A Realistic View of 2024: Part II

[mvp 78]

I like it. You can platoon him with Valdez, actually you could play him at SS and put Hamilton at 2nd when going up against a lefty.

 

Hasn't played much SS so I was just sticking him at 2B. Can't say I've seen a memorable Rockies game in a while.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Ballpark Factors for Fenway:

RHB HR - 19th

RHB 2B - 7th

RHB H - 3rd

LHB HR - 16th

LHB 2B - 1st

LHB H -3rd

 

It's a park to get on base and score runs, but it's not a launching pad for dingers. Especially not a launching pad for homers.

 

Unless you're a righty who pulls a lot of high fly balls. Tony C, Boomer (at least in '77), Esasky and Jason Bay for one year, Fisk...

 

Rico was listed at 175 pounds, Pedroia 170 (both supposedly less than Mookie -- 180 pounds of body by bowling ball!).

 

Alonso is listed at 245 lbs. Wonder what his career spray chart looks like, super-imposed on Fenway dimensions...

[moonslav59]

I bet the Sox could get Brendan Rodgers from the Rockies if they wanted and just used him as a platoon guy.

 

He's been at a .722 clip, the last 3 years, and his power dropped in these years, too.

 

I'm not sure that is what we need, but he does kill lefties, so maybe he fits the need. A platoon with Valdez or DHam might work well.

 

I'm thinking, if we are buyers, we'd look for SP'er depth, so we don't need any more pen games. With Campbell, Wink and Hendriks (Aug 1st?) around, maybe we don't look to add a pen arm.

 

A lot can happen between now and then, and our needs could change, but as of now, I'd say they are:

 

1. SP (a solid #3 type or better would be ideal, but perhaps too costly for Brez to get)

2. RHB who plays 2B or SS

3. SP depth

 

Trading a LHB OF for a RHB might be a possibility, but nobody wants to see Abreu or Duran dealt away.

[Hugh2]

One thing is for certain, the Sox are playing so well that it keeps some goobers away.

 

If the Playoffs started today the Sox would be in the playoffs.

 

The Sox are a playoff team. Those are the facts....and the facts are undisputed.

[Hugh2]

He's been at a .722 clip, the last 3 years, and his power dropped in these years, too.

 

I'm not sure that is what we need, but he does kill lefties, so maybe he fits the need. A platoon with Valdez or DHam might work well.

 

I'm thinking, if we are buyers, we'd look for SP'er depth, so we don't need any more pen games. With Campbell, Wink and Hendriks (Aug 1st?) around, maybe we don't look to add a pen arm.

 

A lot can happen between now and then, and our needs could change, but as of now, I'd say they are:

 

1. SP (a solid #3 type or better would be ideal, but perhaps too costly for Brez to get)

2. RHB who plays 2B or SS

3. SP depth

 

Trading a LHB OF for a RHB might be a possibility, but nobody wants to see Abreu or Duran dealt away.

 

But he can really hit lefties, which we badly need. He should be dirt cheap as well.

 

I haven't given up on Vaughn Grissom, but I have for this year, and he's probably best served to be groomed into a utility role.

 

Buy Rodgers/Alonso and DFA Dalbec/Smith.

 

Smith has actually been playing much better lately, so perhaps you can trade him, but he's redundant when Casas comes back, and Alonso can DH or split time with Tristan when he does.

[mvp 78]

Unless you're a righty who pulls a lot of high fly balls. Tony C, Boomer (at least in '77), Esasky and Jason Bay for one year, Fisk...

 

Rico was listed at 175 pounds, Pedroia 170 (both supposedly less than Mookie -- 180 pounds of body by bowling ball!).

 

Alonso is listed at 245 lbs. Wonder what his career spray chart looks like, super-imposed on Fenway dimensions...

 

The Monster takes away some homeruns, the damn 406 club or whatever they want to call it takes away even more IMO. Superimposing a spray chart won't give you actual homeruns unfortunately.

 

In 1969, Rico hit 55% at home (22). In 1978, Rice had 61% at home (28). In 2009, only 42% of Bay's homers were at Fenway (15). In 2018, only 41% of Betts' homers were at Fenway (13).

 

Wade Boggs was a huge opponent of the 406 club back in the 80's after the construction and stated that the wind patters changed how the ball carried.

[mvp 78]

He's been at a .722 clip, the last 3 years, and his power dropped in these years, too.

 

I'm not sure that is what we need, but he does kill lefties, so maybe he fits the need. A platoon with Valdez or DHam might work well.

 

I'm thinking, if we are buyers, we'd look for SP'er depth, so we don't need any more pen games. With Campbell, Wink and Hendriks (Aug 1st?) around, maybe we don't look to add a pen arm.

 

A lot can happen between now and then, and our needs could change, but as of now, I'd say they are:

 

1. SP (a solid #3 type or better would be ideal, but perhaps too costly for Brez to get)

2. RHB who plays 2B or SS

3. SP depth

 

Trading a LHB OF for a RHB might be a possibility, but nobody wants to see Abreu or Duran dealt away.

 

I'm not looking for him to be a fulltime starter, just to split with Valdez or whatever. Just to be a cheap fill in until a better option comes along next year.

[moonslav59]

I'm not looking for him to be a fulltime starter, just to split with Valdez or whatever. Just to be a cheap fill in until a better option comes along next year.

 

Yes, he'd be a good platoon guy with Valdez and or DHam. I agreed and still do.

[Nick]

If I'm a right handed slugger, I'd prefer playing in Cincy than Fenway.

 

You can get line drive homers in Cincy, a double at Fenway.

[notin]

Wish there was a nice RHH second baseman on the rental market.

 

Brandon Drury?

 

Struggling with health and at the plate so far this year, but certainly fits the bill otherwise…

[moonslav59]

If I'm a right handed slugger, I'd prefer playing in Cincy than Fenway.

 

You can get line drive homers in Cincy, a double at Fenway.

 

Good thing players don't make the trades.

[moonslav59]

Was 2023 a fluke for RHB Zack Gelof?

 

He's really struggling, this year.

[notin]

Was 2023 a fluke for RHB Zack Gelof?

 

He's really struggling, this year.

 

He’s 24 with 536 career PA.

 

Boy we really like to label them busts quickly ‘round these parts. (Shout out to Vaughn Grissom.)

[notin]

Unless you're a righty who pulls a lot of high fly balls. Tony C, Boomer (at least in '77), Esasky and Jason Bay for one year, Fisk...

 

Rico was listed at 175 pounds, Pedroia 170 (both supposedly less than Mookie -- 180 pounds of body by bowling ball!).

 

Alonso is listed at 245 lbs. Wonder what his career spray chart looks like, super-imposed on Fenway dimensions...

 

 

I was at the Cubs-Mets game last night, watching the defensively ignorant Pete Alonso at 1b. I asked my Baseball Nut Daughter what team Alonso, a player she hates because of his frequent bizarre and often whiny outbursts, would finish the season on.

 

Seattle seemed like the best fit to her. She didn’t like my suggestion with him staying in New York after his trade. But then, she has a soft spot for Rizzo…

[notin]

If I'm a right handed slugger, I'd prefer playing in Cincy than Fenway.

 

You can get line drive homers in Cincy, a double at Fenway.

 

Not Houston? Or the White Sox Guaranteed Rate Field?

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

If I'm a right handed slugger, I'd prefer playing in Cincy than Fenway.

 

You can get line drive homers in Cincy, a double at Fenway.

 

The old Camden Yards was like that -- and then they moved back the LF fence... (because fans would rather watch pitchers' duels instead of slugfests?)

 

Since we're talking baseball, any conversation reverts back to Willie Mays: MVP noting how the dumb additions to Fenway made it a worse home run park... reminds me of when the Giants moved to San Francisco. Not only did Mays have to leave the Polo Grounds, where the left field fence was only 279 feet down the line, but his new home field was on an oil rig in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.

 

The prevailing sea breeze at Candlestick Park (there was a reason it wasn't named CandleLIT Park) blew hard from left to right. According to teammate Orlando Cepeda, such conditions cost Mays hundreds of homers. However, Willie -- who won the NL HR crown as a NY Giant in 1955 with 51 longballs -- was great enough to adjust his swing accordingly, and won three more HR crowns as a SF Giant, including a career-high 52 in 1965.

[mvp 78]

If I'm a right handed slugger, I'd prefer playing in Cincy than Fenway.

 

You can get line drive homers in Cincy, a double at Fenway.

 

Cincy is 3rd best park for RHB homers, 1st for LHB.

[mvp 78]

Brandon Drury?

 

Struggling with health and at the plate so far this year, but certainly fits the bill otherwise…

 

I feel like I suggested that a while ago and people didn't like it. Rodgers is having a much better year.

[mvp 78]

Was 2023 a fluke for RHB Zack Gelof?

 

He's really struggling, this year.

 

He's whiffing on everything. The book clearly got around on him. He was good in MiLB, probably just needs more time.

[notin]

I feel like I suggested that a while ago and people didn't like it. Rodgers is having a much better year.

 

I brought him up this off-season (before Sale/Grissom). I don’t recall many getting excited.

 

I guess no one appreciates Drury like you and I do. And maybe Mrs. Drury. Maybe.

 

But not those whiny Drury kids. Bunch of spoiled brats…

[mvp 78]

The old Camden Yards was like that -- and then they moved back the LF fence... (because fans would rather watch pitchers' duels instead of slugfests?)

 

O's went from best place for RHB to hit a HR to 29th just with that one dumb move.

[mvp 78]

I brought him up this off-season (before Sale/Grissom). I don’t recall many getting excited.

 

I guess no one appreciates Drury like you and I do. And maybe Mrs. Drury. Maybe.

 

But not those whiny Drury kids. Bunch of spoiled brats…

 

If kids aren't complaining about their dad, is that dad even trying?

[notin]

If kids aren't complaining about their dad, is that dad even trying?

 

 

I’d be more apt to agree about teenagers…

[mvp 78]

I’d be more apt to agree about teenagers…

 

Tweens?

[notin]

Tweens?

 

Overrated. Until you have teenagers, you’ve never been complained about…

[mvp 78]

Overrated. Until you have teenagers, you’ve never been complained about…

 

You know nothing of my parenting skills. Actually, I'm pretty sure you all have a good idea.

[Maxbialystock]

Lively and interesting discussion on ballparks, players, raising kids, etc. Keep it up.

[moonslav59]

He’s 24 with 536 career PA.

 

Boy we really like to label them busts quickly ‘round these parts. (Shout out to Vaughn Grissom.)

 

I wasn't calling him a bust. I was actually wondering, if we might trade for him.

[mvp 78]

Lively and interesting discussion on ballparks, players, raising kids, etc. Keep it up.

 

Ok.

[notin]

I wasn't calling him a bust. I was actually wondering, if we might trade for him.

 

We have our own struggling RHH 2b under 25 years old…