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60 feet, 60 meters? Are these players so coddled they can’t handle a little conversion any more?

I think he put the biggest onus on Thunder...

So he’ll fit right in...

While I doubt the Sox are sellers, if they were, what expectations would anyone have for what they would sell?

You have to remember those were metric runs...

Does that figure include Castillo?

It was interesting to read him say it wasn’t always wise to bring back the same team. Did he forget about 2014?

Not to mention ERA doesn’t account for inherited runners from the starters...

When it comes to a better bullpen, there is an ocean-sized gray area between what the Sox have and the Yankees have...

But there is a one in three chance of the 9th inning starting with the bottom of the order. And even facing the 9-1-2 hitters, while not ideal, should place the opposing team in a one out-no one on situation before the leadoff hitter comes up. That’s a high probability win scenario. If about two-thirds of all save situations are 2 and 3 run leads, which is probably close to true most of the time, then that means about 30% of all save situations, the first hitter in the ninth bats 6th or beliw down multiple runs. That’s a high likelihood of a win right off the bat. And that also means the 3-4-5 hitter come up in the 7-8th, which is where the feat of the real damage can occur. I have no problem using the best reliever to get those better hitters in the 7-8th and saving a lesser pitcher for the ninth. But that lesser pitcher probably shouldn’t be a career minor leaguer. You still need an actual good pitcher out there. I was never opposed to getting a Kimbrel/Britton /Ottavino type, but I never liked limiting him to the 9th inning, because that’s not always where the game is on the line. And I was adamantly opposed to replacing the 120 IP lost from Kimberly and Kelly with Brewer and Walden. That was just flat out stupid...

In the last two off-seasons, he’s really only added JD Martinez. Now JD was a huge and excellent addition, but not enough to be the only add in two off-seasons combined...

His 7.00 ERA isn’t supported well by his 4.22 FIP. And most of the damage has only come in a small number of outings for him. But most important - he’s already here and they don’t have to give up anything to give him a try. And that is VERY important since Dombrowski doesn’t appear to want to add anyone to this bullpen from the outside. So we keep seeing Josh Smith/Josh Taylor/Ryan Weber/Marcus Walden types out there in key situations in the middle innings. How many more times should that happen? Is that the preferred solution - to keep floating in the sinking ship with the only course of action being to hope it stops sinking?

Tampa’s bullpen is doing just fine without a designated closer. The Mets have the best closer from last season, and picked up 2 other pitchers with closing experience, and are doing worse than the Sox. The problem isn’t having a designated closer and a bunch of other pitchers with defined roles. Cora could easily establish roles and this bullpen would still suck. The primary issue is - they don’t have good pitchers in the bullpen. Dombrowski made mistakes thinking 30 IP from Brasier over the last 5 seasons was adequate sample size to show what he was. And thinking he could replace 120 IP from Kimbrel and Kelly with Marcus Walden and Colten Brewer. A committee doesn’t mean ANYONE should be in the bullpen and handle closing roles. It just means you don’t trot some Craig Kimbrel type out there in the 9th to face the bottom of the order when you have a 2 or 3 run lead. You still need good pitchers and not a slew of career career minor leaguers coupled with some optimism and wishful thinking. And if you do have the latter, at some point, you need to be ready and willing to make changes and not obstinately trot out the same 7 pitchers hoping today will be different...

While I think you’re 100% correct, the problem, both these pitchers started getting injured 3 years ago. It’s not like their injuries snuck up on Dombrowski this season. At least I hope not. He’s had warning. I honestly don’t think I have EVER seen a Sox GM this inactive during the first half. I am probably forgetting someone, but as far as I can recall, his entire list of acquisitions in the first half this year (not counting the draft) is Cody Asche, Joey Curletta, and Chris Owings. None of whom are pitchers...

They very, very likely won’t trade Betts. And usually trading a superstar nets lesser players. But this year isn’t promising and Betts has repeatedly refused extensions. So all the Sox lose is 2020. And there are packages other teams might offer that make it worthwhile. If the Dodgers offered Urias and Verdugo, do you pass?

You do realize Trout’s contract topped $400mill, right?

Harper and Machado are $300mill players regardless of whether you agree or not. All Betts needs is one GM to think he is, as well...

I’m fine with it being a popularity contest now that it doesn’t mean anything anymore...

The Yankees didn’t have large payrolls for the bulk of those 27 titles. In fact, if you read “Summer of ‘49”, you’d know the Yankees in that timeframe were severely underpaid and had to win titles to make any money. And that was the driving force that made them better than their Boston contemporaries. You’d also know former Sox pitcher Ellis Kinder was a massive lush who could only pitch effectively when he had a massive hangover. Not really relevant, but fascinating, and also something else you’d know if you read the book...

The underperforming lineup scored 21 runs in the past two days against a first place team...

Yes moving to another division would keep them out of the AL West cellar...

All of whom have better bullpens...

It might be too early to give up, but that decision has to be made within the next 2-3 weeks. So far, Dombrowski’s involvement and apparent interest in the club this season isn’t inspiring me to think he’s going to try to improve anything...

The bullpen has gone from Barely Tolerable to Completely Unacceptable rather quickly. I don’t think the solution is to keep working them harder...

The Sox should look into trading Betts next month to see what he is worth to other teams. They can always give him his $300mill or whatever after 2020...