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5GoldGlovesOF,75

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Everything posted by 5GoldGlovesOF,75

  1. 5GoldGlovesOF,75
    Two hesitant routes in the outfield were on display on NESN in the first five frames -- Duran (in LF, where WMB noted his bad route), who dove for a ball that almost bounced off his face... and Duvall, lumbering after a ball over his head in CF. These aren't guys on the mound trying out a new pitch; what you see is what you get. "Hopes are high," said Dave OB on the telecast. He didn't say which hopes specifically, but personally, I hope to see some stars of the future in Fenway by mid-summer.
  2. 5GoldGlovesOF,75
    As Devers ages into his mid-30s, modifying his approach may actually optimize his production -- which is what all of Red Sox Nation wants for the next decade. Swinging from the heels in every at bat is hazardous to a batter's health as he grows old. He was able to overcome a sore arm at the end of '21, but definitely not as much with a sore leg at the end of '22. Hitters mature, and Raffy has the hand-eye and balance to actually improve from what we've seen so far in the batter's box. As Remy said, "Devahs is always betta gap-to-gap and not tryin to pull everything..."
  3. 5GoldGlovesOF,75
    Making contact and moving runners will be essential if this batting order is to succeed. The key is obviously Devers, but the season may hinge on whether he matures into a more disciplined batter. If he feels a megacontract responsibility to be Big Puppy and tries to crush every pitch in the ballpark, he'll be an easy out for opposing teams (who won't be worried early about new guys like Yoshida and Casas, transitioning as full-time MLBers). Rafael Devers is so gifted, he can hit just about any pitch. The problem is that if he swings from the heels every AB, he can't hit every pitch well. Does anyone doubt in the second half of last year that if he just tried to go with the pitch and hit liners on one leg that he could've batted at least .317 and won the batting crown?
  4. 5GoldGlovesOF,75
    won't you smile awhile for me, CERA... Or is that a hard C, as in... don't Cara
  5. 5GoldGlovesOF,75
    Quote Originally Posted by 5GoldGloves:OF,75 I don't know why anyone would think the Sox would want to hang onto someone who looks like a legitimate power threat. After all, this is a club whose #3-4 batters last year combined for less home runs than the leadoff hitter for the Dodgers... not to mention the leadoff man for the Phillies. "They got rid of those losers." And those winners...
  6. 5GoldGlovesOF,75
    Well, at least this happened to a team that could afford to lose a promising young pitcher. The last-place Red Sox '22 pitching staff only allowed the second-most runs, hits, HBPs, and ERA in the league... only the Royals were worse... though Boston did lead the AL in balks and oldest average age (good thing we replaced Hill with Kluber -- he's six years younger than 43!).
  7. 5GoldGlovesOF,75
    ... with shin splints from playing foosball.
  8. 5GoldGlovesOF,75
    I don't know why anyone would think the Sox would want to hang onto someone who looks like a legitimate power threat. After all, this is a club whose #3-4 batters last year combined for less home runs than the leadoff hitter for the Dodgers... not to mention the leadoff man for the Phillies.
  9. 5GoldGlovesOF,75
    Not unless they count the number of times Manfred refused to release to the press the report on the Yankees' sign-stealing violations.
  10. 5GoldGlovesOF,75
    Now that Alfaro is going to right consistently, he should have 20 homers in Worcester by June... and plenty of suitors. I would say by then the Sox might want to promote him, but someone in the front office and posing as a poster will insist that "It's still early..."
  11. 5GoldGlovesOF,75
    The worst part is that old Sox fans won't get to see Ward scold Wally.
  12. 5GoldGlovesOF,75
    I'd make a retort of sort, but since this is sport, I'll be short.
  13. 5GoldGlovesOF,75
    Bloom, ever-cognizant of a franchise steeped in championship pedigree, is on the look-out for someone with the legacy of a Keith Foulke... for example, Johnny from Burger King.
  14. 5GoldGlovesOF,75
    Words that end in -ort: abort, export, deport, extort? distort, discomfort, nonsupport, spoilsport
  15. 5GoldGlovesOF,75
    We can also play the guys-who-didn't-make-it-yet game, too. Yorke, Walker, Crow-Armstrong may all become good MLB outfielders, but I'd still take Zac Veen over all of them. I've seen Veen play several times in person, and he has the talent, energy and charisma to become a big fan favorite... but he was also the first high schooler taken in the '20 draft -- way before Boston, New York or St. Louis picks.
  16. 5GoldGlovesOF,75
    And that's not even including a few more journeymen Bloom will inevitably add to the journey by mid-summer. Depending on how the breaks go, that looks like a surefire 70 to 90-win team... Jordan Walker, 20, made the Cardinals, who chose him in the 2020 draft, four spots after Boston took Nick Yorke. Moved to left field, Walker at 6'5, 220, grades higher than Yorke in power, speed, arm and glove. But they're the same age with the same hit rating... so when can we expect Yorke up? Btw, Pete Crow-Armstrong, drafted by the Mets in between Yorke and Walker, and traded to the Cubs for Baez, was rated the best defensive outfielder in the minors. But he may not make the bigs before Yorke, who as a second baseman made one of the best ST plays last week, ranging down the RF line for a diving catch. We gotta wear shades!
  17. 5GoldGlovesOF,75
    Combining quotes from two previous posts of optimism and pessimism... if the Sox are bad, at least the trade deadline will be interesting. See, there's a gray lining to every silver cloud.
  18. 5GoldGlovesOF,75
    1. The only way fans will buy tickets to see Tapia and/or Chang is if either blossom into stars. They both did the past month vs. competition bereft of entire MLB lineups, but what does that say for all the other big leaguers who did not on similar stages? Is there at least a chance that one of them is actually a better ballplayer this year? 2. I wasn't just talking about ABs for Duran. A lot of Sox fans have seen enough of him everywhere: in the outfield, on the bases, researching vaccines, etc. 3. Tapia was dumped by Toronto because the Jays' specific goal was to improve their outfield defense this year. If Duvall can't handle full-time CF, and is replaced by a Ref/Tapia platoon, we may be looking at a 90-loss team. On the verge of the season, the only positions that have the potential to be above-average are the corners: 1B/RF, 3B/LF... though I'd like to see what a full-time year of a healthy Arroyo would look like.
  19. 5GoldGlovesOF,75
    Tapia is in. Chang was great in the WBC, Cora says he looks bigger, and (at least until Mondesi is whole), someone who can play shortstop when Kike inevitably moves back to center. Alfaro has been clutch since he was MVP of the Dominican League. The '23 season isn't all-in, so let's-see-what's-next. Find a way to keep a guys who may be maturing into bonafide -- if not impact -- big leaguers. We've already seen what Dalbec and Duran can do, how about some fresh faces for the fans. Unless you're buying that Kluber and Jansen aren't past their primes (remember how excited Tito was when "we got John Smoltz"?), what's the worst that can happen -- last place?
  20. 5GoldGlovesOF,75
    Every starter in the rotation except Cole has already had health issues, they're starting a rookie at the most important position behind the mound, and they're World Series favorites? Ok...
  21. 5GoldGlovesOF,75
    We've known all winter about the starters: the only guy in his prime is Pivetta, and he's a primetime #5. Maybe some year Bello, Whitlock and Mata will evolve into the next Maddux, Smoltz and Glavine. Wouldja believe: Pedro, Wake and DLowe? Settle for Lester, Lackey and Buchholz?
  22. 5GoldGlovesOF,75
    Right, keeping the line moving is more important and fun to watch than hoping for a bomb while batters swing and miss at low-and-away sliders over and over and never adjust to the situation or count. My biggest concern for the offense is maximizing the OPS potential of Casas and Yoshida. Let's put it this way: the Red Sox as an organization have always been obsessed with alternating a lefty-righty batting order. But this year they're loaded with lefty sticks and will not have a choice but to bat some back-to-back. It's ok -- Japan's top of the order featured five lefty bats in a row... and they won the world.
  23. 5GoldGlovesOF,75
    Bogaerts and JD Martinez combined for 31 home runs in their last year in Boston. They were replaced in free agency (via big contract or position) by Yoshida and Turner. Over-Under for Masa and JT: 31 HRs? It would be great if both pop 20 apiece... but adjusting to a new country and/or league, with dead balls, and 31 could be close. Story (currently shelved) and Dalbec (on the bubble) combined for 28 homers in '22. They were replaced (with Kike moving to short) by Duvall and Casas. Over-Under for Adam and Triston: 28 longballs? Obviously, each has the power to exceed 28 himself... but if they don't hit 15 each, the Sox could be in trouble.
  24. 5GoldGlovesOF,75
    Just make Pedroia a coach and take his salary off the player payroll! ... it finally happened: he coaches his kids in Little League.
  25. 5GoldGlovesOF,75
    Tapia has looked great in Florida, but that doesn't matter to those who think ST doesn't matter. We do know last year he had 31% of his RBI and 21% of his runs scored against Boston pitching... but I'd keep him over Duran, because we at least know Tapia has harnessed similar tools into four full-time seasons as a bonafide big leaguer. Dalbec looks improved at the plate, and Philadelphia just lost their first baseman for the season. If you think a team with World Series aspirations wouldn't want a question-mark player with potential, this is the same club that thought it might be a good idea to carry a Navy pilot who hasn't pitched in years. Alfaro is trending like an impact bat that may help a contender this year. The best you can say for Wong is that he may be part of a catching platoon.
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