A Realistic View of 2024: Part II

[Maxbialystock]

Yeah, I guess he’s only got one year of service time.

 

He’s not exactly a guy who highlights the strengths in the Sox drafting or minor leagues…

 

Looks like you're right and I misspoke.

[Nick]

At the time of the trade, Devers had only gotten as far as Salem. I don't think DD had seen Devers at the point.

 

Maybe not but I remember Devers name coming up around same time.......I think Moncada was rushed for DD to see....

 

Many skeptics here...I will do some research on this site...

[mvp 78]

Horn called up to replace Campbell. Wong is back from paternity leave.

[moonslav59]

Horn called up to replace Campbell. Wong is back from paternity leave.

 

That was a quick Campbell sighting!

[Maxbialystock]

That was a quick Campbell sighting!

 

Sighted Campbell, sank same.

[notin]

Looks like you're right and I misspoke.

 

That’s why I thought you meant Valdez. Not drafted, but like Wong, Abreu, Hamilton, etc. he spent time in the Sox minors

[Maxbialystock]

Yesterday Casas took 20 swings in the batting cage at "75%." Now he hopes to get in a rehab game in 2 weeks, so the 2 July target is OBE. I think the Sox are being cautious--as they should be.

[moonslav59]

Yesterday Casas took 20 swings in the batting cage at "75%." Now he hopes to get in a rehab game in 2 weeks, so the 2 July target is OBE. I think the Sox are being cautious--as they should be.

 

They should be plenty cautious.

 

I can’t help but feel Deja vu, here. It seems every summer we look to players returning from the IL to bring a needed boost or spark to the season. It never seems to work out that way.

 

At least it’s not SPers we are waiting on. Casas and Hendriks may yet give us a boost, but who knows?

 

[moonslav59]

RIP Orlando Cepeda. He was the first Sox DH. Damn good hitter who had some rough patches in life.

[moonslav59]

What a difference two really bad games makes.

[moonslav59]

Who would have guessed, as we near July, that three of the 6 playoff teams would be from the AL Central?

 

CLE

MIN

KCR are 1.5 up on BOS.

 

The Astros are firmly in the race at 41-41.

[Old Red]

Another short outing by a starting pitcher last night, and this time by Houck. Poor guy, because Cora made him work on his Birthday. Houck has been the Red Sox best pitcher the first half of the season, but now he has pitched more innings this year than in any other year in his career, and there is still a half of a season to go, so how he holds up will be interesting to see. The rest of the rotation haven’t been pitching that good either especially Big Baby Bello, and Pivetta. Seems like the Bailey magic is wearing off. Bailey got heaped lots of praise when things were going good, so it’s only right he gets the blame when things are going bad like they are now. Who couldn’t see this coming?

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Another short outing by a starting pitcher last night, and this time by Houck. Poor guy, because Cora made him work on his Birthday. Houck has been the Red Sox best pitcher the first half of the season, but now he has pitched more innings this year than in any other year in his career, and there is still a half of a season to go, so how he holds up will be interesting to see. The rest of the rotation haven’t been pitching that good either especially Big Baby Bello, and Pivetta. Seems like the Bailey magic is wearing off. Bailey got heaped lots of praise when things were going good, so it’s only right he gets the blame when things are going bad like they are now. Who couldn’t see this coming?

 

What's your point?

 

Nobody thought the Red Sox rotation was good or deep or worthy of a contender going into the season.

 

Then everybody was surprised the rotation was so good the first month, and hung in there the next two.

 

Now July is here, typical wear and tear have taken a toll, there's still no mound prospects ready for promotion, and the CBO has to pick a lane. None of that is surprising at all, and most of us spent the offseason bitter, preparing ourselves for all these inevitabilities.

[Hugh2]

With three losses in a row the boo birds will be out in full force. This is what gets them all hot and bothered.

[Bellhorn04]

If the starting pitching continues to unravel, it's yet another case of massive negligence by the Red Sox front office.

 

Not surprisingly there's some chat that other teams have adapted to the changes in pitching approach instituted by Bailey. That's the way this stuff works now. All analytics all the time.

[Bellhorn04]

With three losses in a row the boo birds will be out in full force. This is what gets them all hot and bothered.

 

I think most of the booing of Red Sox fans these days is directed at the guys who run the team-owners and front office.

 

The team itself has provided a lot of pleasant surprises and good moments.

 

But if the rotation falls apart it's gonna be another ugly finish.

[Hugh2]

I think most of the booing of Red Sox fans these days is directed at the guys who run the team-owners and front office.

 

The team itself has provided a lot of pleasant surprises and good moments.

 

But if the rotation falls apart it's gonna be another ugly finish.

 

Yes a lot of the booing is well deserved I don’t refute the healthy dose of realistic fan dissent.

 

But it’s the negative Nancie’s, the Donny downers, the ones who always have something to complain about, but will seemingly crawl under a rock during a win streak.

 

I get it, unconditional fandom is be equally annoying to them. It’s their insatiable lust for the game that’s insufferable. These are the guys who could still complain, and DID complain during the runs in 2013 and 2018 around here too. When the team won 100 games they still sat in their armchairs and critique everything. When we had guys like Mookie Betts, and Xander Bogaerts, they still complained about every little thing, every strike out, every GIDP, every pitching change that didn’t result in a 1-2-3 inning was instantaneously the wrong move.

 

They’re literally, mentally incapable of joy. It’s impossible for them. Their power only grows with every loss, and slowly shrivels up with every loss.

[Bellhorn04]

If you're looking for a Red Sox fan forum that stays mostly positive, Sons of Sam Horn is the place to be.

[illinoisredsox]

If you're looking for a Red Sox fan forum that stays mostly positive, Sons of Sam Horn is the place to be.

 

I don’t think he’s looking for an all positive forum, but you have to acknowledge that there are a few posters here who only come out during losing games and losing streaks. When that game/streak turns around, they crawl back into their caves until the next bad outcome comes around.

 

Give me posters like you and Hugh and Splendid who are here all the time, in good and bad, and who are realistic about how baseball actually works. People who discuss to make a point rather than arguing for the sake of arguing.

[Old Red]

Yes a lot of the booing is well deserved I don’t refute the healthy dose of realistic fan dissent.

 

But it’s the negative Nancie’s, the Donny downers, the ones who always have something to complain about, but will seemingly crawl under a rock during a win streak.

 

I get it, unconditional fandom is be equally annoying to them. It’s their insatiable lust for the game that’s insufferable. These are the guys who could still complain, and DID complain during the runs in 2013 and 2018 around here too. When the team won 100 games they still sat in their armchairs and critique everything. When we had guys like Mookie Betts, and Xander Bogaerts, they still complained about every little thing, every strike out, every GIDP, every pitching change that didn’t result in a 1-2-3 inning was instantaneously the wrong move.

 

They’re literally, mentally incapable of joy. It’s impossible for them. Their power only grows with every loss, and slowly shrivels up with every loss.

You mean like all the negative Nancy’s, and Debbie Downers that was on here ALL offseason, and shouting Sham, Sham, Sham at the top of his lungs over, and over, and over again? I on the other hand was one of the more optimistic ones who kept saying wait until March 28, and see what things look like, and see how things turn out. Incapable of Joy? Some just don’t wave Pom Poms, and be a cheerleader, and wait, and see what October brings, which is. What Cora says is most important. Some just don’t get that game to game, or pitch to pitch Raffy can turn from Devers Forever to Never Devers, and vice versa, and the same with NOshida to GOshida. So Sham, Sham, Sham to those Debbie Downers, and Negative Nancy’s who didn’t wait to see how things would turn out for the ist half of the season, and glad to see you FINALLY called them out.

[Old Red]

I don’t think he’s looking for an all positive forum, but you have to acknowledge that there are a few posters here who only come out during losing games and losing streaks. When that game/streak turns around, they crawl back into their caves until the next bad outcome comes around.

 

Give me posters like you and Hugh and Splendid who are here all the time, in good and bad, and who are realistic about how baseball actually works. People who discuss to make a point rather than arguing for the sake of arguing.

This is why you are the Goose.

[notin]

I don’t think he’s looking for an all positive forum, but you have to acknowledge that there are a few posters here who only come out during losing games and losing streaks. When that game/streak turns around, they crawl back into their caves until the next bad outcome comes around.

 

Give me posters like you and Hugh and Splendid who are here all the time, in good and bad, and who are realistic about how baseball actually works. People who discuss to make a point rather than arguing for the sake of arguing.

 

Some folks are negative because the venting is cathartic. If you need this forum to let out some Sox-related frustration, and clacking some keys here keeps you from actually performing Schrödinger’s Cat, I get it.

 

Of course there are a few who show up in darker times and tell us we’re stupid for being Sox fans are a different matter…

[Old Red]

Some folks are negative because the venting is cathartic. If you need this forum to let out some Sox-related frustration, and clacking some keys here keeps you from actually performing Schrödinger’s Cat, I get it.

 

Of course there are a few who show up in darker times and tell us we’re stupid for being Sox fans are a different matter…

 

To me the Debbie Downers, and Negative Nancy’s are the ones who talk about having a sell off all the time. I think I’ve heard more of that kind of talk the last three years than anything else on here. Before, during, and after the season ends. One even said before this season started that making the playoffs this year wouldn’t be any good anyway, because they wouldn’t do anything. Sham, sham, sham.

[notin]

To me the Debbie Downers, and Negative Nancy’s are the ones who talk about having a sell off all the time. I think I’ve heard more of that kind of talk the last three years than anything else on here. Before, during, and after the season ends. One even said before this season started that making the playoffs this year wouldn’t be any good anyway, because they wouldn’t do anything. Sham, sham, sham.

 

Yeah but those types are putting a positive spin on a team they view negatively. “Hey this team is no good, but we can use that to make the future brighter!!” types. As much as I don’t want fire sales, they are a legitimate way to improve the future, and discussing potential Jansen trades is far more appealing baseball talk to me than complaining about John Henry. (Not that those of you out there who spend weekends sticking pins in your little Sam Kennedy dolls are misunderstood by me. In fact, where did you get that Kennedy doll? And do they have one for Werner?)

[Old Red]

Yeah but those types are putting a positive spin on a team they view negatively. “Hey this team is no good, but we can use that to make the future brighter!!” types. As much as I don’t want fire sales, they are a legitimate way to improve the future, and discussing potential Jansen trades is far more appealing baseball talk to me than complaining about John Henry. (Not that those of you out there who spend weekends sticking pins in your little Sam Kennedy dolls are misunderstood by me. In fact, where did you get that Kennedy doll? And do they have one for Werner?)

 

Wanting to be sellers, and not buyers is not putting a positive spin on anything, and most importantly not what Cora, or the players want, and have wanted in the past. To be sellers means you are a loser AGAIN. The future is now 2024, and not 2025, and beyond.

[notin]

Wanting to be sellers, and not buyers is not putting a positive spin on anything, and most importantly not what Cora, or the players want, and have wanted in the past. To be sellers means you are a loser AGAIN. The future is now 2024, and not 2025, and beyond.

 

I disagree.

 

In December through March, this board was loaded with negativity. Almost everyone predicted another last place finish. Very few said anything positive. And this was before we all saw Chris Sale put the Fountain of Youth into a Time Machine. And all of those last place prognosticators could still be right.

 

But right or not, they’re being very negative, and certainly not saying anything Cora or the players want to hear (which they won’t). Isn’t that worse? The folks calling for sell offs are doing the same thing, but are at least suggesting follow up actions. Granted, no one who needs those suggestions will hear it. But again, what’s better baseball talk? What is Chris Martin worth in a trade? Or why won’t John Henry spend money anymore?

 

The negativity is always here. It doesn’t start with the seller talk. Some of the fire sale people go all in and expect an air strike and a complete rebuild if the Sox give up multiple runs in 3 or more consecutive innings. Those guys are a little crazy. But hoping to turn a mediocre Nick Pivetta into something decent next month? Not the most negative thing in my eyes.

 

I get how seller talk can be annoying when the team is doing well overall and you just want to get some teams behind Boston in the postseason hunt. I just can’t think of it as the bottom of negativity…

[Old Red]

I disagree.

 

In December through March, this board was loaded with negativity. Almost everyone predicted another last place finish. Very few said anything positive. And this was before we all saw Chris Sale put the Fountain of Youth into a Time Machine. And all of those last place prognosticators could still be right.

 

But right or not, they’re being very negative, and certainly not saying anything Cora or the players want to hear (which they won’t). Isn’t that worse? The folks calling for sell offs are doing the same thing, but are at least suggesting follow up actions. Granted, no one who needs those suggestions will hear it. But again, what’s better baseball talk? What is Chris Martin worth in a trade? Or why won’t John Henry spend money anymore?

 

The negativity is always here. It doesn’t start with the seller talk. Some of the fire sale people go all in and expect an air strike and a complete rebuild if the Sox give up multiple runs in 3 or more consecutive innings. Those guys are a little crazy. But hoping to turn a mediocre Nick Pivetta into something decent next month? Not the most negative thing in my eyes.

 

I get how seller talk can be annoying when the team is doing well overall and you just want to get some teams behind Boston in the postseason hunt. I just can’t think of it as the bottom of negativity…

 

I disagree. Like I’ve said many times in the past if you are not playing to win, and playing to make the postseason then don’t play at all. Like Cora has said what you do, or don’t do in October is what’s most important, and that’s what Cora, and the players want, and are playing for. What Cora, and the players want is more important than what gets called for most of the time on here. Negativity is selling, and positivity is buying. The players are positive.

[Bellhorn04]

I disagree.

 

In December through March, this board was loaded with negativity. Almost everyone predicted another last place finish. Very few said anything positive. And this was before we all saw Chris Sale put the Fountain of Youth into a Time Machine. And all of those last place prognosticators could still be right.

 

But right or not, they’re being very negative, and certainly not saying anything Cora or the players want to hear (which they won’t). Isn’t that worse? The folks calling for sell offs are doing the same thing, but are at least suggesting follow up actions. Granted, no one who needs those suggestions will hear it. But again, what’s better baseball talk? What is Chris Martin worth in a trade? Or why won’t John Henry spend money anymore?

 

They're both baseball talk. Which is better or worse is strictly a matter of personal opinion.

 

Some people are tired of speculating about deadline selloffs for the third year in a row.

[notin]

They're both baseball talk. Which is better or worse is strictly a matter of personal opinion.

 

True, but as I said, I prefer the former. But as I said earlier, if any of you front office bashers have a line on where to get Sox office voodoo dolls, clue me in.

 

I’m not opposed to Henry Bashing, and definitely not above it. It’s just secondary to talking team/player stuff like I mentioned earlier…

[Bellhorn04]

True, but as I said, I prefer the former. But as I said earlier, if any of you front office bashers have a line on where to get Sox office voodoo dolls, clue me in.

 

I’m not opposed to Henry Bashing, and definitely not above it. It’s just secondary to talking team/player stuff like I mentioned earlier…

 

These things are all intertwined. Henry and his decisions have a lot to do with being a .500ish team 3 years in a row and being all in a tizzy about whether to buy or sell 3 years in a row.