A Realistic View of 2023: Part II

[Dipre]

Duran needs to be given a true chance.

[Old Red]

If Duran keeps slumping, and Kike comes around, Kke may end up playing a lot of CF, once Story and the ever elusive Mondesi join the club.

 

We seem to have a lot of options, once everyone is healthy, if that really ever happens.

 

SS:

R Story

S Mondesi

R Kike

R Chang

 

2B

R Story

L Valdez

R Kike

R Arroyo

R Reyes

 

LF

L Yoshida

R Duvall

R Refsnyder/Tapia

 

CF

L Duran

R Duvall

R Kike

 

1B

L Casas

R Turner

R Dalbec

 

DH

R Turner

L Yoshida

(Others)

 

 

 

 

If Duran goes back to his old self, and Kike just stays his normal self, and if Story comes back to SS, and Duvall comes back to CF Kike could just be odd man out, and a back up utility guy. Who’s Mondesi?

[moonslav59]

Duran needs to be given a true chance.

 

He seems to be getting it, and Kike is doing nothing to take it from him.

 

The big decision will have to be made when Duvall returns, but Duvall can play LF (Yoshida DH/Turner 1B/ Casas > ???) Casas need a true chance, too.

 

Good problems to have. A real sign of a bad team.

[mvp 78]

If Duran goes back to his old self, and Kike just stays his normal self, and if Story comes back to SS, and Duvall comes back to CF Kike could just be odd man out, and a back up utility guy. Who’s Mondesi?

 

Adalberto Mondesi. He has the body of Xander according to Alex Cora, but it is damned to the IL because of an ancient curse.

[mvp 78]

Cora has this team set up the way I had hoped recently.

 

Pivetta is not starting. Kluber is not starting.

I get to watch 3 of my favorite players Bello, Houck and Whitlock start.

 

 

Next up is for Story or Mondesi to play short and Kike to platoon at second vs lefties and play some outfield.

 

I really don't have any complaints.

 

It's now up to the players to perform.

 

It's on them!

 

Honestly, I'm kind of surprised they actually made these moves. This was a team who held onto Ort and Brasier for reason unknown to man or beast.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

I don't remember ANYONE on here saying they'd win the division. At best, people said they'd compete for a Wild Card and half of the forum laughed at them saying they'd be WORSE than '22.

 

Not one person on this forum voted for the Sox to win more than 90 games in the 2023 poll. How the hell would that win the AL East?

 

You're just flat out making this s*** up right now.

 

Relax. I'm not saying it was you, but there were and still are some fans overly optimistic ever since Bloom started hoarding over-30 vets-with-pedigree last winter.

 

You read and post here every day. Don't pretend 2013 didn't come up many, many times as an example -- as rare as it was/is/and forever will be -- of the infinitesimal possibilities of change.

 

... and if 2013 ever does repeat itself, what would be the end result?

[Bellhorn04]

He seems to be getting it, and Kike is doing nothing to take it from him.

 

The big decision will have to be made when Duvall returns, but Duvall can play LF (Yoshida DH/Turner 1B/ Casas > ???) Casas need a true chance, too.

 

Good problems to have. A real sign of a bad team.

 

We're not a bad team, just a mediocre one.

[Old Red]

Adalberto Mondesi. He has the body of Xander according to Alex Cora, but it is damned to the IL because of an ancient curse.

 

Has there actually been a Mondesi sighting since the Red Sox signed him?

[Old Red]

We're not a bad team, just a mediocre one.

 

Like to give the broom, and like to get the broom so far this year, which adds up to a mediocre team.

[mvp 78]

Has there actually been a Mondesi sighting since the Red Sox signed him?

 

He's in Fort Myers. The last update was about 10 days ago.

 

When the Red Sox acquired Adalberto Mondesi from Kansas City this past offseason, they understood he might not be ready for Opening Day. The electric shortstop was just about a year removed from suffering a torn ACL in his left knee, but the hope was before long his speed and explosiveness could become a game-breaking asset.

 

Recovering that explosiveness, however, has proven a much slower process than expected.

 

Though Mondesi has not experienced any setbacks and his surgically repaired knee is still structurally sound, he is not close to a return and isn’t expected to begin a rehab assignment in the near future.

 

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said that while Mondesi is making progress, it has often come with fits and starts.

 

“There are going to be good days and bad days, we’ve got to make sure when the bad days happen it’s ‘hey you’re fine structurally, you’re good,’ ” Cora said. “It’s just part of the process so be patient and we’ll keep moving on.”

 

Acquired from Kansas City in exchange for left-hander Josh Taylor this past offseason, the Red Sox made a bet that Mondesi could give the club the type of dynamic athleticism its rarely had in recent years.

 

The problem has always been durability. Throughout his career Mondesi has frequently battled injury and has only topped 100 games in a season once in 2019. The following year he also played 59 of 60 games during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, but the two years since have been rife with setbacks, the most significant being the season-ending knee injury he suffered April 28 last year while breaking for second on a stolen base attempt.

 

Given that history and the level of stress his style of play puts on his body, coming back from the torn ACL has been particularly challenging.

 

“Right now he is explosive but not at the level he’s used to. Maybe that’s what’s holding him back,” Cora said. “He was here, MRIs and all that stuff, structure is great, progressing well. Now just keep pushing, pushing, pushing and we’ll see where it takes us.”

 

Mondesi is technically eligible to come off the 60-day injured list on May 29, but at the rate things are going it’s unlikely he’ll be activated anytime soon.

[moonslav59]

We're not a bad team, just a mediocre one.

 

Along with 20 others.

[moonslav59]

He's in Fort Myers. The last update was about 10 days ago.

 

When the Red Sox acquired Adalberto Mondesi from Kansas City this past offseason, they understood he might not be ready for Opening Day. The electric shortstop was just about a year removed from suffering a torn ACL in his left knee, but the hope was before long his speed and explosiveness could become a game-breaking asset.

 

Recovering that explosiveness, however, has proven a much slower process than expected.

 

Though Mondesi has not experienced any setbacks and his surgically repaired knee is still structurally sound, he is not close to a return and isn’t expected to begin a rehab assignment in the near future.

 

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said that while Mondesi is making progress, it has often come with fits and starts.

 

“There are going to be good days and bad days, we’ve got to make sure when the bad days happen it’s ‘hey you’re fine structurally, you’re good,’ ” Cora said. “It’s just part of the process so be patient and we’ll keep moving on.”

 

Acquired from Kansas City in exchange for left-hander Josh Taylor this past offseason, the Red Sox made a bet that Mondesi could give the club the type of dynamic athleticism its rarely had in recent years.

 

The problem has always been durability. Throughout his career Mondesi has frequently battled injury and has only topped 100 games in a season once in 2019. The following year he also played 59 of 60 games during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, but the two years since have been rife with setbacks, the most significant being the season-ending knee injury he suffered April 28 last year while breaking for second on a stolen base attempt.

 

Given that history and the level of stress his style of play puts on his body, coming back from the torn ACL has been particularly challenging.

 

“Right now he is explosive but not at the level he’s used to. Maybe that’s what’s holding him back,” Cora said. “He was here, MRIs and all that stuff, structure is great, progressing well. Now just keep pushing, pushing, pushing and we’ll see where it takes us.”

 

Mondesi is technically eligible to come off the 60-day injured list on May 29, but at the rate things are going it’s unlikely he’ll be activated anytime soon.

 

No "setbacks" but "good days and bad days."

 

An enigma wrapped in a mystery.

 

I guess we should not count on anything from him.

[mvp 78]

No "setbacks" but "good days and bad days."

 

An enigma wrapped in a mystery.

 

I guess we should not count on anything from him.

 

I'll just TROLL a little and follow up with what a different article said about the quote from Cora:

 

Cora was asked if it’s a matter of pain tolerance.

“I believe so,” Cora replied. “What feels right. He’s so explosive. Right now, he is explosive but not at the level he used to (be). Maybe that’s where it’s kind of like holding him back. But he was here. MRIs and all that stuff. Structure great. (He’s) progressing well. Now it’s kind of like, just keep pushing, pushing, pushing and see where it takes.”

[mvp 78]

Duran needs to be given a true chance.

 

@tylermilliken_

Jarren Duran is 100th percentile in Outfield Jump this season.

 

He has sucked on defense for years. Where has this guy been? Crazy world.

[moonslav59]

I'll just TROLL a little and follow up with what a different article said about the quote from Cora:

 

Cora was asked if it’s a matter of pain tolerance.

“I believe so,” Cora replied. “What feels right. He’s so explosive. Right now, he is explosive but not at the level he used to (be). Maybe that’s where it’s kind of like holding him back. But he was here. MRIs and all that stuff. Structure great. (He’s) progressing well. Now it’s kind of like, just keep pushing, pushing, pushing and see where it takes.”

 

Obviously, you don't know what "troll" means, but that's not surprising.

[Nick]

@tylermilliken_

Jarren Duran is 100th percentile in Outfield Jump this season.

 

He has sucked on defense for years. Where has this guy been? Crazy world.

 

Wouldn't it be funny if Cora is actually playing Duran for his defensive prowess and not his bat?

[moonslav59]

Wouldn't it be funny if Cora is actually playing Duran for his defensive prowess and not his bat?

 

This Duran is an imposter. I'm convinced.

[Bellhorn04]

Obviously, you don't know what "troll" means, but that's not surprising.

 

You two should not be fighting.

[moonslav59]

You two should not be fighting.

 

You are right. I need to ignore trolling.

 

I'll try harder.

[Bellhorn04]

You are right. I need to ignore trolling.

 

I'll try harder.

 

You've been getting into fights with more than one poster. This one pains me because you and mvp are both long-time correspondents here and I like you both. mvp isn't even serious with a lot of stuff he says here, he's just having fun. So make up, please, for Christ's sake.

[Dipre]

Bellhorn04, talksox diplomat.

[moonslav59]

You've been getting into fights with more than one poster. This one pains me because you and mvp are both long-time correspondents here and I like you both. mvp isn't even serious with a lot of stuff he says here, he's just having fun. So make up, please, for Christ's sake.

 

The things I responded to were serious, except maybe the part where he asked me to stop posting forever. I put Red on ignore and have avoided any response to him for maybe close to 2 weeks, despite MVP egging us on. Maybe, I should just ignore him, too, but that's half the posts on this site, and he does provide a lot of great stuff.

 

I said I'll honestly try harder to ignore the trolling and misrepresentations, like calling a question a statement. That will have to do from my end.

 

I'll take some of the blame for how things get more prickly around here when our team is losing. I apologize for that. I will sincerely try harder - not just with Red.

 

Edited May 25, 2023 by moonslav59

[moonslav59]

Many of our players have taken a hit on their OPS the last week or two, but we still have 10 guys at .700 or above and all our major players, except Kike over .666.

 

I think posters would have been shocked, back in March, had they been told our top OPS guys were...

 

1. Duvall

2. Yoshida

3. Duran

4. Dugo

 

6. Valdez

7. Refsnyder

 

9. Wong

10. Reyes

11. Tapia

 

(Devers is 5th and Turner is 8th. McGuire, Casas, Arroyo and Kike are all below 11th.)

 

Maybe equally surprising would be to see our ERA leaders among all 16 pitchers with 12+ IP:

 

1. Martin

2. Schreiber

3. Winckowski

4. Crawford

5. Bernardino

 

7. Bello

 

9. Sale

10. Paxton

 

(Jansen is 6th and Houck 8th.)

[Nick]

We do have some easy games coming up.

 

But

 

As of yesterday, Tampa has played the most divisional games at 21, they are +5 against the rest of AL East.

 

21 Tampa 13-8 +5

17 Baltimore 10-7 +3

19 New York 10-9 +1

14 Boston 7-7 E

21 Toronto 6-15 -9

 

As you can see Blue Jays have taken a beating so far in AL East. But they are still 26-25, going 20-5 against non AL East teams.

 

Boston still has 38 games within the division.

 

The good news is that we are beginning to get healthy. Our rotation is pretty well set. Good or bad, baseball operations people have the five they want going forward.

 

It would be nice if we're at full strength when we start playing our division rivals.

 

I believe this team is stronger with Story at short and Duvall in the lineup full time, I don't care what position he's playing.

 

I'd still want to see couple of additions in the pen at the All Star break. (see what we can get for Kluber and Pivetta).

Edited May 25, 2023 by Nick

[Nick]

Pivetta

 

He has been sub par since last June. We did get some quality innings out of him when you look at what little we gave up to acquire him.

 

But what more can be done to take him up another notch? Where is his ceiling? Where is it compared not only to Bello, Houck and Whitlock, but to Kutter and Winckowski?

 

I think I prefer the latter two over rehabilitating Pivetta.

 

He's got year and a half of team control. Trade him in July. Surely he has some value to a team such as Oakland or Reds if we pay his salary for the remainder of 2023. (although I doubt they would pay him for 2024)

 

If a starter or two goes down at this point, the season is over anyway. All of our chips are in play (healthy ones anyway). This team will not get better by starting a Pivetta.

Edited May 25, 2023 by Nick

[Nick]

Posting on another thread, I agree with Red about Kike. It's my hope that we move away from Kike and his $10M contract in 2024.

 

Thinking like a CPA, this is one bean counter's recommendation.

 

We have to come up with $12M or so to take care of Dever's new contract. The tax limit increases by $4M. Matt Barnes dead money of $5.6M also goes away. I'll just add Mondesi's $3M to the pot. Hey Bloom, that takes care of Dever's money.

 

I'll lump together Kluber's $10M, Kike's $10M and Pivetta's $5.3M, total of $25.3M and go buy me an ace.

 

We still are left with Duvall's $7.

 

I would WAIT until the season is over to decide on Verdugo. I still need to see where he ends up production wise.

 

I believe the time to extend players are before the start of 3rd full season. Something similar to what we did with Whitlock. Verdugo is in his fifth year. I would simply pay him market value next year. I think it's too late to extend him and get a favorable contract. It maybe too expensive at this point and the Sox take all the RISK with any type of extension.

 

Bloom, please work on extending Houck and Bello.

Edited May 26, 2023 by Nick

[moonslav59]

We do have some easy games coming up.

 

But

 

As of yesterday, Tampa has played the most divisional games at 21, they are +5 against the rest of AL East.

 

21 Tampa 13-8 +5

17 Baltimore 10-7 +3

19 New York 10-9 +1

14 Boston 7-7 E

21 Toronto 6-15 -9

 

As you can see Blue Jays have taken a beating so far in AL East. But they are still 26-25, going 20-5 against non AL East teams.

 

Boston still has 38 games within the division.

 

The good news is that we are beginning to get healthy. Our rotation is pretty well set. Good or bad, baseball operations people have the five they want going forward.

 

It would be nice if we're at full strength when we start playing our division rivals.

 

I believe this team is stronger with Story at short and Duvall in the lineup full time, I don't care what position he's playing.

 

I'd still want to see couple of additions in the pen at the All Star break. (see what we can get for Kluber and Pivetta).

 

We play 25 of those 38 games vs the ALE after the trade deadline, and one would hope also after we have Story and Duvall back (maybe even Mondesi.) We also have 7 games vs HOU and 3 w TEX after the deadline (AUG 1.)

[moonslav59]

Posting on another thread, I agree with Red about Kike. It's my hope that we move away from Kike and his $10M contract in 2024.

 

Thinking like a CPA, this is one bean counter's recommendation.

 

We have to come up with $12M or so to take care of Dever's new contract. The tax limit increases by $4M. Matt Barnes dead money of $5.6M also goes away. I'll just add Mondesi's $3M to the pot. Hey Bloom, that takes care of Dever's money.

 

I'll lump together Kluber's $10M, Kike's $10M and Pivetta's $5.3M, total of $25.3M and go buy me an ace.

 

We still are left with Duvall's $7.

 

I would WAIT until the season is over to decide on Verdugo. I still need to see where he ends up production wise.

 

I believe the time to extend players are before the start of 3rd full season. Something similar to what we did with Whitlock. Verdugo is in his fifth year. I would simply pay him market value next year. I think it's too late to extend him and get a favorable contract. It maybe too expensive at this point and the Sox take all the RISK with any type of extension.

 

Bloom, please work on extending Houck and Bello.

 

I doubt Kike would cost $10M to keep around beyond 2023, but I agree. He should not come back.

 

There will be other arb raises and Turner has a player option ($13.4M with $6.7M buyout.)

 

My guess is we pay Bleier $250K and refuse his $3.75M option.

 

cots has us at $81M under, next year with no...

10 Kike

10 Kluber (we say no to option with no buyout)

7 Duvall

4 Paxton

 

The arbs are not counted

3 of 3 Dugo, Pivetta, Arroyo, Refsnyder

2 of 3 McGuire, Chang

1 of 3 Schreiber, Dalbec

 

We should have plenty to spend on the rotation, especially if we backfill the loss of Duvall & Kike from within the system.

 

Here is the non pitcher roster for 2024 with no additions:

 

C: Wong & McGuire

1B: Casas & Dalbec ?

2B: Valdez & Reyes/Arroyo ? (Hamilton/Yorke)

SS: Story & Chang ? (Mayer)

3B: Devers

LF: Yoshida & Refsynder

CF: Duran (Rafaela)

RF: Verdugo (Abreu)

DH: Turner (option) or Valdez/Ref

 

[moonslav59]

We gained a half game on NYY and TOR and lost a half to TBR & BAL.

 

I'm still thinking it will be easier to pass BAL than NYY, but maybe not.

 

Maybe we can't pass either one.

[moonslav59]

Here is the non pitcher roster for 2024 with no additions:

 

C: Wong & McGuire

1B: Casas & Dalbec ?

2B: Valdez & Reyes/Arroyo ? (Hamilton/Yorke)

SS: Story & Chang ? (Mayer)

3B: Devers

LF: Yoshida & Refsynder

CF: Duran (Rafaela)

RF: Verdugo (Abreu)

DH: Turner (option) or Valdez/Ref

 

If we spent everything on the rotation and maybe bringing Turner back, is this line-up enough?

1. Verdugo

2. Yoshida

3. Story

4. Devers

5. Turner

6. Casas

7. Duran/Refsnyder

8. Valdez/Arroyo

9. Wong/McGuire