moonslav59

I will add that Holt is not an "everyday quality defender" anywhere but maybe 2B. Holt's versatility certainly makes JF's job easier and adds value in ways that are not easily measured, such as JF being able to sub someone else, knowing he still has Holt on the bench to cover any injury or contingency, except at catcher. Can you answer my question?

I wouldn't argue with Scherzer at #2 and sale at #3, but since 2012, Sale is clearly top 3, IMO. Over the last 3 years, Sale is 5th in WAR, but 4th in WHIP and 8th in ERA-. Over 2 years, 3rd in WAR, 9th in WHIP and 20th in ERA-

Can you answer the question I asked before? "If Pablo, Bogey or Pedey went on the DL, would you really give the job to Holt over Marco?"

This whole talk of Westbrook vs Oscar Robertson neglects one key point: The Big O averaged a triple dbl over his first 4 years combined, including a scoring average above 30 PPG. If you round off the numbers, he did it in his first 5 seasons in the NBA.

CarGo got $11.5M. He can't play 1B, and apparently neither can HanRam, so where would Cargo play for us? His contract would put us right at the tax limit with no room to wiggle. (I guess we could trade Young.)

I'm not dismissing his value. I know an emergency sub is different than a long term sub, and that's why I made that distinction. I never said versatility is not an asset of high value. I do not want to give him away for a scrub. Just because I value Hernandez higher than Holt does not mean I do not see any or significant value in Holt. I value him highly, and I think we should be able to get so meone very good for him or a package including him. Obviously, Sox management values him more than what any GM offered them, and if I knew the player(s) offered, I might be on the same page. How would you like it, if I stated that you "dismiss" Marco's value? I know you don't, but making these sorts of statements about my position is just plain false. Do I value Holt less than the Sox? Maybe. Probably? We might never know. For all we know, the Sox could trade him for a bum, and we'd find out I valued him more highly! (Note: I do not think we will trade Holt, but if Marco tears up AAA, they might think more about the idea. How Rutledge, Selsky and Shaw do may also be factors.)

I think HanRam will play 1B vs LHPs when healthy. I think Selsky was added over Marco due to Moreland's illness. I think he'd have played had Moreland not been ready.(Rutledge and Selsky combined played more ST'ing minutes at 1B than Holt. Holt will never be more than an emergency sub at 1B. We'll bring Shaw up before letting Holt play 1B long term. I'm pretty certain of this. Yes, Marco isn't on the roster, but I was talking longer term sub- not emergency fixes or an occasional spot start to give a FT'er a breather. If Pablo, Bogey or Pedey went on the DL, would you really give the job to Holt over Marco? (Maybe the Sox would at one or two of these slots, but not SS.) Even if you place Holt above Marco (SS & 2B & maybe 3B) and Rutledge (at 3B), is it really a big step down to one of those guys, if he was gone? I do not think so, and the basis of my trade idea would be that the upgrade elsewhere would have to be greater than the "downgrade" at utility IF/OF, or I don't make the trade.

That was a tough one, especially since he overcame cancer early in his time with Boston. One of our biggest most recent "what ifs" will always be what if we kept Lester instead of signing Price (the next season).

One could argue Chris Sale has been the second best starter since 2012.... Top starters since 2012: WAR 35.9 Kershaw 27.7 Scherzer 26.4 Price 26.2 Sale 21.8 Kluber (8th) 20.6 Greinke (10th) 19.6 Cueto (12th) ERA- 55 Kershaw 71 Cueto 74 Sale 75 Greinke 76 Scherzer 78 Price 83 Kluber (13th) WHIP 0.89 Kershaw 1.05 Bumgarner 1.05 Scherzer 1.06 Sale 1.08 Cueto (6th) 1.10 Greinke (8th) 1.11 Price (9th) 1.13 Kluber (13th)

We have Chris Freakin' Sale! We have Chris Freakin' Sale! We have Chris Freakin' Sale! We have Chris Freakin' Sale! We have Chris Freakin' Sale! We have Chris Freakin' Sale! We have Chris Freakin' Sale!

I'm not an early hook guy either, but this was opening day. I'm not being critical of JF. I totally understand his call. I'm just saying, I said to myself, I'd yank him after 6. We have today off and an extra guy in the pen.

Because he's been under .725 for 2 years in a row. I live in the Houston area. He was horrible here last year. I realize he turned things around in a short stint with the Rangers last year, but I'm not into gambling anymore.

I'm "attached" to Betts & JBJ and will soon be to Sale and Beni. I seem to be rooting harder for these guys for whatever reason: Marco, Hembree, Wright, ERod and Vaz

I meant first sub, if a player goes on the DL- not who goes in late in a game with the current 25 man roster. Young is the 4th OF'er, so Holt is not the first guy in, unless Young is DH'ing. With Selsky on the 25, he might now be the 5th OF'er. Holt is not the first man in at 1B, so it's not "all IF". With Rutledge on the DL and Marco in AAA, yes, Holt is the "first guy" at 3B, 2B, and SS, but if anyone goes on the DL, Marco would be called up and be in front of Holt, IMO. My long term (10 day DL or worse) depth chart: 1B: HanRam/Moreland> Selsky (T Shaw when ready), eventually Pablo, Maybe Swihart, then Holt 2B: Pedey> I have Marco slightly ahead of Holt here, but I would not argue with anyone wanting Holt at 2B, if Pedey gets hurt. Next is probably Rutledge or Marrero. 3B: Pablo> I like Rutledge as a Pablo platoon, but I'd take Marco over Rut and Holt, if Pablo gets hurt or benched FT. SS: Bogey> Marco is the first sub here with Holt second. LF: Beni> Young, then maybe Holt over Selsky but maybe not. CF/RF: (Beni moves to cover)> Young to LF then Holt/Selsky

Exactly that. I think he would start just about every game (maybe at rotating positions) for at least 3-4 teams. He hits lefties a little better than righties, so he could play day to day. Plus, I only see Holt as our first sub off the bench for MAYBE one position: 2B, and even there, personally, I'd prefer Marco. Holt would surely be the first sub off the bench at numerous positions for numerous "other teams".

I kind of expected more blog traffic after an opening day win. Maybe everybody is busy with spring here and all. I like our chances with Sale tomorrow.

Okay. I took it the wrong way. Porcello pitched very well. I know he was on a roill, but I wondered why they didn't yank him after 6- being his first game. (I thought it before the first guy got a hit.)

Porcello - got tired a little at the end but he looks so much in command. Tough - very tough - I hate the fact that he had to be responsible for 2 of those 3 runs. He was charged with all 3 runs.

I think Holt has a lot of trade value. I've never been for "handing him away", but I've always felt that if a player has more value to another team, a foundation for a good trade is set. I could see us waiting until one of our big RP'ers is set to return (Thornburg or Smith) and then trading Holt and a RP'er (Abad, Hembree, Barnes?) for a much better RP'er... most likely a RP'er with no options remaining (Hembree and/or Abad).

We could really use Pom right now. With Price & Pom out, I'm sure glad we have... Chris Freakin' Sale!

Weird slot for Moreland. JBJ or Pablo vs the righty made more sense.

why?

I hope we do, but then why hold onto Holt then? I can see Pablo ending up as a platoon, but it's too bad Marco is wrong-handed.

It's always nice to start off with a win. Good to see the offense put together a string of hits- all with 2 outs. JBJ got things started with the triple, Pablo knocked him in, 2 hit Leon and Pedey got hits to set up Beni's big blast. Porcello looked sharp through 6. Great win! Keep it going.

I thought DMac did very well in the role he was given. Nice to see Pablo, Leon and Beni come through today (so far) among others. Too bad Porcello wasn't yanked after 6, but I'm sure he's happy with his outing.