SoxProspects News
|
|
|
|
Legal
Forum Ground Rules
The views expressed by the members of this Forum do not necessarily reflect the views of SoxProspects, LLC.
© 2003-2024 SoxProspects, LLC
|
|
|
|
|
Forum Home | Search | My Profile | Messages | Members | Help |
Welcome Guest. Please Login or Register.
How do you improve the Red Sox
|
Post by sox fan in nc on May 25, 2016 9:37:31 GMT -5
Hard to say with so much time until the deadline and the fact a lot of our main questions could be answered from within. For some reason I have a better feeling that our pitching will improve from our 40 man. I'm not sold on Swihart as the LHH LF option and think we will need to target someone like the previously mentioned Jon Jay or Ichiro type. That would improve our bench with Holt. Maybe the Dodgers try and unload Eithier when he gets back. I'm not opposed for a 2016 LF option and 2017 and on DH like Braun but I don't give up a big five chip for him so it probably doesn't happen. Not sure Braun's contract value is even worth it. He's 32-ish. Owed 19 mil each of the next 5 years. I can't see teams lining up to give blue chip prospects for him. Don't get me wrong, he'd be a huge upgrade for us & can probably transition to DH like you said. That's assuming Hanley can stay @ 1st for the next 2 1/2 years. Braun for Sam Travis & pieces?
|
|
|
Post by iakovos11 on May 25, 2016 10:42:17 GMT -5
Braun is righty and not a good fit with Young. Might be a decent DH transition piece, but let's table that for the offseason (and only if it's salary dump, though). But that's not a good contract (dollars and esp. length) with Benny and Moncada knocking on the door in the next 2 years. 1B/DH is an interesting dilemma in the next few years, though.
|
|
ericmvan
Veteran
Supposed to be working on something more important
Posts: 8,923
|
Post by ericmvan on May 25, 2016 11:20:46 GMT -5
So just how good and deep is the bullpen?
I ranked all 173 qualifying relievers at FanGraphs two ways: by SIERA, and by adjusted WPA, jWPA, which is (WPA/inLI)/G. The most results-neutral metric, and the most results-dependent. I took the average score of each metric and just figured out how many standard deviations each guy was above or below average, weighting the two equally.
I identified the 30 actual closers, but I ranked all the setup men by quality rather than actual use.
Kimbrel ranks #8 among closers. But he'll move up, because he started slowly and is 5th in SIERA but 18th in jWPA.
Tazawa ranks #8 among team's best set-up men.
Robbie Ross ranks #5 among second-best set-up men (theoretical 7th inning guys). But let's keep using him as mop-up!
Uehara ranks #6 among third-best set-up men, but we know he always outperforms his SIERA. If you flip him and Ross, Ross is fractionally behind Michael Feliz as the best 6th-inning guy in MLB.
Hembree ranks #8 among primary mop-up guys. When the fifth guy out of your pen has been an average qualifying reliever, that's a deep pen.
Barnes ranks #3 among backup mop-up guys. Only 18 teams even have one that qualifies.
Layne didn't qualify, but would have ranked #9 as a primary mop-up man, #3 as a backup mop-up (ahead of Barnes), and #18 as a 6th inning guy.
Figuring that Barnes may need to go to AAA when E-Rod is ready and that everyone in the pen has been well above average for their roles ... why do we need a reliever again? If JF would only use Ross, his emergence would balance the loss of Smith, and the surprise of Hembree balances the promotion of Ross.
|
|
|
Post by jrffam05 on May 25, 2016 12:13:30 GMT -5
So just how good and deep is the bullpen? I ranked all 173 qualifying relievers at FanGraphs two ways: by SIERA, and by adjusted WPA, jWPA, which is (WPA/inLI)/G. The most results-neutral metric, and the most results-dependent. I took the average score of each metric and just figured out how many standard deviations each guy was above or below average, weighting the two equally. I identified the 30 actual closers, but I ranked all the setup men by quality rather than actual use. Kimbrel ranks #8 among closers. But he'll move up, because he started slowly and is 5th in SIERA but 18th in jWPA. Tazawa ranks #8 among team's best set-up men. Robbie Ross ranks #5 among second-best set-up men (theoretical 7th inning guys). But let's keep using him as mop-up! Uehara ranks #6 among third-best set-up men, but we know he always outperforms his SIERA. If you flip him and Ross, Ross is fractionally behind Michael Feliz as the best 6th-inning guy in MLB. Hembree ranks #8 among primary mop-up guys. When the fifth guy out of your pen has been an average qualifying reliever, that's a deep pen. Barnes ranks #3 among backup mop-up guys. Only 18 teams even have one that qualifies. Layne didn't qualify, but would have ranked #9 as a primary mop-up man, #3 as a backup mop-up (ahead of Barnes), and #18 as a 6th inning guy. Figuring that Barnes may need to go to AAA when E-Rod is ready and that everyone in the pen has been well above average for their roles ... why do we need a reliever again? If JF would only use Ross, his emergence would balance the loss of Smith, and the surprise of Hembree balances the promotion of Ross. How do they rank overall, without putting each into pools.
|
|
ericmvan
Veteran
Supposed to be working on something more important
Posts: 8,923
|
Post by ericmvan on May 25, 2016 12:31:10 GMT -5
So just how good and deep is the bullpen? I ranked all 173 qualifying relievers at FanGraphs two ways: by SIERA, and by adjusted WPA, jWPA, which is (WPA/inLI)/G. The most results-neutral metric, and the most results-dependent. I took the average score of each metric and just figured out how many standard deviations each guy was above or below average, weighting the two equally. I identified the 30 actual closers, but I ranked all the setup men by quality rather than actual use. Kimbrel ranks #8 among closers. But he'll move up, because he started slowly and is 5th in SIERA but 18th in jWPA. Tazawa ranks #8 among team's best set-up men. Robbie Ross ranks #5 among second-best set-up men (theoretical 7th inning guys). But let's keep using him as mop-up! Uehara ranks #6 among third-best set-up men, but we know he always outperforms his SIERA. If you flip him and Ross, Ross is fractionally behind Michael Feliz as the best 6th-inning guy in MLB. Hembree ranks #8 among primary mop-up guys. When the fifth guy out of your pen has been an average qualifying reliever, that's a deep pen. Barnes ranks #3 among backup mop-up guys. Only 18 teams even have one that qualifies. Layne didn't qualify, but would have ranked #9 as a primary mop-up man, #3 as a backup mop-up (ahead of Barnes), and #18 as a 6th inning guy. Figuring that Barnes may need to go to AAA when E-Rod is ready and that everyone in the pen has been well above average for their roles ... why do we need a reliever again? If JF would only use Ross, his emergence would balance the loss of Smith, and the surprise of Hembree balances the promotion of Ross. How do they rank overall, without putting each into pools. Seventh overall -- seventh in jWPA and 9th in SIERA. It might rank higher if it had been managed better. And with this data (which includes the non-qualifiers), I can verify that everyone has been above MLB average (Barnes by .02 standard deviations).
Nope, misremembered his numbers.
|
|
|
Post by redsox04071318champs on May 25, 2016 12:58:24 GMT -5
Because of the real possibility that Uehara breaks down as he approaches 70 games pitched or the possibility that Tazawa wears down as he nears that number or the possibility that Barnes or Hembree regress or the possibility that Farrell doesn't realize that he has an asset in Ross. So the best way to improve the Sox is to trade for... Terry Francona? I'd make that deal but if they throw in Bobby Valentine, I'll have to pass.
|
|
|
Post by wcsoxfan on May 25, 2016 15:09:50 GMT -5
Braun is righty and not a good fit with Young. Might be a decent DH transition piece, but let's table that for the offseason (and only if it's salary dump, though). But that's not a good contract (dollars and esp. length) with Benny and Moncada knocking on the door in the next 2 years. 1B/DH is an interesting dilemma in the next few years, though. If the Red Sox trade for Braun, it will be with the plan for him to hit against RHP and LHP every day. Chris Young doesn't really play into the decision and wouldn't affect his playing time. The Red Sox would have to decide 'do we platoon young with JBJ and Ortiz (with Braun at DH) only?', which would reduce his role, but having a LF who is 'too good' to play Young out there really is a good problem to have. I'm assuming the Red Sox will keep 2 OF options (Young and Holt) on the roster anyway, so a second move isn't even necessary. As you mentioned (and mentioned in the trade subforum) Braun would move to DH next year once Beni is ready. Moncada possibly being ready in 2 year is too far away from affecting trades today (again, too many good players is not a problem). I recommend looking at the trade subforum on this one as there is a fair bit of back-and-forth and debate over Braun's value. Biggest questions for me are 'price' and 'how will he hold up'.
|
|
|
Post by jimed14 on May 25, 2016 16:55:50 GMT -5
Maybe it's still early in the season, but Braun is hitting 58.5% GB R vs. R this year with a .397 BABIP. Something to consider. I doubt I want to pay the price.
|
|
|
Post by pedrofanforever45 on May 25, 2016 17:22:02 GMT -5
Brought this up in another thread and yeah I agree with the general consensus with a lot of the names brought up. Just seems to me that the Sox and A's are destined to make a trade this deadline of some sort. Between Danny Valencia (who could play LF), Josh Reddick, and Rich Hill. This seams to be the best course of action to improve the Sox. Rich Hill's and Reddick's salary matches up with Buchholz' salary. Food for thought. Edit- I wonder if the A's could speed up the Reddick trade process by transferring him to the 60 day DL retroactive to his original DL stint. Could speed up the trade market before the trade deadline comes and goes. Would be a three way. Buchholz for prospects. Some combo of prospects to Oak. Beane would have no interest in Clay. I was in the line of thinking Buchholz as a throw in and a guy that could be flipped after, maybe in the August waivers deadline. The real package would be built around the Henry Owens, Marco Hernandez, etc.
|
|
|
Post by larrycook on May 25, 2016 19:57:22 GMT -5
If Buchholz gets his act together and starts throwing well by late June, I say we trade him at max value with very little else available,
If he keeps throwing like he is, then we should keep him.
|
|
|
Post by slam761 on May 25, 2016 20:22:43 GMT -5
I feel like we should probably just keep Buchholz until at least this offseason. With Rich Hill being pretty much the only really good free agent SP, Buchholz could have pretty good value to teams that really need a starter.
|
|
|
Post by 0ap0 on May 26, 2016 6:08:17 GMT -5
With Rich Hill being pretty much the only really good free agent SP, Buchholz could have pretty good value to teams that really need a starter. ...like us.
|
|
|
Post by sox fan in nc on May 26, 2016 8:04:48 GMT -5
Best that's going to be out there this winter is a number 4 type like Cashner or Hellickson. If Buch improves even a touch, I can see DD picking up his 13 mil option.
|
|
|
Post by thursty on May 26, 2016 10:45:05 GMT -5
I watched the condensed video of yesterday's game - and it's strengthened a couple of latent beliefs:
Objectively, Stephen Wright is the ace of this team. And I mean is, not has been. As in ROS, or as in who should start the first game of a playoff series, he's a better bet than Price. There wasn't a single hard hit ball off him yesterday; if the catcher had been able to catch his knuckler, it would have been a shutout. He looks like he's on one of those couple Wakefield runs, where he's just dominant; beyond this season, who knows, but I think there's enough data to determine that you can rely on him for this year.
Given the above, it follows that Hanigan has no role on this team; because he simply can't handle Wright's knuckler, and it's not just last night's game; I sympathize, but that's irrelevant.
The Red Sox are being foolish putting Swihart in LF; whatever difference there is between Vazquez's defense and Swihart's - the same or larger difference exists between Swihart's and Vazquez's offense. They should just go to a two-man rotation of Vazquez and Swihart at catcher, and whichever one is better at catching Wright (probably Vazquez) - should do it. And make it clear that Vazquez is expected to work with and tutor Swihart on all those finer points of catching (reading swings, calling a game, etc) that Vazquez is so renowned for. What better way to expedite Swihart's learning curve than playing at MLB, while working with Vazquez; even if the long-term plan is to trade Swihart, this is the best path. There's no reason that if he shows himself to be even a competent defensive catcher, that he wouldn't have the same value as a Benintendi (which means you wouldn't have to include Benintendi in a trade for pitching); because Swihart can hit and with enough AB's, he'll show it.
And I can live with a Holt/Young platoon in LF; whatever below-average offense you're conceding there, will at least partly offset by the improved offense at catcher.
Now I doubt that Hanigan alone would garner much in a trade (is Bush from the Rangers too much to hope for?), but he is a good backup catcher, who puts up a good OBP, even though he has no power - he just can't catch the knuckleball, and Wright right now is too valuable to lessen his quality by having Hanigan continue to catch him.
|
|
|
Post by telson13 on May 26, 2016 11:48:22 GMT -5
I watched the condensed video of yesterday's game - and it's strengthened a couple of latent beliefs: Objectively, Stephen Wright is the ace of this team. And I mean is, not has been. As in ROS, or as in who should start the first game of a playoff series, he's a better bet than Price. There wasn't a single hard hit ball off him yesterday; if the catcher had been able to catch his knuckler, it would have been a shutout. He looks like he's on one of those couple Wakefield runs, where he's just dominant; beyond this season, who knows, but I think there's enough data to determine that you can rely on him for this year. Given the above, it follows that Hanigan has no role on this team; because he simply can't handle Wright's knuckler, and it's not just last night's game; I sympathize, but that's irrelevant. The Red Sox are being foolish putting Swihart in LF; whatever difference there is between Vazquez's defense and Swihart's - the same or larger difference exists between Swihart's and Vazquez's offense. They should just go to a two-man rotation of Vazquez and Swihart at catcher, and whichever one is better at catching Wright (probably Vazquez) - should do it. And make it clear that Vazquez is expected to work with and tutor Swihart on all those finer points of catching (reading swings, calling a game, etc) that Vazquez is so renowned for. What better way to expedite Swihart's learning curve than playing at MLB, while working with Vazquez; even if the long-term plan is to trade Swihart, this is the best path. There's no reason that if he shows himself to be even a competent defensive catcher, that he wouldn't have the same value as a Benintendi (which means you wouldn't have to include Benintendi in a trade for pitching); because Swihart can hit and with enough AB's, he'll show it. And I can live with a Holt/Young platoon in LF; whatever below-average offense you're conceding there, will at least partly offset by the improved offense at catcher. Now I doubt that Hanigan alone would garner much in a trade (is Bush from the Rangers too much to hope for?), but he is a good backup catcher, who puts up a good OBP, even though he has no power - he just can't catch the knuckleball, and Wright right now is too valuable to lessen his quality by having Hanigan continue to catch him. Matt Bush? I just threw up in my mouth a little bit.
|
|
|
Post by telson13 on May 26, 2016 11:57:40 GMT -5
Best that's going to be out there this winter is a number 4 type like Cashner or Hellickson. If Buch improves even a touch, I can see DD picking up his 13 mil option. Yeah, it's basically a pillow contract. If a #4/5 starter like Ian Kennedy gets 5/70, a 1/13 deal is a bargain. People may get frustrated with Buchholz, but the reality is that, via FA or most trades, teams get similar or worse pitchers at much higher prices.
|
|
|
Post by okin15 on May 26, 2016 12:19:52 GMT -5
The Red Sox are being foolish putting Swihart in LF; whatever difference there is between Vazquez's defense and Swihart's - the same or larger difference exists between Swihart's and Vazquez's offense. They should just go to a two-man rotation of Vazquez and Swihart at catcher, and whichever one is better at catching Wright (probably Vazquez) - should do it. And make it clear that Vazquez is expected to work with and tutor Swihart on all those finer points of catching (reading swings, calling a game, etc) that Vazquez is so renowned for. What better way to expedite Swihart's learning curve than playing at MLB, while working with Vazquez; even if the long-term plan is to trade Swihart, this is the best path. There's no reason that if he shows himself to be even a competent defensive catcher, that he wouldn't have the same value as a Benintendi (which means you wouldn't have to include Benintendi in a trade for pitching); because Swihart can hit and with enough AB's, he'll show it. And I can live with a Holt/Young platoon in LF; whatever below-average offense you're conceding there, will at least partly offset by the improved offense at catcher. Three things I take issue with here. The main one is the poor math that is asking Swihart's bat to make up for both the reduced LF work-load, as well as for the reduced catcher defense. It's definitely not that big a difference. The second is that Swihart's bat vs CV's is an equal difference to the inverse of their defensive differences. I think CV's D is probably worth nearly a run a game, partially from the framing, but more from the pitch-calling. Some of that is offset by the bat, but no-where near all of it. Which leads to my final point that it is NOT easier to teach Swihart the "finer points" of catching than it is to teach CV how to hit. I expect both to improve their respective weaknesses to about MLB catcher average over time, but I'm not even sure that "game-calling" can be taught per-se. It is an expression of creativity, working within the parameters of several ever-changing variables. Creativity can be learned, but it is often a life-long search, and then applying it to pitch-calling is a whole other lesson. Again, I'm sure Swihart will improve there, but I'm not sure that it'll be because of CV, or because he is on the MLB team. It seems to me that it'd be more valuable getting regular reps in AAA. Ditto his framing, which is a physical skill that will need additional repetition to master.
|
|
|
Post by brendan98 on May 26, 2016 13:34:53 GMT -5
This is just my opinion, but even though Blake Swihart’s future seems more and more likely to be with another team in the next few years, I like that the Sox have moved him to the OF, I think he is going to prove to be an extremely valuable player in LF for the Sox, and I could care less about his perceived decrease in value from moving off of catcher. I think Swihart might, if given the chance to play LF for the rest of the year, make it awful difficult for Benintendi to find a spot in the Sox OF in the future, though I will say that I also feel like Swihart would be capable of becoming a capable corner infielder if the Sox ever decided to work him there.
-Swihart is an extremely athletic kid, one of those rare guys who it just seems like things come naturally to him, case in point he’s looked pretty solid in LF so far (albeit SSS) despite not having player there since HS.
-Swihart has shown the makings of an excellent approach at the plate, there have been times where he seems like he is trying to do a little too much up there, but he’s young and he was rushed to the bigs last year, so that’s not really a big surprise.
-Swihart has a great swing from both sides of the plate, righty seems a little more natural for him, but his lefty swing is excellent too. I’ve seen plenty of switch hitters who probably should reconsider switch hitting because the quality of their swing from one side isn’t close to as strong as the other.
-As a catcher, especially one who was thrown into a sink or swim situation last season, the majority of your work and preparation has to go into preparing to call a game and scouting reports on other teams hitters and developing a game plan with your pitcher that night to get the other team out. As a LF, Swihart is going to be able to put time into his offensive game, there will undoubtedly be extra OF work for him, but that won’t compare timewise with what a catcher must do to prepare, and being able to spend more time working on his offensive game may have a big impact.
-Not having to catch will mean a couple more things for Swihart, his legs will be fresher as the wear and tear from catching is significant, and Swihart will have a chance to play more consistently, as a catcher there is usually a 2 game on, 1 game off playing time split, sometimes it is tough to get in a groove with so many interruptions to your playing time (especially for a young player).
-Lastly, Swihart doesn’t wearing batting gloves, how can you not love that! I think Swihart can be a big part of the Sox offense this year, and will become a good defensive LF with a little time.
|
|
|
Post by sox fan in nc on May 26, 2016 14:37:16 GMT -5
This is just my opinion, but even though Blake Swihart’s future seems more and more likely to be with another team in the next few years, I like that the Sox have moved him to the OF, I think he is going to prove to be an extremely valuable player in LF for the Sox, and I could care less about his perceived decrease in value from moving off of catcher. I think Swihart might, if given the chance to play LF for the rest of the year, make it awful difficult for Benintendi to find a spot in the Sox OF in the future, though I will say that I also feel like Swihart would be capable of becoming a capable corner infielder if the Sox ever decided to work him there. -Swihart is an extremely athletic kid, one of those rare guys who it just seems like things come naturally to him, case in point he’s looked pretty solid in LF so far (albeit SSS) despite not having player there since HS. -Swihart has shown the makings of an excellent approach at the plate, there have been times where he seems like he is trying to do a little too much up there, but he’s young and he was rushed to the bigs last year, so that’s not really a big surprise. -Swihart has a great swing from both sides of the plate, righty seems a little more natural for him, but his lefty swing is excellent too. I’ve seen plenty of switch hitters who probably should reconsider switch hitting because the quality of their swing from one side isn’t close to as strong as the other. -As a catcher, especially one who was thrown into a sink or swim situation last season, the majority of your work and preparation has to go into preparing to call a game and scouting reports on other teams hitters and developing a game plan with your pitcher that night to get the other team out. As a LF, Swihart is going to be able to put time into his offensive game, there will undoubtedly be extra OF work for him, but that won’t compare timewise with what a catcher must do to prepare, and being able to spend more time working on his offensive game may have a big impact. -Not having to catch will mean a couple more things for Swihart, his legs will be fresher as the wear and tear from catching is significant, and Swihart will have a chance to play more consistently, as a catcher there is usually a 2 game on, 1 game off playing time split, sometimes it is tough to get in a groove with so many interruptions to your playing time (especially for a young player). - Lastly, Swihart doesn’t wearing batting gloves, how can you not love that! I think Swihart can be a big part of the Sox offense this year, and will become a good defensive LF with a little time. It is refreshing to not see a guy take 10 minutes after a walk to unstrap everything from their bodies. Also, after a couple of hits in an inning, the 1st base coach is holding a sporting goods store.
|
|
|
Post by ryantoworkman on May 26, 2016 15:45:10 GMT -5
This is just my opinion, but even though Blake Swihart’s future seems more and more likely to be with another team in the next few years, I like that the Sox have moved him to the OF, I think he is going to prove to be an extremely valuable player in LF for the Sox, and I could care less about his perceived decrease in value from moving off of catcher. I think Swihart might, if given the chance to play LF for the rest of the year, make it awful difficult for Benintendi to find a spot in the Sox OF in the future, though I will say that I also feel like Swihart would be capable of becoming a capable corner infielder if the Sox ever decided to work him there. -Swihart is an extremely athletic kid, one of those rare guys who it just seems like things come naturally to him, case in point he’s looked pretty solid in LF so far (albeit SSS) despite not having player there since HS. -Swihart has shown the makings of an excellent approach at the plate, there have been times where he seems like he is trying to do a little too much up there, but he’s young and he was rushed to the bigs last year, so that’s not really a big surprise. -Swihart has a great swing from both sides of the plate, righty seems a little more natural for him, but his lefty swing is excellent too. I’ve seen plenty of switch hitters who probably should reconsider switch hitting because the quality of their swing from one side isn’t close to as strong as the other. -As a catcher, especially one who was thrown into a sink or swim situation last season, the majority of your work and preparation has to go into preparing to call a game and scouting reports on other teams hitters and developing a game plan with your pitcher that night to get the other team out. As a LF, Swihart is going to be able to put time into his offensive game, there will undoubtedly be extra OF work for him, but that won’t compare timewise with what a catcher must do to prepare, and being able to spend more time working on his offensive game may have a big impact. -Not having to catch will mean a couple more things for Swihart, his legs will be fresher as the wear and tear from catching is significant, and Swihart will have a chance to play more consistently, as a catcher there is usually a 2 game on, 1 game off playing time split, sometimes it is tough to get in a groove with so many interruptions to your playing time (especially for a young player). -Lastly, Swihart doesn’t wearing batting gloves, how can you not love that! I think Swihart can be a big part of the Sox offense this year, and will become a good defensive LF with a little time. Well said, and I agree with all of it, except the premise Swihart remains an OFer. His value will be enhanced by what you wrote. Freed from the rigors of catching, he can work on his conditioning and hitting more. As he continues to mature, and that hit tool improves, his stock will rise. I like the CV/BS pair at Catcher, but I accept the premise he may provide more value in a trade to be accurate. Either way, the Sox win. I'm just happy to see him up, playing, and doing the job like the natural he is.
|
|
|
Post by jodyreidnichols on May 27, 2016 5:30:31 GMT -5
This thread is eerily similar to the "What can be done to fix the Sox?" thread when the answer was basically to just wait. Don't screw this up by trading everyone. We don't need a super team and we don't need Trout. The starters for the Sox have an ERA of 4.62, 22 out of 30 teams. That's about a third of a run below average. Simply because the positional players have been great hardly qualifies the team as a "super" or uber team short a starting pitcher. Clearly SP is the teams achilles heal and DD should be doing everything within reason to resolve this. In fact not at least seriously exploring this team weakness and you my as well be sticking your head in the sand to escape your enemies.
|
|
ericmvan
Veteran
Supposed to be working on something more important
Posts: 8,923
|
Post by ericmvan on May 27, 2016 7:35:01 GMT -5
This thread is eerily similar to the "What can be done to fix the Sox?" thread when the answer was basically to just wait. Don't screw this up by trading everyone. We don't need a super team and we don't need Trout. The starters for the Sox have an ERA of 4.62, 22 out of 30 teams. That's about a third of a run below average. Simply because the positional players have been great hardly qualifies the team as a "super" or uber team short a starting pitcher. Clearly SP is the teams achilles heal and DD should be doing everything within reason to resolve this. In fact not at least seriously exploring this team weakness and you my as well be sticking your head in the sand to escape your enemies. 1) Pretty clever, posting as if it were still 1986, when the fact that the team had played 60% of its games in Fenway Park might be ignored when evaluating the staff. Whereas nobody today would make that mistake. They're 17th in park-adjusted ERA. 2) I'm not sure I get the point of posting as if it were 2000 or so, when ERA would be considered a good way to judge the stuff. The starters rank 12th in SIERA, our best predictive stat. And that's despite the fact that SIERA uniquely underrates Steven Wright. 3) Eduardo Rodriguez is about to replace the guy with the worst ERA. So, you want to replace the guy with the second worst as well?
|
|
|
Post by dnfl333 on May 27, 2016 8:27:11 GMT -5
I feel like we should probably just keep Buchholz until at least this offseason. With Rich Hill being pretty much the only really good free agent SP, Buchholz could have pretty good value to teams that really need a starter. ? In your scenario the Sox would have to pick up yet another option at 13m. No thanks. Time to cut bait is now.
|
|
|
Post by okin15 on May 27, 2016 8:31:32 GMT -5
- Lastly, Swihart doesn’t wearing batting gloves, how can you not love that! I think Swihart can be a big part of the Sox offense this year, and will become a good defensive LF with a little time. It is refreshing to not see a guy take 10 minutes after a walk to unstrap everything from their bodies. Also, after a couple of hits in an inning, the 1st base coach is holding a sporting goods store. Ever since Mo started wearing that ENORMOUS elbow pad, I've felt that batters who get hit on the protective equipment (other than the helmet) shouldn't get a base, just a ball. Either that, or players should have to run wearing or carrying all the protective equipment they wear to the plate. And Eric, be cool man. No need to snark so hard! Seriously though, the poster isn't WRONG that SP has been a weakness. It's not like 17th, or 12th is really all that great -- though we should also adjust for league ('cause the DH); does SIERA do that already?
|
|
|
Post by mgoetze on May 27, 2016 11:13:22 GMT -5
we should also adjust for league ('cause the DH); does SIERA do that already? I believe Eric has at times added his own league adjustment to SIERA but it doesn't have one by default.
|
|
|