danr
Veteran
Posts: 1,871
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Post by danr on Aug 21, 2014 10:21:43 GMT -5
I posted in another thread that I think it would help if the Sox got some better hitting instruction. It may not be entirely a coincidence that all the young players are having trouble with their hitting. And, also as discussed elsewhere, the transition from AAA to the majors is steeper now than maybe ever before, and because of that, more time at AAA may not help.
To answer the question, however, the Sox are not going to give up very easily on someone so naturally talented as Bogaerts. However, it may be that shortstop really isn't his best position. But before concluding that, consider that this season has been very screwed up not just for Bogaerts, but for most of the team. It is hard to focus in the kind of mess the Sox created this year.
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Post by redsox04071318champs on Aug 21, 2014 12:38:12 GMT -5
I think we're losing some perspective here. This is Bogaerts' age 21 season and next year, say he struggles, it's his age 22 season.
Most guys that age are still in the minors. And if Bogaerts struggles part way thru next year, then the Sox need to think about sending him down to control his service time.
Say he struggles for the next two years and finds the on switch at age 23, then you've wasted two years out of his valuable six year window.
Sooner or later Bogaerts will get the experience and he'll unlock his talent. He's a worker, not a slacker, so you bet on the kid in this scenario. There's no reason the Sox should give up on his future. Sending him to AAA if need be isn't the same as giving up on him.
The only thing the Sox might need to eventually give up on as far as Bogaerts goes is his SS play if he doesn't improve. It's okay to have an offensive SS, but if the SS isn't hitting enough to justify his defense, then he needs to play another position. My guess is Bogaerts winds up at 3b, but I wouldn't be surprised if he eventually wound up in LF.
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Post by Guidas on Aug 21, 2014 14:10:06 GMT -5
This is one of two positions where I am more than willing to trade offense for plus defense*. How much offense do you need with the D is the operative question. At SS the bar is at about .250 BA/.310 OBA. I always thought Iglesias could hit that mark. Not sure if Marrero can yet, but if so and Xander can't be an at least average defensive SS within a year, I'd try to find him a new position and a plus D guy who can hit those numbers.
*Catcher is the other. Tough if your 8-9 hitters are two, .250/.310ish hitters, but if they are both plus D, the runs saved/strikes gained in the field should trump this, esp if you have better than ave OBP in 1-7.
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Post by jdb on Aug 24, 2014 10:12:34 GMT -5
This could be something to follow if the front office thinks Xander sticks at SS. According to Rosenthal the Nats have been looking for a young SS in case Desmond leaves as a FA after 2015. www.foxsports.com/mlb/video?vid=321470531832
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Post by redsox4242 on Aug 24, 2014 12:19:10 GMT -5
If Bogaerts go's to the DL, will the we call up Marrero? Might as well get him some experience. He hasn't hit at all in Pawtucket.
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Post by iakovos11 on Aug 24, 2014 12:25:56 GMT -5
He isn't on the 40-man and he's been scuffling at the plate for a while now in Pawtucket. Why bring him up?
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Post by ethanbein on Aug 24, 2014 13:40:56 GMT -5
Cecchini seems a lot more likely considering his recent hot streak. But who else besides Holt could play short? It looks like there's nobody else on the 40 man who could do back up in they lost either Bogaerts or Holt.
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Post by godot on Aug 24, 2014 14:10:50 GMT -5
Funny, now this thread's answer may be neither, just saying; but seriously, Marrero looks like he needs another year (or less)at AAA, and Bogaert is not lock at short, to be kind. Maybe the Sox should go after Hardy if the O's don't resign him. The shortstop revolving door keeps on churning. They had Drew, but that is history now.
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