I think they should pull the trigger on Duran next:
Minor league totals seem like a weird number to use while also ignoring level of play and Duran's year off from competitive games and change in batting profile. Ellsbury was called up as an injury replacement for short stints but didn't come up to stay until September of 2007, and ended up with over 400 PA in AAA that year, which is over twice as many as Duran has right now (175). Barring injury I think they're going to let Duran play in the Olympics and then bring him up. I'm not sure of that, and I'm not necessarily saying it's the best plan, but that looks like the plan to me. I assume they'll have some short Olympic training camp before heading over, so I'd think he'd be heading out in a few weeks and we'll know then. I would think that when Duran was chosen for the qualifying tournament it was with the understanding that he would be made available for the actual olympic tournament as well. I would think that instead of blowing up that plan they would bring back Franchy as a first option if they wanted another outfielder.
Well, I guess my question is "How would this show weakness as a leader?" Is it showing unwillingness to challenge players? Perhaps demonstrating that his players would refuse to go out of their comfort zone? I'm all for questioning things and considering other possibilities, but I do think that the question of "Is this actually a sign of weakness?" deserves some addition elaboration rather than just stating it and expecting it to be evident.
I'd never suggest Cora shouldn't be criticized. In this case, it seems the critiques from some are fueled by an over-arching dislike for him. Which is fine of course, people can feel however they want, but it suddenly came across to me as less than genuine about the lead-off situation specifically.
And I think the issue of plate appearances is magnified in a playoff series. Hopefully Hernandez makes it a moot point by continuing to lead off each game with a homer.
If you want to be underwhelmed, see if you eyes pop when you look at the talent on paper of the best record in baseball, the Giants. Or the Rays and A's, for that matter. I'm not really sure what it says, other than in this era of launch angle and power bullpen arms, the definition of eye popping talent may be changing a bit. And who knows how declining spin rates will change that yet again.
His batting average and his OBP have been excellent so far. What you want to see is if he has any power, which is fair. The next month or so should show that.
I think in this era of baseball, a team that can trot out a lineup with Bogaerts, Martinez, Devers, Verdugo and Vasquez is going to be somewhat competitive, assuming they're all hitting well (and the pitching isn't a total disaster, like 2020). Offensively that's fairly "eye popping", at least to me. Bloom gets much credit for assembling a competent starting rotation, for sure. I never expected this starting 5 would be as relatively good as they've been. Needless to say, that is what has taken us from "somewhat competitive" to division leader. Basically, I think both Cora and Bloom are functioning at very high levels, as far as management contributions go.
I'm thinking of a team from another year who looked soooo bad "on paper" that if you search "AL East Predictions" for that year, you'll find this team was pegged as dead-last or second-to-last. I am thinking of the 2013 Boston Red Sox.
That's the apt comparison. This team is like that team. Hopefully it ends up the same way.
Nice. I’ll throw in the baserunning (BsR) stat from Fangraphs. Sox are tied for #3 in the AL with the Rays at +4.2 runs. They are actually a good baserunning team.
I would add a second starting pitcher to this list - that is if the team really wants to be championship quality. Maybe if ERod has figured out his approach, he'll be that guy in the second half. So - 1B, CF, and two SP. I think they're four player shy. ...Two of those will come internally - Sale and Duran, by end of July/end of Olympics. That leaves two to go get via trade - another starting pitcher, and at minimum a platoon partner for Dalbec. I suspect that Bloom will - rightly - not empty the cupboards this year. That likely means trading for one of these two remaining needs. Either a SP or a 1B. Which will it be?
I'm not sure they will make any significant additions, but they'll do something. Workman is the definition of fungible and will probably go before Yacksel.
I honestly really like Houck, and his major league experience so far has been outstanding. He's had five starts and only one of them was bad. Most have been excellent. I think he can be a big piece moving forward. And I wonder at what point Whitlock can move into a starting role. Adding his slider makes him incredibly effective.
Houck concerns me because the MLB sample is small and his career MiLB stats are okay, but not great. But maybe he's the kind of guy who steps up to the competition. Whitlock would be great in the rotation, but I think they are saving that for 2022. Meanwhile, he's such an important piece in the bullpen, you kinda don't want mess with that ...(2022 rotation could be awesome).
I don't think there are any financial restrictions for this year. They reset the penalties last year and the new ones don't kick in for another 3-4 years, by which time there's going to be a new CBA. If Scherzer didn't cost a ton in prospects, they wouldn't pass on him just to stay below $210 million.
I agree. If anything, taking a salary dump with a guy might be a great way to add talent without further depleting a farm system that's in the early stages of rebuild. Would not be surprised at all to see that.
I suspect Richards also will continue to get the starts with Sale "piggy-backing him" and slowly building up to a Postseason starting role. But a healthy Sale, Eovaldi and ERod (assuming his craptastic bad luck has righted itself after the Yankees game) is a very good playoff rotation. Especially with Houck, Pivetta as the rarely needed 4th starter
Cora said yesterday that Sale was going to be starting, not relieving when he comes back. It was posted in one of these threads, but I'm not sure which one.
Yeah, I really don't understand where this notion is coming from that Sale won't be starting when he returns, or that he'll be somehow limited if he does. He's on track for a late July or early August return. Assuming he comes close to maximizing his allotted rehab time in the minors (30 days), he should be at near normal pitch limits by the time he's back. Like say 75-80 pitches at minimum. That's 4-5 innings with normal efficiency, and it's reasonable to think he'll get up to 90-100 pitches an outing by September. I don't think they'll let him push his limits, but they certainly won't baby him upon his return. I don't think he'd stand for it.
This. Plus why waste Sale when the team is already down 3 or 5 runs? Games like yesterday aren't going to happen all the time, although that was their 26th comefrombehind victory. Let Sale start the game and set the pace.
7.3% contrarian. And for the record I'm not "anti-Cora." Cora's done exactly what he's done. What people are willing to ignore/forget or magically attribute to him is another matter. For whatever it's worth he helmed an epic team in 2018. His 2017 and 2019 carry their own weight.
E-Rod FA 2022
I have feeling they will trade some borderline prospects that would be in a crunch to make the 40 man roster in the offseason at the deadline to acquire a decent 1B. They will probably sit pat with Kike and plan to mix Duran in with him. 2B is currently ok if Arroyo gets healthy.
Well, I think IL or DFA Richards or Perez. If you can improve the team to win a world series without losing all your best prospects, losing a 5-starter/swingman in the process, to me, is well worth it.
Perez is what he is. Richards, well even he doesn't know what he is right now. There's time to let it play out, and maybe Perez's value in a trade is worth it, but man it sure seems that we get more predictable mediocrity out of him than Richards.
IF Perez were to be removed from the rotation (and I don't know that we're anywhere near that point yet) he might have more value as a reliever/spot starter/bulk guy/sixth starter. IMO it's wiser to keep him as it's going to be hard to find an insurance piece for Sale/Houck after the deadline.
Really, Wut? Cantor’s comment is brilliant. If the Sox can win the World Series AND not lose any prospects behind a fifth starter, you wouldn’t sign up for that?
Yeah, Rovin talked about how crowded the rotation would be if Sale returns, Houck is promoted, and they trade for a good mid rotation starter. Like - what to do with all those starters? I see that as a good problem, given that their current rotation, aside from Eovaldi are ALL pitching like 5s. I mean, the mission is to assemble the best team possible in order to win the big one (with an eye to protecting the future), not to be polite to guys who are already on the team.
No, no - I do think they would have to give up prospects. I simply was saying to make space for whatever pitcher they get they could trade Perez to mitigate those prospect loses. Does that seem ridiculous?
The idea of getting some value for those guys is not necessarily crazy. Their team options for next year could provide some value for other teams, depending on how things go over the next month.
Apologes accepted. Aren't the Apologes a string of islands off of Argentina?
Time to bring him up. The West Coast trip offers a great opportunity to ease him in ...
