Nick

It seems pretty clear that we need more help on pitching side. This team with Mookie in place of Verdugo still does not get us World Series ring. Luxury tax payroll delta is almost $30M between the two. Not to mention $16M for Price the Dodgers are picking up next two years. Looks like Pivetta will give us what Price would have. Thus we get similar production for $16M less. What can we do with that $30M? I don't regret the trade at all. Look at the financial numbers. I guess the biggest question mark going forward is health of Chris Sale.

I like it when I'm wrong...that means it's good for the Sox.

Another poster has pointed out Kike and Cora have known each other since Kike was a little boy. My issue is Cora appears to be forcing a square peg into round hole. Kike's never leadoff in his major league career until this year. Cora has mentioned Kike's issues with chasing balls outside of strike zone in the past. Kike is only player who has played in all twelve games. He has more at bats than anyone else. His runs scored total is dismal 5 runs from the leading spot. He's tied for 7th place on the team. He came into the first game, bases loaded, one out. First swing pop out to second baseman. Second game right before Verdugo's two run clutch single, again Kike is at bat with bases loaded and one out. He chased third strike off the plate. That's just not good hitting. Yeah the sample size is small. This is what I would say to Cora. Verdugo is in essence our leadoff batter because Kike is never on base when Verdugo comes to plate. How's that being a poor fan when the team is 9-3?

I think the idea is to force teams to go with the starter longer..as soon as the starter comes out, DH goes away.

Whitlock with easy 6th inning....sure doesn't look like a rookie....He's a pitcher, not a thrower.

He's a keeper....he oozes toughness...that ball got out there fast...

That's twice with based loaded and less than two outs he hasn't got the job done. I'm really beginning to dislike him ONLY because Cora won't admit to making a mistake leading him off.

I like the guy.....just not sure he should be leading off...

The guy is batting .209....our leadoff hitter.

How about an insurance run...

Isn't that special....

Darwinzon is impressive when he's throwing strikes....

Tell me again, what is so special about Kike that Cora anointed him the leadoff batter?

Just not impressed with Kike. (trying to use reverse psychology to spur him on). I get it that he's Cora's 'guy' but I see nothing special about his hitting.

tidbits I didn't realize double headers are 7 inning games....and we still get one extra player...... And he's Eduard Bazardo...love that we're getting to watch some youngsters....what a great name. The Japanese reliever touched 97 today. I had heard rumors that he threw hard but I saw it on telecast. (for life of me I can't spell his name) Great to see Dalbec go opposite way for two doubles. He must be watching JD. Barnes only threw 14 pitches to get out of 9th. Over the years I've ragged on him for throwing 25-30 pitches. Our #1 and #2 hitters have not been stellar...I guess it really doesn't matter where anyone hits in the order. When did Twinkies take the top off their ballpark?

I think Ottavino is too expensive, he's on third year of $24M deal (with $3M signing bonus). We may give similar contract to Matt Barnes instead. Not sure if we can afford to pay two relievers $8M apiece. I still rather focus on ace type pitcher. If Richards has a good year, we can always pick up his option and trade him this winter for younger players. Starting rotation of healthy Sale, Eovaldi, E Rod and an Ace, would be very competitive in the playoffs. Can we do it with Houck instead of an ace for 2022? Maybe....

https://www.overthemonster.com/2021/4/12/22378342/boston-red-sox-bullpen-matt-barnes-strikeouts-closer-fastball-curveball Here's the link to Matt Barnes piece for your pitching afecionados.

Great in depth piece on Matt Barnes on Overthemonster...snipet In addition to simplifying his offerings and executing a straightforward yet effective game plan, Barnes also is working efficiently, wasting very little time in taking it right to hitters. According to FanGraphs, he has thrown a a strike on his first pitch to every batter he has faced this season. It’s not just starting with a strike. Whether by getting batters to chase or hitting the zone, Barnes isn’t giving opposing batters any time to relax throughout each plate appearance. He has reached a three-ball count only once and has gotten 17 batters combined into either 0-2 or 1-2 counts. I usually look at walk numbers......guys that walk hitters will end up struggling...

I had also forgotten about Brasier....at some point, he'll contribute in a month or so....

He's over the injury....just working into playing shape...live hitting is next up

According to Cora in the article, he's working out in Ft Meyers, ready to take live hitting. Sounds like he'll be ready by 4/30.

As we keep repeating.....Sox will do it if they think they're close....but they'll do it without trading away the farm.

Per MassLive Santana could add more versatility to an extremely versatile Red Sox roster that already includes Kiké Hernández and Marwin Gonzalez. Santana has played every position except for catcher during his major league career. He can opt out by 4/30. Cora tipping his hand, team may drop down to 13 pitchers/13 position players when this long stretch of no days off ends. So there you go....

Per Overthemonster Preview The Red Sox complete their second turn through the rotation on Monday as Martín Pérez makes his second start of 2021. The lefty was basically what we expect him to be in his first appearance of the year, which came against the Rays. And what we expect him to be is definitely not a star, but a guy who can certainly keep a team in ballgames. The southpaw did that in his first start, allowing three runs over five innings of work with six strikeouts and two walks. He’ll have a big challenge on his hands in Minnesota, which of course also happens to be where he called home for a short time prior to coming to Boston. Look for him to potentially be a little more cautious around the zone, as this is the kind of lineup that can punish mistakes, particularly against pitchers with his kind of middling stuff. Perez is good value based on what we're paying him but here's a very good example where there should be an upgrade if we want to win it all in 2022. Replace him with Houck or Whitlock, surely they'll be an ugprade. We're FORCED to live with this type of pitcher until our young guns are ready. Just got to get some our high ceiling guys developed and brought up....I'm thinking Mata, Ward, Seabold, Groome, Song, this year's 4th round pick who better be a college pitcher. I'm 65, I can't wait for some 18 year old boys to grow up. We don't lose any bats for 2022. We need to clean up our pitching staff, that means Sale being 100% and re-signing E Rod. Another ace wouldn't hurt to go with Eovaldi & Company. Sale E Rod Eovaldi Pivetta Houck Whitlock FA Ace type

All kidding aside, if I had to put significant money on it, of course the Yankees will finish ahead of the Sox. As a Yankee fan on Sox board, you'll get everyone's best 'shot'. I think you're good sport. I think you're very knowledgeable about the game and that's all I care about. You have to let us have some fun though.... Realistically, this year we're trying to identify the next core group to go capture the title. I'm 65, I don't give a damn about winning seasons....World Series championship.