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Post by mgoetze on Apr 19, 2014 13:37:05 GMT -5
Somewhat shaky first inning but Doubront has been pitching quite well since then - encouraging.
Of course, this is just what he does, flash talent for a few games, then fall back in a rut. But let's enjoy it while it lasts.
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Post by mgoetze on Apr 19, 2014 13:41:44 GMT -5
The corrolary of bad RISP luck: solo home runs.
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Post by philsbosoxfan on Apr 19, 2014 13:42:17 GMT -5
Somewhat shaky first inning but Doubront has been pitching quite well since then - encouraging. Of course, this is just what he does, flash talent for a few games, then fall back in a rut. But let's enjoy it while it lasts. It's been quite some time since he looked this good.
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Post by FenwayFanatic on Apr 19, 2014 13:43:45 GMT -5
Somewhat shaky first inning but Doubront has been pitching quite well since then - encouraging. Of course, this is just what he does, flash talent for a few games, then fall back in a rut. But let's enjoy it while it lasts. Thats what those back end rotation guys usually do. I'd take our rotation over most in the league, especially now that the Rays have Moore out for the season.
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Post by mgoetze on Apr 19, 2014 13:47:12 GMT -5
Carp in the lineup because Farrell wants to "ride the hot hand". Result so far: GIDP, GIDP. Someone needs to tell Farrell something about drawing conclusions from small sample sizes.
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Post by wcsoxfan on Apr 19, 2014 14:03:23 GMT -5
What are the chances that, if we continue to have some kind of problem on the left side (injury/offensive suckitude, whatever) and Drew continues to be unsigned, that the Sox sign him closer to the draft if/when it becomes clear that no one else is going to sign him before then and so the draft pick issue becomes moot? If no one else wants to make the commitment and give us a draft pick, isn't there a window before the draft where the Sox may actually have an advantage in signing him if they want to? Drew has his own thread. I personally doubt Drew is willing to settle for a half-a-year contract, at least before the draft, and I doubt the Sox are willing to give him a longer one. Also don't think that Drew would be willing to sign as a platoon partner with Middlebrooks. If the Ego goes away though, then the fit is there.
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Post by jerrygarciaparra on Apr 19, 2014 14:06:10 GMT -5
I get the desire for a top defensive SS, improving run prevention substantially. Of course that is hugely important. But what if we have a tandem on the left side which can give us 30 HR each, average defense and a collective OPS in the 900 range ( per player ). That is absolutely possible with the Bogaerts / Middlebrooks combo within the next 2-3 years. Probably not this year but a good chance to me by next year. Isn't that worth the approach they are taking? That is a ton of offense from the left side. League best offense for the left side potentially. And look at the player value they are developing, always an extremely important consideration. Even if they do move Xander to 3rd at some point, wouldn't it behoove the team to increase Middlebrook's value before a trade? It almost definitely will be more than it was last year, if they give him a chance this year. And both of these guys are dirt cheap. The left side configuration going into this year was a huge no brainer to me. Xander actually has a +5 UZR/150 as a major league SS so far but it sure doesn't seem like it. I would think that over time he will be better at positioning for different hitters and he is still so young he probably will not have his range negatively effected for a while. My bet is he clearly gets better defensively. And look at his early returns so far as a hitter. He's leading the team in walks and OBP and just demolishing the ball on a lot of line drives. A wRC+ of 126. Every indication is that he will be fine as a hitter and probably a stud. To me he is one of the top 3 hitters on the team already. Xander is the least of our problems. The rookies are doing fine. Defensive metrics are notoriously unreliable. They vary enormously metric-to-metric, and year-to-year for the same metric. That's why some of us were excited about field/fx, though I've heard public release has been put aside for now. The questions I have about Bogaert's defense, after watching him play for a while, are the same ones expressed by scouts including those who do it for this board. His first step can be slow and that's crucial. It means waving at a ball as it goes by, or having to dive and being out of position. We've watched a bit of that. He's effective coming straight in, and he has a good arm. I think his ability to stay at shortstop for any length of time is still an open question. I believe the team will have multiple options going forward, so he may be moving at some point. On the other hand, the hitting is very sweet, just as you point out. You want that bat in the lineup, somewhere. But isn't the larger question whether his offense, at his position, will be more productive relative to other SS's. Similiarly, can he be, defensively, good enough as to have his offense mitigate less defense value, relative to other SS's. By just putting him at third, don't you just throw him in with other good hitting third basemen and decrease his value. Or am I wrong that what a team should do is put him where he has most value to his team, relative to other team strengths? Does that make sense?
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Post by mgoetze on Apr 19, 2014 14:09:39 GMT -5
But isn't the larger question whether his offense, at his position, will be more productive relative to other SS's. Similiarly, can he be, defensively, good enough as to have his offense mitigate less defense value, relative to other SS's. By just putting him at third, don't you just throw him in with other good hitting third basemen and decrease his value. Or am I wrong that what a team should do is put him where he has most value to his team, relative to other team strengths? Does that make sense? You are not wrong per se but I think you are missing something. Your argument works perfectly well if you assume that Bogaerts would provide league-average defense at both shortstop and 3rd base. My premise, on the other hand, is that he provides below average to average defense at shortstop, but could provide excellent defense at 3B. This would still keep his value higher than other 3B who are excellent hitters but merely adequate defenders at that position.
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Post by mgoetze on Apr 19, 2014 14:11:34 GMT -5
Excellent throw by Holt but I'm afraid he was safe anyway.
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Post by jerrygarciaparra on Apr 19, 2014 14:12:46 GMT -5
Man....we just can't catch a break. Nelson Cruz has been killing us.
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Post by templeusox on Apr 19, 2014 14:13:30 GMT -5
Terrible job by Doubront in this inning. You have to find a way out of it with 2 outs and no one on.
Edit: Our defense is a f------ train wreck. There isn't a single guy on the left side of the infield who can make a play. Anything beyond the most routine play and it's a complete adventure. Terrible.
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Post by mgoetze on Apr 19, 2014 14:14:18 GMT -5
Didn't mean to jinx him, sorry.
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Post by jerrygarciaparra on Apr 19, 2014 14:30:03 GMT -5
What a joke strike call!!!
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Post by mgoetze on Apr 19, 2014 14:51:33 GMT -5
BROCK HOLT!
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Post by mattpicard on Apr 19, 2014 14:51:37 GMT -5
BROCK HOLT!
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Post by FenwayFanatic on Apr 19, 2014 14:51:40 GMT -5
HOLT!!!
Lets get one more!
Edit: So far the bunting has been working out pretty well for this team!
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Post by jerrygarciaparra on Apr 19, 2014 14:53:33 GMT -5
Rootin for Holt....seems like a likeable guy.
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Post by jmei on Apr 19, 2014 14:53:54 GMT -5
O->=< !!!
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Post by mgoetze on Apr 19, 2014 15:00:30 GMT -5
2-run lead, Tazawa, Uehara, that's the situation we want to be in.
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Post by mgoetze on Apr 19, 2014 15:05:35 GMT -5
Rootin for Holt....seems like a likeable guy. I agree. Win Probability added: 3. Big Papi +.139 2. Doubie +.149 1. Brock Holt +.208
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Post by FenwayFanatic on Apr 19, 2014 15:06:17 GMT -5
Tazawa is the man!
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Post by mgoetze on Apr 19, 2014 15:19:16 GMT -5
Koji! What's wrong? A walk?
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Post by jerrygarciaparra on Apr 19, 2014 15:26:41 GMT -5
Ok. Now I can grill and drink with a little less stress.
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redsox04071318champs
Veteran
Always hoping to make my handle even longer...
Posts: 15,694
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Post by redsox04071318champs on Apr 19, 2014 15:36:33 GMT -5
Koji! What's wrong? A walk? The world's coming to an end!
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Post by fenwaythehardway on Apr 19, 2014 15:58:09 GMT -5
Terrible job by Doubront in this inning. You have to find a way out of it with 2 outs and no one on. Edit: Our defense is a f------ train wreck. There isn't a single guy on the left side of the infield who can make a play. Anything beyond the most routine play and it's a complete adventure. Terrible. Man, if only there was a plus defensive shortstop with decent on base ability and some pop hanging around on the free agent market. But obviously that's an absurd thought in the middle of april.
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