mvp 78

The only Eastern team he has a tOPS+ above 100 against is the Yankees. Maybe he can be ok? IDK. He has a cool 305 tOPS+ against the Rangers in 3 starts.

It'll be interesting to see if any decent SPers become available after the roster cut downs in the next few weeks (decent in being better than Johnson and Godley). See below. https://www.masslive.com/redsox/2020/07/boston-red-sox-opening-day-roster-analysis-brian-johnson-zack-godley-will-likely-join-team-soon-despite-being-cut-jonathan-lucroys-stay-could-be-cut-short-by-shrinking-rosters.html The Red Sox released their 30-man Opening Day roster Thursday afternoon and -- as always -- there were some surprises. Pitchers Brian Johnson, Zack Godley and Chris Mazza were left off the roster while Phillips Valdez and Dylan Covey made the team, giving manager Ron Roenicke a couple unexpected options on his 15-man staff to start things off. Ahead of Thursday’s deadline to submit the roster, Roenicke said that filling out the back end of his pitching staff was his hardest task. Behind his three obvious starters (Nathan Eovaldi, Martin Perez and Ryan Weber) and four obvious relievers (Matt Barnes, Heath Hembree, Marcus Walden and Brandon Workman), there were spots up for grabs throughout camp because three of the team’s key lefties (Eduardo Rodriguez, Darwinzon Hernandez and Josh Taylor) are on the injured list after recovering from COVID-19. “The pitching staff was obviously tough,” Roenicke said. “We know that we have the three guys with Nate, Martin and followed with Weber, that we felt good about.With the players we had decisions on, whether we tried to think about an opener or we tried to think about a traditional starter for one of those games is how we came up with the rest of the roster.” Beyond that, Boston had two spots up for grabs, with Johnson, Godley, Mazza and Covey looking like the top candidates to snag them. Roster technicalities played a significant role here. It appears Covey’s opt-out clause with the Rays (which is how the Red Sox acquired him) called for him to be placed on a team’s 40-man roster if he was picked up, virtually locking him into a spot. To carry Godley or Johnson, the Red Sox would have had to clear a 40-man spot by cutting a player, but by holding on to Valdez instead, they were able to keep everyone in the organization. Asked about Godley and Johnson on Thursday, Roenicke said both pitchers would “absolutely” contribute at some point during the season. “That’s important,” Roenicke said. “I know they’re disappointed, but it’s important to have guys down there that are stretched out in a different environment than if they were in a season in Triple-A. We have to make sure we have those kind of arms that are backups for us because we know we’re not going to get through all of this without making some changes.” Roenicke does expect a significant amount of roster movement around the league. He thinks the Red Sox are going to stay aggressive in their search for outside help after bringing in both Godley and Covey in the last week. “Once we get into two weeks and we have to shrink that roster down to 28 and then shrink it down to 26 in another two weeks, I think there’s going to be quite a bit of movement this year,” Roenicke said. “Not with just us, but with everybody.

@SmittyOnMLB Gov. Charlie Baker's office sent out a press release stating he would throw out tonight's first pitch at Fenway Park. Sam Kennedy denied it on the radio. Then I just got a text from someone with the Red Sox: "He is not throwing out the first pitch." Have JBJ throw it from CF.

I agree about Betts being distant 2nd if not 3rd (Yellich, Bregman). Trout is an all time great. Betts is a certain HOFer, but Trout is a completely different level. He could be an MLB Mt Rushmore guy if he stays healthy.

There are other places on the forum to have this discussion.

They've won 4 World Series in 15 years. They had to let go of Mookie due to tax penalties, but just hired a GM from the Rays (a team that has been successful and hasn't blown up a budget). I think there's lot of hope for the future. If DD was still the GM, maybe you'd have a point about everything being over and going down hill. I think this team is 2 players away from being a perennial contender again.

Today, motherf***ers!

Is this also how you felt in 2005, 2012 and 2015?

3rd place in the division and above .500. What a cliff!!!!

No, just this season. Perfect year to stash somebody.

I’d rather players be mic’ed up and just hear the sounds of the game.

ESPN seemed to only use it on one camera angle? Weird and jarring.

Yup. 108 wins two years ago. Mediocre last year so we’ll always be mediocre going forward. Good analysis.

This pumped in crowd noise is horrible.

Not yet. He’ll be up eventually. Godley too.

Looking forward to the Topps Super Spreader Soto card next year!

Boo

Roster cut to 28 on 8/6.

They went with Lucroy over 16th pitcher. Replaced COVID guys and McHugh with other options.

Yes https://www.overthemonster.com/platform/amp/2020/7/23/21335890/boston-red-sox-2020-opening-day-roster

The people have trended dumber with each new season.

I skip pillow talk. I hate that s***.

No.

He seems to be a high k guy with little athleticism. When he's hot, you ride him. However, there'll be a lot of down times. Seems pitchers caught up to him too.

Why no to him?