moonslav59

On a related note, Sale would make $1M more next year, if he wins the Cy Young.

We have to hope the 2-3 starters who miss out on the playoff rotation give us what we need in the pen. It's what has happened in several recent playoff series for other teams. One could view it like we have or about have added Sale, ERod and Wright. We can add Wright, Eovaldi, Johnson and Velazquez to full time pen duty and squeeze out those who are doing poorly leading up to the playoffs. The "problem" may not be as bad as it looks. Besides, we are not the only playoff bound team with serious, recent pen issues.

It's amazing a team can compile a record like that based solely on smoke & mirrors. This clown just won't let go of his projection that this team sucks and is clinging to his one area he got right (or half right) on Barnes, Kelly & Hembree by conflating one with the other.

Yes, but some have worse closers or a closer on the DL or prison watch.

lmao! We have 3: 1. set-up pen 2. 3B defense 3. C offense I can name 5 or more on every other team. But anyway, why is it only about weak spots not strong spots?

At the start of the year, I mentioned that being one of my biggest worries. I'm not thrilled with Nunez or Holt on defense at 3B either, so I'm not sure it's much of an upgrade.

They have recently, but they are not more important than all the other aspects combined. Plus, other teams have issues with their pens, too.

We've now PH for our catchers 3 times in 2 games.

True, but I like our starters, offense, coaching, defense and base running better.

Thought we might pull this one out. We had the right guy up. Some great D against us hurt, as did JBJ's missed catch on a very difficult play.

I'm still super high on Devers, no matter what position he ends up at. It sucks he had to learn under the spotlight of a serious championship run, but I'm glad he here and hope he stays here a long long time.

Bogey & Josh at 3B might get the job done, but what about balls hit to the vacant SS hole? All kidding aside, I'm not sure Donaldson would be a good gamble, but I'm fine with a 1 year deal. With Devers at 1B, Moreland's role is nullified. I guess we could trade him. I hate to say it, but moving Devers to DH (some 1B and 3B) makes more sense, but that would mean trading JBJ and putting JD in the OF. I don't want that. I think we give Devers one more year at 3B to sink or swim. When Moreland's deal expires, the choice will be made.

I agree on the Sox not moving 2 guys to obtain a weak hitting SS. However, both moves would improve our defense. Bogey would be a better fielder at 3B than Devers & Nunez. Devers at DH would improve our defense. Devers at 1B would not, especially since Moreland plays 1B vs RHPs. We are not getting Iggy. I know that, but dreaming of a defense like this is not a bad thing... C Leon 1B Moreland 2B Pedey (Kinsler?) 3B Bogey SS Iggy LF Beni CF JBJ RF Betts DH/OF JD DH/1B/3B Devers

Bogie has CLEARLY worked hard at becoming a very good MLB SS! He makes most of the plays Iggie makes. He's better than most MLB SS, and he's getting better every year. I have to disagree. He's not better than most MLB Sss on defense. Once could argue it's not even close. He's last in DRS in almost any sample size you chose. He's about average in UZR/150. His range is near last in MLB. Yes, he makes the plays hit right to him. His arm is accurate and pretty strong. That's about it. He has not gotten better every year. He does look better this year than maybe any other season, but it has not been a continuous progression upwards. It's not just the numbers that show it, I watch every play of every game, and I came to my conclusions before looking at the numbers. I haven't spoken about it for a long time, because his offense more than makes up for his defense-- by a long shot. He's a huge overall plus on this team, but when I hear someone praise his defense, I can't be silent. He's okay, at best. He might be average this year, if you throw our DRS and range considerations. UZR/150 has been a yo-yo not continued growth -4.3 2014 +2.6 2015 -2.2 2016 -0.9 2017 +2.7 2018 DRS shows decline after one early up year -9 -1 -10 -11 -17 Range has been consistently poor, except for one year. -3.0 -3.5 -3.7 +0.7 -4.1 Inside Edge shows that over his career he has made 13 plays out of 258 plays rated as 0-40% plays. That's 5%. He makes 55% of the plays rated as 40-60%. Since we have been speaking of Iggy recently, he has a +10.0 career UZR/150 and +12 DRS. Inside Edge shows he has made 27 out of 201 plays ranked 0-40%, which is 13.5%- more that's over 8% better. He makes 68.4% of the 40-60% plays, which is 13% better than Bogey. They are almost identical in likely and routine plays. If someone wants to call Bogey "average at best" I won't really argue all that much, despite disagreeing, but IMO, he is certainly not "better than most MLB SSs" on defense.

I think he'll be fine. Maybe I'm just being a homer, but didn't he say he'd have kept on pitching, and that the pain was not all that bad or out of the ordinary? Being cautious is probably all this was. I guess we'll find out soon.

I'm not sure anything is "clear" about 3B. Did anyone notice we PH for 2 catchers last night? Maybe that was the true "preview" of what is to come.

...and Casey Kelly before them!

If Miller gets back to form, watch out!

I doubt it, but point well-taken.

I'm going to watch the game on Astros TV tonight. I'm wondering what their commentary about the Sox will be. I'll be fixin' ta keep y'all posted.

I like Iggy, too. Sign Iggy, move Bogey to 3B and Devers to 1B/DH. Then we can start a whole new thread on how our team can keep winning with a player hitting just .600... kinda like the JBJ thread.

Thanks for the research. Pretty impressive list.

I'm thinking Cleveland has the biggest "boom or bust" quality. I know Bauer is hurt, but they have very good starters and relievers along with some big sluggers. While the Astros have a nice rotation and starter depth, the depth is not so important in October. They have a lot of players with nagging injuries or in the midst of a down year (like us last year). I'm more worried about these two teams than the Yanks, but that doesn't mean I don't respect the Yankees' possibilities. I don't see the A's going far, despite how well they have played.

He will get way more than minimum.

That's why I chose Beni's single as The Moment. It sealed the deal.