Bradford: The Red Sox' big change you didn't see coming

[soxhop411]

Bradford has a really good piece up tonight about the huge analytical overhaul that is currently taking place because of Cora.... (and I think its obvious it wouldn't be taking place if we didn't hire him)

Some highlights below (but click the link to read the whole thing)

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Steve Langone had gotten used to it. Five years will do that.

Three or four times a week, the former Boston College baseball standout would get on a plane, trying to catch that next team, that next city. His job was to be where the Red Sox weren't so when they did get there, there was some expectation of what was to come. He was their advance scout.

"I would sometimes be home one or two days a month," Langone said. "You look at how many cities you're in, how many ballparks you're in, night game, day game. You look back and think that was a lot. But during the season you kind of get on automatic pilot with it. You know your schedule, you have to get your work done. You have to get up early to get on a flight, fly to that next city, do a conference call that afternoon, start work on the next team. The craziness of it once you organize it and you know what you're doing, it doesn't seem that bad when you're in it. But looking back you think, 'Man, that was kind of crazy.'"

Langone didn't seem to really mind. He was still in his 30's, collecting boatloads of frequent flier miles while playing an integral role in the Red Sox' success. But times change, as do job descriptions. That's what he was reminded of shortly after the introduction of new manager Alex Cora.

As part of his job interview, Cora had made it clear that there was a way he preferred to operate when it came to preparing for opposing teams. It was the Houston Astros' way. It was also a way that seemed to scratch where the Red Sox' itched when it came to their own desire to evolve from what had been.

So, with Cora's ideology in place, Dombrowski pulled Langone aside. The Red Sox were going to try something a little different.

Long considered at the forefront of analytics and scouting, the Red Sox had fallen behind. And part of that was how they executed their method of preparing for opponents. Under Terry Francona and Bobby Valentine, the team rotated the likes of current pitching coach Dana LeVangie and another scout, with one of the two on the road while the other looped back to deliver the information in-person to the Red Sox. Then John Farrell chose to use a one-man system -- as he had when relying on current Rays manager Kevin Cash as his advance guy in Toronto -- with Langone serving as the advance man.

The Red Sox had always done it this way.

http://www.weei.com/articles/column/bradford-red-sox-big-change-you-didnt-see-coming

 

[Sampo Gida]

Pretty shocked analytics were not part of the preparation in addition to the on site scouting.

Also, not sure doing away with the in person scouting is wise. I have to imagine these guys collect all sorts of off the field intelligence

 

[DJnVa]

I don't want to read it just because of the headline.

 

[Reverend]

I don't want to read it just because of the headline.

Also have not read for same.

Bradford fan here.

 

[Hawk68]

Not sure the impact of analytics on positioning and roster construction have been discussed here.

In the past week or so, respected Steve Buckley wrote of fielder positioning under Cora with no further exploration of ramifications. But to me playing "lanes" opens the opportunity for some non-traditional use of players.

For instance, if Swihart is hitting and can be positioned at 2B with defensive responsibility in a narrowly defined lane, that thinking opens roster construction and alters offense-defense balance.

 

[timlinin8th]

Also have not read for same.

Bradford fan here.

Yeah, the headline is kind of hot-takey clickbait, but the article is solid (in fairness, Bradford doesn’t write the headline).

 

[soxhop411]

I don't want to read it just because of the headline.

I would still read it. I don’t think he makes the headlines.

 

[h8mfy]

Tried to read it, but kept getting kicked off because “I may have won an iPhoneX” so was unable to finsh. Won’t click on those WEEI links again.

 

[Buzzkill Pauley]

I’m just shocked that in over the last two hours no one has commented on using the phrase “respected Steve Buckley” like that was a normal thing to say.

 

[esfr]

It’s an insightful article imo, not necessarily because he does a good job explaining how the new approach will impact play in the field, but because he rather effectively highlights how an organization once considered a leader in analytics and very forward thinking had become a significant laggard. Evidence of the cumulative adverse effect of front office and baseball operations turnover over the last several years.

 

[DeadlySplitter]

In the past week or so, respected Steve Buckley wrote of fielder positioning under Cora with no further exploration of ramifications. But to me playing "lanes" opens the opportunity for some non-traditional use of players.

For instance, if Swihart is hitting and can be positioned at 2B with defensive responsibility in a narrowly defined lane, that thinking opens roster construction and alters offense-defense balance.

relevant: http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/red_sox/clubhouse_insider/2018/03/jd_martinez_to_play_both_corner_of_spots_mookie_betts_could

Newly signed Red Sox slugger J.D. Martinez figures to spend most of his time at designated hitter, though the team is planning how to set up its outfield when he does factor in as a defender. “At home he’ll play left field and if somehow he plays somewhere on the road here, he’ll play right field,” manager Alex Cora told Jason Mastrodonato of the Boston Herald and other reporters Saturday. Cora went on to reveal that right fielder Mookie Betts could move to center during road games in which Martinez plays the field.

 

[JimBoSox9]

This may be concern-trolling, but based mainly on JD's comments, I'm not convinced everyone is on the same page about how much defensive run he gets.

 

[AB in DC]

Also, not sure doing away with the in person scouting is wise. I have to imagine these guys collect all sorts of off the field intelligence

I was wondering about that -- but really, who's giving information to another team's advance scout? These guys aren't exactly spies, after all.

 

[simplicio]

Tried to read it, but kept getting kicked off because “I may have won an iPhoneX” so was unable to finsh. Won’t click on those WEEI links again.

You can try disabling Java for the site, it might help.

 

[DJnVa]

I would still read it. I don’t think he makes the headlines.

I understand that. But I irrationally hate stupid buzzfeed style headlines.

 

[Hawk68]

relevant: http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/red_sox/clubhouse_insider/2018/03/jd_martinez_to_play_both_corner_of_spots_mookie_betts_could

The story I erroneously attributed to Steve Buckley was by Chad Jennings, link below.


http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/red_sox/2018/02/alex_cora_wants_red_sox_to_shift_more_on_defense

Key quote:

“You’re defending lanes,” Cora said. “That’s the easiest way to put it. There’s teams that are more aggressive than others, but it’s all about putting guys in the (most likely) line that the ball is going to be hit. That’s easy. And it works. It works.”

If the "lanes" defensive positioning is effective, combined with the decrease in ground balls it may open the opportunity for some non-traditional use of players.

Defensive responsibility limited to a narrowly defined lane, supported by other fielders similarly focused may alter roster construction and redefine offense-defense balance.

 

[Sampo Gida]

I was wondering about that -- but really, who's giving information to another team's advance scout? These guys aren't exactly spies, after all.

Everybody knows everybody now. With players We have Pedro teaching Severino a changeup in the offseason while working for the Red Sox, Pujols working with the Padres Drury and certainly scouts have their own networks , plus they probably talk to the writers who have access to the clubhouse and see stuff. People exchange information in conversation, sometimes carelessly. Not trying to hurt their team or anything, maybe just something they know about another team.

Also, you can peak into the dugout from some seats and observe trainers working on one body part or another, or a player looking a bit hobbled running off the field, maybe even something in batting practice or bullpens.

Probbaly a dozen things I have not thought of.

 

[Laser Show]

This may be concern-trolling, but based mainly on JD's comments, I'm not convinced everyone is on the same page about how much defensive run he gets.

The quotes from him and management definitely don't sync up, but I'd be shocked if they weren't on the same page. That would be malpractice to not have everyone clear about the plan considering the length of negotiations and magnitude of the investment.

 

[JimD]

It's frustrating to see how the one-time analytics advantage that the Red Sox enjoyed over much of baseball was allowed to atrophy in the post-Epstein era. Ownership and Dombrowski must have put on quite a dog and pony show for Ale Cora to get him to choose Boston after experiencing the Astros Way for a year.

 

[The Gray Eagle]

The quotes from him and management definitely don't sync up, but I'd be shocked if they weren't on the same page. That would be malpractice to not have everyone clear about the plan considering the length of negotiations and magnitude of the investment.

Well, Cafardo's latest blathering claims that JD wants to play "a lot" of outfield, and that he was "sold" on the idea of being part of a 4-man DH rotation with the other OFs.

"Martinez wants to play a lot of outfield.

During free agent negotiations, Martinez emphasized that he did not want to strictly be a DH. He was sold on a four-man outfield rotation in which the other starters — Andrew Benintendi, Mookie Betts, and Jackie Bradley Jr. — would see time at DH.

Martinez is irritated by the rap that he’s not a good outfielder. He blames the analytics community for spreading erroneous information through their often fallible and unbending metrics, while those who have worked with Martinez— Torey Lovullo, Mike Hazen, Dave Magadan, Tony La Russa, and Ron Gardenhire in Arizona and Dave Dombrowski in Detroit— paint a different picture about his defense. In 2015, Martinez ranked second among American League outfielders with 15 assists.

Martinez acknowledged that his hitting will be ahead of his defense in spring training. Manager Alex Cora has said Martinez will see time at the corner outfield spots, with the emphasis on left field since Betts will seldomly be out of right field.

“The way Alex explained it to me, you’re not just a DH, you’re going to play the outfield,” Martinez said. “This way, you get guys off their feet, which I think is smart.”

Despite the vintage Cafardo-ness of this article (using the word "seldomly"; working in a pointless nonsensical shot at "the analytics community"; using a stat to try to counter the "erroneous information" being "spread by the analytics community"; and several instances of claiming Martinez says or believes something that isn't backed up by an actual quote from Martinez) it sounds like JD is planning on playing a lot of outfield.

 

[Harry Hooper]

A key in all this could be what the Sox told JD vs. what Boras told JD. Did Boras exaggerate the potential defensive innings JD would get in order to lead him to sign?

Having said that, Bradley or Benintendi will run into the Wall and break some ribs, and Martinez will end up playing 60 games in the OF this season.

 

[Savin Hillbilly]

This is starting to look like a clusterfork in the making. JDM should play the OF only when one of the starting outfielders is out of the lineup, which means in NL parks on the road and versus some tough lefthanded starters--maybe 20-30 starts total. It would be the height of absurdity to have JDM playing left field and Benintendi or Bradley DHing, and if the Sox had to promise him that in order to get him to sign, when they had little or no market competition, I am disappointed.

 

[lexrageorge]

I would have to believe that between Betts, Benintendi, and Bradley, there will be opportunity for quite a bit more than 20-30 games in the OF for JD Martinez. I imagine each one will be given between 10 and 15 games off for "maintenance days", plus assuming another 20 games total due to random injuries and games in NL parks puts JDM close to 60 games. Last season, Chris Young got 65 games as a starter, with 45 of them in the OF. And I'm in the camp that believes JD is a better OF than Young any day of the week.

Not sure what was promised or what expectations were set with JDM. 50-60 games in the OF sounds reasonable; 100+ is obviously unreasonable barring injury.

 

[Red(s)HawksFan]

I would have to believe that between Betts, Benintendi, and Bradley, there will be opportunity for quite a bit more than 20-30 games in the OF for JD Martinez. I imagine each one will be given between 10 and 15 games off for "maintenance days", plus assuming another 20 games total due to random injuries and games in NL parks puts JDM close to 60 games. Last season, Chris Young got 65 games as a starter, with 45 of them in the OF. And I'm in the camp that believes JD is a better OF than Young any day of the week.

Not sure what was promised or what expectations were set with JDM. 50-60 games in the OF sounds reasonable; 100+ is obviously unreasonable barring injury.

Can't really assume that every day off for Betts, Benintendi, and Bradley will be covered by one other guy. There will probably be occasions where two out of the three sit (particularly if one is on the DL). So that eats into that 60 game estimate a bit.

Just for comparison, last year Betts started 150 games, Benintendi started 143 (LF and CF), Bradley started 131. That left 59 starts (close enough to 60) covered by four different reserve outfielders: Young 41, Holt 9, Davis 8, Selsky 1.

Assuming there is a fifth player on the roster who can play the outfield, be it Holt or Swihart or Nunez or Lin, they're going to get some time out there. That leaves me to think that unless Cora is planning to sit Betts, Benintendi, or Bradley for more than just 10-15 games a piece, or unless one of those three is on the DL for an extended period, the best Martinez might get in terms of OF time is probably 30-35 starts.

 

[Buzzkill Pauley]

OTOH, when the team is at home, JDM’s shortcomings can be mitigated in LF. When they are playing in the Bronx, there’s RF to hide him in. And in NL parks, they’ll want to keep his bat in the lineup regardless of park.

Think of it as a logic box problem: there are 5 positions for 6 baseball players.

Positions: DH, 1B, LF, CF, RF

Players: Betts, Martinez, Benintendi, Ramirez, Bradley, and Moreland.

Each of the first five players can start 145 games, while Moreland will only start 85. Moreland will always start at 1B when he plays. Bradley always plays CF when he starts. Betts is a better hitter than Benintendi or Bradley. Benintendi is better in LF than any other position. Betts is the best RF on the team. Only Ramirez and Moreland can start at 1B.

It ends up something like...

Betts = 140 RF, 5 DH
Martinez = 80 DH, 43 LF, 22 RF
Benintendi = 128 LF, 17 CF
Ramirez = 77 1B, 68 DH
Bradley = 145 CF
Moreland = 85 1B

Sure, seeing no more than 128 G with the ideal OF configuration is not ideal, but fortunately there are enough K’s thrown by the pitching staff, as well as small outfields to hide th defensive shortcomings to make it work.

 

[MikeM]

This is starting to look like a clusterfork in the making. JDM should play the OF only when one of the starting outfielders is out of the lineup, which means in NL parks on the road and versus some tough lefthanded starters--maybe 20-30 starts total. It would be the height of absurdity to have JDM playing left field and Benintendi or Bradley DHing, and if the Sox had to promise him that in order to get him to sign, when they had little or no market competition, I am disappointed.

Maybe, but outside a best case scenario projection there is also the surrounding possibilities that Jackie doesn't hit for much and Ben10 amounts to a guy who is going to notably struggle vs lefties in general.

Between random injuries, the potential aim at keeping everybody better rested, and the possibility we go with a bench short on established OF depth, I'm not sure it's an actual clusterfork until both Bradley/Ben10 do more to prove they can make it one. Until then I agree with lexrageorge above that a plan where JDM sees maybe 50-60 games isn't all that unreasonable atm.

Well, reasonable until JDM is the one getting hurt out there while playing OF I guess. Then it will be second guessed into the ground.

 

[Savin Hillbilly]

I would have to believe that between Betts, Benintendi, and Bradley, there will be opportunity for quite a bit more than 20-30 games in the OF for JD Martinez. I imagine each one will be given between 10 and 15 games off for "maintenance days", plus assuming another 20 games total due to random injuries and games in NL parks puts JDM close to 60 games.

If Mookie doesn't play at least 155 games, it'll be because he's hurt. JBJ and Beni, yes, which is where I came up with that 20-30 number. Say 30-40, if you want, but if it's 60, something has gone badly wrong.

Last season, Chris Young got 65 games as a starter, with 45 of them in the OF. And I'm in the camp that believes JD is a better OF than Young any day of the week.

41, to be exact. And of those starts, it looks like 3 in RF and 12 in LF early in the year were injury-related, and several in the last two weeks were probably to give Betts and Benintendi a pre-playoff breather. Between May 10 and Sept. 22, he started 19 of 120 games in the outfield, a rate of about 25 per 162, which is exactly what I'm suggesting for JDM. (I'm saying that should be the plan--of course if people get hurt he'll start more than that.)

 

[trs]

I would have to believe that between Betts, Benintendi, and Bradley, there will be opportunity for quite a bit more than 20-30 games in the OF for JD Martinez. I imagine each one will be given between 10 and 15 games off for "maintenance days", plus assuming another 20 games total due to random injuries and games in NL parks puts JDM close to 60 games. Last season, Chris Young got 65 games as a starter, with 45 of them in the OF. And I'm in the camp that believes JD is a better OF than Young any day of the week.

Not sure what was promised or what expectations were set with JDM. 50-60 games in the OF sounds reasonable; 100+ is obviously unreasonable barring injury.

I would also assume that some of those maintenance days will overlap with NL away games, when one of your OF/DH guys have to sit regardless. I'm also curious as to how many of these maintenance days were on Sunday getaway days. I'm not sure JD will always being the one suiting up on Sundays before road trips.

I tend to agree that the 25 game number sounds about right in terms of intentional JD in the outfield days. There may be be another 10 for injury as you say, but barring one of the other OFs missing a long stretch of time, I don't see many more than 30-35 OF starts for JD.

 

[reggiecleveland]

My prediction is Cora will praise JD's outfield play, call him a team guy will to do whatever it takes, cover him in complments,then talk about the luxury of having 4 great defensive outfielders and then DH JD almost all the time.

 

[Pozo the Clown]

I would also assume that some of those maintenance days will overlap with NL away games, when one of your OF/DH guys have to sit regardless.

The Sox are scheduled for 10 regular season games in NL parks. They are as follows:

Miami - April 2 & 3
Washington - July 2, 3 & 4
Philly - Aug 14 & 15
Atlanta - Sept 3, 4 & 5

 

[SirPsychoSquints]

The Sox are scheduled for 10 regular season games in NL parks. They are as follows:

Miami - April 2 & 3
Washington - July 2, 3 & 4
Philly - Aug 14 & 15
Atlanta - Sept 3, 4 & 5

In case it matters -

Miami - April 2 & 3 - night games after a day game in Tampa.
Washington - July 2, 3 & 4 - night/night/day after the Sunday Night game in New York
Philly - Aug 14 & 15 - night games with days off on both sides
Atlanta - Sept 3, 4 & 5 - day/night/day after a day game in Chicago

 

[JimBoSox9]

My prediction is Cora will praise JD's outfield play, call him a team guy will to do whatever it takes, cover him in complments,then talk about the luxury of having 4 great defensive outfielders and then DH JD almost all the time.

And once the rubber hits the road, does JD - whose main goal is to maximize his percieved value in the next two years, so he can get the AAV he thinks he deserves - get with the program, or become a clubhouse stormcloud?

 

[reggiecleveland]

I expect Boras can spin slightly worse outfielder than Benintendi into some $.

 

[Savin Hillbilly]

And once the rubber hits the road, does JD - whose main goal is to maximize his percieved value in the next two years, so he can get the AAV he thinks he deserves - get with the program, or become a clubhouse stormcloud?

Becoming a clubhouse stormcloud does not sound like a value-maximizing strategy either, at least not if it reaches the point of leaking into the media or the twittersphere. So I assume he'll have the good sense to say the right things in public. What he says in Cora's office is another story, of course, but that's what managers are paid for.

 

[dbn]

The Sox are scheduled for 10 regular season games in NL parks. They are as follows:

Miami - April 2 & 3
Washington - July 2, 3 & 4
Philly - Aug 14 & 15
Atlanta - Sept 3, 4 & 5

Let's hope the bolded distinction will matter!

 

[Rasputin]

The Sox are scheduled for 10 regular season games in NL parks. They are as follows:

Miami - April 2 & 3
Washington - July 2, 3 & 4
Philly - Aug 14 & 15
Atlanta - Sept 3, 4 & 5

So that's about eight games he should start on the OF. A few pinch hit and play a few innings.

Barring an extended injury to an outfielder he shouldn't get more than a hundred initial innings in the field.

 

[Savin Hillbilly]

So that's about eight games he should start on the OF. A few pinch hit and play a few innings.

Barring an extended injury to an outfielder he shouldn't get more than a hundred initial innings in the field.

This formula implies Benintendi and/or Bradley will never sit for him when healthy, and I think that's taking it a little far. Benintendi's career slash vs. LHP is .221/.319/.264. His career slash vs. LHP at Fenway is .162/.269/.162 (that's correct, zero XBH in 78 PA). I don't think it should be too controversial to say that home starts for Benintendi vs. LHP should be the exception. Sure, he's a young player and he needs to figure this out, but let him do it on the road where at least the park isn't working against him and where is outfield range is less of a wasted asset.

Bradley's platoon splits are fairly minor, so I'd be more selective about when I sit him for JDM, and do it more by pitcher rather than as a platoon thing. Certain pitchers have shut him down, many of them RHP: Stroman, Tanaka, Gausman, Archer.

 

[Rasputin]

This formula implies Benintendi and/or Bradley will never sit for him when healthy

I think it assumes that when they need a day off, they'll be replaced by Holt or Lin or whoever the fourth outfielder is.

Martinez should be the fifth outfielder and the great bulk of his time in the field should come when it's the only way to get his bat to the plate.

 

[JimBoSox9]

I'll throw $25 down on an even-odds charity bet that JD gets 25 or more OF starts this year, or 1:2 odds that he starts 50 or more games. 8 is just cray cray the way JD is talking, I don't see how that wouldn't be a problem or that Cora & DD don't realize that.

 

[Savin Hillbilly]

I think it assumes that when they need a day off, they'll be replaced by Holt or Lin or whoever the fourth outfielder is.

Martinez should be the fifth outfielder and the great bulk of his time in the field should come when it's the only way to get his bat to the plate.

Holt is a perfectly adequate OF for a utility guy, but he's no Gold Glover out there, especially not in LF, which is mostly what we're talking about here. The difference between Holt's bat and Hanley's or even Moreland's is worth much more than the difference between Holt's defense and JDM's, at least from what we've seen on paper.

Not to mention that JDM clearly wants and expects OF starts. I would expect Cora to tell him no if the difference was clear-cut, but if it's anywhere near a toss-up--and calling Holt LF/JDM DH vs. JDM LF/Hanley DH a toss-up is being generous to Holt--he's going to keep his star happy.

 

[grimshaw]

Between Cora wanting Kimbrel to pitch the 8th on occasions and managing JD Martinez in the OF, he's got his work cut out for him. Those are ways to really maximize the roster talent. Farrell gave up on Kimbrel pitching the 8th - but maybe Cora will have better luck.

 

[lexrageorge]

I don't see how Holt or Lin would be that much better option as the 4th OF than JD Martinez. Their slight edge on defense does not come close to making up Martinez's impact with the bat.

 

[Red(s)HawksFan]

I don't see how Holt or Lin would be that much better option as the 4th OF than JD Martinez. Their slight edge on defense does not come close to making up Martinez's impact with the bat.

It's not like Martinez's bat isn't going to be in the lineup if Holt or Lin is playing the OF.

The argument you want to make is Holt or Lin or Swihart's bat versus Moreland or Hanley's.

 

[Savin Hillbilly]

Between Cora wanting Kimbrel to pitch the 8th on occasions and managing JD Martinez in the OF, he's got his work cut out for him. Those are ways to really maximize the roster talent. Farrell gave up on Kimbrel pitching the 8th - but maybe Cora will have better luck.

I think whoever is his manager in 2019 will have much better luck than Cora. As long as saves = $ for closers (and I assume they still do), it would be hard to blame Kimbrel for resisting a change to his role that will lower his save count--especially this year.

 

[Rasputin]

Holt is a perfectly adequate OF for a utility guy, but he's no Gold Glover out there, especially not in LF, which is mostly what we're talking about here. The difference between Holt's bat and Hanley's or even Moreland's is worth much more than the difference between Holt's defense and JDM's, at least from what we've seen on paper.

Not to mention that JDM clearly wants and expects OF starts. I would expect Cora to tell him no if the difference was clear-cut, but if it's anywhere near a toss-up--and calling Holt LF/JDM DH vs. JDM LF/Hanley DH a toss-up is being generous to Holt--he's going to keep his star happy.

I don't see how Holt or Lin would be that much better option as the 4th OF than JD Martinez. Their slight edge on defense does not come close to making up Martinez's impact with the bat.

Yeah, this:

It's not like Martinez's bat isn't going to be in the lineup if Holt or Lin is playing the OF.

The argument you want to make is Holt or Lin or Swihart's bat versus Moreland or Hanley's.

An outfielder needs a day off. You can play Swihart, Holt, Lin, or JDM there. If you put Martinez there, he's terrible, and you have both Moreland and Hanley in the lineup. If you put Holt in there, he's not great, but better than Martinez. Swihart and Lin don't really have the time there to have numbers that are worth a damn, but really, they're probably going to be substantially better than Martinez, too.

It's not going to be a disaster if Martinez ends up playing 25 games or so in left, and if that's what it takes for him to like it here, then fine, but he's bad at it and I'd really like to avoid asking players to do things they're bad at when there are better options.

 

[grimshaw]

I think whoever is his manager in 2019 will have much better luck than Cora. As long as saves = $ for closers (and I assume they still do), it would hard to blame Kimbrel for resisting a change to his role that will lower his save count--especially this year.

It's certainly debatable, though I don't think it's a stretch that he could be the highest paid reliever in history regardless of whether he has 42 or 37 saves this year.

 

[effectivelywild]

Between Cora wanting Kimbrel to pitch the 8th on occasions and managing JD Martinez in the OF, he's got his work cut out for him. Those are ways to really maximize the roster talent. Farrell gave up on Kimbrel pitching the 8th - but maybe Cora will have better luck.

I always thought Kimbrel's issue wasn't pitching the 8th, it was pitching more than 1 inning. So, if Cora plans to use him only for the 8th sometimes, that would still keep him in his comfort zone.

 

[lexrageorge]

Yeah, this:


An outfielder needs a day off. You can play Swihart, Holt, Lin, or JDM there. If you put Martinez there, he's terrible, and you have both Moreland and Hanley in the lineup. If you put Holt in there, he's not great, but better than Martinez. Swihart and Lin don't really have the time there to have numbers that are worth a damn, but really, they're probably going to be substantially better than Martinez, too.

It's not going to be a disaster if Martinez ends up playing 25 games or so in left, and if that's what it takes for him to like it here, then fine, but he's bad at it and I'd really like to avoid asking players to do things they're bad at when there are better options.

Is JDM really that much worse than Swihart or Lin in LF? I guess I don't see it, but I've always been a skeptic of single-season UZR anyway.

 

[grimshaw]

I always thought Kimbrel's issue wasn't pitching the 8th, it was pitching more than 1 inning. So, if Cora plans to use him only for the 8th sometimes, that would still keep him in his comfort zone.

It was both from what I recall but more the latter.

 

[Sampo Gida]

Yeah, this:


An outfielder needs a day off. You can play Swihart, Holt, Lin, or JDM there. If you put Martinez there, he's terrible, and you have both Moreland and Hanley in the lineup. If you put Holt in there, he's not great, but better than Martinez. Swihart and Lin don't really have the time there to have numbers that are worth a damn, but really, they're probably going to be substantially better than Martinez, too.

It's not going to be a disaster if Martinez ends up playing 25 games or so in left, and if that's what it takes for him to like it here, then fine, but he's bad at it and I'd really like to avoid asking players to do things they're bad at when there are better options.

Is he really bad at it? His numbers were off the last 2 years due to injuries but his first 5 years he had a total of -0.6 WAR in OF so basically league average, and his arm should play well at Fenway