yoshida.

 

Besides the Sox would very likely have not signed Turner if they brought back JD. And having both in the lineup creates the potential for somehow even worse defense…

Did you read my post?

[notin]

Did you read my post?

 

This is just hindsight.

 

JD really didn’t do anything to deserve another year. In 596 PA, he hit 16 HRs and had 62 RBI. Yoshida, with 40 games left, already has 13 HR and 60 RBI.

 

Not to mention, JD is a terrible defensive OF. Yoshida will never win any Gold Gloves (or even get a vote), but he is better than JD out there. There was a reason Cora never gave JD any real OF time last year, and it wasn’t because the Sox were rolling out Rice-Lynn-Evans. Cora didn’t even seem to have a high standard for OF play, as evidenced by how often Duran was out there.

 

Now if the Sox didn’t sign Yoshida and Kluber, and instead signed JD and a pitcher, they could have afforded Jameson Taillon (5.63 ERA), Taijuan Walker (4.03 ERA) or Kodai Senga(3.30 ERA).

 

That certainly could be better, assuming they signed Senga over the oft-injured Walker and avoided Taillon altogether. I think they could have sided both Senga and Yoshida and avoided Martinez and Kluber and been even better…

[moonslav59]

JD could have played some LF when Turner was DH’ng and Turner could have played 1st when Casas was slumping and some second base when we were rolling out garbage to that position. They could have both been in the lineup for many games and had ample time to rest their old bones. They could have passed on Yoshida and put that money toward pitching.

 

Like deGrom or Rodon?

[Randy Red Sox]

I actually have to say that Connor wong is developing as a decent catcher.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Cora didn’t put Martinez in the OF last year where he could have replaced Jackie Bradley and his anorexic batting average. I don’t see him putting Martinez out there over Yoshida.

 

Besides the Sox would very likely have not signed Turner if they brought back JD. And having both in the lineup creates the potential for somehow even worse defense…

 

Cora wasn't the one who chose JT over JD. Bloom and Kennedy thought it made sense to let Martinez leave...

 

Chaim adeptly adapted to rule changes, and knew the bigger bases created a risky obstacle course for JD jogging to the outfield. Sam, ever PR-conscious, just thought it would be a bad look for a player to stomp around with pepperoni in his spikes from tripping over pizza boxes.

[moonslav59]

Cora wasn't the one who chose JT over JD. Bloom and Kennedy thought it made sense to let Martinez leave...

 

Chaim adeptly adapted to rule changes, and knew the bigger bases created a risky obstacle course for JD jogging to the outfield. Sam, ever PR-conscious, just thought it would be a bad look for a player to stomp around with pepperoni in his spikes from tripping over pizza boxes.

 

JT was a great signing. I only wish the option year was a team option.

 

His help at 1B, 3B and even 2B has made him way more valuable than JD would have been for the Sox, this year.

[Bellhorn04]

JT was a great signing. I only wish the option year was a team option.

 

His help at 1B, 3B and even 2B has made him way more valuable than JD would have been for the Sox, this year.

 

Turner is an even better player than I realized. Like you I wish we had control for another year.

[Old Red]

Turner is an even better player than I realized. Like you I wish we had control for another year.

 

I think Turner likes playing in Boston, so Bloom may have to add another year to keep him depending what Turner can get out on the market.

[moonslav59]

I think Turner likes playing in Boston, so Bloom may have to add another year to keep him depending what Turner can get out on the market.

 

Offering him guaranteed money for 2 years might just get the job done.

 

I'm wondering if this gets it done:

 

$14M/1

 

Team option for $12M in 2025 with $3M buyout.

 

$17M/1 or $26M/2

[notin]

I think Turner likes playing in Boston, so Bloom may have to add another year to keep him depending what Turner can get out on the market.

 

The $6.7mill buyout all but ensures he’s not exercising his player option. So he might come back as a free agent…

[notin]

Cora wasn't the one who chose JT over JD. Bloom and Kennedy thought it made sense to let Martinez …

 

And given his 2022, didn’t it make sense to let him walk? Especially since Turner has replaced him more than adequately…

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

And given his 2022, didn’t it make sense to let him walk? Especially since Turner has replaced him more than adequately…

 

Who here wasn't exhausted watching JD flail away at low and outside two-strike sliders. He's obviously enjoying a change-of-scenery, and it can't be because the NL West doesn't have access to the same book on him that we futile fans do...

[mvp 78]

JD could have played some LF when Turner was DH’ng and Turner could have played 1st when Casas was slumping and some second base when we were rolling out garbage to that position. They could have both been in the lineup for many games and had ample time to rest their old bones. They could have passed on Yoshida and put that money toward pitching.

 

"Past on Yoshida and put that money towards pitching." If they are signing JT and JD, how much savings is there in keeping JD over Yoshida? Not much IMO. Plus, his offensive stats when playing the field are putrid. It was time to move on from JD. That move is a nonissue to me.