A Realistic View at 2022: Part III

[Bellhorn04]

Last night:

Devers played poorly as did Bogey who made a bone headed base running move. JD looked like Robbie the Robot at the plate.

 

And the game before, JD had the game-tying hit in the 9th that turned a loss into a win.

 

Players have bad games all the time.

[Elktonnick]

And the game before, JD had the game-tying hit in the 9th that turned a loss into a win.

 

Players have bad games all the time.

JD is having a bad season.

[Bellhorn04]

JD is having a bad season.

 

Yes, he's having a subpar season and probably has lost some bat speed, and probably will be elsewhere next year. A very good signing by DD nonetheless.

[Hugh2]

JDM has been solid, it’s probably time to move on. Would love to see the Sox add a premium bat this off-season (amongst other needs)

[oldtimer]

I don't know, they seemed to play pretty hard the last 3 games.

 

i believe we had some nice pitching and fielding out there last night. As far as hitting, it looks like Devers has read his press clippings and is now overswinging and trying to go long on every pitch. Hosmer overswings as well, but I think he has done that throughout his career.

 

What bothered me more about the effort was the mental errors of some of our players. Did it make a difference? That is hard to say, but it does show we are not playing our best ball. Three plays come to mind in particular. Bogey getting picked off second on a bonehead play. Tommy Pham retreating toward first before heading to second on Devers little dribbler He was forced out when he should have made it. Then the lack of preparedness for the squeeze bunt that essentially won the game. The defense wasn't set and that was on Cora, although the players should also have reacted without managerial guidance.

 

We have seen a lot of sloppy play this year. It's not just the lack of Bloom's moves involved but his approach hasn't helped much either. Watching the Sox this year, it becomes clear that JDM has slipped as a hitter and needs replacement. Schwaber would have been better but I can understand with the contract circumstances, why Bloom stayed with JDM.

[Elktonnick]

Schwarber and Renfroe had shown to be streaky hitters, too.

 

The Story addition was a legitimate attempt to replace one of the departing big bats. Just because he was also Bogey insurance, does not mean he doesn't count.

The jury is still out on Story. But Bloom replaced two solid hitters with nada and left a hole at 1st. Let the bull pen implode. How many blown saves this year, too too many.

He traded a clutch hitting catcher who was a clubhouse leader He demoralized the team.

The team today is worse than the team that finished 21.

[Elktonnick]

Yes, he's having a subpar season and probably has lost some bat speed, and probably will be elsewhere next year. A very good signing by DD nonetheless.

On that we agree.

[moonslav59]

Despite all the RBIs and stellar 2B D, the Story signing and injury did not help the 2022 team. The head-scratching Renfroe for JBJ and prospects was a total 2022 disaster. The Diekman signing was, too, but getting McGuire for him might end up helping going forward. The Barnes extension still hits the budget and the pen depth issue hard.

 

The Wacha, Hill and Strahm additions range from okay to being overall plusses, despite times on the IL. The Schreiber and Refsnyder afterthoughts turned out to be Bloom's best moves on the 2022 roster.

 

The Paxton signing might have been viewed as a hint that 2023 and beyond were a higher priority from day one, but he was also expected to help by now.

 

No doubt, Bloom bears the responsibility for those choices. We can claim restricted budget all we want, but this past winter he had enough to make a much better impact on 2022 and beyond, but his moves, in an overall sense, failed. Luckily, most were just 1 year deals, and I guess you get what you pay for on one year deals- namely crapshoots. It started out looking like Bloom was a genius on Wacha and Strahm, but their injuries stopped any hopes that Bloom's winter deals would end up being okay or on the plus side.

 

It's easy to just stop right here, and place full blame on Bloom. We can ignore than many of the plus players on the 2022 team were acquired by Bloom, some in stunning fashion, like Whitlock and Pivetta, and maybe the overall scoreboard of blame looks a little better than some seem to be making it out as, but ultimately, this team failed to reach almost everyone's expectations.

 

Maybe the 2021 team's success falsely raised our expectations and their over-performance actually makes Bloom, now, look worse, but that's not really part of the bottom line. We suck, this year. There is no sugar-coating that fact. Injuries- yes. Lack of focus- yes. Bumbling- yes. Tons of excuses- yes.

 

Trying to assign blame is a big part of our society and culture. I try hard to avoid it, but it's something hard to accomplish. Ultimately, the blame starts at the top: Henry, top brass and Bloom- include Cora, too, if you must. Mistakes and misjudgements have been plentiful, but ultimately, the success of the team falls on the players, the team leaders, the coaches and the manager, and the staggering amount of returning players decline from 2021 to 2022, even among players in prime or pre-prime years has to be included in the overall assessment of this team's demise.

 

We saw Vaz up about 100 points in OPs, and Devers up about 40 or 50. Other than Cordero, who played a minor role on the offense plan, nobody else improved.

We saw...

Dalbec and Kike down about 150 points or more (Kike missing most of the season)

JD and Dugo down about 70 points

Bogey about 40

Arroyo down a little, but Plawecki down about 250 points

 

The pitching side was even worse.

 

Houck was about the same, but all others declines- some very sharply. I find it hard to blame Bloom and Cora for all their declines, but apparently, he should have foreseen it and traded them all away or fired Cora to replace him with someone who would have inspired them to improve not decline. (sarcasm alert)

 

As well as Whitlock did, he still did not match last year's brilliant rookie year. In no way should he be faulted for his 2022 season. Others, yes.

 

ERA- declines:

 

33>130 Brasier

43>74 Whitlock

67>80 Sawamura

70>78 Sale

74>529 DHern

75> n/a Taylor

79>143 Robles

83>102 Nate

84>165 Barnes

100> 111 Pivetta

107>115 A Davis

 

I seriously doubt any GM or manager could overcome this near complete implosion by returning vets.

 

Blame the GM for not predicting this and doing something about it.

Blame the manager for not improving focus and morale and making better choices when trying to choose the lesser of 10 evils.

Blame the owner for being stingy.

But, if blame is what we are doing, here, lets not forget the near complete implosion by returning vets. I count 3-4, who pulled their weight. The other 15-20 significant returning vets ranged from slight declines to s***ing the bed.

 

The blame should go from top to bottom with very few exceptions.

[moonslav59]

The jury is still out on Story. But Bloom replaced two solid hitters with nada and left a hole at 1st. Let the bull pen implode. How many blown saves this year, too too many.

He traded a clutch hitting catcher who was a clubhouse leader He demoralized the team.

The team today is worse than the team that finished 21.

 

Call me a nit-picker, but you did say "no REAL effort."

 

Story was a real effort that failed in 2022, but it was a real effort.

 

BTW, had he not gotten hurt, he might have ended up with more RBIs than Schwarber and Renfroe, while playing GG defense.

 

It was an effort.

[dgalehouse]

You just have to have some fun and enjoy things. That was an exciting game last night . Had me on the edge of my seat or standing. I felt sure the Sox were going to win it in the 9th. It had a big game feel and not like watching a team that was 16 games out. Baseball can still be fun and exciting . Don't let it make you miserable. The curse ended 18 years ago.

[Elktonnick]

Call me a nit-picker, but you did say "no REAL effort."

 

Story was a real effort that failed in 2022, but it was a real effort.

 

BTW, had he not gotten hurt, he might have ended up with more RBIs than Schwarber and Renfroe, while playing GG defense.

 

It was an effort.

D minus in effort.

[dgalehouse]

i believe we had some nice pitching and fielding out there last night. As far as hitting, it looks like Devers has read his press clippings and is now overswinging and trying to go long on every pitch. Hosmer overswings as well, but I think he has done that throughout his career.

 

What bothered me more about the effort was the mental errors of some of our players. Did it make a difference? That is hard to say, but it does show we are not playing our best ball. Three plays come to mind in particular. Bogey getting picked off second on a bonehead play. Tommy Pham retreating toward first before heading to second on Devers little dribbler He was forced out when he should have made it. Then the lack of preparedness for the squeeze bunt that essentially won the game. The defense wasn't set and that was on Cora, although the players should also have reacted without managerial guidance.

 

We have seen a lot of sloppy play this year. It's not just the lack of Bloom's moves involved but his approach hasn't helped much either. Watching the Sox this year, it becomes clear that JDM has slipped as a hitter and needs replacement. Schwaber would have been better but I can understand with the contract circumstances, why Bloom stayed with JDM.

 

They should not have been caught off guard by the squeeze bunt . Watching on TV , I was expecting it . The camera caught Boone flashing signs and Benintendi looking intently at him. But it was a good bunt and I don't know if it made a difference .

[moonslav59]

D minus in effort.

 

I'd say B on effort- D- on results for 2022 only.

[Bellhorn04]

Despite all the RBIs and stellar 2B D, the Story signing and injury did not help the 2022 team.

 

Not much you can do when a guy gets hit in the hand by a pitch.

[Bellhorn04]

You just have to have some fun and enjoy things. That was an exciting game last night . Had me on the edge of my seat or standing. I felt sure the Sox were going to win it in the 9th. It had a big game feel and not like watching a team that was 16 games out. Baseball can still be fun and exciting . Don't let it make you miserable. The curse ended 18 years ago.

 

Well said.

[moonslav59]

Not much you can do when a guy gets hit in the hand by a pitch.

 

Indeed. I'm not blaming Story for getting hurt or Bloom for not foreseeing the injury.

 

The jury is still out on Story, and I do think Bloom made a credible effort to add some serious RH'd offense to the roster by signing Story.

[moonslav59]

You just have to have some fun and enjoy things. That was an exciting game last night . Had me on the edge of my seat or standing. I felt sure the Sox were going to win it in the 9th. It had a big game feel and not like watching a team that was 16 games out. Baseball can still be fun and exciting . Don't let it make you miserable. The curse ended 18 years ago.

 

Yes, indeed.

 

Baseball is still the best game. It's much more fun watching a winning team, but within the context of the curse being broken, it's not so hurtful watching the Sox lose as it was years ago.

[Bellhorn04]

Kike gets the Shane Victorino award for this year. Reserved for players who become fan favorites their first season, come down with an apparently minor injury early in their second season, and are never seen again.

[Bellhorn04]

How about some love for Kutter Crawford? He's one guy who has been better than expected and has helped keep the pitching staff from completely imploding.

[moonslav59]

How about some love for Kutter Crawford? He's one guy who has been better than expected and has helped keep the pitching staff from completely imploding.

 

He looked scary bad his first call-up, but man-0-man, he's looked very good since then. (May 14>)

 

3.33 ERA

3.62 FIP

.631 OPS Against

 

Since June 19th: 45 IP

3.20 ERA

3.32 FIP

.610 OPSA

[moonslav59]

Kike gets the Shane Victorino award for this year. Reserved for players who become fan favorites their first season, come down with an apparently minor injury early in their second season, and are never seen again.

 

Good one.

 

Vic had a 3 year deal and was eventually traded for fan favorite Josh Rutledge.

 

[notin]

How about some love for Kutter Crawford? He's one guy who has been better than expected and has helped keep the pitching staff from completely imploding.

 

I thought he was worthless DFA material last year. Lately he’s the staff ace…

[notin]

They should not have been caught off guard by the squeeze bunt . Watching on TV , I was expecting it . The camera caught Boone flashing signs and Benintendi looking intently at him. But it was a good bunt and I don't know if it made a difference .

 

They should have made the play on Trivino, which, as the second out, likely nullifies any squeeze attempt…

[Larry Cook]

How about some love for Kutter Crawford? He's one guy who has been better than expected and has helped keep the pitching staff from completely imploding.

 

His confidence is high now and he is executing his pitches. Every time he goes out, he continues to trust his stuff more and more.

[Old Red]

A nice save by Whitlock last, which to me is the way it should have been all year. I said it before the season, and I’ll say it to the end of the season that if Whitlock would have been the closer the Red Sox would have a better record right now. Yes I know there has been a lot of pushback about that, but that’s my opinion. Eck has said all year that’s where Whitlock should be, and recently has said 1 inning save opportunities is better than trying to get a two inning save. Pitching 3-4 times a week is better than pitching 2 innings, and then having to wait 2-3 days to pitch again. With Houck out this is a good time to try it.Same with Schreiber 1 inning at a time if possible.It would be great also if Barnes could pitch somewhat decent the rest out the year. I hope Bloom has seen what the importance of having a good closer makes. I know the Braves think the $16M spent on Jansen was well worth it. Edited August 15, 2022 by Old Red

[Hugh2]

A nice save by Whitlock last, which to me is the way it should have been all year. I said it before the season, and I’ll say it to the end of the season that if Whitlock would have been the closer the Red Sox would have a better record right now. Yes I know there has been a lot of pushback about that, but that’s my opinion. Eck has said all year that’s where Whitlock should be, and recently has said 1 inning save opportunities is better than trying to get a two inning save. Pitching 3-4 times a week is better than pitching 2 innings, and then having to wait 2-3 days to pitch again. With Houck out this is a good time to try it.Same with Schreiber 1 inning at a time if possible.It would be great also if Barnes could pitch somewhat decent the rest out the year. I hope Bloom has seen what the importance of having a good closer makes. I know the Braves think the $16M spent on Jansen was well worth it.

 

The Sox specifically plan to not throw Whitlock every day and give him rest. I know originally it was because they were not trying to load up his arm after surgery and had long-term ambitions of stretching him out as a starter. It seems to me, that they should be able to take the training wheels off and go one way or the other by now, but I think they still have ambitions for him to be a part of the rotation in 2023.

[Old Red]

The Sox specifically plan to not throw Whitlock every day and give him rest. I know originally it was because they were not trying to load up his arm after surgery and had long-term ambitions of stretching him out as a starter. It seems to me, that they should be able to take the training wheels off and go one way or the other by now, but I think they still have ambitions for him to be a part of the rotation in 2023.

 

2023 is fine, but only to me is if the Red Sox get an actual reliable closer.

[moonslav59]

The Sox specifically plan to not throw Whitlock every day and give him rest. I know originally it was because they were not trying to load up his arm after surgery and had long-term ambitions of stretching him out as a starter. It seems to me, that they should be able to take the training wheels off and go one way or the other by now, but I think they still have ambitions for him to be a part of the rotation in 2023.

 

I also think the plan is to have him start, next season, perhaps with no innings restrictions. I'm not against the idea, but he's been so great in the multiple inning, high leverage relief role.

 

If Houck comes back and looks assuring as the closer, I'd be more inclined to support moving Whitlock to the rotation. As of now, I'd like to see us add a solid #1/2 type, give Wacha a QO for the #2 slot, hope Sale or Paxton are healthy (not both) for the 3 slot, and then hand the #4 slot to Pivetta. The 5 slot can be filled by the best of Crawford, Winckowski, Bello, Mata and others. (The others add depth to the farm or pen.)

 

[Hugh2]

I also think the plan is to have him start, next season, perhaps with no innings restrictions. I'm not against the idea, but he's been so great in the multiple inning, high leverage relief role.

 

If Houck comes back and looks assuring as the closer, I'd be more inclined to support moving Whitlock to the rotation. As of now, I'd like to see us add a solid #1/2 type, give Wacha a QO for the #2 slot, hope Sale or Paxton are healthy (not both) for the 3 slot, and then hand the #4 slot to Pivetta. The 5 slot can be filled by the best of Crawford, Winckowski, Bello, Mata and others. (The others add depth to the farm or pen.)

 

 

But Whitlock is better than all those guys, so he should start. If Whitlock can start and handle the load, that's where he's going to be the most valuable to this team.

[moonslav59]

But Whitlock is better than all those guys, so he should start. If Whitlock can start and handle the load, that's where he's going to be the most valuable to this team.

 

Indeed, and again, I'm not against the idea.