Red Sox sign Alex Bregman

[mvp 78]

1 minute ago, Bellhorn04 said:

Sure.  But it was the departure of Epstein and Francona that lent some credence to the idea that there were internal issues beyond the stats.  

We've seen from Henry recently that he makes decisions and very poor ones at times. I think he was upset at how 2011 went down and wanted to blame someone. He dumped DD after one down season and put out bad press on his way out. I think Henry was too high on his own supply at that point. I don't think he liked that it was seen as Theo and Tito's team. He got rid of them and kicked them on the way out the door which is now what they always do, which makes me want to ignore the 2011 drama even more. The worst thing to happen to the Sox was them winning in 2013, as it led him to believe that he could cheapen out and just get another WS willy nilly. He killed a golden goose and he'll do it over and over again just to show how smart he is. 

[moonslav59]

4 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

The Sox punted on the 4th and 5th starters that year once Buchholz went down. Bedard didn't work out. Wakefield should have retired prior to 2011. 

Bedard was a pretty good pitcher in 2011, before we got him. He missed the 2010 season, but in the 4 seasons prior:

39-23 3.40

3.56 FIP and 1.23 WHIP

Agree on Wake.

They started the year with Lester, Lackey, Beckett, Buch and Dice-K. For depth, they had Wake, Miller and weiland before adding Bedard. I've seen worse depth, but it was hard to foresee every SP'er hitting the wall at the same time.

 

[Bellhorn04]

45 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

Bedard was a pretty good pitcher in 2011, before we got him. He missed the 2010 season, but in the 4 seasons prior:

39-23 3.40

3.56 FIP and 1.23 WHIP

Agree on Wake.

They started the year with Lester, Lackey, Beckett, Buch and Dice-K. For depth, they had Wake, Miller and weiland before adding Bedard. I've seen worse depth, but it was hard to foresee every SP'er hitting the wall at the same time.

 

Bard hit the wall as well.

[mvp 78]

9 minutes ago, Bellhorn04 said:

Bard hit the wall as well.

10.64 ERA, 3.75 FIP

Blown Save

Blown Save Loss

Loss

Blown Save Loss

Hold Loss (Paplebon blew the save)

[mvp 78]

Really letting the air out of the balloon on Opening Day. 

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

4 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

Really letting the air out of the balloon on Opening Day. 

Seem to recall the best braintrust in Sox history had so much faith in their pitching depth at the end of 2011 that if they finished tied for a postseason berth -- and had to win a one-game playoff -- they were ready to acquire 100-year old starter Bruce Chen (staying fresh eating plantains and guavas).

More 2025 optimism: if things ever get that bad from injury epidemics or suckitude, Breslow and Bailey will both suit back up to throw some innings -- this franchise is done with bargain bins, baby!

[mvp 78]

Game 163: Matt Moore

[Nick]

Our defense is better with Devers out.....that alone should be worth +5 games.

[Bellhorn04]

7 minutes ago, Nick said:

Our defense is better with Devers out.....that alone should be worth +5 games.

Welcome aboard, Mr. Werner! 😉

[mvp 78]

8 minutes ago, Nick said:

Our defense is better with Devers out.....that alone should be worth +5 games.

The whole left side of the IF should be better: 

3B -8 DRS

SS -7 DRS

I think Narvaez has a chance to stand out at defense behind the plate as well. 

[Bellhorn04]

1 hour ago, mvp 78 said:

Really letting the air out of the balloon on Opening Day. 

2011 was brutal, but winning 2 rings before it and 2 after it really takes the sting out for me.

 

[mvp 78]

7 minutes ago, Bellhorn04 said:

2011 was brutal, but winning 2 rings before it and 2 after it really takes the sting out for me.

 

And then they let Orsillo and Betts go. 🫣

[Bellhorn04]

11 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

And then they let Orsillo and Betts go. 🫣

Nothing can take the sting out of letting Betts go.

At least we seem to know the truth about it now, and it was actually pretty simple and as many surmised.  $300 mill was as high as they were going, full stop.

[mvp 78]

15 minutes ago, Bellhorn04 said:

Nothing can take the sting out of letting Betts go.

At least we seem to know the truth about it now, and it was actually pretty simple and as many surmised.  $300 mill was as high as they were going, full stop.

They didn't even get that high. 

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

15 minutes ago, Bellhorn04 said:

Nothing can take the sting out of letting Betts go.

At least we seem to know the truth about it now, and it was actually pretty simple and as many surmised.  $300 mill was as high as they were going, full stop.

They sure showed him -- by instead giving more to a one-dimensional future DH.

[Bellhorn04]

7 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

They didn't even get that high. 

I assume they left a sliver of room for "negotiation".

[notin]

35 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

And then they let Orsillo and Betts go. 🫣

I’m not as torn up about Orsillo.  I can handle any announcer who is NRS (Not Rick Sutcliffe)…

[Bellhorn04]

12 minutes ago, notin said:

I’m not as torn up about Orsillo.  I can handle any announcer who is NRS (Not Rick Sutcliffe)…

I think I'm in the little group who believe it was letting Sean McDonough go that was the bigger crime than Orsillo.  I've got nothing against Orsillo, but he also drove me nuts sometimes. 

[Old Red]

10 minutes ago, Bellhorn04 said:

I think I'm in the little group who believe it was letting Sean McDonough go that was the bigger crime than Orsillo.  I've got nothing against Orsillo, but he also drove me nuts sometimes. 

Agree 100% on McDonough.

[mvp 78]

25 minutes ago, Bellhorn04 said:

I think I'm in the little group who believe it was letting Sean McDonough go that was the bigger crime than Orsillo.  I've got nothing against Orsillo, but he also drove me nuts sometimes. 

Nah. McDonough comes off as too curmudgeony for me. Orsillo had a similar tone, but smoothed out the edges and was fun. Him and Remy were peak IMO. 

[moonslav59]

1 hour ago, mvp 78 said:

The whole left side of the IF should be better: 

3B -8 DRS

SS -7 DRS

I think Narvaez has a chance to stand out at defense behind the plate as well. 

...and once again, if Story can stay h....

[moonslav59]

9 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

Nah. McDonough comes off as too curmudgeony for me. 

Isn't curmudgeonly part of the new England experience?

He fit right into the culture.

[mvp 78]

28 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

...and once again, if Story can stay h....

Quiet you. 4 WAR season. Story opts out. 

[mvp 78]

26 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

Isn't curmudgeonly part of the new England experience?

He fit right into the culture.

Well I didn't really enjoy it. When he comes back and fills in from time to time, it doesn't hit. It was ok for the time, but I've enjoyed Orsillo and Scully's broadcasts far more. Only one of them is still around. 

[Hitch]

7 hours ago, mvp 78 said:

Where would Bregman be heading? With Bregman as the Opening Day starter, it seems like Mayer has a better opportunity at 2B/SS.

Oh I'm just assuming to cover for an injury and/or possible opt out. Mayer feels like a natural fit there if Bregman goes down or leaves.

[moonslav59]

2 hours ago, mvp 78 said:

Quiet you. 4 WAR season. Story opts out. 

I hope to hell you are right.

I like Story. I think he still has something to give. A 4 WAR would be very nice.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

3 hours ago, moonslav59 said:

I hope to hell you are right.

I like Story. I think he still has something to give. A 4 WAR would be very nice.

He turned an acrobatic DP, started nicely by forum whipping boy Casas. 

[moonslav59]

3 hours ago, 5GoldGlovesOF,75 said:

He turned an acrobatic DP, started nicely by forum whipping boy Casas. 

I only whip Casas on D, but hey, maybe it worked!

[TheSplinteredSplendor]

Alex Bregman Predicted To Opt Out of Red Sox Deal, Land $200 Million Deal

[Bellhorn04]

8 minutes ago, TheSplinteredSplendor said:

Alex Bregman Predicted To Opt Out of Red Sox Deal, Land $200 Million Deal

Sure he will.  He'll be a year older but twice as good!