5GoldGlovesOF,75

The problem with parsing words in the debate about late-inning defensive posts is not that most contenders go out and acquire a specialist at the deadline, but that most good teams already have good fielders in their lineups or on the bench that they can use accordingly. This Boston roster is full of bad D -- and a lot of us knew it before the season even started, when we campaigned for better gloves.

And as you and others have alluded to, the cause-and-effect of bad D can't be totally quantified when it comes to extra outs, excessive pitches and arm stress on the mound staff. Look how much harder Eovaldi had to work to limit the damage in his final inning last night.

Without looking at the free agent list for this winter, there will probably be at least some guys available that signed one-year contracts last winter. However, I can't imagine JBJ, due another $11 mil for '22, would be considered by Bloom unless the Brewers attached a legit prospect to a salary dump. But what if? Btw, I don't think Bradley is all washed up as a MLB player, even with his horrid '21 numbers. The first year adjusting to a new league, seeing a majority of pitchers for the first time, is tough for anyone. JBJ may not bat .283 again like he did last summer, but if he lands back in the AL, maybe he won't hit .165, either. He's always in shape, and I expect him to be a high quality fly chaser for another half decade (his dWAR this season is actually his highest in five years).

I know you did, but now that he made it through an entire All-Star season, would you give a potential Wild Card start to anyone else (especially now that two-time Covid Sale may not be ready for a regular turn in the rotation again until maybe the World Series) ?

But is it too much to ask that the 26-28 man roster just carry one late-inning defensive replacement for the outfield, like most contenders do?

We realized it soon enough -- in hindsight -- but few complained going into 2019 -- and I'm saying that remembering that the majority of posters here and elsewhere approved of the contracts "rewarded" to Red Sox champions that winter. Eovaldi was one of the most sought-after free agent pitchers in the bigs, and though most of us worried that Sale wasn't 100%, we still trusted that the GM and front office knew more than the fans. Bogaerts was a star, and has been ever since. Pearce was a postseason hero, but his salary was a fraction of the batters who hit around him in the heart of the order. Mookie unsigned for the longterm was the big concern. The most perplexing thing was the approach towards the bullpen. There was no uproar when the Sox let Kimbrel and Kelly walk, but maybe there should have been when they didn't replace either of them (Colten Brewer was never considered a viable substitute). Naturally, the rotation imploded, and what was left of the relief corps became seriously overworked. The rest is infamy. Now the '21 Red Sox are in a playoff run for their lives, but there's no guarantee they'll even win more games than the 84-78 2019 Red Sox...

... or cold... or just bad. It doesn't matter who you're playing if you don't play major league defense. A case could be made that an opponent with a losing record would be easier to beat since they probably have as many or more deficiencies... then again, they're all big league players. Question is: which side will be playing relaxed, with the notion of spoiler, and which roster -- depleted by health protocols and dulled by quarantined inaction -- will be playing under the pressures of stretch-run survival?

Sox are third in the AL in staff Ks, behind Chicago and NY. That means the D is even worse than we thought.

Boston also leads the AL in batters faced, but the extra games can't account for all the differences between, say, Chicago, which has faced 362 less batters.

Ya, but as much as I feel sorry for the pitchers, they're complicit, too. For example, Braiser should have been out of the inning when Schwarber booted a grounder. But was that one "last" pitch so damaging to his arm and psyche that he had nothing left in the physical nor mental tank, and then had to give up a single and then a home run? Is it Cora's fault for sticking with his pitcher every night and expecting him to pick up his teammates and pitch out of trouble?

Last in Fielding %, last in Defensive Efficiency, last in Total Zone Total Fielding Runs Above Average, last in Total Zone Total Fielding Runs Above Average per 1,200 Innings. https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/2021.shtml But first in Chances and first in Double Plays... which might mean more baserunners allowed, more extended innings, and more "extra outs" given to opponents.

There is too much status whoa projecting next year's lineup. It's ok if Bloom isn't going for it again, and it's ok if a club's best hitters strike out a lot (according to modern baseball). But it's never ok to regularly field a piss-poor defense. The easiest, cheapest way to improve a team -- and the first place to start a solid rebuild -- is to fill a roster with fundamentally sound ballplayers. The Red Sox surprise contending this year has fans expecting more in '22. If Bloom doesn't make positive changes, expect negative changes in the ratings. Fans will still go to Fenway, but not keep watching on NESN every night.

Red Sox should listen to the first shortstop who says it's not about the money, but "it's all about respect" -- and run from him. Baez could very well thrive in Boston; he's already hated in New York.

And JD doesn't fit in left, nor does Verdugo in center or Kike at second... and Renfroe, despite his arm, leads all big league outfielders in errors. Ten Es in rightfield is the most in the AL in 15 years. Devers -- as much as we love his bat -- has led the majors in errors at third base each of the past four seasons. At least Dalbec looks like he's improving at first base.

When good hitters go into slumps, it's a normal part of a long season. Most snap out of it, unless an injury is holding them back. But bad fielders are just who they are.

not Dead yet...

I can see paying the guy at the top, but I can't imagine a smart baseball officer reinvesting in the same worst defense in baseball. Something's gotta give to improve the overall D. And it may have to be a big trade that brings in new regulars at more than one position.

Come on -- we have fun here, but this is no time for sarcasm. We all know Plawecki will blow the save.

They won't, which is why I said I don't think Bloom signs any. Unless, that is, there's major upheaval in the new CBA... or the owners collude or lock them out again.

The Red Sox are hopping one-legged, barefoot, with new blisters forming on every step...

At a glance, I don't want any of them at those prices for more than three years, and I doubt Bloom does, either (and that's why the Sox may not get any of those named). If I had to pick, I'd take the first four 32 or Younger guys, but only for 3-year contracts.

Yup, right over the Sunshine Skyway Bridge from St. Pete points south.

I agree with both your sentences. 1) because no one said what you seriously doubt is in any way simple, and 2) because one way to avoid your second conclusion is to preempt any refusal... and Bloom seeing past successes in such matters that are still a success today only make that easier.

What really matters is the overall value of individuals: NL Central has Bradley Jr. - 0.4 WAR NL West has Mookie Betts 4.6 WAR AL Central has Benintendi 2.2 WAR AL West has Brock Holt 0.2 WAR

Well, I guessed... but since you made me look it up... Pitchers starting five or more games so far in 2021 (Source: b-ref): Righthanders 151 Lefthanders 75 Rays games played at third base: Wendle 98, Diaz 44... which is closer to 70% and 30%. I'd say it may be more economical to trade for a switch-hitter, but a lot of those guys seem to have a stronger side -- though not usually twice as good as their weaker side.