A Realistic View at 2022: Part III

[mvp 78]

His numbers seem to be showing some bad luck, and he has had some big hits and more rbis than some of our studs, but I’ll say it again: I don’t want Verdugo AND Duran both back, next year. I’d trade one at the deadline, if I felt we could get more now than this winter

 

I’d give up on both now, but out OF depth is non existent..

 

I questioned if they should have traded Verdugo over the winter last year as he was a guy who had a lot of value. If I had to hold onto one of them, it'd be him though. I don't think I want to watch Duran in the OF for 125+ games.

[mvp 78]

That’s fine. My policy is to never get excited over anyone in A ball. I only even notice them in AA, which IMO is the most important step…

 

By then, they hype train has already left the building.

[mvp 78]

The past two years have also shown us not to get too excited about stats in AAA; at least in Worcester.

 

Is it something about the Polar Grounds? Or should fans anywhere always be suspicious of a team named Woo.

 

If you look at how the park is situated on Google Maps, the jet stream pushes everything directly out to RF because of where the train tracks are. It doesn't have the same orientation as McCoy or Fenway. Simple popups carry like crazy there for LHB.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

If you look at how the park is situated on Google Maps, the jet stream pushes everything directly out to RF because of where the train tracks are. It doesn't have the same orientation as McCoy or Fenway. Simple popups carry like crazy there for LHB.

 

Maybe we should be more excited there about righty pitchers who show they can consistently keep lefty swingers in that ballpark.

[mvp 78]

Maybe we should be more excited there about righty pitchers who show they can consistently keep lefty swingers in that ballpark.

 

Yeah, they really screwed up the development of their players with that field. It's a shame. Other organizations have similar fields in their systems though.

[notin]

By then, they hype train has already left the building.

 

Exactly and we know whether or not it has any steam…

[mvp 78]

Exactly and we know whether or not it has any steam…

 

We'll see if you can catch this locomotive by the end of this year. Chance it makes it's way to Portland.

 

https://www.milb.com/player/niko-kavadas-694359

[Kimmi]

As bad as we've played, we're only 3 games out.

 

Turn around has to start with starting pitching. Nick Pivetta needs to get better than his last 4/5 starts.

 

Starters have to keep us in the games. Then we'll have to score. Then the bullpen has to save the game. Maybe I'm asking too much.

 

Last night's game was a start. The point was made that if the Sox can get a lead through 6, and that's currently a big if, then Schreiber, Whitlock, and Houck are as good as any at the back of the pen. We need Devers, JD, and Story to get healthy. Kike too. And on top of that, we need Bogaerts and JD to be the run producers that they can be.

 

Red Sox Stats

@redsoxstats

·

1h

Martinez has 15 RBI in his last 40 games. Bogaerts has 11 RBI in his last 40 games. They are both having fine years overall, but their inability to be run producers this year has been the Number 1 strain on this team, at least up until the crippling injury situation.

 

RBI Percentage

 

J.D. Martinez

2018 19.8%

2019 16.8%

2021 17.1%

2022 12.1%

 

Xander Bogaerts

2018 19.7%

2019 19.0%

2021 14.2%

2022 11.3%

[Kimmi]

A fire sale?

 

A fire sale actually makes the least amount of sense.

 

(My view of a firesale is dealing away more than just expiring contracts.)

 

And again, the team is decimated by injuries and still only 3 games out? How much do you want to unload before some of the injured players return?

 

Amen Notin.

 

I am officially putting you in my new posse.

[a700hitter]

A fire sale?

 

A fire sale actually makes the least amount of sense.

 

(My view of a firesale is dealing away more than just expiring contracts.)

 

And again, the team is decimated by injuries and still only 3 games out? How much do you want to unload before some of the injured players return?

Which injured pitchers will return to stem the flood of runs being allowed?

[JDavis76]

As bad as we've played, we're only 3 games out.

 

Turn around has to start with starting pitching. Nick Pivetta needs to get better than his last 4/5 starts.

 

Starters have to keep us in the games. Then we'll have to score. Then the bullpen has to save the game. Maybe I'm asking too much.

 

And a half a game from the basement......

[Kimmi]

My biggest concern is that JH has decided that other things have taken on more importance in his life than the Boston Red Sox. Maybe there is a plan and maybe there isn't. None of us knows for sure what is going on here. I know that it is important to stay optimistic but simply based on the moves that have been made and those that haven't been made, I'm concerned about the the team going forward.

 

I do not believe that Henry is not concerned with the state of the Red Sox. There's a plan, for sure. I don't think it's a plan that most fans like, but there's definitely a plan.

[Kimmi]

@alexspeier

Michael Wacha is throwing live BP at Fenway. First pitch fastball, Franchy Cordero took him deep into the Sox bullpen.

 

Ha. Kind of hard to know whether to be excited for Franchy or disappointed for Wacha.

[Kimmi]

His numbers seem to be showing some bad luck, and he has had some big hits and more rbis than some of our studs, but I’ll say it again: I don’t want Verdugo AND Duran both back, next year. I’d trade one at the deadline, if I felt we could get more now than this winter

 

I’d give up on both now, but out OF depth is non existent..

 

That's so unlike you Moon, especially for Duran, who has had all of 245 PAs at the major league level.

[moonslav59]

That's so unlike you Moon, especially for Duran, who has had all of 245 PAs at the major league level.

 

Attitude

Poor D

 

It's my M.O.

 

My point is more about not wanting Verdugo AND Duran back, next season. They both should only be left fielders, and there is only one LF in baseball.

[Kimmi]

Attitude

Poor D

 

It's my M.O.

 

My point is more about not wanting Verdugo AND Duran back, next season. They both should only be left fielders, and there is only one LF in baseball.

 

I think Duran has gotten a bum rap on the whole poor attitude thing. As far as his play is concerned, it's far too early to make any kind of permanent assessment. I can agree with trading one of the two if the Sox see them both as being strictly left fielders.

[mvp 78]

That's so unlike you Moon, especially for Duran, who has had all of 245 PAs at the major league level.

 

I think he may be able to figure it out with his bat. His glove is just a mystery.

[moonslav59]

I think Duran has gotten a bum rap on the whole poor attitude thing. As far as his play is concerned, it's far too early to make any kind of permanent assessment. I can agree with trading one of the two if the Sox see them both as being strictly left fielders.

 

It goes way beyond that play. You know the other issue about Duran and "taking one for the team," and I know you disagree with my position on that, but I'm done with Duran. He will never come close to being my favorite Sox player.

 

If we keep him, I'll cheer for him, but that's about it.

 

Sorry, if I disappoint you, but I don't like his attitude, and his defense has not improved.

[a700hitter]

It goes way beyond that play. You know the other issue about Duran and "taking one for the team," and I know you disagree with my position on that, but I'm done with Duran. He will never come close to being my favorite Sox player.

 

If we keep him, I'll cheer for him, but that's about it.

 

Sorry, if I disappoint you, but I don't like his attitude, and his defense has not improved.

i don’t think he will improve his fielding enough to be a top CFer. He just doesn’t have the instincts.

[mvp 78]

i don’t think he will improve his fielding enough to be a top CFer. He just doesn’t have the instincts.

 

I'm not sure he can get to be "average" if that.

[moonslav59]

i don’t think he will improve his fielding enough to be a top CFer. He just doesn’t have the instincts.

 

I see why we are playing him in CF, now. Verdugo can't play anywhere but LF.

 

Having 2 LF-ONLY OF'ers necessitates the trading of one of them by the start of 2023. This deadline might bring a better return, since both have more than 1 year of team control, but one must be gone by 2023.

 

I would not be upset, if both were gone, assuming we add other OF'er between now and then.

[moonslav59]

I'm not sure he can get to be "average" if that.

 

Agreed.

 

He may not even be able to get to a -2 DRS CF'er.

[mvp 78]

Agreed.

 

He may not even be able to get to a -2 DRS CF'er.

 

And his bat will really need to be a carrying tool if it's going to LF.

[mvp 78]

I see why we are playing him in CF, now. Verdugo can't play anywhere but LF.

 

Having 2 LF-ONLY OF'ers necessitates the trading of one of them by the start of 2023. This deadline might bring a better return, since both have more than 1 year of team control, but one must be gone by 2023.

 

I would not be upset, if both were gone, assuming we add other OF'er between now and then.

 

In a different park, Verdugo could reasonably play RF. Home at Fenway? No.

[notin]

I see why we are playing him in CF, now. Verdugo can't play anywhere but LF.

 

 

Based on what?

 

His -2.1 UZR/150 in 636 innings suggests he is “slightly below average” in the position. It’s not ideal, but hardly a defensive deathnail…

[notin]

In a different park, Verdugo could reasonably play RF. Home at Fenway? No.

 

I’d take him over Renfroe, and we nearly went to the WS with him in RF…

[mvp 78]

Based on what?

 

His -2.1 UZR/150 in 636 innings suggests he is “slightly below average” in the position. It’s not ideal, but hardly a defensive deathnail…

 

My assumption is that he is getting worse defensively. I can see that he is slowing down year over year on statcast.

 

2019 12 DRS

2020 7 DRS

2021 1 DRS

2022 -4 DRS

 

Would he be better in a larger RF in Fenway? I don't see how.

[mvp 78]

I’d take him over Renfroe, and we nearly went to the WS with him in RF…

 

Renfroe was bad last year in Fenway, but his DRS is much better in MIL. Hard to say what Verdugo would look like in RF in 2022 without actually seeing it.

[Kimmi]

It goes way beyond that play. You know the other issue about Duran and "taking one for the team," and I know you disagree with my position on that, but I'm done with Duran. He will never come close to being my favorite Sox player.

 

If we keep him, I'll cheer for him, but that's about it.

 

Sorry, if I disappoint you, but I don't like his attitude, and his defense has not improved.

 

I wasn't talking about the grand slam play. I was talking about his vaccination status. Yes, we strongly disagree on that. Duran may never improve his defense or amount to a solid big league player, but IMO, it won't be because of his attitude.

[Kimmi]

I'm not sure he can get to be "average" if that.

 

Agreed.

 

He may not even be able to get to a -2 DRS CF'er.

 

That may be the case, but you guys are making judgments rather quickly based on relatively little experience in the OF.