5GoldGlovesOF,75

Agreed; it's all about velo these days. It's why the Rays are so successful, bringing in arm after arm with 96+ heat (and why a team like the 2020 Sox, with guys like Weber and Hart, who have to be perfect with every pitch, aren't). I'd say the MLB's increased average gas is actually what's led to the constant -- and obnoxious -- check-the-check flinch strike calls from fist-pumping baseline umpires; no one check-swings at a fastball, even out of the zone, but any fastballer with a sharp breaking pitch causes batters with the best hand-eye coordination in the world to basically guess. Imagine going to work at a job and -- for the one aspect you do best, the one that pays you the most -- you have to guess every day? Pro batters are stockbrokers.

Blame spans from Little League to lacrosse to Dennis Eckersly. For those who cite old-timey hardball -- when kids played every day all summer (and not in uniform, especially not ruled by adults), pitcher really was an actual position; not a subgroup of the roster. One guy on the neighborhood team played shortstop, another was catcher, and one guy was always the pitcher. Imagine the stamina of those hurlers who made it to the pros... Nowadays with so many other interests vying for kids' time (including lacrosse as a direct conflict in the spring), young arms are throwing less than ever. That includes Little League, where there are now strict weekly limitations (either number of batters or innings), purportedly to protect shoulders and elbows -- but also, so cut-throat coaches don't use a stud to dominate competition. In the leagues my son has played the past few years, managers rotate every child on their rosters around the diamond, including the mound (which is great for spectators who love walkathons, and for outfielders who collect dandelions). MLB changed big time with the success of Eck, the first automatic one-inning closer. Just about every other club has been seeking to replicate the virtual improbable ever since (except for the Rivera Yankees); like today's shifts, openers and other copy cat trends. Before the 9th inning man, relief aces were workhorses, regularly throwing over 100 frames, with lots of two, three or more inning stints... like when ex-Red Sox Sparky Lyle led the Yankees in IP in winning the last two games of the 1976 ALCS.

It really is ironic; since no one disputes that modern players are bigger/stronger/faster, why don't starters have the stamina to throw more than six innings? Some modern analysts may present scientific data that shows a correlation of increased velo with more trauma to shoulders and elbows, while others will undoubtedly argue against high pitch counts and innings pitched when protecting their investment in elite starters. It's funny how modern leaders in IP are happy to break 200 -- remember, that was ERod's goal to reach for the first time in 2019 -- when aces half a century ago regularly broke 300. Nearly all those guys were smaller/weaker/slower...

You're right, but a pro player making a hundred million should be able to pay attention -- if he left a step after Pillar broke, even JD could've jogged into second. Third basemen barely ever come up firing to second, lest they throw away a free run. I know it's hard to constantly focus playing for a loser; that's why it's easy to cheer for guys like Pillar and Verdugo.

Pillar: hitting, running, throwing, catching... fetching... a Top 1,000 prospect?

I disagree. The throw to third to try to nail the stealer concedes second to the trailing runner. It's a lot better shot than trotting home on a grounder to second.

Say it Jerry: if lazy JD had taken second on the Pillar steal, it'd be a tie game.

Oriole reliever no-hitting Dead Sox. Bloom should trade for him now to show the bullpen how to throw atom balls.

Seriously, some of the Orioles' improvement has to be a commitment to playing all types of baseball. Sure, like the Red Sox, they can still swing and miss from the ass (and smash bats in half)... but two days in a row they bunted for hits in key rallies; is that even allowed in Boston?

Orioles are just lucky our pitchers either throw one behind their backs or right down the middle.

What the-- Ron.... Godley was spinning a shutout.

He is earning his pay. It's obvious one of the first tasks Bloom was hired for was to trade Betts. I suspect getting rid of Price was also a front office priority. Admitting that the Red Sox may not be as good after trading both may have even been a scripted concession by ownership to Bloom (to deflect Frazee comps). Boston at least has to like Verdugo out-hitting Mookie at the half-way point of the season (also leading the league in outfield assists)...

I'd add Vazquez to the list of touchables. He's 30 this year, and to me is overrated as a catcher. Subtle things bother me, like trying to backhand a bounced curve or not getting the tag down or missing so many pitches last year (60% increase in staff wild pitches from '18). I'm not sure his game-calling is that stellar, either, considering the pitching performances since he's become full-time catcher -- remember, Leon was preferred and highly respected by half the veteran starters.

I'm guessing Pillar, because he's cheaper and better than Bradley this summer. Whether he's starting or finishing, Pillar would be a good piece on a good club in contention. I think it depends on when either Beni is able to play again or when the Sox deem Duran ready to come up for a taste of the last 20 or so games. Bloom can't just throw Lin or Peraza out there and save face with the faceless cardboard.

It's just another tool to help evaluate players. We were always told we can't compare eras, and then analytics developed WAR, which says we can compare players from different eras. We can even compare WAR between the two main sources with different formulas... although each says WAR is just an estimate, which means feel free to manipulate the data in whatever way best fits the agenda.

There has got to be some Nomar fans or some kid with a stuffed Heathcliff cat who changed their minds after October '04.

I don't know if Barnes will be next, because he'll be the guy the Sox get the best return for. He's not a free agent like Workman, throws 100 and has shown -- if not overworked -- he can get good hitters out in pressure situations. Boston got guys with potential for Workman and Hembree, but should be able to get someone with good potential for Barnes. Let the bidding begin.

Henry is planning a presser for heartbroken fans to share his childhood idolatry for Stan Musial.

No sleeping... lest you wake up like Raj after a night of indescretion and can't escape from big ham hocks.

OBee on Means: "He's got a little Chris Sale in him." Me: "A little elbow problem?" Next pitch to Bogie: 1-0, Boston.

In a couple years, Jordan will win the home run crown and Yorke will lead the league in runs scored. It's not unprecedented, and they don't have to be Hall of Famers... ... at age 20, Tony Conigliaro won the AL HR crown with 32, and Vada Pinson led the NL with 131 runs scored (I know, I didn't specify which league Jordan and Yorke will pace). Lugo will be taking Pedro over the Monster in BP warm-ups for the Old Timers' Game.

I want the Sox to keep Casas -- a big, lefty bopper who's still growing -- just to see if he can hit a few pop-ups at Yankee Stadium. (unless he's Lars Anderson, then they can trade him... but not if he's Anthony Rizzo)

Remember after Opening Day 2020 when everyone, pundits included, were deriding the Orioles as an embarrassment to big league baseball? Well, we sure showed them...

In contrast to Juan Pena... 2-0, 0.69 ERA for the Red Sox in May '99, 0.923 WHIP, 10 Ks in 13 IP... then a direct hit line drive obliterated his elbow and he never pitched again in the majors. I had high hopes for him, and then remorse for his fickle fate... now I envision him bookmarking his bb-ref bio, unbeaten for eternity...

Tony Blanco from the Bronx? His biggest hit was Carlito at the end of Carlito's Way.