Which type of plate discipline is eating Panda?

[Pilgrim]

Re: the talk about replacing Sandoval.

I dont think there is any chance that they are going to go outside the organization to find a new 3b during the length of his contract. So if you think he is going to continue to be terrible, its a question of how soon they go to Holt/Shaw, and how quickly Moncada can be ready to be a big league starter. This probably doesnt mean much, but I thought it was interesting:

Alex Speier‏@alexspeier
Farrell said major league staff requested Moncada for today's game and is likely to request him for more.

Alex Speier ‏@alexspeier Feb 29
To be clear: Farrell's meaning re: Moncada was simply that staff enjoys chance to gain familiarity w/young players and to expose them to...

Alex Speier ‏@alexspeier Feb 29
... Big league-ish setting so that it will diminish some unknown when they're in big league camp in future years.

Is it unusual to see A-Ball prospects in big league spring training games? I can't recall, but Speier also mentioned that he thinks we will see Benintendi and Devers at some point.

 

[Buzzkill Pauley]

This probably doesnt mean much, but I thought it was interesting:

Alex Speier‏@alexspeier
Farrell said major league staff requested Moncada for today's game and is likely to request him for more.

Alex Speier ‏@alexspeier Feb 29
To be clear: Farrell's meaning re: Moncada was simply that staff enjoys chance to gain familiarity w/young players and to expose them to...

Alex Speier ‏@alexspeier Feb 29
... Big league-ish setting so that it will diminish some unknown when they're in big league camp in future years.

Is it unusual to see A-Ball prospects in big league spring training games? I can't recall, but Speier also mentioned that he thinks we will see Benintendi and Devers at some point.

After a little google-fu on some past prospects, it doesn't seem that unusual for the top guys.

For example, Lars Anderson and Will Middlebrooks both got into MLB spring training games following the season in which each ended in hi-A.

Which, quite frankly the Sox would likely have done with Moncada last year if it had been Salem rather then Greenville that was in a late-season playoff push.

 

[crystalline]

Is it unusual to see A-Ball prospects in big league spring training games?

No, esp for split squad games and doubleheaders, which this was (Northeastern game, 2nd of a double header).

 

[DourDoerr]

From the Speier article in this thread:
and

I'm not necessarily saying the Sandoval signing was a great decision, but he stands a fair chance to rebound, and the degree to which people are freaking out over a picture, before actual games are played, is absurd. This is baseball. Have an argument with a fan of any other sport and the first thing they bring up is that you can be fat and still be a good player. Freaking Bartolo Colon just had an age 42 season with a 3.84 FIP.

I'd say working hard would include taking care of what you're putting in your body as well as lifting, running, etc. The best recent example of a player who responded when his weight might have affected performance is Lackey. His change was stunning when he arrived in camp in 2013, I believe, and it wasn't necessary then for him to outline his routine of the preceding winter. I'm also a more than a little skeptical of Pablo's stated workout. I hope it's true and his stamina, etc. is improved, but it sounds way too rigorous for the results shown.

Like AZ, I've seen this picture and heard this story several times before as I live in the Bay Area. That 2010 World Series benching was an especially gutsy move by Bochy - it was embarrassing and warranted and - six years later - here we are again.

 

[shaggydog2000]

From the Speier article in this thread:
and

I'm not necessarily saying the Sandoval signing was a great decision, but he stands a fair chance to rebound, and the degree to which people are freaking out over a picture, before actual games are played, is absurd. This is baseball. Have an argument with a fan of any other sport and the first thing they bring up is that you can be fat and still be a good player. Freaking Bartolo Colon just had an age 42 season with a 3.84 FIP.

I love how writers always emphasis how amazing it is that an athlete is getting up early to work out. As if it counts double if you do the same exercises at 5 am instead of 10.

 

[HomeRunBaker]

Still, I hope the 17% body fat is somehow somewhere near the truth.

Using my fitness background to guesstimate ones body fat from a picture. A man with 17% body fat simply doesn't remotely resemble Pablo. I'd guess he's in the 28-30% range.

 

[doctorogres]

I'd say working hard would include taking care of what you're putting in your body as well as lifting, running, etc. The best recent example of a player who responded when his weight might have affected performance is Lackey. His change was stunning when he arrived in camp in 2013, I believe, and it wasn't necessary then for him to outline his routine of the preceding winter. I'm also a more than a little skeptical of Pablo's stated workout. I hope it's true and his stamina, etc. is improved, but it sounds way too rigorous for the results shown.

Like AZ, I've seen this picture and heard this story several times before as I live in the Bay Area. That 2010 World Series benching was an especially gutsy move by Bochy - it was embarrassing and warranted and - six years later - here we are again.

Lackey's performance was almost certainly because he finally had his elbow put back together. Pablo lost a lot of weight for 2014 and had his performance still slid. He also had a nutritionist this off season. And yes, Pablo had a history of this with the Giants, which we knew, and he openly stated that he was signing with the Sox because there wasn't a weight clause. We've been over all of this upthread-- we get it, he looks fat in that picture. "Hard" vs. "jiggly" fat is really jumping the shark. You seem to be saying "not all guys who look fat are fat, but this guy who looks fat is fat." You can totally be skeptical of a fluff piece, but Speier is generally good, and it's some outside information other than your opinion.

This was going to be a mediocre contract from the get-go, but he was one of the only 3B out there at the time and we had a need. The hope is he can bounce back from terrible to mediocre. 100-110 OPS+ and average defense would be a 3 or 4 win improvement. If not, there are options in Holt and Shaw. Let's see some games. March is the worst for these kinds of Boston sports echo chamber freak outs.

 

[Heating up in the bullpen]

Sorry if this has come up already - too lazy to read the whole thread since the title changed.
Shouldn't the thread title be "Which type of plate discipline is Panda eating?"

 

[SoxInTheMist]

Using my fitness background to guesstimate ones body fat from a picture. A man with 17% body fat simply doesn't remotely resemble Pablo. I'd guess he's in the 28-30% range.

I'm glad someone else finally said it. No way in hell he is at 17% body fat. I'm 5'11", 198, and at about 18% body fat. I sure as hell don't like what I look like in the mirror but it's nowhere near what Pablo looks like.

 

[DourDoerr]

Lackey's performance was almost certainly because he finally had his elbow put back together. Pablo lost a lot of weight for 2014 and had his performance still slid. He also had a nutritionist this off season. And yes, Pablo had a history of this with the Giants, which we knew, and he openly stated that he was signing with the Sox because there wasn't a weight clause. We've been over all of this upthread-- we get it, he looks fat in that picture. "Hard" vs. "jiggly" fat is really jumping the shark. You seem to be saying "not all guys who look fat are fat, but this guy who looks fat is fat." You can totally be skeptical of a fluff piece, but Speier is generally good, and it's some outside information other than your opinion.

I think you're confusing other posts with mine in reference to the hard and jiggly fats. Never mentioned either.

Lackey was better because of his elbow, of course, but there had been a lot of criticism of his weight pre-injury as well and, to his credit, he made sure to give himself the best chance to succeed post-op by eliminating potential negative variables.

I'm as appreciative of outside info as anyone and thank you to whomever posted Speier's piece, but those workout numbers plus a nutritionist (and I'll assume that the nutrionist is good at his/her job) do not equal Pablo's current size. Talked with my neighbor who's a doctor - and, yes this is very anecdotal - and he thought you'd have to be eating a lot of junk to still be overweight if you're following that workout routine. So, what's real? The workout? The nutritionist? I don't think we're getting the whole truth here and at some level I don't care, but am curious why the line's being trotted out. That's my freak out opinion, I guess.

 

[Darnell's Son]

For some perspective on the matter, Bernie Carbohydrate went through Red Sox history to find other girth-challenged players at the .com.

 

[snowmanny]

I realize they are both left-handed, but shouldn't Shaw or Holt play third against LHP? If I watch 155PA/5BB/34TB again I will lose my mind.

 

[Papelbon's Poutine]

I realize they are both left-handed, but shouldn't Shaw or Holt play third against LHP? If I watch 155PA/5BB/34TB again I will lose my mind.

They shouldn't do anything until they give Pablo a decent run. Immediately platooning your $$$$$ FA one year into his contract is, at best, reactionary. Apologies that it doesn't suit your palate.

 

[nvalvo]

Sandoval crushed a home run today over everything off Vogelsong.

 

[Savin Hillbilly]

They shouldn't do anything until they give Pablo a decent run. Immediately platooning your $$$$$ FA one year into his contract is, at best, reactionary. Apologies that it doesn't suit your palate.

1) How does "one year into his contract and seven years into his career" = "immediately"?

2) Here's a chart of Panda's platoon OPS splits since 2012:




There's nothing "reactionary" about looking at that picture and suggesting that Pablo Sandoval should be hitting against LHP as little as possible if the Red Sox want to win. At this point, barring a really dramatic turnaround, we're talking fat Daniel Nava here.

 

[Manuel Aristides]

Came across this crummy ESPN spring training report mentioning Sandoval had another error today, as well as the homer. What really concerns me isn't 3 errors in 8 games (it's spring), but they way he himself talks about his defense. It's similar to the tone I've been hearing in regards to speak Hanley's defense... only Sandoval isn't learning a new position. He's been playing this one professionally for over a decade. I've been presuming he'll regress to his mean at least a little bit this year, if even he's lost confidence in his defense, that doesn't reassure me that he's about to bounce back.

"I've been getting confident on defense," Sandoval said. "I'm going to work hard no matter what situation, if I make an error or play good defense or play bad defense. Try to get my first step, keep it simple, (better) glove presentation. That's what I'm looking for."

 

[Darnell's Son]

Maybe it's because people keep asking him about it.

 

[nvalvo]

Uh oh:

David Laurila, on twitter: "Was told that Pablo Sandoval blew up at reporter yesterday for citing declining defensive stats in article. Slammed table w/ bat during rant"

 

[uncannymanny]

Maybe it's because people keep asking him about it.

 

[doctorogres]

Was looking at Panda's splits last night and boy have his numbers vs. LHP fallen off a cliff. wRC+ the last three years of 100, 60, and 21. 2014 looks to be driven by shitty BABIP luck, and there was some of that last year too, but his BB% and especially FB% dropped while GB/FB soared. He's right to really prioritize that RH swing.

 

[ToeKneeArmAss]

Was looking at Panda's splits last night and boy have his numbers vs. LHP fallen off a cliff. wRC+ the last three years of 100, 60, and 21. 2014 looks to be driven by shitty BABIP luck, and there was some of that last year too, but his BB% and especially FB% dropped while GB/FB soared. He's right to really prioritize that RH swing.

Not all variance in BABIP is luck. Hitting the ball hard on a line has an element of skill that as I understand it correlates with higher BABIP. Weak RHH ABs by Panda may contribute to his lower BABIP from the right side (which in turn supports the idea of abandoning switch-hitting).

 

[Marbleheader]

Lovullo's statement on yet another Pablo error.

Check out @alexspeier's Tweet:
Don't worry, if he played on a planet without a sun, he'd be much better. Maybe thinner too.

 

[shaggydog2000]

Lovullo's statement on yet another Pablo error.

Check out @alexspeier's Tweet:
Don't worry, if he played on a planet without a sun, he'd be much better. Maybe thinner too.

It would be terrible for the Sox to play on a planet like that. I'm pretty sure Mookie's extraordinary abilities are due to being exposed to the rays of our yellow sun.

 

[Al Zarilla]

It would be terrible for the Sox to play on a planet like that. I'm pretty sure Mookie's extraordinary abilities are due to being exposed to the rays of our yellow sun.

If he played on a planet with low enough gravity, he'd drape himself over the top of the Green Monster catching a ball.

 

[PrometheusWakefield]

I find this statement remarkable:

The fact that Ferrell is willing to speak publicly like this shows that it is a real possibility that Panda will not be the starting third baseman, maybe as soon as opening day.

 

[Rasputin]

I find this statement remarkable:

The fact that Ferrell is willing to speak publicly like this shows that it is a real possibility that Panda will not be the starting third baseman, maybe as soon as opening day.

Here's an Ian Browne column on that whole thing.

m.redsox.mlb.com/news/article/168152410/red-sox-looking-for-ways-to-play-travis-shaw

I think this raises two questions.

One, if Sandoval isn't the starter, does he even have a role on this team?

If Sandoval is the starter and Shaw plays more than the normal backup role, some first, some third, some left, isn't he taking more ABs from Brock Holt than Sandoval?

 

[soxhop411]

I find this statement remarkable:

The fact that Ferrell is willing to speak publicly like this shows that it is a real possibility that Panda will not be the starting third baseman, maybe as soon as opening day.

A more detailed article by Scott Lauber was just posted to ESPN boston.
http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/red-sox/post/_/id/48011/pablo-sandoval-or-travis-shaw-red-sox-ready-for-third-base-competition

one quote

Regardless, it's clear Farrell doesn't want Shaw rusting on the bench.

"I'm not going to say that it's only one [position], but we've got 2-1/2 weeks to go here," Farrell said. "He's done a very good job to date. He's played, I think, a solid third base. We do want to see him in left field to get a feel for that in some of the bigger ballparks that we're going to be over in Jupiter with [Monday and Tuesday], as well as Port St. Lucie [on Sunday]. We need to get a feel for the range in left field, as well. I don't want to pin him into a corner. We want his bat to contribute more so than maybe a regular utility or backup bench player."

 

[Pilgrim]

He did hit a dinger today to raise his spring OPS to .847. I am a pretty big skeptic, but if a spring training performance can get you benched, he would have to do a lot worse.

 

[Rasputin]

He did hit a dinger today to raise his spring OPS to .847. I am a pretty big skeptic, but if a spring training performance can get you benched, he would have to do a lot worse.

He wouldn't have to be benched. He could just sit against lefties. As has been pointed out a number of times, that's likely to result in a better offense as he's not good against them.

 

[Pilgrim]

He wouldn't have to be benched. He could just sit against lefties. As has been pointed out a number of times, that's likely to result in a better offense as he's not good against them.

Oh, I agree that it would be cool to play Holt or Shaw against LH. I just doubt it, because they seem to have a fairly dogmatic approach to splits, and they would be sitting one LH for another. If Panda loses his job to Shaw its going to be all the way....I cant imagine Sandoval getting benched for other lefties until he is almost all the way in the doghouse. If only our RH bench player could play third...

I'm never going to stop whining that they couldn't grab Danny Valencia, because he would be a perfect last bench player here.

 

[YTF]

Here's an Ian Browne column on that whole thing.

If Sandoval is the starter and Shaw plays more than the normal backup role, some first, some third, some left, isn't he taking more ABs from Brock Holt than Sandoval?

The short answer would be yes, but compared to last season he would have lost at bats anyway with everyone (hopefully) healthy, the addition of Chris Young and the continuance of Travis Shaw being plugged in as the back up first baseman. Where Holt was nearly forced into full time status last season it may be a good thing for him to see a bit less playing time this year, but yeah I see any games that Shaw plays at third as being ABs that Holt would normally have. Not so much at first as Holt probably didn't figure to play there much at all and I really don't see Shaw as getting much time in LF unless his bat REALLY forces that issue.

 

[TheoShmeo]

Unless Shaw suddenly stops hitting in Spring Training, my bet is that JF will go with him over Panda at third. After a terrible start in ST, Sandoval is now hitting a bit and of course is a high priced veteran. But Sandoval's defense was bad last year and has been bad in ST, Sandoval is slow on the bases and is overweight, again.

Given the combined pressure of Jessica, Torey and the last two Sox finishes, and the fact that DD did not buy Pablo, I think Farrell will go with the player he thinks gives him the best chance to win and the GM/President wont stop him.

I know others will say that they wont do that given the money and/or that Sandoval SHOULD be better than he was last year. But all the factors I noted, and Farrell's willingness to speak out so plainly on this, tell me that they will go with Shaw unless something changes dramatically between now and opening day.

One more factor is one pointed out by Lou Merloni. He said that Shaw would not have openly talked about being the starter if he did not have the support of the locker room and beyond. I should note that I did not hear Lou myself but a friend conveyed the gist. Assuming I have what Lou said right, the point resonates with me.

 

[Rasputin]

Unless Shaw suddenly stops hitting in Spring Training, my bet is that JF will go with him over Panda at third. After a terrible start in ST, Sandoval is now hitting a bit and of course is a high priced veteran. But Sandoval's defense was bad last year and has been bad in ST, Sandoval is slow on the bases and is overweight, again.

Given the combined pressure of Jessica, Torey and the last two Sox finishes, and the fact that DD did not buy Pablo, I think Farrell will go with the player he thinks gives him the best chance to win and the GM/President wont stop him.

I know others will say that they wont do that given the money and/or that Sandoval SHOULD be better than he was last year. But all the factors I noted, and Farrell's willingness to speak out so plainly on this, tell me that they will go with Shaw unless something changes dramatically between now and opening day.

One more factor is one pointed out by Lou Merloni. He said that Shaw would not have openly talked about being the starter if he did not have the support of the locker room and beyond. I should note that I did not hear Lou myself but a friend conveyed the gist. Assuming I have what Lou said right, the point resonates with me.

What happens with Sandoval then? If he's not starting at third, I don't see where he has a role on the team. It's not like he's going to back up multiple positions.

I wouldn't be bothered by simply cutting him but that seems like a very aggressive move. You pretty much have to be convinced that he's just done as a useful player.

 

[nvalvo]

Well, Chicago needs another corner infielder. Maybe they'd eat $20-30m of the $75m-ish remaining on the contract?

Oakland might be interested in pairing him with Valencia, if they got him cheaply. Detroit?

 

[DanoooME]

Well, Chicago needs another corner infielder. Maybe they'd eat $20-30m of the $75m-ish remaining on the contract?

Oakland might be interested in pairing him with Valencia, if they got him cheaply. Detroit?

LOL, which Chicago team? Rizzo/Bryant and Frazier/Abreu aren't good enough combos?

 

[Rovin Romine]

Unless Shaw suddenly stops hitting in Spring Training, my bet is that JF will go with him over Panda at third. After a terrible start in ST, Sandoval is now hitting a bit and of course is a high priced veteran. But Sandoval's defense was bad last year and has been bad in ST, Sandoval is slow on the bases and is overweight, again.

Given the combined pressure of Jessica, Torey and the last two Sox finishes, and the fact that DD did not buy Pablo, I think Farrell will go with the player he thinks gives him the best chance to win and the GM/President wont stop him.

I know others will say that they wont do that given the money and/or that Sandoval SHOULD be better than he was last year. But all the factors I noted, and Farrell's willingness to speak out so plainly on this, tell me that they will go with Shaw unless something changes dramatically between now and opening day.

One more factor is one pointed out by Lou Merloni. He said that Shaw would not have openly talked about being the starter if he did not have the support of the locker room and beyond. I should note that I did not hear Lou myself but a friend conveyed the gist. Assuming I have what Lou said right, the point resonates with me.

No. This will be just like last year. Shaw didn't get consistent playing time under Farrell until Farrell's final three days (following Napoli's trade on Aug. 7). It didn't matter how much Napoli was sucking against RHP, or that he was on the last year of his contract. After the trade, Shaw played as the default option and Lovullo took over on Aug. 11 and played him to the end of the year.

Farrell will go with Panda and Hanley. He'll work in Shaw every few days while letting Panda sink or swim. If Panda is an absolute disaster, I have no faith that Farrell will bench him and play Shaw for the good of the team. Zero. Maybe DD will have more or different input than the prior GM.

Didn't Merloni think that he (himself) was starter material?

 

[InsideTheParker]

RR, you might be right, but O'B and Remy went on and on during today's game about the signals that were coming "from the Red Sox" that Travis Shaw was competing with Sandoval for the 3B job.

 

[PaulinMyrBch]

I agree with RR, but for different reasons. If the Sox believe that Shaw is the best option at third, they're not going to hand him the job and relegate Panda to not having a role on the team. If they decide Shaw is better, they'll be silently looking to move Panda in a deal where they'll have to eat a large portion of the remaining money owed. It's going to be easier to move him if he's playing as our primary third baseman, even if that performance is less than what we'd be getting from Shaw. The only was to move Panda, if that's what we want to do, is to let him prove he's got some value to a team needing a third baseman. Even if we think Shaw would perform better.

 

[lexrageorge]

No. This will be just like last year. Shaw didn't get consistent playing time under Farrell until Farrell's final three days (following Napoli's trade on Aug. 7). It didn't matter how much Napoli was sucking against RHP, or that he was on the last year of his contract. After the trade, Shaw played as the default option and Lovullo took over on Aug. 11 and played him to the end of the year.

Farrell will go with Panda and Hanley. He'll work in Shaw every few days while letting Panda sink or swim. If Panda is an absolute disaster, I have no faith that Farrell will bench him and play Shaw for the good of the team. Zero. Maybe DD will have more or different input than the prior GM.

Didn't Merloni think that he (himself) was starter material?

I disagree, respectfully.

Farrell knows he will be out of a job if the team is in last place come June, and he is going to be under pressure to put the best team on the field. If Farrell doesn't sit Sandoval after a disastrous start, Dombrowski will intervene.

 

[Van Everyman]

I have to think that the Sox won't put TOO much stock in ST performance, esp. after Sizemore and JBJ burned them so badly on this. Short of falling off an absolute cliff in ST—which Panda hasn't—there's nothing in either player's performance this spring that suggests anything definitive. I would expect Shaw to get an opportunity to unseat Panda, nothing more.

Farrell's job security is another issue and impacts way more than Panda. Will it impact his lineups? Possibly. But I have a hard time believing DD would stand by as Farrell devalues nearly $200M in assets to win a few more games in April and May.

 

[Minneapolis Millers]

If they had a decent trade option for Panda right now, I think they'd pull the trigger. Assuming they don't, for the first 6 weeks or so, Shaw plays two games at 3rd each week and 2 games at first (with Hanley and Ortiz each sitting once, Pablo twice). That plays Shaw about as much as Panda. Gives both a fair amount of PT. You see how things go. If Shaw clearly outplays Sandoval, you look for Panda trade options and/or you bench Panda and give him just a game or two per week, as a back-up to Shaw and Ortiz.

Why doesn't this balance out all interests?

 

[Saints Rest]

If they had a decent trade option for Panda right now, I think they'd pull the trigger. Assuming they don't, for the first 6 weeks or so, Shaw plays two games at 3rd each week and 2 games at first (with Hanley and Ortiz each sitting once, Pablo twice). That plays Shaw about as much as Panda. Gives both a fair amount of PT. You see how things go. If Shaw clearly outplays Sandoval, you look for Panda trade options and/or you bench Panda and give him just a game or two per week, as a back-up to Shaw and Ortiz.

Why doesn't this balance out all interests?

I agree but I think we might see Holt filling at least one, if not both, of the two games per week that Panda sits.

 

[lexrageorge]

If they had a decent trade option for Panda right now, I think they'd pull the trigger. Assuming they don't, for the first 6 weeks or so, Shaw plays two games at 3rd each week and 2 games at first (with Hanley and Ortiz each sitting once, Pablo twice). That plays Shaw about as much as Panda. Gives both a fair amount of PT. You see how things go. If Shaw clearly outplays Sandoval, you look for Panda trade options and/or you bench Panda and give him just a game or two per week, as a back-up to Shaw and Ortiz.

Why doesn't this balance out all interests?

To answer your last question, yes, it does balance all interests.

Whenever Farrell plays Sandoval 3 games in a row, one group of SoSH posters will yell and scream that Farrell be fired for sticking with a tired vet while Shaw is stuck on the bench. Then, when Farrell plays Shaw the next 2 games, the opposing group will question whether Farrell understands small sample sizes and how he should be fired for destroying Sandoval's trade value. Then there are the posters that actually seem to believe Hanley should play 3B, so they will be able to complain all season. And then there will be those that will complain about Brock Holt's lack of playing time under just about all these scenarios.

So, yes, all interests will indeed be balanced.

EDIT: Added in Brock Holt scenario.

 

[NDame616]

When DD interviewed with the Sox last year I'm sure he and management (and Farrell) all got on the same page regarding Hanley and Panda. I'm sure Dombroski knows how much money ownership is willing to eat on them both, and if the need arises he already has the green light to trade either and eat that amount.

I'd also have to think going into this Dombrowski and Farrell met and got on the same page in terms of playing time for each. If Hanley just can't play 1st, if Panda can't hit lefties etc.

While Farrell is managing for his job, if his boss told him he wants Shaw/Holt at 3rd, and he keeps playing Panda, then he will be fired

 

[Rovin Romine]

I have to think that the Sox won't put TOO much stock in ST performance, esp. after Sizemore and JBJ burned them so badly on this. Short of falling off an absolute cliff in ST—which Panda hasn't—there's nothing in either player's performance this spring that suggests anything definitive. I would expect Shaw to get an opportunity to unseat Panda, nothing more.

Farrell's job security is another issue and impacts way more than Panda. Will it impact his lineups? Possibly. But I have a hard time believing DD would stand by as Farrell devalues nearly $200M in assets to win a few more games in April and May.

I understand what you're saying, but lets assume Pablo is overweight and sucks in the field and with the stick - basically the scenario where Travis Shaw plays. What's Pablo's value at that point? It's not $200M to the Sox or to anyone else.

I can see the argument for letting Pablo play his way out of a slump, and he might well be able to do so. However, now that Price et. al. are on board, and with this being Ortiz's final season, I don't know how tolerant management will be of any underperformance by Pablo, especially if the team is .500 or under. I'm not saying there should be an "win every game at any cost" mentality, but I would hope they try to maximize the lineup and win early in the year. For example, if JBJ is struggling, he's still an elite CF; so if Pablo is also failing in the field and at the plate, I'd rather see the Sox play JBJ and Shaw at 3B, no matter how it impacts Pablo's feelings.

I disagree, respectfully.

Farrell knows he will be out of a job if the team is in last place come June, and he is going to be under pressure to put the best team on the field. If Farrell doesn't sit Sandoval after a disastrous start, Dombrowski will intervene.

I would hope so. But I have little faith in Farrell doing this on his own.

Barring a series of catastrophic injuries, I think he's out of a job if the team is at .500 in June, let alone last place. His main responsibility is to maximize the daily matchups to give his team the best chance of winning. (Of course that includes resting players and allowing them to recover from injury so that he can continue to effectively do this throughout the season.) This may be unfair, barring some points of 2013, I never had a feeling that Farrell was always getting close to the most out of his teams, or putting them in positions to win close games. I'm not saying he should be solely accountable for players having excellent years (2013) or for players grossly underperforming with no replacements in sight. But Shaw v. Pablo v. Holt at 3B seems to be the sort of thing that Farrell ought to be able to maximize. How many of us here honestly don't have some reservation about Farrell doing so?

 

[Fireball Fred]

There's no such thing as "sitting Panda." He's the starting 3B, or he's not a major leaguer. Put it this way: which reliever would you drop to keep Panda on the 25-man? Sure, play him in spring training to see if he has value (to the Sox or anyone else); but come Opening Day there has to be a decision.

 

[DanoooME]

To answer your last question, yes, it does balance all interests.

Whenever Farrell plays Sandoval 3 games in a row, one group of SoSH posters will yell and scream that Farrell be fired for sticking with a tired vet while Shaw is stuck on the bench. Then, when Farrell plays Shaw the next 2 games, the opposing group will question whether Farrell understands small sample sizes and how he should be fired for destroying Sandoval's trade value. Then there are the posters that actually seem to believe Hanley should play 3B, so they will be able to complain all season. And then there will be those that will complain about Brock Holt's lack of playing time under just about all these scenarios.

So, yes, all interests will indeed be balanced.

EDIT: Added in Brock Holt scenario.

You left out the group that will suggest trading a subsidized Panda, Deven Marrero, Matt Barnes and Benintendi for Nolan Arenado.

 

[Lowrielicious]

There's no such thing as "sitting Panda." He's the starting 3B, or he's not a major leaguer. Put it this way: which reliever would you drop to keep Panda on the 25-man? Sure, play him in spring training to see if he has value (to the Sox or anyone else); but come Opening Day there has to be a decision.

If Shaw can be on the bench (and on the 25 man) with Panda starting 3B then the spots can be reversed also. Just because the guy starting is the one who can cover multiple positions doesn't mean the guy on the bench is expected to do so.

It isn't the traditional way of doing it but it's not impossible.

 

[nvalvo]

LOL, which Chicago team? Rizzo/Bryant and Frazier/Abreu aren't good enough combos?

I was thinking the South-siders, with Laroche retiring. I guess he's more a DH than a 1B at this point anyway.

 

[AB in DC]

I have to think that the Sox won't put TOO much stock in ST performance, esp. after Sizemore and JBJ burned them so badly on this.

Which is exactly why all this "Panda won't have a role on this team" stuff is premature. Lots of folks have looked good for 250 PAs, and in spring training, but haven't turned out to be long-term major league players. Unless another team makes a serious trade push, Panda is staying on the team through at least July.