I'm not quite following this thought. . .I don't think the effect of Chang at SS can be overstated. It turns 2 average-at-best (but probably below) critical positions into average-at-worst.
I think he's just talking defensively. Chang is pretty good and Kike is good at 2nd or CF. That configuration is better than Kike at short and Duvall in CF when it comes to catching the ball. It's much worse if you want them to hit it.I'm not quite following this thought. . .
I'd have assumed that in ST there'd always be a regular roster guy who was nominally designated the break-glass emergency backup catcher and given a few hours instruction in gear, behind the plate, catching balls to keep that skillset moderately scrolled up in muscle-memory. At least so they wouldn't injure themselves while doing it.I was just watching the pregame and Cora said that he went through the clubhouse this morning and asked players about catching experience. Casas told him that he caught when he was younger and would feel comfortable doing it. Based on that Cora said that he would likely be the emergency guy. Cora also joked that with Casas' nails he might be the logical choice. Lenny DiNardo added that he thought Cora had mentioned Kike' in the past, but ATM that could cause issues at other positions.
I think what he's trying to say, poorly, is the best defensive alignment for the team is Chang at SS and Kike in CF. At least, I hope he's referring to the defense alone. Factoring in offense, the equation gets murky.I'm not quite following this thought. . .
That makes sense - I was thinking overall. Chang's always had promise/potential though, so it would be a gift if he turned it on and became a bit of a 2021/22 Arroyo. I know that's a bit of wishful thinking given his track-record (many more PAs than Arroyo had at this point in their relative careers). But he is 27, and it's not entirely unheard of for a quasi-late bloomer to flourish in their late 20s.I think he's just talking defensively. Chang is pretty good and Kike is good at 2nd or CF. That configuration is better than Kike at short and Duvall in CF when it comes to catching the ball. It's much worse if you want them to hit it.
https://theathletic.com/4434579/2023/04/20/jarren-duran-second-chance-red-sox/The biggest difference Duran feels in himself, though, has been his mental approach. Last season he was afraid to make mistakes and the pressure compounded on him. This year, he’s tried to lean on his teammates and coaches more.
“I think I’m just being more open, hanging out with my teammates and talking more to them and not trying to avoid them being the annoying rookie,” he said. “Talking to Kiké (Hernández) all the time, he’s taken me under his wing and I appreciate it. I’ve got JT (Justin Turner) and (Trevor Story) and Rob (Refsnyder), I’ve got all these guys taking me under their wing.
…
Duran knew last year was headed in the wrong direction, but once it started he couldn’t put the brakes on the downward spiral, as every mistake was magnified. This spring, he’s tried to embrace his own humanity, knowing that there will be mistakes and rough patches and that he’ll get past them when they come.
“If I swing at a ball in the dirt, they don’t care,” he said. “I used to think it was the end of the world if I did something bad, that they were going to be mad at me, but they’ve been behind me 100 percent and I’m thankful.”
And Kike is better than Arroyo at 2B. The Chang-Kike SS-2B is quite solid defensively. I *think* the rest of the offense can carry their bats.I think he's just talking defensively. Chang is pretty good and Kike is good at 2nd or CF. That configuration is better than Kike at short and Duvall in CF when it comes to catching the ball. It's much worse if you want them to hit it.
They're one game over 500 and still in last place. It's beginning to look like a fun team to watch, but let's ease up on the victory lap, okay?CHAIM HAS NO PLAN!!!
Especially since, by extrapolation, it implies Bloom's "plan" was always going to be Chang-Hernandez in the middle infield and Durran in CFThey're one game over 500 and still in last place. It's beginning to look like a fun team to watch, but let's ease up on the victory lap, okay?
It only really shows that Bloom's plan to start the season was Hernandez-Arroyo in the middle IF and Duvall in CF.Especially since, by extrapolation, in implies Bloom's "plan" was always going to be Chang-Hernandez in the middle infield and Durran in CF
And that all of the starting pitchers (aside from Houck) are going to get bombed in pretty much every game. The offensive bones are here on this team, but there's still a lot to do in terms of pitching.Especially since, by extrapolation, in implies Bloom's "plan" was always going to be Chang-Hernandez in the middle infield and Durran in CF
Valdez looked as advertised in his brief stint here, but I wonder if Hamilton gets a shot if he continues tearing it up for another ~100 PAs in AAA. 11 SBs in 17 games would look really nice up here.Now that Duran is up and playing regularly, Tapia seems a bit redundant. Another LHH OF when they already have 3. Seems like this roster spot could be better served w/ another MI, since Arroyo is already banged up and Kiki can't really play SS. The choices in house are Valdez, Goodrum and Hamilton.
3rd out of 30 in runs scored.And that all of the starting pitchers (aside from Houck) are going to get bombed in pretty much every game. The offensive bones are here on this team, but there's still a lot to do in terms of pitching.
In terms of runs scored, they’re a top 3 offense right now.I'm staying away from the pitching side of things, so this is what I'm liking about the offense.
Looking at team comparisons on fangraphs, so far they are:
-Tough to strike out (5th best in MLB).
-Top 10 in ISO
-4th in UBR (basically the WAR equivalent of baserunning)
In most other categories (.OBP, wRC+. wOBA) they are a bit better than league average.
They have also faced very stingy pitching staffs in Tampa, Minnesota and Milwaukee top 5 in many of the rate stats. Pittsburgh the Angels and the O's are also good staffs so far.
They work the counts, battle until the end, and run the bases intelligently. The blunders have been notably limited. By the eye test, they are a lot better on defense than they were last season but that wasn't a tough hurdle to clear. They really missed Trevor Story and Duvall against that very unusual frequency of lefties and probably left some wins on the table.
I think they'll be a top 5 offense by season's end.
I doubt very much that one week of Duran is enough for them to cut bait with Tapia. We've been down that road with Duran before. If the issue is Arroyo is banged up, he can go on the IL to get another MI up.Now that Duran is up and playing regularly, Tapia seems a bit redundant. Another LHH OF when they already have 3. Seems like this roster spot could be better served w/ another MI, since Arroyo is already banged up and Kiki can't really play SS. The choices in house are Valdez, Goodrum and Hamilton.
I had forgotten his previous fast starts. He held on there, in terms of OPS for a good 19 games in 2022. His meltdown was in his 43rd game that year, but he was already well-below league average in OPS.I doubt very much that one week of Duran is enough for them to cut bait with Tapia. We've been down that road with Duran before. If the issue is Arroyo is banged up, he can go on the IL to get another MI up.
What is the plan? The only thing that seems semi coherent is that they cut payroll and are going 45+ for Ohtani this offseason. This team was a literal smattering of throwing shit against the wall and hopping it sticks while resetting the table. Guys like Duvall, Turner, Kluber, Jensen, and Paxton have no long term value to the team, and unless everything goes your way, doesn't really get you in to the post season.CHAIM HAS NO PLAN!!!
I was just following up Chawson.They're one game over 500 and still in last place. It's beginning to look like a fun team to watch, but let's ease up on the victory lap, okay?
I think you are about halfway there, and I don't think it's all that complicated, we've seen it a lot: hang back and create salary/roster flexibility until you have a foundation of real talent that you can go all in on. While you're hanging back, buy low on all sorts of contributor types. Don't trade anyone who matters. Give out salary but not years. The only decisions they made which don't follow this pattern were the decisions to not sell off JD, Nate and a few others (I think they maaaybe thought of Nate as a long term guy but by season's end they changed their mind). Bogaerts was a borderline choice, where if you got him long term you probably won't regret it too much, but in a different town (Miami for example) you would have 100% traded him. Anyway, after that, all they have done is built for the future, avoid admitting that they are doing that, and fielding competitive teams as a way of shutting up people and trying out some supporting cast guys.What is the plan? The only thing that seems semi coherent is that they cut payroll and are going 45+ for Ohtani this offseason. This team was a literal smattering of throwing shit against the wall and hopping it sticks while resetting the table. Guys like Duvall, Turner, Kluber, Jensen, and Paxton have no long term value to the team, and unless everything goes your way, doesn't really get you in to the post season.
Look if the plan is Ohtani and build around Devers, Casas, Story, and I guess Yoshida ok. I can see that. You spend the year figuring out if Houck, Whitlock, Bello, and Mata can stick in a major league rotation. You get Duran as much OF experience and gage what you got (Everyday CF or 4th OF). Figure out what catchers can stick and decide if you want to continue the Verdugo or Pivetta experience. That said outside of that, everyone should be on the table come July. Hopefully Sale can pitch himself into a prospect or two. Issue you really have with Bloom is he really doesn't know the free agent market. His negotiations have not really worked out well outside of grabbing guys bounce back contracts. He continuously misjudges the market and does not have a great skill getting people here without overpaying. Devers is the only solid top flight contract he has landed after years and years of screw ups.
Yeah, don't do that. This isn't a game thread.I was just following up Chawson.
ApologiesYeah, don't do that. This isn't a game thread.
The plan is what it’s been for the past few years; build as good a team as possible while limiting long term risk, become more aggressive as more young, cost controlled talent is in place.What is the plan? The only thing that seems semi coherent is that they cut payroll and are going 45+ for Ohtani this offseason. This team was a literal smattering of throwing shit against the wall and hopping it sticks while resetting the table. Guys like Duvall, Turner, Kluber, Jensen, and Paxton have no long term value to the team, and unless everything goes your way, doesn't really get you in to the post season.
Look if the plan is Ohtani and build around Devers, Casas, Story, and I guess Yoshida ok. I can see that. You spend the year figuring out if Houck, Whitlock, Bello, and Mata can stick in a major league rotation. You get Duran as much OF experience and gage what you got (Everyday CF or 4th OF). Figure out what catchers can stick and decide if you want to continue the Verdugo or Pivetta experience. That said outside of that, everyone should be on the table come July. Hopefully Sale can pitch himself into a prospect or two. Issue you really have with Bloom is he really doesn't know the free agent market. His negotiations have not really worked out well outside of grabbing guys bounce back contracts. He continuously misjudges the market and does not have a great skill getting people here without overpaying. Devers is the only solid top flight contract he has landed after years and years of screw ups.
Jansen has looked great so far, so I'd count that one in Bloom's favor, too. Honestly, Story is really the only guy I can understand as a "miss," and I don't even agree with that because 1. he's got an elite ceiling at a bargain, and 2. he's looked really good when healthy. What do you mean by "years and years of screw ups"?What is the plan? The only thing that seems semi coherent is that they cut payroll and are going 45+ for Ohtani this offseason. This team was a literal smattering of throwing shit against the wall and hopping it sticks while resetting the table. Guys like Duvall, Turner, Kluber, Jensen, and Paxton have no long term value to the team, and unless everything goes your way, doesn't really get you in to the post season.
Look if the plan is Ohtani and build around Devers, Casas, Story, and I guess Yoshida ok. I can see that. You spend the year figuring out if Houck, Whitlock, Bello, and Mata can stick in a major league rotation. You get Duran as much OF experience and gage what you got (Everyday CF or 4th OF). Figure out what catchers can stick and decide if you want to continue the Verdugo or Pivetta experience. That said outside of that, everyone should be on the table come July. Hopefully Sale can pitch himself into a prospect or two. Issue you really have with Bloom is he really doesn't know the free agent market. His negotiations have not really worked out well outside of grabbing guys bounce back contracts. He continuously misjudges the market and does not have a great skill getting people here without overpaying. Devers is the only solid top flight contract he has landed after years and years of screw ups.
Re the bolded, its less of a bargain if the discount factored in the odds of an arm-plosion which went off right away. Then again, if you care solely about AAV, then getting the elbow rebuilt for the '24+ seasons is pretty galaxy brain.Jansen has looked great so far, so I'd count that one in Bloom's favor, too. Honestly, Story is really the only guy I can understand as a "miss," and I don't even agree with that because 1. he's got an elite ceiling at a bargain, and 2. he's looked really good when healthy. What do you mean by "years and years of screw ups"?
And "grabbing guys on bounce back contracts" is a strategy that works for where this team is at right now. We're still building the foundation - signing a top-flight contract doesn't magically make the team a 100+ game winner. Once the foundation is in place (when we know what we have with the younger guys), then you go out and sign the Ohtanis and Sotos.
The plan was to restock the farm system to obtain a sustainable talent pipeline. It's a task that typically requires 5-6 drafts, and Bloom has had 2.5 drafts so far. And there is zero evidence of the bolded. And the Duvall's and Jensen's make the current team more interesting to watch, which has value unless you think 2021 was worthless.What is the plan? The only thing that seems semi coherent is that they cut payroll and are going 45+ for Ohtani this offseason. This team was a literal smattering of throwing shit against the wall and hopping it sticks while resetting the table. Guys like Duvall, Turner, Kluber, Jensen, and Paxton have no long term value to the team, and unless everything goes your way, doesn't really get you in to the post season.
Look if the plan is Ohtani and build around Devers, Casas, Story, and I guess Yoshida ok. I can see that. You spend the year figuring out if Houck, Whitlock, Bello, and Mata can stick in a major league rotation. You get Duran as much OF experience and gage what you got (Everyday CF or 4th OF). Figure out what catchers can stick and decide if you want to continue the Verdugo or Pivetta experience. That said outside of that, everyone should be on the table come July. Hopefully Sale can pitch himself into a prospect or two. Issue you really have with Bloom is he really doesn't know the free agent market. His negotiations have not really worked out well outside of grabbing guys bounce back contracts. He continuously misjudges the market and does not have a great skill getting people here without overpaying. Devers is the only solid top flight contract he has landed after years and years of screw ups.
Moreover, while it's true that Duvall, Jansen, et al. provide no long term value, they also won't be a long term liability. Almost all long term deals turn into that at some point. They are choosing their spots carefully on that end, until the farm starts to blossom.The plan was to restock the farm system to obtain a sustainable talent pipeline. It's a task that typically requires 5-6 drafts, and Bloom has had 2.5 drafts so far. And there is zero evidence of the bolded. And the Duvall's and Jensen's make the current team more interesting to watch, which has value unless you think 2021 was worthless.
His velocity was good, he just literally wasn't missing any bats. Only 2 swinging strikes, and the first time in his career that he had a start longer than 2 innings without a strikeout(I think that's the stat I heard). Who the hell knows, but after the swing and miss stuff he had last start, it looked like the Orioles knew what was coming.I didn't get to watch the game tonight, but it's disappointing to see 2023 Sale return after a brief appearance from 2017 Sale in his last start. Ten base runners in five innings, no strikeouts. Did he look as bad as his line would indicate?
Good velocity, decent but not great movement on the slider, poor command in locating his pitches.I didn't get to watch the game tonight, but it's disappointing to see 2023 Sale return after a brief appearance from 2017 Sale in his last start. Ten base runners in five innings, no strikeouts. Did he look as bad as his line would indicate?
If they're not good now they will be soon, given their young talent & farm system. The good news is, with the changes to the schedule the divisional groupings are less relevant now than ever, right? 4th place Baltimore with 87 wins is no more impactful than 2nd place Cleveland having 87 wins.So are the Orioles any good or is this a mirage?
Tied for 3rd most wins in baseball. And after their 24-35 (.407) start last year, they went 59-44 (.573) the rest of the season, which is a 93-win pace over 162 games. So have they finally turned a corner and become a good team? If so....that's basically the last thing the Red Sox need, given how good Toronto, New York, and Tampa Bay are. It makes the Sox CLEARLY the worst team in the division.
Well...I get your point, but if the Orioles are in fourth with 87 wins and the Sox are behind them, that automatically means - regardless of whatever else is happening in the Central and West - that the Sox have three Wild Card teams ahead of them.If they're not good now they will be soon, given their young talent & farm system. The good news is, with the changes to the schedule the divisional groupings are less relevant now than ever, right? 4th place Baltimore with 87 wins is no more impactful than 2nd place Cleveland having 87 wins.
Oh, absolutely. We're on the same page. I'm just getting ahead of the inevitable reduction to "they are a last pace team" that would come with a theoretical 84 win season that is nonetheless behind TB/NY/BAL/TOR.Well...I get your point, but if the Orioles are in fourth with 87 wins and the Sox are behind them, that automatically means - regardless of whatever else is happening in the Central and West - that the Sox have three Wild Card teams ahead of them.
I agree with this in general, but certainly not with the low ceilings part. Their staff currently features the guy who started the season as the #5 prospect in all of baseball, and they'll get an All-Star in John Means back by the all-star break.They seem similar to the Red Sox to me- a legit offense with a pretty suspect pitching staff (their staff seems to have a pretty low ceilings). They don’t have anyone as good as Raffy but their offensive core (Mountastle, Ruschman, Mullins, Henderson) is what we hope the Sox to have in a few years
That is the broken pinky game against the NYY last yearLooking at his game logs on bb-ref, he had one start (0.2 innings) in 2022 when he didn't record a strikeout. In all in of his other starts, he had at least one K.
Agreed. Even with a last place team, Fenway still draws half as many empty seats.Os fan here i must say up front.
Went to the game last night and I dont think Camden Yards can be called " Fenway South" any longer.
Oh, absolutely. We're on the same page. I'm just getting ahead of the inevitable reduction to "they are a last pace team" that would come with a theoretical 84 win season that is nonetheless behind TB/NY/BAL/TOR.