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Post by p23w on Nov 5, 2013 16:01:49 GMT -5
I really Really Really Really Really do not want McCann He will cost to much in terms of $$$ and years, and he is a huge [jerk] on the field like we saw this year Don't know about the "jerk" part but I want nothing to do with McCann on the RS.
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Post by p23w on Nov 4, 2013 19:14:24 GMT -5
I think they need to upgrade the outfield for the following reasons: (1) I don't trust Bradley to hit well enough from day one Agree(2) I don't trust Victorino enough to stay healthy all year (and I also think he's going to regress offensively) Agree on health issues, not sure about a regression in offense. Will Victorino forego with hitting altogether?(3) There are no other internal candidates that I trust to fill-in at a league-average level for either of the above (not a believer in Brentz, don't think Nava, Gomes, Carp, or Hassan should be playing RF/CF) Not sure about Brentz. Wildcard could be Kalish.(4) The outfield is one of the few areas of the team where there are multiple clear upgrades on the free agent market, and the Red Sox have money to spend I think the QO's took the wind out of my sails for a free agent upgrade. The only FA that I would consider would be Franklin Guitierez. Very good defense, could hit well at Fenway. Injury prone and inexpensive.Maybe I'm being ambitious-- it's tough to maintain/upgrade a World Series champion that was also the best team in baseball over the long regular season. But between players I see regressing negatively (Nava, Ortiz, Carp, Victorino) and free agent attrition, I think the Red Sox can't be satisfied with just re-signing Napoli and Saltalamacchia (both negative regression candidates as well, by the way) and calling it a day. Even with a bounce-back season from Pedroia and a full season of Bogaerts, I think the Red Sox still have work to do on the position player side. Pretty much in agreement with your assessment. Personally I'd like to see the Farm pitch in.... that and a MAJOR improvement in pitch recognition from Middlebrooks.Re: Granderson-- if his having a draft pick attached means he finds less free agent interest than expected, I hope the Red Sox jump in. I'd gladly sign him to a 3/$40m-ish deal and lose a pick. He's on the older side and his K rate increase over the last four years is a little worrisome, but he has the whole suite of peripheral skills (patience, power, defense, even a little baserunning) to make up for it. Meh. Not all that impressed. I still think he can only hit mistakes from lefties. Might "fit in" well in the clubhouse though, which seems to be the prevailing MO by Cherrington.
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Post by p23w on Nov 3, 2013 17:54:07 GMT -5
The big downside to Buchholz is, obviously, that he misses starts. This is a big problem, but especially if you don't have pitching depth. So I'd argue that the Sox are almost uniquely suited to maximize Buchholz's strengths while weathering his downside because over the next couple of years they look to have tremendous young pitching depth with options who can step in when he's hurt. And, as mentioned earlier, he's on a team-friendly deal for a few years. So there's really no upside to trading him, imo. He's at least as valuable to the Sox as anyone, he's not costing outrageous money, and he has the ability to string together dominant starts at a truly elite level. And, who knows? Maybe one of these years he's actually healthy for 200+ innings ... I agree. the RS have plenty of depth at Pawtucket that could fill in an be show cased if Buchholz or any other starter misses some games. The media had a field day about Doubront's lack of conditioning. Conditioning is relative to performance, however. Maybe Clay needs to bulk up.
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Post by p23w on Nov 3, 2013 3:05:44 GMT -5
There is no way the Sox should consider trading for Stanton. Please understand when I say "consider" I mean at the exorbitant cost everyone assumes it would take. He hasn't proven he can stay on the field, he strikes out a ton and seems more like a .260 hitter then the .290 he hit a couple years ago. He's over-rated in my mind. People drunk off of what they picture him being rather than what he is. Would any team be lucky to have him? Sure. Is he very good? Yea. Is he one of the best hitters in the game worth giving up a godfather package for? No way in my opinion. In agreement.
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Post by p23w on Oct 27, 2013 16:07:19 GMT -5
Bad call. Craig clearly pushes down on Middlebrooks effectively keeping Will from rolling out of Craig's intended path. After "pinning" Middlebrooks on the ground Craig then heads for home. Craig's first step with his left foot is on the infield grass. IMO Craig caused the interference by taking an illegal path to his destination. Middlebrooks was in line with 2B, not home.
P.S. I'm not an umpire. I was a league commissioner for 9 years.
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Post by p23w on Oct 18, 2013 17:01:00 GMT -5
I agree with the majority of comments about pitching. I'll throw out one "pet" observation which is that the more times batters get to see pitchers the better swings and AB's they generate. Having said that I believe that batters have a longer learning curve against power pitchers. I think the Peavy/Fister gave was a good example.
I have concern about the Scherzer/Buchholz match-up. While I think Buchholz's secondary pitches are better than Scherzer's, The 6 mph difference in their fastballs gives an edge to Scherzer when comes done to the batters making adjustments. I am also concerned about Uehara. Not from the POV of Koji being overworked (although I don't discount that as a contributing factor) but from the reference point of batter familiarity. He's not a hard thrower and nearly everybody in the Tiger line-up has faced him (several more than once in this series). In particular I did not like the way Koji got his outs in the 9th.
To date the story of this series has been all about pitching, which is as it should be. Each starter, with the exception of Peavy was locked in early, or in the case of Sanchez's 2nd start, locked in after the second inning. Hitting against the caliber of pitching as seen so far in this series, is much more problematical to predict. My only comment for a game 6 line up would be to include Nava. Nava hits well low in the strike zone and also goes the other way (to LF) better than most.
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Post by p23w on Oct 5, 2013 19:36:59 GMT -5
Maddon trying to buy some outs. Heh,heh.
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Post by p23w on Sept 30, 2013 19:21:45 GMT -5
My preference for RS opponent in the ALDS 1) Rangers 2) Ray 3) Indians
PS I think we match up well against the Tigers. Just need to practice some bunting. Don't want to see the A's.
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Post by p23w on Sept 28, 2013 21:11:48 GMT -5
Who calls for 5 straight off speed pitches to Pearce??
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Post by p23w on Sept 28, 2013 16:53:43 GMT -5
Beware Seattle's bullpen. I would love to see Iwakuma close this out.
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Post by p23w on Sept 27, 2013 21:31:49 GMT -5
Colon has accounted for 18.1% of the A's victories. Hernandez has accounted for 17.1% of the Mariners wins. Good enough for ya'?
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Post by p23w on Sept 27, 2013 16:02:27 GMT -5
It's the "King" against "el Gordo", with El Gordo having a much better year,
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Post by p23w on Jun 21, 2013 15:24:48 GMT -5
First, I believe that this bullpen was overrated coming out of Spring training. Secondly, I think that a traditional closer has a mindset as well as stuff to get the job done. IMO, Hanrahan had the stuff and mindset to do the job. Breaking down was unfortunate. Bailey once had the mindset, but appears to have lost it. This could also account for his stuff finding the middle of the plate with alarming regularity. What to do? Promote from within? Trade for a proven (and healthy) commodity? Closer by committee? I'm in favor off the latter. Closer by committee. There is enough time left in the season for one of the committee to develop the mindset. I'm of the opinion that a closers mindset trumps "stuff". Both stuff and mindset are preferable, but I don't see anyone on the 40 man roster who is not on the DL, that possesses both. I'm hoping someone on the 25 man roster gets a "second wind" during what is a marathon regular season and steps up. For sure, watching Hanrahan and Bailey struggles to date has been aggravating. From the glass is half full POV, better that this happened after 60 games and not 160 games.
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Post by p23w on Apr 17, 2013 20:35:54 GMT -5
Idiotic decision by Farrell right there. There was really no reason for it either. Also, it woulda been nice if Napoli and Nava had converted one of those bases loaded opportunities. And if Nava hadn't run into an out for no reason last inning. I thought Farrell wanted to win. Is this some perverse payback for Aceves' spring training antics? Absolutely sickening. Walk, home-run, home-run, double. Well over 100 pitches from a guy who is more used to the pen than the rotation.
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Post by p23w on Dec 29, 2012 21:27:39 GMT -5
Oregonnorm
"The team has a plan, they told us that, and they've stayed with it. Being up front counts for something, especially when we survey this landscape. Trading away a significant number of prospects for short term gain presents them with a downside risk they are unwilling to accept at this point."
Great feeling when a "plan" works.... as planned. Problem is they rarely do, as witnessed by the Napoli negotiations. Still a "plan" is better than no plan. For those who want to add celebrity "game changers" to the roster, please keep in mind 2 things: A) It's not your money being spent and B) "Game Changers" rarely work as advertised. See ARod, Pujols, Texiera,etc.
To answer the question posed by this thread.... I am not so much satisfied as I am engaged with the offseason so far. The Sox administration gives the appearance of being forthcoming and transparent. Qualities I find refreshing. They don't seem to get rattled easily by a relentless and clueless local media onslaught (although this could be only a function of timing). All things considered, I am more "engaged" and curious about this upcoming Spring Training than in recent years, which is a positive, for this fan.
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Post by p23w on Dec 15, 2012 21:30:15 GMT -5
Yeah I don't Napoli will stay healthy for the length of the season. He has played over 140 games once in his career in 2010 and other than that, not more than 114. Pena is a decent option as well, but I don't think Sox fans will put up with his outrageous amount of strike-outs, so I'd probably leave him alone. I'd like to give Sands a shot because I think he could be productive given playing time. I agree. I am not in favor of signing Huff or Pena. I would like to see what Sands has got. Worst case scenario we have Gomez.
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Post by p23w on Dec 14, 2012 19:21:33 GMT -5
I guess I have a problem with the word "elite". To my way of thinking there are 3 or 4 "elite" pitchers in MLB at this time. Verlander, Hernandez, Kershaw and, given a particular recent year, Weaver, Cain or any number of guys who have a career tear, like Dickey. I don't believe elite pitchers come along that often, nor do I believe that an elite pitcher will guarantee success, or even a post season appearance. What I do believe in is the underrated value of "innings eater". Give me a starting rotation that throws 900+ innings with reasonable ERA, WHIP, and K/BB ratio, and I feel good about making the playoffs, and depending on the matchups, possibly going deep into the playoffs. That said, my first choice for an available cost contained Young pitcher would be Rick Porcello. He won't be an opening day guy, but with a good (as in better than Detroit) defense he will deliver lots of innings and many quality starts IMO. Let our next "elite" pitcher (or the next best thing to one) emerge from the farm. Give me 5 horses and a lock down bullpen.
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