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Duran is not getting into games because he is on the COVID-IL...

Oh it has been put out here, tinnitus or not. The primary reason that tinnitus is not a factor is this is a visual medium, not an auditory one

I kept hearing he’d be the fourth outfielder. If he’s the fourth OF, demote him. Unless you think that’s his ceiling…

Tampa is also 2nd in MLB is Isolated Power. Not like Cruz is the only guy hitting the ball hard…

Always been my point…

So the 7th inning is the toughest!!!

It’s funny how when the Sox gave a bad 9th inning, so many people speak up about how difficult the 9th clearly is. Yet after a rough 7th or 8th and a clean 9th, not a peep..

There are two other big factors in his marketability beyond his stat line. 1. The number of teams interested in a DH. 2. The other options. Now a lot of other players can certainly fill the DH role, assuming they actually want to. The other options right now are a bit of a question mark. Jorge Soler is one, but he might get extended. Schwarber is another, assuming he is ok with a DH role. But the market for DH types is actually a bit thin this year, assuming guys like Rizzo and Belt prefer teams with openings at 1b. Schwarber might be the most sought after name for the role. (And he isn’t a likely Yankee target.)

Given the year Schwarber has had in both Washington and Boston, I'd be very surprised to see him exercise his portion of he mutual option. As for JD, I think it is a tough call. It all depends if he wants as much money as possible for 2022, in which case he stays, or he wants to try for a longer deal. At his age, every season reduces the changes of a multiyear contract. If he wants to gamble that the NL will adopt the DH, that would make this year his best chance. Of course, if he does opi out, he will receive a QO (assuming they are still a thing) since Boston would be stupid not to offer him one (if he is turning down a $19.4mill season, why not have him turn down another ~$19mill one year offer on his way out the door?), which makes him less attractive to some teams. But then he might get one after 2022 as well, especially if he has a better season. I don't think it's a simple as "will he get a raise on 2022?". Other factors do include the QO, the DH and his age if he wants a multiyear deal. Maybe he does not want to take the money for one season and risk having an off-season at a year older like Yoenis Cespedes or Edwin Encarnacion where no one came calling and he had to retire?

His fastball was all over the place. Even with Lavarnway on deck, you want to end the game there. In his previous 8 games, Ottavino had been getting the job done, albeit not very effectively. 8 G 7.1 IP 8K 6BB 0.00 ERA. 3 saves and 2 holds and a win. Maybe he is another one where using him on back-to-back days at this point in the season is not advisable...

If the NL adopts the DH, Martinez will not only opt out, but he will then sign with the Philllies. Dombrowski has a serious thing for JDM…

The low budget A’s have three first year arb pitchers in their rotation for this off-season (Manaea, Bassett, Montas) to go along with their position players in Chapman, Olson, Laureano, Murphy and Pinder. I could see them making a few trades to save money. Bring back Montas?

Or Valdez…

Agree 100%. Of course, he’d have to be offered a closing role to make it worth his while, but I’m ok with that…

The Sox minors do lack a high upside starter. But then have we had one of those in the minors since Clay Buchholz?

I won’t feel had. Whether he gets traded or not or blossoms or not is completely out of my hands. Of course, yes if Duran exceeds and whoever we get back flops. it would reflect poorly on Bloom. But that goes for trading any player. But what if Duran succeeds but so does the player he was traded for?

Former Patriot WR died in a motorcycle crash.

A two out RBI doesn’t mean his defense is any better. And it doesn’t replace his .578 OPS. My “narrative” on him has always been “BABIP product in A ball and park product in AAA.” His defensive metrics are lackluster, but as you pointed out, one month of data isn’t real useful. I can’t tell by watching TV if he gets good jumps; the camera only pans to him when he’s already in motion. But every scout whose followed him over the last two years seems to arrive at the same consensus - his defense is a work in progress. (Now I can tell by watching TV that throwing will NEVER be a strong point. He’s a lot closer being a Damon than a Jackie Bradley when it comes to throwing. But the goal for him isn’t and should never be “fourth outfielder.” If that’s all he is, send him back down to AAA and let him play every day. He’ll never get any better defensively if he’s on the bench…

Can he finish the season with more saves than wins?

Would it ruin Groome? Probably not. Would it help the Sox? Again, probably not. Would it make his agent’s nipples perk up with delight? Yeah, safe bet…

And the last batter due up against Price that day? Alex Cora! But as Cora batted left-handed, Jed Lowrie pinch hit…

Well, we needed Arroyo at 2b. We settled for Kike there…

But there is empirical evidence that calling up a player too early leads to quicker arbitration years and free agency. And if the early years are spent developing, a team wastes the minimum wage advantage a first through third year player gives them…

Despite losing the series, the 2008 ALCS had one of the most exciting games for a Sox fan. Down 3 games to 1 and trailing 7-0 in the 7th inning of an elimination game, the Sox manage to somehow get the series all the way to game 7. The heroes included Ortiz, JD Drew, Mark Kotsay and Coco Crisp…

Come on. The 2003 ALCS game 7 is NOT the worst defeat in Sox history. Game 6 of the 1986 World Series is the clear worst…