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Post by Chris Hatfield on Feb 13, 2020 10:47:16 GMT -5
Wait. I'm dumb. Sorry.
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mobaz
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Posts: 2,780
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Post by mobaz on Feb 13, 2020 10:48:09 GMT -5
How valuable will a 13th pitcher be if each has to face 3x batters? Does it lose some luster (forgetting the opener needs for a sec).
Also how crazy is changing that rule on the eve of spring training when most offseason transactions and team building is complete? The MLB and everyone in it can't stop stepping in it with every decision and choice.
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ericmvan
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Supposed to be working on something more important
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Post by ericmvan on Feb 13, 2020 11:10:05 GMT -5
I would have agreed with the previous two posters that Verdugo should leadoff until I read Eric's analysis. I agree that it potentially puts unnecessary pressure on him to be Mookie's replacement if he's in right field AND is the leadoff hitter on day one. Maybe he'd be able to handle it but I don't see a whole lot of reason to take the risk. Bat him sixth and let him get comfortable. If he forces the issue and is the leadoff hitter in June? Fantastic. Benintendi didn't take to leading off. If that was because he doesn't like it or just because he was having a tough year in general, I don't know - that's one of those things I'd trust the manager on to communicate with him. Leading off is a strange beast - some players really don't care to do it, even when it seems to fit their ability. In the stretch where he was leading off, his numbers after his first PA were tremendous. Let's see...
.081 / .209 / .081 (43 PA) first batter of game .317 / .402 / .532 (164 PA) subsequent PA's, same games
However--and this escaped my notice--when Mookie was hurt in mid-September they had him hit leadoff five more times. He went 2/5, 2B, and two of the three outs were deep LDs to CF. In his subsequent PA's in those games he went 2/18 with 3 BB and a HBP. The Sox scored 30 runs in those 5 games, so he was not hitting well overall at that time ... in fact, this was in the middle of him hitting .123 / .227 / .140 in his final 66 PA.
You'd think they wouldn't try him there while he was slumping terribly unless they had talked with him about the proper approach. So maybe the problem is fixed, and that gives you:
Benintendi Bogaerts Devers Martinez Moreland Verdugo Vazquez JBJ or Chavis
Peraza or JBJ
If Vazquez hits like last year, well enough to protect Moreland, you can swap Moreland and Verdugo when and if the new guy settles in nicely.
The 8 and 9 might also depend on the strength / depth of the opponent's LHR. If it's thin, you can go Peraza - JBJ.
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Post by jimed14 on Feb 13, 2020 12:08:14 GMT -5
How valuable will a 13th pitcher be if each has to face 3x batters? Does it lose some luster (forgetting the opener needs for a sec). Also how crazy is changing that rule on the eve of spring training when most offseason transactions and team building is complete? The MLB and everyone in it can't stop stepping in it with every decision and choice. Everyone knew the 3 batter rule was coming for more than a year. No one is surprised. No LOOGYs have been signed.
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Post by wildsox on Feb 13, 2020 13:52:31 GMT -5
From everything I have read Verdugo handles the bat well and can work the strike zone. How about putting him in the 2 hole and let Xander bat in a RBI Spot where he excelled last year?
1 - Andrew Benintendi (LF) 2 - Alex Verdugo (RF) 3 - JD Martinez (DH) 4 - Xander Bogaerts (SS) 5 - Rafael Devers (3B) 6 - Christian Vazquez (C) 7 - Mitch Moreland (1B) 8 - JBJ (CF) 9 - Jose Peraza (2B)
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Post by soxin8 on Feb 13, 2020 16:33:23 GMT -5
Disagree on this assessment but characteristic of humility is noted. If the Sox do go with 13 pitchers as many here believe they will, it means they will lose Arauz unless Houston agrees to a trade. That would be unfortunate as his profile appears to have some upside.
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Post by soxjim on Feb 14, 2020 0:56:35 GMT -5
Vs RHP
1-- Xander, 2-- Devers, 3-- Beni, 4-- JDM, 5-- Verdugo, 6-- Moreland, 7-- Vaz, 8-- JBJ, 9-- Chavis
Vs LHP
1-- Xander, 2-- Devers, 3-- Beni, 4-- JDM, 5-- Verdugo, 6-- Vaz, 7-- Moreland, 8-- Pillar, 9 -- Peraza
Looking for a good year from Beni but scared as hell what happened to him last year at leadoff. Don't think Verdugo is a leadoff hitter. Prefer JDM as a cleanup assuming the top 3 hit. Flipping Moreland and Vaz righty vs lefty. Vaz did terrific last year vs lefties. I don't have a lot of confidence in Chavis and sadly I'm platooning JBJ. I think Chavis might be more of a matchup hitter than a right vs lefty. Somewhat cool to picture that some games vs lefties when Beni sits maybe we may have Pillar and JBJ in outfield.
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jimoh
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Post by jimoh on Feb 14, 2020 10:53:51 GMT -5
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