A Realistic View at 2022: Part III

[Bellhorn04]

Nope, he defended him earlier today, "it's only his first 2 yrs and his last 2 yrs that he was a bad hitter" and "I guess his 2 years in a row hitting over .800 was not enough, bec ause his BA was only .262."

 

Yes, he defended his performance of several years ago when he was a better hitter. On that you're right.

[JDavis76]

Yes, he defended his performance of several years ago when he was a better hitter. On that you're right.

 

Who in this coming Free Agent class would you like to see the sox sign for the OF provided they don't acquire a longer term solution at this trade deadline? This is the list of the coming FA outfielders on spotrac https://www.spotrac.com/mlb/free-agents/outfield/

[moonslav59]

Yes, you've been more against the JBJ trade than just about anyone here. And you and I have argued about it, even though we're "buddies".

 

I still root hard for JBJ and have hopes he can end up around.700, but I doubt he does.

[Maxbialystock]

I still root hard for JBJ and have hopes he can end up around.700, but I doubt he does.

 

I'm not rooting for him because he's overpaid.

 

That said, JBJ was hands down one of the most exciting outfielders Boston has ever had: great range because he got those uncanny jumps on the ball; terrific arm even from deep centerfield; and hitting that went from just awful to very good and back again and back again.

 

And he sure came in handy during the Sox best season ever, 2018: 5th highest WAR (2.1) on the team; .835 OPS in the 14 postseason games. Mookie was the star with fantastic numbers, but JBJ definitely contributed.

[moonslav59]

I'm not rooting for him because he's overpaid.

 

That said, JBJ was hands down one of the most exciting outfielders Boston has ever had: great range because he got those uncanny jumps on the ball; terrific arm even from deep centerfield; and hitting that went from just awful to very good and back again and back again.

 

And he sure came in handy during the Sox best season ever, 2018: 5th highest WAR (2.1) on the team; .835 OPS in the 14 postseason games. Mookie was the star with fantastic numbers, but JBJ definitely contributed.

 

Don’t you root for all Sox players to do well?

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

I guess this old dinosaur is just exercising his choice to refuse to accept this Red Sox team in the midst of these changing times.

 

When the Red Sox return to the states -- and their freedom crusaders rejoin the club -- I'll still root for all players. But I know inside I can't let myself care as much for this TEAM, knowing there are more games in Toronto on the schedule. It's also bothersome that top contenders like New York and Houston have an edge by choosing to play at full strength in Canada simply by complying with the rules.

 

Bloom and Cora are in a tough spot in this situation, and it won't go away until they address it with changes on the roster. They can't wait it out until it replays itself on the next trip to Toronto. But if they don't assemble an entire team that is all in soon, at least they won't have to deal with any postseason controversies (except how they allowed a playoff berth to slip away).

[Larry Cook]

I still root hard for JBJ and have hopes he can end up around.700, but I doubt he does.

 

Bradley may not be the bradley of old. But his defense is strong and he is hitting .200. At the beginning of the season, I never thought he would hit above .170.

[JDavis76]

Bradley may not be the bradley of old. But his defense is strong and he is hitting .200. At the beginning of the season, I never thought he would hit above .170.

 

His defense doesn't make up for the lack of hitting

[Larry Cook]

His defense doesn't make up for the lack of hitting

 

True, but he is hitting better than I ever thought he was capable. Takes a bit of the sting away from him being back.

[Old Red]

Bradley may not be the bradley of old. But his defense is strong and he is hitting .200. At the beginning of the season, I never thought he would hit above .170.

 

Maybe JBJ should just hit at Fenway where he is batting 290, but only 130 on the road.

[Larry Cook]

Maybe JBJ should just hit at Fenway where he is batting 290, but only 130 on the road.

 

True, maybe someone should recommend this strategy to Cora!

[Maxbialystock]

Don’t you root for all Sox players to do well?

 

I can be fickle. He drove me nuts his first season, the one after Ellsbury went to the Yankees. But then something happened in August, and rooted like crazy for him through think and thin. A lot to root for. Finally, I thought letting him go to the Brewers, who overpaid him, made sense after the 2020 season. This was confirmed last year.

 

Now the Sox are paying a guy with an fWAR of -0.5 8 million bucks? So call me fickle.

[notin]

His defense doesn't make up for the lack of hitting

 

Batting him ninth does…

[notin]

I still root hard for JBJ and have hopes he can end up around.700, but I doubt he does.

 

On post 756 of the JBJ trade thread, the WAPM did project a .713 OPS…

[JDavis76]

Batting him ninth does…

 

No, it doesn't.

[Maxbialystock]

Batting him ninth does…

 

JBJ's fWAR is -0.5 and includes his defense. He is a liability. Refsnyder's fWAR is +.8. He's an asset.

[moonslav59]

I can be fickle. He drove me nuts his first season, the one after Ellsbury went to the Yankees. But then something happened in August, and rooted like crazy for him through think and thin. A lot to root for. Finally, I thought letting him go to the Brewers, who overpaid him, made sense after the 2020 season. This was confirmed last year.

 

Now the Sox are paying a guy with an fWAR of -0.5 8 million bucks? So call me fickle.

 

I’m upset we traded for him and are paying the larger part of his contract that was back end loaded.

 

I root for all the Sox players, tough. Some more than others.

[Bellhorn04]

I’m upset we traded for him and are paying the larger part of his contract that was back end loaded.

 

That didn't affect his AAV for tax purposes though, just the cash part.

[Maxbialystock]

I’m upset we traded for him and are paying the larger part of his contract that was back end loaded.

 

I root for all the Sox players, tough. Some more than others.

 

That's what makes you moonslav. Relentlessly upbeat.

[mvp 78]

At least his k rate isn't 30%!

[moonslav59]

That's what makes you moonslav. Relentlessly upbeat.

 

I’m not expecting a hit from JBJ- just rooting for him to get one.

[Larry Cook]

I’m not expecting a hit from JBJ- just rooting for him to get one.

 

I think Bradley and his agent are both aware that this current contract will probably be Bradley’s last significant contract unless he starts hitting. That said Bradley has all the incentive in the world to get his average up.

[JDavis76]

I think Bradley and his agent are both aware that this current contract will probably be Bradley’s last significant contract unless he starts hitting. That said Bradley has all the incentive in the world to get his average up.

 

Pretty sure he's had that incentive alll season long and it hasn't helped to this point.......

[Maxbialystock]

I think Bradley and his agent are both aware that this current contract will probably be Bradley’s last significant contract unless he starts hitting. That said Bradley has all the incentive in the world to get his average up.

 

The Brewers were nuts to sign him for that ridiculous salary (over $10M/year). His overall WAR last year was -.7 and so far this year is -.5.

[moonslav59]

The Brewers were nuts to sign him for that ridiculous salary (over $10M/year). His overall WAR last year was -.7 and so far this year is -.5.

 

They were able to trade the major portion of the deal. That’s on the Sox.

[Larry Cook]

Pretty sure he's had that incentive alll season long and it hasn't helped to this point.......

 

From what I understand, agents communicate that they (the agents) would prefer the player (who has been sucking early in the year) finishes as strong as possible in order to tease a contract or camp invite from one of other 29 teams!

[Yaz Fan Since 67]

One thing I have always been proud of with this team is how they come through with big 2 out hits to produce runs. They've been doing it for years.

[JDavis76]

From what I understand, agents communicate that they (the agents) would prefer the player (who has been sucking early in the year) finishes as strong as possible in order to tease a contract or camp invite from one of other 29 teams!

 

Pretty sure agents are always doing that, not only halfway through the season......

[Larry Cook]

Pretty sure agents are always doing that, not only halfway through the season......

 

Accentuate the positive, it is what the agent is paid to do.

 

Point is, no matter when it happens, Bradley can make a lot of money if he gets hot and ends the year on a roll.

 

All the incentive in the world.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

July is here, maybe the most interesting month of the season for Red Sox fans. Some quizzical queries:

 

1). Will they hang in there vs. tough AL East comp? Most SOX fans think so.

 

2) Will Bloom swing a deal for bullpen help before the deadline -- because Boston needs reinforcements now to survive the month? Probably not, maybe with the answer to the following...

 

3). Will Whitlock move back to the pen, with the impending return of Sale to the rotation? It would make sense, IF the brass would only stop handling Sale like Swarovski crystal -- and btw, they don't face Baltimore again until September; plus, the O's are better than last year.

 

4) Will #3 strain Cora's status with upper management, which certainly has had a say in making Whitlock a starter? Or...

 

5) Will there be a roster-shaking trade that jettisons free-agents-to-be and/or players that choose to be unavailable vs. Toronto?