moonslav59

I've never said Beni is a negative. I've never said he's a poor fielder. I do think he is a poor base runner who makes up for it with his speed to the point where he is not a net negative. That being said, we all know he could be a lot better without making so many mental mistakes. Maybe the "extra" criticism is out of frustration. It's one thing to see HRam strike out with men in scoring position, but it's another to see someone kill a rally with a bonehead mental blunder.

I don't give JF the major share in Beni's blunders and have said a few times that my opinion is based on conjectures. I do not know what JF has tried and not tried to do to lessen the blunders. My opinion is that JF should be given a significant share of the blame for the overall team's lack of fundamentals. My opinion is that he has not done enough to either prepare his team fundamentally for the season or to address the issue substantially enough during the season. I could be wrong. I do not think this board has been overly critical of Beni. This board has always shown they can and do criticize everyone, myself included. I do not feel criticizing a player for one aspect of his game means you want him benched, traded or flogged. I love Beni- warts and all. I'm certain he will improve, but am a bit concerned that some of this stuff is just pure baseball instincts- something that is not easily "learned". He seems like the type of guy that will work hard to become the best he can be. I have no doubt he will continue being a huge asset to this team going forward.

I wish we could have just kept JF as our pitching coach, but the Jays messed that all up.

Teams knew Miami would not hand him away for nothing. That's why some did not claim him. Stanton is NOT a salary dump: he just happens to play on a team that can't afford him. His contract is much higher than his luxury tax number. That is something that appeals to only the teams in danger of paying those taxes going forward- the Sox included. He's owed $295M/10, but the luxury tax number is $25M. As much as I hate large and long contracts like this, especially for a player with an injury history, I'd sign this 28 year old to that contract this winter. It's a close call. The thing that tips the balance to no for me, is the loss of young talent. That's why I mentioned the idea of trading one of the players we are not likely to keep down the road- Betts, JBJ or Bogey. I would not trade Betts or JBJ, so if Miami would listen to an offer centered around Bogey, I might try. The offer I suggested with Bogey is steep. It was an offer I think Miami would insist on, not one I would readily make. Kimmi makes some great points. I'll add that trading for Stanton would certainly affect our ability to keep one or two from this list: Pom, Kimbrel, Sale, Bogey, Betts and JBJ, so not only would we lose top young talent, we'd lose some top vets later on..

Bogey has certainly not been the Bogey of 2015-2016 and early 2017. Injury? Mechanics? Something is wrong. I'm hopeful someone figures it out soon, and we can have the old Bogey come playoff time. I do think a rest can help. Earlier, I suggested a 10 day DL trip, but then Pedey went down. I still think he needs more than 2 days though.

If he keeps pitching like this, he'll start.

He deserved more in light of what others have gotten for doing less.

...Consequently, we don't quite see that Benintendi, while he is unlikely ever to steal 50 bases in a season, is having a better year than Ellsbury in 2008 when he was a year older than Beni is this year.... I see Beni having a very very good year. I'd say slightly better than Ellsbury's 2008 season. I'd value it much more highly without all the mental mistakes. While one could argue taking the wrong route to a fly ball as Ellsbury did early in his career is a mental mistake, I don't see that as being as egregious as throwing to the wrong place, running from 2B to 3B on a ground ball hit in front of you, and several other shockingly dumb plays. I'm not bashing Beni. He's young and inexperienced. I'm certain he will improve (as JE did) in these areas. I'll say it again, although I feel it does not need to be said, Beni has been our best and most consistent everyday player on this team- despite the mistakes.

True, as is HRam and others.

I don't see the Moncada signing as being much different than Dice-K. Yes, the rules have changed, but the Dodgers sure haven't noticed. (I see the Yanks and Sox have been building up the Int'l FA signing pool, and we all know why.)

How about going after Lance Lynn? He turns 31 next May, has never had an ERA above 4.00 and may not cost as much as other more flashy named pitchers. If spending large on Lynn means we can't afford a big bat, then I'm not for the idea.

The luxury tax hit is "only" $25M a year. That's doable. What would hurt is the combination of budget space used up going forward PLUS the loss of fine young talent. I agree that we "don't match up" but not because of the "numbers". It's because Miami will want our long term prospects not the players that we can't all re-sign anyways. If they would take Bogey instead of Beni, we could probably keep Betts and Sale. I doubt this is enough: Bogey ERod Groome Chavis Travis or Lakins (probably Beeks or better)

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.