moonslav59

I agree that a good start is essential to successful season. Of course, anything can happen, but starting out well, makes an already difficult situation more manageable. The season no longer starts with a bunch of games off, like the old days. I think we play 25 games in the first 26 days. Starting at home with 3 v BAL, then 3 v PIT is helpful, if we are to start out well. Our first road trip could be tougher (3 @ DET & 4 @ TBR), then back home for 4 v LAA & 3 v MN. The next road trip is not horrible, either: 3 @ MIL & 3 @ BAL. We have a day off then finish April with 3 v CLE at home. The start to May is tough. April Games 6 BAL 4 TBR & LAA 3 PIT, DET, MN, MIL, CLE

At this rate, it looks like the list of 12 may be down to 5 or 6 by opening day.

To you and apparently many others- not me.

On full display, once again.

I added Alfaro to the 40, but yes, I had Chang on the 26, too. It would have to be Valdez or Hamilton. If Wong starts on the IL or bench with injury, we'd need Alfaro added.

Agreed on Houck. I might go with Mata over Walter or Murphy, or if Wink is looking okay, him too.

lmao!

He called my listing of Houcks ERs allowed bad streaks, "metrics," so be mindful that words have different meanings for some.

Can't stop, I see.

We can clearly see who can't avoid going personal. I'll leave it at that.

Covers has this on each of our injured players: Bello is managing a forearm injury, and he is not expected to take on the Orioles on March 30. Whitlock from arthroscopic surgery on his right hip, and it is unlikely that he will be active against the Orioles in the season opener. Paxton is sidelined with a Grade 1 right hamstring strain, and it is unclear when he will make his season debut. Wong is nursing a Grade 1 left hamstring strain, leaving his status for the season opener against the Orioles in doubt. Mondesi is on the mend after undergoing surgery to repair a torn ACL on his left knee, and it remains to be seen if he will be ready for the season opener versus the Orioles. Story has wound up on the 60-day injured list after undergoing an internal bracing procedure on the UCL in his right elbow, and he is expected to be sidelined for four to six months. (Mid-July) Assuming all these guys start the season on the IL (Story on the 60,) could this be the opening day 26 man roster? Add Alfaro to 40 man and trade/DFA Ort. SP: Sale, Kluber, Whitlock, Houck, Crawford RP: Jansen, Martin, Schreiber, Rodriguez, Brasier, Bleier, Mills, Kelly (possibly Mata, Walter, Wink, Murphy or Ort if not moved.) C: McGuire & Alfaro 1B: Casas 2B: Arroyo 3B: Devers SS: Kike LF: Yoshida CF: Duvall RF: Dugo DH: Turner IF: Chang OF: Refsnyder OF: Duran (possibly Valdez, Hamilton, Dalbec, Rafaela) Line up: 1. L Yoshida LF 2. R Kike SS 3. L Devers 3B 4. R Turner DH 5. L Casas 1B 6. R Duvall CF 7. L Dugo RF 8. R Arroyo 2B 9. L McGuire C (I'd prefer not putting our best hitter up 3rd, so maybe Devers bats 2nd. If the O's start a righty, maybe we'll see that. 1. Yoshida L 2. Devers L 3. Turner R 4. Casas L 5. Dugu L 6. Duvall R 7. Kike R 8. McGuire L 9. Arroyo R

Very much out of character, too.

When he gets beyond 2, he just copies and pastes.

Maybe, but I'd put our lowest 3 (Wink, Crawford and Murphy) of the 12 above the category of "Jabroni." You think all are jabronis?

No, The word potential implies any chance. I merely pointed that out. No goalpost moving. Slight potential is very clearly and firmly still potential. (Look it up.) I don't think Wink and Murphy have more than slight potential. Crawford has a bit more than slight- my gut tells me. I may like "suspects" Walter and Mata more than you, but to me, both have real potential. The rest have already proven they can be decent. Many, it just comes down to health, but plenty of potential for Sale, Kluber, Whitlock, Bello, Pivetta and Paxton. , Houck To me, I might break it down to... Plenty of potential- 9 Sale, Kluber, Whitlock, Bello, Pivetta, Houck, Paxton, Mata & Walter So-so- 1 Crawford Slight but not close to less than 5% at being a decent SP'er for the 2023 season: Wink and Murphy Plus, any of these guys could end up being decent pen arms, if they are not needed as a Sp'er.

We might need both to return and do well to see Kike get much OF work. Duvall is likely better than Arroyo, so Kike would stay at SS or move to 2B, in my opinion.

Cover with bubblewrap.

My gut's rankings, and yes, all 12 have "Potential," even if some have slight potential. I'd say only Wink, Murphy and maybe Crawford have just slight potential, but if you combine all 3, the chances one can do well is close to over 50%, so count those 3 as 1 and we now have 10 options for 5 slots. We just need 5 of 10. Why not tell me who yhou think has zero potential to be a decent starter in 2023. ZERO. I don't need stats or rankings, just go with your gut.

With 12 pitchers with potential to be decent starters, we may only need "half full." Sale, Kluber, Paxton Whitlock, Bello, Pivetta Mata, Walter, Murphy Houck, Crawford & Winckowski If 5 do real well, we can get by on slightly less than half (5/12.)

It's hard to know what they might do, if and when Story and or Mondesi are ready. It might depend on who is doing well and who might not be or is injured. So many permutations, and we're not even sure Story goes back to SS, when he does come back. 2B/SS Story SS/2B/CF Kike SS/2B Mondesi 2B Arroyo CF/LF/DH Duvall If Duvall is doing well, and we want to push Kike to CF... LF Duvall (RF?)- Verdugo? DH Yoshida 1B/DH Turner (3B, if Devers needs a rest or gets hurt) 1B/DH Casas If a bunch of these guys are doing well and healthy in July, maybe one gets dealt (Duvall, Kike, Mondesi are all on their final year of team control.)

In spending or dollars on the IL or deadweight?

It certainly looks like one of those click bait web sites, but I thought it would be interesting to start a discussion on which were the best and in what order. I have to think, as much as I dislike the Celtics, it has to start with them as number 1. I can't see any logical debate, other than a claim that the league was smaller and easier to win, but 11 in 13 is too good to deny them their rightful place. The number two slot is more up for debate. One could argue the Bulls winning 6 of 8 in a bigger and tougher league passing the Yanks and Canadians (10 in 15.) I'm partial to the Packers of the 60's, as I lived there and watched them win some of their 5 in 7, but 3 of those championships were pre Super Bowl. I see a drop off after 5 or 6, but certainly that is debatable. If the Sox made it 5 in 16, where would they be placed? 13th/14th?

Their injury history is equally impressive.

OPS w 7+ ABs 1.538 Dalbec 1.428 Verdugo 1.326 Casas 1.255 Lugo 1.212 Fitzy 1.143 McGuire 1.112 Abreu 1.091 Arroyo .967 E Valdez .916 Tapia .833 Allen .664 Turner .422 Crook .413 Rafaela .393 Sogard .300 Duvall .222 Kike .200 D Hamilton .111 Goodrum Notable Pitchers: (25 pitchers at 0.00 ERA) 0.00 Mills (3.0 IP), Walter (3.0), Murphy (2.2), Crawford (2 IP), Kluber (2.0), Mata (2.0), Winckowski (2.0), Houck (1.2), Paxton (1.2) 3.00 Bleier (3.0) 9.00 Brasier (1.0) 12.00 Ort (3.0) 18.00 Kelly (1.0), Schreiber (1.0)

So many are there just to fill space, so the vets and real hopeful players don't have to play, too much.