jdc69

Well pitches are being called from somewhere else other than the catcher now. That certainly is a good example. Also, just the fact that they dont allow starting pitchers to stay in the game. Baseball been around for more than 100 years, you think its some great new revelation that no one considered that pitchers dont do well after going through the lineup 3 times? Of course they considered it, but still left them in there anyways because it teaches the pitcher to pitch when he doesnt have his best stuff and to save the bullpen. The mentality is much more about the pitcher being a disposable machine to be used up and replaced. Pay them and use them just enough to keep them, but not enough to give them any power themselves. BTW, I'm not saying theres nothing good in analytics, on the contrary, its evolved the game and won some championships, including '04, I'm just saying they've gone too far. There should be rules in how theyre used, like no in-game advice giving. No pitch calling.

It also becomes a part of the money making operation that takes power away from the players and managers and gives it, some to the geeks, but mostly, to the owner. The players now become merely the arms and legs of the operation, and the owner and geeks, the brain...if the players want to play and earn the minimal salary that is better than digging ditches that is. This could account for getting rid of veteran players more than just not wanting to spend money.

Yeah, that's why I have trouble with analytics, because it doesnt seem to take in the human factor. To them theres no difference between batting in June on a team projected to come in last place, or the World Series. Thats like saying theres no difference between walking on a 2x4 that's flat on the ground or 20 stories high. Obviously Anthony is going to feel pressure no matter what, but there's a difference between normal pressure and extra pressure coming from asking a minor leaguer to put a franchise on his back.

They dont have to ask him. The action itself does the talking. He's their hyped future, they want to win, they get rid of established stars, they put him high up in the batting order... Just putting him high in the batting order says he's supposed to a big reason for their future success. Add to that the grumpy, viscious sports climate in New England, and you have the makings of super high pressure for a guy coming straight from the minors.

I have a hard time getting invested in the plotting and planning of this team the way the front office is, and I bring this up because you brought up Duran. Obviously Duran is a player that likes to run wild and free, and I think his numbers suffered because theyre asking him to be a home run or nothing kind of player. Last night, David Hamilton bunted with no one on base. It didnt work, but I thought, thats what Duran should be able to do, just causing havoc on the base paths.

The load of getting rid of established bats and asking him to pick up the slack. Pressure may be subjective and good for those that know how to handle it but why punish a player if he feels it? Why punish a team and a city for it? Why not simply ease newer players into it and let the vets carry the majority of it? Also, what some people think is players handling pressure easily, is really a player that was allowed to fly under the radar until he found his groove. I think Tom Brady and Big Papi are examples of that.

Im not saying that. The conversation is about the Red Sox getting rid of veterans and asking Anthony to pick up the slack straight out of the minors. Thats dumb and risks ruining his confidence, especially in the grumpy atmosphere of Boston sports media.

Thats nice. Maybe he can get the golden "almost highest OBP" award. 339 is nothing to brag about if hes supposed to be an all star. That his average and power numbers aren't that high could point to the load he was asked to carry straight from minor leagues. These players aren't robots. Pressure is real.

I'm talking about putting him farther down the line-up, not back in the minors.

Yeah, that would've been a lot. I still wanted it, and that was before he got hurt. I actually like Masa.

If youre talking, "if's," I would have just gotten Alonso instead of Bregman. As for Yoshida, Seattle was prepared to take him and Casas for a SP Casillas, if Im not mistaken. We wouldve had Devers with Alonso's protection, and brought Anthony up slowly. No, let's piss off our most talented player instead, but that's ok, Casas will pick up the slack. Bwaa frickin haa.

Thats true. I forgot we put all our hopes on Casas. 😆

I called getting Alonso over Bregman. Instead we got Bregman and in doing so, lied and insulted Devers. Now we have none. The Red Sox are stupid.

The Red Sox should learn from the Brewers that having an identity, and playing right can make you a successful team, even without power. Then get power on top of that. I would rather be the Brewers than the Yankees. The Yankees have top of the line talent but no scrappers.

Im talking about the Red Sox, and Im talking about when the starter is still being effective. I didnt say I'm against pulling a starter out early if he starts missing. The Brewers took a starter out in the 2nd inning but he started missing and the manager didnt want to give the Dodgers any hope. Thats understandable. Thats not what the Red Sox are doing though.