7/23 Jays @ Fenway, game time 4:10

[moonslav59]

I didn't blame Sanchez. I blame the coaches and manager--and maybe the Sox farm system--for not developing smarter players.

 

Can you or anyone else on talksox remember when a Sox player scored from first base on a single without an error being committed?

 

Chaim Bloom was one of the originators--he wrote their "book"--of the Rays system for finding and especially training/developing good baseball talent. When they play the Sox, they look like the professional ballplayers and the Sox don't.

 

I would even argue that what made Mookie Betts so great was the very short time he spent in the stupid Red Sox minor league system, where he was almost always an infielder. He pretty much became a great outfielder and hitter on his own.

 

Same goes for Rafael Devers, a terrific talent, especially at the plate--and you can be sure nobody in the Sox system taught him how to hit. He is still learning how to play 3B. My guess is he lost weight because his agent told him that it would guarantee megabucks. And once he signs for the big bucks, the weight will come back unless the contract prohibits it (which I consider unlikely).

 

A lot of bitterness, here, Max.

 

The comments on Devers, I feel, are uncalled for. To me, he's a hard worker and one of the few players I see that seems to really love the game.

 

I'm glad nobody tried to "teach" him how to hit. Sometimes the best lessons are the ones never taught. He's a special player and hitter. His unique approach is part of what makes him great, IMO.

[moonslav59]

Not long ago we had the best outfield in baseball that really helped us win a championship we should be grateful we have a management team that can't build a bridge with an erector set, Cora is not a motivator period, maybe they can keep the beer cold in Fenway

 

I guess the 2018 and 2021 teams motivated themselves.

[Maxbialystock]

Not long ago we had the best outfield in baseball that really helped us win a championship we should be grateful we have a management team that can't build a bridge with an erector set, Cora is not a motivator period, maybe they can keep the beer cold in Fenway

 

Agree the outfield stinks this year.

 

However, last year's outfield had WAR's of +4.9 (Kike in CF), +2.4 (Renfroe in RF), and +2.2 (Dugo in LF)--or a combined WAR of +9.5. The infield, even with Devers (WAR +4.9) and Bogey (WAR +3.5), had a lower overall WAR despite having four positions.

 

So, yes, the 2018 outfield was better--Mookie 10.9, Beni 3.9, JBJ 2.1--but that was the best Sox team ever.

 

Also, FWIW, Kike and Dugo are back this year, but Kike's been on the IL forever, and Dugo has definitely regressed.

[cukes]

I guess the 2018 and 2021 teams motivated themselves.

 

Good players do it on their own, weak players need teaching and a manager who doesn't laugh when his team is down 10 runs

[moonslav59]

Good players do it on their own, weak players need teaching and a manager who doesn't laugh when his team is down 10 runs

 

I'm not getting your points.

 

If players do mit on their own, then what's the beef with Cora?

 

Blame Bloom for getting players that don't "do it on their own."

[Maxbialystock]

A lot of bitterness, here, Max.

 

The comments on Devers, I feel, are uncalled for. To me, he's a hard worker and one of the few players I see that seems to really love the game.

 

I'm glad nobody tried to "teach" him how to hit. Sometimes the best lessons are the ones never taught. He's a special player and hitter. His unique approach is part of what makes him great, IMO.

 

Definitely over the top on Devers, and, boy, do I hope you are right that he will remain a hard worker. So maybe we can agree that Devers, while enormously talented, is also human--human enough to ease up on that hard work once that contract is signed. He can still love the game and of course hitting, which he is so good at.

 

Defense, on the other hand, is all about dedication and hard work.

 

Mookie might be the exception to the hard work rule because he was a great right fielder almost from day one when the word came down to his AA or AAA team he needed to switch to the outfield to get to Boston. Duran, Arroyo, Cordero, et al have demonstrated that most players struggle when shifted to the outfield.

Edited July 24, 2022 by Maxbialystock

[moonslav59]

Definitely over the top on Devers, and, boy, do I hope you are right that he will remain a hard worker. So maybe we can agree that Devers, while enormously talented, is also human--human enough to ease up on that hard work once that contract is signed. He can still love the game and of course hitting, which he is so good at.

 

Defense, on the other hand, is all about dedication and hard work.

 

We don't know how anyone will react after signing a mega deal, but I see no indication, Devers will take his foot off the pedal.

 

Also, I think he has worked hard on his defense and improved his footwork.

 

He seems to lose focus for a week here and here, on defense, and that is worrisome, but to me is a keeper, if ever there was one.

[jad]

There is not a shred of evidence that Devers will ease up once he gets a big contract. This is Bloomhenrian b.s.

[moonslav59]

There is not a shred of evidence that Devers will ease up once he gets a big contract. This is Bloomhenrian b.s.

 

Nobody seems to love the game more than Devers.

 

I can't see him easing up, based on the fact that he was a little chubby years ago.