moonslav59

Yes, it's called "The Harmony Blog." Thanks for being one of the few posters here, myself included, that doesn't get bitter or snappy.

Didn't that one game series count? I know- I know- a series means 2 or more...

Of course! I'm fine with making big trades with the farm- like the Sale trade. We just need balance, IMO.

Unfortunately, it's the way of the world, these days. Fracture. Divide. Personal attacks. Repeating lies upon lies, and then saying, "I didn't say it: I was just saying what others are saying." (Sounds like a certain person previously holding a very high position in our great country.)) The worse part is, they make obvert or veiled attacks, then run and hide behind statements like "why cant they just agree to disagree' or they "can't accept any differing opinions," when it's obvious it is they who can't let go of opinions held by others they disagree with. It sucks the board has fallen to such low depths, and I'm not saying I have not been a part of this downward spiral. I have certainly not helped. I went years never putting anyone on ignore- not even the infamous softlaw from the distant past, but I have recently, in an attempt to lessen the vitriol. I admit, I have snuck in some attacks after reading responses to those I have on ignore, and that has not helped- reverse the trend on this board, but I'm going to try and recommit myself to staying optimistic and reducing the amount of comments of certain posters proclivities. I'm not saying I can do it, but I'll try- starting now.

I'm not expecting a comeback. I started the 2023 thread on July 22nd and caught some grief for doing so. All I want to see is fun and exciting baseball, these last 5 weeks. Getting to watch some kids show their stuff might be enough, by itself, assuming some do well, but last night was a fun game to watch. The two before that were, too, but we lost, so that took some of the joy away, but baseball is a great game. I hate the way losing has brought the worst out of many of us, including myself, but I'm optimistic about 2023 and beyond, and I've not totally given up on 2023, although the mountain is steep and high. The fact that we play TOR & TBR so many games keeps the hope alive, but we need to run off on a 10-2 streak or something to have a realistic shot at anything magical, this season. Maybe last night was game 1 of such a run. Let the fun begin! (Again)

Well, at least he has exposed himself for what he is, after trying so hard to - obfuscate and deflect. It seems fitting seeing him try to form a "symbiotic relationship" with Old Red. Let's see if Old Red holds him accountable for name-calling, personal attacks and his favorite "acting like he knows more than everyone else"... NOT! lmao!

Indeed. I think he was at a negative WAR at some points of the season. Being a major part of the Betts deal has put an pretty big strain on fan expectations for him. bWAR (Total: 4.8) 2.1 in 60 game 2020 season 2.2 in 2021 0.5 so far, in 2022 fWAR (Total 5.1) 1.8 2.0 1.3 I know it's not fair comparing him to Betts, and I'm not trying to say a 1 War for 8 seasons equals one 8 WAR season from guy like Betts, but one should factor in 5 years of team control vs one as having some added value, especially if the 5 year guy is putting up seasons over 1 WAR. FYI Betts 3.6 bWAR & 2.9 fWAR in 2020

Even if he just got back to pre start of 2021 form, he'd be a big plus in 2023 and beyond. Somewhere in between 2018-2020 Barnes and first half 2021 Barnes, and we'd have ourselves a closer or top set-up man. The whole DFA Barnes thing got out of hand, and not just because of his contract.

I don't think any Sox players have "quit," but it seems some do feel that way. I think Bogey deserves and will get more than Story got, even though their numbers are very similar. Story got $140M/6. I'd offer Bogey $150M/6, maybe with a $20M option year 7 with a $6M buyout- making it essentially a $156M/6 year deal ($26M x 6.) I suspect he will get more, elsewhere, but maybe this down season will keep the offers lower than I expect. I also don't see him as being a SS for the full 6 years, so that might lower the price tag, if the GM making the offer feels the same. He's been one hell of a player, and I'll miss him, but if it comes down to keeping him vs Devers, I'm on the Devers wagon.

I think he'd be a fine starter, and that has enormous value to a team, but it is harder to find a multi-inning, high leverage guru like Whitlock. I'd keep him where he has shown he is most successful, which is not as a one inning closer or a SP'er. Most of all, DON"T JERK HIM AROUND, next season! PLEASE!!!!!

Maybe I was caught up in the moment, but I really do think the 2021 season by Kike was the best defense I have ever seen. He seemed to have the instincts and jumps that JBJ had but with more speed. The UZR/150 and DRS do not show it was the best season, but it was very near the top, so I don't think my "eye test" or opinion was NOT even a minor distortion. JBJ was great. He was my favorite players for a long time. His defensive career was clearly number one, in my book, and I guess, if I could do it over again, I probably should have said "one of the best seasons," but I guess stat nerds are not allowed to give any opinions based on eye tests.

I'll come out of the bushes for this one, aftercall, you set yourself up on a platter, quite nicely. Then, it's back to ignore. I thought the past didn't matter- only what you do for me, this year. Talk about flip-flops. BTW, JD was one of the best signings we've ever made. I've never even hinted otherwise. Yes, I've been critical about this year's production- just like you have b een about just about everyone, except Bogey, JD and Vaz. On Bogey, I have said I want him back at more money than Story got. Yes, I've "dissed" his D and his lack of production, this year, but I thought it was only about this year in Old Red's world. Now, try to just accept my position and agree to disagree. Follow your own maxims and don't "flip-flop." If you don't respond, you win! You'll be the best poster on the board. What a golden opportunity for you to show you follow your own beliefs and edicts. Bye.

I've always used the term "ace" to mean the best pitcher on a team, but even that is not a firm position I hold, since c learly some teams seem to have 2-3 aces while others none. I've often used the best 30 SP'ers in a given season or time period to roughly view them all as "aces," but clearly others view the term differently, and that's fine with me.

The guy who keeps claiming we all need to "agree to disagree" and repeats his points as much or more than any of us really believes that continuing the argument means not "accepting" another's position, or rather not proclaiming he is right. Has Red accepted my position that Kike had the best CF defensive season I have witnessed as a Sox fan? Hardly. I don't expect or even want him to agree. Was that statement by me a bit hyperbolic? I don't think so. Afterall, it's my "eye test." I also went on to say that plenty of ex-Sox CF'ers have had great defensive seasons and careers, and they have. I also said I have no issue with anyone saying someone else had a better season. Isn't that the same as "agreeing to disagree" and a firm example of accepting another's position? Yet, I'm made out to be the rigid one, unaccepting of anyone else's position. Yes, I'm guilty of "lastwordism." It's a fault I've tried to overcome, but here I am, again, doing just that.

The "hit or miss" aspect of it all is proven by the Martin Perez example. Here's a guy Bloom took a chance on two seperate times, while we all scratched our heads think, What can he possibly see in this guys, even if just for $5-6M a year?" Well, the third year would have been a "hit." Two Wachas and a Perez would have put us in the playoffs. Think how bizarre that sounds!

It's all speculation, of course, but all you can expect a GM to do is add exciting and well-regarded players to the system and hope for the best. I know "hope" has somehow become a bad word, these days, but it's always been a big part of baseball and even more so for baseball fans, as 29 teams' fans say every fall and winter, "Wait 'till next year!" I like what I see from the farm and don't think optimism should be viewed as a fault or without value. A MLB farm system can have enormous value. It can be the main reason a team wins a ring, and more often than not has been. This whole oversimplification of not counting anything as having value, until it pleases me, now, is an idea and mindset I don't want to be any part of. Negativity is such a downer.

Because Kike happens to be a very good defender at many positions, somehow that has been used against him- like he's not good enough to stick at one slot. It's more like he's too good to be kept at just one slot, as injuries happen to every team. I think he's a hell of a ball player, who usually starts out slowly and gets better when it counts most. His injury, this year, took away from his chance to bring his numbers up, but maybe he never would have, anyway. He has had some sub .700 seasons sprinkled here and there. That's one reason he only got $7M x 2 and not $17M x 4. Nobody has ever said he was a superstar. He is, however, a fantastic defensive CF who play the difficult Fenway CF about as well or as well as anyone who has ever played it. That's a huge plus to the Sox. The guy hit almost .900 over the last 80m games of 2021 and almost single-handedly carried the offense to within 2 games of the WS. It sucks he got hurt. He has never been an injury prone player, but I guess what have you done for me, lately, is all that matters to many Sox fans. That's understandable, at least, but maybe he'll catch on fire, like last year, and bring some fun and excitement into the rest of the season. I love watching this guy play. I wish all our players played like him.

I'm not sure the Sox care much about offense from the catcher, especially the back up one. Leon, Plawecki and others have show that. Apparently, we went hard after Stallings, last winter, and may have traded Vaz in the spring, had we obtained him over the Marlins. I think his OPS is around .600 or even under with MIA, but he still starts more than any of the many young catchers they have. If this guy can ever get and stay around ,660-.680, I think he'll be our FT catcher. For all the decent catcher hitting Vaz gave us, he did end up with just a .700 OPS- still good for a catcher, but not something that Wows me.

I've always felt it's best to improve your staff from the top, and trying to improve your 5th starter with a better 5th starter type is folly, but take a guy like Wacha. We did not sign him to be our #1 (or ace), or even our #2 or #3. At best we hoped he'd be solid #4 who maybe pitched like many teams' #2 or 3. Even counting the injury, had we signed 3 Wachas instead of 1, we'd be in the playoff hunt, right now.

We could really use a big boost from the lower leagues. I'm hopeful this farm building on paper turns into reality.

We do still play in a hitter's park, so I prefer ERA+ or ERA- and other data. We are 24th in ERA- (out of 30 teams)- not great but also not second worst. 19th in SIERA at 3.93 20th fWAR Pitching T14th in balls hit softly. (25th in BAbip hints at poor defensive support) Certainly, our pitching has not been our bright spot, but it's not really all that close to being worst, as ERA makes it seem like we are. (IMO)

... and an OPS Against around .500 and FIP around 2.50. 10.1 IP

It's not so much what you call them, just get one or two, this winter. It looks like it was a good thing not to go after Montas.

Houck being out really hurts. Strahm is not the same guy as earlier in the season.

Posted this on another thread, but then it got me thinking about all the Bloom additions... Before tonight's game... Top Sox OPS+ (Rank in PAs in 2022) Red = Bloom Acquisitions 153 McGuire (17) 150 Devers (3) 144 Refsnyder (14) 127 Bogey (1) 122 Ja Davis (20) 115 JD Martinez (4) 111 Arroyo (11) 110 Vazquez (7) 109 Pham (15) 100 Verdugo (2) 97 Story (5) 92 Cordero (10) 83 Duran (12) 77 Dalbec (6) 73 Hosmer (16) 69 Kike (9) 61 JBJ (8) 47 Plawecki (13) 32 Wong (23) 18 Downs (19) -6 Sanchez (18) OPS Against .535 Familia .547 Scheiber .578 Wacha .584 Sale .589 Valdez .594 Feliz .595 Whitlock .608 Houck .634 Sawamura ,665 Danish .670 Strahm .697 Barnes (Extended by Bloom) .710 Pivetta .742 Davis .744 Diekman .774 Eovaldi .783 Crawford .786 Hill .810 Brasier .832 Robles .859 Winckowski .930 Ort .955 Bello 1.296 Seabold 1.376 DHern