Chili Davis and Brian Butterfield leave Sox for Cubs

I understand that what sticks in the memory are the big outs and its easy to assume that the Sox were a bad base running team. But they were actually probably more of an average base running team overall and good to very good team for stolen bases.

wSB: 4.2 (6th in MLB)
wGDP: -0.5 (16th)
UBR: 1.4 (17th)
Spd: 4.5 (11th)

These are all Fangraphs metrics for base running. wSB is weighted stolen bases, wGDP is weighted grounded into double plays, UBR is ultimate base running, and Spd is... well... speed score.

If you are curious about the nuts and bolts, they are all in the glossary there.

DennyDoyle'sBoil said:

I think new managers typically "interview" the existing coaches or at least consider them. I think they usually get to pick their own guys or at least get very significant input. It's possible that the timing her just didn't work out. Maybe Davis and Butter felt in an exposed position, and the Cubs came calling, so they asked the Red Sox to allow them to go instead of waiting for the end of the world series with uncertain job security. Maybe the Cubs weren't willing to wait.

Or maybe Cora said, "I've got my own guys," and management agreed to give him that authority and cut Butter and Davis loose.

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Good job calming down from the game threads and making an all-sense post like that.

That launch angle bleep that jacked up everyone else's offense while Boston's sputtered?

DennyDoyle'sBoil said: ↑
I think new managers typically "interview" the existing coaches or at least consider them. I think they usually get to pick their own guys or at least get very significant input. It's possible that the timing her just didn't work out. Maybe Davis and Butter felt in an exposed position, and the Cubs came calling, so they asked the Red Sox to allow them to go instead of waiting for the end of the world series with uncertain job security. Maybe the Cubs weren't willing to wait.

Or maybe Cora said, "I've got my own guys," and management agreed to give him that authority and cut Butter and Davis loose.

Red Sox gave permission to everyone who called. They didn't need to be cut loose.
There were multiple offers made, all with requests to be timely with their answers due to other position hirings, which made it necessary to make a quick decision.
Had Cora intended to retain any of Willis, Butter or Chili, we would have heard that when reports came out that LaVangie would be part of his staff.
They weren't in an exposed position. They just needed to weigh their options and commit.

Also, why do we act like it needs an explanation why people would choose to go the Cubs while our organization is in turmoil? That might well be a better job.

"Turmoil" seems like a strong word for the situation at hand. The coaching staff's status was in flux due to the managerial change, but it's not like things were dire. Coaches moving from team to team is the way of MLB life.

DennyDoyle'sBoil said:

Yeah. Nicknames were cooler in the 60s and 70s.

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No Neck Williams says hello

mt8thsw9th said:

Fuck him for hitting a pitch that missed its target by a foot?

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Yes. Fuckity-fuckity-fuck him.

I’m not really too worried about these changes. Coaches come and go, and it’s not like the Red Sox were ever going to impose their FO choices for coaches on Cora.

The one thing I was hoping to see, though, was Butterfield working with Devers on improving his defense. I do feel like losing that might accelerate his transition to 1B and DH.

Of course, I’m sure that the next infield coach hired will be hired with that as a known priority.

soxhop411 said:

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Yeah...you kinda need a coach who is the exact opposite of this.

Can they hire the guy who fixed Turner? Even if it's weird to hire a private instructor like that, get someone who is well versed in adding the proper hitting emphasis back into the offense.

I believe over 50% of the runs scored this post season were on HRs (that number is from Joe Sheehan's newsletter).

Buzzkill Pauley said:

Yes. Fuckity-fuckity-fuck him.

I’m not really too worried about these changes. Coaches come and go, and it’s not like the Red Sox were ever going to impose their FO choices for coaches on Cora.

The one thing I was hoping to see, though, was Butterfield working with Devers on improving his defense. I do feel like losing that might accelerate his transition to 1B and DH.

Of course, I’m sure that the next infield coach hired will be hired with that as a known priority.

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This was my concern with losing Butterfield too. Febles knows a thing or two about infield and has coached Devers before, so hopefully he can help him.

BJBossman said:

This was my concern with losing Butterfield too. Febles knows a thing or two about infield and has coached Devers before, so hopefully he can help him.

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Febles was his manager in Portland where Devers made significant strides defensively. He's about as good a replacement for Butterfield as we can hope for. Has already helped Devers with improving his glove, is Latin American and has been with Devers for a significant amount of time meaning they are comfortable with each other already. And is highly regarded by the organization.

Snodgrass'Muff said:

Febles was his manager in Portland where Devers made significant strides defensively. He's about as good a replacement for Butterfield as we can hope for. Has already helped Devers with improving his glove, is Latin American and has been with Devers for a significant amount of time meaning they are comfortable with each other already. And is highly regarded by the organization.

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Exactly. I'm thrilled with the Febles addition.

Doesn't mean losing Butterfield didn't hurt. But I agree the organization rebounded nicely here.

I am really curious what the hitting and pitching coach selections look like.

BJBossman said:

Exactly. I'm thrilled with the Febles addition.

Doesn't mean losing Butterfield didn't hurt. But I agree the organization rebounded nicely here.

I am really curious what the hitting and pitching coach selections look like.

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It's also a good look to promote from your ml system when possible.

If working for the Red Sox farm system looks like a good career move, that helps the player development folks stock the ml coaching staff with talented, ambitious people.

Bob Montgomery's Helmet Hat said:

"Big Unit" was pretty great

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And "El Guapo."











And "Slappy McBluelips."

BJBossman said:

Yeah...you kinda need a coach who is the exact opposite of this.

Can they hire the guy who fixed Turner? Even if it's weird to hire a private instructor like that, get someone who is well versed in adding the proper hitting emphasis back into the offense.

I believe over 50% of the runs scored this post season were on HRs (that number is from Joe Sheehan's newsletter).

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Maybe?