A Realistic View of 2023: Part II

[Bellhorn04]

Doesn't Bloom get credit for "not trading" them away???

 

Absolutely. I have no problem spreading credit around.

 

I think the Sox have done a great job showing patience and faith with these guys. They've done the same with Dalbec, too, he just hasn't really been able to capitalize.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Absolutely. I have no problem spreading credit around.

 

I think the Sox have done a great job showing patience and faith with these guys. They've done the same with Dalbec, too, he just hasn't really been able to capitalize.

 

Whoever fixed Duran should be promoted or given a big raise. If it was his father, then that guy should be signed to a longterm contract, before Tampa recruits him.

[moonslav59]

Absolutely. I have no problem spreading credit around.

 

I think the Sox have done a great job showing patience and faith with these guys. They've done the same with Dalbec, too, he just hasn't really been able to capitalize.

 

He did take advantage of that patience for one long stretch, at the end of 2021, but then... POOF!

[moonslav59]

Whoever fixed Duran should be promoted or given a big raise. If it was his father, then that guy should be signed to a longterm contract, before Tampa recruits him.

 

I was never as high on Duran as a few, here, but just about everyone felt like like he should never get another chance with the Sox or that he would never amount to more than just 4A depth.

 

Some kids are just late bloomers, or they just finally figure one big hurdle out.

[Old Red]

Whoever fixed Duran should be promoted or given a big raise. If it was his father, then that guy should be signed to a longterm contract, before Tampa recruits him.

 

Run Forest Run!

[jad]

You're a pricklish one LOL

 

I just don't like the sound of Story's surgery. Why not have the full TJ surgery? As any Breaking Bad fan knows, half-measures don't get it.

 

It can be done EXACTLY as I want it done.

[moonslav59]

Some winter close calls:

 

Jose Abreu (.525 OPS and 0 Hrs, 6 doubles in 151 PAs)

We signed Turner, instead (.767 with 3 HRs and 11 XBHs.)

 

Zach Eflin (4-1 2.91)

We signed Kluber, instead (2-4 6.29.)

 

Any others?

 

[moonslav59]

CBS MLB has this on Sox injuries and estimated return dates:

 

(Paxton starts tomorrow)

 

Joely Rodriguez May 12

Arroyo May 17

Whitlock May 19

Crawford May 19

W Mills May 30 (minor leaguer)

Mondesi June 1

Duvall June 9

Chang June 10

Story July 14

Kelly Sept. 8

 

[Bellhorn04]

Some winter close calls:

 

Jose Abreu (.525 OPS and 0 Hrs, 6 doubles in 151 PAs)

We signed Turner, instead (.767 with 3 HRs and 11 XBHs.)

 

Zach Eflin (4-1 2.91)

We signed Kluber, instead (2-4 6.29.)

 

Any others?

 

 

Nate?

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Some winter close calls:

 

Jose Abreu (.525 OPS and 0 Hrs, 6 doubles in 151 PAs)

We signed Turner, instead (.767 with 3 HRs and 11 XBHs.)

 

Zach Eflin (4-1 2.91)

We signed Kluber, instead (2-4 6.29.)

 

Any others?

 

 

Bogaerts: 1.2 WAR, 6 HRs, .808

We traded for Mondesi: bupkis

[oldtimer]

I was never as high on Duran as a few, here, but just about everyone felt like like he should never get another chance with the Sox or new year ahe would never amount to more than just 4A depth.

 

Some kids are just late bloomers, or they just finally figure one big hurdle out.

 

I really wanted to give Duran a chance when he was high on our prospect list, had the speed the team needed and was hitting well enough in the minors. Unfortunately, he really didn't hit in the majors and his defense was below replacement value. A new year and it looks like Duran has made significant adjustments with his hitting, his speed it still there so I am happy for him and hope he can keep helping the Sox. In this case, patience has paid off, at least to date.

[Bellhorn04]

Bogaerts: 1.2 WAR, 6 HRs, .808

We traded for Mondesi: bupkis

 

Yes, that's a valid one indeed.

[moonslav59]

Nate?

 

I don't think we were very seriously in on signing Nate- maybe Bogey, too.

[Bellhorn04]

I don't think we were very seriously in on signing Nate- maybe Bogey, too.

 

Well this isn't much fun then.

[Old Red]

I really wanted to give Duran a chance when he was high on our prospect list, had the speed the team needed and was hitting well enough in the minors. Unfortunately, he really didn't hit in the majors and his defense was below replacement value. A new year and it looks like Duran has made significant adjustments with his hitting, his speed it still there so I am happy for him and hope he can keep helping the Sox. In this case, patience has paid off, at least to date.

 

I’m still not completely sold on Duran yet. He does look like like a confident different player, and if he’s still producing at the AS break I’ll jump on board. Just not ready to do it quite yet. So far so good though, which has been good for the Sox, and good for him.

[Old Red]

Well this isn't much fun then.

 

I can’t believe WallMart greeter Sam Kennedy especially a local boy would be all spin, and grin.

[moonslav59]

Well this isn't much fun then.

 

There were rumors of other players, but I can't remember who they were.

 

Were we in on Senga?

[Hugh2]

There were rumors of other players, but I can't remember who they were.

 

Were we in on Senga?

 

They were in on him, but a lot of teams were. I really wanted Senga, but I hope they folded to go harder after Yamamoto, who might be better and is 6 years younger.

[moonslav59]

I’m still not completely sold on Duran yet. He does look like like a confident different player, and if he’s still producing at the AS break I’ll jump on board. Just not ready to do it quite yet. So far so good though, which has been good for the Sox, and good for him.

 

I'm not sold, at all. I love what I'm seeing, and you can't fake improved defense, but he has a ways to go to convince me this is for real.

 

Also, pitchers adjust, and players need to adjust to those adjustments. Can he do that?

 

We'll see.

 

[notin]

Absolutely. I have no problem spreading credit around.

 

I think the Sox have done a great job showing patience and faith with these guys. They've done the same with Dalbec, too, he just hasn't really been able to capitalize.

 

I think my issue with Dalbec is the Sox seem to be trying to turn him into Ryan Fitzgerald. Normally this wouldn’t be a questionable thing, but it is because we actually have Ryan Fitzgerald…

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

I think my issue with Dalbec is the Sox seem to be trying to turn him into Ryan Fitzgerald. Normally this wouldn’t be a questionable thing, but it is because we actually have Ryan Fitzgerald…

 

Fitzy does have the swag. But Bobby D. has "Soul Kitchen"...

[notin]

Fitzy does have the swag. But Bobby D. has "Soul Kitchen"...

 

Has he moved on from Purple Haze?

 

I will give Dalbec credit for having the best walk up songs in MLB…

[illinoisredsox]

Whoever fixed Duran should be promoted or given a big raise. If it was his father, then that guy should be signed to a longterm contract, before Tampa recruits him.

 

I've heard Pedroia worked with him quite a bit over the winter on his (Duran's) hand position.

[Nick]

I'm not sold, at all. I love what I'm seeing, and you can't fake improved defense, but he has a ways to go to convince me this is for real.

 

Also, pitchers adjust, and players need to adjust to those adjustments. Can he do that?

 

We'll see.

 

 

Obviously he has to do it over a longer period.

 

But, I love his hard contacts right now. He must be seen the ball better or something.

 

Cora had to move him to #5, similar spot as Duvall.

 

He has handled the pressure well so far....last night's single turned double was fun to watch.

 

PS I just wished someone can help Dalbec.....I just like him.

[moonslav59]

Obviously he has to do it over a longer period.

 

But, I love his hard contacts right now. He must be seen the ball better or something.

 

Cora had to move him to #5, similar spot as Duvall.

 

He has handled the pressure well so far....last night's single turned double was fun to watch.

 

What's not to love?

 

I do think he can continue, but many players, including Dalbec, have looked like very good hitters for longer stretches than this.

[Nick]

Intra Division Play - rest of May

 

We have chance to gain some grounds.

 

Sox (0)....NONE

Rays (8)....@Yankees (4), Jays (4)

Jays (11)....Yankees (4), Orioles (3), @ Rays (4)

Orioles (6).......@Jays (3), @Yankees(3)

Yankees (11).....Rays (4), @Jays (4), Orioles (3)

[Maxbialystock]

What's not to love?

 

I do think he can continue, but many players, including Dalbec, have looked like very good hitters for longer stretches than this.

 

You are definitely a swinger, by which I mean you swing from pessimist to optimist in the same paragraph or even sentence.

 

That said, I agree pitchers make adjustments, so hitters have to as well. Whatever the Braves did against Yoshida really did a number. He was 0 for 9 with 3 K's. In the six prior games (Philly and Toronto) he was 12 for 25 with 0 K's.

 

As for Duran, I'm just happy he's hitting. Clearly he made adjustments, maybe with Pedroia's help. So, if he needs to make further adjustments, chances are he can and and will.

[moonslav59]

You are definitely a swinger, by which I mean you swing from pessimist to optimist in the same paragraph or even sentence.

 

That said, I agree pitchers make adjustments, so hitters have to as well. Whatever the Braves did against Yoshida really did a number. He was 0 for 9 with 3 K's. In the six prior games (Philly and Toronto) he was 12 for 25 with 0 K's.

 

As for Duran, I'm just happy he's hitting. Clearly he made adjustments, maybe with Pedroia's help. So, if he needs to make further adjustments, chances are he can and and will.

 

I try not to come across as a contrarian, but I try not to get too excited about great things going on or real down, when things are looking bad.

 

On Duran, he made a major adjustment, so major that he's like a different player, and as such, other teams will look at the tapes, and try to find any possible new weakness. What got him out before doesn't work anymore. My point is, they will adjust. Duran may have to adjust to their adjustment to continue hitting well.

 

Maybe, they find no big weakness. Maybe they do, and he adjusts. I'm cautiously optimistic either of those two things will happen.

 

I brought up the Dalbec thing, because it looked like pitchers adjusted to his hot start in 2020, and he re-adjusted in 2021 to go on and hit well at the end of 2021. then, a re-readjustment might have happened, and he never found a way around that. It happens. (Who knows? Maybe Dalbec regains it.)

 

I would not bet against Duran going on to having a good season or even career.

 

I'll say it again, I'm more shocked by the apparent vast improvement on D. I didn't think D could be improved, so quickly. I thought it was more an instinct and god-given talent thingy.

 

To improve in both areas, so rapidly and enormously is a wonder of the world.

[moonslav59]

Intra Division Play - rest of May

 

We have chance to gain some grounds.

 

Sox (0)....NONE

Rays (8)....@Yankees (4), Jays (4)

Jays (11)....Yankees (4), Orioles (3), @ Rays (4)

Orioles (6).......@Jays (3), @Yankees(3)

Yankees (11).....Rays (4), @Jays (4), Orioles (3)

 

Nice graphic.

 

Every day these guys play, one will lose. No more nights where we win, but so does 3 or 4 other ALE teams.

 

The key is "winning." We need W's to gain or put some distance on these guys.

[Bellhorn04]

Nate?

 

Nate is en fuego.