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Still not standing by the comment that was questioned. You said “Barnes hasn’t been the same since stickygate.” Verbatim. That’s not an observation; that’s an accusation…

The Analytical Folks pour through tons and tons of data. But the players/coaches/managers have lived through it all, which should be more valuable. When asked what the most useless stat was, Torii Hunter once said “whatever one tells you Derek Jeter is a bad defender.” Needless to say, not all players are on board with analytics. But then, some of their beliefs are also pretty out there. Wade Boggs thought eating chicken before every game made him a better hitter. Justin Moreau believed to be at his best, he had to leave his car at exactly 13 minutes after the hour. Nuke LaLoosh thought wearing women’s underwear made him a better pitcher. So yes, I can see why some players’ wisdom might not be so sagely. And in the end, in a game dominated by math, I find myself trusting the math. Except when it comes to Pat Tabler. That dude was a Clutch Freak Show…

The two out/RISP is the most unfair evaluation. If there is less than 2 out, and a runner on third - a fairly common game situation - then the sac fly is still possible, which has two benefits. 1) the hitter drives in a run, and therefore the “choke” is not applicable. 2) the hitter is not charged with an at bat, helping the BA, and maybe even helping the OPS to a lesser degree. (Hurts the OBP, but helps the SLG). But two outs RISP - it’s a hit or walk and that’s it…

There’s a difference between seeing whether or not a team’s pace is sustainable over 2 months and predicting a 2-9 skid in which the closer gives up 7 earned runs in 1.2 innings…

Ok. Yeah I wasn’t wild about Davis. I could see why Robles was acquired, or at least why there was some interest. (His fastball velocity is back up to 2019 levels when he was actually very good.). But I never heard of Davis. In my imagination, the entire trade with Pitt went down as follows: Bloom: Hey Ben. Chaim here. It’s like 2:58 EST and I need an arm. You drafted Chavis in the first round, which makes you the only person in the in the country not associated with his birth to see something in him. What’ll you give me for him? Ben: Hmm. Austin Davis? Bloom: Who? Never heard of him. (Looks at watch). Done!!

No. He’s more analytical and less humorous (or at least he doesn’t try to be humorous.) Also I’m more handsome…

Ramirez was a borderline top ten prospect in a mediocre to subpar farm system. While he might make MLB, what’s his ceiling? The next Noe Ramirez? I have very little doubt that anyone will miss him and the Sox can’t find 2 or 3 guys just as good..

We gave up 23yo oft-injured A-baller and former notin dark horse favorite Alex Scherff for Robles…

no I know. But my punchline for that wasn’t as good. Work with me here…

He’s DFA, not DOA…

Is that a good thing?

Add LHRP Alex Claudio to the Worcester roster..

Then why trade the team’s #9 prospect for a guy on a one year deal with a mutual option?

Just not in April, May or June…

It was disappointing, no doubt. And he could/should have done better, just how much better is the real question. I’ve speculated he could have added someone from the Jon Lester tier of starters, but is that really any better? Lester has been shellacked in St. Louis almost as bad s as he was getting shellacked in Washington…

I stand corrected…

Maybe, but it helps that we’re all really immature…

Good. Because I won’t listen at all…

Did Bloom say that? I know I’ve said similar stuff for the past 11 days. Just didn’t know Bloom did…

I’m on board with that..

But it also means it’s no longer a reason to keep Houck out of it…

Ok so what reliable reliever? As weird as it sounds, Hansel Robles was actually one of the better relievers moved at the deadline. His 2021 hasn’t been stellar, but he was a 1.4 fWAR reliever in 2019. Some of the better ones moved went for packages the Sox simply could not match with their mediocre farm system. Ricardo Rodriguez went for a 23yo MLB pitcher with 5 years of control. Ian Kennedy a as part of a package that brought back, among others, Spencer Howard, who not only has MLB experience, but was also BA#27 before the season, Yimi Garcia? I’d have been ok with him, but let’s not pretend he has some of career that instills confidence. Kendall Graveman is having a good year, but it’s his first season as a full time reliever and the guy is a walking arm injury (and could we really top Abraham Toro?) Diego Castillo went for what’s dirt cheap package, but no way in Hell was Tampa going to trade him to Boston. I wanted more, too. But would you have traded Casas for another reliever? The price tag for a lot of these guys was more than expected and more than a lot of prospects in the Sox farm seem to be worth in the eyes of other GMs. And it may be a long time before a Sox GM can trade another highly ranked first base prospects for a relief pitcher again. Maybe we could have gotten Joakim Soria, but really he strikes me as a guy people get and still pine for someone else…

A QO to a guy on a one year $1mill contract? Cron is having a good year, but I don't think he is doing anything that will merit him a 1700% raise. He seems to have seasons like this a lot recently and still gets non-tendered...

Eh. What starter do we have who goes 6 innings any more?

Sure, but maybe he can ride some horses in the 7th inning for a week...