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.
Recent Posts
|
Post by m1keyboots on May 10, 2015 17:38:24 GMT -5
I am not the biggest clay fan. But is it just me or did the guy get no calls, frustrating to watch. Also, I love mooks in center, and want him to develop. But if you have possibly the best defensive center fielder in the game, why leave him in rf? I feel like if Jackie doesn't hit right away him chasing down bullets in center is the thing that keeps his confidence.
Edit for some spelling and other ppl already saying the same thing about clay
|
|
|
Post by m1keyboots on May 6, 2015 13:54:43 GMT -5
I think it's fair to say that E-Rod, Owens, and Johnson all have limited innings in AAA, and all have their question marks that are discussed in many other threads on this board. And as far as Barnes, most have him pegged as a future bullpen arm. So if the question is, "Is there someone who is absolutely major league ready to pitch 7 good-to-decent inning every 5 days starting tomorrow?", I would have to agree with Bradford. However I think by July guys like Owens, Johnson, and E-Rod should have shown enough to change that. There are very few questions left about Rodriguez, at least for me. While a few more games would help to nail it down, his stuff and control both seem to be big-league ready. I'll say it again, lefthanders who can dial it up to 97, with good to very good secondary stuff don't grow on trees. I don't think we have a good idea of what his ceiling is just yet, but it could be high. That's the only question I have at this point. A poster stated that the lefty trio would be hard pressed to go 5+, I personally feel like Brian Johnson and Rodriguez can get into the 6th and 7th, as deterioration of their stuff hasn't been much of an issue if at all. Johnson has the college experience and moxy, and Rodriguez (this may totally be me, but looks as if is on a strict pitch count of around 90 and still goes 6+) doesnt lose the velocity. It seems like there have been several starts where Justin or Rick, even Kelly get through 4,5 and then implode. So while I like Kelly and Miley, and see them at least evening out, I believe Rodriguez absolutely is ready, more so than Johnson bc of pure stuff. Even Rodriguez on an off day (91-93 with 2 average-ish secondaries) is major league starter. I love wright and all, and have a man crush on average lefties who mow ppl down-johnson-. I hope Rodriguez is the first call for the first spot start, haven't seen that kind of stuff from a lefty since 2011 Lester, dialing it up to 97 with the 92 cutter. Edit. Seen that kind of stuff in Fenway
|
|
|
Post by m1keyboots on Apr 26, 2015 7:17:07 GMT -5
He's 25 years old and passed over high and seems to still be piling up the numbers in AA . He has a good handle of the strike zone but power has fallen off a bit. Is there a bit of Youk in him? idk about youk, but the guy has been hitting for a year plus. I doubt hell see much time in sox uni, but Souza showed whay late bloomers can be (though he was much more highly touted)
|
|
|
Post by m1keyboots on Apr 24, 2015 21:18:28 GMT -5
Jeez MANLEY Ramirez looks bigger now than a week ago.
|
|
|
Post by m1keyboots on Apr 24, 2015 21:14:12 GMT -5
A better defensive shortstop gets that ball. A reminder that Holt isn't perfect, I guess. yeah, I cut Brock some slack, but even bogey zi believe would have scooped that on the run
|
|
|
Post by m1keyboots on Apr 21, 2015 22:23:04 GMT -5
Space is quickly becoming limited on the official Brian Johnson bandwagon. Hop aboard now. all of a sudden his average 4 pitch mix will play well in the league. All the while he hasn't changed much and keeps chugging along. Id love to compare him to a mark mulder-lite Stuf and command wise. Like many I've been on the wagon. We can ease off the brakes and start the hype. As well as margot, swi, Deven, HO, E-rod, uhhh, devers longhi and guerra. Secretly crushing on asaujes wagon
|
|
|
Post by m1keyboots on Apr 21, 2015 22:18:39 GMT -5
Is it just me, or does miley seem like the kind of guy who with command has the ability to go 8 innings on regular basis? Mookie is slumping, Pedey, papi, and Nap are not THIS bad (Pedey is actually propping up a decent slash line) victo will be gone for rusney and we're being carried by Hanley "guns" ram, and hanigan. Things aren't really falling together except for the bullpen for the most part, and we're still 9-5. Knock on wood. I'm super optimistic especially since many of the homeruns the starters have been giving up are not exactly bombs, homeruntracker proves I'm not biased on that. Can't wait til it warms up.
|
|
|
Post by m1keyboots on Apr 19, 2015 20:55:47 GMT -5
I don't think it's really accurate to say that Moyer just threw a fastball and a slowball. In the PITCHf/x era (2007-2012), Moyer threw what the algorithms identified as a fastball, a cutter, a sinker, a curveball, and a changeup. Even colloquially, he was known for being a junkballer who kept you off balance by throwing a little bit of everything. I didn't come back to gloat, bc ranaudo hasn't lit it up either, but by that I meant at the end of his career, his offspeed stuff wasn't fooling anyone. His "junk" pitches seemed to growing to similair to themselves. IE, a 76mpH "sinker" isn't much different than a 70mph changeup or 72mpH changeup that he cuts. It seemed to work when he was able to keep the "fastball" around 82 ish. But I haven't seen any non submariners get by with the junk Moyer was throwing up there when the fastball is sitting 75 and the change 68. My adult blue grey league (which had Pete Schourek, Emmanuel burriss among others) ! Seemed to have guys with better stuff. Although I could never know. But I did take pere to rf for a triple. Claim. To. Fame.
|
|
|
Post by m1keyboots on Apr 13, 2015 20:15:31 GMT -5
Man, seeing the defense thay mooks somehow came up with in 10 months almost, ALMOST, makes me forget about JBJ cf defense. Which is the best I've seen live or on TV (yes I'm biased).
|
|
|
Post by m1keyboots on Mar 20, 2015 23:13:01 GMT -5
I think he meant teams might pay attention moreto a guy with good receiving skills, similair to when teams started valuing guys with great on base skills. The emphasis didn't necessarily make guys better at seeing pitches we just saw more of those guys get opportunities. I do think, that framing pictures might be an easier skill to acquire than having a great/accurate arm, This is at the catcher's position I'm speaking of. Of course guys can refine their mechanics and do arm-strength exercises. But a cannon cannot be taught or practiced, whereas framing might be a more teachable skill. I don't know if any of that made sense. I can see the argument that, as pitch-framing becomes more highly valued, perhaps more good-framing, bad-offense guys will enter the league, just like the OBP revolution caused a lot more good-OBP, bad-defense/contact guys into the league. But that transition shouldn't really hurt Swihart's relative value, since he's a guy who projects to both be both a good framer and a good hitter. I do think framing is more teachable to an extent than velocity or raw power, but that doesn't mean it's easy to teach/learn. I mean, you could say the same thing about routes in the outfield (i.e., just be like JBJ and power-shag before games-- it's just catching the ball!) or footwork at the infield positions (just practice it a lot!) or pitch recognition (just do the video-game-esque pitch recognition exercises that are en vogue these days!). Yes, they're teachable, but that doesn't mean that every player can just practice harder and get better at it. There are legitimate physical skills involved that not every catcher will possess (visual acuity to track the ball, hand/wrist strength to catch it firmly, fine motor skills to bring it back over the zone), and just like free throw shooting in the NBA, some guys just won't take well to it for whatever reason. Maybe as coaches and players emphasize framing more, the league-wide level of framing might improve a little, but I'm skeptical that it'd change enough to meaningfully diminish Vazquez or Swihart's value.I must have missed the point on how it is meaningful distinguishing between swihart. it's such a fine line when you're trying to distinguish between the talent, and the learning capabilities of such player. I'm just a firm believer in Vasquez innate ability to frame pitches, compared to sweethearts ability to catch on to a skill
|
|
|
Post by m1keyboots on Mar 20, 2015 15:08:43 GMT -5
So this I understand, but just because something is adjusted to league average doesn't change my point. Let me try to put it another way. League average only takes into account what's' in the league right now. Pitch framing is so new and was never looked at before very recently, that there is an extreme market inefficiency created that will probably be corrected within a couple years because it's not that difficult a skill (complete opinion). So if that's the case then the guys who have that great advantage now will lose most of that value gained. I also think that if teams want a defense first player or a player who gets a lot of value from defense then they can easily get that, but they won't do it because they don't value it as much as WAR does. It's why players with similar WAR who's value comes from defense get paid less than someone where that value comes with the bat. As mentioned, there's no reason to think it's an easy skill to learn. Even before the framing stats came out, being a good receiver was a heavily-emphasized part of teaching catcher defense. Just like the emergence of defensive stats which allow you to quantify defense and compare it to offense did not significantly improve the overall quality of defense in the league, the emergence of framing stats won't greatly improve the quality of framing as a whole. As for the second part: while there are some teams who still undervalue defense, the league as a whole has been more than willing to give money and playing time to defense-first players. It's why Jose Molina started half the season for the Rays last year despite literally being one of the worse hitters in baseball history or why Jason Heyward fetched a hefty trade package and looks like he'll get paid $150m+ next year. I think he meant teams might pay attention moreto a guy with good receiving skills, similair to when teams started valuing guys with great on base skills. The emphasis didn't necessarily make guys better at seeing pitches we just saw more of those guys get opportunities. I do think, that framing pictures might be an easier skill to acquire than having a great/accurate arm, This is at the catcher's position I'm speaking of. Of course guys can refine their mechanics and do arm-strength exercises. But a cannon cannot be taught or practiced, whereas framing might be a more teachable skill. I don't know if any of that made sense. Edited for terrible typing
|
|
|
Post by m1keyboots on Mar 5, 2015 16:49:21 GMT -5
This stuff really is great, and what makes it better is so much of it matches what I've(we've) seen in Salem and Pawtucket, or wherever. Even up to physical description, body type/build (apart from the weight sometimes), and even demeanor.
It's obvious whoever took the original notes was there to see these guys in person. IE, Cosart does have a very unique 3/4 jab and sling type thing going. Great work guys. Makes me look like I'm working so hard at the computer, clicklickclickclick.
|
|
|
Post by m1keyboots on Mar 1, 2015 2:20:00 GMT -5
Uh, Harang is a righty... I was testing you and you passed....barely. That's kind of embarrasing....had it in my mind he was a lefty for some reason. Do I get any pointS for the orinigal post? I didn't want to seem like a know it all with the harang being righty. MiddLing changeup, no high leg kick. 91 ish fb, plus muldy and owens HD similair deivory inconsistencies early . Plus harang seemed like the guy hitters use as a pitcher for the Home Run Derby
|
|
|
Post by m1keyboots on Feb 26, 2015 0:36:44 GMT -5
Folks, a few paragraphs in long posts makes them much easier to read. And the composition classes I took to get my degree make it easier to convert people to my (later recanted ) opinion New paragraph To contribute to this thread, I'll say that I wonder if the Sox are hoping for a big year out of Hanley or Panda. In order to trade them and open up room. Hanley especially. New paragraph If Hanley rakes, his contract looks a but more friendly, and opens up room for Betts/Moncada, even role players that may still be around (nava). Would anyone be devastated to see hanram go after a good year dare I say half year (as opposed to beltre) I'm not familiar with the no-trade clauses but he seems like a mercenary type mentality player. Also as high on Sandoval being that HUGE CORNER IF OR DH LEFTY bat people are ready to pencil him in as now. These guys could really be pieces for us New paragraph I see hanram and panda in the win now mode, but much more expendable otherwise
|
|
|
Post by m1keyboots on Feb 26, 2015 0:25:33 GMT -5
OK! I'm going to put away my bullwhip, then. Seriously, you're not the only one who hadn't made the connection. This is a different beast, and you'll want to check out what John Henry said about the deal. He knows a little about risk and reward and he decided this was a good place to put his money. I can't argue with his logic. Consider me slightly more informed.
|
|
|
Post by m1keyboots on Feb 24, 2015 16:46:22 GMT -5
I need to seriously apologize, I completely forgot that his minor league contract takes absolutely no money out of the major league payroll. I was unaware of this. And as money was a big arguing point for me on this. I'm going to jump on this bandwagon a little bit late. ::walks behind the couch with tail tucked between legs::
|
|
|
Post by m1keyboots on Feb 24, 2015 16:31:52 GMT -5
With the team we put together of guys in their prime, or pre-prime, I don't see where he fits in. Someone is going to get tradedx and there is a lot of investment in thr infield. Pablo Doesn't WANT to dh despite what ppl seem to think he'll so gladly Accept. He wants to play third. I can dig that considering how good he can be there. Pedey is not moving off second unless he god forbid serves into Fenway park, and bogaerts is believed to be our next middle of the order power bat. If the outfield implodes and Moncada wants to play left in 3 years, color me pinstripes and call me stupid Ben Carsley at BP explains the flaws in this logjam argument: I always appreciate your input, as it's usually backed up and we'll articulated. Moncada being some time away (or perhaps not much time at all), with uncertainty on whether he'll even pan out to even a poor man's neil walker (despite people rahrah-ing about his tools) just worries me. We lowballed lester then took huge chances in terms of money (relatively) and time, twice with the two imports. With what amounts to paying around 100 ish milion total to a guy who was literally an average player in a league where SOME pitchers throw high 70's, low 80's with some junk (albiet at 17) and has been out of baseball for a year. It just seems overkill. Was anyone as devastated when we didn't sign a abreu/puig/tomas as they seem to be ecstatic and over the moon about this? I can see FO strategy regarding scoring runs, and understand other people's arguements for signing Moncada and hopefully somehow all these signings net us Jzimm, or Cueto. I don't question BC's strategy as much as the blind support for basically committing that much time and money to a guy who hasn't done much. I hope I'm wrong and in 4 years panda is smiling at first/dh, moncada is doing his machado impression at third etc etc and bingo was his name-o. In some people's response to my previous posts, YM would stay in MILB, and then we'd have devers margot bogey betts Moncada at 22 etc and being happy about it. Then what good apart from ticket sales at providence did YM do? He could easily test the market and make bank if hes a great player, and were thr team that paid him that much to season him and get a few years of his ability at most in that scenario. And as far as veterans having to deal with moving off a comfortable postion, there have been many examples of someone moving positions and being disgruntled, ineffective and dare I say cancerous. Sole thrive, but the ones that come to mind are HOF caliber players. It's hard to debate this with people that seem to have an answer for everything (not you jmei), I just can't see how saying 30,60,100 mil ain't that important if he's cano. Well of course it isnt, then let's pay devers a bundle of money now (impossible but the only example I can think of) Whew. If YM was a couple years older, a bit more proven, and ml ready i would certainly agree with stockpiling offense and asking questions later when it comes to this.
|
|
|
Post by m1keyboots on Feb 24, 2015 0:30:04 GMT -5
I said it before originally, I don't think the moncada signing should be so universally praised, not trying to be pessimistic. I happen to believe hell be ready in 1-2 years max. Likely less. With the team we put together of guys in their prime, or pre-prime, I don't see where he fits in. Someone is going to get tradedx and there is a lot of investment in thr infield. Pablo Doesn't WANT to dh despite what ppl seem to think he'll so gladly Accept. He wants to play third. I can dig that considering how good he can be there. Pedey is not moving off second unless he god forbid serves into Fenway park, and bogaerts is believed to be our next middle of the order power bat. If the outfield implodes and Moncada wants to play left in 3 years, color me pinstripes and call me stupid
|
|
|
Post by m1keyboots on Feb 24, 2015 0:13:09 GMT -5
there never will be, but proven good starters are worth more than unproven, hyped kids. I'd love to see him turn out to be puig, but I just worry about the fact he can never tread water in triple a, or advance in several years. Which is when we'd likely stick him at third (given the semiperfect storm in which Napoli is gone, panda wants to dh, and Hanley wants to play first. None of these are givens. I just see so much happiness on the board about signing him and I can see the excitement. Id be ecstatic with Hanley at 1st, Moncada at 3rd, Pablo at dh/3b/fb, and betts rusney and whoever else out there in a few years. It just seems like it's askin a lot and granted that's only one scenario, if he pans out. Judt worries me so many people are hemming and hawing that anyone would dare have doubts bc we just signed the next possible superstar. This is the only forum I can vent my concern with mostly informative and constructive feedback. Edit:I wasn't suggesting a 19 yo old pitcher his age and talent level st that contract not sure where you got that from. I spoke of a proven ml starter, which it seems are much Harder to find than "young Cuban future superstars" jury is still out on the castillos,tomas', Moncada of this world and it takes me bsck to how highly viciedo was hyped. So your point is I want the Red Sox to go after proven good starters as they are worth more than unproven, hyped kids. However isn't there a problem with that stance? Most proven MLB starters (And I am guessing you are talking the top tier of aces) are going to get nearly three to three and half times what the Red Sox paid for Moncada. So this wasn't a well if we paid $60MM for Moncada we could have used that to sign a super star pitcher. The only one that went for that amount was James Shields. Do you want to spend frivolously on large 'proven' contracts? Given the injury history, particularly with pitching, you are one blown elbow away from a terrible contract and you go from wanting proven starters to where is the youth movement? The Red Sox have put together an offseason where they hope to blend both veteran signings with young talent. That way they aren't crippled if the veterans are injured repeatedly (See the situation in New York) or get burned by underperforming young talent. At the end of the day no one is disputing that Moncada is unproven. However the Red Sox have put together a collection of assets that have a better than not chance of at least a few of those guys working out quite well. Between Swihart, Betts, Moncada, Castillo, Bogaerts, Vazquez, Owens, Rodriguez and Barnes they have a handful of talent that is on the MLB level or very nearly there. Will all of those guys turn into superstar type talents? Very likely no if they did that then the Red Sox have a dynasty on their hands similar to what the Yankees did in the 90s. However proven pitching is difficult to obtain regardless of where you are at. Either you give up very talented assets in young prospects or you pay a boat load of money. If you don't have a great farm system option one is off the table and option two presents its own challenges given those contracts you are likely paying for the decline of a pitcher. I think you are being way too critical here. you misunderstood my criticism by directly relsting it to this years pitching crop and all i was saying is a 30 million mistake is a little different than Manuel margot, or Rafael devers slumming it in the ml down the road. I stated before I just think it's a high risk, high reward gamble, that Maybe it isn't something that should be universally praised, as it seems to be... I guess im not part of the group that's happy that Moncada will be 24 when Pablo is done, that's a lot of Money to hit for providence or part time for the Bosox (assuming Pablo does well which I happen to think he will)
|
|
|
Post by m1keyboots on Feb 24, 2015 0:11:05 GMT -5
I happen to believe his contract notwithstanding, he's ready for the bug leagues in a year or so. then what. Have him in the minors another year for however many million. I just feel like they're going after the wrong type of players. IE a pitcher. And people can make claims tht it's trade ammunition what does that say about ppl that want to sign here? If Moncada is ready to play in the bug leagues, the only possible place for him is as at third. I'm glad people are seeing the sunny side up part of this, I just don't see a lot of common sense behind it If the Red Sox are choosing between Moncada and a 19 year old pitcher out there to sign for nothing but money that's a similar caliber to Moncada, I'd agree. But there isn't, and there likely never will be ever again. there never will be, but proven good starters are worth more than unproven, hyped kids. I'd love to see him turn out to be puig, but I just worry about the fact he can never tread water in triple a, or advance in several years. Which is when we'd likely stick him at third (given the semiperfect storm in which Napoli is gone, panda wants to dh, and Hanley wants to play first. None of these are givens. I just see so much happiness on the board about signing him and I can see the excitement. Id be ecstatic with Hanley at 1st, Moncada at 3rd, Pablo at dh/3b/fb, and betts rusney and whoever else out there in a few years. It just seems like it's askin a lot and granted that's only one scenario, if he pans out. Judt worries me so many people are hemming and hawing that anyone would dare have doubts bc we just signed the next possible superstar. This is the only forum I can vent my concern with mostly informative and constructive feedback.
|
|
|
Post by m1keyboots on Feb 23, 2015 19:19:23 GMT -5
I happen to believe his contract notwithstanding, he's ready for the bug leagues in a year or so. then what. Have him in the minors another year for however many million. I just feel like they're going after the wrong type of players. IE a pitcher. And people can make claims tht it's trade ammunition what does that say about ppl that want to sign here? If Moncada is ready to play in the bug leagues, the only possible place for him is as at third. I'm glad people are seeing the sunny side up part of this, I just don't see a lot of common sense behind it If the Red Sox are choosing between Moncada and a 19 year old pitcher out there to sign for nothing but money that's a similar caliber to Moncada, I'd agree. But there isn't, and there likely never will be ever again. there never will be, but proven good starters are worth more than unproven, hyped kids. I'd love to see him turn out to be puig, but I just worry about the fact he can never tread water in triple a, or advance in several years. Which is when we'd likely stick him at third (given the semiperfect storm in which Napoli is gone, panda wants to dh, and Hanley wants to play first. None of these are givens. I just see so much happiness on the board about signing him and I can see the excitement. Id be ecstatic with Hanley at 1st, Moncada at 3rd, Pablo at dh/3b/fb, and betts rusney and whoever else out there in a few years. It just seems like it's askin a lot and granted that's only one scenario, if he pans out. Judt worries me so many people are hemming and hawing that anyone would dare have doubts bc we just signed the next possible superstar. This is the only forum I can vent my concern with mostly informative and constructive feedback. Edit:I wasn't suggesting a 19 yo old pitcher his age and talent level st that contract not sure where you got that from. I spoke of a proven ml starter, which it seems are much Harder to find than "young Cuban future superstars" jury is still out on the castillos,tomas', Moncada of this world and it takes me bsck to how highly viciedo was hyped.
|
|
|
Post by m1keyboots on Feb 23, 2015 19:10:38 GMT -5
I happen to believe his contract notwithstanding, he's ready for the bug leagues in a year or so. then what. Have him in the minors another year for however many million. I just feel like they're going after the wrong type of players. IE a pitcher. And people can make claims tht it's trade ammunition what does that say about ppl that want to sign here? If Moncada is ready to play in the bug leagues, the only possible place for him is as at third. I'm glad people are seeing the sunny side up part of this, I just don't see a lot of common sense behind it I mean any time you're worried that a team might have too many good players you're probably overthinking it. Maybe not too much talent, but too many Imovable contracts/unproven expensive inexperienced commodities, just a lack of focus on what we'd need. I'm just throwing it out there
|
|
|
Post by m1keyboots on Feb 23, 2015 17:13:46 GMT -5
With a team that strives for continuity, having this many people competing for the same jobs all over the field. One has to wonder when it passes ""they push eachothe", and "it's freading crowded" He's not crowding anyone out though. If anything, he probably slots nicely into that prospect bubble in the mid-minors. He'll be well ahead of Chavis and Devers, who are maybes to even break camp with the Drive. The infielders projected to be in Salem and Portland are not nearly as good as Moncada prospect-wise. Now, when guys actually converge on the MLB roster at the same time as productive MLB'ers you deal with it then. I happen to believe his contract notwithstanding, he's ready for the bug leagues in a year or so. then what. Have him in the minors another year for however many million. I just feel like they're going after the wrong type of players. IE a pitcher. And people can make claims tht it's trade ammunition what does that say about ppl that want to sign here? If Moncada is ready to play in the bug leagues, the only possible place for him is as at third. I'm glad people are seeing the sunny side up part of this, I just don't see a lot of common sense behind it
|
|
|
Post by m1keyboots on Feb 23, 2015 14:57:07 GMT -5
With a team that strives for continuity, having this many people competing for the same jobs all over the field. One has to wonder when it passes "they push eachother" into, "it's freaking crowded"
|
|
|
Post by m1keyboots on Feb 22, 2015 22:26:20 GMT -5
It's hard to believe people thinking the ; Bosox should can Ben if another down year happens. I would think winning the world series and making several trades that fans here, and elsewhere agree with would, alone give Ben some breathing room.
|
|
|