Emp9

I do hope we could wait on dealing Swihart until he hypothetically could build up more value. A great Spring training can only go so far and I’d hate to sell low on a former #1 prospect who 1) was rushed to the majors in the first place, and 2) who’s only real fault was getting hurt.

Guess I’m just going by what’s been actually reported. If what’s been reported is deemed optimistic, a mild forearm strain that should set Pom back a week, I’ve no basis to say otherwise or any reason to argue the contrary.

So we got 1Sale 2Price 3Porcello 4Pomeranz (forearm strain) 5And whoever really Last time I checked (which was yesterday), Pom’s injury wasn’t that serious and there’s a strong likelihood he still starts the season. Later in the season we should get Erod & Wright back (guessing about 3 months from now). Then we have 4 other minor league SPs to fill in any rotational gaps along the way. What’s everyone freakng out about? Our 5th Starter? Am I missing something?

Top spender baby!!! Maybe the umps will realize this and we can get more favorable calls? Lol

Opening Day Payrolls as far back as ‘98 have the Yanks never below 2nd in top payroll. In fact, Yanks had a nice 15 year streak going at #1 from 1999-2013. ‘17 ‘16 ‘15 ‘14 ‘13 ‘12 ‘11 ‘10 ‘09 ‘08 ‘07 ‘06 ‘05 ‘04 ‘03 ‘02 ‘01 ‘00 ‘99 ‘98 NYY: #2 #2 #2 #2 #1 #1 #1 #1 #1 #1 #1 #1 #1 #1 #1 #1 #1 #1 #1 #2 Bos: #3 #3 #3 #4 #4 #3 #3 #2 #4 #4 #2 #2 #2 #2 #6 #2 #2 #7 #6 #7 Notable disparities between NYY-Bos payrolls: 2003 @ $52M, 2004 @ $57M, 2005 @ $85M, 2006 @ $74M, 2007 @ $46M, 2013 @ $78M... Thanks. This was fun.

I think Swihart makes the team. Travis could get a call up if theres an injury to either Moreland or HanRam.

Yeah I don’t know how we won. We left all our best players on the bench (JD, Betts).

Lynn turned down the Twins’ 2yrs@$20M, called it a non-starter. And he’d be right. Can’t blame him for that.

Panda, yes. That was the definition of a bad deal. HanRam & Porcello? Nah. Big market teams make these kinds of deals all the time. Gotta take some chances. They both might even still be worth it. I wouldn’t be shocked if both had respectable ‘18 seasons.

I read an article last year about a Carmine replacement they were working on. (Yep, just checked. It was exactly a year ago.). It’s called ‘Beacon’. I don’t think Carmine software was built for the relatively new Statcast data anyway, so it’s just as well they let it phase out.

Yeah I was just speaking in general, for any team. There are always going to be some remote, isolated cases and I frown on speaking in absolutes. And that certainly doesn’t mean ignore your bench or that your bench never matters at all. Not saying that. Options are good. For this year’s Sox team, Marrero, JBJ (when JDM plays OF), and Moreland are all great late game defensive replacement options. I think Swihart adds a lot more value than most realize. You are right. No platoon is needed for Beni. His minor league splits never indicated a cause for concern vs LHP. Beni was a rookie last season (his first FULL year anyhow). I chalk it up to him being a rookie. For the same reason his base-running/OOB could've been much better. His overall game is a bit raw, but I see that changing over time.

I find this off topic from what I was talking about.I haven’t had much time to get into it. I look at the Bench as depth. Or ‘Immediate Depth’, if you will. It’s sorta Lineup related. It can be. Could be defesense related as well. If you’re talking about Pinch Hitting, you’d be wrong because the success rate of PH is horrible. It’s probably one of the hardest things to ask for from a batter. If a manager is depending on Pinch Hitting to win games? ... oh boy, lol Again, I say you might want to fire your manager.

Yeah, some guys like Betts & XB( assuming last year was due to injury & not some major regression ), and Beni... these guys don’t need to change their swings. Get on base and let JDM drive you in.

Ortiz was passable at 1B. There were just better first basemen out there to be had. The Sox took advantage of getting the most from that (1B & DH) situation. Gotta remember, Ortiz was fighting for more playing time early in his career (& injuries in Min) with both the Twins & Sox. Twins had Mientkiewicz (‘nuff said), before that veterans. Sox had a bunch of 1B options, Jeremy Giambi, Millar, etc... From a team perspective it just made more sense to make him the primary DH. Did it hurt how much money he could ultimately make? Yes, definitely. But considering it took Pedro to get the Sox to sign him, and Pedro again to fight for him to get more playing time, I think Papi did ok money-wise compared to what his fate could’ve easily been (a 2003 retirement). I personally believe if Ortiz had a full career at 1B he’d been average or very slightly below average, but with his bat nobody would’ve cared. So, no 1B for JDM? I would’ve liked to atleast see him get some reps there but that just me. I still can’t see him getting THAT much playing time in the OF. Again, from a team perspective... why?

I think Ainge is a good choice. But if I’m taking a current NBA player who’s skills may or may not play at all in MLB... I’ll take Greek Freak.

True dat. I’d even add movement as well over velocity for ... Porkchop(?). A sinker that doesn’t “sink” really just down right sucks.

This really has nothing to do with what I was talking about, but... whatever no big deal. Go Sox!

Could also be that the Atros simply pitched better than the Twins after committing errors. Astros did have better team pitching. For example, Hou pitching was 2nd in MLB in SO 1593, Min was 2nd to last w/ 1166. Good look up though. It’s interesting to see. Also, the timing of the error(s) comitted could have a lot to do with it.

If a manager is leaving his best players on the bench, that team would have bigger problems than it’s batting order. Could be time to fire their manager.

I really thought we go w/ HanRam/Travis at 1B and leave room to sign JD. Who knows? Maybe Moreland is a good clubhouse guy and the team really liked him? If he has an injury free season he’s good for 20+ HRs and good defense. If our budget wasn’t so tight, I’d have like the Moreland signing way more than I do presently.

Thanks S5, I think you explained my position better than I did. Lol

Devil’s advocate... few are, I’ll repeat, ... few are.

Yeah no doubt there are exceptions. I was speaking generally. No desire to get into the weeds. But even having your best hitter bat leadoff is at least some kind of a strategy. A randomized batting order (which what I was really referring to) has zero strategy whatsoever. A non-strategy that I simple don’t 100% buy into. Would you jump in your time machine and randomize our 2004 Championship lineup for that post season? I can’t speak for anyone else, but I sure as f*** wouldn’t.

Where else would they be if not the lineup? Concession stand?

So we’d lose Marrero eventually. I’m for burning that bridge when we get to it.