Kimmi

My concern is not with the guys leaving, per se. It's with the direction that the team building philosophy might turn towards. I am not accusing anyone of anything, nor brewing a conspiracy theory, nor saying that the franchise is doomed. I am simply concerned. My concern might end up being completely unwarranted. OTOH, it might not.

I have warmed up to the idea of Beltran.

We don't know what playoff pressure is like. IMO, the pressure of performing in front of scouts, etc., when trying to make it to the show would be pretty intense. If a player can handle that pressure, then I would think he can handle playoff pressure. I do not disagree that there are a lot of psychological and emotional things going on inside people. I don't think I have said otherwise.

This is correct. I had a lengthy discussion with a poster whose name I can't recall about Pedroia's 'grit' making him a better player. There is no evidence to support that idea either. At the same time, there is no evidence suggesting that it isn't true. I said at the time that if someone provided evidence against grit, I would have to rethink my opinion. If someone provided evidence against trust and confidence, I would have to rethink my opinion. There is rather strong evidence against the ideas of 'clutch' and 'choke' (at least at the big league level), which is why I don't believe they exist.

Oh no, I acknowledge the possibility that Price's struggles may have a psychological component. I don't think he's a choker though.

Well, likewise, players who have a manager whom they feel doesn't have their back are not going to perform as well. I have said this about the influence that I think Bobby Valentine had on the team. It works both positively and negatively. However, it is an ongoing thing that shapes itself over the course of a season. It's not something that can be readily turned on or turned off, or kicked up a notch or toned down a notch on a whim. In other words, a manager cannot get a player to raise his game to otherworldly for the postseason, just like a player cannot raise his own game to otherworldly for the playoffs. The idea that a manager 'did not have his team ready for the playoffs' is just way off base. I agree that some handle pressure better than others. As I've said before, players who can't handle the pressure, ie the chokers, either don't make it to the bigs or don't stay there very long.

That is not at all what Cameron is saying.

I am concerned with the number of FO personnel that are leaving. I was concerned with Hazen leaving. I have become more concerned as others have left.

It's the oddest thing, if you ask me. A pitcher throwing to a base, whether to check a runner or to make a play after fielding the ball, always makes me nervous.

Tonight's game start time has been moved up to 7:08, in case anyone hasn't heard.

I would like to quote my man Dave Cameron who wrote this before the postseason started, and nailed it. "Over the next few weeks, you’re going to hear that a winning team simply showed more heart, or that a losing team (or specific player on a losing team) couldn’t handle the pressure of the situation. You’re going to be told that these games are a test of the character of the individuals playing in it, and that we can come to some conclusion about the moral fiber of those involved by how they perform on the field. We’re all going to hear that what teams did for the last six months doesn’t matter, and that we should judge them solely on what happens over the next six weeks. Every bit of that is garbage. The postseason is not a test of character for the individuals involved, the teams themselves, or the managers leading the charge. It is not a place where we find out what people are made of, or a proving ground for someone’s mental strength. It’s a three week tournament on a level playing field between teams that are fairly evenly matched up, and one where a single bounce here or there can change the entire outcome."

What I'm saying is that a team that scuffled through the month of September or the last two weeks of the month has just as good a chance of winning in the post season as a team that was red hot to end the regular season. Momentum has no predictive value. I don't know who the 'many people' are that make this wrong assumption of which you speak, but you're way off base with that statement. The people who use analytics have acknowledged time and time again that there are things that can't be quantified. They have also acknowledged time and time again how important scouting is because of things that can't be quantified. You have quoted Bill James many times. Read his opinions on the human element. Here is something I posted just a few posts ago: That sounds to me like I'm saying pretty much the same thing you were talking about and acknowledging the existence of something that can't be quantified.

Of course. They really have no choice but to be. However, there is still a fair gap in the extent of their analytics use.

Maddon does make it difficult to pull for the Cubs, but I agree with you.

Whether the Cubs win the WS or not, Theo is THE man. Also, I am not happy that all of our guys from the Theo regime are leaving. Not good.

Maybe they need to get some Ryan Merritt boots. I am really surprised that Price has not pitched well in the postseason.

There really is not rhyme or reason to hot or cold streaks or momentum. A team can have all the momentum in the world and it can change as quickly as you can flip a switch. Momentum has no predictive value.

Ah. I missed that, although I did know somewhere in the back of my mind that they didn't announce the awards until after the WS. Congrats to Tito and Roberts anyway.

Me too. I'm nervous for tonight's game, but I don't know why.

I will feel really bad for whoever loses.

Of course there is always room for improvement, but I'm not sure that I think this team has any glaring needs. If we stood pat, I think we'd get back to the playoffs. That said, I'm not saying we should stand pat, and I'm positive that Dombrowski will not. However, I don't think we need the huge acquisition of a big bat that some are suggesting. IMO, by upgrading the pen and figuring out what to do about 3B (which will likely be 'fixed' internally), you accomplish #3 - lessen the impact of Papi's retirement.

It's saber organization versus saber organization, which makes me very happy.

I said in the game thread that I'm pulling for the Cubs, just because it's been a longer drought for them. Outside of that, I will be happy with whichever team wins. I'd love to see Theo or Tito, as well as the former Sox players, win another ring. There is no bad outcome to this championship, IMO.

Fair point about the increase in attendance. Winning does typically put fans in the seats.

On the topic of managers, congrats to two of my favorite baseball people, Terry Francona and Dave Roberts for winning MOTY. I'm so glad that Roberts won the award over Maddon. Ha!