A Realistic View of 2023: Part II

[Jasonbay44]

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.

 

 

His post telling you to stop posting was a joke because your post total was involving multiple 69’s. It was clearly a sarcastic joke. There is no need to continue this bickering, especially in multiple threads. Just drop it.

[Nick]

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

This is pretty much the current core group I have going forward...

 

Big question mark..

 

1 Casas...will his #'s improve? A premium offensive position. We continue to underperform.I want it to be Casas but...

 

2 Will Duran maintain his new found offense? Not as much pressure offensively as 1B but he can't be JBJ

 

3 A right handed power bat ....can use Turner at multiple positions

 

Need to sign an impact player somewhere.... Prefer a #1 to replace Paxton

 

I do expect us to blow past the tax limit in 2025 when I believe we will be closer to world series title chase.

Edited May 26, 2023 by Nick

[moonslav59]

His post telling you to stop posting was a joke because your post total was involving multiple 69’s. It was clearly a sarcastic joke. There is no need to continue this bickering, especially in multiple threads. Just drop it.

 

Yes, I mentioned that post was a joke and was moving on. Thanks for bringing it back up again.

[moonslav59]

This is pretty much the current core group I have going forward...

 

Big question mark..

 

1 Casas...will his #'s improve? A premium offensive position. We continue to underperform.I want it to be Casas but...

 

2 Will Duran maintain his new found offense? Not as much pressure offensively as 1B but he can't be JBJ

 

3 A right handed power bat ....can use Turner at multiple positions

 

Need to sign an impact player somewhere.... Prefer a #1 to replace Paxton

 

I do expect us to blow past the tax limit in 2025 when I believe we will be closer to world series title chase.

 

I did not think that line up was all that great, but it does have promise and multiple options at the more sketchy slots.

 

I realise we will need to add more to it, but I do think we can afford to focus a lot more on pitching.

[Old Red]

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.

 

 

Wow! How many times have we heard you will try harder when you get into it with someone. There is, and never have been enough cheese to go along with your constant whine. You are the perfect example of more is not better, and being already having the most words posted on here, and soon taking over being the all time post leader you have had more whiffs, and striking out, so at least you are good at that. Some people have the gift of gab, and you think you are the master of the keyboard, but what you have is a curse, and not a gift. Like I’ve said before you are like the Great Oz that when you pull the curtain back you are Nothing like you think you are, or appear to be. You think it is your duty on here to analyze every word of every sentence, and then comment on your analysis right, or wrong, and you are wrong more times than not. It all started with me early on for me when you said I Hated Cora just, because I said I wouldn’t have hired him back, because of his cheating scandal, and same it’s gone downhill ever since, and you’ve been wrong many times since too. Wash, rinse repeat, and Mr Wrong, MR Wrong they’re playing your song. I ll give you the same advice you gave me. Take your talent, or lack of to another team, and spread the hate, and discontent around the league. If you were right half the time as the Stork is you still wouldn’t be very good.

[Old Red]

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.

Take some aspirin! Wow!

[Hugh2]

This is pretty much the current core group I have going forward...

 

Big question mark..

 

1 Casas...will his #'s improve? A premium offensive position. We continue to underperform.I want it to be Casas but...

 

2 Will Duran maintain his new found offense? Not as much pressure offensively as 1B but he can't be JBJ

 

3 A right handed power bat ....can use Turner at multiple positions

 

Need to sign an impact player somewhere.... Prefer a #1 to replace Paxton

 

I do expect us to blow past the tax limit in 2025 when I believe we will be closer to world series title chase.

 

Casas hasn't been that bad lately. In the month of May, he is hitting. .250/.355/.442 That's a .797 OPS. He will also continue to just be 23 all year and conceivably is learning to adjust to MLB pitching. He should get better. Duran has cooled down substantially as well, but he still looks a shade better than he did during his first couple stints in Boston.

 

If Ohtani was a RHB, he'd be the perfect fit for this team next year. A Right-handed bat and an ACE. But there will be other options for pitchers such as Urias, Nola, Yamamoto, and Giolito will headline a pretty nice class of pitchers headed by Ohtani.

 

The position player side of things isn't exactly exciting, especially considering we would like a RHB. The best options for a RHB might be Teoscar Hernandez, and Matt CHapman, but we don't need a 3B or a corner outfielder right now, unless you consider trading Devers or Verdugo. The later seems more likely than the other but not likely.

 

I think the team will either have to trade for a RHB, is there a MLB team out there that is the right-handed hitting equivalent of Boston? or we will have to fill in the roster with a few platoon bats that can really mash LHP, like we have this year with Refsynyder. Of course, if Trevor Story can ever get healthy, he could end up being a big RHB in the lineup.

[Maxbialystock]

Wow! How many times have we heard you will try harder when you get into it with someone. There is, and never have been enough cheese to go along with your constant whine. You are the perfect example of more is not better, and being already having the most words posted on here, and soon taking over being the all time post leader you have had more whiffs, and striking out, so at least you are good at that. Some people have the gift of gab, and you think you are the master of the keyboard, but what you have is a curse, and not a gift. Like I’ve said before you are like the Great Oz that when you pull the curtain back you are Nothing like you think you are, or appear to be. You think it is your duty on here to analyze every word of every sentence, and then comment on your analysis right, or wrong, and you are wrong more times than not. It all started with me early on for me when you said I Hated Cora just, because I said I wouldn’t have hired him back, because of his cheating scandal, and same it’s gone downhill ever since, and you’ve been wrong many times since too. Wash, rinse repeat, and Mr Wrong, MR Wrong they’re playing your song. I ll give you the same advice you gave me. Take your talent, or lack of to another team, and spread the hate, and discontent around the league. If you were right half the time as the Stork is you still wouldn’t be very good.

 

Oh, come off it. moonslav's signature post is a ton of stats, which are invariably interesting and helpful. Other posters do the same, but not as often or as voluminous. I rarely think of moonslav as completely right or completely wrong because I think his real value is adding to the discussion, not ending it as you seem to suggest.

 

I also value MVP 78's contributions, especially when he disagrees with me.

 

Speaking of whom, if you want a volunteer who will admit he is regularly "full of sound and fury, signifying nothing," I'm your guy. Somebody asked where Worcester is and I provided a paragraph on Henry Knox.

Edited May 26, 2023 by Maxbialystock

[jad]

Wow! How many times have we heard you will try harder when you get into it with someone. There is, and never have been enough cheese to go along with your constant whine. You are the perfect example of more is not better, and being already having the most words posted on here, and soon taking over being the all time post leader you have had more whiffs, and striking out, so at least you are good at that. Some people have the gift of gab, and you think you are the master of the keyboard, but what you have is a curse, and not a gift. Like I’ve said before you are like the Great Oz that when you pull the curtain back you are Nothing like you think you are, or appear to be. You think it is your duty on here to analyze every word of every sentence, and then comment on your analysis right, or wrong, and you are wrong more times than not. It all started with me early on for me when you said I Hated Cora just, because I said I wouldn’t have hired him back, because of his cheating scandal, and same it’s gone downhill ever since, and you’ve been wrong many times since too. Wash, rinse repeat, and Mr Wrong, MR Wrong they’re playing your song. I ll give you the same advice you gave me. Take your talent, or lack of to another team, and spread the hate, and discontent around the league. If you were right half the time as the Stork is you still wouldn’t be very good.

 

Just stop.

[Maxbialystock]

Back to a Realistic View of 2023, Part II--

 

Boston, who I figured for a losing season, is still very much in the hunt for a wild card, even with the current 4 game losing streak driven mostly by a lack of hitting--4 runs scored in 4 games.

 

So tonight it's Sale vs Pfaadt, a 24 year old rookie with 4 starts, an ERA of 7.65--but who wasn't half bad his last two starts in which he gave up 1 run in 5 innings to the Giants and 3 runs in 5.1 innings to the Pirates. The Diamondbacks won both games.

 

In a 162 game season, it's folly to claim the 51st game is a big deal. On the other hand, Sale is our ace--in three May starts he's pitched 21 innings while giving up 6 ER's-- and the Sox do need a win. So we need that Sale tonight, plus a lineup that finally scores some runs, and a reliable bullpen.

[Old Red]

Oh, come off it. moonslav's signature post is a ton of stats, which are invariably interesting and helpful. Other posters do the same, but not as often or as voluminous. I rarely think of moonslav as completely right or completely wrong because I think his real value is adding to the discussion, not ending it as you seem to suggest.

 

I also value MVP 78's contributions, especially when he disagrees with me.

 

Speaking of whom, if you want a volunteer who will admit he is regularly "full of sound and fury, signifying nothing," I'm your guy. Somebody asked where Worcester is and I provided a paragraph on Henry Knox.

 

I agree his stats are second to none, but that where it starts, and ends.

[mvp 78]

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.

 

Reporting in from JUST south south west of Boston!

[Bellhorn04]

Take some aspirin! Wow!

 

Don't be a pill.

[sk7326]

Ohtani is dead simple to evaluate. He wants and is likely to get way more than he will be worth. I say worth in terms of wins and losses. He might be worth that contract in terms of boosting attendance, depending on where he ends up.

 

He'll get paid like a 6+ win player.

[Bellhorn04]

He'll get paid like a 6+ win player.

 

Will he get to the half billion mark, or even top it, seems to be the question.

[dannycater]

So this is my Realistic View of the Sox--they are unwatchable. I've been following Sox ball since I saw Yaz at Fenway in 1969. I've never seen a Sox team so lacking in so many areas, but worse with a variety of players who make me not want to watch the team. It's void of personality (unless you think Sale saying I suck 700x when he does suck is entertaining--except now he doesn't suck, and is actually pitching like the guy signed years ago). It lacks absolute star power--Devers being the only guy on the team that has it. And frankly the kids--well they are not very good--Casas, Duran, and then some of these whatever you want to call thems like Tapia, Refsnyder. The great catching tandem of Jacoby & Meyers (McGuire/Wong) is still what exactly? I guess you can get 2 guys anywhere to catch in MLB. No Wacha, no Eavoldi, no Bogie, no JD, no Hunter, no Vazquez. Verdugo? When is everyone going to just realize he is never going to bring the offensive firepower that the Sox used to have with so many leftfielders. Kike? Most overrated player out there--he is flashy though and can be a great defensive CF, but then he is supposed to be some great SS (he's not), or 2B (maybe he belongs there)...we have 80-year-old Justin Turner to replace JD....wonderful. I couldn't bring myself to go to any of the 3 games in Anaheim (closest to my home) and that's the first time (other than Pandemic season) that I did not attend a Sox game in person in my life....So my Realistic View of the Sox---Chaim Bloom needs to take some heat for this UNWATCHABLE Sox team--makes me yearn for the boring Tom Brunansky Sox--who actually was a winning team. I was at Game 5, 2018--one of the great moments to watch Betts, Bogie, Beni, JBJR, et al dominate the Dodgers...now I have to reminded of the Dodgers old-timers as the team was systematically dismantled. Some guys jettisoned for nothing and s***** prospects. This isn't a money cap league. You have an organization making a bloody fortune and they lost their way--they don't care about the fans. Bloom is the worst GM in Sox history, one bad move after another bad move. That is all. I used to like chatting about the Sox, it was fun....this 2023 product...not fun, 2022 was bad, but had some character left, the 2021 team was fun.

[Dipre]

This is pretty much the current core group I have going forward...

 

Big question mark..

 

1 Casas...will his #'s improve? A premium offensive position. We continue to underperform.I want it to be Casas but...

 

2 Will Duran maintain his new found offense? Not as much pressure offensively as 1B but he can't be JBJ

 

3 A right handed power bat ....can use Turner at multiple positions

 

Need to sign an impact player somewhere.... Prefer a #1 to replace Paxton

 

I do expect us to blow past the tax limit in 2025 when I believe we will be closer to world series title chase.

 

1) Casas will be fine. His issue is mostly an approach issue. Hitters with his blend of patience and power almost always take time to adjust to the quality of major league stuff, and what pitches they can take and what pitches they can drive at the ML level. His passivity can only be remedied with PA's. He's in the top 4% of the league in BB%, and he's 68th in MLB in average exit velocity , 78th in barrels, and 50th in barrels per plate appearance. Dude has patience, hits the ball hard consistently, and with good angle. He will rake.

 

2) Duran doesn't need to be a great hitter to be an important contributor to the team, but he has a good batted ball profile, and has shown elite defense and sprint speed.

 

3) This lineup should lean a little more RH considering the stadium they play at.

 

4) I don't think Paxton is the piece in this rotation that needs replacing.

[Dipre]

He'll get paid like a 6+ win player.

 

But he's technically two 6+ win players. There's the catch.

[Nick]

1) Casas will be fine. His issue is mostly an approach issue. Hitters with his blend of patience and power almost always take time to adjust to the quality of major league stuff, and what pitches they can take and what pitches they can drive at the ML level. His passivity can only be remedied with PA's. He's in the top 4% of the league in BB%, and he's 68th in MLB in average exit velocity , 78th in barrels, and 50th in barrels per plate appearance. Dude has patience, hits the ball hard consistently, and with good angle. He will rake.

 

2) Duran doesn't need to be a great hitter to be an important contributor to the team, but he has a good batted ball profile, and has shown elite defense and sprint speed.

 

3) This lineup should lean a little more RH considering the stadium they play at.

 

4) I don't think Paxton is the piece in this rotation that needs replacing.

 

I'm not talking about 2023. You do know that Paxton is a free agent after this year? He will need to be replaced. Has nothing to do with his performance. I like him.

[Nick]

Future Second baseman is back on track it seems.

Yorke’s homer was his sixth. The 21-year-old is batting .269 with a .395 on-base percentage, .478 slugging percentage, .873 OPS, six homers, six doubles, two triples, 33 runs, 17 RBIs, 26 walks and 38 strikeouts in 35 games.

[Nick]

Marcelo Mayer records two more hits

 

Red Sox top prospect Marcelo Mayer stayed hot in Greenville’s win. He went 2-for-5 with one double, three RBIs and one walk.

 

The 20-year-old left-handed hitting shortstop is batting .299 with a .370 on-base percentage, .547 slugging percentage, .917 OPS, seven homers, 11 doubles, one triple, 23 runs, 32 RBIs, 15 walks and 36 strikeouts in 33 games.

 

I'd like to see him move up to AA before the year is out....

[mvp 78]

Marcelo Mayer records two more hits

 

Red Sox top prospect Marcelo Mayer stayed hot in Greenville’s win. He went 2-for-5 with one double, three RBIs and one walk.

 

The 20-year-old left-handed hitting shortstop is batting .299 with a .370 on-base percentage, .547 slugging percentage, .917 OPS, seven homers, 11 doubles, one triple, 23 runs, 32 RBIs, 15 walks and 36 strikeouts in 33 games.

 

I'd like to see him move up to AA before the year is out....

 

He'll be promoted Late June/Early July most likely.

[Dipre]

I'm not talking about 2023. You do know that Paxton is a free agent after this year? He will need to be replaced. Has nothing to do with his performance. I like him.

 

I know you're not talking about 2023. But they could easily re-sign him if he 's healthy.

[mvp 78]

@PeteAbe

Christian Arroyo is batting second and DH'ing for Worcester tonight. First game of his rehab assignment.

[vegasbob]

Will he get to the half billion mark, or even top it, seems to be the question.

 

I would think he'll get the $500MM+/10 yr offers from 5 teams (Mets, Padres, Dodgers, Yankees, Giants) . Ohtani will stay on the west coast, but Angels won't be competitive bidders. The Red Sox FO will pay it lip service but won't be serious contenders.

[vegasbob]

@PeteAbe

Christian Arroyo is batting second and DH'ing for Worcester tonight. First game of his rehab assignment.

 

If it was possible to be more excited about a news item, I would have to lie down to stop the heart from leaping from my chest. I'm happy Arroyo is healthy enough to play and will only be happier when he moves on to another team .

[vegasbob]

He'll be promoted Late June/Early July most likely.

 

Who will make it to SS in Fenway for the Sox first, Mayer or Mondesi, lol

Edited May 26, 2023 by vegasbob

[vegasbob]

So this is my Realistic View of the Sox--they are unwatchable. I've been following Sox ball since I saw Yaz at Fenway in 1969. I've never seen a Sox team so lacking in so many areas, but worse with a variety of players who make me not want to watch the team. It's void of personality (unless you think Sale saying I suck 700x when he does suck is entertaining--except now he doesn't suck, and is actually pitching like the guy signed years ago). It lacks absolute star power--Devers being the only guy on the team that has it. And frankly the kids--well they are not very good--Casas, Duran, and then some of these whatever you want to call thems like Tapia, Refsnyder. The great catching tandem of Jacoby & Meyers (McGuire/Wong) is still what exactly? I guess you can get 2 guys anywhere to catch in MLB. No Wacha, no Eavoldi, no Bogie, no JD, no Hunter, no Vazquez. Verdugo? When is everyone going to just realize he is never going to bring the offensive firepower that the Sox used to have with so many leftfielders. Kike? Most overrated player out there--he is flashy though and can be a great defensive CF, but then he is supposed to be some great SS (he's not), or 2B (maybe he belongs there)...we have 80-year-old Justin Turner to replace JD....wonderful. I couldn't bring myself to go to any of the 3 games in Anaheim (closest to my home) and that's the first time (other than Pandemic season) that I did not attend a Sox game in person in my life....So my Realistic View of the Sox---Chaim Bloom needs to take some heat for this UNWATCHABLE Sox team--makes me yearn for the boring Tom Brunansky Sox--who actually was a winning team. I was at Game 5, 2018--one of the great moments to watch Betts, Bogie, Beni, JBJR, et al dominate the Dodgers...now I have to reminded of the Dodgers old-timers as the team was systematically dismantled. Some guys jettisoned for nothing and s***** prospects. This isn't a money cap league. You have an organization making a bloody fortune and they lost their way--they don't care about the fans. Bloom is the worst GM in Sox history, one bad move after another bad move. That is all. I used to like chatting about the Sox, it was fun....this 2023 product...not fun, 2022 was bad, but had some character left, the 2021 team was fun.

 

Danny, I did go to the 3 games in Anaheim and , in fact, they were unwatchable at bat in that series.

[vegasbob]

1) Casas will be fine. His issue is mostly an approach issue. Hitters with his blend of patience and power almost always take time to adjust to the quality of major league stuff, and what pitches they can take and what pitches they can drive at the ML level. His passivity can only be remedied with PA's. He's in the top 4% of the league in BB%, and he's 68th in MLB in average exit velocity , 78th in barrels, and 50th in barrels per plate appearance. Dude has patience, hits the ball hard consistently, and with good angle. He will rake.

 

2) Duran doesn't need to be a great hitter to be an important contributor to the team, but he has a good batted ball profile, and has shown elite defense and sprint speed.

 

3) This lineup should lean a little more RH considering the stadium they play at.

 

4) I don't think Paxton is the piece in this rotation that needs replacing.

 

I don't much doubt that Casas can only improve. His top 4% walk ratio is belied by the fact that his .312 OBP is below MLB average of.320 . He appears to have good plate discipline and patience but the reality is he doesn't swing or make hard contact often enough at this stage of his career. Too many called 3rd strikes, and foul balls, just missing some center cuts. Not saying he can't play, just that he needs more development , as Duran did ( or may still ), Dugo and now Wong . The question is how many development projects can you carry at the MLB level simultaneously and win ? Or do they become, with Devers, the core of a team that wins consistently for the next 5 years.

 

The real concern is that Casas doesn't join the list of Red Sox prospect flameouts , the most recent of which remains Dalbec, but the list is significant over the past 10 years.

[moonslav59]

If it was possible to be more excited about a news item, I would have to lie down to stop the heart from leaping from my chest. I'm happy Arroyo is healthy enough to play and will only be happier when he moves on to another team .

 

The thrill of who wins the short end platoon role with EValdez does not excite you?

 

LOL.