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Post by incandenza on Mar 15, 2023 14:24:32 GMT -5
I think one thing the Red Sox have done very well in their roster building is given themselves optionality. Obviously none of those guys are All-Star players, but you give yourself good odds at filling your holes by bringing in a lot of players whose upside isn't particularly tied to one position. If Duvall plays like 2021 Duvall, great he's your starting center fielder! If he struggles and Tapia's still riding a hot streak, great make that work somehow! If he falls back to earth and Mondesi is back healthy, great move Kiké back to center! If Mondesi gets injured again, great maybe Duran's swing change pays off full time! If none of those things work out... maybe stay away from Vegas. It's very Rays-y in that it's just playing the odds that someone will work out and that you can mix and match to create a reasonable baseline of production. You can't build a contender on that alone (unless you are the Rays and are just inexplicably great at it), but in tandem with the star power you expect/hope to get from Devers, Yoshida, Story, and Casas it certainly has potential as a strategy. I'm feeling more and more optimistic about the mix as time goes on. My thing with that strategy has always been that it often takes a while to figure out that your plan A (and sometimes plan B) at a position aren't working and you should pivot to plan C, especially if plan A is a veteran player that a manager feels obligated to give a fair amount of rope. It took until June (and 205 PAs of -0.3 fWAR) before the 2014 Red Sox finally ditched Grady Sizemore, by which point the season was already lost. Let's hope that doesn't happen this year... This is a good point, but it's also worth asking what the alternative is. For instance they could have signed Andrus (as some were advocating for) and had him at SS, Kiké at CF. Defined roles rather than optionality. But then what happens if Andrus stinks or gets hurt? Etc....
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Post by philsbosoxfan on Mar 15, 2023 14:39:43 GMT -5
My guess is they wanted him to catch Whitlock? He's out now though. I think his last AB and baserunning was after Whitlock was finished. I'd have to go back and look though so maybe not. My thought was stamina buildup, offday tomorrow ?? Anyhow, it's going to feel strange to watch entire games where the pitchers are throwing quality strikes. ADD: My first game with the new headphones I wrote about in the science off-topic thread. Worked great, night and day over regular headphones. If you have hearing issues, I'd recommend trying them out.
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Post by Guidas on Mar 15, 2023 15:38:07 GMT -5
My thing with that strategy has always been that it often takes a while to figure out that your plan A (and sometimes plan B) at a position aren't working and you should pivot to plan C, especially if plan A is a veteran player that a manager feels obligated to give a fair amount of rope. It took until June (and 205 PAs of -0.3 fWAR) before the 2014 Red Sox finally ditched Grady Sizemore, by which point the season was already lost. Let's hope that doesn't happen this year... This is a good point, but it's also worth asking what the alternative is. For instance they could have signed Andrus (as some were advocating for) and had him at SS, Kiké at CF. Defined roles rather than optionality. But then what happens if Andrus stinks or gets hurt? Etc.... Then you put Kiké at SS and start Rafaela's clock early as a CF since his D is already elite and bat him 9th.
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Post by jmei on Mar 15, 2023 15:51:33 GMT -5
My thing with that strategy has always been that it often takes a while to figure out that your plan A (and sometimes plan B) at a position aren't working and you should pivot to plan C, especially if plan A is a veteran player that a manager feels obligated to give a fair amount of rope. It took until June (and 205 PAs of -0.3 fWAR) before the 2014 Red Sox finally ditched Grady Sizemore, by which point the season was already lost. Let's hope that doesn't happen this year... This is a good point, but it's also worth asking what the alternative is. For instance they could have signed Andrus (as some were advocating for) and had him at SS, Kiké at CF. Defined roles rather than optionality. But then what happens if Andrus stinks or gets hurt? Etc.... Given Kiké's defensive versatility, the optionality will always be there. Just a question of whether you thought Andrus or Duvall was a better plan A.
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Post by philsbosoxfan on Mar 15, 2023 19:12:40 GMT -5
Yeah let's rehash the offseason in the game thread.
More specific to the topic, Mexico just clinched so Duran and Verdugo won't be here for a while.
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Post by ancientsoxfogey on Mar 15, 2023 19:35:02 GMT -5
Can anyone tell me what is going on with Dalbec playing SS (rather than Goodrum, say)? Without the shift, is the idea to get the body that covers the most territory at SS??!!
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Post by ematz1423 on Mar 15, 2023 19:36:45 GMT -5
Can anyone tell me what is going on with Dalbec playing SS (rather than Goodrum, say)? Without the shift, is the idea to get the body that covers the most territory at SS??!! The likely idea is that it's spring training and if dalbec can hack even an emergency level SS during the season what's the downside?
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Post by Foulke_In_Athol on Mar 15, 2023 19:54:10 GMT -5
Yeah and I think Goodrum has seen better days, he doesn't even seem like a depth option anymore. I think it's time to take out behind the shed and Old Yeller him
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Post by patford on Mar 15, 2023 20:06:37 GMT -5
Can anyone tell me what is going on with Dalbec playing SS (rather than Goodrum, say)? Without the shift, is the idea to get the body that covers the most territory at SS??!! The ultimate small sample size but based on it Dalbec had the best Range Factor in MLB last year: Year Age Tm Pos Lg G GS CG Inn Ch PO A E DP Fld% RF/9 RF/G 2022 27 BOS SS AL 1 1 1 10.0 6 0 6 0 1 1.000 5.40 6.00
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Post by taiwansox on Mar 15, 2023 20:11:20 GMT -5
Can anyone tell me what is going on with Dalbec playing SS (rather than Goodrum, say)? Without the shift, is the idea to get the body that covers the most territory at SS??!! Easy plus accurate arm and decent mobility. He also has decent foot speed so it’s really not crazy if there’s a bunch of injuries
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Post by philsbosoxfan on Mar 15, 2023 21:24:13 GMT -5
Devers will be back soon.
Save a spot for Kiké.
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Post by philsbosoxfan on Mar 15, 2023 21:35:13 GMT -5
The temporary SS situation will likely resolve itself by the next game. Yu Change should be back. Cora, who hasn't seen Yu live commented that he looks a lot stronger than last year. Other tidbits here and you can subscribe to it. mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#inbox/FMfcgzGslbHWkjVjNnDcvMHbptkRslCP“He looks stronger, a lot stronger,” Cora said.
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Post by philsbosoxfan on Mar 15, 2023 21:47:43 GMT -5
To me, the only SS question remains what happens if Mondesi is ready opening day. What do they do with Chang ? He thinks he will be and I've only seen positive comments on his strength and mobility.
If Chang is indeed in a breakout, that could either move Kiké back to CF or give us a valuable trade chip.
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Post by Chris Hatfield on Mar 16, 2023 6:57:16 GMT -5
Seems incredibly unlikely that Mondesi will be ready. Have you seen otherwise recently? I could've missed something.
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Post by yuchangclan on Mar 16, 2023 9:04:25 GMT -5
To me, the only SS question remains what happens if Mondesi is ready opening day. What do they do with Chang ? He thinks he will be and I've only seen positive comments on his strength and mobility. If Chang is indeed in a breakout, that could either move Kiké back to CF or give us a valuable trade chip. Forget about Mondesi. He can’t even get on the field. The people want more of Yu Chang!
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jimoh
Veteran
Posts: 4,002
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Post by jimoh on Mar 16, 2023 10:22:10 GMT -5
To me, the only SS question remains what happens if Mondesi is ready opening day. What do they do with Chang ? He thinks he will be and I've only seen positive comments on his strength and mobility. If Chang is indeed in a breakout, that could either move Kiké back to CF or give us a valuable trade chip. WBC stats are interesting, though of course a small sample. Change is hitting well, as are many people, but playing (or mostly playing?) 1b. www.mlb.com/world-baseball-classic/stats/ops
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Post by Chris Hatfield on Mar 16, 2023 11:19:03 GMT -5
To me, the only SS question remains what happens if Mondesi is ready opening day. What do they do with Chang ? He thinks he will be and I've only seen positive comments on his strength and mobility. If Chang is indeed in a breakout, that could either move Kiké back to CF or give us a valuable trade chip. WBC stats are interesting, though of course a small sample. Change is hitting well, as are many people, but playing (or mostly playing?) 1b. www.mlb.com/world-baseball-classic/stats/ops FWIW that could just be due to the makeup of the Taiwan roster. I'll be more interested in how they use him in camp. But it is an interesting observation I'd noticed as well.
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Post by jmei on Mar 16, 2023 11:23:07 GMT -5
Old friend Tzu-Wei Lin hitting a robust .071/.235/.286 (1/14 (one hit was a HR) and 2 BBs). Still out-OPSing other old friend Mookie Betts, though.
ADD: current friends Alex Verdugo with the .063/.158/.063 line (1/16 with a walk) and Jarren Duran with the 0/5.
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Post by backwardsk on Mar 16, 2023 11:35:32 GMT -5
Biggest spring training news besides hopefully no major injuries is who the Sox will lock up in extensions the next 2 weeks.
Bello, Casas, Mata, Sale, maybe Verdugo or McGuire. Sale is interesting because his contract is expiring soon, maybe you can extend his years and bring down the AAV.
The others are pretty self explanatory.
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Post by philsbosoxfan on Mar 16, 2023 11:57:35 GMT -5
Seems incredibly unlikely that Mondesi will be ready. Have you seen otherwise recently? I could've missed something. No, just periodic comments that he looks good. Last I heard, he was running sprints, taking BP and infield practice. I think it was the infield coach that said he had the same proceedure and was amazed that Montesi was so fluid so fast. (That was a few weeks ago). Montesi himself said he'll be ready for opening day.
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Post by scottysmalls on Mar 16, 2023 12:49:04 GMT -5
To me, the only SS question remains what happens if Mondesi is ready opening day. What do they do with Chang ? He thinks he will be and I've only seen positive comments on his strength and mobility. If Chang is indeed in a breakout, that could either move Kiké back to CF or give us a valuable trade chip. Don't think Mondesi will be ready but if he is could see them carrying both he and Chang, Refsnyder would be the 4th OF and Kiké gets more time there too in that configuration of the team.
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Post by orion09 on Mar 16, 2023 14:50:19 GMT -5
How has Feltman looked so far? Have there been any signs of life?
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Post by dirtywaterinla on Mar 16, 2023 15:05:50 GMT -5
To me, the only SS question remains what happens if Mondesi is ready opening day. What do they do with Chang ? He thinks he will be and I've only seen positive comments on his strength and mobility. If Chang is indeed in a breakout, that could either move Kiké back to CF or give us a valuable trade chip. Don't think Mondesi will be ready but if he is could see them carrying both he and Chang, Refsnyder would be the 4th OF and Kiké gets more time there too in that configuration of the team. This would mean Tapia would be the odd man out (as long as he’s picked up out of camp). That said, I’d like to see how Tapia does in April before cutting him. I imagine the Sox have a similar idea in mind as they’ll probably wait until May to activate Mondesi on the 26 man.
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Post by dirtywaterinla on Mar 16, 2023 15:07:25 GMT -5
Seems incredibly unlikely that Mondesi will be ready. Have you seen otherwise recently? I could've missed something. No, just periodic comments that he looks good. Last I heard, he was running sprints, taking BP and infield practice. I think it was the infield coach that said he had the same proceedure and was amazed that Montesi was so fluid so fast. (That was a few weeks ago). Montesi himself said he'll be ready for opening day. Mondesi saying he’ll be ready opening day seems incredibly optimistic at this point. As I noted above, I think the team will have him in Worcester to rehab all of April to ensure he’s back to full health // gets some at bats in.
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Post by philsbosoxfan on Mar 16, 2023 15:26:26 GMT -5
Ian Browne @ianmbrowne · Mar 9 Also, Connor Wong is taking BP and Adalberto Mondesi, according to Alex Cora, "had a good day outside today. He hit, he took grounders.”
ALSO: Wong caught Sale's 4 inning sim game and Cora said he could be in a game this weekend.
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