5GoldGlovesOF,75

I've said it before about OPS, but when a guy is hot with the bat then I could care less if he walks, because way more good things are produced by the "S" than the "O" -- -- especially with an offense that struggles with just making contact, like in much of the first half. The average Slugging Percentage in the AL is .403, and the Red Sox now have a team S% of .433, second to the New York Judges; the Sox have 13 batters above average, NY has 9. Top four on the current roster: Romy .582, Bregman .546, Abreu .496, Ceddanne .483.

Getting right down to it: Boston has had winning records at the All-Star Break in every season this decade -- and then had miserable second halves (except '21, when the Sox still had a worse record than the first half). Red Sox Record @ All-Star Break '21 55-36... post Break: 37 more wins; finish 2nd '22 48-45... post Break: 30 more wins; finish LAST '23 48-43... post Break: 30 more wins; finish LAST '24 53-43... post Break: 28 more wins, finish 3rd '25 53-45 -- WHAT CAN BRESLOW DO TO CHANGE THIS SECOND HALF CULTURE? It all comes down to pitching, and fragile starting rotations that invariably lead to bullpen burnout. Can the Big Three remain consistent and healthy? Can we count on Buehler to find it, or Houck or Harrison to step in and replicate what Dobbins did in the first half? All are possible... none are likely. One thing is certain: the deadline deals this decade that just added an extra reliever or two who were once good or serviceable won't be enough. And no more Paxtons for the rotation -- if Brez is going to add a starter, it has to be a sturdy arm that can start a postseason game. We don't have to break up the MLB roster, that cohesive energetic group on a 10-game streak. A deep farm system stockpiled with position player prospects was made for this moment...

Chapman. He might not pitch in the All-Star Game, but he's going. Getting selected for the squad is an honor. Plus, we all enjoy end-of-the-game win celebrations, but there's also something to be said for those who don't pile up. When Chappy Ks the last batter in a W, he just stands still and looks... the King of the Hill is cool.

I'm ok with the comp, since modern athletes are usually bigger/stronger/faster. But let me tell you, my son who is 5'5 had his picture taken next to Rafaela last winter, and Ceddanne was only a few inches taller (never believe team press guides because they always exaggerate height; Dick Fitts isn't 6-3, either). As for Mays, I read a biography where his manager, Leo Durocher, said he was sure Willie could have been an All-Star shortstop if he wanted. Apparently, he took infield before every game and was just as good on the dirt as he was on the grass. The Giants move to San Francisco really robbed Mays of his righty pull power, because the wind was always blowing in from left field at Candlestick Park. It's a testament to Willie's talents that he altered his swing to the opposite field in his prime and still came close to the all-time home run record.

I think he will but not sure it will be this month...

The outside world is only where we wait until the next baseball game... ... but I defer to anyone who can sneak a foam pad into the dugout and sleep on the bench until the next first pitch.

Caminero's not so hot a third baseman. Already made two wild throws the first baseman saved by tagging runners. Maybe the break is that Tampa is playing him at 3B...

OB tried to announce the Sox caught a break on Ceddanne's clutch throw from the ground in CF that nailed the last out at third base. We're so lucky he's good!

Don't forget his bias for getting contributions from all his players.

Brez also apparently trained Alex Cora to manage good enough without his best hitter to win 9 in a row and get back in the race. We know this because some expert posters have repeatedly pointed out that Cora knows absolutely nothing about baseball (except how to win World Series rings as a player, coach and manager).

Shortstop B is better because he knows better than to risk diving in the hole or up the middle and jamming his shoulder like Story did last year. Range is pretty but it doesn't pay the bills if you're on the IL and haven't yet played enough for a pension or signed an extension that allows you to buy a house on Easy Street.

Silly, ridiculous posts should be banned on a fan forum! They should all be carded at the door, and bounced (but that's just my opin- owwww

Great point. They always said Wade Boggs had a good knuckler, just playing catch on the side -- which is how Wake was discovered. Dumb answer, but the knuckler is so hard to control, even when knuckleballers are on, that most pitchers probably just can't deal with the uncertainty? Put it this way: the guy who served up Anthony's his first home run the other day was so mad at himself for throwing a fastball (cameras caught his tantrum)... but I have never seen a knuckleballer have a fit after one didn't knuckle and a batter went yard. It's like they know it comes with the badge; "this is the business we have chosen."

Yes on Bregman, especially since it was revealed today that he was working with Ceddanne in the cages the past month. For those afraid to extend someone in their 30s, what dollar value can be put on a guy who is respected as an player-coach by his teammates, not to mention as a player-bench coach by his manager?

If Breslow trades an outfielder in the next few weeks, it will only be to make the Red Sox better this year, and hopefully in the future. All the surplus of outfielders are under contract or control for reasonable dollars (not counting Yoshida, who we all know is a DH). Boston's needs for pitching are obvious to fortify postseason hopes, and trading a good outfielder makes the most sense IF THE RETURN IS WORTHY of a deal. If Duran or Abreu or The Password is part of a package that improves the Sox' chances, it's not personal but strictly business. It wouldn't be a clubhouse issue that needs tending to, like the big purge the braintrust felt had to happen last month...

I was at a Legion game the other night talking to some other dads, whose daughters were softball stars. They have no pitch counts or batter limits in softball, because underhand deliveries are safe (since human arms hang in that position naturally). Of course the best girls pitch with their legs, like the boys... but guys risk their elbows and shoulders every time they throw overhand.

Young guys who have never been there/done it, fighting for playing time, hoping for big paydays. Just hope and pray we don't ruin them for life!

With momentum at a peak frenzy -- and now Dobbins injured again -- Breslow may have no choice but to trade for a starting pitcher sooner rather than later. Losing good young players in the middle of the season isn't the end of the world. Jose Iglesias and Brady Anderson were 23 and 24 when they were swapped mid-season for starting pitchers. Both of those deals helped win titles: either the division or the world... Duran is really good at circling the bases, but remember -- he'll be 29 in less than two months.

Seattle All-Star outfielder Julio Rodriguez and his 3.3 WAR has been replaced on the AL squad by teammate Randy Arozarena: 3.2 WAR. Both are having good years, but Rafaela -- who boosted his Red Sox past the M's for the last Wild Card spot -- sports a 3.9 WAR... second among league outfielders to Aaron Judge. Randy A.: 15 HR 44 RBI .244 BA .793 OPS -0.1 dWAR Ceddanne: 13 HR, 46 RBI .271 BA .792 OPS 1.8 dWAR Then there are strikeouts: Arozarena 109, Rafaela 64 (and Julio 91 down by the schoolyard).

Better tell Malcolm that Noah grew up a lot in the service. And it's doubtful Song is worried about sinking ships, unless those are his orders as a Naval flight officer.

Anthony isn't benched because he can't hit a righty. Duran and Abreu are starting because they can hit righties...

It's not as easy for teams that come in first place or make the postseason a lot. They don't get the high draft picks like doormats or indoor/outdoor carpets in basements. Or treads on tanks -- the preferred transportation for many small market clubs.

I think you nailed it the odd connection that explains why fans felt that way that offseason. I remember how utterly whelmed I was with the Lackey signing. As a fan, I cared less about the money, but cared even less for the man or the pitcher.

Stop scaring forum members who can't dig up a stat from the metric system to refute anything you post! Personally, 51% of me thinks Talksox needs more takes from drewski6 or 7 or 9. My other 39% always puts my best 30.48 centimeters forward typing my own posts (need 10% in reserve to take a nap). Trading Kristian Campbell, the most recent Minor League Player of the Year, would be unheard of last winter. But after we've seen him on the diamond since Spring Training, is there anyone else on the internet (besides one biased poster) comfortable with KC manning any defensive position for the next great Red Sox team?

There's no question regarding Anthony; he'll play every day. The real question since last winter (at least on this board): if the Red Sox trade an outfielder, will it be Duran or Abreu? All three have their share of strikeouts with K-rates over 23%, but while Anthony adjusts to big league pitchers and umpires (egomaniacs who need to show rookies who's in charge), he doesn't chase. Duran can't lay off high fastballs, while Abreu flails at lefty sliders. But all have talents that can help a team win, and I wouldn't trade any of them now unless it's for equivalent talent that fills other holes for a postseason drive this year.