Kimmi

I think one of the most beautiful things about baseball is its randomness. I don't necessarily mean unpredictable when I say random, but I think much of the unpredictability of the game is due to its random nature. It's hard to sweep any series. It doesn't matter how bad the team is, sweeping a series is hard. Anyone who thinks that it's a given that we should be 7-1 is fooling themselves.

It's way too early to really put much stock into the run differential or the team record or anything else. That said, run differential is really pretty good. And the neat thing about run differential is that it really does not matter if a good bit of the run differential comes in a few blow out games.

If you really attribute that type of hit to skill versus luck, then we are so far apart in our opinions that it's not even worth discussing. I don't mean that with any disrespect Emp, I just don't even know what else to say.

I get all of what you are saying, but I disagree. I thought Hanley would be able to play LF decently enough. I also thought that 4 years was reasonable for the WAR that he provided.

OMG Stop Jacko. Just stop.

LOL Are you talking about the "Creatures of Habit" segments? I enjoyed that. Clearly, I am easily fascinated as well.

Thanks to Porcello. You got your wish.

JBJ has hit into some tough luck.

Well, we got 10!

You will have to listen to it too!

Yes, you are going to have to listen to the 1st inning problems schtick again. Porcello ended up pitching a very good game.

Welcome UKRedSoxFan! It sounds like you would fit right in here.

IMO, most fans underestimate the amount of randomness that takes place in every baseball game.

OK, scratch the word 'perfect'. Maybe it was a terrible pitch. It really doesn't matter. The batter checked his swing, meaning that he had no intent to hit the ball. He gets a hit anyway. Are you going to credit the batter with skill? And that's only one example. There are numerous examples that take place every game.

I like it.

First of all, let me clarify (in case there is any misunderstanding) that the outcome of 1 run games is not solely luck or randomness. Skill does play some part in it, but in 1 run games (and even 2 run games), randomness trumps skill. Two things to consider, which again are fact, not just my opinion: 1. You can tell a lot more about the true talent level of the team by looking at its record in 4+ run games than you can by looking at its record in 1 or 2 run games. In other words, records in 4+ run games correlate a lot stronger to overall season record than do the records in 1 or 2 run games. 2. Team records in 1 run games will regress to .500. Or in other words, maintaining a good record in 1 run games is not a repeatable skill. Exhibit A - The 2012 Orioles were 29-9 in one run games. Many of the "good teams know how to win the close games" crowd credited Showalter's genius managing and the Os incredible BP for the record. The 2013 Orioles, which was largely the same team and certainly the same manager, had a 20-31 record in one run games. Did the genius Showalter suddenly forget how to manage? Did the vaunted BP forget how to pitch? Did the great Orioles team suddenly forget how to win the close games? Or perhaps, those records had more to do with randomness than anything else.

Agree completely Jack. Even if I were strongly opposed to having Hanley's option vest, I would not want to see my team bench a player who deserves to be in the line up because of financial reasons.

+100

The goal is always to make the playoffs. The playoffs really are a crapshoot because randomness once again plays an important role. If Hanley is hitting well and Moreland is not, Hanley needs to be in the lineup.

I honestly did not have a problem with Hanley's contract, and I'm no fan of big contracts. Hanley was worth 2.9, 4.9, and 3.7 WAR in the 3 years leading up to signing with the Red Sox. That being the case, I didn't think $22 mil for 4 years was a bad signing.

I guess I'm too skeptical, but I never believe it when the athlete says that he doesn't know how the substance got into his urine. If I were in a similar situation, I'd be darn sure before I put anything into my body that would be even remotely 'iffy'.

Ended up being a very good game. I dozed off somewhere around the 11th or 12th inning, but woke back up to bases loaded and no outs in the top of the 14th.

I prefer to be called the Whammy Master. I'm not into voodoo.

Yup. That was a great game. I had no faith at all in the Os pitching to win that game, but they held on against the vaunted Yankees lineup.

I don't really disagree with what you're saying. I just disagree with the idea of possibly sacrificing our playoff chances just to keep the option from vesting. If given a choice between Hanley raking and making the playoffs this year but having the option vest, which could hurt our chances for next year, versus Hanley stinking and missing the playoffs this year, but having the money to sign somebody next year, thereby improving our chances for next year, I'm going with the first choice.