oldtimer
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Everything posted by oldtimer
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6/25 sox @ cws 2:10pm et
oldtimer replied to SPLENDIDSPLINTER's topic in Mike Grace Memorial Game Thread Forum
I wonder why Cora keeps changing the lineup. Would our hitting look better with more stability in the team we put on the field? I realize injuries and other factors are involved but too often our hitting seems subpar. -
My impression is that Kike has one of Cora's favorites. He did well in center field and had periods where he hit decently, but he came to us as a utility player and at $10 mil a year, I don't see where he is returning that much value to the team. It has been a problem for the Sox that high cost players such as Sale and also Story have also not returned anywhere near the their cost in Value whereas young players like Bello, Whitlock and Houck are solid value players have. It's time for Bloom to reassess his strategy in a decisive manner. I don't see the AL East as getting less competitive in 2024, we have to get much better.
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Here it is in early June and some would say we are already over the precipice as far as any chance of success in the post season playoffs. Clearly, the Sox have to continue to act as though they are striving for post season play, but in reality, that horse may have already left the barn. What then should Bloom be doing and thinking. I believe he should make bold moves with our existing players and look to improve the team, especially it's defense and pitching, with an eye on 2024 and beyond. Whether through trades, DFA's, promotions or acquisitions, no more bargain basement hunting and let go of those who obviously don't fit the plan.
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There will be a lot of decisions to be made in the very near future including the following players. Tapia, Durran, Duvall, Hernandez, Reyes, Valdez, Arroyo, Casas, Story and Chang. Management has to look at current performance and longer term benefits to the team. This is a very complicated situation for Bloom to handle. It impacts 1st, 2nd, SS, Utility, and at least one if not two outfield positions. Clearly, the contract situation for some make them nearly untouchable (Story) and the age of others favors competing now while injury history is a factor. The decisions may also impact DH with the current one possibly moving into 1st base while our LF possibly sliding into a DH role. I see it as a chance for Bloom to do a major realignment of the team to make it more competitive.
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They need pitching to return from the IL so they don't overuse Jansem.
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I really wanted to give Duran a chance when he was high on our prospect list, had the speed the team needed and was hitting well enough in the minors. Unfortunately, he really didn't hit in the majors and his defense was below replacement value. A new year and it looks like Duran has made significant adjustments with his hitting, his speed it still there so I am happy for him and hope he can keep helping the Sox. In this case, patience has paid off, at least to date.
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Bloom looked for the goose that laid the golden egg with Kluber (and more so with Paxton) and instead laid a goose egg instead.
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Our starting pitching has been a major weakness to date. We can only hope that some of our current staff will find their stride. With Sale pulling down so much, he will be untradable and either he can find his form or he will be a major drag on the team.
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Kluber got screwed on a miscall and numerous weak hits after the score is 8 to 3 and the Sox won't come back. Ouch.
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Don't think Dalbec has changed his pitch recognition despite his current average. Standing and watching a pitch down the middle for strike 3.
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Not an auspicious start for our highest paid player. (nearly 1/2 of the Rays total budget) We have him for 2 seasons so have to hope he will return to at least mid level starter capability. McGuire is not at fault here.
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Give the kid a break. We are only through the 11th of April and Casas hasn't even played in all the games so far. Now, facing the Rays pitching, no one is looking that good at the plate. We have a lot of question marks this year so we need patience. Casas is one, but also Yoshida and he are new. Dalbec has a very spotty past and he is with the team. Refsnyder is a retread, who can at least field his position and Hernandez is not off to a good start. Turner is a proven pro but is aging and may not be able to play a significant number of games without breaking down. Lots of questions on the offense and with defense. There is hope with Mondesi, Story and Duvall in the wings, but starting pitching needs to improve. We still look to be behind the Rays, Yankees and Jays so it may be a bumpy ride.
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The first 12 games in May will be a real test of whether we can compete against the better teams. I don't expect even 500 ball this year. The only way we get there is if our starting pitching improves.
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I don't believe the Sox will play .500 ball this season. Starting pitching will be the major shortcoming.
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Moon I note that you will have over 66,000 posts in about 6 years since joining. That comes out to around 30 a day, each and every day. From my reading, a lot of your posts require a fair amount of research. It seems like obsessive behavior to me, bordering on a spectrum related condition. There are lots of rabid fans, but you stand out among them. I've stopped reading them and will reserve my very long term interest in them until we actually see them perform on the field.
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Who are the roster invitees going to spring training? The 40 man and who else?
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I doubt of more than 50% of the changes made will yield positive results. Maybe we will get something to build on. One thing I think is worth a try is to replace fire ballers with high walk rates with strike throwers. Maybe less walks witt compensate for additional hits and fewer swing and misses.
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There may be a few that make the team, but guys like Cordero, Duran, Downs and even Dalbec were high on previous lists yet didn't make the impact that we hoped for. It is unlikely more than a few of this list will make an impact.
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It's too early for those discussions with Casas. The concept of getting future stars to sign team friendly contracts as insurance that they won't warrant them later on is a good way to build a competitive team. The players are assured of being paid a goodly amount to play for a period while the team can avoid huge long term contracts that often backfire.
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Wendle would be a good pickup> I still would look to reset in 2023 though.
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I'm for cutting ties. He looked helpless at the plate and only marginal defensively at first base. Time to move on.
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As you had pointed out earlier, if my memory is correct, our lineup is full of question marks going into the season. Yoshida and Casas are new and unproven in MLBB. Turner and Duvall are older and while pros, may not be able to get even 1/2 of a season of healthy ball Kike at SS is an experiment and he is coming off an injury Arroyo is even more injury prone I'd still like us to pick up a serviceable SS on a 1 year contract and would gladly trade Dalbec and/or Duran for one. Mayer isn't likely to make the 40 man until 2024 As you point out, our starting rotation is also a question mark.l At least recent additions have been in the right direction and we do have some reinforcements in the wings.
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We are adding a pro who hits for power on a relative short term basis. We shall see if he can stay healthy, but he is better than what our alternatives were.
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It's hard for me to believe that if the Sox medical staff knew our $20 Mil infielder had a medical issue that would require surgery that they would not have recommended surgery at the close of last season. That just would have added 3 months of unavailability.
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Do we want another player for relatively big bucks who has flunked physicals from 2 teams already. I wouldn't pull the trigger on that contract. I rather be call ineffective than stupid.