Pre Deadline REALITY CHECK

[moonslav59]

I'll still think the Sox are counting on Anthony to bail out the LF/DH issues, but I could be wrong.

It's hard to ignore how much LF has hurt the team- all year. DH, most just April & May.

Middle infielders will be expensive, so we may go the rental route there.

I understand the point about not messing with Catcher, and I'm not sure why we don't play Wong more often, but I still see Catcher as a place we can greatly improve our offense.

It seems we all agree on needing a pitcher.

[mvp 78]

1 minute ago, notin said:

I will take Arias’ growing pains over Story right now…

I don't know if there's much of a difference between him and Cheng. The only issue is the team can't workout with him during any work stoppage this offseason if he's on the 40. 

[mvp 78]

1 minute ago, moonslav59 said:

I'll still think the Sox are counting on Anthony to bail out the LF/DH issues, but I could be wrong.

 

He's hitting off a tee again. 

[notin]

1 minute ago, mvp 78 said:

He's a nice and personable guy, but he just has no self control. He's just a dude that has never grown up. At this point, he never will. 

He’s reportedly got some mental illness issues.  Expecting him to just shed them and grow up is like telling Stevie Wonder to just take off the shades and open his eyes…

[mvp 78]

Just now, notin said:

He’s reportedly got some mental illness issues.  Expecting him to just shed them and grow up is like telling Stevie Wonder to just take off the shades and open his eyes…

You can't hide behind "mental health struggles" if you also refuse to do anything about it like go see a therapist. You went on Netflix and told your story about wanting to blow your brains out. Maybe realize you need to talk to a professional? You clearly aren't able to handle it on your own buddy! He's completely self destructive and there's not support system to real him back in because he doesn't want one. He thinks he can do it all on his own. Get some help! It's ok! It's normal! 

[moonslav59]

3 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

He's hitting off a tee again. 

I heard that. I'm not saying I have hope, but my position is that we are not going to upgrade 3-4 nonpitching positions in the next few days.

Who does Brez & Co. think needs an upgrade the most vs who is in the system that can help upgrade certain positions is a factor in the choice.

[mvp 78]

2 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

I heard that. I'm not saying I have hope, but my position is that we are not going to upgrade 3-4 nonpitching positions in the next few days.

Who does Brez & Co. think needs an upgrade the most vs who is in the system that can help upgrade certain positions is a factor in the choice.

None of us truly know what Brez thinks because he runs a tight ship. All the leaks we hear are from outside his circle. He loves catchers. I wouldn't be shocked for him to upgrade at catcher. He probably wants more pitching depth. He'll try to get a value bat that he can plug in at DH, LF, MIF. It will just depend on what deal works for the model. 

[notin]

8 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

You can't hide behind "mental health struggles" if you also refuse to do anything about it like go see a therapist. You went on Netflix and told your story about wanting to blow your brains out. Maybe realize you need to talk to a professional? You clearly aren't able to handle it on your own buddy! He's completely self destructive and there's not support system to real him back in because he doesn't want one. He thinks he can do it all on his own. Get some help! It's ok! It's normal! 

If he does have mental health issues, they exist regardless of whether or not he seeks treatment.  
 

Whether he needs therapy or medicine is another matter not for us.  But in either case, it’s just not a matter of “not growing up.”

 

But I agree — seek treatment…

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

13 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

He's hitting off a tee again. 

Golfing won't get him ready. The ball isn't even moving... shhhhhhhhhhh.

[notin]

6 minutes ago, 5GoldGlovesOF,75 said:

Golfing won't get him ready. The ball isn't even moving... shhhhhhhhhhh.

Baby steps.

1. Golf

2. Tennis - adds a moving ball

3. Ping pong - ball still moves but racquet is smaller (and not called a racquet but rather a paddle.)

4. MLB The Show. - because it’s not Fortnite

[mvp 78]

9 minutes ago, notin said:

If he does have mental health issues, they exist regardless of whether or not he seeks treatment.  
 

Whether he needs therapy or medicine is another matter not for us.  But in either case, it’s just not a matter of “not growing up.”

 

But I agree — seek treatment…

Not dealing with his problems in an appropriate manner is "not growing up." Having the mental health issues isn't the problem. It's that he's letting them linger and causing him to exhibit self destructive behavior. 

He needs to take ownership and grow up. He's dealing with his depression the way a 15 year old would, because he's been coddled ever since that age. Well, time to put your big boy pants on. Reality is here. It's true. You haven't been good enough. What are you going to do about it? Throw another temper tantrum and lash out at teammates, coaches and fans? Sorry, but time for you to put some work in.

[mvp 78]

13 minutes ago, 5GoldGlovesOF,75 said:

Golfing won't get him ready. The ball isn't even moving... shhhhhhhhhhh.

[moonslav59]

16 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

None of us truly know what Brez thinks because he runs a tight ship. All the leaks we hear are from outside his circle. He loves catchers. I wouldn't be shocked for him to upgrade at catcher. He probably wants more pitching depth. He'll try to get a value bat that he can plug in at DH, LF, MIF. It will just depend on what deal works for the model. 

Agreed. I'm guessing they see Anthony as the best chance of fixing one of our high need areas. That doesn't mean that's how he's looking at the need priorities, and we do have some options at SS, 2B, DH, LF and C, too.

Let's see.

[mvp 78]

Coddled. Will never take ownership of his actions. 

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

4 minutes ago, notin said:

Baby steps.

1. Golf

2. Tennis - adds a moving ball

3. Ping pong - ball still moves but racquet is smaller (and not called a racquet but rather a paddle.)

4. MLB The Show. - because it’s not Fortnite

You forgot one step -- which is all players need when they play it: miniature tennis, which uses ping pong paddles and whiffle balls.

But I think it was invented for Americans who don't want to or can't move very far or fast, so if Roman doesn't have a leg issue, he can skip it...

... though if he stays on the IL long enough, the Sox are confident he can develop a new leg injury like Casas or Crawford.

[notin]

1 minute ago, 5GoldGlovesOF,75 said:

You forgot one step -- which is all players need when they play it: miniature tennis, which uses ping pong paddles and whiffle balls.

But I think it was invented for Americans who don't want to or can't move very far or fast, so if Roman doesn't have a leg issue, he can skip it...

... though if he stays on the IL long enough, the Sox are confident he can develop a new leg injury like Casas or Crawford.

True fact - if you play that game sober, it’s technically called “Cucumber Ball”

[Hugh2]

44 minutes ago, Bellhorn04 said:

Duran is different because he is now officially a malcontent liability.

I don't care about Duran, do with him as they will.  Stick with him or cut him lose. 

The essence of my question was how people generally felt about the team as a whole.  When people refer to teams as "Buyers" or "Sellers" they're not thinking about a specific player but whether or not the team is going to sell off assets because they don't deem the team worthy of post season play or are they going to make a run at winning in October and they add pieces. 

I was just curious, as a month ago being buyers seemed unfathonable but here we are, I wonder if anyone is still in full sell mode????

[mvp 78]

1 minute ago, 5GoldGlovesOF,75 said:

You forgot one step -- which is all players need when they play it: miniature tennis, which uses ping pong paddles and whiffle balls.

But I think it was invented for Americans who don't want to or can't move very far or fast, so if Roman doesn't have a leg issue, he can skip it...

... though if he stays on the IL long enough, the Sox are confident he can develop a new leg injury like Casas or Crawford.

It's actually really bad for your legs due to sudden lunging (acl tears, leg strains). I wouldn't recommend Roman play it. More likely to get injured playing mini tennis than real tennis. 

[notin]

6 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

It's actually really bad for your legs due to sudden lunging (acl tears, leg strains). I wouldn't recommend Roman play it. More likely to get injured playing mini tennis than real tennis. 

Buzz kill…

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

1 minute ago, notin said:

True fact - if you play that game sober, it’s technically called “Cucumber Ball”

I don't think they give you a choice -- all their beers come in tiny cans like Snack Pack Pudding, and there's no coozies since they're too small to get warm before empty.

The game isn't relaxing because it's not even taxing, so everybody is already relaxed when they begin. To make sure, they remind you it's better if your liver is pickled before you start.

[notin]

29 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

Not dealing with his problems in an appropriate manner is "not growing up." Having the mental health issues isn't the problem. It's that he's letting them linger and causing him to exhibit self destructive behavior. 

He needs to take ownership and grow up. He's dealing with his depression the way a 15 year old would, because he's been coddled ever since that age. Well, time to put your big boy pants on. Reality is here. It's true. You haven't been good enough. What are you going to do about it? Throw another temper tantrum and lash out at teammates, coaches and fans? Sorry, but time for you to put some work in.

Getting too close to a dangerous non-baseball rabbit hole.   In general, I would strongly disagree with some of this, but if it specific to Duran, I can concede that point.  Plus we are in agreement he needs to go and I’m sure you’ve seen the wisdom in replacing him with JJ Bleday as a stopgap…

[southpaw777]

1 hour ago, mvp 78 said:

He's a nice and personable guy, but he just has no self control. He's just a dude that has never grown up. At this point, he never will. 

Poor impulse control for sure. Seems like a nice kid though

[mvp 78]

Just now, southpaw777 said:

Poor impulse control for sure. Seems like a nice kid though

It's gotta be the only reason people keep supporting him. 

[southpaw777]

17 hours ago, moonslav59 said:

 Nice post.

I think the possible return of Anthony makes LF a slot we don't touch. Jones & Yoshida as the 4th/5th OF'er is a bit scary.

To me, we will probably get a Catcher or SS (not both) and a pitcher.

If we fill all 3 slots, 2 might be rentals.

Just heard Anthony took some ABs yesterday swinging a bat. So now we wait to see how much, if any, discomfort he has. If he’s good to go by September that will help a ton.

[JoeBrady]

2 hours ago, Hugh2 said:

Is there anyone who still thinks we should sell?

No, but if we lose the opening game to LA, you'll see some sellers in here.

[mvp 78]

6 minutes ago, JoeBrady said:

No, but if we lose the opening game to LA, you'll see some sellers in here.

I think if they got swept, somebody would say "they need to sell." A 4-3 road trip is a great outcome IMO.

[JoeBrady]

2 hours ago, moonslav59 said:

It's hard to ignore how much LF has hurt the team- all year. DH, most just April & May.

The team is 52-43 when Duran starts.  He's played poorly but he hasn't crushed them.  Story is 17-24.  Some of this is fluke timing, but I'd rather be playing Duran than Story, imvho.  That said, we need to plan for him not returning to form.

[JoeBrady]

2 hours ago, mvp 78 said:

None of us truly know what Brez thinks because he runs a tight ship.

Wait!  You mean that Red isn't talking to Breslow every day about his plans?

[Nick]

17 hours ago, Old Red said:

There may never be an easier time than this year where the league is so weak, and wide open if that changes anything, but as I always say you owe it to to those players in the dugout to go for it more than not.

"you owe it to those players in the dugout to go for it more than not"

That's what I am always thinking. The clock is ticking every day for 26 guys in the dugout. Breslow can not be 'wasting' another year. Always looking for 'next year'. 

If the team needs a position filled, find that guy and you play him. What are we saving Arias for? 2028? He is NOT going to cost the Sox anything in terms of service time. We'll have him for six years starting in 2027. Stop the frekin' nonsense about he will be damaged if first doesn't succeed. Are you telling me he's worse than SEIGLER?

Play the best 26 out there.

[mvp 78]

5 minutes ago, JoeBrady said:

The team is 52-43 when Duran starts.  He's played poorly but he hasn't crushed them. 

The team had a terrible record prior to July when Duran was starting. They are winning in spite of him. 

Since 7/3: 2531 OPS.