5GoldGlovesOF,75

We'll see if there's an influx of new interviews that need to wait until the World Series ends. If not, I still say AC is in play for a new title if the Sox go internal. Will November be "yet" yet?

Kinsler turned down an interview for family considerations. He doesn't love Pedroia like a brother.

The Mariners can't go because they traded their closer Paul Sewald to Arizona on the last day of July. His 2023 small sample size crapshooting postseason so far: 5 saves in 6 IP, 0.00 ERA. Dang, those were stats. Here's more supposition on calculatesox.com: my supposition is not at the head of the table, but at the end of the bar, just like my breakposition. My lunchposition is in the sunroom, where it's not quite quality when our pack of rescue dogs barks at the neighbors' mutts they spy through the picture windows.

Sam must be offended that so many MLB execs aren't "here to win championships."

That's where family considerations cause refusals to interview. Can't risk bringing home regionnaires disease.

Or divorce a spouse...

There's an opening for VP to the Assistant VP of VP Clubhouse Operations that matches locker nameplates with tackle-twill backs of uniform jerseys that just got back from the laundry room.

I don't have an intense desire to argue with other posters, and don't quite understand the beef of this one. Are stats really the end-all be-all of any discussion here, or are others with actual experiences allowed to participate on this board? Is qualitative data the enemy? Is it possible that many subjective realities can co-exist on a forum and contribute different perspectives to discussions?

You can keep citing numbers, if that's where you're most confident... but rationally there are other factors that can also be considered in context that aren't always quantifiable. I haven't even looked at the stats of the Dbacks or Sox pitching staffs, so I believe you that neither is very good. But conditions in the majority of ballparks they frequent are quite different. I'm not going to get too much into my past, but will admit playing on several professional diamonds with and against ex-pros or DI players all over New England and Arizona for years. Dimensions of fences in the latter are much deeper because the ball travels further; in places like Tempe Diablo and Scottsdale it's 360 feet down the line. The ball travels faster, too, because the dirt is like red gravel and the natural "grass" is baked into crunchy turf... both also offer rug burn raspberries for those inclined to slide or dive. You may be aware that Phoenix set a national record as the hottest city last July, with average highs of 114.7 degrees. You probably also know from following the Red Sox that it rained for basically four straight months in New England. Extreme weather causes extreme conditions.

If Romero gets one spot, I predict Cora gets the other; I'm still unsure of whether AC also manages or ups one of his own.

I said from the beginning they know, and the extensive intensive (to some here, pensive) interview process is just for show.

He was in charge when a trio of prospects were developed by his people to make solid contributions to the big league team. He acquired another trio of bargains who were really good for one season or stretch drive: a reliever, a power hitter, and a starting pitcher... ... the problem is that he only signed one longterm, Whitlock, and let Schwarber and Wacha walk away. This was very uncharacteristic of any Red Sox team during modern times -- to find an obvious fits to the puzzle, then leave them out and try to frame the picture with holes in it. And the worst thing he'll always be remembered for isn't three last place losers; it's Mookie Betts. It ultimately doesn't matter if it's the owner's fault or the player's fault -- it happened on Chaim Bloom's watch.

Ever try sifting rapid-fire through bargain bins? Those plastic lid handles have to click shut, lest moths sneak in and chew holes in the fabrics.

Baaaaaah -- four years living in Boston, running the Red Sox! What youngish baseball-lifer-wannabe can turn that down. They need to stop recruiting Ivy League elitists and scour the community colleges instead. There are plenty of capables who would jump at the chance -- and probably never lose the energy or the buzz for the job.

I actually didn't research this, but lived it. Hodges basically started three Gold Glovers at C-SS-CF every game -- Pitching and DEFENSE, Rot Sox -- and a .340 batter in LF.

Can't believe how many baseball execs have families! ... really, it's only been a few decades since Theo was the youngest GM ever. Before Epstein, the Old Boy Network of Empty Nesters ruled the majors for too long.

No more damn rescues! Bloom is history. Bring in some purebreds -- and not from a puppy mill!

Earl Weaver didn't invent platooning, but he did have team employees go through box scores and scorebooks to break down all his batters' splits vs. RHP/LHP to help make line-up decisions. Presumably, he did the same with his pitchers vs. right/lefty hitters. Of course, it could be said Earl learned a huge lesson getting upset in the '69 Series by Gil Hodges and the Miracle Mets, who platooned over half their batting order in every game.

Fair point, and definitely a ratio that has trended more lately. Though looking at close-ups of Bochy and Baker in the ALCS, gotta wonder about their ratios -- not what they agree to, when they accepted the jobs... but what really drives decisions: 50-50? 49-51?

I'm giving him credit for promoting and giving big roles to Bello, Casas and Duran. But if Nick Yorke ever makes it, the next GM has to be acknowledged some for his development. Yorke was Bloom's stealth first-round California high school pick in 2020, signed for less than physical specimen Jordan Walker (chosen four picks later). Luck has to be involved for the Rangers taking Evan Carter -- now batting third in the ALCS -- from a New Jersey high school 33 picks after Yorke, and inking him for less than half of what Yorke and Walker got... right?

You can cite quantitative data all day on pitching and hitting in the NL West ballparks compared to in the AL East ballparks. But there are qualitative differences, which may be hard to accept unless you've played competitively in each or talked to guys who have. I am sure many posters here have researched a guy like Trevor Story, and his stats playing in Colorado. There might even be forum members who would agree that a young Rockies' pitcher with mediocre numbers may be more successful if he joined the Red Sox -- even facing the mighty AL BEasts. The Rox pitching staff would be worth a look by a new GM seeking to recruit some hidden potential (if you can pitch there, and stay in the Show, you made it). A lot of media attributed Baltimore's surge this year specifically to moving back the leftfield fence in Camden Yards. Pitchers were more aggressive -- on the mound, and agreeing to join the O's.

In the postgame, Pedro Martinez said some closers struggle in non-save situations (what a poor excuse-maker). Even if a closer can't close a tie game. Papelbon was similar, and even admitted it in the booth this summer.

How's this for security: come to Boston to work for four years in a major MLB market -- and we'll pay you for five years. Here's a million dollars. If you win, you'll be a legend -- or at least, have a career in baseball as a sought-after exec. If you lose, you'll still be a millionaire. Naaahh, I wanna pick my own manager!

... and very vulnerable when not pitching in a save situation.

It's a factor that is presumably turning some candidates off, and one that also favors those with collegial connections with Cora. For example, he played on teams with or for external candidates like Breslow or Ng. Anyone agreeing to interview already knows that working closely with AC will be high on the list of job duties.