moonslav59

I think Beni will be a decent to plus defender someday. His speed helps hide some of his mistakes, much as Ellsbury's did at the start of his career. That being said, just because Beni has been our best and most consistent everyday player all season, doesn't mean he's above criticism.He leads the league in running into outs, he's made many mental defensive blunders as well as physical ones. He's going to get better, but he has issues. I very very happy he's on our team. He may be a big part of smashing the idea that we only have a 3 year window.

Jeremy Barfiled called up to Pawtucket, goes 4 for 5 with an HR- his 28th in the minors this year. He's not even ranked on soxprospects.com. He's 29 and will be a minor league FA if not added to the 40 man or re-signed.

Fair enough. We are still good enough to overcome mistakes, but the playoff teams we will be facing will be looking to exploit anything we give them.

As great as their system is in finding pitching gems, they sure don't know how to keep them healthy.

I felt TF lost control of the team, but he was never an idiot. I wasn't happy they let him go. I knew he was a good manager, but I understood why he needed to go. This is different.

I'm certainly hoping it does not happen, but it's happened so often, many times twice or more in one game, I'm not sure why it will take a high profile screw up to convince some of JF's significant role in our severe lack of fundamentals. He's done a fine job with our staff, especially our pen. I've complained about his line-up construction, like Holt leading off 5 times, but that is not enough to convince me he has an overall negative impact on this team. Managers can't control every aspect of play on the field. I have no issues with physical mistakes and errors. I have no issues with controlled aggressive base running. I do have serious issues with players forgetting how many outs there are, throwing to the wrong base, holding onto the ball when a quick decisive throw is needed, running to third on a ground ball in front of you, missing hit and run signs, making the first or 3rd out at 3B, and much more I have forgotten about but know they've done. Every year, this team and others make these mistakes, but we've had an epidemic of epic proportions. Juts because many have not led to losses does not mean they did not occur or don't count. It's a reflection on JF, and it shouldn't have to take an epic bonehead mistake to see that JF is a liability. Please, please, please do not lose this season on a blunder... and I'm not talking a physical mistake like Bill Buckner's (although the manager should have pulled him).

It seems to me, his mind is leading his arm astray. I think he goes to throw before knowing where he wants to throw it and decides midway through his motion. Just guessing, because I'm as confused as you are.

Just to be clear, as much and as long as I have disliked JF, now is not the time to can his ass.

Certainly we've won and lost more games due to hitting and pitching, but quite honestly, I've never seen a Sox team make so many mental mistakes. Maybe, we'll offset those mistakes enough to still win, but I just get a sneaky feeling we are heading towards losing a series based on a colossal bonehead play. Many will say, it was a fitting way to end the season. No game is ever truly "lost" on one play, but IMO, we're pushing our luck.

I'm thrilled with Beni's season and future outlook. I'm just saying he leads the team in bonehead plays. That's not an easy thing to do with all the stiff competition. Yes, he's young. He should improve in this area, however, much of this depends on instincts, which is something not easily "learned". I do expect him to improve. His assets far outweigh his deficiencies..

Me too. DD's "under the radar" (Nunez, Reed, Fister & Moreland) deals have been better than some of his "spotlight deals" (Price & Thornburg)... so far.

"Moncada debacle?"

I heard we were making a strong push for him.

Eventually, it bites you in the ass.

I've wanted JF gone for over a year, but the biggest reason is not poor managerial decisions gone wrong, but because this team is near totally void of any basic fundamental skills, and many of our losses can be tied to bonehead plays on defense, the base paths and elsewhere. It's not just managerial decisions that cause losses. I guess you could call it a "decision" not to stress fundamentals, but that's just arguing semantics.

Agreed.... although one could argue the team got fired in 2014, including just about the whole rotation. Lester Lackey Peavy Doubront Gomes Pierzynski just during the season and more afterwards.

WOW! A one pitch out!

How many mental mistakes by our players and idiotic calls does JF get to make?

Another out ran into.

2 IP 49 pitches

Why isn't Lin at SS and Nunez at 2B?

Since the Pom trade (which I hated) to now, every major move DD has made, except for Thornburg, (and maybe Davis) has worked out well to very well. Hats off to DD! Pom Moreland Fister Nunez Reed calling up Devers

Just because GS plays OF does not mean the Marlins would insist on an OF'er in return. Would you give up Bogey, ERod, Groome, Lakins and Chavis? We could then sign Cozart and Lynn.

I agree we are thin, but teams don't always send their best players to the AFL. They send players needing to work on something or needing extra playing time in general.

You didn't answer my question. I seriously doubt we go into 2018 praying one from this bunch rises to the top: Brentz Travis Barfield Swihart Others I also doubt we settle on Moreland or Morrison. I think DD has to see the big gap in the middle of our line-up. The gap is actually 2-3 slots, so IMO, he has to get one big bopper, and I mean big. I don't see much on the list, so he may go trade, but I doubt he goes OF. That would mean one of our OF'ers sits at NL parks. Of the list, my choices would be... 1) Moustakas (move Devers to 1B over the winter) 2) Duda (DH/1B 3) Cozart (Trade Bogey for a 1Bman) 4) Lynn 5) Hosmer