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Post by mattpicard on Apr 21, 2013 19:41:01 GMT -5
Great hustle by Nava to get to 2nd safely there. Seriously, is there anything not to like about him? What's always held him back was lack of power and fielding. Now he has improved as a fielder in LF, and added flexibility in RF and 1B. Granted, his range in RF is iffy, to put it nicely, but man has Nava boosted his value greatly. Now he's added some power to his repertoire to go along with an excellent OBP. I know he's in the midst of one of his hot streaks, but while it lasts, Nava should be starting against ALL RHP's, and most LHP's (at least until Gomes cuts down on K's and starts hitting). I know some people will continue to view Nava as a situation guy, but has there been anyone in recent memory who continuously exceeded expectations and improved on any weaknesses? Danny Nava is, by far, my favorite player on this team. I can't believe this guy cleared waivers last season without being picked up by a single team (even Houston). ADD: Another terrible AB by Saltalamacchia in a clutch situation. I absolutely love the guy myself. I was upset to hear several people in spring training say he didn't fit the roster for a bench spot over people like Sweeney and Carp. He's gone from just being someone you really root for from the heart, to someone you also really want to see out on the field playing for you everyday. His hitting approach is so professional, and watching him drive the ball the way he does these days is incredible. Even when he cools down, this guy has shown he's a major league player for years to come. The defense in LF is pretty solid, and if it wasn't Fenway, I'd be very comfortable with him in RF as well. And come on, the guy learned 1B in a few weeks and has become a serviceable backup there too. Gotta love him.
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Post by soxfan06 on Apr 21, 2013 19:43:31 GMT -5
I wish Salty would go on a hot streak so we could trade him.
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Post by mredsox89 on Apr 21, 2013 19:43:40 GMT -5
Salty is dreadful. That is fall But he hits HOMERS!!! Really liking this start from Webster outside of the HR's. He's going to be an asset in the rotation for years to come. Still, wasn't worth giving up Nick Punto for him. I'm still pulling for Lavarnway to re-learn how to hit consistently again. But he's starting to trend toward a AAAA player who no longer has power to even give himself a chance in the bigs. There's no one in the organization to challenge him for likely another year+ until Vazquez might be ready, and then probably another 1.5-2 years until Swihart
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Post by rjp313jr on Apr 21, 2013 19:46:07 GMT -5
Looks like Webster may be done. 84 pitches, makes me wish he'd come back out, but it's probably the smart move to pull him.
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Post by rjp313jr on Apr 21, 2013 19:46:49 GMT -5
Lavarnway needs to start eating Cheeseburgers and focus on being a DH
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Post by JackieWilsonsaid on Apr 21, 2013 19:49:30 GMT -5
Webster just finished the sixth. His stuff is off the charts and he clearly belongs but....
His mound demeanor is horrible.
He is the opposite of intimidating on the mound.
It's Beaver Cleaver with triple digits and a monster change.
Facial hair maybe? (I'm thinking fu Manchu) A concussion or two?
I'm trying to be glib but it is a real issue to me.
Tonight is a success no question, but am I off base here?
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Post by soxfan06 on Apr 21, 2013 19:50:41 GMT -5
Webster just finished the sixth. His stuff is off the charts and he clearly belongs but.... His mound demeanor is horrible. He is the opposite of intimidating on the mound. It's Beaver Cleaver with triple digits its and a monster change. Facial hair maybe? A concussion or two? I'm trying to be glib but it is a real issue to me. Tonight is a success no question, but am I off base here? I didn't realize that the goal of starting pitching was to intimidate the opponent. I thought the goal was to get them out.
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Post by sammo420 on Apr 21, 2013 19:50:46 GMT -5
Ciriaco just walked. Somebody hold me, I'm scared.
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Post by Guidas on Apr 21, 2013 19:51:27 GMT -5
As for Saty, I am really starting to think that Dan Butler gets you the same or better OBP, much better receiving and defense, and none of the pop. That AB earlier today with bases loaded was just unthinking - bases loaded, the pitcher's just thrown six straight balls and you swing? Just then with 1 out 2nd and 3rd all he had to do was make soem contact and send a groudner tp right side of The infield and it's a run. Again trying to do too much when a little would've been enough.
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Post by bluechip on Apr 21, 2013 19:53:54 GMT -5
Solid game by Webster. I think he will be a productive and permanent member of this rotation sooner rather than later.
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Post by JackieWilsonsaid on Apr 21, 2013 19:56:28 GMT -5
Webster just finished the sixth. His stuff is off the charts and he clearly belongs but.... His mound demeanor is horrible. He is the opposite of intimidating on the mound. It's Beaver Cleaver with triple digits its and a monster change. Facial hair maybe? A concussion or two? I'm trying to be glib but it is a real issue to me. Tonight is a success no question, but am I off base here? I didn't realize that the goal of starting pitching was to intimidate the opponent. I thought the goal was to get them out. Fair enough and deserved. But let me ask you this. Have you seen him before? Also, turret gunner Carp does not belong in the outfield.
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Post by Guidas on Apr 21, 2013 19:57:44 GMT -5
Ciriaco just walked. Somebody hold me, I'm scared. That was his 4th this year. May be a career record. I thought they were going to stop the game and give him the ball.
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Post by rjp313jr on Apr 21, 2013 19:58:01 GMT -5
Webster just finished the sixth. His stuff is off the charts and he clearly belongs but.... His mound demeanor is horrible. He is the opposite of intimidating on the mound. It's Beaver Cleaver with triple digits and a monster change. Facial hair maybe? (I'm thinking fu Manchu) A concussion or two? I'm trying to be glib but it is a real issue to me. Tonight is a success no question, but am I off base here? Yes, you are.
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Post by mattpicard on Apr 21, 2013 20:02:20 GMT -5
Webster just finished the sixth. His stuff is off the charts and he clearly belongs but.... His mound demeanor is horrible. He is the opposite of intimidating on the mound. It's Beaver Cleaver with triple digits and a monster change. Facial hair maybe? (I'm thinking fu Manchu) A concussion or two? I'm trying to be glib but it is a real issue to me. Tonight is a success no question, but am I off base here? This made me laugh. You are right, he doesn't have an intimidating mound presence per se. But he's good. And he just pitched extremely well in his MLB debut aside from a couple homers. That alone tells me his demeanor isn't something to worry about.
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Post by soxfan06 on Apr 21, 2013 20:03:21 GMT -5
I didn't realize that the goal of starting pitching was to intimidate the opponent. I thought the goal was to get them out. Fair enough and deserved. But let me ask you this. Have you seen him before? Also, turret gunner Carp does not belong in the outfield. Only in the Spring. But my point is more along the lines of "intimidation" is pointless if you can't execute your pitches. Now of course we would all like our pitchers to be like Pedro Martinez. Intimidating and filthy, where the batter isn't sure if he is going to plunk you in the head or blow a fastball by you high in the zone. But that is why guys like Pedro are rare.
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Post by bluechip on Apr 21, 2013 20:03:38 GMT -5
Webster just finished the sixth. His stuff is off the charts and he clearly belongs but.... His mound demeanor is horrible. He is the opposite of intimidating on the mound. It's Beaver Cleaver with triple digits and a monster change. Facial hair maybe? (I'm thinking fu Manchu) A concussion or two? I'm trying to be glib but it is a real issue to me. Tonight is a success no question, but am I off base here? Like the Rollie Fingers old-timey mustache? The Brian Wilson beard? or just the contemporary Clay Buchholz unshaven scruff?
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Post by soxfan06 on Apr 21, 2013 20:04:01 GMT -5
Junichi Tazawa is so fun to watch. His stuff is ridiculously filthy.
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Post by mattpicard on Apr 21, 2013 20:09:20 GMT -5
Alex Gordon is such a good player. The way he reinvented himself as a terrific LF after struggling in the majors and moving off third is just incredible. As always, take these stats with a grain of salt but the guy is +44 in DRS over the past two seasons (2011-2012).
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Post by charliezink16 on Apr 21, 2013 20:12:35 GMT -5
Webster just finished the sixth. His stuff is off the charts and he clearly belongs but.... His mound demeanor is horrible. He is the opposite of intimidating on the mound. It's Beaver Cleaver with triple digits and a monster change. Facial hair maybe? (I'm thinking fu Manchu) A concussion or two? I'm trying to be glib but it is a real issue to me. Tonight is a success no question, but am I off base here? I actually really liked his demeanor tonight. Even when struggling, he has a very calm poise which is something you look for in pitchers. Reminds me a bit of Alfredo Aceves before he became crazy I guess you can put it.
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Post by elguapo on Apr 21, 2013 20:14:48 GMT -5
Re: fifth outfielder, Mitch Maier might fit the bill if they needed a guy. He apparently really impressed them in camp, can play all three outfield spots, and has been quite good in Pawtucket since getting activated. That said, no idea how they'd get him on the 40-man. My guess is that if they need a RF short-term (think 15-day DL), Brentz might be the guy. Long-term (can send a guy to the 60-day), then it'd be Maier. Bryce Brentz? Tie up another roster spot for the year with a guy whose calling card is a 25% K rate? If you need a guy for 15 days, it's Bradley or Hassan, or use a guy like Maier who you can promote and waive later if required. That is a great quote - not sure why people are complaining!
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Post by fenwaythehardway on Apr 21, 2013 20:18:36 GMT -5
Regarding Webster's demeanor... I mean, Mariano Rivera usually looks like he's doing his taxes on the mound. Whatever. Those cutters still look plenty mean.
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Post by fenwaythehardway on Apr 21, 2013 20:21:09 GMT -5
I actually really liked his demeanor tonight. Even when struggling, he has a very calm poise which is something you look for in pitchers. Reminds me a bit of Alfredo Aceves before he became crazy I guess you can put it.What, were you doing the ultrasounds on his mother or something? When was that?
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Post by JackieWilsonsaid on Apr 21, 2013 20:21:20 GMT -5
If he throws ten of these games in a row starting with his next chance in July or so I will be extremely pleased and not shocked.
Maybe we need to go the nickname route.
Allen 'the human eraser' Webster is nominated.
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Post by sarasoxer on Apr 21, 2013 20:22:31 GMT -5
Regarding Webster's demeanor... I mean, Mariano Rivera usually looks like he's doing his taxes on the mound. Whatever. Those cutters still look plenty mean. He looks more like he is performing dentistry on the opposition...without lidocaine.
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Post by rjp313jr on Apr 21, 2013 20:25:54 GMT -5
I actually really liked his demeanor tonight. Even when struggling, he has a very calm poise which is something you look for in pitchers. Reminds me a bit of Alfredo Aceves before he became crazy I guess you can put it.What, were you doing the ultrasounds on his mother or something? When was that? The ultra sound actually showed he ate his twin brother in the womb so that wouldn't work either.
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