A Realistic View of 2024: Part II

[moonslav59]

I don't know.

 

All's I know is that Cora is as good a lineup juggler as one could ask for, so I'm content to sit back and let him do his thing.

 

IMO, we'd be wasting a player on the bench and should trade someone to improve the pitching.

 

If we had no high need area, like pitching, then I'm fine with having a very good player on the bench, everyday.

[Bellhorn04]

IMO, we'd be wasting a player on the bench and should trade someone to improve the pitching.

 

If we had no high need area, like pitching, then I'm fine with having a very good player on the bench, everyday.

 

As you know I was less than enamored with Bloomy signing Yoshida instead of a pitcher. But what's done is done. If he stays hot and they get a taker in the offseason without eating too much, it would seem to make some sense to trade him.

[notin]

Yoshida is certainly not being platooned, but he has sat against some lefties I believe.

 

Is Yoshida not being platooned because they want him to face lefties? Or because of the lack of a platoon partner?

 

If the Sox didn’t have to use Refsnyder in the OF vs LHP, then it would solve the latter option…

[Bellhorn04]

Is Yoshida not being platooned because they want him to face lefties? Or because of the lack of a platoon partner?

 

My sense is that Cora was sitting him against some lefties because he was struggling. That seems like a Cora philosophy, if you're trying to get a guy going you start by getting his confidence up with AB's against pitchers the guy matches up with well.

 

Plan A being that Yoshida DH's 90-95% of the games.

[notin]

My sense is that Cora was sitting him against some lefties because he was struggling. That seems like a Cora philosophy, if you're trying to get a guy going you start by getting his confidence up with AB's against pitchers the guy matches up with well.

 

Plan A being that Yoshida DH's 90-95% of the games.

 

Maybe.

 

Of course Cora results everyone periodically, regardless of how hot or cold they are. One can only wonder if Cora had managed the 1941 Yankees, how it would have affected baseball history.

 

Alex: Joe, I’m giving you a day off tomorrow.

Joe Dimaggio: No, Skip!! I’ve got a 40 game hitting streak! I’m in my best zone ever!

Alex: You mean you’ve played 40 games in a row?? I’m giving you the rest of the week off.

 

So I’m not sure he’s giving Yoshida normal off days or platooning him or using Yoshida’s off days to give someone else a breather at DH. But if Cora does sit Abreu vs a LHP, he’s not exactly loaded with RHH DH options…

[Bellhorn04]

So I’m not sure he’s giving Yoshida normal off days or platooning him or using Yoshida’s off days to give someone else a breather at DH. But if Cora does sit Abreu vs a LHP, he’s not exactly loaded with RHH DH options…

 

RHH DH options would be:

 

O'Neill

Refsnyder

Wong

Jansen

Gonzalez

[notin]

RHH DH options would be:

 

O'Neill

Refsnyder

Wong

Jansen

Gonzalez

 

How does a team with 4 bench spots have 5 RHH platoon options?

 

Obviously one of Jansen or Wong starts. Two others (Refsnyder in RF, Gonzalez at 1b) are already platooning at other positions. And O’Neill already starts in the OF against LHP, among others.

 

So really, he has the backup catcher as an option. But many managers would never do that for obvious reasons…

[Bellhorn04]

How does a team with 4 bench spots have 5 RHH platoon options?

 

Obviously one of Jansen or Wong starts. Two others (Refsnyder in RF, Gonzalez at 1b) are already platooning at other positions. And O’Neill already starts in the OF against LHP, among others.

 

So really, he has the backup catcher as an option. But many managers would never do that for obvious reasons…

 

Wong has 5 starts at DH this year.

[notin]

Wong has 5 starts at DH this year.

 

Only 5.

 

He has the ability to platoon, meaning he can hit LHP. But Cora is clearly reluctant to use him that way outside of giving Yoshida some time off. And it makes sense. If Wong DHd and Jansen got hurt, the Sox would have to have the pitcher bat.

 

If Abreu and Smith and now Sogard are all already platooning, the Sox don’t have a viable option for a regular platoon at DH as well. Now if they start using Abreu (or Anthony) full time against LHP, that situation changes. With 4 bench spots, 4 platoons necessitate using the starting catcher every game in some capacity. And that’s really not a good plan. And Cora knows this…

Edited August 6, 2024 by notin

[moonslav59]

Is it me, or does Cora seem to be giving less "scheduled" days off, this season?

[Bellhorn04]

Is it me, or does Cora seem to be giving less "scheduled" days off, this season?

 

It seems that way, with a few key guys at least. Duran has played every game. Devers hasn't missed many since returning to full health.

 

I think Alex went into urgency mode a bit earlier this year.

[Old Red]

Is it me, or does Cora seem to be giving less "scheduled" days off, this season?

 

Duran, and the RAF Man play everyday. Outside of Raffy the rest of the team is pretty much mix, and match every day anyway. Raffy was out earlier in the season, and Masa was out with injuries as well. Masa also played OF last year, and needed more rest.

Edited August 6, 2024 by Old Red

[moonslav59]

It seems that way, with a few key guys at least. Duran has played every game. Devers hasn't missed many since returning to full health.

 

I think Alex went into urgency mode a bit earlier this year.

 

Seems a bit strange, since our record and games behind almost exactly mirror, last year's, until maybe now.

[Bellhorn04]

Seems a bit strange, since our record and games behind almost exactly mirror, last year's, until maybe now.

 

Who knows, maybe it was something they talked about before the season, that they were going to alter the approach a bit.

 

I read somewhere that Duran said he wanted to play every game.

 

That's all I've got...

[moonslav59]

Who knows, maybe it was something they talked about before the season, that they were going to alter the approach a bit.

 

I read somewhere that Duran said he wanted to play every game.

 

That's all I've got...

 

That sounds like a likely scenario, and maybe Brez pushed the scale back.

 

I was not a big fan of it, last year, and the extra rest sure looked like it did not help our late season play, at all.

 

That being said, I have no beef with Cora.

[Bellhorn04]

That sounds like a likely scenario, and maybe Brez pushed the scale back.

 

I was not a big fan of it, last year, and the extra rest sure looked like it did not help our late season play, at all.

 

That being said, I have no beef with Cora.

 

The optimal approach to resting is a very inexact science, I would say.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Duran, and the RAF Man play everyday. Outside of Raffy the rest of the team is pretty much mix, and match every day anyway.

 

Gil Hodges won a pennant and World Series using four regulars; he platooned eight position players through the rest of the line-up. It was 55 years ago, but Hodges wasn't the first manager in history to platoon.

 

Three of the everyday guys were his best gloves -- at catcher, shortstop and centerfield; the other was his best hitter...

 

... that may be the reason they were known as the Miracle Mets. Either that, or the true miracle was having a mound core of Koosman, 26, Seaver, 24, Ryan, 22 and Gentry, 22.

[moonslav59]

The optimal approach to resting is a very inexact science, I would say.

 

No doubt, and one season's results do not tell the whole story.

 

[notin]

The optimal approach to resting is a very inexact science, I would say.

 

Except with catchers. 9 innings of squatting is rough on the knees…

[notin]

Is it me, or does Cora seem to be giving less "scheduled" days off, this season?

 

That depends on how you look at it.

 

Rest days are not only about the starter, but also about getting the bench players the occasional playing time rather than rusting away on the bench. With 3 positions in full platoon, there is no need to find more action for the bench, beyond occasionally giving the catcher’s knees a break…

[moonslav59]

That depends on how you look at it.

 

Rest days are not only about the starter, but also about getting the bench players the occasional playing time rather than rusting away on the bench. With 3 positions in full platoon, there is no need to find more action for the bench, beyond occasionally giving the catcher’s knees a break…

 

I just don't see the "scheduled days off" or hear them called that, this year, by Cora.

[notin]

I just don't see the "scheduled days off" or hear them called that, this year, by Cora.

 

Exactly. Part (most?) of the reason for those off days was to keep the bench active. But the bench has been very active since they’re all in platoons…

[moonslav59]

Exactly. Part (most?) of the reason for those off days was to keep the bench active. But the bench has been very active since they’re all in platoons…

 

But, no mention of a "scheduled day off" for Devers, Duran or Rafaela.

 

I'd add O'Neill to the list but his several mini-injuries and illnesses gave him some days off, here and there.

 

Catchers always get more days off, so they don't count.

 

Your point is a good one, though, granted. We only have 3 guys with over 70 games started (non DH) out of 111. Wong is 4th with 70! I liked the idea or "resting Wong" at DH, like they did 5 times.

 

O'Neill and Devers would have more GS'd, if it wasn't for injuries.

[moonslav59]

Staring Rafaela at SS in 53 games (52 in CF,) which was out of necessity, at first, at least, has made Cora's OF juggling act easier. Injuries to O'Neill and the platoon aspect or Abreu and Refsnyder helped, too, but once we add Anthony, I think the task becomes too difficult and cumbersome. Players that ar just too good on O and or D will be riding the bench, while we watch our shallow pitching staff cough up game after game..

[Larry Cook]

Staring Rafaela at SS in 53 games (52 in CF,) which was out of necessity, at first, at least, has made Cora's OF juggling act easier. Injuries to O'Neill and the platoon aspect or Abreu and Refsnyder helped, too, but once we add Anthony, I think the task becomes too difficult and cumbersome. Players that ar just too good on O and or D will be riding the bench, while we watch our shallow pitching staff cough up game after game..

 

The bottleneck is yoshida. A lefty dh with no power or speed. Moving yoshida allows a spot for Anthony and allows Cora to mix and match in the outfield with some decent defensive outfielders

[moonslav59]

The bottleneck is yoshida. A lefty dh with no power or speed. Moving yoshida allows a spot for Anthony and allows Cora to mix and match in the outfield with some decent defensive outfielders

 

Easier said than done, and the way Yoshida has come to life, who knows what we do.

 

Anyway, we won't improve the pitching on any trade return for Yoshida.

 

We will for Anthony or Abreu plus others.

[Maxbialystock]

The bottleneck is yoshida. A lefty dh with no power or speed. Moving yoshida allows a spot for Anthony and allows Cora to mix and match in the outfield with some decent defensive outfielders

 

Devers and Yoshida have the two hottest bats on the Sox.

 

As for mixing and matching, Cora is already doing that, and it's working very well without Mayer or Anthony, neither of whom has even one MLB hit to his credit.

[Maxbialystock]

Easier said than done, and the way Yoshida has come to life, who knows what we do.

 

Anyway, we won't improve the pitching on any trade return for Yoshida.

 

We will for Anthony or Abreu plus others.

 

I understand the case for trading great prospects for starters. The problem is, I can't remember the last time the Sox did that well. Most recently, Breslow dumped Sale for Giolito, which cost the Sox $56M with nothing to show for it (so far). I give him credit for Bailey, the pitching coach, and, honestly, for bringing back Paxton.

[moonslav59]

I understand the case for trading great prospects for starters. The problem is, I can't remember the last time the Sox did that well. Most recently, Breslow dumped Sale for Giolito, which cost the Sox $56M with nothing to show for it (so far). I give him credit for Bailey, the pitching coach, and, honestly, for bringing back Paxton.

 

No, the Sale trade was not prospects for pitching.

 

I know it's been a long time, since we've done it, but the last time worked (prospects for Sale.) When was the last time we traded for a TOTR pitcher, and it did not work?

 

Beckett?

Schilling?

Pedro? (granted this was pitching prospects for Pedro.)

 

Our record trading for aces or solid #2s is way better than FA signings (Price, Lackey, Clements...)

 

We may swing and miss, badly, and whoever we trade could go on to do great things. I get that, but we can't just do nothing, and waiting for JH to spend big on pitching, again, and our GM to guess correctly on who we sign seems much harder to see happening.

 

I don't like trading away prospects. I'm a huge farm lover, but it HAS TO BE DONE!

 

[mvp 78]

Staring Rafaela at SS in 53 games (52 in CF,) which was out of necessity, at first, at least, has made Cora's OF juggling act easier. Injuries to O'Neill and the platoon aspect or Abreu and Refsnyder helped, too, but once we add Anthony, I think the task becomes too difficult and cumbersome. Players that ar just too good on O and or D will be riding the bench, while we watch our shallow pitching staff cough up game after game..

 

Not sure it was out of necessity. Sogard looked like he was ready in ST. He's now had a hit in each game he has started.