A Realistic View of 2023: Part II

[Duran Is The Man]

The debate about Yoshida vs Duvall -- at least, on defense -- was settled by Baseball Savant's new stat called Fielding Run Value. Of all position players with at least 400 fielding innings, Yoshida ranks #51 out of 54 leftfielders, while Duvall ranks #48 out of 50 centerfielders.

 

They both suck. But at least they have bad company: Duran ranks #44 of 50, cementing the Sox with the worst centerfielders in baseball. Other lowlights include Casas (#47 of 49), Raffy (#46 0f 51), and of course, Kike (tied for #47 of 47). The only player even middle of the pack is Verdugo, #23 of 51.

 

With Red Sox obits being written before September even begins, posters can lament all the predictable injuries to the rotation, and the predictable damage it did in draining the bullpen. But this club's defense can't be blamed on a season of bad hops -- it was assembled this way by the front office and management.

 

https://www.nbcsportsboston.com/mlb/boston-red-sox/how-bad-is-red-sox-defense-even-worse-than-youd-expect/550483/

 

https://www.audacy.com/weei/sports/red-sox/alex-cora-details-what-has-gone-wrong-with-the-red-sox

 

don't let Max see this. like the Red Sox FO, he thinks defense doesn't matter.

[Elktonnick]

That’s right go to the standard responses make Old Red the problem instead of Bloom. Only on here. Hilarious!

 

I know you know this that posting on this board is Moon's life. He has no other. That is why he insists on posting in bold because he thinks doing so means his rantings are somehow meaningful. They aren't.

[Bellhorn04]

I know you know this that posting on this board is Moon's life. He has no other. That is why he insists on posting in bold because he thinks doing so means his rantings are somehow meaningful. They aren't.

 

He posts in bold because his eyes are bad, as he has explained many times. You're the worst at getting personal about other posters. You should be banned, frankly.

[Dipre]

This site becomes unreadable as soon as the team struggles. Calm down and look towards '24.

[moonslav59]

Facts are gloating? No Mookie who talk? No I don’t hear any we want DD back talk. No updated wildcard standings. It should be done all the time not just when things look promising. What a front runner, and next will be a bailout. But there is always 2024, 2025, 2026, or beyond. Gloating was being ahead of the Yankees. What will you say if that changes?

 

You are clearly gloating.

 

I already said how I'd feel if we finish in last and/or below .500. Cora and Bloom are not going anywhere and I like our extended outlook, despite being very disappointed with 2023.

 

I'm not sure why it upsets you that a fan actually roots for his team and thinks they may have just enough to go right to have a chance. It clearly bothers you when someone does not have the gloom and doom outlook you and others hold, and before you go on about the majority being behind you, I could give a flying EF what the majority thinks or feels.

 

I choose to remain optimistic about the direction of the team. I have patience and hope. Bash that all you want.

[moonslav59]

This site becomes unreadable as soon as the team struggles. Calm down and look towards '24.

 

Despite the overwhelming malaise, there is a lot to be optimistic about going forward, if anyone chooses to look for it.

[moonslav59]

That’s right go to the standard responses make Old Red the problem instead of Bloom. Only on here. Hilarious!

 

For someone who is as tickler for allowing everyone to have their own opinions, you sure do go overboard in jumping to wrong conclusions and bashing others points of view.

 

How in God's name does bringing up your criticism of optimistic fans have anything to do with thinking anyone thinks you are a bigger problem than anyone of the team?

 

Note: I don't expect an answer, as always- just deflections and misconceptions/misinterpretations.

[moonslav59]

I know you know this that posting on this board is Moon's life. He has no other. That is why he insists on posting in bold because he thinks doing so means his rantings are somehow meaningful. They aren't.

 

Thanks for choosing me as your punching bag and only thing you feel the need to comment on. I feel honored by your well thought out and "meaningful" rant.

[Elktonnick]

He posts in bold because his eyes are bad, as he has explained many times. You're the worst at getting personal about other posters. You should be banned, frankly.

 

Pot, Kettle Black, The fact that you buy that horseshit excuse shows just how obtuse you are!

[moonslav59]

He posts in bold because his eyes are bad, as he has explained many times. You're the worst at getting personal about other posters. You should be banned, frankly.

 

Thanks, bell.

 

These drive by posters crack me up.

 

Speaking of which, I'm shocked there has been no Stork troll sighting, today.

[Elktonnick]

thanks for choosing me as your punching bag and only thing you feel the need to comment on. I feel honored by your well thought out and "meaningful" rant.

 

you're welcome

[Dipre]

Pot, Kettle Black, The fact that you buy that horseshit excuse shows just how obtuse you are!

 

Did your mom not hug you as a kid or something?

[Old Red]

You are clearly gloating.

 

I already said how I'd feel if we finish in last and/or below .500. Cora and Bloom are not going anywhere and I like our extended outlook, despite being very disappointed with 2023.

 

I'm not sure why it upsets you that a fan actually roots for his team and thinks they may have just enough to go right to have a chance. It clearly bothers you when someone does not have the gloom and doom outlook you and others hold, and before you go on about the majority being behind you, I could give a flying EF what the majority thinks or feels.

 

I choose to remain optimistic about the direction of the team. I have patience and hope. Bash that all you want.

 

This team came into the biggest game of the year in the biggest series of the year, and couldn’t even field a whole team ready to go, and the result was an embarrassment to no end, and which also started a sweep. You can wave your Pom Poms all you want, but you criticize someone who criticizes the results when things go bad. You can’t take it both ways. The only thing that would have been more deserving to JH, and Bloom this past home stand would have been a double sweep, because that’s what they deserved. You can remain optimistic about this team all you want, but outside of on here what I have heard others places it is few, and far between. Giddy to s*****. It works both ways rather you like it or not. Outta here going to the fair, and I’ll see you there.

[Old Red]

Despite the overwhelming malaise, there is a lot to be optimistic about going forward, if anyone chooses to look for it.

 

Failure now, but the Red Sox might be better some day. It’s like saving for Tuesday, and Wednesday’s game, which was never needed when the team actually had a lead on Monday.

[moonslav59]

Pot, Kettle Black, The fact that you buy that horseshit excuse shows just how obtuse you are!

 

"Excuse" for what? Posting in bold?

 

Yes, I freely admit I am obsessed with the Sox. I have battled OCD my whole life. I have improved quite a bit by channeling most of it into 3 areas: my work, contract bridge and the Sox. Go ahead and shoot me for being optimistic about the Sox and being obsessed with the Sox. I do think I'd rather be obsessed with the Sox than obsessed about someone else being obsessed and optimistic about the Sox. The obtuseness is firmly in your court.

 

By the way, I have a life outside here. I teach ESL at a low eco-dis school. I spend hours and hours beyond school hours to insure our 500+ ESL kiddos get the education they deserve. I crunch numbers and data to help with that. My wife and I also care for her schizophrenic sister.

 

Stop pretending you know what my life is like, and acting obtuse.

 

[moonslav59]

Failure now, but the Red Sox might be better some day. It’s like saving for Tuesday, and Wednesday’s game, which was never needed when the team actually had a lead on Monday.

 

So?

 

What's wrong with thinking and saying we look to be getting better?

 

Are you so locked up in the here and now that you can't even comprehend others are not just like you?

 

At least I understand or try to understand where you and many others are coming from. You act like I'm another species for being optimistic and actually believing we had a chance, this year.

 

To me, that's what being a fan is about. If you can't deal with that, so be it.

 

I get the anger and feeling of great disappointment. 5 years is a long time with just one moment of near glory (2021.) It doesn't thrill me to watch this, but not everyone has to play the blame game and act like it's the end of the world, and we should all give up hope just because all young players are nothing but "suspects.".

[moonslav59]

This team came into the biggest game of the year in the biggest series of the year, and couldn’t even field a whole team ready to go, and the result was an embarrassment to no end, and which also started a sweep. You can wave your Pom Poms all you want, but you criticize someone who criticizes the results when things go bad. You can’t take it both ways. The only thing that would have been more deserving to JH, and Bloom this past home stand would have been a double sweep, because that’s what they deserved. You can remain optimistic about this team all you want, but outside of on here what I have heard others places it is few, and far between. Giddy to s*****. It works both ways rather you like it or not. Outta here going to the fair, and I’ll see you there.

 

Gloating is way different from criticism, but I don't expect you to know the difference.

 

This team and management deserve a lot of criticism. Nobody is saying otherwise.

 

Yes, I criticize excessive gloom and doom talk, and you criticize what you think is excessive optimism. I don't ever say no criticism is warranted. It is, and I join in on plenty of it.

 

[Old Red]

So?

 

What's wrong with thinking and saying we look to be getting better?

 

Are you so locked up in the here and now that you can't even comprehend others are not just like you?

 

At least I understand or try to understand where you and many others are coming from. You act like I'm another species for being optimistic and actually believing we had a chance, this year.

 

To me, that's what being a fan is about. If you can't deal with that, so be it.

 

I get the anger and feeling of great disappointment. 5 years is a long time with just one moment of near glory (2021.) It doesn't thrill me to watch this, but not everyone has to play the blame game and act like it's the end of the world, and we should all give up hope just because all young players are nothing but "suspects.".

You talk like you are some big Sox super fan but who bailed out so fast last year? You did, so if that’s an example of a super fan thanks, but no thanks. I don’t think that is what a fan is all about.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

"Excuse" for what? Posting in bold?

 

Yes, I freely admit I am obsessed with the Sox. I have battled OCD my whole life. I have improved quite a bit by channeling most of it into 3 areas: my work, contract bridge and the Sox. Go ahead and shoot me for being optimistic about the Sox and being obsessed with the Sox. I do think I'd rather be obsessed with the Sox than obsessed about someone else being obsessed and optimistic about the Sox. The obtuseness is firmly in your court.

 

By the way, I have a life outside here. I teach ESL at a low eco-dis school. I spend hours and hours beyond school hours to insure our 500+ ESL kiddos get the education they deserve. I crunch numbers and data to help with that. My wife and I also care for her schizophrenic sister.

 

Stop pretending you know what my life is like, and acting obtuse.

 

 

Man, you don't need to explain your reasons for being here. The way I see it, regulars on a forum come to post for two reasons: to share opinions about a topic they're really into, or to disparage others because of their own superiority complexes.

 

We can agree or disagree with others, share likes and dislikes about a topic, offer stats, complaints, and jokes -- but making fun of fellow fans' posts offers zero contributions to a thread. And all name-calling really does is expose a certain level of maturity and/or IQ...

[mvp 78]

This site becomes unreadable as soon as the team struggles. Calm down and look towards '24.

 

Don't lie. This place is barely ever readable.

[Old Red]

Gloating is way different from criticism, but I don't expect you to know the difference.

 

This team and management deserve a lot of criticism. Nobody is saying otherwise.

 

Yes, I criticize excessive gloom and doom talk, and you criticize what you think is excessive optimism. I don't ever say no criticism is warranted. It is, and I join in on plenty of it.

 

Once again wrong in your assessment. I know the difference between gloating, and criticism, but like I said I don’t wave Pom Poms when things are going good, so I get the feeling that to you I have to do that, before I can criticize when things are bad. I don’t have to do that, and I’m not going to do that.

[moonslav59]

You talk like you are some big Sox super fan but who bailed out so fast last year? You did, so if that’s an example of a super fan thanks, but no thanks. I don’t think that is what a fan is all about.

 

You think I act like a big superfan. All I can say is I think being optimistic about the team you want to win is better than being overly pessimistic about them.

 

You obviously have issues with people actually trying to enjoy watching their team, even as they lose.

 

Yes, I gave up on the Sox chances, last year, but i still watched every game and rooted like hell for the to prove me wrong.

 

You, on the otherhand, stopped watching us as we were winning, and blamed it on a "watered down product." Cheers to you- superfan!

[moonslav59]

Once again wrong in your assessment. I know the difference between gloating, and criticism, but like I said I don’t wave Pom Poms when things are going good, so I get the feeling that to you I have to do that, before I can criticize when things are bad. I don’t have to do that, and I’m not going to do that.

 

Where did I say you have to do that?

 

I do know what gloating is. You don't.

[dgalehouse]

NOTICE: I am saving up my pennies to purchase Talksox. When the sale is completed, I am going to rename it " Y ". Then I am going to permanently ban anyone who ticks me off. You have been warned.

[moonslav59]

NOTICE: I am saving up my pennies to purchase Talksox. When the sale is completed, I am going to rename it " Y ". Then I am going to permanently ban anyone who ticks me off. You have been warned.

 

Says a lot about you.

[mvp 78]

NOTICE: I am saving up my pennies to purchase Talksox. When the sale is completed, I am going to rename it " Y ". Then I am going to permanently ban anyone who ticks me off. You have been warned.

 

Inconceivable!

[Bellhorn04]

NOTICE: I am saving up my pennies to purchase Talksox. When the sale is completed, I am going to rename it " Y ". Then I am going to permanently ban anyone who ticks me off. You have been warned.

 

We know all about the glass house.

[Dipre]

NOTICE: I am saving up my pennies to purchase Talksox. When the sale is completed, I am going to rename it " Y ". Then I am going to permanently ban anyone who ticks me off. You have been warned.

 

It will be a bidding war, as I have been saving my pesos to buy it too. When I buy it, I will rename it to "Bloom's Boomers", and ban anyone who speaks ill of our lord and savior.

[moonslav59]

It will be a bidding war, as I have been saving my pesos to buy it too. When I buy it, I will rename it to "Bloom's Boomers", and ban anyone who speaks ill of our lord and savior.

 

So we have finally identified the leader of the BAC (Bloom Apologist Club.)

 

Apparently, there are dozens of members on this site.

[Maxbialystock]

don't let Max see this. like the Red Sox FO, he thinks defense doesn't matter.

 

I love great defense--it's the poetry of baseball vs. the prose of hitting and pitching.

 

But the simple fact is that the Sox have mostly excelled in the John Henry era because they invested most heavily in hitting and pitching. There have definitely been some good fielding Soxers at almost every position, but fielding was and is secondary to hitting. "Good field, no hit," generally applies to guys still in the minors.

 

Do you remember the 2013 Sox team? They had two excellent fielding SS's--Stephen Drew and Jose Iglesias--and one so-so fielding SS (who actually played 3B that year), Xander Bogaerts. Guess who took over the starting SS job and held onto it for 8 freaking years? Story is a better fielder than Bogey, but some talksoxers want Bogey back because he can hit.

 

This year Casas and Duran are fan favs--and favs on talksox too. Both have negative DWAR's, but both have OPS's over .800. Duvall, I agree, is no great shakes in CF (or RF or LF), but his OPS right now is .933 so he is going to be in that lineup. Story, on the other hand, is a good (not great) defensive SS, but we are all mad at him because we need him to hit the dang ball.

 

And we are right. Screw the defense. This team needs to hit and especially drive runs in.

 

And the pitching is a lot worse than the hitting.

 

As for the defense, I agree it's probably the worst defense in MLB. Bad as it is, however, the Sox still plays errorless ball 98 freaking percent of the time, and the best defense in MLB plays errorless ball 99% of the time.

 

I'm willing to concede those percentages don't include double play balls that only yielded one out, catchable flies/grounders that weren't, etc. But I'm not willing to concede they are more important than the pitching and hitting and the real reason why the Sox are struggling.

 

Thus my example of Kike Hernandez, who was branded on talksox as the worst SS in the history of the MLB (I'm exaggerating, but not by much) and the real reason why the Sox were losing games. Well, guess what--Kike's gone to the Dodgers, and they have been winning like crazy since he got there. And the Sox? Despite the returns of Sale, Whitlock, Houck, and Story, the Sox are worse than when Kike was on the team.

Edited August 31, 2023 by Maxbialystock