Maxbialystock

Great discussion of a variety of perspectives--thanks, everyone. I loved Devers as the DH, the perfect slot for him. He played every game and had an OPS of .905 with the Sox. Unlike most of the rest of you, I never saw him as a whiny malingerer. On the other hand, I honestly don't think he is missed much--nor did the Giants get a season-changer, at least not yet. DH is now a handy spot to use Anthony, Ref, and others. Without Devers and Bregman both, the Sox have been scoring 5.7 runs per game for 20 games. The publicity generated is another story because from the outset the Giants were credited with genius and the Sox with imbecility. Right now--and this is more hope than certitude--I see a pretty good Sox team emerging with good hitting, good defense, a decent rotation, and an up and down bullpen. Up ahead, from now to the trade deadline on July 31, the Sox play 13 games against tough teams: Rays, @Cubs, @Phillies, and Dodgers. @ Minnesota could also be tough. That will be a great test of just how good these 2025 Sox are--and inform Bregman about what deals he should make.

Could not agree more.

Wow. I did not know that. Does this mean that Breslow was right on both Gonzalez and Narvaez?

Just gotta find something bad about a 10-2 win, a complete game by Bello, and 5 straight wins. You remind me of a scene on the Mary Tyler Show when some of them had been involved in putting on a play/show, which was criticized by a newspaper critic. Murray tells Mary and others that the critic pans everything, including Richard Burton in Hamlet when they came to Minneapolis. "You mean he didn't like Richard Burton?" he was asked. "He didn't even like the play."

It took some pressure off of Duran. Eaton's OPS, season to date, is .333. What you don't know about managing a game and a team would fill volumes. And why the blatant animosity toward Cora?

Freeland has pitched 8 of the 19 quality starts by the Rockies and tonight was 1 out from his 9th quality start. I thought he had excellent breaking stuff which he mixed well with this fastball.

With a score of 10-0, who needs a hot-hitting catcher. Wong just might have been of some value to Bello who is pitching in the 8th freaking inning.

.650 vs lefties. Others against lefties: Gonzalez 1.206, Ref .956, Eaton .856, Rafaela .823, Story .759, Toro .637, Anthony .639, Duran .580,

😄 If only.

Ellsbury had some pretty good seasons, especially 2011, with the Sox. Not so with the Yankees. JBJ cost a lot less and earned more WAR points with Boston than Jacoby did with the Yankees. This season I thought and said that Devers was great in the DH slot, where his OPS was .905 and he didn't miss a game. However, I didn't mind the "trade" with the Giants because the Sox still have a bunch of good bats and should get better when Bregman and Yoshida return. Since the trade, the Sox have a 10-9 record and SF 9-10--but it's early.

It's a great story for them because of all the angles. Plus they can keep writing about how the Sox are doing, how the Giants are doing, and how Devers is doing. With the Sox his OPS was .905. With the Giants .735. Giants with Raffy are 9-10. Sox without Raffy (and Bregman) are 10-9.

Narvaez has started 63 games. There are 12 other catchers who have started 60 or more games this season. Narvaez has started 63/92 games, which is 68% or a little over 2/3 of the Sox games. 2/3 of 162 games is 110 games. His OPS in July is .801 and in June was .761. So I'm not sure where your numbers are coming from.

1. Granted, the past. But Rafaela and Story's improvements occurred over the entirety of June and early July. Anthony is already the real deal. Since June 16 the Sox have been without both Bregman and Devers and have scored 104 runs in 19 games, over 5 runs per game. 2. The "bad defense" includes Rafaela, Bregman/Mayer, Abreu, Narvaez, Hamilton, and Story--who are above average at CF, 3b, RF, C, and CF. Anthony and Wong both have positive DWAR's of +0.3. 3. Right about Buehler, but at least he's trying. Crochet, Bello, and Giolito have 11, 7, and 8 quality starts. 4. Casey Stengal with the Mets: "doesn't anyone here know how to play this game?" 5. Good catch. But it's still a positive sign. The Rockies are nuttin' and drew 32,441 last night. 6. We both agree the next month and a half will tell us a lot more.

You could be right. I offer the following which I think make this team different-- 1. They are hitting well and should hit better with Bregman and Yoshida back, Anthony emerging, Mayer likely too, Story and especially Rafaela better, Narvaez, Abreu, Toro/Gonzalez, Duran. 2. Despite errors, good defense, especially when Bregman returns. 3. Some positive signs with rotation, now Crochet, Bello, Giolito, Fitts, Buehler, and soon Dobbins and maybe Houck. Bullpen still a question, however, but could be helped with July deal. 4. Good manager, supported by Breslow and owner. 5. Fenway average attendance over 33,000, first time since 2019. We will know a lot more after the upcoming series vs Rays, Cubs, Phillies, Dodgers, and Twins--all before the July 31 trade deadline.

Small crowd tonight, 32,441. They've been getting around 35K recently, so this must be because it's the Rockies.

Rafaela ranks 7th on the team in K's. Story, Duran, Devers, Campbell, Abreu, and Narvaez all have more K's. He is 2d on the team in total bases, 5th in rbi's, 1st in runs scored, 3d in SB's, and has the highest DWAR and WAR on the team. You wouldn't know a good MLB player if he bit you in the ankle.

Cora has no problem starting Anthony against righties and lefties.

One more post to eat.

Yup

I agree about not trading him, but must remind that, contrary to public opinion, the Sox lineup has an OPS of .798 vs lefties and .733 vs righties.

I think Ive been the most optimistic talksoxer over the past month, and I certainly like where the Sox are right now, especially the hitting and the fact that Bregman is due back soon which will improve both the hitting and the defense. It's even possible an almost decent rotation of Crochet, Bello, Giolito, Buehler, and Fitts is emerging with maybe Dobbins and/or Houck to be available. Nevertheless, still two worries: 1) the bullpen and 2) the schedule from July 10 thru Aug 13-- Rays, 49-41, 4 games @Cubs, 54-36, 3 games @Phillies, 53-37, 3 games Dodgers, 56-35, 3 games, @ Twins, 43-47, 3 games, ends July 30, day before mid season trading ends Astros, 55-35, 3 games Royals, 43-48, 3 games @San Diego, 48-41, 3 games @ Astros, 55-35, 3 games

Such is the nature of talksox these days. Sox struggle, so beat up the players and manager and CBO and owner. Open season.

Agree.

😀

Eloquent. Almost haiku.