A Realistic View of 2024: Part II

[dgalehouse]

Of course you're not ignorant. But I've tried to explain that the unhappiness isn't just about the 3 game sweep, it's about the fact that just about everyone who follows baseball thinks we're going to be under .500 again, for good reasons, like the fact our lineup and defense is full of what you would call jabronis. The 'be happy' stuff gets old fast.

 

I'm just trying to inject some common sense into this. I am not some Pollyanna when it comes to the Red Sox. I see the problems. I thought it was a mistake to fire Dombrowski and bring in Bloom. I thought it was another mistake to systematically dismantle the great 2018 team and embark on a rebuild. I said so at the time. And the results speak for themselves. It has not been good to put it mildly. But I do think that Breslow deserves a chance to show what he can do . And I do see some bright spots. Dropping three games to a team as good as the Orioles is not reason for despair. In my opinion, there will be better days ahead. ( I won't say " be happy " because that seems to generate a bad reaction. ) So, have a nice day.

[mvp 78]

Where’s Yu Chang. At least he could field, and none of these other guys are hitting much of anything anyway.

 

Durham and injured.

[mvp 78]

And we're likely to see more of the same. The scrubs we're putting out there in the middle infield aren't going to instantly get better. They're just not very good. And the team has done nothing to address the situation. It's already reminiscent of last year's antics with Kike.

 

Kiké was worse because he was the Opening Day starter and the GM was fine with it.

[mvp 78]

You can be happy or you can be miserable . It's up to you. The Sox got swept by the Orioles. Honestly, it would not be a big surprise if the O's went to the World Series. But the Sox are still 7-6. Very few of you expected better, so why the disappointment ? Obviously, it is easier to beat the weaker teams than it is to beat the top tier clubs. The good news is that there is no shortage of weaker teams to beat. And much of the ups and downs of a season are schedule related. Let things play out a little bit. Hold off on the gloom and doom. Be happy.

 

Time to go back down to the mines and dig up some happiness.

[Dipre]

I go along with Dr Marshall's thinking. Increased injuries since the intro of the cutter and slider.

 

Double check. The real quick rise has happened with the combination of year-round ball and the focus on velocity. Heavy use of sliders and cutters was prevalent way before the TJS epidemic.

[vegasbob]

I'm just trying to inject some common sense into this. I am not some Pollyanna when it comes to the Red Sox. I see the problems. I thought it was a mistake to fire Dombrowski and bring in Bloom. I thought it was another mistake to systematically dismantle the great 2018 team and embark on a rebuild. I said so at the time. And the results speak for themselves. It has not been good to put it mildly. But I do think that Breslow deserves a chance to show what he can do . And I do see some bright spots. Dropping three games to a team as good as the Orioles is not reason for despair. In my opinion, there will be better days ahead. ( I won't say " be happy " because that seems to generate a bad reaction. ) So, have a nice day.

 

We are only seeing the results of the sellout by ownership and the financially handcuffed CBO . The Orioles are a superior team this year, and losses to them can be expected, not welcomed, but not when the Sox had 2 of the games very winnable, they should win. This is where the weakness in the roster and bullpen are exposed , again, caused by ownership's unwarranted direction.

 

If Breslow and/or Cora thought they had a good, playoff capable roster coming out of ST, then shame on them. Neither should be in their role if they thought this crew was reliably good. The unusually successfully road trip west set a very positive tone, which then evaporated like a soap bubble when the bench guys showed up in the lineup. The next wave from Worcester is still around a year away , but does not seem to include much help on the mound.

 

I will have a nice day regardless of any ball game outcome.

[mvp 78]

Double check. The real quick rise has happened with the combination of year-round ball and the focus on velocity. Heavy use of sliders and cutters was prevalent way before the TJS epidemic.

 

It's the max effort on every.single.f***ing.pitch.

[mvp 78]

Also, if you are annoyed at injuries, don't put Yu f***ing Chang on your wish list.

[Dipre]

It's the max effort on every.single.f***ing.pitch.

 

They want to throw 100. I remember guys like Roy Oswalt, who would vary the velocity on his 4-seamer on a pitch-to-pitch basis. Now guys are pitching and/or throwing year round, and max effort, to boot.

[vegasbob]

Speaking of injuries, it should be time to get real about Rafael Devers and the shoulder which is hampering him mightily. Cora , at least, dropped a hint about possibly an IL stint ( 10 day variety). Why would that be so difficult to accept if it means getting Devers settled and comfortable before the end of April? One or two days missed each week is not going to cure his shoulder, hell 10 days off might not, but skipping every other day sure won't help either. IL him now retro to yesterday, rehab the shoulder some, and suffer the pain of Reyes at 3B for a week or so more.

 

Dever's swing and holding the bat with both hands all the way through puts extra strain on his left shoulder joint. He needs to adjust that motion. Otherwise he will become the equivalent of a TJS pitcher throwing sweepers and cutters . Devers will not fulfill the big contract or even eventually become tradable in 4 or 5 years if he keeps aggravating that shoulder with his swing.

 

The reality is that Dever's best value to the Red Sox will be at DH , but only if he can keep his body together .

[dgalehouse]

It might be a good idea to take a look at the pitchers who have been able to stay relatively healthy in their careers. What is it that they do or don't do ? Is it genetics, training and conditioning, delivery of the pitches , luck or something else ? (And I don't think we should rule out the pitch clock being a factor in the injuries just because we like a shorter game. I think that rule change should be revisited.)

[mvp 78]

@ChrisCotillo

Looks like a roster move is coming involving Isaiah Campbell, who has minor league options.

 

I can't believe this is happening to the 4th reliever on the depth chart or whatever.

[moonslav59]

@ChrisCotillo

Looks like a roster move is coming involving Isaiah Campbell, who has minor league options.

 

I can't believe this is happening to the 4th reliever on the depth chart or whatever.

 

You mean the guy who is third in batters faced in high leverage situations?

 

To me, demoting Campbell makes sense. I'm assuming Criswell is promoted.

[dgalehouse]

Captain, I think if we just swap out the blue deck chair for the red one, we will avoid hitting that iceberg.

[vegasbob]

Captain, I think if we just swap out the blue deck chair for the red one, we will avoid hitting that iceberg.

 

Full throttle ahead, Cap'n !!

[dgalehouse]

Full throttle ahead, Cap'n !!

 

Man the lifeboats.

[Nick]

A REALISTIC VIEW OF 2024 SEASON:PART II

 

We're not making the playoffs. So what do we want to accomplish this year?

 

Goal I

 

Identify the starting pitchers in this organization. Bello was the only sure thing. I think Kutter was more likely than not starter, #4 or #5 in my mind.

 

Big question mark was Houck and Whitlock. I'm sure many here still claim they are better suited for the pen. Let's find out. Management want them to be starters. Period. They will both get a long leash.

 

Goal II

 

Identify young positional players.

 

$50M and 8 years for a guy with less than 50 at bats in the majors says a lot about what the club thinks of Rafaela. Pencil him in CF for next 8 years plus one.

 

Duran appears to have settled in offensively. I still want to see him do it for the entire season. His defense is 'exciting'. Never know what you're going to get.

 

Abreu is highly regarded. It will be interesting to see how he does.

 

Devers and Casas are locks.

 

Catching will be adequate for two years assuming no one gets traded. Waiting for Teel.

 

More and more Yoshida signing appears to be an overpay. A defensive liability, no power maybe other than at home games. $18M for singles hitting DH. Definitely not the answer as a DH.

 

Waiting for Grissom to arrive.

 

Hopefully two of the three of future stars arrive in August/September.

 

Meanwhile, I'm content watching our starters. Sure hope no one gets hurt.

[vegasbob]

"Waiting for Grissom" couldn't help but bring to mind the Theatre of the Absurd play, Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett. The short version is reminiscent of Grissom. Two guys meet in the dugout and ask , what are you here for...... I'm waiting for Grissom.

 

Of course , Grissom ( Godot) never shows up allowing the 2 guys to discuss, the meaning of life the absurdity of existence , while suffering its vagaries. Godot meanwhile continually send messages that he is on the way, but never arrives.

 

I have no fear Vaughn Grissom will, indeed, show up and carry us all forward with very good 2B play, freeing up Enmanuel Valdez for his post-baseball life.

[vjcsmoke]

4 losses in a row for the Red Sox. Capped by an embarrassing 7-0 shutout loss to the Angels. Is anybody really surprised?

[Maxbialystock]

Captain, I think if we just swap out the blue deck chair for the red one, we will avoid hitting that iceberg.

 

Wrong analogy. The Titanic was brand new, technologically advanced, expensive, and the best passenger ship in the world. They simply chose to run full steam in the N. Atlantic in April at night--and they ignored warnings of sea ice ahead. Very shortly after hitting the iceberg, the captain knew they would sink.

 

The problems of this team have been well known for a long time. Surveyed talksoxers predicted a losing season. Of course, this isn't like a ship because the Sox will finish the season. But right now it sure looks like a painful season--for the fans, the players, management, and ownership.

[Maxbialystock]

4 losses in a row for the Red Sox. Capped by an embarrassing 7-0 shutout loss to the Angels. Is anybody really surprised?

 

Ok, I'll bite--I was surprised.

 

Like everyone else I knew about the defensive issues and the lack of hitting, but the Sox were 7-3 on the West Coast--and, it turns out, the "AAAA Athletics" weren't that spineless because they are 5-5 against teams not named the Red Sox. And the Angels, whom the Sox beat 2 out of 3 games, are 7-6 and in 2d place in the AL West.

 

And, oh, by the way, I didn't see you predicting the Sox going 0-4 at Fenway. Cat got your tongue?

[moonslav59]

You just blink, and we're 7 and 7.

4th place, now.

 

10-3 NYY +15 run diff

8-5 BAL +18 run diff

8-6 TBR -10 run diff

7-7 BOS +6 run diff

6-8 TOR -25 run diff

 

[moonslav59]

We are one game away from going three times through the rotation- the one part of our team that has pulled its weight.

 

0.57 Crawford (3GS/15.2 IP)

0.82 Pivetta (2GS/11.0 IP, will not make his next start)

1.26 Whitlock (3GS/14.1 IP)

2.04 Houck (3GS/17.2 IP)

4.11 Bello (3GS/15.1 IP)

 

[Hitch]

I want to apologise to the A's for calling them the worst defensive team I'd ever seen. I didn't realise the Sox were about to have a hold my beer moment.

 

When Grissom is back, its time we bite the bullet, move Rafaela to SS to pair with Grissom and hope O'Neil's body holds up in CF.

 

This madness has to stop.

[notin]

I want to apologise to the A's for calling them the worst defensive team I'd ever seen. I didn't realise the Sox were about to have a hold my beer moment.

 

When Grissom is back, its time we bite the bullet, move Rafaela to SS to pair with Grissom and hope O'Neil's body holds up in CF.

 

This madness has to stop.

 

 

The Sox could use:

 

1b: Casas

2b: Reyes for now

3b: Devers

SS: Rafaela

LF: O’Neill

CF: Duran

RF: Abreu

 

It’s probably their best defensive alignment internally…

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

I want to apologise to the A's for calling them the worst defensive team I'd ever seen. I didn't realise the Sox were about to have a hold my beer moment.

 

When Grissom is back, its time we bite the bullet, move Rafaela to SS to pair with Grissom and hope O'Neil's body holds up in CF.

 

This madness has to stop.

 

Your alignment seems the most palatable, but Breslow has already said he wants Ceddanne in CF -- and hinted that maybe Cora wants him at SS, "going back and forth with Alex on this"... smiling as he said it (we're not laughing, Brez).

 

We'll see if AC wins out over another CBO. The line-up can't continue as is -- not if the org wants to maintain ticket sales and NESN viewing.

 

Even with Story, the Bailey pitching plan of more offspeed stuff looked risky, since good junk induces more weak contact than swings and misses, which means more balls in play for our favorite stone hands and rag arms.

[notin]

Your alignment seems the most palatable, but Breslow has already said he wants Ceddanne in CF -- and hinted that maybe Cora wants him at SS, "going back and forth with Alex on this"... smiling as he said it (we're not laughing, Brez).

 

We'll see if AC wins out over another CBO. The line-up can't continue as is -- not if the org wants to maintain ticket sales and NESN viewing.

 

Even with Story, the Bailey pitching plan of more offspeed stuff looked risky, since good junk induces more weak contact than swings and misses, which means more balls in play for our favorite stone hands and rag arms.

 

Where did Breslow say that? I haven’t been able to find anything…

[Bellhorn04]

We are only seeing the results of the sellout by ownership and the financially handcuffed CBO . The Orioles are a superior team this year, and losses to them can be expected, not welcomed, but not when the Sox had 2 of the games very winnable, they should win. This is where the weakness in the roster and bullpen are exposed , again, caused by ownership's unwarranted direction.

 

If Breslow and/or Cora thought they had a good, playoff capable roster coming out of ST, then shame on them. Neither should be in their role if they thought this crew was reliably good. The unusually successfully road trip west set a very positive tone, which then evaporated like a soap bubble when the bench guys showed up in the lineup. The next wave from Worcester is still around a year away , but does not seem to include much help on the mound.

 

I will have a nice day regardless of any ball game outcome.

 

Cora fan here, so my comments must be viewed accordingly, but AFAIK he doesn't have much say in the budget or roster construction, and even if he knows the team stinks it's not really his job to say so. His only job is get as much as possible out of what he's been handed.

 

A lot of that might be applied to Breslow at this point, too, if he's been handcuffed by Henry's budget.

[notin]

Cora fan here, so my comments must be viewed accordingly, but AFAIK he doesn't have much say in the budget or roster construction, and even if he knows the team stinks it's not really his job to say so. His only job is get as much as possible out of what he's been handed.

 

A lot of that might be applied to Breslow at this point, too, if he's been handcuffed by Henry's budget.

 

I seriously doubt any MLB manager has no input in roster construction. And I’d be very surprised if that hasn’t been true for a long time.

 

Cora doesn’t negotiate any deals, but he certainly has to have input…

[Bellhorn04]

I seriously doubt any MLB manager has no input in roster construction. And I’d be very surprised if that hasn’t been true for a long time.

 

Cora doesn’t negotiate any deals, but he certainly has to have input…

 

OK, well, "input" is a pretty broad term. I'm sure he gets to voice some opinions. But when you have no control over the budget or how it's allocated, I'm not sure it counts for much. Every manager in MLB would like to have better players, obviously.

 

Having an opinion doesn't mean much when you don't have a say.