Nick

Whitlock reminds me of Greg Maddux.....not sure why

Pivetta at 69 pitch count....looks like he'll give Sox the usual 5 innings...maybe 6

I like Renfroe but he sure doesn't get his money's worth at the plate sometime. Popping up on first ball......ugh

It's always about command of strike zone. Ahead 0-2 to third batter, he walks him, then walks the next batter. His pitch count up to 30 after 1st inning.

I agree. The goal is to contend this year and identify core group for the future. Red Sox is good enough to carry Dalbec as the 9th batter. Obviously we can't have 7, 8 and 9 hitting below .200. If the experiment fails, that is if Dalbec continues to struggle against right handers, then just platoon him. We're in first place and first two out should be Cordero and Renfroe, not Dalbec.

True....obviously I'm not the one giving out the grades...

https://www.nbcsports.com/boston/red-sox/grading-chaim-blooms-biggest-red-sox-trades-shows-pattern-hes-winning Here's a very good read on Bloom's trades thus far...... Betts A Pivetta A+ Beni C- I don't think you'll fully know until the players to be named later are named Ottavino C It was a cash transaction to purchase Frank German. Anything we get out of Ottavino is plus. Moreland C Throw in Rule 5 pick, Bloom is doing exactly what he was hired to do.

Before Devers came on board it was all about Moncada. Biggest rift on this board was about bringing up Moncada and if it would 'damage' him if things went south. Many thought he wasn't ready. I was in the small camp, let's bring him up and see what he can do. Ultimately watching Moncada convinced the brass that he can be traded, Sox had someone better. That turned out to be Devers. My life experience has taught me that successful people want to know the bad news, sooner the better. That's been my stand on Whitlock. I've been sick and was out of loop for 3 days. I saw that the middle game versus Detroit was lost by Whitlock, giving up a 3 run homer. I've had 'fights' with posters here thinking that he needed to be valued little more than he has have been. One poster suggested I would go off on Whitlock as he had a blow up. Contrary to what he may assume, I'm not at all upset over it. I'm glad Whitlock was given chance to perform on a bigger stage. Last night I watched him come back and pitched couple of innings. He's on track to being a very good pitcher for us. I was also glad to see Dalbec finally contribute to a winning cause. Whitlock, Dalbec and Pivetta are three players worth keeping an eye on. They may become part of core group for us. I'm rooting for them. I see that we're in top 3 or 5 having the worst production from our #6-#9 hitters. For your stat geeks, I wonder where we would rank if we look at #6-#1 hitter. I'm not sure how to get that information.

I like the idea. It would be better if we can measure this in terms of league average. So good starts become say +125GS, with +100GS representing league average. Good work though.

YOU butted into my post. YOU make up s*** that I'd be first to criticize if Whitlock situation went south. You're assuming what I do or won't. You made that s*** up. I am resolute on my opinion on Whitlock. Here's a idea for you, why don't you put me on ignore?

So some pussy doesn't agree with me so that you f***ing jump on his bandwagon? I"ve lost all respect for you Moon. Sure join the fun. Where did I say Cora never read the "reports" on Whitlock? Quit putting words into my mouth.

I've been a loyal fan since 1967. Not going anywhere. We lost a winnable game last night.

I read a lot and reports coming out on him have been excellent from get go. The way he has carried himself has impressed among others our esteem manager Cora. Everyone is high on his stuff and his ability to challenge hitters. Reports praise his command of strike zone. To me that's the big tell with young pitchers. Walks per nine innings. Unlike you, I don't just make s*** up. He has succeeded in each of his outings. I've never compared him to Pedro. I don't think you should hide talent. I just like to see more of Whitlock.

I'm enjoying watching the team play. I take good with the bad but at the same time I like to see us improve. There has to be different goal sets for different players. Dalbec is a ninth batter and we should just let him play. But that means either Cordero and/or Renfro has to hit. We can't have all three go on a strikeout hitless spree. Dalbec is future. We should have enough offense to carry him. I think he'll get it going at some point. The goal is to be competitive this year and at the same time finding out our core group for future. Verdugo, Devers, Xander and hopefully Dalbec is next up.

Sale began throwing in September and initially was expected to begin throwing off a mound by the end of January. But neck stiffness and a mild case of COVID-19 set him back. ESPN’s Buster Olney reported back in January that Sale’s recovery process is “expected to be deliberate” and the Red Sox are “apt to take a conservative approach” with him. How can our baseball people continue to be so far off? It's May 1st, by the end of January? Hell at this rate I'll be happy to see him for opening day 2022. I prefer the answer, "We have no f***ing idea." I can live with that.

Yes, Rule5 has more courage in his pinky than our coaching staff.

Cora still resists putting Verdugo at the leadoff spot. Isn't it comical? What's the big f***ing deal? Verdugo thrived as the leadoff batter last year. Cora just don't want to do it because another manager had already done it? Let's help him out. Penciled him as the leadoff hitter. When he comes to bat in first inning, we can all pretend that there's ONE OUT. See how easy that is? Don't fix it if it's not broken never met if you ain't getting better, you're getting worse. Hell, they're even coming around to giving Rule5 guy some pressure innings. the Freakin' Rule 5 Whitlock.

I sure enjoy watching Whitlock pitch as much as I watch Betts batting for the Dodgers.

And some thought he was worth 8-10M

when did he lead off prior to this season?

Everything you say have merits. But I always look for ways to improve the team. It's Houck and Whitlock at this moment. Just because Cora wants Kike to leadoff doesn't mean Kike is suited to lead off. This has nothing to do with a jerk fan like me thinks he knows more than Cora. The question no one has asked Cora is why do you think Kike would make a good leadoff hitter after not leading off in his career?

No kidding Sherlock......but if you can't throw strikes, hitters won't swing at pitches outside of strike zone......

E Rod with 7 innings pitched, 0 walks... Do we really need to look at any other stats? You're either a grown up pitcher that has strike zone command or you're just a pretender, not knowing where the strike zone is or afraid to challenge the hitters....a whimp. How can you pitch for over 10 years and can't throw strikes?

I don't want to hear management complain about our pitching staff without seeing what Houck and Whitlock can do as starters. Not saying Duran is better but obviously Cordero and Franchy are not performing.

I'm opposed to trading away any young pieces. Also no trades until all of our options are exhausted. Option 1 Tanner Houck Option 2 Garrett Whitlock Option 3 Duran We're not playing our best players. Why in the hell we'd trade for more? Kike is not a solid hitter. He does not make hard contacts.