A Realistic View at 2022: Part III

[illinoisredsox]

Trevor Story has played in 81 games to date . He is batting .221 with an OPS of .713 . In no world is that acceptable . We can only hope for better . We still owe him a bundle.

 

Those numbers are not acceptable, but despite missing 40 or so games, he's STILL second on the team in home runs and tied for 2nd in RBIs; Verdugo tied him today and both are only 5 behind Devers.

 

The ineptitude of the offense can be pointed at a lot of players, but most especially at the guys who have hit 3rd and 4th most of the season, played a lot more games and are still behind him in both categories by a fair margin.

[Old Red]

No one will know for another year minimum. In his first year with the Mets, Francisco Lindor had a .734 OPS. He has a .810 OPS this year.

 

Some players struggle a bit in a new league…

I thought we were talking about Bogey.

[notin]

I thought we were talking about Bogey.

 

I thought it was Story.

[Old Red]

I thought it was Story.

 

I thought it was Bogey, which who I was talking about.

[jad]

Those numbers are not acceptable, but despite missing 40 or so games, he's STILL second on the team in home runs and tied for 2nd in RBIs; Verdugo tied him today and both are only 5 behind Devers.

 

The ineptitude of the offense can be pointed at a lot of players, but most especially at the guys who have hit 3rd and 4th most of the season, played a lot more games and are still behind him in both categories by a fair margin.

 

Both Bogaerts and Martinez (the 2 you're referring to) are hitting way better than he is. But you're right: they are way behind him in the important stat, which is the amount of money committed to him.

[Bellhorn04]

Both Bogaerts and Martinez (the 2 you're referring to) are hitting way better than he is. But you're right: they are way behind him in the important stat, which is the amount of money committed to him.

 

Story makes 23.3 million a year, JD 22 million, Bogey 20 million. None of them are in the poorhouse.

[notin]

Story makes 23.3 million a year, JD 22 million, Bogey 20 million. None of them are in the poorhouse.

 

From a “commitment” stand point, Story does have 5 more years at that rate.

 

But I’m not sure why, in a post about offensive ineptitude in which Bogaerts and Martinez were called out, contracts matter…

[notin]

I thought it was Bogey, which who I was talking about.

 

I think it was. Sort of invalidates my point. I could try to defend it if you like…

[Bellhorn04]

From a “commitment” stand point, Story does have 5 more years at that rate.

 

That's true from a "right this minute" standpoint.

 

The full commitments were:

 

JDM 110 million - with a series of opt-outs

Bogey 120 million - with a vesting option for another 20 million, and an opt-out after Year 3

Story 140 million

[jad]

From a “commitment” stand point, Story does have 5 more years at that rate.

 

But I’m not sure why, in a post about offensive ineptitude in which Bogaerts and Martinez were called out, contracts matter…

 

Because the numbers do not support the notion of offensive ineptitude?

[Bellhorn04]

Because the numbers do not support the notion of offensive ineptitude?

 

Story's performance before his injury was disappointing, but not inept. And he could have improved on it if he didn't get his hand fractured by a pitch...

[Maxbialystock]

The Sox have a better team than Baltimore . Sadly , the Orioles are playing with more energy and enthusiasm . That simply should not be. Can it change , starting tonight ? Stay tuned.

 

I've griped a lot about the Sox the season, especially when they play the Rays, who just seem more professional in every phase of the game even though their hitting stinks--11th in the AL in runs scored and in team OPS. I think that attitude depend on the fact that year after year they have excellent pitching. I also think they have a better system for finding and developing players to be fundamentally sound.

 

But the Orioles to me are different. Their enthusiasm--and I agree with that term--is generated by being 3 games above .500 vs 29 games below .500 just one year ago. And they are in the toughest division in MLB. They should be bounding out of their beds every freaking morning.

[Maxbialystock]

Story's performance before his injury was disappointing, but not inept. And he could have improved on it if he didn't get his hand fractured by a pitch...

 

Agree completely. He's played just 81 of of 121 games, but still has the third highest WAR, 2.2 among the position players. His defense makes a real difference and his rbi's, still 2d most on the team and 9 more than Bogey, whose played 34 more games, have also helped. I do worry about the high altitude boost he got in Denver, but also think he's adjusting to a bunch of new pitchers.

[Maxbialystock]

Arroyo has played a good 2B too. He doesn’t have Story’s range, but I think he turns the DP better.

 

I thought he also looked good the couple of times he started at SS. He is that unusual player who simply can't adjust to the outfield. HanRam was the same way, only worse. If Arroyo keeps hitting this way, I would move him to 1b once Story returns. I am absolutely shocked at the way Arroyo is hitting the dang ball because I wrote him off a long time ago. The mystery of baseball.

[Nick]

Xander

 

.807 OPS, third among SS, there are 45 major leaguers with OPS of .800 or higher

9 HR 13th among SS in HR

49 RBI 10th among SS in RBI

 

Xander should be leading off, not hitting 3rd or 4th.

How much is he worth?

 

Is it more than $20M? yes

 

Is he worth $30M? I would say to Bloom, NO

 

On what planet do we pay $30M for 9 HR and 49 RBI with at best average defense?

 

Just move Story over to SS until our #1 prospect comes up in 3 or 4 years.

 

Use the $30M you want to spend elsewhere.

[notin]

I've griped a lot about the Sox the season, especially when they play the Rays, who just seem more professional in every phase of the game even though their hitting stinks--11th in the AL in runs scored and in team OPS. I think that attitude depend on the fact that year after year they have excellent pitching. I also think they have a better system for finding and developing players to be fundamentally sound.

 

But the Orioles to me are different. Their enthusiasm--and I agree with that term--is generated by being 3 games above .500 vs 29 games below .500 just one year ago. And they are in the toughest division in MLB. They should be bounding out of their beds every freaking morning.

 

The funny thing is, people still think they’re a dooormat.

 

They play 76 games in a division where the worst team is one game under .500. They have no recognizable stars. And one of, if not the best farms in MLB with 3 marquee names ready to step in.

 

The Orioles are not a doormat today, and may not be one again for quite a while…

[moonslav59]

There is plenty of season left, and we play so many games against teams ahead of us, that we hold our own destiny in our hands.

 

I still think this team does not have the make-up or the horses to win it all, but I'd love to be proven wrong about this and my belief that the playoffs are not largely a "crapshoot."

 

Of course, it's always about one game at a time, but looking ahead, after tonight's game with BAL, we see two clusters of 8-9 game stretches with a couple of "easier" series in between follows by the final 14 game stretch all against divisional foes.

 

Here is the rest of the season after the game at BAL, tonight:

 

3 v TOR

3 v TBR

3 @ MN

 

4 v TEX

 

3 @ TBR

3 @ BAL

3 v NYY

 

2 @ CIN

 

4 @ NYY

4 v BAL

3 @ TOR

3 v TBR

 

Totals:

9 TBR (6H/3A)

8 BAL (counting tonight) 4H/4A

7 NYY 3H/4A

6 TOR 3H/3A

 

4 TEX Home

3 @ MN

2 @ Cin

 

[dgalehouse]

There is plenty of season left, and we play so many games against teams ahead of us, that we hold our own destiny in our hands.

 

I still think this team does not have the make-up or the horses to win it all, but I'd love to be proven wrong about this and my belief that the playoffs are not largely a "crapshoot."

 

Of course, it's always about one game at a time, but looking ahead, after tonight's game with BAL, we see two clusters of 8-9 game stretches with a couple of "easier" series in between follows by the final 14 game stretch all against divisional foes.

 

Here is the rest of the season after the game at BAL, tonight:

 

3 v TOR

3 v TBR

3 @ MN

 

4 v TEX

 

3 @ TBR

3 @ BAL

3 v NYY

 

2 @ CIN

 

4 @ NYY

4 v BAL

3 @ TOR

3 v TBR

 

Totals:

9 TBR (6H/3A)

8 BAL (counting tonight) 4H/4A

7 NYY 3H/4A

6 TOR 3H/3A

 

4 TEX Home

3 @ MN

2 @ Cin

 

 

The Sox are six games out of the third wild card . To make it worse , they are also behind a number of teams . You can't count on all of those teams slumping , so the Sox need to run off a winning streak at some point . It probably is necessary to pass either Tampa Bay or Seattle . They have a number of head to head games with the Rays . Seattle has an easier schedule ,but they have a history of missing the playoffs . So , it is possible. Personally , I think the third wild card is trash , but it is out there . And whether you think the playoffs are a crapshoot or not , if you get in you have a chance to get hot and win it. So , I think it is still too soon to give up.

[moonslav59]

The Sox are six games out of the third wild card . To make it worse , they are also behind a number of teams . You can't count on all of those teams slumping , so the Sox need to run off a winning streak at some point . It probably is necessary to pass either Tampa Bay or Seattle . They have a number of head to head games with the Rays . Seattle has an easier schedule ,but they have a history of missing the playoffs . So , it is possible. Personally , I think the third wild card is trash , but it is out there . And whether you think the playoffs are a crapshoot or not , if you get in you have a chance to get hot and win it. So , I think it is still too soon to give up.

 

Yes, too soon to give up.

 

Since we play 3 of the teams that are ahead of us, we just need to beat them, or beat the hell out of 2 of them to be firmly in the race.

 

Every game we play against these guys are 2 game swings.

[Nick]

Baseball is still about pitching and we don't have it, injuries, whatever.

 

4th in AL runs scored, 546, despite low home run total.

 

2nd most runs allowed, 582 runs. Never count on Sale as people said. They were right. He's become Elijah Freakin' Price.

[moonslav59]

Baseball is still about pitching and we don't have it, injuries, whatever.

 

4th in AL runs scored, 546, despite low home run total.

 

2nd most runs allowed, 582 runs. Never count on Sale as people said. They were right. He's become Elijah Freakin' Price.

 

I've come to call him...

 

Freakin' Chris Sale!

[Elktonnick]

I've come to call him...

 

Freakin' Chris Sale!

 

16-32 against the ALE. Red Sox suck and its Blooms fault.

[moonslav59]

16-32 against the ALE. Red Sox suck and its Blooms fault.

 

But whatever you do, keep yourself from saying Bloom sucks.

[Elktonnick]

But whatever you do, keep yourself from saying Bloom sucks.

Soom blucks, Oh I got my mords wixed!

[Hugh2]

I bet no one remembers but I was actually against the Chris Sals trade at the time because I thought his arm was going to blow up.

 

It did, but afterwards it seems to be misfortune to prevent him from coming back. Bones heal stronger, if his elbow is fine then great. He still pitches like an ACE when he’s out there.

 

Still, Sox need to acquire an ACE as Sale can’t be trusted. If he gets healthy and pitches amazing then great, we’ll have two and be a real WS contender.

[Hugh2]

It’s been said for a while that DD won that trade because none of those prospects really amounted to anything, Moncada was a bust.

 

Kopech however is very young still and having a good season.

[Old Red]

I bet no one remembers but I was actually against the Chris Sals trade at the time because I thought his arm was going to blow up.

 

It did, but afterwards it seems to be misfortune to prevent him from coming back. Bones heal stronger, if his elbow is fine then great. He still pitches like an ACE when he’s out there.

 

Still, Sox need to acquire an ACE as Sale can’t be trusted. If he gets healthy and pitches amazing then great, we’ll have two and be a real WS contender.

Sale still pitches like an ace? Sale hasn’t pitched like an ace since maybe early 2018.

[redsoxrules]

There is plenty of season left, and we play so many games against teams ahead of us, that we hold our own destiny in our hands.

 

I still think this team does not have the make-up or the horses to win it all, but I'd love to be proven wrong about this and my belief that the playoffs are not largely a "crapshoot."

 

Of course, it's always about one game at a time, but looking ahead, after tonight's game with BAL, we see two clusters of 8-9 game stretches with a couple of "easier" series in between follows by the final 14 game stretch all against divisional foes.

 

Here is the rest of the season after the game at BAL, tonight:

 

3 v TOR

3 v TBR

3 @ MN

 

4 v TEX

 

3 @ TBR

3 @ BAL

3 v NYY

 

2 @ CIN

 

4 @ NYY

4 v BAL

3 @ TOR

3 v TBR

 

Totals:

9 TBR (6H/3A)

8 BAL (counting tonight) 4H/4A

7 NYY 3H/4A

6 TOR 3H/3A

 

4 TEX Home

3 @ MN

2 @ Cin

 

 

The Sox absolutely stink vs the Jay's and Ray's this year. I like your optimmism but I just can't see this team turning a corner. JD, Devers and Bogey have turned into pumpkins. Unless those 3 go on a tear the season is over

[notin]

It’s been said for a while that DD won that trade because none of those prospects really amounted to anything, Moncada was a bust.

 

Kopech however is very young still and having a good season.

 

The trade wasn’t the problem. The contract extension was..

[moonslav59]

The Sox absolutely stink vs the Jay's and Ray's this year. I like your optimmism but I just can't see this team turning a corner. JD, Devers and Bogey have turned into pumpkins. Unless those 3 go on a tear the season is over

 

Bloom should have known these guys were about to decline and traded all 3, last winter. The fans would have called him a genius!