Ask Jeff FrancisNo you're right. I'm being a dick.... But his .687 career OPS in the postseason is bothering me. I just can't think of one big hit the guy has ever had.
Ask Jeff FrancisNo you're right. I'm being a dick.... But his .687 career OPS in the postseason is bothering me. I just can't think of one big hit the guy has ever had.
Love the work ethic and the obvious awareness that he has something to prove.Not sure if this belongs here, but Xman working this hard is a favorable sign that he wants to be more than he has been to this stage of his career (2600+ PA 100 OPS+).
https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/redsox/2017/12/29/xander-bogaerts-building-toward-better-season-plate/4Jq87y5ngip7wLio33Gd6M/story.html
Those suffering in the dark and cold and prone to irrational enthusiasm - take heart!
Statistically speaking, the argument for Papi being the greatest hitter in World Series (not post season) history is tough to argue with. Compare him to Reggie Jackson sometime. Among players with more than one WS appearance he may be tops.Discussion of Pedey’s unclutchness made me look up the 2013 WS box. He was indeed fairly lame at the plate in that series: 5 for 24, .532 OPS, 1 rbi.
I had kinda forgotten just how insane Big Papi was, though: I mean I know he was MVP, but a 1.948 OPS?? Dude made a total of five outs in a six-game series (11 for 16 with 8 walks).
Or Rafael Betancourt. Would have been even bigger if Skinner didn't brainfart in holding Lofton at 3rd.Ask Jeff Francis
Discussion of Pedey’s unclutchness made me look up the 2013 WS box. He was indeed fairly lame at the plate in that series: 5 for 24, .532 OPS, 1 rbi.
I had kinda forgotten just how insane Big Papi was, though: I mean I know he was MVP, but a 1.948 OPS?? Dude made a total of five outs in a six-game series (11 for 16 with 8 walks).
In retrospect, it's equally crazy what a shitty ALCS Ortiz had that year. Other than one pretty big hit, that is.Discussion of Pedey’s unclutchness made me look up the 2013 WS box. He was indeed fairly lame at the plate in that series: 5 for 24, .532 OPS, 1 rbi.
I had kinda forgotten just how insane Big Papi was, though: I mean I know he was MVP, but a 1.948 OPS?? Dude made a
total of five outs in a six-game series (11 for 16 with 8 walks).
Yep: [googling] it was the 2nd inning of Game 1. Didn't end up affecting the outcome — they won 8-1 — but Beltran needed every inch of the field and his reach to snag it.If I recall correctly, 1 of those outs came when he was robbed of a grand slam.
Acknowledging that as much as anybody has up to this point, on the flip side it's a little surprising that we haven't heard more reported interest in Nunez being out there.Nunez is looking for a full time gig. He is not looking to fill a Brock Holt role.
I"ll take the slightly lower wOBA for 40 HR. A HR always generates runs. Certainty vs ProbabilityLove the work ethic and the obvious awareness that he has something to prove.
I was interested in the comments about hitting .350 vs. hitting 40 HR. As someone who first became aware of stats via Bill James, my first reaction was "of course it's better to hit 40 HR, you dingbat." But it turns out he's right--if you take Xander's Steamer projection and alter the hit numbers as needed to produce an otherwise-as-projected .350 guy and 40 HR guy, the .350 guy has a wOBA of .408, the 40-HR guy .405.
My guess is he is waiting for Moose and Frazier to sign. At that point he becomes the best third base option remaining. I would add Hosmer, but I don't think anyone would seriously entertain having Nunez play first.Acknowledging that as much as anybody has up to this point, on the flip side it's a little surprising that we haven't heard more reported interest in Nunez being out there.
I had assumed somebody out there would bite on his career year being legit. Maybe that just isn't going to be the case.
That doesn't mean that he'll get one. I can see him getting 400 ABs in Boston this season. The Sox will need a second baseman to start the season with Pedroia likely out until at least late May.Nunez is looking for a full time gig. He is not looking to fill a Brock Holt role.
Just curious, what has you hopeful that Swihart can fill in at 2nd, 3rd and SS at the major league level this season? IMO given how short MLB benches are I think the Sox (or any team) are best served to have this sort of player on the roster from day one rather than to have to look for one at the deadline.I’m hoping Swihart can fill the Holt role, super utility players are available at the deadline, let’s see what we have first.
Nunez had a nice couple of months in Boston, but I can't see why he'd be any kind of priority or even necessity when Marrero is out of options, Holt is still technically under contract, Hernandez should be healthy, and Lin is still around. Yes, he's an offensive upgrade over all of those guys, but I can't see that being enough of a difference-maker to justify the expenditure.That doesn't mean that he'll get one. I can see him getting 400 ABs in Boston this season. The Sox will need a second baseman to start the season with Pedroia likely out until at least late May.
I just learned that Jake Sisko (Cirroc Lofton), the son of Captain Sisko on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine is Lofton's nephew. ...just off the wallin holding Lofton at 3rd