A Realistic View of 2023: Part II

[mvp 78]

I know what you said, but not swinging at "those pitches" would require a change in approach. It's fair to argue there might be other consequences to such a change.

 

Every hitter would be better, if he never swung at pitches they swung and missed on or hit into outs.

 

It is okay to discuss things beyond what you stated or meant.

 

No, that would be... MISSING THE MARK.

[Old Red]

@alexspeier

Sounds as if the Red Sox won’t be deciding on the final roster spots (LHH reserve OF and reliever) until sometime after today’s game.

 

As of now, Kaleb Ort and Jarren Duran are expected to fly with the team to Boston, but uncertain if they will open the year in the big leagues or with the WooSox (who open at home on Friday).

 

What’s the holdup with this? If it’s because Tapia isn’t on the 40? s***, or get off the pot as they say. This shouldn’t be that tough of a decision. Unless one of the OF get hurt, or really suck I can’t see much platooning going on, so the 4th, or 5th OF won’t play much anyway.

[mvp 78]

Who is Sox Notes?

 

J.P. Long is the current Director of Baseball Communications & Media Relations for the Boston Red Sox.

[Bellhorn04]

@SoxNotes

Of my nine seasons with the Red Sox, this is the best group from top to bottom that I’ve been around. Call it vibes, chemistry, leadership, professionalism, whatever—it’s just a great group of people and players. Can’t wait for the fans to get to know this team better.

 

I'm sure they'll be lovable as heck if they win games.

[Old Red]

J.P. Long is the current Director of Baseball Communications & Media Relations for the Boston Red Sox.

 

I thought that was Walmart greeter Sam Kennedy’s job he done such a great job at media relations.

[mvp 78]

What’s the holdup with this? If it’s because Tapia isn’t on the 40? s***, or get off the pot as they say. This shouldn’t be that tough of a decision. Unless one of the OF get hurt, or really suck I can’t see much platooning going on, so the 4th, or 5th OF won’t play much anyway.

 

What's the rush? WOO is right down the street so they can make any moves they need to up until Thursday AM. Maybe they want to see if any teams try to sneak some good arms through the waiver wire or maybe they are still working the phones on a deal or two?

 

Even if Duran and Ort are on the Opening Day roster, it doesn't mean they will be there all season. The roster is in flux. Mondesi should be coming back (potential 60 day IL). Whitlock, Bello and Paxton(?) should be coming back.

[Bellhorn04]

I thought that was Walmart greeter Sam Kennedy’s job he done such a great job at media relations.

 

The Red Sox have been brutal at PR the last few years.

[mvp 78]

I thought that was Walmart greeter Sam Kennedy’s job he done such a great job at media relations.

 

He's the President of the Boston Red Sox.

[mvp 78]

The Red Sox have been brutal at PR the last few years.

 

At front office PR, yes.

[notin]

What's the rush? WOO is right down the street so they can make any moves they need to up until Thursday AM. Maybe they want to see if any teams try to sneak some good arms through the waiver wire or maybe they are still working the phones on a deal or two?

 

Even if Duran and Ort are on the Opening Day roster, it doesn't mean they will be there all season. The roster is in flux. Mondesi should be coming back (potential 60 day IL). Whitlock, Bello and Paxton(?) should be coming back.

 

No. You don’t get it!! These decisions need to be made NOW!! Every second they wait is costing the Sox wins!!

 

This just shows how indecisive the FO is!!

[moonslav59]

No, that would be... MISSING THE MARK.

 

Maybe your misguided mark, yes.

[mvp 78]

No. You don’t get it!! These decisions need to be made NOW!! Every second they wait is costing the Sox wins!!

 

This just shows how indecisive the FO is!!

 

Much prefer a desperate GM who would extend injured players willy nilly!

[Old Red]

What's the rush? WOO is right down the street so they can make any moves they need to up until Thursday AM. Maybe they want to see if any teams try to sneak some good arms through the waiver wire or maybe they are still working the phones on a deal or two?

 

Even if Duran and Ort are on the Opening Day roster, it doesn't mean they will be there all season. The roster is in flux. Mondesi should be coming back (potential 60 day IL). Whitlock, Bello and Paxton(?) should be coming back.[/

Sounds like looking for that 3rd option in the fork in the road again to me.

[mvp 78]

Maybe your misguided mark, yes.

 

No, you.

[notin]

Much prefer a desperate GM who would extend injured players willy nilly!

 

Exactly!!

 

When he made a decision he stuck to it!! No matter how many facts and how much reality told him it was a bad idea!!

[notin]

What's the rush? WOO is right down the street so they can make any moves they need to up until Thursday AM. Maybe they want to see if any teams try to sneak some good arms through the waiver wire or maybe they are still working the phones on a deal or two?

 

Even if Duran and Ort are on the Opening Day roster, it doesn't mean they will be there all season. The roster is in flux. Mondesi should be coming back (potential 60 day IL). Whitlock, Bello and Paxton(?) should be coming back.[/

Sounds like looking for that 3rd option in the fork in the road again to me.

 

 

If they’re looking for a reliever not named Ort, I’m all for it. Even if it goes a few days into the season…

[Maxbialystock]

I volunteer to be the misguided contributor because I often am.

 

Season starts Thursday at Fenway vs. the Orioles, Kluber vs. Gibson. Looks like the weather will be sunny and cold (high of 41).

 

I believe this year the Sox are expected to finish 5th in the AL East, which I have to admit is reasonable.

Edited March 28, 2023 by Maxbialystock

[Old Red]

I volunteer to be the misguided contributor because I often am.

 

Season starts Thursday at Fenway vs. the Orioles, Kluber vs. Gibson. I believe this year the Sox are expected to finish 5th in the AL East, which I have to admit is reasonable.

 

I agree with that being reasonable. Lots of things would have to go right to be any better. Anything’s possible though, but to me very unlikely. Hope I’m wrong!

[mvp 78]

Sounds like looking for that 3rd option in the fork in the road again to me.

 

Tapia, Duran or Someone Else? Yup, that's a 3rd option that sounds worth exploring.

[Old Red]

Tapia, Duran or Someone Else? Yup, that's a 3rd option that sounds worth exploring.

 

Either way I don’t believe it will have much of an affect on the upcoming season.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

As Devers ages into his mid-30s, modifying his approach may actually optimize his production -- which is what all of Red Sox Nation wants for the next decade.

 

Swinging from the heels in every at bat is hazardous to a batter's health as he grows old. He was able to overcome a sore arm at the end of '21, but definitely not as much with a sore leg at the end of '22.

 

Hitters mature, and Raffy has the hand-eye and balance to actually improve from what we've seen so far in the batter's box. As Remy said, "Devahs is always betta gap-to-gap and not tryin to pull everything..."

[mvp 78]

Exactly!!

 

When he made a decision he stuck to it!! No matter how many facts and how much reality told him it was a bad idea!!

 

When he leaves for another organization? Keep bringing in the guys you remember from the previous one!

 

CJ Chatham!

Josh Ockimey!

Noah Song!

[Bellhorn04]

Exactly!!

 

When he made a decision he stuck to it!! No matter how many facts and how much reality told him it was a bad idea!!

 

Yep, just like Ben didn't listen to mvp about Pedroia.

[mvp 78]

Yep, just like Ben didn't listen to mvp about Pedroia.

 

He could still be GM of the Red Sox today!

 

C - Endy Rodriguez

1B - Casas

2B - Liover Peguero

SS - Xander

3B - Raffy

RF - Mookie

CF - Margot

LF - Yoshida

DH - Santana

[moonslav59]

I agree with that being reasonable. Lots of things would have to go right to be any better. Anything’s possible though, but to me very unlikely. Hope I’m wrong!

 

Lots of things need to go wrong to finish 5th, too.

 

It's certainly reasonable to think 4th place.

 

I like our chances at 3rd place and a chance a WC, but I also think it is "reasonable" to think otherwise.

[moonslav59]

As Devers ages into his mid-30s, modifying his approach may actually optimize his production -- which is what all of Red Sox Nation wants for the next decade.

 

Swinging from the heels in every at bat is hazardous to a batter's health as he grows old. He was able to overcome a sore arm at the end of '21, but definitely not as much with a sore leg at the end of '22.

 

Hitters mature, and Raffy has the hand-eye and balance to actually improve from what we've seen so far in the batter's box. As Remy said, "Devahs is always betta gap-to-gap and not tryin to pull everything..."

 

Guys like Vladamir Guerrero (not Jr) are not all that common. Maybe Devers can keep it up: maybe he will need to adjust.

 

Vlad:

11.4 K% up to age 29 (8.8 BB%) 30% Pull rate

10.3 K% 30 and older (7.3 BB%) 27% Pull rate

 

OPS+ (140 career) & fWAR

154 age 30 5.3

138 age 32 3.5

147 age 32 3.2

130 age 33 1.9

107 age 34 0.5

119 age 35 1.1

98 @ age 36 -0.6

 

[mvp 78]

@jcmccaffrey

The Red Sox got right-hander AJ Politi back from the Orioles today. Politi had been taken in the Rule 5 draft in December but didn’t make Baltimore’s active roster.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

@jcmccaffrey

The Red Sox got right-hander AJ Politi back from the Orioles today. Politi had been taken in the Rule 5 draft in December but didn’t make Baltimore’s active roster.

 

And Bloom made 50K!

[moonslav59]

And Bloom made 50K!

 

Wouldn't have made $100K had he refused?

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Wouldn't have made $100K had he refused?

 

Sure, he'd get to keep all the dough, but would lose the prospect. Now he's getting paid to replant his farm...