notin

Based on the studies/data/analytics, my lineup would be: Bogaerts Betts Devers Martinez Benintendi Chavis Moreland Vazquez Bradley But I don’t think Cora’s lineup is anything stupid...

Well, OPS+ does take ballpark into account. Shaw’s OPS is .812 in that stretch. Andrew Benintendi has an OPS+ of 111 and an OPS of .798 in that same timeframe, if you need a point of reference...

The promotion makes sense. But his BABIP in A-ball is a reason for cautious optimism...

Yes and no. Bottom line is this off-season, DD might be forced to use trades to fill gaps. He certainly has a rep for dealing prospects (and I’m starting to question how much of an illusion Jarran Duran is), and that type of move will certainly come into play. But if the Sox do decide they want to keep Porcello and maybe like Shawaryn, ERod does become a trade candidate, and maybe even a good one. A lot has to fall into place for this to play out, of course...

Crappy teams still win 40% of the time....

I hate that they keep including Jay Groome on these lists. The guy hasn’t thrown a pitch in 2 years and won’t for several more months. Right now, his high ranking seems to be largely based on his performance in high school 3 years ago. To me, it’s very discouraging that only 4 players in the Sox entire farm are deemed more impressive than one who isn’t even playing...

Even including his miserable 2019 season, the man still has a 112 OPS+ since going to Milwaukee...

I could support that. Give Shawaryn a shot and see what he has. Weber has had multiple chances over the years...

Too early? Sorry. I’m referring to his dealing of Travis Shaw. This wouldn’t be new territory for DD. It will obviously depend on what other decisions are made. Like who plays where in the infield and do the Sox need any other players. Do they need someone or go with Devers/Chavis/Bogaerts/Dalbec? Or do they non/tender Bradley? Or possibly the unlikeliest scenario of all where Martinez opts out and DD decides to not pursue bringing him back. But if they need some trade bait, ERod is certainly an option, especially if they bring back Porcello...

Well, he also had some sort of Major and career path at the Academy besides baseball...

Can you see it with a competent affordable starting third baseman?

That’s too many Ryan Weber starts for my liking...

Maybe a quality start, but not a Quality Start...

I disagree. The analytics themselves have changed, but the use of analytics was always there...

Which is more impressive when you factor in that they don’t get to face the Sox bullpen...

The Sox need outfielders?

If he does, it will be in December...

Then... so far the buzz around Duran’s hitting has been his extremely high BA. But if his BA is not carried by power but instead by an extremely high BABIP, which in turn is inflated by shoddy defense, isn’t this guy an extreme “sell high” candidate? How good will he be against good defenses? I’m not even talking about improved pitching yet, either. Just good defensive players...

Too late. I tweeted it.

I do expect a better BABIP from a LD/GB hitter with speed. But .471? That said, even if it was 100 points lower, he’s still hitting .310...

I guess it depends how much weight the Sox put on his .471 BABIP...

Yeah but then there’s the whole “DD trades prospects “ reputation the man has for well-deserved reasons. Not like 3b was all locked up when he dealt Moncada...

While I did not know it at the time, Griffey owned Eshelman with a 1.555 OPS in 11 plate appearances. Also unaware at the time, but Griffey had a .400 OPS against Slocumb in only 5 PA...

Unless DD trades him...

Actually I’ve found the “old school” thinkers to be equally if not more stubborn. I remember an argument many years ago (1996?) the day after Ken Griffey Jr just beat the Sox bullpen late in the game, like in the 7th inning. It was definitely not the 9th. Anyway one traditionalist was blasting the Sox manager (Kevin Kennedy?) for not bringing in Vaughn Eshelman to face Griffey. And he went on about how stupid Kennedy was for not using Vaughn Eshelman against Griffey. Yes, the same Vaughn Eshelman all of you forgot about years ago was apparently a lock to retire the best hitter in the entire decade of the 1990s. I brought up Kennedy should have used Slovumb, who, unlike Eshelman, didn’t suck. At least not that year. In fact, he was the best and only decent reliever the Sox had. Wow was this suggestion met with condescension. “You have too use a lefty there.” Like it was a rule. Like Griffey had never faced borderline minor league talent throwing left-handed before. Best hitter in the game vs s***** reliever struggling to stay in the majors, and because of his traditionalist strategy, this was a no-brainer, and failing to see that mess to Kennedy needed to be fired that day. And then re-hired just so he could be fired again. And this was years before sabermstrics went mainstream...