mvp 78

There's a difference between taking pitches to just take pitches and being selective. His bb rate is still low and he's making worse contact than last year.

I think it would depend on who was available. Sandy Alcantara? Zac Gallen? Is it worth emptying the farm? Giolito is probably available and wouldn't empty the farm. (Yorke, Walter, Lugo) He'd be a big upgrade over Kluber.

"Stunning comment about Kyle Hudson coaching Duran on defense--and very credible." This came across as sarcasm to me.

I think good defense combines athleticism, instinct and preparation. I think they are 3 different things.

The question was asked, I responded. If you don't like my answer, I don't know what to tell you. https://theathletic.com/4434579/2023/04/20/jarren-duran-second-chance-red-sox/ On the defensive side, Duran worked diligently last season in the second half and then into this spring with new outfielders coach Kyle Hudson on his pre-pitch routine. Duran, a career infielder who switched to the outfield in 2019, was playing too timidly. “His jumps are a lot better, he’s moving,” Cora said. “One thing we noticed, as an infielder you’re always moving, and he played his whole life in the infield and then in the outfield he was so cautious about moving and it’s the other way around, just get going. You want him to get going, so he’s actually had a great pre-pitch. When the ball is hit he’s moving already.” That’s helped Duran get to more balls and be in a better position even if he takes a less-than-ideal route. If he’s already moving, his speed will help him catch up to the ball. “I was getting stuck because I didn’t want to make the imperfect read so I would wait for the ball and by that time, it was too late,” he said. “They’ve been telling me to be athletic and keep moving and that’s what I’ve been doing.”

Drohan starting for WOO tonight!

This isn't parity, it's because it's early in the season.

I was talking strictly about his defense. He's working with the new Sox OF coach mentioned above.

Chang?

He's being taught to be more aggressive. It has nothing to do with "instincts."

Even though Kiké has kinda sucked on the field, I think his off field presence has really helped this team. Verdugo has stepped up a lot too. This team may not be the most talented team in the division, but they battle. They have done so from game 1.

He's the ace of the staff.

Paxton.

The guy at Portland that is more frustrating to me is Cedanne Rafaela. While his SB's are looking nice, his power is way down and his pitch selection is not improving. A 681 OPS is kind of a big letdown. He needs to really turn this season around or Chaim is going to look a little foolish for not moving him this offseason when his value was high and the Marlins were looking to deal their starters.

The k rate is really high. I'm not sure what his OPS will be against velo going forward, but it's something to keep an eye on.

Kyle Hudson. He is being taught to be less timid on defense.

I can see Pivetta's "stuff" being better out of the pen. I see Kluber still being Kluber out of the pen. Kluber will continue to be the 5 until someone better comes along. Pivetta may take over Schreiber's role or give the Sox some other spark. I'd at least rather see Pivetta for an inning than Ort/Brasier or some of the other slop they have put out there.

Even if JD has a .020 higher OPS, Turner is a much better fit for the Sox. He plays the field and is a good clubhouse leader. JD can't even jog towards the OF without breaking in half and would rather sit in the video room than talk to teammates.

If you can keep him away from RHP, he can be useful.

Last 4 starts: Kluber 4.64 ERA, 2.95 BB/9 Pivetta 7.97 ERA, 4.43 BB/9 Kluber is going to be given a longer leash. How long? IDK.

When is Dustin May not injured? Is DeGrom's injury due to the pitch clock? Rodon's? Whitlock's? I think injuries have ticked up more and more in recent years. I can't blame the pitch clock on this one.

Niko 2023 (compared to last year in AA): BB% 24.8 (up 8.8) K% 34.1 (down 5.9) OPS 835 (up 132) wRC+ 141 (up 38) It's nice to see some improvement from him in AA. Probably needs to be there all year and then AAA in 2024.

Those guys were not core guys.

Dugo is more athletic now. Last year he had bulked up. He's able to play RF a little better now as he's trimmed down. I'd take him over Renfroe in RF in 2023.

Probably. The 2018 team was Xander, Mookie, Benintendi, JBJ, Vazquez and Devers supplemented by outside guys. The core was homegrown. They won 108 games from what I remember.