Red Sox Sign Masataka Yoshida

[notin]

Omitting Freddy there reeks of leftyphobia...

 

I’m pretty sure his point was “you know, if you ignore the left-handed hitters, the best hitters in team history are all right-handed”…

[notin]

Omitting Freddy there reeks of leftyphobia...

 

 

“Evans/Burks” while omitting AL MVP (Non-steroidal division) Mike Greenwell might also support this..

[mvp 78]

The 600 Club/.406 Club/EMC Club altered the wind patterns. And in turn those new wind patters kept changing the name of the club.

 

I vaguely remember Boggs (?) complaining about it right after it was built.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

It's true that great lefty Fenway batters take advantage of the Monster. No one did it better than Boggs, and many said Lynn (himself, included) would be in Cooperstown if he played in Boston his entire career.

But the Red Sox aren't winning without top righthanded hitters -- from Manny on '04/'07 to Mookie/JD in '18... Youk in '07, and don't forget Pedroia in '07/'13.

 

Going back a ways, star righty swingers always led flag winners: Tony C/Rico/Boomer; Rice/Fisk; Evans/Burks... even Jody Reed and John Valentin, who each led the AL in doubles.

 

Who is the Sox' top righty hitter going forward? Team K leader Connor Wong, with his .673 OPS? How soon can Nick Yorke can here...

 

Oh, look, the poster acknowledged the entire premise of good lefties using the Great Wall by noting FRED LYNN in his first sentence.

[notin]

Oh, look, the poster acknowledged the entire premise of good lefties using the Great Wall by noting FRED LYNN in his first sentence.

 

 

The point was about the right hitters who “led the way.” I mean, you actually avoided the AL MVP in a brief list of hitters who led the 1975 Red Sox…

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

The point was about the right hitters who “led the way.” I mean, you actually avoided the AL MVP in a brief list of hitters who led the 1975 Red Sox…

 

What a lazy slug; couldn't even spare a few extra seconds to just type ameliorated...

[moonslav59]

It's true that great lefty Fenway batters take advantage of the Monster. No one did it better than Boggs, and many said Lynn (himself, included) would be in Cooperstown if he played in Boston his entire career.

 

But the Red Sox aren't winning without top righthanded hitters -- from Manny on '04/'07 to Mookie/JD in '18... Youk in '07, and don't forget Pedroia in '07/'13.

 

Going back a ways, star righty swingers always led flag winners: Tony C/Rico/Boomer; Rice/Fisk; Evans/Burks... even Jody Reed and John Valentin, who each led the AL in doubles.

 

Who is the Sox' top righty hitter going forward? Team K leader Connor Wong, with his .673 OPS? How soon can Nick Yorke can here...

 

I agree.

 

I no longer am saying we should spend all our winter resources on pitching.

 

I think we need a big power RH'd bat. Duvall might be about as a low a bar I might set.

[notin]

I vaguely remember Boggs (?) complaining about it right after it was built.

 

There were all kinds of stories about it right after it was built

[notin]

I agree.

 

I no longer am saying we should spend all our winter resources on pitching.

 

I think we need a big power RH'd bat. Duvall might be about as a low a bar I might set.

 

To play where?

 

An Abreu/Duvall platoon in RF makes sense. Or should the Sox get a RHH to play RF? Is Teoscar Hernandez (.741 OPS) really that much of one? Or Randal Grichuk (.779)? Bring back Renfroe (.713)?

 

Are any of them good enough to cover RF at Fenway?

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

I agree.

 

I no longer am saying we should spend all our winter resources on pitching.

 

I think we need a big power RH'd bat. Duvall might be about as a low a bar I might set.

 

There's no one even like the underrated Kevin Youkilis in the organization right now: .861 career OPS in 10 MLB seasons.

 

But realistically, no one is giving up star righty bats. A rebuild needs to target up-and-comers or never-beens (not washed up Jack Clarks).

 

Looking at outfielders on other last-place clubs who may be open to dealing, Lane Thomas, 28, hit 28 HRs in Washington and is arb eligible. Dylan Carlson (switch), 24, was hurt this year, but was once a top prospect. Laureano is still out there, only 28, but maybe regressing. An energy guy and good bench player is Connor Joe, 30, who can also be the back-up RHH 1st baseman.

 

Then there's Mike Trout... age 32... under contract for seven more years... who LA might want to move. Would a change of scenery and the adoration of millions spark his game? He had 2.9 WAR in half a season, which was only better than all Red Sox position players except Raffy (who could be an MVP with Trout batting behind him in the order).

 

You have to admit: a blockbuster for Trout would generate some buzz in any new CBO's first winter -- it would be the opposite of dumping Mookie -- and help justify a cellar-dweller already raising ticket prices.

Edited October 3, 2023 by 5GoldGloves:OF,75

[moonslav59]

To play where?

 

An Abreu/Duvall platoon in RF makes sense. Or should the Sox get a RHH to play RF? Is Teoscar Hernandez (.741 OPS) really that much of one? Or Randal Grichuk (.779)? Bring back Renfroe (.713)?

 

Are any of them good enough to cover RF at Fenway?

 

The last question is a big one.

 

I do think we trade LHB Dugo and sign RHB Duvall. (Teoscar is better suited for LF or DH, and we have too many of them, already.)

 

With DH/LF Yoshida on the roster, I'm not sure the 26 should have Duvall and refsnyder on it, but Ref has been our best RH'd batter since 2022.

 

DH: Yoshida/Refsnyder

LF: Duran/Refsnyder (Abreu)

CF: Rafaela/Abreu

RF: Duvall.Abreu

 

That is 6 roster slots for DH & OF.

2 catchers

4 IF'ers

That leaves one slot for back-up IF (Reyes/Urias/EValdez)

 

I could see us trading Dugo & Refsnyder, despite Ref's nice numbers vs LHPs.

 

I can't see us trading Dugo and Duran while signing Duvall, but here would be that OF:

 

LF: Yoshida/Duvall/Abreu

CF: Rafaela/Abreu

RF: Duvall/Abreu

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Teoscar Hernandez has a negative dWAR in every season of his eight-year career.

 

He is not playing outfield for the woeful Red Sox defense, because a new GM will not fix anything by acquiring him -- unless we want another guy whose best position is DH.

[moonslav59]

There's no one even like the underrated Kevin Youkilis in the organization right now: .861 career OPS in 10 MLB seasons.

 

But realistically, no one is giving up star righty bats. A rebuild needs to target up-and-comers or never-beens (not washed up Jack Clarks).

 

Looking at outfielders on other last-place clubs who may be open to dealing, Lane Thomas, 28, hit 28 HRs in Washington and is arb eligible. Dylan Carlson (switch), 24, was hurt this year, but was once a top prospect. Laureano is still out there, only 28, but maybe regressing. An energy guy and good bench player is Connor Joe, 30, who can also be the back-up RHH 1st baseman.

 

Then there's Mike Trout... age 32... under contract for seven more years... who LA might want to move. Would a change of scenery and the adoration of millions spark his game? He had 2.9 WAR in half a season, which was only better than all Red Sox position players except Raffy (who could be an MVP with Trout batting behind him in the order).

 

You have to admit: a blockbuster for Trout would generate some buzz in any new CBO's first winter -- it would be the opposite of dumping Mookie -- and help justify a cellar-dweller already raising ticket prices.

 

You are winning me over on the need for a solid RHB.

 

I don't think we can count on Story to come close to Youk's numbers, let alone Manny's.

 

JD gave us that RH'd strength in 2018 (Bogey was very good, too.)

 

Napoli and Vic shared the duty in 2013. Both did better than what I expect from Story on O in 2024.

 

Our RH'd bats look bleak for 2024.

Story (.624 v LHPs in '23)

Refsnyder (.828 v LHPs in '23)

Wong (.501) had massive reverse splits (as did McGuire)

Reyes (.772) & Urias (.787)

Rafaela (.645)

 

Our LHBs v LHPs

.875 McGuire (not sure we can count on another reverse split season)

.824 Devers

.817 Casas

.749 Duran

.746 Yoshida

 

[notin]

Teoscar Hernandez has a negative dWAR in every season of his eight-year career.

 

He is not playing outfield for the woeful Red Sox defense, because a new GM will not fix anything by acquiring him -- unless we want another guy whose best position is DH.

 

 

Agreed.

 

He’s always been a weak outfielder and really, he hasn’t been the same as a hitter the past 2 years. Could he bounce back? It’s not impossible, but as he’s over 30 it’s going to get less likely every year. And who really knows how many years he is looking for…

[Bellhorn04]

Sure seems like a lot of bad things flowed from the loss of Betts, like Bloom's crazy quilt outfield alignments...

[notin]

There's no one even like the underrated Kevin Youkilis in the organization right now: .861 career OPS in 10 MLB seasons.

 

But realistically, no one is giving up star righty bats. A rebuild needs to target up-and-comers or never-beens (not washed up Jack Clarks).

 

Looking at outfielders on other last-place clubs who may be open to dealing, Lane Thomas, 28, hit 28 HRs in Washington and is arb eligible. Dylan Carlson (switch), 24, was hurt this year, but was once a top prospect. Laureano is still out there, only 28, but maybe regressing. An energy guy and good bench player is Connor Joe, 30, who can also be the back-up RHH 1st baseman.

 

Then there's Mike Trout... age 32... under contract for seven more years... who LA might want to move. Would a change of scenery and the adoration of millions spark his game? He had 2.9 WAR in half a season, which was only better than all Red Sox position players except Raffy (who could be an MVP with Trout batting behind him in the order).

 

You have to admit: a blockbuster for Trout would generate some buzz in any new CBO's first winter -- it would be the opposite of dumping Mookie -- and help justify a cellar-dweller already raising ticket prices.

 

A healthy Trout would be a great move on multiple fronts. However it’s not only 7 years; it’s $260mill over 7 years.

 

Trout has been reluctant to move out of CF, so maybe he needs to realize it is time. He could also occasional DH in Boston - something he could not in Anaheim due to Ohtani.

 

Trading Trout would give Anaheim a better chance to re-sign Ohtani. But losing out on Ohtani after dealing Trout would be a horrible PR move for that team…

[Bellhorn04]

A healthy Trout would be a great move on multiple fronts. However it’s not only 7 years; it’s $260mill over 7 years.

 

Trout has been reluctant to move out of CF, so maybe he needs to realize it is time. He could also occasional DH in Boston - something he could not in Anaheim due to Ohtani.

 

Trading Trout would give Anaheim a better chance to re-sign Ohtani. But losing out on Ohtani after dealing Trout would be a horrible PR move for that team…

 

You can count on them to do whatever is worst.

[notin]

You can count on them to do whatever is worst.

 

Count on who?

 

The Sox? I’m all for hiring a new GM/CBO before trashing him.

 

If you meant the Angels, maybe. They’ve made Anthony Rendon into a very wealthy spectator…

[Bellhorn04]

Count on who?

 

The Sox? I’m all for hiring a new GM/CBO before trashing him.

 

If you meant the Angels, maybe. They’ve made Anthony Rendon into a very wealthy spectator…

 

I meant the Angels.

[notin]

I meant the Angels.

 

Yeah they’re really good at making expensive messes…

[mvp 78]

There's no one even like the underrated Kevin Youkilis in the organization right now: .861 career OPS in 10 MLB seasons.

 

But realistically, no one is giving up star righty bats. A rebuild needs to target up-and-comers or never-beens (not washed up Jack Clarks).

 

Looking at outfielders on other last-place clubs who may be open to dealing, Lane Thomas, 28, hit 28 HRs in Washington and is arb eligible. Dylan Carlson (switch), 24, was hurt this year, but was once a top prospect. Laureano is still out there, only 28, but maybe regressing. An energy guy and good bench player is Connor Joe, 30, who can also be the back-up RHH 1st baseman.

 

Then there's Mike Trout... age 32... under contract for seven more years... who LA might want to move. Would a change of scenery and the adoration of millions spark his game? He had 2.9 WAR in half a season, which was only better than all Red Sox position players except Raffy (who could be an MVP with Trout batting behind him in the order).

 

You have to admit: a blockbuster for Trout would generate some buzz in any new CBO's first winter -- it would be the opposite of dumping Mookie -- and help justify a cellar-dweller already raising ticket prices.

 

Prospects that are RHB:

Bleis

Yoeillin

Yorke

Blaze

Allan Castro - switch

Johanfran Garcia

Coffey

Campbell

Anderson

Zanetello

Meidroth

Riemer

Bonaci - switch

 

While some of the top prospects (Teel, Mayer and Anthony) are LHB, a lot of the bats are RHB.

 

I think it's fun to dream on Trout, but he's guaranteed to miss 80 games each year at this point with a huge contract.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Prospects that are RHB:

Bleis

Yoeillin

Yorke

Blaze

Allan Castro - switch

Johanfran Garcia

Coffey

Campbell

Anderson

Zanetello

Meidroth

Riemer

Bonaci - switch

 

While some of the top prospects (Teel, Mayer and Anthony) are LHB, a lot of the bats are RHB.

 

I think it's fun to dream on Trout, but he's guaranteed to miss 80 games each year at this point with a huge contract.

 

Good list. Not that we have a crystal ball, but how many of the 13 will A. make the majors; and B. ever hit .300? Best case: A. 5; B. 2?

 

Anyway, would you swap four for four star years of Trout? Like 30+ HRs in Boston? Is it worth it to deal with a Sale/Price albatross after that?

 

Consider this: before this injury season, Trout had 11 straight years of .900+ OPS. Where are we going to find a RHH outfielder who can even post .850? The Sox haven't even had any OF that high since Mookie left...

[mvp 78]

Trout hits WHEN he's in the lineup. Why pay 30M for a guy that's at home though?

[moonslav59]

Prospects that are RHB:

Bleis

Yoeillin

Yorke

Blaze

Allan Castro - switch

Johanfran Garcia

Coffey

Campbell

Anderson

Zanetello

Meidroth

Riemer

Bonaci - switch

 

While some of the top prospects (Teel, Mayer and Anthony) are LHB, a lot of the bats are RHB.

 

I think it's fun to dream on Trout, but he's guaranteed to miss 80 games each year at this point with a huge contract.

 

The three best being LHBs is a bit scary for our RHB needs, but things will change by the time those guys come up.

[notin]

Trout hits WHEN he's in the lineup. Why pay 30M for a guy that's at home though?

 

Oh it’s definitely a big risk I’m more confident in on an Internet forum under an anonymous moniker than I would be were I actually making decisions for the Red Sox…

[mvp 78]

Oh it’s definitely a big risk I’m more confident in on an Internet forum under an anonymous moniker than I would be were I actually making decisions for the Red Sox…

 

Like I said: fun to dream on.

[Dipre]

Trout's body is pretty much broken down. Unless the Angels eat a huge amount of money, he's not a fit.

[mvp 78]

Trout's body is pretty much broken down. Unless the Angels eat a huge amount of money, he's not a fit.

 

"I guess you consulted your magic 8 ball today."

[notin]

"I guess you consulted your magic 8 ball today."

 

Ouija Board.

 

A Magic 8-Ball is just a Ouija Board for people with no friends…

[Dipre]

Ouija Board.

 

A Magic 8-Ball is just a Ouija Board for people with no friends…

 

Then magic 8-ball it was!