notin

I think the farm system is a giant multilevel organization that attempts to bring in a high volume of players each year through drafting and IFA, etc. and through attrition whittles them down to a handful of players each year who graduate to MLB. And if any of these human beings are deficient in any aspect of baseball, it all gets blamed on the farm system., coaching, and the FO, and whoever else comes up. Even if the process is perfect, which it likely isn’t, that doesn’t mean every product coming out will be perfect…

I don’t know how their coaching of defense is in the minors, but what I do know is what you’re calling proof simply isn’t proof. Nothing personal, but it just leaves too many other possibilities and only accounts for a very small sample…

Not what was said. Although there seems to be a school of thought that defense is solely leaned by practice while hitting and pitching are innate abilities. My point was to say the Sox don’t teach coaching because they have not produced any great infielders once Betts is just flat out incorrect on multiple levels.

Guardians 8 Yankees 7….

He lead the league in saves the year after the Dodgers let him walk…

I’m sure you can find examples of hitters and pitchers who improved over time as well…

Can hitting and pitching be taught?

Sure it is. Offense has always ruled baseball. Owners figured out over a century ago that fans don’t pay to watch players field. If you can hit, you’re more likely to make the majors than if you can field. But fielding is a unique skill set, and not one everyone has. A lot of fans think it’s easy or easily learned, which is not necessarily true. Even on this thread, someone said something about “the Sox don’t have infield practice anymore,” as if all it took to becoming a great fielder was repetitive practice drills. Ted Williams once said the hardest thing in sports is hitting a round ball with a round bat squarely. Yet Williams mastered hitting like no other, but was fairly questionable as an outfielder. You’d think he’d call the activity he found more challenging to be the difficult one. But he didn’t. And while hitting is tough, so is doing the complex math in your head to extrapolate the curved path of s flyball until it intersects with the plane of the outfielder. As bizarre as that sounds, that’s what it takes to catch a fly ball. And when we say an outfielder “takes bad routes” or “gets bad jumps”, what we mean is he cannot do that math in his head fast enough. It’s not just simple coaching and teaching. Just like hitting, there has to be a foundation to work with. Is it possible the Sox don’t coach defense well? Sure. But the evidence has to be diverting other than “name one outstanding infielder since Betts.” By the way, Betts learned to become an elite outfielder really fast. Don’t you think the Sox developmental coaches had a hand in that?

Who put a Pedro label on him?

Not produced any outstanding infielders since Betts? What’s the criteria here? The reality is they’ve actually produced several infielders who have been solid to above defenders since Betts. Many were traded away, including Javier Guerra, Santiago Espinal and Yoan Moncada (who scores well on many defensive metrics, surprisingly.) There were probably several other talented defenders whose offensive abilities kept them from advancing as well (CJ Chatham?) It seems presumptuous to say they don’t teach defense simply because Devers and Casas aren’t good at it…

Dalbec and Jacques are both useless. Jacques expiration date passed when MLB imposed the three batter minimum rule, thus killing the closest thing to a useful skill that he has. Both should be DFAd, but I’d scan the waiver wire. Two oft-waived plsyers this year have been Livan Soto and Diego Castillo (the former Pirate INF, not the former Tampa RP). Either would be useful right now.

Betts also leads all of MLB with 1.6 fWAR, but his lead isn’t as commanding as it was a week ago. Bobby Witt Jr has 1.4 fWAR, and 4 other hitters have 1.0 fWAR or more, including Spencer Steer and Anthony Volpe

Those two are the same day. DD is not exactly known for running teams with low payrolls…

Here’s the thing. The Sox have finished last 3 times in the last 4 seasons, and many are predicting they will again this year. And you’re criticizing me for suggesting moves they won’t make? Like the moves they do make are so perfect, complete and completely defensible. I didn’t realize you were so on board with this team coming in last. I guess it explains why you disappear during stretches when they play well. But - crazy thought - maybe “this team won’t do that” isn’t the valid criticism you seem to think it is. Unless you like this team failing, which is a theory with increasing support…

I mean, the Twins have a lineup with Manny Margot hitting cleanup and Willi Castro batting 5th. And they only have TWO injured infielders. The Sox have twice as many…

The Sox have three starting infielders and one utility infielder injured. Please show me one competent lineup from any team in MLB history under those conditions…

I told you before that it’s your fault for assuming “full throttle” meant forward…

He’s over 50 now. Why not just re-animate Zombie Jimmie Foxx?

Well, many felt all winter that 2024 was another tank season. Some still do. Perfectly fair comparing tank seasons to each other…

I’ve been saying that since my Matt Chapman Crusade started last November. It’s a bit early, but if Chapman opts out, he won’t have a QO attached this time…

Never utter the name of the latter again. I fear if you say it three times, he will re-appear…

He should have been DFAd months ago. It’s not even a risk. No one is going to claim him…

If you gave me 37 PA vs MLB pitching, I would only get one fewer hit and 13 more Ks. I should not be that close to any hitter…

He’s not a major leaguer. That ship sailed in 2021. I think he’s worse than Hamilton and Reyes…

Oh I am the biggest Dalbec Detractor out there. But Tyler Anderson is a great lefty? His career ERA+ is 105. If he was on the Sox, we’d be complaining about how he got overpaid for having one good season. You know, the way Angels’ fans are complaining about him…