A Realistic View of 2023: Part II

[Nick]

Can someone on Sox staff tell Casas to quit trying to be a 6-5 singles hitter?

 

His approach is similar to that of Reyes. So what if he strikes out little more?

 

Someone please remind him he's 6-5.

Edited June 20, 2023 by Nick

[mvp 78]

Can someone on Sox staff tell Casas to quit trying to be a 6-5 singles hitter?

 

His approach is similar to that of Reyes. So what if he strikes out little more?

 

Someone please remind him he's 6-5.

 

He has a better ISO than Devers/Bichette/Adolis Garcia since May 1.

[Nick]

He has a better ISO than Devers/Bichette/Adolis Garcia since May 1.

 

Yes he has done better. Last night he showed the type of hitter he can become.

 

I just want him to be more aggressive. His secondary goal appears to be showing up the ump on missed calls.

 

I want my 6-5 guy to drive in runs.

Edited June 20, 2023 by Nick

[Bellhorn04]

Yes he has done better. Last night he showed the type of hitter he can become.

 

I just want him to be more aggressive. His secondary goal appears to be showing up the ump on missed calls.

 

I want my 6-5 guy to drive in runs.

 

In his last 3 games he has 5 hits, 3 extra-base hits, 2 walks and 5 RBI. It just seems like an oddly-timed critique.

[Dipre]

That bomb last night was a big boy bomb on a big boy swing, as I said earlier

[moonslav59]

Like most younger players, he wasn't getting any help from the umps, and I think that messed with his head, early on.

 

He seems to be on track, now, but future adjustments will likely be needed, as well.

 

I have no problem with his hitting skills and outlook. The D kinda smacked me upside the head, but he should improve there, too.

 

I'm with Nick: it sure is fun watching these kids get a shot and play well.

 

Bello

Casas

Crawink turned it around.

EValdez & Duran and even Murphy.

 

Several of our "near ML ready" prospects, like Mata, Walter and Rafaela have struggled out of the gate, but others on the farm have taken some big strides forward, and Rafaela is heating back up.

 

Many of our top prospects are not expected to help, this year and some beyond 2024, but it's pretty well spread out on ETAs:

 

SP's estimates:

 

2023: EValdez, Mata and Murphy (listed as 2024)

2024: 1. Mayer, 3. Rafaela, 5. Drohan, 13. Walter, 14. Abreu

2025: 4. Yorke (listed late '24), 11. Paulino, 12. Wikelman, 16-17-18 Jordan, Bonaci & Hickey

2026: 2. Bleis, 6. Anthony, 7. Romero, 8. Perales, 15. E R-C

 

[moonslav59]

That bomb last night was a big boy bomb on a big boy swing, as I said earlier

 

Laser shot!

[moonslav59]

Just about everyone we care about won tonight. (TEX is tied w CWS, late.)

 

Only TBR lost.

 

The O's are just 2 down in the loss column (4 overall.)

 

We remain 1.5 from the last slot (NYY) with 2 teams between us and them.

 

[Maxbialystock]

Can someone on Sox staff tell Casas to quit trying to be a 6-5 singles hitter?

 

His approach is similar to that of Reyes. So what if he strikes out little more?

 

Someone please remind him he's 6-5.

 

He's tied for the team lead in K's and you want more K's? His OPS for April was .585, for May was .766, and for June so far is .894--and you want to fix his approach at the plate?

[moonslav59]

Revisiting the McGuire v Wong with the staff debate:

 

OPS Against Wong/McGuire

 

Houck .692 (263)/ N/A

CSale .633 (185)/ 1.061 (64)

Paxton .631 (130)/ .683 (26)

Pivetta .651 (125)/ .904 (124)

Whitlock .816 (117)/.663 (41)

B Bello .701 (115)/ .696 (142)

Winckowski .656 (110)/ .595 (62)

K Crawford .854 (89)/ .472 (78)

K Jansen .787 (73)/ .328 (31)

Kluber .699/(37)/.982 (206)

 

Some big differentials on who catches some guys, like...

 

Kluber is almost always w McGuire.

Wong is the only one who has caught Houck.

Sale 3:1 Wong

Paxton 5:1 Wong

Whitlock almost 3:1 Wong

Jansen 2:1 Wong

[moonslav59]

He's tied for the team lead in K's and you want more K's? His OPS for April was .585, for May was .766, and for June so far is .894--and you want to fix his approach at the plate?

 

Sine May 3rd:

 

.271 5 16

.371 OBP

.467 SLG

.838 OPS

 

20 BB/ 33 Ks in 143 PAs

 

Best Team OPS since May 3rd (70+ PAs)

.856 Turner

.838 Casas

.814 Yoshida

.792 Dugo

.777 Devers

.716 Duran

.712 Reyes

.672 Wong

.636 Kike

.606 EValdez

(Ref is at .928 but with just 66 PAs)

[Jasonbay44]

Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports David Hamilton will join the Red Sox ahead of Wednesday's game against the Twins.

Hamilton will link up with the Red Sox in Minnesota in case utility infielder Pablo Reyes winds up requiring a trip to the injured list due to right abdominal soreness. The 25-year-old speedster, who recorded 70 thefts last year at Double-A Portland, and already has 27 steals this season for Triple-A Worcester, might get a chance to make his big league debut this week.

 

- NBCSports

[moonslav59]

So, he's ready now, but wasn't a few weeks ago.

 

Hmmm...

[Nick]

In his last 3 games he has 5 hits, 3 extra-base hits, 2 walks and 5 RBI. It just seems like an oddly-timed critique.

My point being he is showing what he is capable of doing versus what he's been doing most of this season.

 

Sure I will give you that timing stinks. I try to watch every game and this has been a frustration for me.

Edited June 21, 2023 by Nick

[Nick]

He's tied for the team lead in K's and you want more K's? His OPS for April was .585, for May was .766, and for June so far is .894--and you want to fix his approach at the plate?

 

I think he can be a 35 HR 100 RBI guy for us.

 

They all have different mission on the team. I want him to hit more HR.

 

That's just me.

Edited June 21, 2023 by Nick

[Nick]

So, he's ready now, but wasn't a few weeks ago.

 

Hmmm...

 

I am assuming you are talking about Hamilton.

 

Its a great news. I want to see them all. This is the year to do it.

[mvp 78]

So, he's ready now, but wasn't a few weeks ago.

 

Hmmm...

 

They need a SS now, not a 2B? I guess that’s the reasoning.

[Hugh2]

He's tied for the team lead in K's and you want more K's? His OPS for April was .585, for May was .766, and for June so far is .894--and you want to fix his approach at the plate?

 

If anything Casas is the golden example (or starting to look like it at least) that you don't always mess with a guys approach, even if the results aren't there if the approach is sound. Casas is still just 23 and a rookie, he's still adjusting and getting better.

 

Sometimes guys just need time and NOT to be tinkered with.

[notin]

So, he's ready now, but wasn't a few weeks ago.

 

Hmmm...

 

 

It took an injury and Hamilton is currently the only SS on the 40 man roster..,

[Bellhorn04]

It took an injury and Hamilton is currently the only SS on the 40 man roster..,

 

moon is just like the guy in his avatar. Has to question everything, and in the end it drove him mad...

[mvp 78]

It took an injury and Hamilton is currently the only SS on the 40 man roster..,

 

It took Cora finally taking an errant Kiké throw off the dome to push him off SS.

[Nick]

If I'm Bloom's agent, this is what I would say to John Henry.

 

You told me to build a sustainable playoff team on an annual basis. That's exactly what I'm doing. As I told you it will require patience.

 

He was hired on 10/23/2019, after a very disappointing season. Season following perhaps the best Red Sox team of 2018 when they were the World Champs.

 

Unfortunately for Bloom, he did not draft the players in 2019 and because of COVID, the 2020 draft was only five rounds. To complicate matters, no minor league games were played in 2020, pushing back if you will Bloom's project of rebuilding the farm a year. Obviously every other team faced the same fate.

 

We can all disagree, but 2020 was just full of s***, and not only from baseball perspective. I've already told you how I feel about that championship the Dodgers won. You can't convince me otherwise.

 

Then the first, real full season for Bloom yielded 92-70 record, good for 2nd place finish. We were up 2-1 vs the Astros facing them at home for the 4th game.

 

Bloom owns the 78-84 record he was responsible for in 2022, good enough for last place.

 

There was no excuse especially for straddling the fence at the trade deadline. It's in or it's out. To go over the luxury limit by few dollars was the ultimate sin in my books.

 

Here's his resume.

 

Sustainable playoff contending team.

 

24 Bello, team control through 2028

27 Whitlock, 2028

27 Houck, 2027

27 Kutter, 2028

25 Winckowski, 2028

23 Casas, 2028

27 Duran, 2028

27 Devers, 2033

27 Wong, 2028

 

Throw in Valdez (25), Abreau (24) Hamilton (26), Matta (24), Rafaela (23), Murphy (25), Walter (27). Maybe they've already moved from Dalbec.

 

I see extension coming for Verdugo who is only 27 (Yeah, I've said that it would be Rays way to move him and get couple of more prospects).

 

We lose Paxton and Duvall basically. Yoshida and Story are both under team control for few years. Basically we have every position covered with exception of either short or second and a DH spot, assuming Verdugo is extended.

 

There are low paid controlled players for most part. Leaving chunk of money on the table for free agent signing (s).

 

I think we're closer than many of you think.

 

PS. sometimes I say outrageous things to get the conversation going. But I'm not drunk, not high. This would be my defense of Bloom.

Edited June 21, 2023 by Nick

[Bellhorn04]

Does Bloom get to include Bello, Casas, Crawford, Devers, Duran and Houck on his resume when he had nothing to do with acquiring them? That's not usually how we play HOBO vs. HOBO here.

[Dipre]

But if he's arguing about his job, he'd mention their development. It's not just drafting them

[Bellhorn04]

But if he's arguing about his job, he'd mention their development. It's not just drafting them

 

Yes, that is fair. I just mentioned a possible upswing in development on another thread.

[Nick]

Does Bloom get to include Bello, Casas, Crawford, Devers, Duran and Houck on his resume when he had nothing to do with acquiring them? That's not usually how we play HOBO vs. HOBO here.

 

He is 100% responsible from the time he was hired.

 

He is in charge of all player development.

 

I didn't see Bello on the major league roster when he was hired.

 

This is his team. Including stupid acqusition such as Kluber.

 

Other than Devers who was an established major leaguer? And who extened Devers?

Edited June 21, 2023 by Nick

[Nick]

He is definitely developing a core group. Look at the age of this group.

[Bellhorn04]

He is definitely developing a core group. Look at the age of this group.

 

We're getting some really pleasant surprises lately. Duran I guess would be the biggest.

[mvp 78]

He is 100% responsible from the time he was hired.

 

He is in charge of all player development.

 

I didn't see Bello on the major league roster when he was hired.

 

This is his team. Including stupid acqusition such as Kluber.

 

Other than Devers who was an established major leaguer? And who extened Devers?

 

Bello was a 28k IFA in 2017. DD didn't handpick the guy or even see him before they signed that contract.

[Dipre]

We're getting some really pleasant surprises lately. Duran I guess would be the biggest.

 

I don't get why people are so surprised abour Duran succeeding. He has all the tools. Buyer beware on the BABIP, but he has top flight speed, which partly explains it