cp176

I think that the better JBJ hits lessons the chances of him being moved significantly. He hits - Boston keeps him - I'd be happy.

I think that you have remained fairly neutral over the course of this GM discussion. You helped answer some questions for me. I probably should not have posted this because I do think that anything to keep the board moving along is good.

But Moon, I get the passion that goes along with the feelings of so many people here. I've always felt that passion in what we do keeps us moving and young. I just don't get the passion that is exhibited for both the like and dislike, and for some that is exactly what it is, for GM's. How does anyone here really truly know what Ben Cherington would have done with this team had he been able to stay? Do people really believe that LL was responsible for the bad free agent signings under Cherington. Is it fair to judge DD with respect to minor league developed based on something you think you might know based on his past. Personally I would not have minded Cherington staying. I truly do not care. I will say though that I have not disliked any of the moves DD has made to date. It took me a long time time as in years and years not just a couple to get sick of the moves made by "my" former NY Giants GM. Guess I'm just a simple fan. If I disliked the moves being made by any GM as much as some here seem to, as well as the direction in which the club seems to be moving, Personally speaking (emphasis on that ) I might consider not following the team or eve possibly pulling for someone else.

Jerry Moses has recently passed away. RIP Jerry - I remember him very well back in the day.

Inside the Mind of JD Martinez - a very good read.

It was a very good read for me when I read what JD Martinez said about what he considers "being in the zone" . He believes that as soon as you start thinking about being in that special place where hits just seem to come easily you are out of it. Kind of looks to me as though he truly believes that the mental approach to the game is actually certainly equal to if not more important than the physical approach. I like what he had to say and believe in it very much.

Great post!!!

I would probably agree that word for word no one has said that spring training does not count. Many people here have said that spring training statistics do not count. In my world, that basically is the same thing. Now my comment once again was meant to be humorous but it is pretty much what people have said - and yes as you probably might have imagined I don't agree with that sentiment. In my little world, spring raining still counts a great deal actually.

You bring up some very good points. My response might have seemed too simplistic and these types of cases are anything but simple. They are all different and all methods of protection as well as treatment have to be considered of course. All done for a while with this topic for me. Too depressing - BASEBALL!!!

thanks for posting this - I'm going to try to be serious here for just a minute. I have been reading your postings now for quite some time and I think I know how you feel with respect to some of the social issues that we face today such as domestic violence. I'm proud of you (might not mean much but I am older than you) for voicing your opinions the way you do. This particular one is very important to me as well. I'm not being callous if it seems that I don't want a domestic abuser punished more severely. I do - In some of these situations we just aren't privy to all the info. If any convicted domestic abuser was never again allowed to play ml baseball, I would be very pleased. Now back to baseball!

I think like you do on this one and I actually am very fond of the guy. We have all been waiting for things to come together for him and I think for his sake as well as the team's it needs to be this year.

I think that this would be a classic case of apples to oranges. There are plenty of people out here who have accepted the fact that PED use was sadly a part of the game. Most of us want the game cleaned up. I don't think that there are enough games in a year to make up for a proven domestic abuser. With respect to Wright, I might be going out on a limb here but I would like to think that people have carefully looked into his case and do in fact know a lot more about what happened than anyone here does. I don't know him - I don't know his wife or family - I feel very strongly about domestic abuse for very good reasons but I won't be judging anyone without knowing the whole story.

Good one - So many people just rush to judgement about everything that happens without truly knowing what actually happens. I do get it though. This is a forum where everyone can and should express their opinion. It keeps things moving. I also think that it is important to at least try to understand that some people's opinions on really important issues can be shaped by experiences that they have witnessed or personally have lived through. I know that mine have. Nothing wrong with that.

Personally I am pulling hard for JBJ but he has to hit better than he has. Big year for him.

Do you think that Beni would appear adequate out there if his batting average was say 40 to 50 points higher than JBJ's and his overall production at the plate was significantly better as well?

I agree with you. The only reason I'm posting about this one is that some have suggested that what JBJ has done or not done I should say hasn't and shouldn't be noticed by the guys in charge. As you said, they have worried about him now for a while and his spring has done nothing to increase their confidence level in him.

It would kind of depend on who the Sox traded JBJ for I think as to whether there would be a major outfield downgrade. I don't think that JD would ever wind up being any kind of a fixture in our outfield. I do think though that this discussion isn't heading toward a real good place. I haven't heard many people come right out and say that JBJ should be traded. He'll be in that outfield and if he gets just a little more consistent then we all be happy that he is out there. His leash is going to be a real long one but I still think that this year will loom large for his career moving forward and don't you have to think that management could see it that way as well?

I think that it is fairly obvious that management has worried about JBJ's ups and downs for some time now. Once again, I'm with you on this one as much as I like JBJ. It would be a lot different if his name was Ortiz and he was having a terrible spring. A major league player that has established the fact that they can hit consistently in the major leagues is a whole different story than one who hasn't. You obviously cut that guy some slack. JBJ is on the flip side of the coin when it comes to this. I like him and I want him to hit and stay but I would be very surprised if the boys who run the show weren't a little concerned with his ineptness at the plate this spring.

I think that this is a big year for him. I hope it works out but if not, hey you just move on. When he was playing in Portland a few years ago, it truly just made me forget about Elsbury. He looked that good.

Absolutely right. I have to say though that I love this outfield as is but he has got to hit just a little. His defense looks special to me but not that special I guess. If he was a catcher or a shortstop and was an outstanding fielder I would be fine with whatever he brought to the table but he isn't. He is a centerfielder.

I'm sure that they are genuinely concerned with JBJ right now even though the talk doesn't indicate it. Regardless of how well the man defends if the slumps continue and maybe even deepen it wouldn't surprise me at all if they at least try harder to move him. I love his defense and appreciate what he does for this team but if his offense does not start to at least stabilize and hopefully trend upward he becomes as replaceable as anyone else. I would be able to set my personal feelings for him aside.

I don't know. It is a good point though. I would also add though that in the case of a player that you expect to not only be on the team and also to make a major contribution, if they have a miserable spring and people don't think that management might be a little concerned, they are dreaming.

I agree with you all the way.

Exactly - It is why as a Red Sox fan, I am on the side of the current GM no matter who it might be. I admit though that I have gotten caught up in this discussion but it is primarily due to the fact that I don't understand the personal likes and dislikes that people have here about Boston's GMs in general. If I was on the inside, I probably would have some personal feelings but I am not so I really don't.

ok - obviously I don't agree with you.