Emp9

it'd been nice if we got another piece back. Was that a 4 for 1 trade? or a 3 for 1 trade?

Fantastic update. He seems to have a lot of nice movement. Plus the super scary slo-mo was entertaining.

They don't even have Thursday's SP confirmed yet. But I'll guess ERod for Sat.

Yeah, his situation is a bit confusing to me. I know he didn't do the Red Sox shoulder strengthening program, but my question is ... what has he done in the off season every other year before this one to get ready for a season? What did he do last year? Hope a few guys step up with all these minor health issues mounting.

But that's just conditioning right? It's not a real injury, correct?

We can't develop pitching and now we can't trade for pitching. Tha's a bit bleak. lol

I always very much liked Leon for what he was, nice depth in case of an injury, with a chance for him to improve. What he did last year was amazing, but I'm not so sure it's sustainable. It's anyone's guess who the real Leon is a this point. I never once scuffed at Leon like some though. On Vazquez, I think we brought him back too early last year, him just coming off recovering from TJS. I thought it'd be another 2-3 months before we saw him again. For me, the clock starts now with Vaz. I might like Swihart the most out of all three and to most extents I still view him as a prospect. I would still have him just a valuable as Moncada if he was still with the team, and some will disagree on that... and that's ok. All three have unknown ceilings right now. I'm rooting for all three. "Before I would ever consider a trade of Leon, I would have to have a guy ready step in to his place that was his equal if not better." I agree wholeheartedly. It's just fun to speculate on certain scenarios sometimes, however unlikely.

I'd be down for that when/if the time comes. All this goes without saying that if both Vaz & Swi closely live up to their potential. That's the prerequisite. If our BP is fine by then, I'd take a decent far away prospect back for the Leon and Abad too.

Leon for a BP arm?

Anyone else think this tandem of Leon & Vaz will be close to a 50/50 split? They're both having decent Springs. (Swihart had a nice Spring too but was obviously sent back. I'm satisfied w/ all three so far this spring).

and maybe give Betts and JBJ or XB a contract extension in the near future. Be nice to hold onto at least 2 out of 3 of them long term.

only slightly for his immediate timeline, not overall, and it was somewhat justified imho.

cool. That's good to know. Just saying, If someone is looking for the Single team option via Directv, I just don't think it actually exists. Perhaps it's not offered in every region or something. idk?

That's the plan. er... at least it's MY plan. I can't speak for the Red Sox.

Does anyone think Betts would be a CF option in that scenario?

MLB.Com states that Directv offers the Single Team Package. But two years in a row... I call Directv to order it and they don't offer it. Last season I just paid the $3 a month to have it all on my smart phone and if I wanted to watch on my flat screen I would just use Chrome cast app to throw it to my tv. I'm just curious if anyone on TalkSox has Directv and actually gets the Single Team package via Extra Innings. ???

Soo, two games today. Bos vs Phi is the game to watch though

Well, Mookie or Pedey was "protecting" him for that time, no? I know I know, but I just don't think it hurts to have good to great hitter batting behind you. Correlation doesn't equal causation, but when the correlation is so so so riveting...

Correct. He's had issues with management, not with teammates.

CLE 13.0: (Kluber 5.2, Carrasco 4.4 & Salazar 3.4) Nobody else over 1.7 Bauer has proven pretty versatile although inconsistent. I personally think he was pitching over his head in the playoffs, but he's a definite wildcard. NYM 12.7 (Syndergaard 5.6, deGrom 3.9 & Matz 3.2) They also have Harvey at 2.7 I've been casually keeping track of the Mets in recent years (lot's my friends are Mets fans so it's nice to and plus I get the skinny on what they think). It's been all about injuries for them, but the talents there. I think injuries have, overall, kept them from trading a SP for a better bat. I think saying "maybe" top 3 is justifiable. I agree with this. But, even if we wind up being wrong, it's still gonna' be close. Our starting staff will rank up there with the best of them. If we prove to be even 7th on that list, it won't be by a lot.

I understood, although I don't think starting with OBP is some new idea. If XB starts showing more power (which I think may be possible because both XB and Betts have started showing signs of power by going the other way a bit more last season), that might throw a monkey wrench in your lineup order. Of course, that wouldn't be a bad thing.

I usually stay out of these Clutch threads. I've never found the topic THAT compelling. I think Clutch CAN exist. Whether it's repeatable or not seems like a whole 'nother topic though. Maybe there should be some kind of Clutch Rating system? One that focuses on players with a history of big hits in important situations in big games that have more consequences than others? Maybe the term "Clutch" rubs people the wrong way? I'm not particularly fond of the term 'Save', so I guess I can relate.

vs RHP: 1) Beni .370 OBP 2) Pedey .367 OBP 3) Betts .867 OPS 4) JBJ .848 OPS 5) Ramirez .820 OPS 6) Bogey .775 OPS 7) Sandoval .775 OPS 8) Moreland .764 OPS 9) S Leon .713 OPS vs LHPs 1) Bogey .383 OBP 2) Pedey .375 OBP 3) Young .892 OPS 4) Ramirez .880 OPS 5) Betts .845 OPS 6) JBJ .781 OPS 7) Leon .740 OPS 8) Holt .703 OPS or Rutledge 9) Beni .770 OPS Moon I'd leave your RHPs lineup the way it is. The minor adjustment I've made on your LHPs lineup is my compromise to Kimmi:o

********! The Governor's Cup is where Legends are made!!!!

I think it's great idea if you want your #3 hitter to lead the league in BBs and if he's lucky he'll have as many hits as that pitcher that hits after him. Goody goody. Naw, in all seriousness I just don't buy it. Still sounds like 16 games lost not 16 runs lost to me. More over it's a theory that will never see a practice. I do however think there are ways to get creative with a lineup. I like the idea of using the 9th spot as a sorta' second leadoff hitter if said team has two lead-off(-ish) type of players ( good OBP, good speed). Although, I'm pretty sure I thought of that idea before those guys did. I've thought plenty about trying to replicate the top of the order for further down in the order as much as resources allow, as long as it doesn't take away from the real top of the order. L/R still plays in my book because of certain matchups and the importance of L/R spacing increases as the game goes on when relievers are called. I'd still rather pinch hit and fail than not pinch hit and fail. Protection is overrated? You're assuming I'm over-rating it. But, It's not always about seeing "better" pitches, sometimes it's about seeing a pitch to begin with.