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Post by ghostofrussgibson on Oct 29, 2018 5:14:59 GMT -5
What a way to cap off an historic season! Everyone stepped up at varying times. On to next year!
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Post by ghostofrussgibson on Oct 28, 2018 12:49:35 GMT -5
I went to bed early (I'm old)... but woke up as Boston tried to close it out in the ninth. Sure looked like Kimbrel was gassed. I write this to point out how impressed I was with Devers' play on Machado. When it was hit I figured it wouldn't be fielded cleanly. But it was! Then... it would be too late to get the runner. Nope! What a play by Devers! Someone needs to sit Machado down and 'splain the game. No way he should have clipped the innermost portion of the bag (and Pierce's heel) when he had the entire rest of the base and was running through the base... not rounding the base while headed for second. Machado toiled in obscurity in Baltimore, but this big stage is showcasing what an absolute dirty punk this joker is.
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Post by ghostofrussgibson on Oct 23, 2018 16:50:10 GMT -5
Here is small sample size of why Machado is one of the dirtiest and most hated players in MLB. Get your boos in early, often and loud. Beat LA! Years ago he'd be called a "fiery Latino." But that's no longer politically correct. So now, let's just call him what he is: a dirty player, a punk. To a degree, he's LA's version of the Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand. Very talented, but can't seem to keep it between the lines, so to speak.
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Post by ghostofrussgibson on Oct 19, 2018 16:58:35 GMT -5
I'm really glad to see this thread. I was thinking about it at work today. Nice problem to have, primarily since JBJ just won the ALCS MVP. Didn't Boston put Ortiz at first some years back? That was his "normal" position if he had to play the field, so was Ortiz much better as a slow footed big guy at first than a more mobile JD? I'd be very leery of putting JD at first if he'd never played that role. Yes, he's a major league player and not some beer league softball player, but first base seems to have been a +++ from a defensive standpoint during these playoffs.
The solution? It's above my pay grade, but I'd consider trying Betts at second and putting JD in the outfield. Wasn't it the 68 Tigers who moved Mickey Stanley from the outfield to shortstop for the series? Was it due to injury or simply because Detroit's SS sucked? (Ray Oyler?)
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Post by ghostofrussgibson on Oct 18, 2018 19:06:49 GMT -5
Enjoying the site! I've contributed a bit in the past. Please keep the good info coming!
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Post by ghostofrussgibson on Oct 18, 2018 16:18:03 GMT -5
Can our hitting compensate for what would seem to be a shaky pitching matchup? Wouldn't be the first time big things came from unusual characters (JBJ). I'm thinking/hoping our pitching steps up a notch and locks this one down in a 5-3 win. Then again, I'm basing my retirement on winning the lottery, so there's that...
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Post by ghostofrussgibson on Oct 14, 2018 8:54:20 GMT -5
One good thing about playoff baseball vs football (or the NCAA hoops tournament)... it's not a one & done arrangement. Neither team got here by accident. Boston needs this next one, though. Losing the first two at home is a huge hole.
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Post by ghostofrussgibson on Sept 25, 2018 20:23:13 GMT -5
I agree there ought to be a way to pay minor leaguers a bit more, especially in light of the huge $$$ in play at the MLB level.
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Post by ghostofrussgibson on Sept 17, 2018 19:22:14 GMT -5
Low cost investment... high potential return. Pats don't "need" him to be the man. He's gone if he doesn't stay clean and keep his head in the game. I like this move, primarily based on what NE had to give up... PLUS the cost control NE maintains. His speed, combined with Dorsett's speed, gives NE a couple of burners to stretch the field. Opens things up for Gronk, Edelman and the running backs to work underneath.
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Post by ghostofrussgibson on Sept 7, 2018 16:46:36 GMT -5
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Post by ghostofrussgibson on Sept 3, 2018 8:11:13 GMT -5
None of the affiliates made the playoffs. Between past trades, injuries, suspensions and even tragedy (Flores) this was truly a down year in the minors. Let's hope for a nice rebound in 2019!
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Post by ghostofrussgibson on Aug 15, 2018 19:04:37 GMT -5
That Ocuna HBP was wrong on multiple levels. Let's see how Urena or his teammates fare.
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Post by ghostofrussgibson on Aug 9, 2018 13:21:16 GMT -5
I'll be at tomorrow's (Friday) Dash game vs Potomac. The Salem Red Sox visit Winston-Salem late this month... the final home stand for our local Winston-Salem Dash (White Sox High-A). I'll be there for a couple of those games with the Red Sox. Over the years I've enjoyed seeing a good number of Boston's prospects make their way up the ladder to Fenway (or elsewhere as trade bait).
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Post by ghostofrussgibson on Aug 9, 2018 13:16:44 GMT -5
Omar Vizquel's lineup card for Winston-Salem.
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Post by ghostofrussgibson on Jul 25, 2018 19:50:19 GMT -5
Go to a hard cap with both a salary cap ceiling and a floor. Make that cap number a % of revenue or some pre-determined figure. Players would be assured of earning their piece of the pie, while teams couldn't blow others out by spending more (incurring penalties). Puts teams on a level playing field, not unlike the NFL.
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Post by ghostofrussgibson on Jul 6, 2018 16:53:52 GMT -5
I read in this morning's paper that KC had fallen from the World Series to last place in the span of a few years, yet KC's payroll was still $144 million (I think I'm remembering the number correctly). It made me pause to appreciate how good we really have it as Boston fans. Sure, our budget is bigger - and we've taken on some really bad contracts - but at least Boston gives its fans some hope each year. On paper, Boston should sweep KC @kc... but sweeping a team while on the road isn't easy. It's not going to be pretty 2-3 years from now. Without researching Boston's contracts... I'd like to think we'd have moved on from not just Sandoval's $$$, but also Pedroia, Porcello, and several others. Pick two or three guys we won't focus on re-signing... trade them for youth... and hope/pray someone, anyone, can bridge the gap until youth arrives. If Sale and Betts stay healthy, they'll chew up a huge chunk of payroll. At least Benintendi and Devers are under control for a bit. Lots of stuff can happen. I agree our ideal window is the next few years. I just have to think/HOPE we'll see some good things happen with our minor leaguers and international free agent signings.
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Post by ghostofrussgibson on Jul 6, 2018 16:31:22 GMT -5
I read in this morning's paper that KC had fallen from the World Series to last place in the span of a few years, yet KC's payroll was still $144 million (I think I'm remembering the number correctly). It made me pause to appreciate how good we really have it as Boston fans. Sure, our budget is bigger - and we've taken on some really bad contracts - but at least Boston gives its fans some hope each year. On paper, Boston should sweep KC @kc... but sweeping a team while on the road isn't easy.
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Post by ghostofrussgibson on Jun 28, 2018 18:15:12 GMT -5
I can't begin to follow all the present-day statistical stuff. I just enjoy the game. OK, I'm a dinosaur. That said, Bradley is such a tough decision for me. Such a shame that a great defender can't hit his weight. At some point a team has to do addition by subtraction. I think it's becoming time to let him go. As for his replacement (and the $$$ or prospects required), that's for others to determine. Could Boston move Holt or someone to left, shifting AB to center? It's just hard to fathom a guy struggling to hit .200 holding down center field for an elite club.
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Post by ghostofrussgibson on Jun 18, 2018 18:53:22 GMT -5
Bradley was a great young talent... then cooled off... then caught fire (batting)... now has cooled off. His defense has remained. Maybe others with more insight can explain, but what isn't Bradley doing that he DID do in the past to hit successfully? And if it's a case of pitchers figuring him out, why hasn't he (or his coaches) learned to adapt to how pitchers are throwing to him? I'd have to think it's an ongoing process for any hitter... to adjust to what the league perceives/exploits as your weakness.
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Post by ghostofrussgibson on May 31, 2018 20:13:36 GMT -5
Can't say I'm surprised. Sox eat all the $$$ while another team picks him up for chump change to see what he has left. Question: If you're Ramirez and you have multiple offers... do you sign where you're gonna play most every day on a mediocre club - or - do you sign with a top contender and sit the bench a good bit? What would you do?
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Post by ghostofrussgibson on May 25, 2018 19:33:01 GMT -5
Slightly off topic, but hopefully Boston has learned from the Ramirez and Sandoval deals to more closely evaluate where they're spending their $$$. I'd much rather see them invest in youth... trade vets for young studs and lock them up, long term. Easier said than done.
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Post by ghostofrussgibson on May 17, 2018 19:16:25 GMT -5
Please play Swihart. A lot. This team will make the playoffs, regardless. Play him somewhere - ideally catcher, where his bat is most valuable. Are Boston's pitchers against that? Maybe that's why the Sox continue to ride with Vazquez/Leon as its weakest link. I'm no coach or baseball expert, yet it seems like Swihart has gotten the proverbial "shaft." Boston has the luxury to really see what they have in Swihart, especially if/when he's healthy.
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Post by ghostofrussgibson on May 3, 2018 18:49:55 GMT -5
"Any player is available for the right deal." - Captain Obvious As to whether Boston would want/need Realmuto, I enjoy reading the "what ifs" from this site. I don't sense that Boston feels it "has" to make a deal. That might well change as the months go by. I'm more inclined to still see what Swihart could do. I'm bummed at what Boston has done with his development.
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Post by ghostofrussgibson on Apr 18, 2018 20:00:35 GMT -5
This is why you don’t make any player no matter who they are as bigger than the team. They had Jimmy and felt he was the guy and they should have chosen him over the 41 year old. Montana and Manning both played for other teams. Exactly. NE has a history of trading players a year or two early... before their value is zilch. If JG knew he'd become the starter and if (it's a BIG if) JG would accept NE's offer, then I'd have traded Brady in a heartbeat. As we so often hear, it's a business. Not much room for loyalty. Sad, but it's the reality.
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Post by ghostofrussgibson on Apr 5, 2018 19:39:25 GMT -5
Scale of 1 -10 ... 10 being most likely. Will NE draft in their current slots in both the 1st and 2nd rounds? We all know BB won't stand pat. So then we all go along for the ride and Trust in Belichick. My guess is BB trades down a few times, adding picks in the next year's draft (or two).
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