A Realistic View of 2023: Part II

[mvp 78]

With success?

 

They aren't still using openers are they?

[mvp 78]

I don’t get why Cora didn’t go to Pivetta. I assumed Pivetta would start the next day. Clearly not the reason…

 

Pivetta is no longer a starter per Cora.

 

@alexspeier

Cora said Pivetta wasn’t a consideration to start/open. The Sox love how he’s throwing out of the bullpen and feel they need at least 2 multi-inning options at any point, with Winckowski and Pivetta in that role.

[mvp 78]

Extended bereavement leave for Verdugo on a grandparent. It's a terrible loss, but the timing was terrible for Alex and Sox.

 

If this team is truly a "last place team" and horrible, the timing doesn't matter.

[Bellhorn04]

They aren't still using openers are they?

 

You might have a point.

[Bellhorn04]

If this team is truly a "last place team" and horrible, the timing doesn't matter.

 

They are truly a last place team, but still with a legit shot at the playoffs.

[Randy Red Sox]

Which will mean that Bloom will not be trading any of our guys on 1 year expiring deals. He will just let them walk for more draft picks like he did last deadline

They are truly a last place team, but still with a legit shot at the playoffs.

[Dipre]

What expiring deals should be traded?

[moonslav59]

When the Rays used openers, they used mediocre middle relievers all the time.

 

Their "mediocre" was better than ours.

[mvp 78]

What expiring deals should be traded?

 

Corey Kluber!

[moonslav59]

Corey Kluber!

 

Hey! The CWS took Diekman and his salary and gave us McGuire on top of that!

 

Maybe...

[Dipre]

Corey Kluber!

 

Not enough ammo to take that Old Yeller out back in the entirety of the US of A.

[Hugh2]

What's the point of trading Kluber though? you won't get a thing back for him, especially if this is not a phantom injury.

 

Don't say salary relief, the Sox don't need it.

[mvp 78]

Not enough ammo to take that Old Yeller out back in the entirety of the US of A.

 

That old dog would be dead before he got off the porch. Just give him a belly rub, a treat and let him have his farewell speech in CLE.

[moonslav59]

What's the point of trading Kluber though? you won't get a thing back for him, especially if this is not a phantom injury.

 

Don't say salary relief, the Sox don't need it.

 

We could pay his full salary, and I doubt anyone would take him.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

What's the point of trading Kluber though? you won't get a thing back for him, especially if this is not a phantom injury.

 

Don't say salary relief, the Sox don't need it.

 

Bloom asked for a bucket of BP balls, but got laughed at. All the other GMs said the cost of labor was too high, sending employees onto the Mass Pike and the banks of the Charles Rivers trying to retrieve HRs given up by CK. The best offer was a case of brand new Spauldings in the wrappers (not gamers, but the kind they use for autos).

[Nick]

They aren't still using openers are they?

 

They did for first couple months.

[notin]

What's the point of trading Kluber though? you won't get a thing back for him, especially if this is not a phantom injury.

 

Don't say salary relief, the Sox don't need it.

 

He makes a decent point about Diekman

[notin]

We could pay his full salary, and I doubt anyone would take him.

 

It only takes one cocky pitching coach that thinks he can save him. Still, the Sox would be lucky to get a low A ball batboy in return…

[notin]

If this team is truly a "last place team" and horrible, the timing doesn't matter.

 

I think you’re forgetting that the league is watered down…

[moonslav59]

It only takes one cocky pitching coach that thinks he can save him. Still, the Sox would be lucky to get a low A ball batboy in return…

 

If we pay his whole salary, some team might think he's a better option than what they have- based on hopes that his first 2+ months were just a bad stretch.

 

I doubt we get a McGuire in return, but a single A prospect with a half a chance would be worth it for us.

 

It's slightly better than a plain DFA.

[moonslav59]

Best Records vs .500+ Teams

 

29-16 TBR

21-15 ATL

22-16 SFG

23-19 BAL

28-24 BOS

19-18 TEX

20-19 AZ

These are the only teams with winning records on this split.

 

And there I was thinking playing less good teams, this year, was helpful

[moonslav59]

Wild Card Race

 

BAL +5

NYY and HOU ties for #2-3 slots

-0.5 LAA

-0.5 TOR

-2.5 BOS

-4.0 SEA

-4.5 CLE

 

Our schedule up to the trade deadline August 1st:

 

3 @CWS

OFF

3 MIA

3 ATOR

OFF

3 TEX

3 OAK

All Star Break (4 Days)

3 @CHC

3 @OAK

OFF

3 NYM

OFF

2 ATL

OFF

3 @SFG

3@SEA

 

With so many days off, we might be able to get by with 4 dependable SP'ers until the deadline, but I sure hope Houck returns soon.

 

[moonslav59]

The night went pretty good for Sox fans.

 

We get a win, despite being outhit 8-4.

The A's beat the Jays.

The Rangers beat the Yanks.

Seattle is up 13-1 on the O's in the 9th.

HOU is losing 3-2 to LAD in the 6th.

(The Rays killed the Royals.)

 

We are now...

1.5 GB NYY

0.5 GB TOR & LAA

[moonslav59]

The Sox now have 7 guys on the 60 Day IL:

Sale

Story

Schreiber

Kelly

Chang

Mills

Mondesi

 

The 7 guys currently taking their place on the 40 --all added after opening day:

Bernardino (waivers)

Garza (waivers)

Reyes (trade for cash)

Sherriff (Woo)

Jacques (Woo)

C Hamilton (Woo)

T Scott (trade for cash)

 

15 Day IL

Houck

Joely

Kluber

Bleier

 

10 Day IL

McGuire

Reyes

 

Ber. List

Verdugo

 

Minor IL

Mata

 

 

Edited June 24, 2023 by moonslav59

[Maxbialystock]

Wild Card Race

 

BAL +5

NYY and HOU ties for #2-3 slots

-0.5 LAA

-0.5 TOR

-2.5 BOS

-4.0 SEA

-4.5 CLE

 

Our schedule up to the trade deadline August 1st:

 

3 @CWS

OFF

3 MIA

3 ATOR

OFF

3 TEX

3 OAK

All Star Break (4 Days)

3 @CHC

3 @OAK

OFF

3 NYM

OFF

2 ATL

OFF

3 @SFG

3@SEA

 

With so many days off, we might be able to get by with 4 dependable SP'ers until the deadline, but I sure hope Houck returns soon.

 

 

Just amazing (to me, anyway) what you do with these off the wall stats. In this case, revelatory, because I had no idea about the days off, which give Cora some options.

 

Apparently, the steel plate goes in Houck's cheek on Monday, June 26. I see him back in the rotation right after the ASG break.

 

Right now ESPN's version of the Sox schedule, today through July 9, shows a four man rotation--Bello, Paxton, Crawford, and Whitlock--with some openings on Jun 28 (middle game of 3 vs Miami) and on July 4. However, because July 3 is an off day, Bello could pitch July 4 with 5 days rest. Same goes for Paxton, Crawford, and Whitlock on July 5, 6, and 7. So, if I'm right, between now and Houck's presumed return--and assuming no further starter injures--just two dates (June 28 and July 8) need to be filled with substitute starters.

[moonslav59]

Just amazing (to me, anyway) what you do with these off the wall stats. In this case, revelatory, because I had no idea about the days off, which give Cora some options.

 

Apparently, the steel plate goes in Houck's cheek on Monday, June 26. I see him back in the rotation right after the ASG break.

 

Right now ESPN's version of the Sox schedule, today through July 9, shows a four man rotation--Bello, Paxton, Crawford, and Whitlock--with some openings on Jun 28 (middle game of 3 vs Miami) and on July 4. However, because July 3 is an off day, Bello could pitch July 4 with 5 days rest. Same goes for Paxton, Crawford, and Whitlock on July 5, 6, and 7. So, if I'm right, between now and Houck's presumed return--and assuming no further starter injures--just two dates (June 28 and July 8) need to be filled with substitute starters.

 

We have 6 games in a row, three times before the deadline. We should only need a 5th starter 3 times before August 1st. I do not want us letting any of our starters go on one day less of rest, and it wouldn't help anyway, unless we used two on short rest in any of those 6 game stretches.

 

If Houck can be ready after the all star break, we only need 2 starts (Walter/Murphy?)

 

We have no stretches longer than 6 games until after the deadline.

[Maxbialystock]

We have 6 games in a row, three times before the deadline. We should only need a 5th starter 3 times before August 1st. I do not want us letting any of our starters go on one day less of rest, and it wouldn't help anyway, unless we used two on short rest in any of those 6 game stretches.

 

If Houck can be ready after the all star break, we only need 2 starts (Walter/Murphy?)

 

We have no stretches longer than 6 games until after the deadline.

 

I am no surgeon, but my understanding of that steel plate is that it starts working as soon as it's inserted. Healing only takes 1-2 weeks, during which Houck should be able to work on his pitching. From June 26, day of surgery, to July 14, first Sox game after the ASG break, is 2 1/2 weeks.

[moonslav59]

I am no surgeon, but my understanding of that steel plate is that it starts working as soon as it's inserted. Healing only takes 1-2 weeks, during which Houck should be able to work on his pitching. From June 26, day of surgery, to July 14, first Sox game after the ASG break, is 2 1/2 weeks.

 

Maybe he can start vs the A's before the break- meaning one less start by someone else. That would be nice, but they may be cautious and think skipping one start gives him another 7 days+ rest and recovery time- both physical and mental.

 

[moonslav59]

With the Astros loss, late last night, the last 2 wild card slots are wide open.

 

5 teams are within 1.5 games of being in or out.

Hou & NYY would be in, if the season ended, now.

-0.5 LAA & TOR

-1.5 BOS

 

7 teams are within 4.5 games:

-3.0 SEA

-4.5 CLE

 

The NL has 3 WC teams all are 3 or 3.5 games up on the next contenders:

 

+0.5 SFG

0.0 LAD & MIA

 

-3.0 PHI & MIL (-1.5 from CIN in NLC)

-5.5 SDP & CHC

 

Whodathunk on June 24th, Arizona and Cincinnati would be leading their divisions?

 

Weirder still...

The LAD and SDP are not in 1st or 2nd place in the NL West!

 

We all knew BAL was getting better and had so many top prospects getting close to ML ready for several years, but I doubt many felt they'd be 5 games up on the Yanks and Astros, in late June, either.

Edited June 24, 2023 by moonslav59

[Nick]

I guess we should thank JD for taking out Aaron Judge.....