moonslav59

I'd say our LF depth is fine, unless we need Duran in CF and Rafaela in RF. If that is the case, an Anthony call-up makes too much sense not to happen. BTW, Romy and Wong could play some LF for short spurts.

Three deep is a "gaping hole?" Wow, what is 1B, then? A canyon? Adding Campbell or Mayer takes a second or two. They are depth.

I'm not sure players wore their pants like that back in the days of Burks.

We did have a long stretch of pitching prospect failures, but not many were nationally ranked, very highly. My point was more about when we chose to call up our prospects- was it every clearly too soon or too late? I had an issue when we called Bogey up, after just 10 games playing 3B on the farm, but those were desperate times at 3B.

Is rank really immaterial, or is that just the way the categories spread out over the top 100 picks?

So be it. I think that has been one area we've done well.

LF: Refsnyder (Yoshi vs RHP?) CF: Duran RF: Rafaela

I aree, and I think Romy offers a nice platoon for DHam at 2B, but I'd still like to see Campbell at 2B and Anthony in RF.

They took Priester to church.

That's the first thought I had.

Okay. Do you, by and large, think they make the right calls on the timing of prospect promotions? (I do.)

Who said he refused? I never saw those words or an implied refusal. Saying "I am the 3Bman" is not refusing to DH.

I'm not sure it's a good idea to talk to a player about a trade, before it happens, so there is that aspect. The reports, up to that time, were that teh Sox were interested in AB, but likely as a 2Bman. I'm not sure Devers was following these stories, or not. Once we knew he was coming to Boston, I do think they had the responsibility and need to talk to Devers as soon as possible, and preferably face-to-face. Apparently, they did talk, but when, and for how long and how did the talks go, is unknown. I don't blame Devers for saying he views himself as the 3Bman. I don't agree with him that he is a good 3Bman, but I understand most players think highly of themselves. That unwavering confidence in themselves is part of what made them great. Devers sees himself as a 3Bman. There is nothing wrong with that and voicing that opinion. He made no statement or implication that he'd refuse to DH, yet that was headlined. I still can't see why you defend that blatant mischaracterization, at worst or reading into statements things that are not known to be true, at best.

I took it more like, "I'm gonna do what they want me to do..." from day one. not just after this latest comment.

I figured nobody does that. You defend the headline, "Devers Walks Back Refusal to DH." You never answered me on that.

If I had to guess what he said, maybe he told the Sox he was considering retirement and prefered to be traded than return to the Sox, and that is what they did. It's hard to know, exactly what was said. There were some direct quotes from Lackey, as with Devers. Morre came out, later, as with Mookie. IMO, Lackey wanted out. I don't think Devers ever did.

I get the feeling you think I'd prefer Anthony begin the season in AAA. I don't. I was just presenting reasons not to. I trust Brez & Co to make the right choices based on the team needs, both now and going forward. If he chooses no kids on the 40 or 26, I won't be devastated or even significantly upset. I see the advantage of an added year of control, and until we extend these kids, I'm not counting on it. (Also, even if we end up extending Anthony, if he has that added year of control, that would affect the money and years of an extension.) I'd love to see Anthony and one from Campbell & Mayer make the 26 on opening day. That is my opinion.

Expect but not defend.

How about, "Devers Claims he is the Third Baseman, but Whatever Happens, happens."

Agreed, but not this AMOUNT of coverage and using words like "Refused to DH" in headlines. Talk about implying things.

IMO, Devers will be the primary DH, and he may DH 140-150 games. Both he and Yoshida suck on D, but we have Bregman at 3B and plenty of 2B options to make Devers at 3B only when Bregman sits. I'm not sure Yoshida gets much playing time. Maybe 20-25 games at DH and an unknown amount in LF. The Abreu illness might allow him to play more, to start the year, but, if everyone is healthy, it could come down to Yoshida in LF and Duran in CF vs Duran in LF and Rafaela in CF. Rafaela's bat might be the determining factor. (WE could see Rafaela in RF vs LHPs, which would allow Yoshida to play more, but I see that happening as a way to get Refsnyder in the line-up vs lefties- not Yoshida.

When did Devers refuse to DH? Why isn't it the media's job tom correctly present the truth and not "imply the worst case scenario," that just happens to be the best click bait, as always. We are going to have to agree to disagree, here. Although I have never lined in the D.R., I did live in Mexico for 4 years, and understand there are cultural differences and nuances to translation- not to mention expressions that are near impossible to translate. I know what I heard in Spanish, and it sounded like a guy that felt he was a third baseman and "whatever happens from here, I don't know." The media grabbed the click bait tidbit and ran with it. Those who read the translation provided within the lense of their own understandings and culture steered themselves to the worst or the worst understandings. I see very little "blame" on the team, except that maybe they could have talked to Devers right after they knew they were signing Bregman. I don't think Devers said anything wrong, and there was no need to clarify anything. He felt he was the 3rdbaseman, but knew whatever happens, happens. So now the media reports he is "walking back his refusal to DH.," which is total BS. I'm not sure why you feel the media did nothing wrong, but we are all free to have our own opinions. Devers never refused to DH. Find me those words or even a clear implying of those sentiments.

100%. It was all media generated hype and misdirection. I think it was intentional, but but I never count out ignorance of context and nuance.

They hyped a comment and missed the nuance of cultural translation. CBS headline, today, "Devers Walks Back Refusal to DH." Is that factual, correct or a statement that truly captures the Devers position? I honestly feel like Devers never held the belief that he was not going to do what the team believed was best. We often misidentify the context or actual feelings behind a translation, or how some cultures speak with a lot of bravado or sound absolutist or unwavering. The last line of that first day's statement was largely ignored, "I made it clear, kind of what my desires were and whatever happens from here, I don’t know."

Yes, I think it is a factor when making the choice when to add him to the big club. Of course, an extension signed, soon would change that factor and likely hasten the call-up, if anything. Again, I want Anthony on the opening day roster, especially if Abreu is out. I'm not sure he will be.