moonslav59

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.

On Bogey's defense... He has looked pretty steady this year, but I'm not sure I'd say he is above average Lindor is excellent on defense. Numbers aren't everything, but here are some... UZR/150 (32 SSs with 500+ innings) 2. Lindor 13.3 14. Bogey 2.7 DRS 3. Lindor +14 T31 Bogey -16 2016-2018 (33 SSs with 1500+ innings) UZR/150 2. Lindor 11.7 19. Bogey -0.3 DRS 3. Lindor 36 33. Bogey -37 (32nd place is at -22)

I don't believe in jinxes....knock on wood!

I guess there's a chance Sevy and Tanaka get their act together and CC does his thing, but I doubt they all do, and I think you need all 3 to be on top of their game. I like our top 3-4 starts as much as anyone's, if not more. I like our offense more than anyone's. Our defense ranks #1 in UZR/150. I'm happy thinking they are a top 6 defensive team in MLB. Our team base running is pretty darn good. Our closer has struggled, but at least he's not on the DL or jail-worthy. Our pen has been shaky but still ranks pretty highly despite not having many big names besides Kimbrel. I am very high on Cora. I think we have less holes than anyone else, and our weakest links are still pretty darn good.

He looked as good as I've ever seen in the one game back after the first DL (5 IP- 1 H- 0 ER- 12 Ks- 0 BB). I'm hopeful he will be super sharp again, but I think the Sox want to minimize any chance he gets hurt during the regular season. My guess is he starts 2-3 games brfore the playoffs start.

The Guardians have 4 starters out of the top 12! The Astros have 4 in the top 17. The Red Sox have 4 in 30. The Yanks have 4 from #15 to #26. The A's have 3 from #11 to #20, but one is out hurt. We don't hear much talk about the Guardians. They have 4 top starters, Miller coming back from injury and two of the best hitters in MLB in Ramirez and Lindor. They also have 3 guys on pace for over 30 HRs and 95+ RBIs.

A look at the AL Starting Pitcher ERA- rankings of the 5 contending teams: 1. Sale 44 3. Bauer 50 4. Kluber 62 5. Verlander 67 6. Clevinger 70 7. G Cole 70 9. Rodriguez 75 10. Morton 77 11. M Fiers 79 12. Carrasco 79 14. Price 81 15. Severina 82 16. Sabbathia 82 17. Keuchel 85 19. Manaea 86 20. Cahil 87 22. Tanaka 89 26. JA Happ 91 30. Porcello 94

I wasn't trying to imply the 365 day sample size is better that the 2 year, 3 year, 2 month, 3 month sample sizes. I know Devers has struggled for a pretty long time. I'm just not one to put a ton of value on just relatively small and recent sample sizes. I like to look at several sample sizes together. If Devers hits poorly in September, I'll almost certainly change my mind. Sometimes some of the wildest, rawest and/or most undisciplined players are the ones that get to great pitchers who are wowing everyone else down. (Or not, something we haven't heard for a while.)

I think his knee has not bothered him all year.

I'm pretty sure college beats HS, but maybe the very best might be HS. Just my guess.