Kimmi

The Yankees are 33-14 when scoring more than 4 runs and 9-20 when they don't, so their numbers aren't as extreme as ours are.

Yeah, I would agree. I'm too lazy to look at it team by team, but I'm guessing that's the case with any team that has decent pitching.

Red Sox fans are the coolest. Who wouldn't want to spend time with us?

Porcello has not pitched that great, but honestly, I don't think his pitching has been that big of a problem. The frustratingly inconsistent offense needs to fix itself.

It's funny that you mention that because I was thinking the same thing a couple of days ago. It seems like our guys look at strike 3 far too often. Maybe the pitch was a little off the plate, but if it's that close, you have to protect the plate.

The team will bring in a hitter, I have no doubt. Who that is and how much of a power bat he will be, I have no idea. However, I still think that the 'fix' for our offense starts with the guys we have. Even if a bat is added, if some of our other guys don't improve, then one bat is not going to make much of a difference.

I don't think finding a reliever is a top priority. If they can add someone for cheap who will help the team, then by all means, go for it. But I would use whatever resources we have elsewhere, namely a solid 3B. BTW, I absolutely hate all of the rumors floating around at this.

From what I've read, Prado will take up the remaining salary that the Sox have to spend. I'm not sure they want to take that route.

I am guessing Verlander is very much on Dombrowski's radar.

No matter how many times these long term deals turn out bad, which is the large majority of times, it amazes me that GMs still do them and fans still encourage them. They are as bad as drugs. JUST SAY NO!

I love Manny. I really don't have anything against him for all of the antics that he pulled. That said, I find it rather strange to have a Manny bobblehead night right now.

No argument there.

I am not happy that we gave up Espinoza. IMO, we did not get back what he was worth. That said, I supported the trade because I thought it was necessary. If Pom can continue to pitch like he has been recently, then this trade becomes a big win, regardless of how Espinoza eventually pitches.

Yeah, hot wife makes the trade worthwhile.

Meanwhile, Pablo and Peralta have gone a combined 0-7 in their AAA starts.

My man.

My man.

Porcello was not great, but I am far more frustrated with the offense than I am with him or with the pitching in general. Just when I think the offense might be ready to break out, they make another mediocre pitcher look like an All Star.

LOL Here is what Farrell is dealing with several times a game, every game: To get a sense of all that goes into the decision, here's a taste of the factors adding branches to a manager's decision tree: What is the situation? (score, inning, game importance, etc.) Who is due up for the opponent? Are there likely to be higher- or lower-leverage situations after this one? Should I bring in a left-handed or right-handed pitcher? When might a LOOGY be best deployed? How many left-handed and right-handed pitchers do I have? Is the opposing team a good low-ball or high-ball hitting team? When was the last time each of my relievers threw? How many days in a row have they thrown? How many pitches did they throw over their most recent outings? How do my relievers feel? Did anyone have difficulty getting loose recently? Is anyone coming off an injury? Does any typically take longer to warm up? Did anyone have poor command while throwing in the bullpen? What's coming up on the schedule that I should be aware of? How have my relievers been performing? Am I going to need multiple relievers this inning? Does this situation align with someone's role (e.g. setup man, closer)? If so, will making an exception have motivational or psychological fallout? That's a lot of things to consider. By no means is it a complete list, but simply a place to start when trying to think like an MLB manager. Keep in mind that not only does the manager need to go through all of those factors and pick the "right" guy, he needs to figure all of those things out far enough in advance for his relievers to properly warm up, far enough in advance, in fact, that he hasn't already blown his desired reliever in a less optimal setting earlier in the game, or even earlier in a series. From Baseball Prospectus http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=27403

I could be wrong, but I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. I have not said that he has shown anything that warrants him being our starting 3B, just that he should be given a fair look. That means regular playing time for a few weeks, not the sporadic playing time that Farrell has been giving him.

Now we're talking!

Ummm.....

That was one that always bothered me, along with Cla Meredith, which has been mentioned before.

Yes, it does.

I wonder how many wins Farrell gained for the team with that speech.