|
Post by maxwellsdemon on Mar 21, 2023 11:08:18 GMT -5
I need the StatCast data on the guy who pinch run for Yoshida. That mfer is FAST! “I was thinking about the bunting, but coach Kuriyama told us, ‘Just to do what you can.’ I made my mind, and so when I hit the ball, I was hoping it was going to go into the stands, but I guess I didn't have enough power to hit the ball out of the stadium. I know that [pinch-runner Ukyo Shuto] was a really fast runner, so I figured we would win.”
|
|
|
Post by maxwellsdemon on Mar 21, 2023 10:48:40 GMT -5
He's not the prototypical leadoff guy and I'd hesitate to throw him in there right off the bat but part of me doesn't hate the idea of Casas batting lead-off, if they are deadset against it being Yoshida anyway. Casas - Devers - Turner - Yoshi or similar is a rough way to take advantage of new base stealing rules but probably a good way to take advantage of anti shift rules. If that's your first four, put the speed guys at the bottom of the lineup so they're on base the next time the four come around.
|
|
|
Post by maxwellsdemon on Mar 4, 2023 12:03:31 GMT -5
Solid B+. I think that the Sox had already decided last year that Devers was the one they would spend heavily on and that Xander was welcome back but on the team's terms. I believe they were already looking at transitioning to a new core made of those who emerged from a farm headed by Casa, Bello, Mayer, Rafaela, Yorke, Mata etc knowing that some will fall as others rise. I mean where was X going to go as his time at SS was limited to a couple of seasons of at best average, and probably less than that, defense? 2B for a while but even that would have had a defensive cost under the new rules and there was no guarantee he could transition to LF. Given all that, they moved to bring in pieces that get the team to the emerging core and could complement it as they arrived. If they had been able to reel in Xander then they don't get Yoshida and/or Turner to give him a home as he leaves shortstop. Meanwhile the pen is better, flexible complementary pieces are in place and maybe they catch lightning in a bottle while part twp evolves. Overall, nice job.
|
|
|
Post by maxwellsdemon on Mar 2, 2023 15:27:59 GMT -5
I know and don't disagree, but the opportunity was too good to pass up and I needed to strike in case the iron cooled
|
|
|
Post by maxwellsdemon on Mar 2, 2023 15:22:30 GMT -5
Thought I'd revisit this thread which has been remarkably quiet since Spring Training games began and we are seeing actual results instead of overheated speculation. I wonder if ericmvan could give us a p-value for that happenstance?
|
|
|
Post by maxwellsdemon on Feb 26, 2023 15:34:15 GMT -5
There's no crying in baseball ...and there's no closers in Spring training.
|
|
|
Post by maxwellsdemon on Feb 25, 2023 16:00:26 GMT -5
Walk off ... uh... walk off - this needs a proper name. U Got Lucky Yo!
|
|
|
Post by maxwellsdemon on Feb 11, 2023 10:19:54 GMT -5
Interesting fact, if you drop the radar device from a MFY spy balloon at 60,000 feet it reaches a terminal velocity of......105 mph.
|
|
|
Post by maxwellsdemon on Feb 8, 2023 22:09:32 GMT -5
6 guys scoring double figures is real old school Cetics basketball.
|
|
|
Post by maxwellsdemon on Jan 25, 2023 8:03:51 GMT -5
Gee, maybe it's a problem when Bronze and Iron Age superstitions are forced upon society by those whose actually goal is to wield undeserved power over others.?
|
|
|
Post by maxwellsdemon on Jan 24, 2023 17:53:42 GMT -5
We really canât underestimate how huge that Kikè extension was for our team. His flexibility allows us to go in many different directions. I really think that this flexibility is part of the Rays approach that Bloom has brought. Andwith lick the Sox will have a clone joining them late in the year, Ceddanne Rafaela. Mondesi does for the infield what Duvall does for the OF and Kiké/Rafeala do the premier middle of the field. That may actually work very well for the 162 if the pitching holds up, whether they'd have the horses to go far in the post season is another question.
|
|
|
Post by maxwellsdemon on Jan 22, 2023 22:46:09 GMT -5
Lost a skate blade. Fixed and he was back in a couple of minutes. Swayman got one save during that time so a combined S/O
|
|
|
Post by maxwellsdemon on Jan 21, 2023 12:56:26 GMT -5
True, if that is the case. However, if the deal was that the Sox said we'll pay you $1mm +/- and then Ruiz said $1.2mm or go fish, the Sox decided to go fishing. Unfortunately we are very, very unlikely to ever know what really happened.
|
|
|
Post by maxwellsdemon on Jan 21, 2023 12:43:33 GMT -5
Or perhaps the Sox saw a number of good prospects that required a certain amount to sign so they only had $1mm left instead of $1.2 and Ruiz Wanted the whole amount and thus signed with the Roayals who had the money to spend. Given the ultra crap shoot nature of projecting 16 year olds it is quite possible that 2 dimes and nickel are worth more than a quarter more often than not.
|
|
|
Post by maxwellsdemon on Jan 16, 2023 14:52:42 GMT -5
I had the speed and glove, not the arm, but did have that ability to get a jump, it let me go a lot further than I probably should have.
|
|
|
Post by maxwellsdemon on Jan 16, 2023 14:40:06 GMT -5
philsbosoxfan Coolidge Corner area of Brookline, local park was the Lawrence School field. ETA: Now perhaps it's clearer why I am so reluctant to include Rafaela in any trade except for a top talent. Noting that the MLB average OPS in 2022 was only .706 that means that if Rafaela is only a .650 OPS guy you are giving up 34 Total Bases per 600 at bats, Looks like he could save that many bases in his sleep and of course if he hits at all...
|
|
|
Post by maxwellsdemon on Jan 16, 2023 14:21:20 GMT -5
Someone should have told Zacha that the the time to go on a scoring binge is *before* you negiotiate your new deal.
|
|
|
Post by maxwellsdemon on Jan 16, 2023 7:39:22 GMT -5
So Jimmy Piersall was my favorite Sox player in part because I got to meet him several times since his biographer, Al Hirshberg, lived around the corner from us and was best friends with my folks. What he told me, and what I practiced and learned as a CF, is that you watch where the catcher sets up, watch the hitter start to swing and you actually can begin to move just *before* there is bat to ball contact. And yes, Eric is correct, that you adjust your path to the ball, but since you're already moving you gain an overall advantage the vast majority of the time. It is a technique that I got to practice quite a bit shagging balls for the older kids at the local park, it's a skill that can be learned to a degree if you're dedicated enough and have the time (and eyesight)
|
|
|
Post by maxwellsdemon on Jan 7, 2023 13:33:55 GMT -5
So Iggy at SS. (please don't ask for me to explain)
|
|
|
Post by maxwellsdemon on Jan 5, 2023 10:51:56 GMT -5
Now that the Sox know whattheir budget looks like for 2023 my guess is that they sign Iglesias to play SS so that Kiké can stay in CF if/until Rafaela is ready. Story remains at 2B, Casas at 1B, Verdugo in RF with maybe Refsnyder as the 4th OF. Arroyo becomes the backup IF and Yoshi in LF. A key will be how well Mayer develops this season as to their longer term view of SS (with Romero as a possible long term plan B). A lineup with now 2 (hopefully) high OBP guys (Yoshi and Casas) some thuump with Devers, a returning to form Story, maaaaybe a developing Casas. Might be good enough to WC3 if the pitching emerges and with an improved pen. The key was the Devers contract which set the $$ parameters and enables them to focus on moving forward. ETA, I wouldn not be surprised to see Yorke spending time in LF once/if his hitting returns to form as that frees Yoshi to spend more time at DH in a couple of years if his defense proves problematic and also fits in with what I believe is move by the team to a more contact, less TTO approach.
|
|
|
Post by maxwellsdemon on Jan 3, 2023 19:24:54 GMT -5
Sox win 5 of 9 and 5 of 9 etc, end up 90-72 because I'd rather be an optimist and be disappointed than be a pessimist have all the optimists grinningly say I told you so (plus if the pessimists are right it's not like they'll be happy about it).
|
|
|
Post by maxwellsdemon on Jan 1, 2023 21:53:33 GMT -5
When scouts and managers are saying that he is already one of the best CF in baseball (note not minor leagues, but all of baseball) I will take them at their word in which case he is already in a class with JBJ. Shortstop is more of stretch admittedly. But if he hits in that range he is with Bradley (career BA 227, OBP 306) Iglesias a different spread with a BA of 279 but OBP of 319. Again, I raised the possibility that he might flame out, but that only happens if/when he get to mlb and can't reach the Mendoza line. He is faster and more athletic than either of the comps I've given ever were so, yes if he hits at even somewhat below average for mlb then those guys are very arguably his floor. We will know, and soon, if that is the case.
|
|
|
Post by maxwellsdemon on Jan 1, 2023 16:57:40 GMT -5
I believe I said he could flame out, which would be his floor. However if he can hit .210 with his D he on an mlb roster and of its 225 he's a starter in a league where 240 was league average. SO yes, his floor is he never makes it at all, but if he does then he is a combination of JBJ and Iglesias (maybe not quite in that class as ss but close) both of whom have/had careers based on their gloves not their bats. But if you deliberately tried to ignore the point I was making which included the qualofication and decided you'd rather then nevermind.
|
|
|
Post by maxwellsdemon on Jan 1, 2023 10:38:03 GMT -5
So to sum up: Rafaela's floor seems to be JBJ in center field AND Jose Iglesias at shortstop. Let's be realistic, the best mlb pitchers will give him trouble, but not all of them. And if/when he improves his approach as he matures he has an All Star ceiling. To me he is an untouchable asset except in an overwhelming exchange for a top mlb talent. Could he flame out? Absolutely. But I sure don't want to be saying in a couple of years "Why can't we get players like that?"
|
|
|
Post by maxwellsdemon on Dec 29, 2022 16:52:33 GMT -5
If the personel is largely unchanged, but the coach and the approach is different...often the simplest answer is the corret one.
|
|