Xander Bogaerts has signed with San Diego Padres

[moonslav59]

It's definitely not Bloom making all the calls by himself, but he's been good at making himself look exceedingly foolish. I agree.

 

It's like the whole Ben the Coffee Boy thing redux.

 

Likely, the same ending.

 

Upper management loves having fall guys. I'm just not sure the masses are so easily fooled, anymore.

 

If Henry continues his pattern of cycling into highly competitive windows, I'm okay with some down turns, but just coming clean would be better, to me. (I know many never want to hear the words "downturn, rebuild or cycle," but the games being played only make it worse.

 

[Bellhorn04]

It's like the whole Ben the Coffee Boy thing redux.

 

Likely, the same ending.

 

It's the John Henry 4 Year Plan.

[moonslav59]

It's the John Henry 4 Year Plan.

 

I think he tell his new GM it's 5 years then springs a surprise when glory is not reached in 4.

[mvp 78]

I'm fine with them replacing Bloom midseason if the plan is to bring a known commodity like Click in. Maybe they are waiting to bring him in because they don't want the stink of this offseason on him.

[S5Dewey]

It's like the whole Ben the Coffee Boy thing redux.

 

Likely, the same ending.

 

Upper management loves having fall guys. I'm just not sure the masses are so easily fooled, anymore.

 

It's the executive way of doing things. One shits and another one covers it up.

[notin]

I'm fine with them replacing Bloom midseason if the plan is to bring a known commodity like Click in. Maybe they are waiting to bring him in because they don't want the stink of this offseason on him.

 

Click is Bloom 2.0. That he inherited a better farm loaded with arms is the big difference…

[moonslav59]

Click is Bloom 2.0. That he inherited a better farm loaded with arms is the big difference…

 

Click would be in way over his head.

 

Any GM would, under these circumstances.

[mvp 78]

Click would be in way over his head.

 

Any GM would, under these circumstances.

 

I'd give it to Theo now that LL is out of the way.

[Bellhorn04]

I'd give it to Theo now that LL is out of the way.

 

Theo has a pretty good life now. No reason to mess it up.

[Hugh2]

Theo grew up in Brookline Massachusetts and dreamed of working for the Red Sox. I’d have to believe under the right circumstances he’d come back.

[moonslav59]

Theo grew up in Brookline Massachusetts and dreamed of working for the Red Sox. I’d have to believe under the right circumstances he’d come back.

 

The thing is, if the circumstances change, then Click or Bloom might be fine.

[Jasonbay44]

Assuming what I think is happening… the GM doesn’t even matter

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

I figured out what Bloom means when he says Story's great range will compensate for a weak arm at shortstop.

 

Story's speed will allow him to catch pop flies and humpback liners in left field that Yoshida can't reach. That will keep tons of baserunners from scoring who beat out routine grounders to short.

 

And Story will bring a new meaning to relays. Any time there's a play at the plate, Story will flash across the diamond to the nearest infielder -- Raffy or Arroyo -- and hand off the ball to someone who can actually throw to home in the air.

[moonslav59]

Of course, great range helps compensate for other defensive deficiencies- just as a good arm and "making all the sure plays" helps compensate for a lack of good range.

 

With there no longer being a shift, it will be helpful having a SS with tremendous range. It's like having a SS be in two places at once.

 

I don't think Story's arm is as weak as some think it is, but I don't know. My guess is he is no Johnny Damon.

[Bellhorn04]

Of course, great range helps compensate for other defensive deficiencies- just as a good arm and "making all the sure plays" helps compensate for a lack of good range.

 

With there no longer being a shift, it will be helpful having a SS with tremendous range. It's like having a SS be in two places at once.

 

I don't think Story's arm is as weak as some think it is, but I don't know. My guess is he is no Johnny Damon.

 

I think it's more of a health concern. He went on the IL in 2021 with elbow inflammation.

 

It would really suck if we move him back to short and the elbow flares up again...

[moonslav59]

I think it's more of a health concern. He went on the IL in 2021 with elbow inflammation.

 

It would really suck if we move him back to short and the elbow flares up again...

 

True.

 

Maybe we should play Sale at 1B, so as not to risk hurting his arm. (Just kidding.)

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Of course, great range helps compensate for other defensive deficiencies- just as a good arm and "making all the sure plays" helps compensate for a lack of good range.

 

With there no longer being a shift, it will be helpful having a SS with tremendous range. It's like having a SS be in two places at once.

 

I don't think Story's arm is as weak as some think it is, but I don't know. My guess is he is no Johnny Damon.

 

I still have not read here or heard elsewhere how range can make up for a lack of arm strength at shortstop.

 

What good is range deep in the hole if an infielder can't reach first base in time to consistently nail the baserunner?

[Bellhorn04]

I still have not read here or heard elsewhere how range can make up for a lack of arm strength at shortstop.

 

What good is range deep in the hole if an infielder can't reach first base in time to consistently nail the baserunner?

 

It's all a bit confusing. As I said to moon, I thought the concern with Story wasn't a lack of arm strength but the elbow inflammation.

 

Maybe the question that was put to Bloom wasn't clear.

 

Trying to give benefit of doubt on this one.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

It's all a bit confusing. As I said to moon, I thought the concern with Story wasn't a lack of arm strength but the elbow inflammation.

 

Maybe the question that was put to Bloom wasn't clear.

 

Trying to give benefit of doubt on this one.

 

If there is fear of elbow inflammation, then he shouldn't play shortstop, period... because any hit in the hole that he reaches will risk injury if he throws -- or injury to the club if he doesn't.

[Bellhorn04]

If there is fear of elbow inflammation, then he shouldn't play shortstop, period... because any hit in the hole that he reaches will risk injury if he throws -- or injury to the club if he doesn't.

 

Agreed. Sign Andrus. He seems like a perfect fit and bridge to Mayer. He's actually a pretty good player.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Agreed. Sign Andrus. He seems like a perfect fit and bridge to Mayer. He's actually a pretty good player.

 

Andrus is the most logical -- which is why we'll probably never see him in a Red Sox uniform.

[Bellhorn04]

Andrus is the most logical -- which is why we'll probably never see him in a Red Sox uniform.

 

Sad but true.

[notin]

Agreed. Sign Andrus. He seems like a perfect fit and bridge to Mayer. He's actually a pretty good player.

 

I agree. And how many people realize he somehow out-homered Bogaerts last year?

 

Another good player is Jurickson Profar. But his numbers at 2b are not as good or as recent as I’d like…

[moonslav59]

I still have not read here or heard elsewhere how range can make up for a lack of arm strength at shortstop.

 

What good is range deep in the hole if an infielder can't reach first base in time to consistently nail the baserunner?

 

His arm is not horrible.

 

Getting to a ball deep in the hole vs a slow runner helps. It may also keep a runner from second from scoring. Range up the middle saves hits and runs. coming in on slow grounders saves IF hits.

 

One could argue that a great arm doesn't help as much, if you don't get to any balls deep in the hole, too.

 

Range helps.

 

Story still had a plus UZR/150 in 2021 and more DRS in '21 than '18.

[moonslav59]

It's all a bit confusing. As I said to moon, I thought the concern with Story wasn't a lack of arm strength but the elbow inflammation.

 

Maybe the question that was put to Bloom wasn't clear.

 

Trying to give benefit of doubt on this one.

 

His answer was wordy, choppy and I think he meant added range at SS makes up for a possible weaker arm, especially without the shift and he will likely get to more balls hit to his left (by lefties) than most SS will, and a weaker arm moving to your left is not as harmful as those hit in the hole.

 

Just my take.

 

I'm all aboard the sign Andrus wagon. Overpay for one year would be better than a slight overpay for 2-3 yrs. I guess we could trade him, when Mayer is ready.

[moonslav59]

I agree. And how many people realize he somehow out-homered Bogaerts last year?

 

 

He might have out RBI'd Bogey, too, had he been given more chances with men on base and RISP:

 

RBI:

73 Bogaerts (557 ABs) He had 79 RBIs in 2021.

58 Andrus (535 ABs)

 

RISP

Anrus 104 ABs (.231 BA 38 RBI)

Bogey 153 ABs (.301 BA 65 RBI)

 

Men on Base

Andrus 185 ABs (.265 BA 49 RBI)

Bogey 279 ABs (.326 BA 67 RBI)

 

Even with the lower BA in both situations, give Andrus 49 more ABs w RISP and he's about even with Bogey in RBI. Give him 94 more ABs with Men on Base and he'd have more RBI than Bogey.

 

I'm not trying to say he's a better run producer or offensive threat than Bogey, but when looking at replacing the 2022 Bogey, maybe it would not be as bad as it seems, on paper.

[Bellhorn04]

Most of us seem to be aboard the Devers/Andrus/Eovaldi or Kluber wagon now...

[moonslav59]

Most of us seem to be aboard the Devers/Andrus/Eovaldi or Kluber wagon now...

 

I'd be okay with Nate, but I like Kluber better. he may even take/get less years.

 

Andrus, Kluber + Hill or Wacha is probably doable, budget wise.

 

Maybe Andrus, Kluber + Conforto or a defensive RFe'r.

 

Number one is Devers Forevers!

[notin]

His arm is not horrible.

 

Getting to a ball deep in the hole vs a slow runner helps. It may also keep a runner from second from scoring. Range up the middle saves hits and runs. coming in on slow grounders saves IF hits.

 

One could argue that a great arm doesn't help as much, if you don't get to any balls deep in the hole, too.

 

Range helps.

 

Story still had a plus UZR/150 in 2021 and more DRS in '21 than '18.

 

Story’s arm strength dropped from a middle-of-the-shortstop-pack at 82mph down to a bottom-feeding 79mph. Of course, Dansby Swanson was already there..

[moonslav59]

Story’s arm strength dropped from a middle-of-the-shortstop-pack at 82mph down to a bottom-feeding 79mph. Of course, Dansby Swanson was already there..

 

79mph does not mean you never throw anyone out from the hole or other places. A hard grounder to Story's right still allows him time to throw a runner out at 79 mph.

 

Range still helps. That is my posint.

 

Okay, maybe compared to all 29 other SSs, one can say 79 mph is horrible, but range still helps.