Kimmi

LOL Good point.

Well there is an argument against UZR that I can get on board with. You are absolutely correct that sample size is one of the difficulties with UZR and other defensive metrics. But, with a large enough sample size (roughly 3 years), UZR is a good stat.

I can see where it's coming from. I can also understand why fans are willing to go there. Convince me that it's the right thing or even okay to do? That's a whole different story.

Injury updates on our walking wounded, per the Globe: Eduardo Rodriguez (ankle) is scheduled to throw a live batting practice session on Friday. If it goes well, the next step could be a minor league rehab assignment. Rodriguez has made swifter-than-expected progress in his recovery from a severe right ankle sprain and should be ready before the end of August if he can continue to avoid setbacks. The 25-year-old left-hander boasts a 3.44 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, and 110/32 K/BB ratio in 104 2/3 innings (19 starts) this season. Christian Vazquez (finger) has begun workouts in Florida. Vazquez underwent surgery to repair a fractured right pinkie finger in early July and is not expected to be ready for live games until closer to late August. Sandy Leon has been serving as Boston's everyday catcher. Ian Kinsler (hamstring) will work out with Low-A Lowell this weekend. He'll then join up with the Red Sox in Philadelphia on Tuesday but probably won't be activated from the disabled list until later in the week. The veteran second baseman suffered a left hamstring strain in his third game with Boston on August 3. He was acquired from the Angels on July 30 for two pitching prospects. Blake Swihart (hamstring) is scheduled to take live batting practice on Friday. Swihart, who landed on the disabled list August 3 with a right hamstring strain, is on track to return to the Red Sox active roster when first eligible next Tuesday. The 26-year-old is batting just .226/.288/.304 over 51 games this season in a super-utility role.

All other things being equal, we obviously would want home field advantage over not having it. That said, it would be more important for our players to be healthy and well rested than to go all out fighting for HFA, if it came down to it.

Seriously, this talk of 5-6 years at close to $100 million for Kimbrel is crazy talk. Absolutely insane.

A voice of reason.

Honestly, I think Kimbrel would like to stay in Boston. Spud brought up a good point about the care his daughter has received, and will likely continue to need, at Boston hospitals. I think Dombrowski could probably come up with something creative. FTR, I am strongly opposed to anything over 3 years, regardless of $ amount.

Shuddering at the thought of $15 mil for 4 years. I would much prefer $20 mil @ 2 yrs.

Well said. There are better ways to spend the team's resources, and there are more efficient ways to build a great bullpen, including a shut down closer.

Theo is the GOAT, but he's not infallible. Also, spending bigger does not mean you'll have a better bullpen.

I tend to agree, but it's too early to say for certain.

Of course ERod, if healthy, will have a rotation spot over Johnson. Johnson is like our #7 pitcher, ERod is our #4. That said, for a back of the rotation guy, Johnson's fine. I don't see anything that screams to me that he's benefited from a ton of good luck. Also, a 1.39 WHIP for a back end starter is not alarming.

People really need to give stat geeks more credit, and I mean that sincerely. I'm not talking about wannabe stat geeks like myself. I'm talking about the ones who work for MLB teams, companies like BIS, and sites like Fangraphs and BP. Not only do they know about numbers, but they know far more about the game of baseball than they're given credit for, including the human element side of things. And, they are darn good at what they do.

One thing I can say for sure is that I could never be a catcher. Never mind all the foul balls off the face mask, etc. Just the squatting for 9 innings would do me in. LOL

I remember that all too well. Another one I remember is a young David Price, then with the Devil Rays, getting a called strike against JD Drew in a crucial playoff situation.

I'm not sure that I'm impressed with the 70% accuracy, but I have to admit that I've never umped a major league game. Perhaps they should do away with the K zone during telecasts. I know while watching games in which K zone is not shown with every pitch, there are some balls that I thought were strikes or vice versa, only to find out that I was wrong when the pitch was replayed with K zone.

Nice! FTR, I absolutely love Manny, warts and all. One of my favorite all time players to watch.

My point has nothing to do with vengeance or punishment. My question was why many people are fine with accepting Ks as a stat but not UZR. The argument I have always heard against UZR is that it's too subjective. Ks are just as subjective, far more so IMO. Ks have just as high a margin of error, if not more so. The scouts that are watching the defensive plays for UZR are just as highly trained as umpires. And the point of the post that you were responding to: The quality control for UZR scouts is better than the quality control for umpires. Bottom line: Saying that UZR is a weak stat because it's somewhat subjective really doesn't hold much merit.

Yup.

I don't think it will harm his psyche at all, given the big lead. He was then able to finish the 7th inning. Giving your team 7 innings is no small task. That feat should make him feel very good about the outing. Cora was very sure to compliment Johnson on that outing. All is good.

If the score were closer, I would agree. Or if Johnson had really labored up to that point. I think Cora probably should have had someone warming in the pen, but under the circumstances, I don't fault him for not having someone ready.

Your wife sounds like my kind of lady.

I'm sure Cora is hesitant to start Butler, but Leon needs some more time off. Eventually, catching this many games is going to catch up with him. Hopefully, Swihart and Vaz return soon.

Eovaldi has a lot more to show before he earns a spot in our post season rotation. That said, I think he will be there. I don't see any way that Price goes to the pen, barring a really bad finish to the season. I currently see our postseason rotation as Sale, Porcello, Price, and Eovaldi.