Nick

I need to bitch about something other than Brock Holt. I think we're in good place. We need for our farm hands get another year older and get closer to contributing at major league level as all these FA come due. I consider closing almost as a separate 'grouping' anymore. I agree that 'bullpen' can be constructed cheaply but the 'closer' is a must and we may have to pay for it.

Great start. We're 4 games above .500. The goal is 30 above .500. Need to play 5 above .500 each month to get to 30. We have 10 game home stand coming up. I think we'll hit better at home. We have chance to get little more spacing. Looks like E Rod is ready to come back.

LF JD CF Beni RF Betts JD needs to play. We're not paying him $25M to sit. Give the day off to JBJ.

We have f***ing off day tomorrow, Friday and Tuesday. Why in the f*** does a 25 year old need a day off after 5 games? We play 13 straight games beginning week from Wed. That's when Betts will need a break.

Cora did the right thing by bringing in Kimbrel with the game in 'winnable' situation. And I guess I was dead wrong about Kelly and Barnes. I still hate Holt.

Why does Betts need a day off today? We have an off day on Wednesday, Friday and then again on Monday. We then embark on 13 straight games. Maybe he needs an off day during that stretch, not today. It's beginning of the year, he's an old man of what? 25

I just remember his second half last year. Lack of control. He did not make the playoff roster. Someone agreed with me. I WANT HIM TO BE GOOD. AS WITH KELLY. Just haven't seen the consistency to warrant 8th inning spot. Hell I want them all to be closer caliber.

http://www.weei.com/blogs/rob-bradford/why-jd-martinez-red-sox-and-giancarlo-stanton-isnt Why J.D. Martinez is with Red Sox and Giancarlo Stanton isn't......................by Rob Bradford (WEEI) Here's a good read on DD's pursuit/non pursuit of Stanton. I think Kimmi would like the fact that Sox did not want to empty out the farm any further.

Starting pitching.....check Closer.......check Relievers......little concerning with couple of them but this is where we have 'depth' in the minors (see Moon's post above). Would like to see 8th inning guy not named Kelly or Barnes emerge. Hitting.......Vaz came up with big hit. But there's no denying what a homer does to team morale. We play in AL East. Must have power bats. And I think we have enough if everyone hits to their potential. Martinez (40) Hanley (30) Betts (30) Xander (25) Beni (25) Devers (25) JBJ (25) Moreland (15) Nunez (10) Pedey (10) Vaz (10)

I would keep him in the pen.

Moon and I approve today's line up. No "I can play all ;)7 positions equally badly" in the lineup.

We're going to lose this if we don't quit f***ing around with this pitcher. He was hit hard the last outing. He walks the lead off batter up 7-2 in the 9th.

Our 5 starters have pitched 30 innings and given up 3 runs. And that's with 2 regulars out. Off to good start.

I'm not a very smart man but Closer by definition comes in to 'save' a close game. If close game is won randomly, we can probably get away with anyone decent in the pen. Just like last night when Kelly came in to save the game. No?

So do we need a closer?

What the hell was DD thinking?

I have not looked up the stats but my gut tells me that Moreland should not play much on the road. He seem to hit better at home. Now I've not looked at the stats but it feels as left field fence gives him more comfort. Knowing he can reach it without trying. Consequently he hits better at home because he simply hits it where its pitched. How's that for scientific analysis?

Saturday night, I went to a local pub, watched NCAA and the Sox side by side. Yesterday, I went to another pub, watched the Sox, Cubs and Houston Open side by side by side. Gotta spend a little, drink a little.

No one is losing their mind. This forum is no different than Sox season. It will have its ebbs and flows. Happy Easter to everyone by the way. I hope you got to spend it with your love ones.

We should be 4-0.

I think we all need to have a short memory. I've battled with you about your tired argument over giving up too much on Kimbrel trade. (that's a joke Moon). But I enjoy your posts and contribution to the Board. I really can't think of anyone that I dislike here. Maybe except for that guy keeps ragging on DD. (that's another joke) You and I do see eye to eye on that one player.

I respect you. My first instinct is always to be funny. And it's not directed at the poster. Comedy is not easy. I am good with this team except for one player. I will move on.

Let's all play nice. We're 3-1.

Second tier penalty of 12.5% maybe acceptable to Henry. That percentage remains the same. Basically it's $2.5M. Problem is the 1st tier penalty because the penalty rate increases quickly from 20% to 30% to 50%. I seriously doubt Henry wants to be stuck at 50% penalty long term. So from where I sit, we have three year window before the team is somewhat dismantled. Dismantled maybe little strong. What I'm saying is we can't keep everyone. Henry will pay 50% ONCE, but no more. He will want a reset. One mitigating factor is that new CBA will come into play in 2022. I suspect that players are not happy with current arrangement. Acceleration in revenue far exceeds that of luxury tax limit. More money is flowing into owner's pocket. Sox will need to prioritize. Hanley situation will play out. If we're able to get out of his contract, ie no vesting, I have no illusion of THAT $22M savings going nowhere but to pay for arbitration increases. I'm hoping Pom has a great year so that we can offer him a qualifying offer to recoup some of his acquisition price (our once highly rated prospect that went to San Diego). Someone like Johnson will need to step up and fill the void. I think DD values Kimbrel and he'll be back. It's silly to have Sale and Price and not to have a quality closer. No doubt, juggling money will be a challenge. Something Yankees have under control. For 2020, Sandoval's money will pay for arbitration raises and Porcello's $20M will be used on top of Sale's $13M to re-sign him. Again, another starter internally needs to emerge. Our top 3 should be Sale, Price and E Rod. We can do worse. Kimbrel, Sale and Betts are my priorities. (yeah I can day dream and think Carson Smith can replace Kimbrel but that appears not to be realistic)

Don't we want to recoup something?