Kimmi

I mostly agree with this, but while the human body may still be the same, training and strength and conditioning methods have improved, which should allow pitchers bodies to better withstand the strain. Or at least, I would think so. Athletes can run faster, jump higher, etc. So why can't they throw harder?

I saw an interesting tweet from Olney this morning: Buster Olney @Buster_ESPN · 34m The explosion of IL numbers: Pitchers On IL - First 28 Days of Season Since 2018 2020 108 2019 41 2018 38 >20 for coronavirus Wrote in Sunday column many execs assume a big part of the increase is players/teams choosing to focus on 2021, w/o formally opting out. He acknowledges that many of the IL stints are due to the coronavirus, but that is still a significant increase. That said, Olney's last sentence really caught my attention. Am I interpreting this correctly as saying that many players are going on the IL to bypass opting out, so that they can still get paid?

First off, thank goodness for the implementation of the above mentioned stupid rule. As I mentioned in my previous post, I really dislike the role the bullpen has taken on in recent years. In terms of pitching, I would love to go back to the days of Nolan Ryan (though I never saw him pitch in his prime) when pitchers were actually intimidating and could pitch very deep into games. We are such wusses these days.

It is kind of interesting that technology and advancements in medicine/health are improving the performances of athletes in almost every area, but not in IP for starters. I am sure you hit on the two key points you mentioned in your post. I don't go back as far as some of you do, but I miss the days of complete games thrown by starters, or at least having the starter go 7 innings, then turning the game over to the set up man and the closer. I hate that the bullpen is responsible for such a large part of most games.

Not that I'm a hockey fan, but woohoo!

As we like to say, he has potential.

Good deal! I wish Manny Machado wasn't on the team, but oh well.

I really do not like the way that the expectations for starting pitchers have gradually lessened over the years, and how 'starting' pitching has become so bullpen oriented.

Once again, I agree. You need guys like Moreland and Perez on reasonable 1 or 2 year contracts to hold down the fort while restocking.

I would be inclined not to move him. Again, I am one who thinks we'll be competitive next year.

I am a Brock Holt fan, but Peraza is not the problem on this team.

I still think Cora would have handled it better, but fair enough about the clubhouse stuff.

This pretty much sums up the game: Pete Abraham @PeteAbe · 4m Eshelman has recorded 13 outs on 54 pitches. Godley/Springs have 12 outs on 100 pitches. What a maddening offense.

I'm not a fan of the Rays, but will certainly pull for them over the Yankees. I have jumped on the Padres bandwagon for this season. I also like the Braves.

It's curious. I wonder how many of their losses have come at the hands of their bullpen. In other words, could they possibly turn it around if they strengthened their pen? Once you get past the top 2 teams in each NL division, the rest of the teams are below .500. From my quick glance, it looks like the Phillies are only 1.5 games out of the 2nd wildcard spot. That says a lot considering they have the 2nd worst record in the NL.

Blaming Bloom for the state of this team is nonsense.

100% on board with this.

I don't know if it's been discussed, but I'm going back and forth on trading Perez. We have a team option for him for $6.3 mil (or something thereabout) for next year, which is a very good price, especially considering it's only for one year. But, can we afford to trade away one of our starting pitchers in an already too thin rotation? I know some of you think we can't contend in 2021. But for those of us hoping to field a competitive team, it's hard to trade him. Of course, it all depends on the return.

Haha. Truth here. We fans tend to take things we read in the press and run with it. Agreed though, I don't expect Bogaerts to be traded. Bloom even said as much.

The Sox should be exploring trades and listening to offers for every player. There are some players who should not be traded unless there's an offer that just can't be refused. I have no idea what Moreland could get us in return, but I would want to feel like it's a clear 'win' for the Sox in order to move him. I am not real thrilled about moving JD either, but again, I get the rationale for doing so.

My thoughts on Roenicke: 1. First and foremost, let me say that I don't blame him for this season. He was dealt a very difficult hand to play with. That said: 2. I have not yet seen anything from him that screams that he is a great manager. 3. I think he has micromanaged a bit when it comes to the line up. 4. This is my big thing. I have always felt that what a manager does on the field is not nearly as important as how he manages the players and the clubhouse. I get the impression that Roenicke is not connecting with the players very well. I sense a lack of leadership in the clubhouse, and that starts with Roenicke. I'm sure that the social distancing required this year has something to do with that. However, I am also sure that Cora would be doing a better job of keeping the players motivated and and of keeping the players from looking so dejected. I thought Roenicke was the right choice going into the season. I don't think he would be the right choice to bring back as manager next season.

Yeah, I saw that. I actually paused the Sox game and watched the bottom of the 9th in that game. I felt so bad for Workman. That has to be a tough one to take.

Can he pitch?

Agreed Oldtimer. If we traded him, then signed someone like Lindor to one of those monster contracts, I would not be happy.

I completely agree. Moreland is the exact type of player to keep as a 'fill in' to keep a team competitive while rebuilding. I understand the rationale behind trading him if the deal is right, but I really hope that he doesn't get traded.