A Realistic View of 2023: Part II

[moonslav59]

Let see Cora bench Duran tomorrow! Fenway won't be happy.

 

If a lefty is starting, I'll be mildly disappointed, if he starts.

 

Duvall is a way better hitter vs LHPs, and Kike has been for a long time, but this year by just a little.

 

 

 

[moonslav59]

 

They said why is Kike playing short after Cora saying he won't play short anymore.

 

I don't think he said "anymore." He actually said don't be surprised to see him at SS in the 9th inning, or something like that.

 

He's not the FT SS. Chang just got back, so I think Cora is easing him into an everyday situation- although Cora never plays anyone "everyday."

[Nick]

I don't think he said "anymore." He actually said don't be surprised to see him at SS in the 9th inning, or something like that.

 

He's not the FT SS. Chang just got back, so I think Cora is easing him into an everyday situation- although Cora never plays anyone "everyday."

 

Just so you know the question was raised MassLive writer. Not me.

[Nick]

Today was pretty good day standing wise.

 

LAA seems to be fading.

Houston can't get it going like I thought they might.

 

Toronto and Yankees are within reach.

 

 

Not sure where we get the 4th starter. Cora mentioned Houck may come back as a pen help so he can get back sooner as opposed to having his arm stretched to start.

Edited July 8, 2023 by Nick

[moonslav59]

Today was pretty good day standing wise.

 

LAA seems to be fading.

Houston can't get it going like I thought they might.

 

Toronto and Yankees ate within reach.

 

Not sure where we get the 4th starter.

 

The Astros have had some very significant injuries, and they aren't coming back.

 

I still fear them more than NYY & TOR...maybe even BAL.

[moonslav59]

Just so you know the question was raised MassLive writer. Not me.

 

Yes, and they also printed Cora's quote about not being surprised to see Kike at SS in the 9th.

[Nick]

Game Summary

 

Duran 3-5 3 runs 3 rbi 1 hr 1 steal 1 very good catch in CF

 

Yoshida 2-5

 

Obviously they were well rested.

 

Kike 0-4 1 GIDP 1 error

 

Duval DNP

 

Great day for Sox...15 hits combined.

 

Paxton another solid outing. Kudos to Walter for going 3 innings and saving the bullpen

[moonslav59]

Before the season started, I mentioned we'd be very lucky to get 32 starts from Sale and Paxton combined and should not count on that many, either.

 

We have 21 GS'd so far.

 

2.73 Paxton in 10 starts (56 IP)

4.58 C Sale in 11 starts (59 IP) He was 3.70 after his first game. (2.74 last 8 starts.)

 

SP'er ERA Leaders (as SP only)

2.73 Paxton

3.04 Bello

4.58 Paxton

5.05 Houck

5.23 Whitlock

5.45 Crawford

 

 

[moonslav59]

OPS since May 1st

 

.872 Yoshida

.868 Turner

.831 Refsnyder

.806 Duran

.803 Devers

.782 Casas

,778 Verdugo

.717 Wong

.702 Reyes

.701 Arroyo

 

ERA since May 1st

1.31 Martin

1.98 Murphy

2.39 Bello

2.42 Sale

2.70 Paxton

3.04 Bernardino

3.12 Walter

4.29 Jansen

4.30 Wink

4.38 Crawford

4.67 Pivetta

4.79 Whitlock

5.40 Houck

 

[Nick]

Too bad Sale is hurt. His ERA along with Bello and Paxton's looks really good. Three solid starters for the playoffs.

[Nick]

I will be attending next Sunday's Cubs game.

 

Looks like I get see Kutter start.

 

Big weekend series coming up.

 

I think we go to Oakland after that?

[Nick]

Sox has taken several positive steps forward despite all my bitching.

 

We may have found a future leadoff man in Duran. Great speed, improving defense and a dangerous bat. He is defensive disrupter.

 

We have a keeper in Yoshida. Despite his defensive limitations his bat will play in the majors.

 

This maybe the breakout year we have been looking for from Verdugo. Obviously his offense has turned up a notch but just as importantly I don't hear complaints about his ability to play right field on this board.

 

Not much to say about Bello. He is our future ace. Great poise for a 24 year old. Mentally tough.

 

Devers is Devers. An all-star caliber 3B for next 10 years.

 

We may have a rising star at 1B in Casas. Like to see more power out if him. No speed, defense still a suspect. Potential is there to do more. I hope I don't regret what I just said about Casas.

 

Whitlock and Houck are solid. I am willing to give up the idea of both starting if we can find replacements.

Same goes for Kutter.

 

Story just has to get on the field and show us the player we are paying $23M.

 

Wong is our starting catcher. He will get better offensively. I love his arm and his speed. We have other things to worry about.

 

Not much to say about Turner. Great get by Bloom. His ability to play corner infield is a major plus for a DH.

 

Looks to me like our positional needs are not our problem going forward. We need to get past July with what we have.

 

Go get some starting pitching. Keep trying Bloom. You may have to pay more than $8-10M.

 

Our window just opened up for 2024 and beyond. Don't get cheap on us. Extend Verdugo and Bello this winter. Lock in the core group.

Edited July 9, 2023 by Nick

[cp176]

Sox has taken several positive steps forward despite all my bitching.

 

We may have found a future leadoff man in Duran. Great speed, improving defense and a dangerous bat. He is defensive disrupter.

 

We have a keeper in Yoshida. Despite his defensive limitations his bat will play in the majors.

 

This maybe the breakout year we have been looking for from Verdugo. Obviously his offense has turned up a notch but just as importantly I don't hear complaints about his ability to play right field on this board.

 

Not much to say about Bello. He is our future ace. Great poise for a 24 year old. Mentally tough.

 

Devers is Devers. An all-star caliber 3B for next 10 years.

 

We may have a rising star at 1B in Casas. Like to see more power out if him. No speed, defense still a suspect. Potential is there to do more. I hope I don't regret what I just said about Casas.

 

Whitlock and Houck are solid. I am willing to give up the idea of both starting if we can find replacements.

Same goes for Kutter.

 

Story just has to get on the field and show us the player we are paying $23M.

 

Wong is our starting catcher. He will get better offensively. I love his arm and his speed. We have other things to worry about.

 

Not much to say about Turner. Great get by Bloom. His ability to play corner infield is a major plus for a DH.

 

Looks to me like our positional needs are not our problem going forward. We need to get past July with what we have.

 

Go get some starting pitching. Keep trying Bloom. You may have to pay more than $8-10M.

 

Our window just opened up for 2024 and beyond. Don't get cheap on us. Extend Verdugo and Bello this winter. Lock in the core group.

 

Duran has proven at this point in time that he deserves to be out there everyday regardless of who is pitching. I don't think that playing the metrics game with an athlete like this does anybody any good. He just puts too much pressure on the defense. I'm with you on Casas. I'm very hopeful but I'm not sold on him just yet. It's not like he has really ripped things up at any ml level as of yet. it looks like the potential is there but we shall see.

[moonslav59]

Duran has proven at this point in time that he deserves to be out there everyday regardless of who is pitching. I don't think that playing the metrics game with an athlete like this does anybody any good. He just puts too much pressure on the defense. I'm with you on Casas. I'm very hopeful but I'm not sold on him just yet. It's not like he has really ripped things up at any ml level as of yet. it looks like the potential is there but we shall see.

 

Lefty righty spilt are not “metrics,” and they were around for decades.

 

I’d love to see Duran play everyday and prove he can hit lefties better than he has. I’d also love to see Duvall hit lefties, and maybe Kike, too.

 

Duran does bring more to the game than meets the eyes, and by the way, WAR has captured that very well, but he has sucked vs lefties and has to earn a FT role. Kike is a very good defensive CFer, too, and Duvall is not bad. They both have earned the right to play vs lefties- just not Kike at SS.

 

It’s not an easy call. I’d be fine with any of the 3 vs LHPs. I can see why Cora wants to keep his whole team sharp. I can see why Duran should get a chance, too. Im just not sure now is the time to run the experiment.

[Bellhorn04]

Just so you know the question was raised MassLive writer. Not me.

 

That's fine, but having a good baseball mind is not a prerequisite for being a MassLive writer.

[Bellhorn04]

Lefty righty spilt are not “metrics,” and they were around for decades.

 

I’d love to see Duran play everyday and prove he can hit lefties better than he has. I’d also love to see Duvall hit lefties, and maybe Kike, too.

 

Duran does bring more to the game than meets the eyes, and by the way, WAR has captured that very well, but he has sucked vs lefties and has to earn a FT role. Kike is a very good defensive CFer, too, and Duvall is not bad. They both have earned the right to play vs lefties- just not Kike at SS.

 

It’s not an easy call. I’d be fine with any of the 3 vs LHPs. I can see why Cora wants to keep his whole team sharp. I can see why Duran should get a chance, too. Im just not sure now is the time to run the experiment.

 

Duran did homer off a lefty yesterday.

 

Cora is handling it all perfectly as usual.

[moonslav59]

Duran did homer off a lefty yesterday.

 

Cora is handling it all perfectly as usual.

 

Indeed. I'm not for benching Duran vs all LHPs, but I'm also not for benching Kike (in CF or 2B) or Duvall (in LF or CF) vs LHPs either. Cora has a tough call to make.

 

To play them all, he'd have to bench Yoshida, Dugo or Turner. I don't think anyone likes that idea, either.

 

One easy way to fix the "problem" is to trade Duvall (or Kike.) There would still be a squeeze, but not nearly as bad.

 

If Kike keeps sucking at the plate, the choice will be easier.

 

BTW, the wonder of small sample sizes, that HR by Duran brought his 2023 OPS v LHPs to .708, which is now higher than Kike's in '23 (.668) but not as high as Kike's career mark or Duvall's 2023 or career mark.

 

A couple more HRs would change that!

 

Nice "problem" to have.

[notin]

Duran did homer off a lefty yesterday.

 

Cora is handling it all perfectly as usual.

 

Wow. Going all the way to “perfectly as usual.”

 

 

You do realize the CDT is not a paying position…

[Bellhorn04]

Wow. Going all the way to “perfectly as usual.”

 

You do realize the CDT is not a paying position…

 

The rewards are not monetary, they come from the knowledge of being right. :D

[notin]

The rewards are not monetary, they come from the knowledge of being right. :D

 

 

My experience tells me that the more adamantly something/someone requires defense, the more likely the accusations are correct…

 

[Bellhorn04]

My experience tells me that the more adamantly something/someone requires defense, the more likely the accusations are correct…

 

 

You would certainly know that, as a charter member of the Bloom Defense Team.

[notin]

You would certainly know that, as a charter member of the Bloom Defense Team.

 

I’ve defended him against stupid allegations and attacked him for (what I consider) valid complaints. I’ve done the same for Cora.

 

I mean, is “I think he’s doing what Henry wants” really that egregious of a defense?

[dannycater]

I've been negative the entire 22 and 23 seasons...and now the Sox are 4 games over .500, Duran Duran is the Talk of the Town, Yoshida is in the top 5 in AL batting race, Turner isn't completely replacing JD (who is having a monster comeback season for Dodgers) but he has really been tearing up the ball, Arroyo starting to hit, Verdugo is having a solid season, Devers has been everything worth that big salary despite not being surrounded by hitters to "protect him." Paxton, Bello have been sensational on the hill and Jansen is an All-Star closer. Good for the Sox and Cora and Bloom. Bottom line, bravo to the recent surge, maybe they keep it up.

[cp176]

Lefty righty spilt are not “metrics,” and they were around for decades.

 

I’d love to see Duran play everyday and prove he can hit lefties better than he has. I’d also love to see Duvall hit lefties, and maybe Kike, too.

 

Duran does bring more to the game than meets the eyes, and by the way, WAR has captured that very well, but he has sucked vs lefties and has to earn a FT role. Kike is a very good defensive CFer, too, and Duvall is not bad. They both have earned the right to play vs lefties- just not Kike at SS.

 

It’s not an easy call. I’d be fine with any of the 3 vs LHPs. I can see why Cora wants to keep his whole team sharp. I can see why Duran should get a chance, too. Im just not sure now is the time to run the experiment.

 

I realize that people have platooned for years just not with some hitters. Now I'm not ready to suggest that Duran is that special just yet but it certainly looks like the gamble might be worth it. having four capable outfielders is not a problem either. Sadly I do think that it is beginning to look as though Kike is the odd man out. Sadly I think that every time he is put into the ss position he is being set up for failure.

[moonslav59]

I’ve defended him against stupid allegations and attacked him for (what I consider) valid complaints. I’ve done the same for Cora.

 

I mean, is “I think he’s doing what Henry wants” really that egregious of a defense?

 

...and providing context does not equate to full-fledged support.

[moonslav59]

I've been negative the entire 22 and 23 seasons...and now the Sox are 4 games over .500, Duran Duran is the Talk of the Town, Yoshida is in the top 5 in AL batting race, Turner isn't completely replacing JD (who is having a monster comeback season for Dodgers) but he has really been tearing up the ball, Arroyo starting to hit, Verdugo is having a solid season, Devers has been everything worth that big salary despite not being surrounded by hitters to "protect him." Paxton, Bello have been sensational on the hill and Jansen is an All-Star closer. Good for the Sox and Cora and Bloom. Bottom line, bravo to the recent surge, maybe they keep it up.

 

JD's "monster season" was more like a monster April.

[notin]

JD's "monster season" was more like a monster April.

 

Monster May - 1.040 OPS

 

All other months are under .900…

[moonslav59]

I realize that people have platooned for years just not with some hitters. Now I'm not ready to suggest that Duran is that special just yet but it certainly looks like the gamble might be worth it. having four capable outfielders is not a problem either. Sadly I do think that it is beginning to look as though Kike is the odd man out. Sadly I think that every time he is put into the ss position he is being set up for failure.

 

I agree on Duran being deserving of a gamble of playing FT (namely vs all lefties.) My point is more about Duvall and maybe Kike being deserving of playing vs all LHPs, too- and Yoshida, Dugo and Duvall, too.

 

Someone once pointed out, to me, that Yaz was a career .693 batter vs LHPs and was never platooned. Great point, but when you look at those rosters, .693 was better than the other options, and Yaz played plus D.

 

Duvall is a professional hitman. He's slumping, now, but he is way more proven than Duran. I'm not trying to slight Duran. I wish we could find a way to play them all- maybe not so much Kike v LHPs, but he does have an .800+ OPS vs them, career.

 

To me, the odd man out is Duvall. We still have depth issues at middle infield, even with Chang's return and the pending Story return. Story may need to DH, at first. I think we keep Kike for all around depth, and he won't bring back what Duvall might bring back.

 

Also, Refsnyder makes it 5 capable OF'ers and has been one of MLB's best hitters vs LHPs from 2022 to 2023- a way bigger sample size than Duran's. That's one of MLB's best hitters- not just the Sox. What's the "fair" or "right thing" to do with him?

 

[moonslav59]

Monster May - 1.040 OPS

 

All other months are under .900…

 

My bad.

 

.790 from opening day to May 19.

1.184 May 20 to June 10

.594 June 11 to July 6.

2.238 last 2 games.

 

.872 for season is damn good. It was .837 on June 6th.

 

[Bellhorn04]

Monster May - 1.040 OPS

 

All other months are under .900…

 

And his worst month is .793.

 

Good thing the whole season counts.

 

The bottom line as of now is, JD is having a fine bounceback season, but in spite of that, Turner was the better signing. Everybody wins.