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Post by James Dunne on May 21, 2013 14:16:24 GMT -5
Before he was hurt (2006-2010) Drew hit .272/.332/.448. I believe he made one DL trip during that five year stretch, so it wasn't like he was injury prone. He played 150+ games in three of his first four full seasons. Drew's season numbers are much closer to his career ones, his pre-2011 injury ones, and really any other way you want to shake the leaves out of his statistical tree, than his extraordinarly small May sample.
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Post by bluechip on May 21, 2013 14:22:14 GMT -5
Again, Drew has changed his approach since his early 20s, demonstrating a better knowledge of the strike zone, and more patience overall. That is why I feel he is likely to have a good year.
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Post by fenwaythehardway on May 21, 2013 16:53:32 GMT -5
I'd prefer Napoli behind Ortiz myself. I'd also put Pedroia second. Victorino, with limited power but solid on-base ability, would make a pretty sensible leadoff hitter. I really don't think lineup construction is a serious problem with the Red Sox right now though. Ellsbury has been underperforming, but this isn't like that time where Grady Little had the three worst OBPs in the lineup in the three first spots. We're getting to the point where Ellsbury's struggles going back to last year are moving outside the small sample area, so I can see the calls to move him, but again, it's not 2003 - there isn't a Bill Mueller toiling away 8th in the order because the manager insists that he's comfortable there, unlike when he went 0 for 4 that one time he hit second. I still have nightmares about the Grady Little era. I don't really care about the order, but Gomes should never see another righty starter again in his life and Napoli/Victorino should probably sit for a few of them as well. Oh, but I guess it's more important that John Farrell "earn their trust" or whatever...
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danr
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Posts: 1,871
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Post by danr on May 21, 2013 19:08:51 GMT -5
Gomes hasn't shown any evidence so far that he is worth what he is being paid, and is worth even a roster spot, and I think time is running out.
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Post by Guidas on May 21, 2013 19:57:12 GMT -5
Who is this efficient strike-throwing machine going for Boston tonight?
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danr
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Post by danr on May 21, 2013 20:40:22 GMT -5
What is that word that used to be used on this site a lot to describe the Sox performance so far tonight?
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Post by honkbal on May 21, 2013 20:57:46 GMT -5
Gutless.
So, what's more surprising, the Red Sox hitting tonight, or the fact the Doubront's only thrown 85 pitches through 6.
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Post by fenwaythehardway on May 21, 2013 21:13:17 GMT -5
F-n Quintana... that creep can roll, man.
You know, Don Cooper doesn't really get that Dave Duncan/Leo Mazzoni miracle worker hype, but the White Sox manage to grab random guys off the street like Quintana and Axelrod and get credible seasons out of them. Then you've got the successful rehabilitation of Peavy, keeping Sale in the rotation when most teams didn't see him there, etc. He does a hell of a job.
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wcp3
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Post by wcp3 on May 21, 2013 21:36:19 GMT -5
I believe gutless is the word.
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Post by fenwaythehardway on May 21, 2013 21:41:50 GMT -5
Gutless? Sure. Heartless? Yep. Spineless? You bet. Bloodless? Certainly. Name a vital organ and the Red Sox have shown an appalling absence of it tonight.
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Post by marrcus on May 21, 2013 21:51:27 GMT -5
Well they've just had two good chances. I doubt they get a third here in the 9th. I really wanted to get two w's here against a not-so-hot Sox club. Now it looks like it's up to Clay to avoid a sweep.
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Post by welovewally on May 22, 2013 6:19:22 GMT -5
I've got to say that watching this team hit is frustrating. This whole "grind out at bats" & "get on base" might be good in theory but damn how about getting a hit with men on base. I don't think this is a very good hitting team. I'm sure someone here will be able to spin out some numbers to show me otherwise but I know what I've been watching & seeing.
Is Victorino the new J D Drew in RF? Overpaid & unable to stay in the lineup.
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Post by jmei on May 22, 2013 7:44:24 GMT -5
I've got to say that watching this team hit is frustrating. This whole "grind out at bats" & "get on base" might be good in theory but damn how about getting a hit with men on base. Because only hitters who don't grind out at bats and get on base get "clutch" hits? Relax. Teams go through stretches where they can't get that key hit. It's not like they're being three-hit every night-- the opportunities are there, they just need to take advantage of them.
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Post by bluechip on May 22, 2013 8:10:04 GMT -5
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Post by feez732 on May 22, 2013 8:10:27 GMT -5
I've got to say that watching this team hit is frustrating. This whole "grind out at bats" & "get on base" might be good in theory but damn how about getting a hit with men on base. I don't think this is a very good hitting team. I'm sure someone here will be able to spin out some numbers to show me otherwise but I know what I've been watching & seeing. Is Victorino the new J D Drew in RF? Overpaid & unable to stay in the lineup. They're top 5 in just about every important offensive category. If you're more sabermetrically inclined they're 4th in wOBA. If all you care about is results, they're 3rd in runs scored. I'll agree they're are some guys that are frustrating to watch at the moment, but on the whole, the offense has been and should continue to be solid.
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Post by welovewally on May 22, 2013 8:15:01 GMT -5
the opportunities are there, they just need to take advantage of them. I don't think the 25 man roster is built to take advantage of said opportunities.
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Post by redsox04071318champs on May 22, 2013 9:17:33 GMT -5
the opportunities are there, they just need to take advantage of them. I don't think the 25 man roster is built to take advantage of said opportunities. I found the Bosox' failures to hit a simple sac fly aggravating, too. David Ortiz hit into a killer DP. What do you say - should we trade him? The "patient grinding ABs" have nothing to do with "clutch hitting". You only watch the Red Sox consistently. I seriously doubt you watch the other teams - if you did, you'd realize that many times (too many for their own fanbases) their guys can't score with a runner on 3rd and less than 2 outs or get the "clutch" hit they need. Grinding patient AB teams are more likely to get runners on so that they have more chances to score while stupid hacking teams better take advantage of whatever opportunity they get because if they don't they won't get another chance.
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danr
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Posts: 1,871
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Post by danr on May 22, 2013 11:12:09 GMT -5
I think when Victorino is in the lineup, the Sox are a much better team. When he isn't, the lineup has too many holes. This is especially true with Ellsbury not hitting. There is too much reliance on Pedroia, Ortiz and, especially, Napoli.
Having Gomes batting second is ridiculous. There has to be a better OF available from somebody.
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Post by hammerhead on May 22, 2013 12:16:59 GMT -5
I think when Victorino is in the lineup, the Sox are a much better team. When he isn't, the lineup has too many holes. This is especially true with Ellsbury not hitting. There is too much reliance on Pedroia, Ortiz and, especially, Napoli. Having Gomes batting second is ridiculous. There has to be a better OF available from somebody. Yeah the better OF available is on a team named the Red Sox.... Pawtucket that is... Bryce Brentz can do everything Gomes can do except he should be able to do it better. Even Hazelbaker and Carp are better options than Gomes now.
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Post by James Dunne on May 22, 2013 12:22:12 GMT -5
Gomes has a higher OBP in the major leagues than Brentz has in Triple-A.
All of the Bryce Brentz talk is kind of funny, because he's not the best player in his own outfield. Jackie Bradley is quite clearly a better player, but he played poorly for two weeks and the new toy shine is off of him, so people are putting their affections elsewhere. Brentz is a Triple-A player right now. He struggles with advanced breaking and off-speed stuff. He's improving and may be ready to play in the major soon, but it's hard to think he's the answer right now.
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Post by mainesox on May 22, 2013 12:44:43 GMT -5
Gomes has a higher OBP in the major leagues than Brentz has in Triple-A. All of the Bryce Brentz talk is kind of funny, because he's not the best player in his own outfield. Jackie Bradley is quite clearly a better player, but he played poorly for two weeks and the new toy shine is off of him, so people are putting their affections elsewhere. Brentz is a Triple-A player right now. He struggles with advanced breaking and off-speed stuff. He's improving and may be ready to play in the major soon, but it's hard to think he's the answer right now. Bradley is also working his way back from his own injury, and isn't even playing the OF full time yet, so he's probably not really an option right now.
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Post by James Dunne on May 22, 2013 13:05:50 GMT -5
If we're talking about a short term replacement for Victorino to play three of four times this week and then go back to the minors, why not? The expectations are different this time, and the time frame would be more controlled. Not saying those were the reasons for his struggles the first time through, but I don't think the short term callup hurts him or the team.
Bigger concern for me with Brentz is this: adding him short term necessitates putting him on the 40-man roster. I don't think he's quite ready, which adds yet another player who both can't contribute or be DFA'd, cutting even further into the team's usable depth.
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Post by hammerhead on May 22, 2013 13:47:24 GMT -5
I rather give Brentz a taste that could actually help his development, then shuffle JBJ up to the big league and back, fresh off an injury. Let Jackie get his legs under him and have some stability. I would be all for bringing up JBJ if he hadn't just missed 2 weeks + and that injury came right on the heels of him being sent down the first time.
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Post by marrcus on May 22, 2013 14:33:34 GMT -5
Cafardo mentioned White Sox Alex Rios as a trade possibility Tues. I looked into what remains of his deal and it's still pretty bad:
2013-'15 12.5 million. 2015- 1M buyout
So you'd owe him roughly 20mil over 1 1/2 seasons. I never liked the guy (car .774 OPS) but he's a talent. If the situation became dire ... I don't see many available rhh OF's out there with a .928 OPS who'd poss' be available as a salary dump.
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Post by GyIantosca on May 22, 2013 15:19:09 GMT -5
Ells is killing us and the way things are going we might not even get that draft pick for him. I still think one team will bite. The Rangers will have a low pick maybe they get a deal with him. Boras is gonna have to work his magic.
I also wonder why today's game isn't a getwaway day game? They have to fly back after playing at 8 and all they get is one hour back from the time zone.
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