A Realistic View of 2023: Part II

[Bellhorn04]

We'd be sitting in a WC slot, right now, had we somehow managed to keep Bogey and still add everyone, else (except Kluber & Mondesi.)

 

Those 36 RBI really jump out at me, and I'm not usually one to harp on that stat.

 

Since the start of 2021:

 

189 rbi in 1662 PAs (394 games)

78 per 162 games

about 75 per 650 PAs

 

 

The peculiar thing is that in 2022 he hit .909 with RISP and .889 with men on base. This year's numbers are much weaker at .705 and .747, though still not drastically below his overall numbers.

[Bellhorn04]

It might turn out Strahm was the "one that got away."

 

"The main thing is we got Kluber", he said bitterly.

[moonslav59]

The peculiar thing is that in 2022 he hit .909 with RISP and .889 with men on base. This year's numbers are much weaker at .705 and .747, though still not drastically below his overall numbers.

 

Less homers and xbhs..

 

SLG w RISP

.474 in 21 (165 PA)

.543 in 22 (180 PA)

.388 in 23 (120)

 

It was .698 in '18 (183 PAs) and .568 in 19 (191 PAs)- not a whole lot more PAs.

 

His overall SLG:

.455 from '21-'23

.540 from '18-'19

 

He used to do better w RISP, but now he is not.

[moonslav59]

"The main thing is we got Kluber", he said bitterly.

 

LOL.

 

That still remains the thing many think about most, though (along with the SS choices.)

 

Big winter deals:

Yoshida- hit

Turner- hit

Duvall- mostly a hit

Jansen- hit

Martin- hit

Kluber- miss

 

Bloom hit .833 and he's still a bum, because of Kluber and Mondesi.

 

[Old Red]

LOL.

 

That still remains the thing many think about most, though (along with the SS choices.)

 

Big winter deals:

Yoshida- hit

Turner- hit

Duvall- mostly a hit

Jansen- hit

Martin- hit

Kluber- miss

 

Bloom hit .833 and he's still a bum, because of Kluber and Mondesi.

 

 

He’d be a bum, because he didn’t fix the SS position before the season even started. What a BIG BIG mistake that was. Just like last year with the 1B situation, which was also a BIG BIG mistake.

[mvp 78]

He’d be a bum, because he didn’t fix the SS position before the season even started. What a BIG BIG mistake that was. Just like last year with the 1B situation, which was also a BIG BIG mistake.

 

The bigger problem is SP, not SS. If Chang didn't get hurt, the could have suffered through him hitting 150 for the year and have been fine. The issue was having too many oft injured and/or older pitchers lined up to be in the rotation. Figuring out how to fix the rotation going forward needs to be his biggest priority. The offense was fine. The defense will be fine once Mayer is at SS and Rafaela is in CF.

[mvp 78]

We'd be sitting in a WC slot, right now, had we somehow managed to keep Bogey and still add everyone, else (except Kluber & Mondesi.)

 

That's if his defense didn't decline in the harsher weather in BOS. Most of his value has come from his defense this year.

[Old Red]

The bigger problem is SP, not SS. If Chang didn't get hurt, the could have suffered through him hitting 150 for the year and have been fine. The issue was having too many oft injured and/or older pitchers lined up to be in the rotation. Figuring out how to fix the rotation going forward needs to be his biggest priority. The offense was fine. The defense will be fine once Mayer is at SS and Rafaela is in CF.

 

I agree that SP is, and always has been the biggest problem. I was just saying that going with Kike as your everyday SS to start the season was not a sound plan. Chang had solidified the D at SS before they got hurt, so yes they would have been fine there if he hadn’t gotten hurt.

[moonslav59]

He’d be a bum, because he didn’t fix the SS position before the season even started. What a BIG BIG mistake that was. Just like last year with the 1B situation, which was also a BIG BIG mistake.

 

thanks for proving my point. Nothing less than 100% is what is needed to not be a bum to some posters.

[mvp 78]

I agree that SP is, and always has been the biggest problem. I was just saying that going with Kike as your everyday SS to start the season was not a sound plan. Chang had solidified the D at SS before they got hurt, so yes they would have been fine there if he hadn’t gotten hurt.

 

The fallback option everyone wanted (Elvis Andrus) hasn't really worked out in CHI either. They weren't going to shell out for Dansby Swanson because of their farm, so they figured they'd just piecemeal it together. Obviously, they should have at least shopped at Target rather than the Dollar Tree for their SS options.

 

Jon Berti was potentially available last offseason, but Sox never struck a deal with the Marlins. He's got a lot of speed, can field a bunch of positions well and as been a positive fWAR guy since coming into the league.

[Dipre]

I agree that SP is, and always has been the biggest problem. I was just saying that going with Kike as your everyday SS to start the season was not a sound plan. Chang had solidified the D at SS before they got hurt, so yes they would have been fine there if he hadn’t gotten hurt.

 

Since when was Kike the plan to start the season as the everyday SS? They had Story penciled in, he got injured, they got Chang as a backup, and he also got injured, as you say. At least stick to the facts.

[moonslav59]

Chang had solidified the D at SS before they got hurt, so yes they would have been fine there if he hadn’t gotten hurt.

 

Bloom is a bum for not planning 3 deep at SS for April. Got it.

 

For all the gaping holes on the team, last winter, he's a bum for not planning on Chang getting hurt. Got it.

 

No doubt, many here, including myself had hopes we'd add at least Andrus. Bloom did gamble on letting the SS position "take care of itself," and he lost. He also gambled on leaving the 1st base poistion "take care of itself," the position you call his biggest blunder, last year. (I guess he should have planned for the June 2022 Casas injury, too.)

 

The plan was flawed but not an obvious blunder.

 

Kike and Chang until Mondesi was ready in May- maybe June.

 

Mondesi, Kike & Chang until Story was ready in Auguts.

 

Bloom chose to address the pen, DH and OF positions over SS, 1B, C and rotation.

 

No doubt, he should have expected rotation injuries, but the Pivetta and Kluber meltdowns were a bit unforeseen. Houck's face fracture was not expected.

 

All in all, IMO, Bloom did a good job with most of his choices. He gambled on SP, SS, 1B, C and to some extent the OF, and missed on 2.

[Bellhorn04]

LOL.

 

That still remains the thing many think about most, though (along with the SS choices.)

 

Big winter deals:

Yoshida- hit

Turner- hit

Duvall- mostly a hit

Jansen- hit

Martin- hit

Kluber- miss

 

Bloom hit .833 and he's still a bum, because of Kluber and Mondesi.

 

 

I think we have to include bringing back Kike for $10 mill.

[mvp 78]

Since when was Kike the plan to start the season as the everyday SS? They had Story penciled in, he got injured, they got Chang as a backup, and he also got injured, as you say. At least stick to the facts.

 

Kiké was the plan LONG before they reacquired Chang (mid Feb). Alex said that Kiké was going to be the primary SS prior to Spring Training.

[Old Red]

Since when was Kike the plan to start the season as the everyday SS? They had Story penciled in, he got injured, they got Chang as a backup, and he also got injured, as you say. At least stick to the facts.

 

Since early Jan when Story had surgery. That is a fact.

[moonslav59]

I think we have to include bringing back Kike for $10 mill.

 

OK, and then I guess I should count McGuire and last summer's trades, too.

 

I listed just winter deals and mentioned the nondeals at SS as a factor.

[Bellhorn04]

OK, and then I guess I should count McGuire and last summer's trades, too.

 

I listed just winter deals and mentioned the nondeals at SS as a factor.

 

Don't you think re-signing Kike has to be included in his moves for 2023 even though it was done a little early? It had a significant impact on the payroll.

[Old Red]

Don't you think re-signing Kike has to be included in his moves for 2023 even though it was done a little early? It had a significant impact on the payroll.

 

And a significant impact on the field. Mostly bad.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Bloom hit .833 and he's still a bum, because of Kluber and Mondesi.

 

 

A bit harsh, but the two guys you mention play -- or were supposed to play -- two of the most important positions on the diamond: starting pitcher and shortstop.

 

Bloom deserves the ire of fans and media because he has built extremely flawed big league rosters that have, for the most part, failed miserably in the standings. He has spent plenty of money on busts, and hasn't spent enough to secure some of his "priorities" -- which is what he called Bogaerts.

 

No, the Sox shouldn't have paid X what he got from SD, and yes, we all agree Boston -- where Bogie wanted to spend the rest of his career -- could've signed him for a fraction of that a year or two ago when Bloom chose instead to ink a strikeout king with a bad throwing arm. And I could care less what Bogaerts' WAR is this year, because anything is better than what we got instead from Story, who hasn't even got out of boot camp yet.

 

Bloom assembled the worst pitching staff in Red Sox history in '20, refused to pay for better relievers at the deadline in '21 (like Houston did, which was the true difference in going to the World Series), CBOed another cellar dweller last year, and is now in charge of a bad defensive club that starts openers every other day. Sure he finally addressed the back-end of the bullpen -- hey, he did his job! -- but come on, Jansen also has five losses (one less than the staff leaders).

[Bellhorn04]

The big and obvious question is, can we really deem Bloom's work for 2023 a success if the team misses the playoffs?

[Old Red]

The big and obvious question is, can we really deem Bloom's work for 2023 a success if the team misses the playoffs?

 

I think anything short of a postseason berth is an overall failure, but Bloom has done some good things to the roster this year.

Edited July 31, 2023 by Old Red

[Dipre]

I think anything short of a postseason birth is a overall failure, but Bloom has done some good things to the roster this year.

 

Do you mean giving birth to a postseason or giving birth during the postseason?

[notin]

The big and obvious question is, can we really deem Bloom's work for 2023 a success if the team misses the playoffs?

 

My participation is limited to watching the team. I have enjoyed them so far. Barring a horrific unwatchable collapse, I’m ok with his job this year…

[Old Red]

My participation is limited to watching the team. I have enjoyed them so far. Barring a horrific unwatchable collapse, I’m ok with his job this year…

 

I’ll repeat what Cora said the other day that what the Red Sox do, or don’t do in October is what’s most important. Some fans will be OK if the Red Sox finish with a winning record, but don’t make the playoffs, but i believe many fans won’t. I guess it depends on how high, or how low the bar is that you have set.

[notin]

I’ll repeat what Cora said the other day that what the Red Sox do, or don’t do in October is what’s most important. Some fans will be OK if the Red Sox finish with a winning record, but don’t make the playoffs, but i believe many fans won’t. I guess it depends on how high, or how low the bar is that you have set.

 

There will always be fans upset with the outcome. I still recall one poster on the other unmentionable forum ripping Epstein’s move all throughout the 2007 postseason…

[Bellhorn04]

There will always be fans upset with the outcome. I still recall one poster on the other unmentionable forum ripping Epstein’s move all throughout the 2007 postseason…

 

No wonder. Effing Gagne!

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

While a GM/CBO is judged by most for his big league clubs, I do like the development of Bloom's farm system -- which includes a lot more than just picking the best player available off a list of player rankings at the amateur draft.

 

I also once had high hopes for Lars Anderson, Brady Anderson, and a guy from Connecticut, before he was traded for Larry Anderson...

[Maxbialystock]

My participation is limited to watching the team. I have enjoyed them so far. Barring a horrific unwatchable collapse, I’m ok with his job this year…

 

Well said. This team has in fact been fun to watch. Did I get pissed at losing games 2 and 3 in San Francisco? Of course I did. But they were competitive, exciting games.

 

Plus--and I always say this--we know that John Henry has given Bloom some guidance on how much he can spend, especially on starters. DD and the 2019 collapse (after the tremendous 2018 season) poisoned that well.

[notin]

No wonder. Effing Gagne!

 

And to think we gave up Kason Gabbard, who gave Texas dozens of good IP after that deal.

 

I’m sure you recall whom I’m referring to; he kept referring to Epstein as “Guitar Boy”…

[Dipre]

While a GM/CBO is judged by most for his big league clubs, I do like the development of Bloom's farm system -- which includes a lot more than just picking the best player available off a list of player rankings at the amateur draft.

I also once had high hopes for Lars Anderson, Brady Anderson, and a guy from Connecticut, before he was traded for Larry Anderson...

 

We all know this, and it's a sound draft strategy. You don't have to annoyingly repeat it every chance you get. Spouting an incorrect notions a thousand times won't make it right.