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2018 Spring Training Discussion
redsox04071318champs
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Post by redsox04071318champs on Feb 14, 2018 20:47:37 GMT -5
So today was the report day for pitchers and catchers and I went to the park to see what was going on. A couple of new things. First, you have to go through a metal detector to get to the back fields where the players were working out. Don't know if they will keep doing that once the major leaguers start practicing in the stadium or not, but I guess its a sign of the times and probably a good idea. Also, the concession stand in the middle of the minor league fields was open today and doing a brisk business. I have never seen that stand open before. One of the workers said it would stay open until the major leaguers started practicing inside the stadium. At one time or another, there were players on all 6 minor league fields. There were a few alumni present. I saw Tiant and Gedman for sure. I am pretty sure I saw Dwight Evans talking to our new manager and I heard someone saying they had just missed getting Pedro's autograph so I think he was there as well. Among the injury concerns for the pitchers, I saw Carson Smith and Tyler Thornburg both doing all the drills. I was particularly happy to see Thornburg looking good. Rodriguez was there and seemed to be walking well, but I did not see him running or in any drills. Porcello, Price, Sale, and Pomeranz were in one group together. The only pitcher I did not see that I was looking for was Wright. It could have been that he was in the one area I could not see well (there is an area between 2 of the minor league fields that has pitching mounds but is shielded from view by a green fence and he might have been there - that is where the big four starters spent most of their time). Still, I would feel better if I had seen Wright looking like he is ready to go. All of the main relief pitchers were present - Kimbrel, Kelly, Barnes, Hembree, Workman, Scott, Smith and Thornburg to name a few. There were a few major league position players taking BP on field 1, but they did not have their jerseys on and I am not good at picking them out without there names on their backs. Holt was definitely one of them. So if you are somewhere cold and snowy, know that spring is on the way. I think Pedro was there today. I saw a quick clip on NESN of Pedro working with David Price.
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Post by The Town Sports Cards on Feb 15, 2018 8:19:12 GMT -5
Great intel, thanks! I've never seen the concession stand out back open either. Makes sense they'd only open it for while the MLB'ers are out back - they'd definitely lose money opening it during minor league camp (but I think I'm speaking on behalf of everyone that it'd be SUPER convenient if it were open. Wright addressed the media today, so he was out there. Abraham said on Twitter that both Rodriguez and Wright were held out of drills and running today. Dombrowski said he doesn't know if either will be ready for opening day. In past years I know you like to get a copy of the minor league game schedule. I asked one of the Jet Blue Park people for one a few days ago and was told they are not out yet and will not be out until near the end of the month. I will check again and will share it with you if I get it. The Sox (and all their minor league affiliates) are always terrible about posting the MiLB ST schedule, thank you!
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Post by James Dunne on Feb 15, 2018 10:13:24 GMT -5
There's a 90% chance that I'm reading too much into this, but Price's comments yesterday and Betts' and Bogaerts' comments today seem to have an undercurrent of happiness that there's a new manager. Talking about not having fun last year and not necessarily always being professional. All three did a good job placing the blame on themselves rather than others, but it really feels like a subtext there.
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redsox04071318champs
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Post by redsox04071318champs on Feb 15, 2018 10:35:37 GMT -5
There's a 90% chance that I'm reading too much into this, but Price's comments yesterday and Betts' and Bogaerts' comments today seem to have an undercurrent of happiness that there's a new manager. Talking about not having fun last year and not necessarily always being professional. All three did a good job placing the blame on themselves rather than others, but it really feels like a subtext there. Kind of funny how that works. Remember 5 years ago when it was obvious how happy/relieved the players were that John Farrell was the manager and not Bobby Valentine? Guess that's the shelf life of a manager. I will say, though, the year before I don't remember there being happiness/relief that Bobby V was the new manager and that Terry Francona was gone.
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Post by James Dunne on Feb 15, 2018 10:41:49 GMT -5
Heh, that's a good point. It could also be like the time Steelers fans talked themselves into Tommy Maddox because he wasn't Kordell Stewart but then after a season or two realized that their quarterback was Tommy Maddox. A lot better than the guy he replaced, just not so much better that you'd consider him good.
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Post by Chris Hatfield on Feb 15, 2018 10:47:24 GMT -5
Great intel, thanks! I've never seen the concession stand out back open either. Makes sense they'd only open it for while the MLB'ers are out back - they'd definitely lose money opening it during minor league camp (but I think I'm speaking on behalf of everyone that it'd be SUPER convenient if it were open. Wright addressed the media today, so he was out there. Abraham said on Twitter that both Rodriguez and Wright were held out of drills and running today. Dombrowski said he doesn't know if either will be ready for opening day. In past years I know you like to get a copy of the minor league game schedule. I asked one of the Jet Blue Park people for one a few days ago and was told they are not out yet and will not be out until near the end of the month. I will check again and will share it with you if I get it. Been asking around for one for purposes of booking travel and have been told the same. Appreciate it though!
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Post by Addam603 on Feb 15, 2018 11:18:37 GMT -5
This is what I like to see. Tek talking with the catchers, Pedro chatting with Price, anyone seen Big Papi yet? Someone find him and put him in a room with Devers.
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Post by Addam603 on Feb 15, 2018 12:51:33 GMT -5
Cora has said that the top of the lineup is pretty much set with a 1-2 punch of Betts and Benintendi. Nothing controversial about the placement there, but that’s really going to put the pressure on Bogaerts, Hanley, and Devers to hit for power and drive them in.
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Post by pedrofanforever45 on Feb 15, 2018 12:56:13 GMT -5
Cora has said that the top of the lineup is pretty much set with a 1-2 punch of Betts and Benintendi. Nothing controversial about the placement there, but that’s really going to put the pressure on Bogaerts, Hanley, and Devers to hit for power and drive them in. Hopefully Martinez is hitting third by the end of camp....and Devers is hitting cleanup....
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Post by Chris Hatfield on Feb 15, 2018 13:16:35 GMT -5
Have a feeling this might get broken out into a thread, but here for now...
Betts RF Benintendi* LF Bogaerts SS Ramirez DH Moreland* 1B Devers 3B Bradley* CF Hernandez*/etc. 2B Vazquez C
To start, hoping Devers moves his way up the order? Good lord that lineup would look so much better with Martinez.
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gerry
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Post by gerry on Feb 15, 2018 14:28:18 GMT -5
Have a feeling this might get broken out into a thread, but here for now... Betts RF Benintendi* LF Bogaerts SS Ramirez DH Moreland* 1B Devers 3B Bradley* CF Hernandez*/etc. 2B Vazquez C To start, hoping Devers moves his way up the order? Good lord that lineup would look so much better with Martinez. I am hoping for this hard running, hard hitting, high OBP, run scoring lineup: Nunez Beni Betts Martinez Devers Bogaerts Moreland/Hanley Basquez Bradley
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giltg
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Post by giltg on Feb 15, 2018 15:15:58 GMT -5
It really depends on what the Sox do for a power bat if they signed somebody or trade for someone or just stick with what they have. I would like to have had a brain you but if that was possible it would already be done.
Mookie Bogaerts Benintendi Braun/Moustakas one year deal Devers Vazquez Moreland/Ramirez Nunez
If they don't sign JDM they might be able to afford Nunez and Moustakas.
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Post by wcsoxfan on Feb 15, 2018 15:16:21 GMT -5
Have a feeling this might get broken out into a thread, but here for now... Betts RF Benintendi* LF Bogaerts SS Ramirez DH Moreland* 1B Devers 3B Bradley* CF Hernandez*/etc. 2B Vazquez C To start, hoping Devers moves his way up the order? Good lord that lineup would look so much better with Martinez. Starting at 3 through 1 you have 2 righties, 4 lefties then 2 righties. If you swap Vazquez with Hernandez and move Moreland or Devers up to cleanup, it balances a fair bit better.
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Post by jimed14 on Feb 15, 2018 15:47:15 GMT -5
There's a 90% chance that I'm reading too much into this, but Price's comments yesterday and Betts' and Bogaerts' comments today seem to have an undercurrent of happiness that there's a new manager. Talking about not having fun last year and not necessarily always being professional. All three did a good job placing the blame on themselves rather than others, but it really feels like a subtext there. I just read the Xander/Mookie article and was about to bring up the same point. It absolutely is an indication that Farrell had to go. Cora should be the perfect choice for helping in this area.
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Post by jimed14 on Feb 15, 2018 15:54:50 GMT -5
Cora has said that the top of the lineup is pretty much set with a 1-2 punch of Betts and Benintendi. Nothing controversial about the placement there, but that’s really going to put the pressure on Bogaerts, Hanley, and Devers to hit for power and drive them in. I understand that Houston is very advanced metrics oriented and that putting Mookie first pretty much looks the same as the Astros batting Springer first, but I still don't get the reasoning for putting one of the best power hitters in the leadoff spot. It's a lot easier to put a lineup together in Houston because all of the hitters are so good. (their regulars' ISOs ranged from .170 to .239). I still think Bogaerts belongs at leadoff until his power starts showing up consistently.
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Post by Chris Hatfield on Feb 15, 2018 16:34:57 GMT -5
Have a feeling this might get broken out into a thread, but here for now... Betts RF Benintendi* LF Bogaerts SS Ramirez DH Moreland* 1B Devers 3B Bradley* CF Hernandez*/etc. 2B Vazquez C To start, hoping Devers moves his way up the order? Good lord that lineup would look so much better with Martinez. Starting at 3 through 1 you have 2 righties, 4 lefties then 2 righties. If you swap Vazquez with Hernandez and move Moreland or Devers up to cleanup, it balances a fair bit better. Forgot Devers was a LHH there. Good call. Also, folks, let's not get too crazy with the "they should go sign for/trade for player X" when talking about the lineup.
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Post by soxfanatic on Feb 15, 2018 16:50:17 GMT -5
Starting at 3 through 1 you have 2 righties, 4 lefties then 2 righties. If you swap Vazquez with Hernandez and move Moreland or Devers up to cleanup, it balances a fair bit better. Forgot Devers was a LHH there. Good call.Also, folks, let's not get too crazy with the "they should go sign for/trade for player X" when talking about the lineup. Dude...
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Post by jmei on Feb 15, 2018 16:51:22 GMT -5
Forgot Devers was a LHH there. Good call.Also, folks, let's not get too crazy with the "they should go sign for/trade for player X" when talking about the lineup. Dude... Take a lap, Hatfield.
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Post by jmei on Feb 15, 2018 16:53:33 GMT -5
Cora has said that the top of the lineup is pretty much set with a 1-2 punch of Betts and Benintendi. Nothing controversial about the placement there, but that’s really going to put the pressure on Bogaerts, Hanley, and Devers to hit for power and drive them in. I understand that Houston is very advanced metrics oriented and that putting Mookie first pretty much looks the same as the Astros batting Springer first, but I still don't get the reasoning for putting one of the best power hitters in the leadoff spot. It's a lot easier to put a lineup together in Houston because all of the hitters are so good. (their regulars' ISOs ranged from .170 to .239). I still think Bogaerts belongs at leadoff until his power starts showing up consistently. Pro: gets the player who is likely their best overall offensive player more PAs. Con: he is less likely to hit with runners on base. In an ideal world, I think you hit Betts second and one of Bogaerts/Pedroia/Benintendi leadoff. But hitting Betts first and Benintendi instead probably isn't too much worse a lineup.
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Post by Chris Hatfield on Feb 15, 2018 17:18:19 GMT -5
Heh. Don't confuse "forgot to mark Devers as a LHH" with "I thought Devers hit right-handed." Remember, I'm the one here with the Devers crush.
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Post by jerrygarciaparra on Feb 15, 2018 18:37:09 GMT -5
There's a 90% chance that I'm reading too much into this, but Price's comments yesterday and Betts' and Bogaerts' comments today seem to have an undercurrent of happiness that there's a new manager. Talking about not having fun last year and not necessarily always being professional. All three did a good job placing the blame on themselves rather than others, but it really feels like a subtext there. It is hard not to come to that conclusion. I agree. That said, Farrell appears to be an old school manager, who may not have felt comfortable playing a paternal role in that fashion. I think everyone finally saw a change had to be made, as his messages may not have been listened to. Hope Cora can help these guys in that fashion, if they need it.
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Post by Coreno on Feb 15, 2018 18:53:46 GMT -5
I am hoping for this hard running, hard hitting, high OBP, run scoring lineup: Nunez Beni Betts Martinez Devers Bogaerts Moreland/Hanley Basquez Bradley Not sure if you can use the "high OBP" label on a lineup with a .320 career OBP guy hitting leadoff
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Post by jmei on Feb 15, 2018 19:04:51 GMT -5
I moved some Nunez discussion into that thread.
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Post by Addam603 on Feb 16, 2018 10:58:01 GMT -5
Hanley saying all the right things this spring training. Talking about how he effectively had one arm last year and is fully healthy right now. Able to make throws from first and expects a bounce back year. Getting 2016 Hanley would be a massive win for this team.
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radiohix
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Post by radiohix on Feb 16, 2018 11:19:56 GMT -5
Your first "Best Shape Of His Life" declaration of 2018 ST?
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