Spring Training game thread: Week of Feb 21

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

How can anyone still discuss trading Duran; with Romy out, this offense is now without five of its top six OPS batters from last season.

The only guy back from that list is Anthony, who everyone hopes is a star before he turns 22. There are a few new guys who might be good, and a handful of other youngsters who'd better improve...

JD in the past two years has led the team in total hits, runs, runs batted in, stolen bases, and total bases.

Trade Duran for what -- is another club going to give the Red Sox a better middle of the order hitter... someone who's going to help Boston score more runs to get closer to that world championship for this year?

[mvp 78]

7 minutes ago, 5GoldGlovesOF,75 said:

How can anyone still discuss trading Duran; with Romy out

Romy and Duran play completely different positions. 

[moonslav59]

Duran plus others for KMarte would improve the offense.

[drewski6]

31 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

Duran plus others for KMarte would improve the offense.

But not as much as Bello plus others

[moonslav59]

30 minutes ago, drewski6 said:

But not as much as Bello plus others

I doubt we get KMarte for Bello & Tolle. Duran & Tolle- yes.

They might have taken Mayer & Tolle. I'd have preferred then, especially in light of the Durbin trade.

[Donnie Sadler was short]

Boy Tolle is having a rough first couple of games

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Today on MLB channel, raters had Marte in the Top 10 of all players. If Arizona really wants to trade him, it would have to be for a haul that improves their team (unless it's a Hanley reason -- like for the safety of the employees).

If the Red Sox really want him, they'd have to part with several of their most promising guys, like Mayer, Early and Tolle -- all on the cusp of MLB readiness. However, giving up what little offense the Sox have from their group of 15-18 homer hitters (according to Fangraphs) is barely an improvement.

Replacing Duran or Abreu for a Marte may not make that much difference... but adding Marte in between those two definitely makes a more potent batting order.

[moonslav59]

23 minutes ago, 5GoldGlovesOF,75 said:

Today on MLB channel, raters had Marte in the Top 10 of all players. If Arizona really wants to trade him, it would have to be for a haul that improves their team (unless it's a Hanley reason -- like for the safety of the employees).

If the Red Sox really want him, they'd have to part with several of their most promising guys, like Mayer, Early and Tolle -- all on the cusp of MLB readiness. However, giving up what little offense the Sox have from their group of 15-18 homer hitters (according to Fangraphs) is barely an improvement.

Replacing Duran or Abreu for a Marte may not make that much difference... but adding Marte in between those two definitely makes a more potent batting order.

I could be wrong, but I think the rumor was Brez turned down Mayer & Tolle. (No Early.)

[Duran Is The Man]

1 hour ago, moonslav59 said:

I could be wrong, but I think the rumor was Brez turned down Mayer & Tolle. (No Early.)

i wooda done that.

[moonslav59]

43 minutes ago, Duran Is The Man said:

i wooda done that.

Me 2 and I'd have added Phillips or Eyanson.

[mvp 78]

Mayer's first game of the spring. 

[Old Red]

14 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

Mayer's first game of the spring. 

Mayer finally makes an appearance, and The Butterfly Man gets more time in RF. Interesting.

[moonslav59]

6 minutes ago, Old Red said:

Mayer finally makes an appearance, and The Butterfly Man gets more time in RF. Interesting.

Maybe with his weak arm, they'll have him play RF at Yankee stadium and other parks with shorter RFs.

[mvp 78]

11 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

Maybe with his weak arm, they'll have him play RF at Yankee stadium and other parks with shorter RFs.

They also had Abreu play LF. Think they are just moving guys around because it's ST. Also can't hurt to have him get reps just in case he does have to run out to RF in an emergency situation. 

[moonslav59]

21 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

They also had Abreu play LF. Think they are just moving guys around because it's ST. Also can't hurt to have him get reps just in case he does have to run out to RF in an emergency situation. 

It will be interesting to see if they go with Anthony in CF and not Duran, when Rafaela sits.

I would. I never bought into the Duran is a good defensive CF'er talk.

[drewski6]

36 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

Maybe with his weak arm, they'll have him play RF at Yankee stadium and other parks with shorter RFs.

Give him some reps seeing the ball come at him from that angle in case Abreu needs a night off or is dinged up or something.

[moonslav59]

2 minutes ago, drewski6 said:

Give him some reps seeing the ball come at him from that angle in case Abreu needs a night off or is dinged up or something.

I'd prefer Anthony in RF and Duran in LF, when Abreu sits.

I think this is about using Duran in the shorter corner OF slot.

But yes, get these guys reps.

[drewski6]

1 minute ago, moonslav59 said:

I'd prefer Anthony in RF and Duran in LF, when Abreu sits.

I think this is about using Duran in the shorter corner OF slot.

Id prefer Eaton in RF when Abreu sits (if its due to lefty splits).  If its injury and someone has to be out there for like 15-20 games. including righty on the mound - I would think ....thats close but I lean Duran because playing RF without experience with RF is how you get hurt, and I think Duran is more durable.

[drewski6]

Im concerned about Anthony's athleticism in RF and staying healthy.

[Old Red]

4 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

I'd prefer Anthony in RF and Duran in LF, when Abreu sits.

I think this is about using Duran in the shorter corner OF slot.

But yes, get these guys reps.

Cora just likes playing musical chairs. Just like he doesn’t know where Durbin is playing yet. An emergency where Duran would be needed to play RF would be Abreu, Anthony, and, RAF Man all out. I also don’t think it has anything to do with putting Duran in a shorter field. Cora doesn’t get that technical like you do. Example Arroyo in RF.

[Old Red]

5 minutes ago, drewski6 said:

Im concerned about Anthony's athleticism in RF and staying healthy.

Did Cora have any concerns about playing Anthony playing RF when he came up last year? NO! 🤭

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

8 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

It will be interesting to see if they go with Anthony in CF and not Duran, when Rafaela sits.

I would. I never bought into the Duran is a good defensive CF'er talk.

Duran is better in CF than LF because left is less forgiving, where there's less room and time, especially when lefty batters slice one oppo.

Center playing directly behind the pitcher and looking straight at the batter is the easiest OF position to get a good jump.

Duran doesn't have the first-step instincts of JBJ or Ceddanne, but has the wheels and gaps to outrun a lot of his misreads in CF (except for the infamous inside-the-parker he didn't run after). 

He just doesn't have the arm to make long accurate throws from RF or CF, which is the main reason they play him in LF.

[Old Red]

20 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

It will be interesting to see if they go with Anthony in CF and not Duran, when Rafaela sits.

I would. I never bought into the Duran is a good defensive CF'er talk.

I don’t think Anthony plays CF over Duran, and NO I wouldn’t.

[drewski6]

2 minutes ago, Old Red said:

Did Cora have any concerns about playing Anthony playing RF when he came up last year? NO! 🤭

Good point, I had forgotten a bit how much run he had there last year.  

I do think, however, that they will try to be a bit more protective of Anthony this year after the injury last year, plus as Roman ages hes more likelty to trade athleticism for bulk.  A lot of guys can do things at 20/21/22 that they lose the ability to do as their body further develops at age 24/25/26.

[Old Red]

5 minutes ago, drewski6 said:

Good point, I had forgotten a bit how much run he had there last year.  

I do think, however, that they will try to be a bit more protective of Anthony this year after the injury last year, plus as Roman ages hes more likelty to trade athleticism for bulk.  A lot of guys can do things at 20/21/22 that they lose the ability to do as their body further develops at age 24/25/26.

Cora sticks guys where they are needed first and foremost like with Anthony in RF last year, and Mayer at 3B last year, and RAF Man at SS the year before.

 

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

10 minutes ago, drewski6 said:

 A lot of guys can do things at 20/21/22 that they lose the ability to do as their body further develops at age 24/25/26.

Edit: "deteriorates at age 64/65/66." Pass the PEDs, man!

[drewski6]

17 minutes ago, 5GoldGlovesOF,75 said:

Edit: "deteriorates at age 64/65/66." Pass the PEDs, man!

Fair enough, but not what I was talking about haha.

FOr example, do you think Fernando Tatis Jr should be a fulltime SS today?

[mvp 78]

58 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

It will be interesting to see if they go with Anthony in CF and not Duran, when Rafaela sits.

I would. I never bought into the Duran is a good defensive CF'er talk.

If Duran is the truly the 4th OFer, you just have him fill in wherever and leave the other guys alone. 

[mvp 78]

42 minutes ago, Old Red said:

Did Cora have any concerns about playing Anthony playing RF when he came up last year? NO! 🤭

I think Anthony would be fine as an everyday RFer. I don't think he'd be great long term in CF. For a day or two? Ok. 

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

1 minute ago, drewski6 said:

Fair enough, but not what I was talking about haha.

FOr example, do you think Fernando Tatis Jr should be a fulltime SS today?

Well, speaking of PEDs... Tatis hasn't been a longball superstar since his suspension. 

He's still a speedster with 25 HR power, and a really good rightfielder, so that's his niche now in his career.