May 10th Red Sox @ Braves

[Old Red]

Even Kike got a key hit.

 

Now that is something!

 

I was more impressed with his D.

[moonslav59]

Braves/warpath. Nice, Moon. I wonder what Atlanta will be changing their nickname to in the future?

 

The Colas.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

We passed TOR, again. (Thanks Philly.)

 

3 behind BAL

1/2 up on TOR

1 up on NYY

2 up on LAA

2.5 up on HOU

 

Better winning % than MIN and just 1 GB TEX for the second best record in the AL.

 

7 GB TBR

 

 

And the SOX have played the toughest schedule in MLB so far.

[moonslav59]

I was more impressed with his D.

 

The expectations were so low.

[moonslav59]

And the SOX have played the toughest schedule in MLB so far.

 

It doesn't matter. The league is watered down. We actually suck, but just less than most others.

[Old Red]

The expectations were so low.

 

I said a few days ago that he had straightened his D out at SS.

[moonslav59]

And the SOX have played the toughest schedule in MLB so far.

 

1 GB the 4th best record in MLB, and we are 2 games from the quarter point of the year.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

It doesn't matter. The league is watered down. We actually suck, but just less than most others.

 

 

Based on your post then, the Rays are the least sucking team in MLB.

[moonslav59]

I said a few days ago that he had straightened his D out at SS.

 

It's a tough position to play, and he hadn't played it in a long time.

 

A week or so ago, I too brought up how his errors were way down from his first 8 games and 5 errors.

 

He now has an 8 game errorless streak. Not bad for a utility man.

[Maxbialystock]

You’re the only one in Red Sox Nation calling it the no name offense.

 

I said that. The only real name in this lineup is Devers. Mookie, Bogey, and JDM are gone. Yoshida had a name--but in Japan, not here, and when he started out here his name here was mud. Duvall has only played in 8 of 38 games. Justin Turner is thirty freaking eight. Dugo was almost the proverbial "player to be named later" in the Mookie Betts deal, but right now seems to be having a career year. His WAR of +1.5 is higher than Mookie's 1.2--so far (early in the season). Kike, Arroyo, McGuire, Wong, Duran, Casas, Tapia, Refsnyder are all unknowns outside of Boston.

[Maxbialystock]

I was more impressed with his D.

 

I wasn't because I couldn't get the game. But it is great to hear/read.

[moonslav59]

Based on your post then, the Rays are the least sucking team in MLB.

 

They only look good, because they play only real sucky teams.

 

Speaking of the Rays, before tonight...

 

7 of their top 11 PA batters have an OPS over .907. (8 are over .795) Their worst hitter is almost at .700 (Margot at .698.)

 

Their rotation?

0.56 Springs

1.76 McClanahan

2.91 Eflin (The guy Bloom wanted before settling on Kluber.)

3.11 Rasmussen

3.52 Taj Bradley

 

Their closer?

1.17 Adam

(They also have Poche 1.29 and Chirinos 1.86.)

 

Yup, they suck- just less.

 

[moonslav59]

I said that. The only real name in this lineup is Devers. Mookie, Bogey, and JDM are gone. Yoshida had a name--but in Japan, not here, and when he started out here his name here was mud. Duvall has only played in 8 of 38 games. Justin Turner is thirty freaking eight. Dugo was almost the proverbial "player to be named later" in the Mookie Betts deal, but right now seems to be having a career year. His WAR of +1.5 is higher than Mookie's 1.2--so far (early in the season). Kike, Arroyo, McGuire, Wong, Duran, Casas, Tapia, Refsnyder are all unknowns outside of Boston.

 

Age discrimination!

 

Turner has built up his name very well. It's not his fault another Turner on his team stole his thunder.

 

202-2022:

.818 OPS (38th best in MLB)

 

.852 since 2018 (28th best)

 

The kicker... wait for it...

 

June 18- end of 2022 (at age 37)

 

.958 OPS (6th best in all MLB) in 282 PAs

4th best among all players with over 250 PAs!

 

Take that back!

[moonslav59]

I said that. The only real name in this lineup is Devers. Mookie, Bogey, and JDM are gone. Yoshida had a name--but in Japan, not here, and when he started out here his name here was mud. Duvall has only played in 8 of 38 games. Justin Turner is thirty freaking eight. Dugo was almost the proverbial "player to be named later" in the Mookie Betts deal, but right now seems to be having a career year. His WAR of +1.5 is higher than Mookie's 1.2--so far (early in the season). Kike, Arroyo, McGuire, Wong, Duran, Casas, Tapia, Refsnyder are all unknowns outside of Boston.

 

Duvall hit over 30 Hrs three times and led the league in rbis in 2021.

[Bellhorn04]

Kike, Arroyo, McGuire, Wong, Duran, Casas, Tapia, Refsnyder are all unknowns outside of Boston.

 

If you're talking about Joe Average Fan types, but not if you're talking about Baseball Nerd/Junkie types.

[jad]

It doesn't matter. The league is watered down. We actually suck, but just less than most others.

 

You're obviously being ironic, but it amazes me the number of presumed fans who claim to believe this. That the Pete Rozelle insistence on 'parity' has ruined sports. They long to be like Nebraska fans who fill the stadium to watch their guys whoop ass on Akron. And apparently can't stand the notion of competition between equals--you know, like Frazier/Ali.

[notin]

I've always wondered if Ted Williams ever had a batting slump. I'm sure he must have.

 

0 for 17 in August of ‘54…

[moonslav59]

You're obviously being ironic, but it amazes me the number of presumed fans who claim to believe this. That the Pete Rozelle insistence on 'parity' has ruined sports. They long to be like Nebraska fans who fill the stadium to watch their guys whoop ass on Akron. And apparently can't stand the notion of competition between equals--you know, like Frazier/Ali.

 

Yes, I was doing an Ole Red parody on parity.

 

The same talent level is here as last year, except for a few more studs on the IL. They are just spread out to teams like Texas, SD and the Mets.

 

Parity does not equal watered down.

[moonslav59]

0 for 17 in August of ‘54…

 

They should have traded him in July '54.

[notin]

I said that. The only real name in this lineup is Devers. Mookie, Bogey, and JDM are gone. Yoshida had a name--but in Japan, not here, and when he started out here his name here was mud. Duvall has only played in 8 of 38 games. Justin Turner is thirty freaking eight. Dugo was almost the proverbial "player to be named later" in the Mookie Betts deal, but right now seems to be having a career year. His WAR of +1.5 is higher than Mookie's 1.2--so far (early in the season). Kike, Arroyo, McGuire, Wong, Duran, Casas, Tapia, Refsnyder are all unknowns outside of Boston.

 

Verdugo was the main piece acquired for a future Hall of Famer. It would be more accurate to call Jeff Bagwell “a prospect worth only a journeyman middle reliever in a trade”…

[iortiz]

Duran is now hitting .372, with a .420 OBP, has 12 doubled in 22 games, 6 stolen bases and hasn’t been caught.. and most importantly he actually looks competent in field.

 

I’ve also noticed a change in his demeanor, he’s hustling every play and even during his lows, he isn’t walking with his head down and taking it to other parts of his game.

 

Unfortunately couldn't catch the game, but this is what I was expecting from him when he was called up for the first time. These are video game numbers though. If he can be a consistent say 850 hitter with that D and speed, then we have a legit CF for a long time who can easily leadoff, and who will convert singles into doubles because he will steal in every opportunity.

[notin]

Yes, I was doing an Ole Red parody on parity.

 

The same talent level is here as last year, except for a few more studs on the IL. They are just spread out to teams like Texas, SD and the Mets.

 

Parity does not equal watered down.

 

It’s not even parity. The same teams are hoarding expensive talent.

 

Calling the league “watered down” is ridiculous. The talent level in the league now is probably at its highest ever and climbing, thanks to a complete shift into full time baseball for lots of kids growing up and the expansion of the game (not MLB, just baseball) globally.

 

The only thing that might have “watered down” the game is the elimination (or, if you prefer, reduction) of steroid usage. But that’s not exactly a bad thing…

[moonslav59]

It’s not even parity. The same teams are hoarding expensive talent.

 

Calling the league “watered down” is ridiculous. The talent level in the league now is probably at its highest ever and climbing, thanks to a complete shift into full time baseball for lots of kids growing up and the expansion of the game (not MLB, just baseball) globally.

 

The only thing that might have “watered down” the game is the elimination (or, if you prefer, reduction) of steroid usage. But that’s not exactly a bad thing…

 

The Rangers are not a traditional "hoarder." The Padres are relatively new at it. The Phillies & Mets have been and have not been, over the years.

 

Padres: 24th in 2019

 

Phillies 24th in 2018

 

Texas 22nd in 2021

 

Mets 19th in 2016 and 12th not too long ago.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Verdugo was the main piece acquired for a future Hall of Famer. It would be more accurate to call Jeff Bagwell “a prospect worth only a journeyman middle reliever in a trade”…

 

... or that the Dodgers wanted David Price so badly they gave up a top position prospect.

 

But even if Verdugo becomes an All-Star, you'll never see me refer to his predecessor in RF as Who?

 

(bbref) Average HOF RF vs. Mookie Betts:

 

42.4 7yr-peak WAR | 56.7 JAWS | 5.1 WAR/162

 

50.4 7yr-peak WAR 53.8 JAWS 8.1 WAR/162

 

That's who.

Edited May 11, 2023 by 5GoldGloves:OF,75

[moonslav59]

It’s not even parity.

 

Right now, the hoarders aren't winning.

 

It's early, of course, but it looks like only KC & OAK look really awful.

 

STL & CWS have bad records, but I get the feeling they are better than 13-25.

 

CIN, COL, WSH and DET may drop from their not do horrible current records.

[moonslav59]

AL

Only 3 teams are farther than 4 GB the last WC slot.

 

NL

No team is 7 GB the last slot.

14 teams are 3.5 or less behind it.

 

26 of 30 MLB teams are within 4 games.

 

Looks and smells like parity.

[notin]

Right now, the hoarders aren't winning.

 

It's early, of course, but it looks like only KC & OAK look really awful.

 

STL & CWS have bad records, but I get the feeling they are better than 13-25.

 

CIN, COL, WSH and DET may drop from their not do horrible current records.

 

By the end of the year, the best teams will win around 60% of the games (give or take a few percent) and the worst teams will win around 40%(ish) of their games. Just like every year…

[notin]

... or that the Dodgers wanted David Price so badly they gave up a top position prospect.

 

But even if Verdugo becomes an All-Star, you'll never see me refer to his predecessor in RF as Who?

 

(bbref) Average HOF RF vs. Mookie Betts:

 

42.4 7yr-peak WAR | 56.7 JAWS | 5.1 WAR/162

 

50.4 7yr-peak WAR 53.8 JAWS 8.1 WAR/162

 

That's who.

 

None of which makes Verdugo a PTBNL.

 

Nearly every (or, if you prefer, every) deal of a superstar for prospects or young talent has netted next to nothing as a return. Verdugo is looking like the rare exception and can join the small list of worthwhile players acquired for a star player, alongside Randy Johnson, Grady Sizemore, Cliff Lee, and Brandon Phillips…

[Maxbialystock]

Verdugo was the main piece acquired for a future Hall of Famer. It would be more accurate to call Jeff Bagwell “a prospect worth only a journeyman middle reliever in a trade”…

 

"Main piece??!!!" The Sox sent Mookie to LA because John Henry didn't want to sign him for long term megabucks--and LA did. LA also graciously took David Price off our hands (with the Sox still paying half his salary). I put "player to be named later" in quotation marks because I knew even then Dugo was more than that. But you have gone in the opposite direction and almost equated him with Mookie.

 

In his 2d and 3d seasons with the Sox--his 5th and 6th in MLB--Dugo's OPS's were 2.2 and 1.2. Based on those two numbers, I think calling Verdugo "no name" is not far off the mark--even though so far this year he looks really good.

[moonslav59]

By the end of the year, the best teams will win around 60% of the games (give or take a few percent) and the worst teams will win around 40%(ish) of their games. Just like every year…

 

Probably, but there does seem to be more parity, right now, than before. It's not always this bunched up in early/mid May.