southpaw777

There was plenty of video of Swihart throwing the ball 4 ft over Porcellos head a few times and hopping it back to him...hopefully its nothing, but hes thinking about it. This team is def downplaying it, but make no mistake, its def worth paying attention to. They say it was from being in Lf but I dont buy that. We will see.

I think they believe the pitches will improve more, but yes, its more of the mix of pitches and how he uses them. His command of them. That can be VERY underrated. He needs to get bigger to go longer into games. But hes only 19 so he should fill out more. Honestly, hes a "potential" type, so we have to wait and see how he developes over the next couple years. Im hoping Delbacs hit tool can develop more. Kid would be a 40 hr hitter every year. Ill take 150 Ks for that. Not too confident right now he will do that though.

My guess is if Vaz has or wins the starting job, it will be his to lose based on performance. If hes hitting say 250 with a decent obp for a catcher of 320-30. We know hes not a slugger but he makes good contact, gets on base and takes walks. If hes doing this with a cs%north of 50% then even if Swi is hitting good I dnt think that alone will beat Vaz out. Now if Swi takes huge steps forward this year with his game calling and overall defensive side of the game, then we will have a battle. So basically its the same issue we had before Vaz had the TJS. We need to see more of Vaz' bat and we need to see better D overall out of Swi. Depending on how each one performs will dictate what the Sox do.

Here my season prediction... Vaz starts the year as "The Man" behind the plate. Hes now back to 100% and I say he will seperate himself in ST from Leon, who will be backup and Swi in AAA. Barring any injuries, this is what i see. I dont think there was a "punishment" in any way to Vaz. I thought it may have been, but I believe it was that he needed to get back to where he was before TJS and AAA was the best place for that. I remember the Baltimore catcher having some issues the following year to build the arm back up, so its no surprise that Vaz had the same issues. Im betting his bat will be better as well.

The pen has to prove itself...for me anyway. I like what we have on paper. Barnes and Kelly are still question marks to me, as is Thornburg. I think they will work out their roles and the pen will become a strength, but for now there are only a lot of questions besides Kimbrel.

So if they have the right make up, they can handle those situations. If not, they usually dont. This I agree 100% with. Some can handle some pressure, but then hit a wall of sorts when it gets to be too much. Its all depends when it gets to be too much for some. Do you think it can be learned to keep balanced at all times or are we just the way we are?

Im still with the old BDC fantasy league but would be interested in joining this one too...I know some are really really into it and competitive, but Its more a fun thing for me. I will however be very involed with trades and such.

Good answer. Im not sure how to define clutch...i more or less defined what it is to "stay cool" in a pressure situation. If thats part of the meaning of clutch, then im ok with that. The outcome may not be a good one, but someone can still "stay cool" and not have success...,maybe the pitcher was "cooler" that day;) Its hard to define

Ok, so ive been reading a lot of posts regarding a player being "clutch" or not. Bellhorn made a suggestion for a thread..so Heres what I think... There IS a human element to this game that cant be denied. Well, you can deny it but youd be wrong:) Each players mental makeup and Higher pressure situations can change players. Some players can remain the same where there heartbeat stays the same or even slows down. Some can have zero thoughts except exactly whats going on. On the other hand, some players can get a bit "excited" in the same situations where their heart is racing or they out think themselves...basically they get in their own way. The problem is unless your in a players head youll never really know unless you hear certain things when the player talks that may shed some light...So my answer is I believe the human element is a big part of baseball in this situation and therefore I believe certain players, no matter skill level, are able to stay balanced in any situation which gives them a greater chance for success more times than not in some of the biggest, pressure filled situations. Not sure if that means I believe in a "clutch" player or not though... So, Does a clutch player exist? I look forward to your answers.

I though the Dempster signing was a very smart move in a lot of ways. Some didnt get it, and still dont. He was worth every penny IMHO.

Lot of unknowns in our pen...will Kimbrel be better after year one in Boston? Not that he was bad. Thornburgs first year. Will he adapt well? How will Smith do upon return from TJS? Will Barnes and Kelly take a step forward and be more consistent? These are all guys is see as our primary 7-9 innings. Ross, Hembree, Abad are all 6th or earlier unless needed. Maybe Hembree can take a step forward and be a true reliable late inning guy as well... My feeling is our pen will become a strength for us this year.

im a little worried how theyre talking, or not talking, about Vaz...Just Swihart and Leon. Makes me think something going on behind the scenes that us fans dont know about...

Im sure some are, but I'm not. I do believe we will get good numbers from him but theres a book on him now. Maybe a smaller one but im sure some pitchers will look for weaknesses. I dont think he has many and I also think he has the ability to adjust quickly...all that said, I do believe we will get better overall production than we did last year.

Beni should be fine. Expect a couple injuries because of how hard and all out he plays...it comes with the territory. We also picked up former Cubs OFer Junior Lake...not that hes all that impressive either, but then again most depth guys arent.

I can accept a certain bit of randomness in baseball as I said in my statement. I just think with this much talent needed to play all aspects of the game that there is way too much we dont know about, that we can just say its random. I leave that open if there are many possibilities. With life in general, I really dont believe in coincidences...theres usually a reason for everything from my experience. I may not know why until years later, but then it makes sanse...even if we dont know or cant figure out a logical reason, it doesnt mean there isnt one. Sometimes its not logical, especially With the human element..

Just because someone cant figure out why things happen in baseball, its random? Is that what some are saying? This is the hardest game to play...hitting a 90-100mph round ball with a round bat squarely is pretty f***ing hard. The ever so slightest of changes can affect that performance, whether from the pitcher or hitter. Whether physical or mental. .its a constant game of cat and mouse. The naturally better player can sustain success at a more consistent pace. Their mechanics are probbaly better, they make quicker adjustments, etc...not sure much randomness is involved except for what 700 has been sayin...which i will add has been the most logical stance on this whole "random" discussion IMO. I agree with pretty much everything hes been saying. To say things are random without knowing everything involved, which we cant possibly know, is not a very good argument. Personally, I dont believe in coincidences. Therefore I believe pretty much everything happens for a reason and not too much in this world is random. Just because I cant explain it, doesnt mean there isnt a good reason for it.

Sounds like they're just trying to fill spots right now .. pretty sure the sox see Kelly as a reliever now and in the future...at least here in Boston. they gave him a shot as a starter and nothing worked out at all.. he goes to relief role and he looked pretty good. he should remain a reliever if I had to guess...hes better And has had more success in that role. The 100mph heater helps with his offspeed stuff. He cant get up there like that as a starter and theres less seperation, thus less effectiveness of his pitches. Also hes just better airing it out instead of a starters approach. I hope he really blossoms in a late inning role. Hes got that mentality it seems.

Not that at all... i've stated over and over I think swi will improve behind the plate..i just he needs to stay behind the plate to do it...I still believe that he's just naturally not going to be as good of a defender as Leon or Vasquez is, his but he can still be good. Good enough to be a starter in MLB. Let's not forget that he only became a full-time catcher when he turned pro, so it's not that he can't be good it's just that he's going to need a lot of work still...

I won't disagree with that.. it really all depends on the return for each player I always say Swihart because it's obvious he could probably get the biggest return

Out of all Farrell's head scratching moves last year, this Move left blood on my head i scratched so Fn hard...

JBJs accuracy last year with his throws didnt impress me...yes, hes a stud defender, but you need to go take a look at his throws last year...up the line, airmailed over the catchers head...it wasnt his best year for accuracy...kids got a howitzer for an arm, no doubt...it just wasnt that good last year. Hopefully it was just a bad year for him in that way.

The D is plenty good with both these guys to warrant a starting job. (Vaz and Leon) Im not saying im all for trading Swihart right now. But if an opportunity comes along mid season he could prove valuabe to the teams future in more ways than one...not you, I, or anyone of us fans knows for sure why Vaz was "demoted", just more boston rumors until proven otherwise. Like I said. im big on D at catcher more than any position. Ill take a guy like Vaz or Leon and make up the offense somewhere else. Since this team has one of the best offenses I dont think they mind being more defensive minded when it comes to catcher and will deal with league average offense at the position. I still say Vaz' bat will be better with regular Abs...just my opinion.

I did...and if ERod is pitching well in ST like i said, I dont care about options. I still think it would be foolish/stupid to send him down under those circumstances...

Swihart needs to stay behind the plate for now.

that would also be vodka whipped cream flavor, grand marnier and OJ...tastes EXACTLY like orange cream...