Will Middlebrooks Mashing in Pawtucket

[mabrowndog]

Today's results: 1 for 3, single, strikeout.
 
1st - K looking on 4 pitches (vs RHP Dylan Axelrod)
4th - Ground ball single to RF on a 1-2 pitch (vs Axelrod)
6th - Ground out 5-3 on an 0-1 pitch (vs RHP Taylor Thompson)

 

[BosRedSox5]

Today's results: 1 for 3, single, strikeout.
 
1st - K looking on 4 pitches (vs RHP Dylan Axelrod)
4th - Ground ball single to RF on a 1-2 pitch (vs Axelrod)
6th - Ground out 5-3 on an 0-1 pitch (vs RHP Taylor Thompson)

 
Same old Will, seeing 10 pitches in a game. 
 
EDIT- Fouled off two pitches on the 4th, so it was actually 12. 

 

[Red(s)HawksFan]

https://twitter.com/ScottLauber/status/478188697758609408

 

[MakMan44]

https://twitter.com/GordonEdes/status/481250220605706240

 

[Plympton91]

And the most disappointing pre-All-Star break Red Sox season since 1997 continues. I'd forgotten how much the summer sucks when your baseball team is hopeless.

 

[HillysLastWalk]

And this finger issue is exactly why the Drew signing was a good signing.  The results might not be there, but the idea of bringing in infield depth on the left side was a good one.

 

[KillerBs]

The Drew signing made sense at the time, but with the emergence of Holt, who now looks like a plausible stop gap at least at 3b, when/if we ever obtain another ML OFer (or Victorino returns), it seems verging on the obvious to me, that the preferred set up on the left side would be Bogaerts at SS and Holt and/or Middlebrooks at 3b.
 
I wonder how obligated the Sox will feel to give Drew ABs in that scenario or whether they could find a landing place for Drew elsewhere by the trade deadline. Detroit seems the obvious spot but it would help if Drew got a couple hits.

 

[radsoxfan]

The Drew signing made sense at the time, but with the emergence of Holt, who now looks like a plausible stop gap at least at 3b, when/if we ever obtain another ML OFer (or Victorino returns), it seems verging on the obvious to me, that the preferred set up on the left side would be Bogaerts at SS and Holt and/or Middlebrooks at 3b.
 
I wonder how obligated the Sox will feel to give Drew ABs in that scenario or whether they could find a landing place for Drew elsewhere by the trade deadline. Detroit seems the obvious spot but it would help if Drew got a couple hits.

 
Agreed.  A lot can happen in a month, but at the moment, it seems like the best scenario in mid July/August would be Holt and WMB at 3rd (or Cecchini perhaps if he starts hitting), Xander back to SS, and Mookie helping out in the OF. Combined with a healthy Victorino (which of course may never happen), that is a pretty good team. 
 
Drew made some sense at the time, but with Holt's emergence, Mookie knocking on the door as OF help, and the team's poor play, it probably makes sense to see if anyone is interested in him.  If the season is going to continue on this path, Xander really should be getting more reps at SS.  He looked like he was starting to turn the corner before he was abruptly moved to 3B. 

 

[soxhop411]

Gordon Edes ‏@GordonEdes  8m
Sox have shut off clock on Victorino, Middlebrooks rehab assignments. No baseball activity for either. Real setback
 
 
 
Brian MacPherson ‏@brianmacp  58m
Will Middlebrooks missing fifth straight PawSox game. Right index finger still twice as big as the left, swells up even more when he throws.

 

[Plympton91]

That's why you don't pass up the opportunity to sign Drew.

Drew will start hitting. This is the same pattern as last season where he was terrible after missing spring training. That's the Red Sox fault, both for waiting so long to sign him and for not insisting that he stay down for 20 days instead of 10.

He's been phenomenal all week on defense, making several plays that if his name were more exotic sounding all his detractors would be talking about how it didn't matter if he had a 400 OPS because defense.

 

[BosRedSox5]

Sad to see this for WMB. He's a young guy with some offensive potential who should be in the period of his career where he's ironing out the flaws in his game and becoming a more well rounded player. Instead he's nursing an injured finger which just won't heal. It must be incredibly frustrating for him. 

 

[Eck'sSneakyCheese]

That's why you don't pass up the opportunity to sign Drew.
Drew will start hitting. This is the same pattern as last season where he was terrible after missing spring training. That's the Red Sox fault, both for waiting so long to sign him and for not insisting that he stay down for 20 days instead of 10.
He's been phenomenal all week on defense, making several plays that if his name were more exotic sounding all his detractors would be talking about how it didn't matter if he had a 400 OPS because defense.

This is an absurd statement. No one with a 400 OPS is getting slack no matter how exotic his name is. Frankly its a little racist to imply that. Drew has a .320 OPS right now BTW.

 

[Snodgrass'Muff]

This is an absurd statement. No one with a 400 OPS is getting slack no matter how exotic his name is. Frankly its a little racist to imply that. Drew has a .320 OPS right now BTW.

 

 

[Eck'sSneakyCheese]

Its still a ridiculous statement.

 

[Snodgrass'Muff]

Which was the point.

 

[Reverend]

Which was the point.

 
You are a generous spirit, Snodder.
 
I would just urge everyone else to ignore the reverse race card. Iggy's hitting was considered by the FO and Farrell to be BABIP driven and unsustainable anyway, so it's not a valid comp.

 

[Plympton91]

It wasn't a race card it was just a cool name card and an exaggerated shot at all the people who spent 3 years saying it was irrelavent what their "Iggy" hit because he was so good on defense.

 

[Sprowl]

It wasn't a race card it was just a cool name card and an exaggerated shot at all the people who spent 3 years saying it was irrelavent what their "Iggy" hit because he was so good on defense.

 
Ah, Iggyenvy.   :nerd:

 

[nvalvo]

It wasn't a race card it was just a cool name card and an exaggerated shot at all the people who spent 3 years saying it was irrelavent what their "Iggy" hit because he was so good on defense.

 
I dunno. "Uncle Dirt" is a pretty cool name. 

 

[mabrowndog]

Middlebrooks has joined the Shane Victorino Long-Term Ouch Club
 

 
Third baseman Will Middlebrooks is also having a slower-than-expected recovery from a fractured right index finger.
 
Middlebrooks has also been shut down from baseball activities due to increased swelling.

 
He hasn't played since being scratched 6/23, but had gone 6-for-19 with 2 BB & 3 K in his previous 6 rehab games.

 

[richgedman'sghost]

Middlebrooks has joined the Shane Victorino Long-Term Ouch Club
 
 
He hasn't played since being scratched 6/23, but had gone 6-for-19 with 2 BB & 3 K in his previous 6 rehab games.

Awful luck.. just when it seemed like he was getting it going, he re injures himself. One step forward, ten steps back. If he was healthy and able to contribute,  the team could have used him.

 

[BosRedSox5]

That's why you don't pass up the opportunity to sign Drew.

Drew will start hitting. This is the same pattern as last season where he was terrible after missing spring training. That's the Red Sox fault, both for waiting so long to sign him and for not insisting that he stay down for 20 days instead of 10.

He's been phenomenal all week on defense, making several plays that if his name were more exotic sounding all his detractors would be talking about how it didn't matter if he had a 400 OPS because defense.

 
Stephon Dru? 

 

[jsinger121]

That's why you don't pass up the opportunity to sign Drew.

Drew will start hitting. This is the same pattern as last season where he was terrible after missing spring training. That's the Red Sox fault, both for waiting so long to sign him and for not insisting that he stay down for 20 days instead of 10.

He's been phenomenal all week on defense, making several plays that if his name were more exotic sounding all his detractors would be talking about how it didn't matter if he had a 400 OPS because defense.

 
Who the hell wants to pay 10 million for defense?

 

[Rovin Romine]

Awful luck.. just when it seemed like he was getting it going, he re injures himself. One step forward, ten steps back. If he was healthy and able to contribute,  the team could have used him.

 
This wasn't luck.  It's pretty foreseeable.  WMB's finger was swollen and hurt to the extent he couldn't play the field - yet the Sox had him bat with it because they're dying for a whiff of offense.  

 

[Soxfan in Fla]

 
This wasn't luck.  It's pretty foreseeable.  WMB's finger was swollen and hurt to the extent he couldn't play the field - yet the Sox had him bat with it because they're dying for a whiff of offense.  

Yeah, if he couldn't play the field with it, why was he hitting with it. We talking fingers here, which usually connect with the bat.

 

[TomRicardo]

 
Stephon Dru? 

 
J.D. Drew.  Now there is sexy exotic name we can all get behind.

 

[mabrowndog]

delete

 

[NDame616]

Per Alex Speier, he'll begin another rehab stint on Friday but will only DH for the time being.
 

 
Phew.
 
If there's something this team needs, it's a DH......

 

[Eck'sSneakyCheese]

Seriously, just shut the kid down until he's healthy. He's already frustrated with the situation and the set backs, so get him healed and send him out there to play 3rd when he's 100%.

 

[Plympton91]

Seriously, just shut the kid down until he's healthy. He's already frustrated with the situation and the set backs, so get him healed and send him out there to play 3rd when he's 100%.

Why would you have him play 3b though? Seems like time to get him acclimated to LF and 1B, where most of the throws he'll make are only 75% intensity and where there's still room for the Red Sox to need his bat this year. I would think that even if they move Drew, you'd put Holt back at 3B and Xander back at SS. Middlebrooks would be a good replacement for Gomes/Carp, if he can be competent in LF, freeing up the roster space they needed this year.

 

[mabrowndog]

Never mind the rehab. Someone tweeted a link to Speier news that's more than 2 weeks old. That report is from June 11. My apologies.
 
WMB is still on the shelf.

 

[Eck'sSneakyCheese]

Why would you have him play 3b though? Seems like time to get him acclimated to LF and 1B, where most of the throws he'll make are only 75% intensity and where there's still room for the Red Sox to need his bat this year. I would think that even if they move Drew, you'd put Holt back at 3B and Xander back at SS. Middlebrooks would be a good replacement for Gomes/Carp, if he can be competent in LF, freeing up the roster space they needed this year.

For once P91, I actually agree with you, sort of. I think he deserves another chance at 3B because it was his position and no one has actually beaten him out yet. Bottom line is though if he's not 100% I don't want him playing anywhere.

 

[MakMan44]

https://twitter.com/alexspeier/status/484067662520414208

 

[Rasputin]

https://twitter.com/alexspeier/status/484067662520414208

 
This strikes me as just a monstrously horrible idea. Let the damn finger get healthy.

 

[Harry Hooper]

This vision issue may also be the cause of slow reaction time defensively.

 
 
Yes, possible good news. Perhaps what we thought was back stiffness or just bad footwork on defense was Will reacting late to the ball?

 

[glennhoffmania]

The Red Sox third baseman jammed his left wrist while sliding into third base in a game for the Triple-A Pawtucket against Toledo Friday night and has been recalled from his rehab assignment.
 
Middlebrooks had just restarted his rehab assignment with the PawSox on July 1. He was 7-for-27 with two walks and four RBI in eight games since resuming his rehab stint.
 

 
I blame Jenny.

 

[ivanvamp]

I fear that WMB will never become what we all hope he could be.  

 

[C4CRVT]

It's the opposite hand as the broken finger.
 
On the one hand, it might not be that bad. A jammed wrist could be a pretty minor and heal quickly and give him some more time for his finger to heal.
 
On the other hand, it must have been pretty bad for them to shut him down.

 

[Reggie's Racquet]

I blame Jenny.

If I was recently engaged to Jenny Dell I would also slide in head first no matter what the consequences.

 

[soxhop411]

Jason Mastrodonato ‏@JMastrodonato  3m
Will Middlebrooks will now focus on playing third base in AAA, with the emergency of Betts/Holt and Victorino's recovery crowding the OF.
 
Scott Lauber ‏@ScottLauber  7m
Middlebrooks' rehab assignment was re-set because of sore wrist, but he's expected to play for Pawtucket tomorrow #RedSox
 
So Middlebrooks will be stuck in AAA unless Drew is traded I guess... 
 
edit: Or if they decide to send Bogaerts down

 

[67WasBest]

 
Jason Mastrodonato ‏@JMastrodonato  3m
Will Middlebrooks will now focus on playing third base in AAA, with the emergency of Betts/Holt and Victorino's recovery crowding the OF.
 
Scott Lauber ‏@ScottLauber  7m
Middlebrooks' rehab assignment was re-set because of sore wrist, but he's expected to play for Pawtucket tomorrow #RedSox
 
So Middlebrooks will be stuck in AAA unless Drew is traded I guess... 
 
edit: Or if they decide to send Bogaerts down
 

Or release Drew

 

[Manramsclan]

Whether the Sox are still holding out hope of contending in 2014 or they are looking to set the table for 2015 ad beyond, their best move IMHO is to put WMB back at 3B and Xander back at SS with Holt continuing his super sub role.  
 
That is all dependent on health of course, but playing Stephen Drew at this point just seems stupid. He isn't hitting, he's shown no signs of hitting, and this was all mostly predicated by Will being hurt in the first place. Their best chance to contend or to prepare for 2015 is to get him in the lineup.  At the very least we can see if he can re-establish his trade value or if he is worth suppressing Cecchini who could be installed next year.

 

[Sprowl]

Or release Drew

 
Not gonna happen. Drew is a good, occasionally great, fielder; he will probably recover at the bat as he accumulates more July/August plate appearances, and Bogaerts doesn't need to be jerked around more than once more in 2014.
 
When Drew disappears in an August waiver deal, XBH will get one more chance at shortstop, but I'm thinking he's a third baseman for life. Devin, come on down!!

 

[67WasBest]

 
Not gonna happen. Drew is a good, occasionally great, fielder; he will probably recover at the bat as he accumulates more July/August plate appearances, and Bogaerts doesn't need to be jerked around more than once more in 2014.
 
When Drew disappears in an August waiver deal, XBH will get one more chance at shortstop, but I'm thinking he's a third baseman for life. Devin, come on down!!

I don't see XB as a SS either, but do see him as a natural 3B.  I could see a late season release, once they're sure they can't recover 2014; so they can get a more complete look at the kids, including Marrero.  Might as well get a peek at 2015.

 

[Plympton91]

Whether the Sox are still holding out hope of contending in 2014 or they are looking to set the table for 2015 ad beyond, their best move IMHO is to put WMB back at 3B and Xander back at SS with Holt continuing his super sub role.  
 
That is all dependent on health of course, but playing Stephen Drew at this point just seems stupid. He isn't hitting, he's shown no signs of hitting, and this was all mostly predicated by Will being hurt in the first place. Their best chance to contend or to prepare for 2015 is to get him in the lineup.  At the very least we can see if he can re-establish his trade value or if he is worth suppressing Cecchini who could be installed next year.

Have you not read the 600 posts explaining why releasing Drew is stupid or do you disagree with the reasoning but don't want to say why?

Also, Middlebrooks is now nursing two injuries and was hitting 227 on gigs previous rehab stint. Why would there be any rush whatsoever to call him up?

Finally, Cecchini seemingly hasn't gotten a hit since May. He's probably now 5th on the depth chart for the left side of the infield and unlikely to even get a September call up to sit on the bench. Why would there be any rush whatsoever on him?

Just pretend Steven Drew has changed his name to Jose Iglesias and enjoy the fact that every routine play to SS is turned into a least one out.

 

[Granite Sox]

The next two weeks will tell the tale.  If Drew's bat doesn't heat up and the Sox don't make up significant ground by the end of the month, Drew will be gone one way or the other, X will play out the last 1.5-2 months at SS, and WMB will be up at 3rd.
 
Otherwise, X stays at 3rd for the rest of the year and WMB is looking at a September call-up.

 

[seantoo]

Sad to see this for WMB. He's a young guy with some offensive potential who should be in the period of his career where he's ironing out the flaws in his game and becoming a more well rounded player. Instead he's nursing an injured finger which just won't heal. It must be incredibly frustrating for him. 

The question is what do you do with him going forward? The Sox may eventually be somewhat forced to sell low on him. Maybe the right question is how much longer should the Sox keep him on the roster? From what I've gathered there is not a roster crunch until next year, therefore maybe Middlebrooks has just over a year to show the promise he once did. 

 

[Manramsclan]

Have you not read the 600 posts explaining why releasing Drew is stupid or do you disagree with the reasoning but don't want to say why?

Also, Middlebrooks is now nursing two injuries and was hitting 227 on gigs previous rehab stint. Why would there be any rush whatsoever to call him up?

Finally, Cecchini seemingly hasn't gotten a hit since May. He's probably now 5th on the depth chart for the left side of the infield and unlikely to even get a September call up to sit on the bench. Why would there be any rush whatsoever on him?

Just pretend Steven Drew has changed his name to Jose Iglesias and enjoy the fact that every routine play to SS is turned into a least one out.

Have you read my post where I never mentioned releasing Drew? No? Ok. Good. Please read it again. 
 
And for god sakes tone it down. Your intellectual superiority is blinding me.
 
I don't think Stephen Drew should play. He's a sunk cost that was predicated by WMB getting hurt. Up to that point, the Sox were content to pursue the path of WMB at 3B and Xander at SS. Yes, his defense is great but how does it help the Red Sox as an organization if we leave him in there until he hits ? And how long will that take? He's gone after this year. He hasn't been the antidote the FO thought he might be. All that is left is for him to burnish his own FA credentials. For the Sox, run prevention has been at least average. The offense,however, has been a catastrophe. My vote is for offensive upside with the added benefit of giving WMB the opportunity that he was supposed to get at the beginning of the season: to see if he could provide power from the right side with solid defense at 3B. To further that point, play him so that the FO can see what they were trying to see in the first place when they were comfortable moving forward without Drew: If the left side of the infield could be held down by Middlebrooks and Bogaerts. All it is a return to Plan A.
 
The $10 Million is gone. A team like the Red Sox shouldn't be playing Drew only because of that money. The FO can eat a mistake like that. 
 
Your point about Cecchini not being ready at all is a good one, but what I am advocating isn't specific to any one player.  What I am advocating is finding out whether Will can do it so we can move onto to whoever is next on the depth chart. Whether that is Marrero at SS with Xander to moving to third it doesn't matter. Will Middlebrooks has proven himself at AAA. To some extent he has proven himself at the Major League level. His development should be with the Sox now if they aren't interested in trading him.  The FO should find out what they have, which was the plan at the beginning of the season and never came to fruition because of injuries. Let's answer some of those questions by playing Middlebrooks at 3B and Bogaerts at SS. Best case they hit like crazy and boost the offense and the Sox at least play some winning ball. Worst case Will swings at breaking balls away and is exactly where he was before, and Xander is ready to play SS full-time next year.

 

[Savin Hillbilly]

Have you read my post where I never mentioned releasing Drew? No? Ok. Good. Please read it again.

So are you saying that the Sox should keep Drew for the rest of the year but use him as a backup/defensive replacement?

 

[Manramsclan]

So are you saying that the Sox should keep Drew for the rest of the year but use him as a backup/defensive replacement?

Barring a trade, yes. 
 
The squeaky wheel on this team has been offense.  Let's see if X and WMB can get it going and if they can't at least the Sox are better off in 2015 due to the reasons I mentioned.