oldtimer

Funny part right now is Nunez is a hot hitter in the small sample size we have and Devers is doing well for a rookie. I couldn't believe that Bogaerts got a walk and a single but both times was thrown out on running plays. That has cost us runs tonight. Can't understand what is going on with him. At least some of the Sox are showing some fight tonight.

Whether he is a good guy or not, it will be the performance of the team versus expectations which will determine if JF returns next season. I hope the team can right itself and make the playoffs but based on the disarray I am seeing, I truly doubt it.

We are busting out without Pedey and with Bogaerts and Moreland? Pedey was hot for a while before the Price incident. Now he is not able to play. Good luck to us.

Kimmi, I respect your opinion, but we have been the worst team in baseball since the all star break and have done little to improve in that time. I don't see us moving to October ball and don't see the worth of any moves now unless they are to fortify the team going forward. Keep our best foundation players and look for ways to improve for follow on years. Also look to resolve the problems that led to our collapse last year and are being repeated again this year.

To me, it is not so much about whether Farrell is a good guy or bad guy but about whether the team is playing up to expectations. Clearly it has not since the All Star break so he has to take some responsibility for that. There are also some players that also should be considered as disappointments. Is it their attitude. Need to find who those are and make changes.

We got beat 4 to 2 last night and did that getting 2 for 3 and a walk to Nunez and Devers got a double with Young a triple. The guys who got nothing were Bogaerts (big surprise), Pedey and Hanley. JF is stubborn in his approach with Bogaerts and unwilling to give the guy some needed time off. It seems the spat on the plane marks a milestone for the team more interested in being quarrelsome than in winning games. If I were JH, I would throw in the towel and not spend big to try to solve the many problems this team has this year. There is obvious doubt about reaching even a wild card berth and no hope about a WS win, so start to think about the team going forward. We have some nice pieces in Betts, Pedey, Beni, Bradley and Devers. Leon and Hanley are acceptable unless better come along. The pitcing is very good and should offer enough going forward. Weed out a few while strengthening with a few new arms. Clearly we need additional power so perhaps can find that at first base. We also need to rethink our utility players. Since these guys are fill-ins we can't expect world beaters, but they should be flexible and at least not be total losses at the plate. We have a lot of those guys right now and should weed down to those who offer the most promise going forward. Long term guys with a history of health or other problems should be let go. Leadership is missing on the team and JF and some coaches aren't getting it done. Got to be dispassionate about things and get rid of management and players who can't or won't pull their weight. That includes the guys who act like cancers, if we have any of those. Any long term contracts should be limited to 4 or 5 years. We should take the consequences if a player isn't okay with that. Only offer those to guys who are proven players. DD's vision for the team appears to have been strong pitching first. He made the Price acquisition, which was questionnable especially in length of contract for an ageing star. He also got very unlucky with a couple of relievers. I am not ready to dismiss his contribution to the team as I don't really know the constraints he has been under with the Luxury tax reset and the need to eat big contracts of players previously signed. Maybe we should call on Ortiz to advise on the roster selections. A positive attitude is needed on the club and from one who is respected for his long term performance and engaging personality.

I just checked the official roster and no change has been made to it as yet and of course Nunez plays tonight. I guess the Sox are just slow to do an update.

I agree with you on this. It has to be about winning now and not about any long term impact on individuals. I have been saying the same about Bogaerts who has been hitting weakly for an extended period. I would rest him tonight as well. Interesting that JF has decided to go with Devers against this tough left hander. We will see what he can do. There aren't a lot of options on the team that are hitting well now so Young will play and I believe Leon as well.

Yes, we probably painted ourselves into a corner with the big contracts we took on where the players involved failed to return any real value. With the Price situation (real or fiasco) the club now loses some of its strength. We were known for pitching and defense, now less so. The drop in performance of especially Bogaerts and Moreland means our run scoring is not competitive. With the Yankees and Rays both trading for help while the Red Sox barely have done anything, it looks as if the Sox will struggle to even make it as a wild card team. If that happens, you can bet the Sox management and coaching will be modified and some of our players who have been thought of as untouchable, will also be gone. It is easy to be frustrated by what has happened and is happening to this team and I admit to feeling that frustration. There is still some possibility that the arrival of Devers and Nunez will add interest and keep us in the hunt but it is a lot to ask from a rookie and a rental.

Here we are on the 28th with the trade deadline on the near horizon. I think DD has admitted that the team could use some help beyond Nunez and there is still a little room on the Luxury tax threshold. We still could use a good BP setup man and a power hitting first baseman. What is holding up the process/ 1. Not much money available below the Luxury Tax Limit 2. Limited minor league talent we are willing to part with 3. No players out there we find that enticing 4. FO inertia 5. Other

Past performances are fine when talking about a career but don't necessarily predict performance going forward (something one learns playing horses). When a guy is slumping badly it is tough to leave him in the lineup when there is another option who might help. The trick is to know when or if the player returns to useable form. In Bogey's case maybe a rest is in order or perhaps home cooking will help. Personally, I would give him a weeks rest and try again later.

Just watched Archer strike out Frazier with the bases loaded. Glad we didn't get a 215 hitter who hits an occasional home run. Rays up 5 to 3 going into the 7th.

I missed the news on Neshek as 2 of our grandkids were visiting for much of this week. Too bad as I thought he would have the perfect rental for us.

What's with farrell not wanting to talk about how he is going to use Nunez. I'm guessing here, but I suppose Farrell was a part of the decision to trade for him and also a part of the decision to bring up Devers. It would make sense that he advocated a use for Nunez or otherwise why trade for him and why so tight lipped about the matter. JF hurts himself by taking this approach.

One All players who make the MLs have gone through a long and difficult selection process, which culls out the best baseball players from the many feeder programs. They are usually very athletic and have the prerequisite mentality to succeed in the game. Along the way, they get all kind of coaching in the fundamentals from peoplle with a lot of expertise. Once in the mls. they have the best coaching, nutritionist, health care, psychological help, equipment, technical analysis helps of all kind. Of course, so do their opponents who can study their weaknesses. The grind of playing, family life and other distractions can lead to psychological issue and just plain weariness and injuries. The bottom line is some of the guys don't handle the pressure of the long season too well and it shows in their performances. When a player goes dead cold for a significant period why not face facts and give that player rest and recuperation rather than keep playing them and hurting the team. In Bogaerts case, he has fallen below the Maginot line and is hurting the team. He shows no signs of coming out of it any time soon. Keep playing him with the hope he will somehow miraculously get back to where he was is a high risk, when there is another player who will likely do a better job. It seems to me to risk the season for the team. I don't worry about hurting someones feelings in this. The problem of course is how does a player then get back in the lineup?

I think JF is losing it a bit. We have Devers up and he clearly should be allowed to hit against right hand pitching and we should see how he handles that. We have Nunez who is a 300 hitter and has speed. We need to stop worrying about hurt feelings and so what is best for the team. I suggest an immediate change to the lineup as follows: RHP: 1. Nunez (SS) 2 Beni (LF) 3. Pedroia (2nd) 4. Bradley (CF) 5. Rameriz (DH) 6. Betts (RF) 7. Devers (3rd) 8. Leon © 9. Moreland (1st) LHP: 1. Nunez (SS) 2. Pedroia (2nd) 3. Betts (RF) 4. Bradley (CF) 5. Rameriz (1st) 6. Young (LF) 7. Devers (3rd) 8. Vazquez © 9. Bogaerts (DH) I know this is a drastic suggestion but drastic measures are needed. These would be interim lineups until Betts starts to hit. Bogey has been so far off, I don't know how long we can stay with his 0 fors. without giving him an extended rest. I would like to see Travis brought back up to give us more flexibility while Marerro and holt be sent down.

You're right. a hit at the right time, smarter base running, avoidance of Fister would have meant a win or two. It has been frustrating to see Devers held back, to see Fister pitching in key situations, to have Moreland in the cleanup spot, to see Bogey totally tank and Betts close to the same. After waiting to near the trade deadline, we finally are made a move. With our limited financial capability (assumping the salary cap) Nunez was at least a positive move. Adding a 300 hitter is the first positive trade move and now someone in the BP and 1st base would help, but don't hold your breath.

Lets hope we put in our strongest lineup in support of him.

I too feel the frustration but think the hapless fool suggestion to typify is a little far out. He will be leading the show for the rest of this year and I hope his decision making and inspirational leadership improves. It certainly looks like that has been lacking on this team this year and the end of last.

With Devers up for a look and Nunez in the fold you have to wonder how look at the players on our 40 man roster. We have Rutledge (DL), Holt, Marerro and Lin. Nunez is probably only in for a couple of months and Devers is totally unproven so it would be risky to dump our backups but equally foolish to hang on to 4. Maybe we can offer one or more of these guys as part of a trade for BP help. I personally would keep Lin of that group and we do have Hernandez on the extended DL who is probably not tradeable at this point. Hernandez may be someone to make the grade next year.

Pretty desperate when we went to Fister late. We need to get back or trade for another BP arm before the deadline. Neshek would be good but might cost too much.

Last night Betts 0-6 and Bogey 0-5. These were two of our killer bees who have to contribute to the team and both haave been slumping. All these long extra inning games, the long road trip to the west coast and faacing good to very good pitching has added up to a general malaise but some came out of it last night but Betts is a key and he has been off of late. They can always rest Bogey for a while and should, especially now Nunez is with the team.

dProbably starts at 3rd against lefties and plays short against righties, while Bogey takes some time t o get over whatever ails him.