That DZR guy you like.Who said he was better than JBJ defensively? Overall they aren't even in the same stratosphere though. And Mookie has hardly played CF this year, so yes Kike has been a better CF than him this year.
That DZR guy you like.Who said he was better than JBJ defensively? Overall they aren't even in the same stratosphere though. And Mookie has hardly played CF this year, so yes Kike has been a better CF than him this year.
You really want to debate that he hasn't been one of the best CFs in baseball this year?That DZR guy you like.
I'm more interested in how Bloom signed one of the very best CFs in baseball to a 2/16 deal. Apparently whatever magic formula he used didn't stick for trading for LFs.You really want to debate that he hasn't been one of the best CFs in baseball this year?
So no, you just want to troll and make fun of advanced stats, got itI'm more interested in how Bloom signed one of the very best CFs in baseball to a 2/16 deal. Apparently whatever magic formula he used didn't stick for trading for LFs.
Also why he can't trade such a lucrative contract straight up for that Troot dude, who has a pretty sad URD.
Yeah he probably should have kept JBJ AB and Betts and paid something like 4x as much for worse production this year, he's the worstHuh? I know you’re talking about Santana/Cordero…. But he did get Verdugo when he could have got zip if he didn’t trade Mookie….which I believe would have been the case. Add in a great RF signing and Bloom really only whiffed on clogging up the 2 best August and September hitters….
I get that we could use better D at first…. But substitute Rizzo’s overall production for Dalbec’s overall production since the deadline and Gallo vs Schwarber and it’s not a contest.Yeah he probably should have kept JBJ AB and Betts and paid something like 4x as much for worse production this year, he's the worst
That same lineup in the field likely gives up enough errors and unearned runs to make up for how good that lineup is at the plateOPS+ numbers of the best realistic offensive lineup the Sox could put out there:
C - Plawecki - 93
1b - Dalbec - 104
2b - Hernandez - 106
3b - Devers - 131
SS - Bogaerts - 131
LF - Schwarber - 136
CF - Verdugo - 109
RF - Renfroe - 111
DH - Martinez - 127
That's pretty good. If they can put that lineup out there most games the rest of the way, they should score a bunch of runs.
Might give up quite a few as well, with that OF defense. But then again, that's been the story of their whole season.OPS+ numbers of the best realistic offensive lineup the Sox could put out there:
C - Plawecki - 93
1b - Dalbec - 104
2b - Hernandez - 106
3b - Devers - 131
SS - Bogaerts - 131
LF - Schwarber - 136
CF - Verdugo - 109
RF - Renfroe - 111
DH - Martinez - 127
That's pretty good. If they can put that lineup out there most games the rest of the way, they should score a bunch of runs.
The key for me was holding the M's scoreless through six innings, after losing the early three run lead, allowing them to get to the point of winning the game. No luck in that, just good bullpen work.I think if they take 2/3 against the MFY’s they are guaranteed a WC spot. 1/3 and because of their schedule…. I think it drops to 50%.
that 10th inning last night was garbage baseball- BABiP sacrifice luck. Happens throughout a season though with wins and losses though.
I think it will take 92 to get the WC, and that's within reach for the team. I was so reactive and demoralized by the first Seattle loss, but the full series - the full road trip actually - exhibited a revived bullpen; arms coming back, almost now at full strength (caveat: neither CWS or Seattle have much offense). Particularly important that D. Hernandez and Taylor looking so good.I don’t know what it will take to make the WC, but we were hypothesizing about the Sox winning 90. Some were skeptical that they’d get to 90. They still might not. But those last two wins in Seattle were huge.
They’re now at 83 wins with 14 games to go. Need just 7 more wins to get to 90 , so only need to go 7-7 to achieve that. Might need more to win the WC, but just 7 to get to 90.
3 vs Bal (.317)
2 vs NYM (.490)
3 vs NYY (.562)
3 at Bal (.317)
3 at Was (.411)
9 of the 14 games are home, where the Sox have an excellent record this year.
9 of the 14 games are against two of the worst teams in baseball this year.
11of the 14 games are against teams with losing records this year.
This team has been so up and down that we can’t take anything for granted, but they certainly couldn’t have asked for a much better schedule the last two+ weeks. Oh and they get days off before each series if memory serves, allowing them to really use playoff lineup and relief pitching given the number of days off. Some other teams don’t have that luxury.
It’s all setting up nicely for them and if they don’t make it at this point they’d have nobody to blame but themselves.
The White Sox have the 4th highest team OPS in the AL. They have plenty of offense.I think it will take 92 to get the WC, and that's within reach for the team. I was so reactive and demoralized by the first Seattle loss, but the full series - the full road trip actually - exhibited a revived bullpen; arms coming back, almost now at full strength (caveat: neither CWS or Seattle have much offense). Particularly important that D. Hernandez and Taylor looking so good.
I think this is apt, totally. And where the Sox are in terms of pythag standings jives with impressionistic sense watching the games: Not as good as CWS, TB, Toronto, or Houston. As good or better than the rest. Okay - fifth best team in AL. That's a step in the right direction after last year.It's funny how teams are suddenly veering in the direction of their pythagorean records. The Mariners have now lost two series in a row, the previous one to the D-Backs, which is fitting for a team that is quietly 12 GAMES ABOVE ITS PYTHAGOREAN RECORD! I live in Seattle so I don't have a problem with them showing some pluck, but they are a net 100 runs worse than the Sox and have no business bothering us. Meanwhile the Jays are still making up for lost ground and are eight games below where their run differential says they should be. And the Sox, every time they lose a close game on an ill-timed error or pitch, it takes them one game closer to where the numbers say they belong. Sox are now +3 wins, still showing some real resilience, and should be favored to take down the Yankees (+5 wins) on the way to October. If that happens, the standings will end up exactly where they belong.
I accept that edit. Having Anderson and Engel out compromised them when Sox passed through Chicago. Line up definitely didn't seem to have much length, but you are right at full strength they have a solid offense.The White Sox have the 4th highest team OPS in the AL. They have plenty of offense.
they've had what has seemed a brutal schedule all year. Lots of quality teams (can the AL East get some respect? I mean c'mon!!). And many long stretches with no days off: hence having played the most games in the majors to date, and facing a pretty easy schedule with many days off for the remaining 2.5 weeks. And finally at full strength at that. "Signs Point to Yes," subsequently. Let's hope they take advantage.They deserve more love because of the difficulty of their schedule.
Contenders and games played vs .500 or greater competition:
Red Sox - 46-45 (91 games)
Blue Jays - 46-40 (86 games)
Yankees - 42-40 (82 games)
Rays 43-38 (81 games)
Mariners 37-37 (74 games)
A's 28-44 (72 games)
Giants 40-32 (72 games)
Dodgers 39-33 (72 games)
Astros 43-31 (71 games)
Phillies 34-37 (71 games)
Reds 31-39 (70 games)
Padres 35-31 (66 games)
Milwaukee 36-29 (65 games)
Braves 28-36 (64 games)
White Sox 25-29 (54 games)
The poor Rockies have played 96 games vs .500 or better.
They should probably get rid of Cora and Bloom now just to be safe thoughFor tonight anyway, despite injuries, inconsistencies, terrible defense, and a massive COVID outbreak, the Red Sox have the third best record in the AL. That's a fact.
Ah, nuts, can't you just let a positive thing stand ...?They should probably get rid of Cora and Bloom now just to be safe though
That’s not the narrative here.Ah, nuts, can't you just let a positive thing stand ...?
This actually made me laugh. Surely you acknowledge that, until last week or so, you had been driving the “Bloom isn’t committed to winning, and let the team down by not doing just a little bit more at the deadline, thereby ruining morale” wagon in just about every Sox thread. I’m happy to see that you appear to have come around on the club, but to accuse someone else of not being positive is actually quite funny.Ah, nuts, can't you just let a positive thing stand ...?
I took it as humorous (rather than dark) irony.This actually made me laugh. Surely you acknowledge that, until last week or so, you had been driving the “Bloom isn’t committed to winning, and let the team down by not doing just a little bit more at the deadline, thereby ruining morale” wagon in just about every Sox thread. I’m happy to see that you appear to have come around on the club, but to accuse someone else of not being positive is actually quite funny.
You know, you could be right.I took it as humorous (rather than dark) irony.
Ha! Thank you sir my I have another ....This actually made me laugh. Surely you acknowledge that, until last week or so, you had been driving the “Bloom isn’t committed to winning, and let the team down by not doing just a little bit more at the deadline, thereby ruining morale” wagon in just about every Sox thread. I’m happy to see that you appear to have come around on the club, but to accuse someone else of not being positive is actually quite funny.
This is a genuinely humorous reply and you continue to be a positive and upbeat presence around here..Ha! Thank you sir my I have another ....
Okay - Yes, right. And then again, no. You've overstated my positions.
A couple things:
- Part of my short celebratory post was purposefully recognizing the positive in the face of my having been critical before. Wanted to acknowledge in a happy way and fun way!
- If you look back at my posts, I said many times Bloom is a good man for the job, of course he wants to win, but I felt he was overly cautious in and around the deadline (for various reasons we could speculate). And the Sox were left without reinforcements at a critical time during the season. That is not calling for Bloom's job. Please note the Sox tumbled in the standings over the next three weeks after the deadline, and now will at best be in the WC game, after peaking with a 4.5 game division lead in late July. The efficacy of Bloom's moves have also been obscured a bit by Dalbec being one of the best 2-3 hitters in the game in August/September. My criticism may have been over stated some, but I think it stands, AND it was always coupled by my assertion that the Sox CAN compete for a championship (hence my wish Bloom spent a bit more in prospects).
IT IS POSSIBLE TO CRITICIZE SOMEONE WHOSE WORK YOU FUNDAMENTALLY LIKE: it ain't a binary. We do this all the time with actors, writers, musicians, politicians. We can do it with baseball executives.
- Contextual circumstances effect morale, and psychology effects performance, well, IMO. I work in a performance field, and that's my experience. I've actually been noting when players say as much, to bring back to this forum, but then have thought, "eh, I'll never convince anyone, why bother ..." Example: Xander said a day or two ago that the all the COVID stuff was really getting him down, effecting him mentally, making him push on the field and so his play suffered. Then he got COVID, and in some ways the mental break helped him. Did Bloom RUIN morale for the season? Of course not. Could it have been affected it for a short (and critical) period? Sure.
- I HAVE been very critical of Cora during the month of August, and I think his on field decisions merited criticism. He made some horrendous decisions. I coupled that criticism by saying he obviously is great with players and it seems he creates a positive working atmosphere (he is very likable). More than any team I can remember with a winning record, these Red Sox commit unforced error after unforced error. Lots of stupid baseball and continual undisciplined play - well, the manager has to take some responsibility for that after a while. Unlike Bloom, I HAVE questioned Cora's position with the team this past stretch.
- I also recognized recently how well I think both Bloom and Cora have handled the roster/team during the COVID outbreak ... so, I note the good and the bad. Do we gotta pick a side?
SoSH subcultures:
Member A: The Authoritarians: How dare you criticize Cora or Bloom, they have more information than you do, what do you know, they know what they're doing!
Member B: The Adolescents: Fire those fuckers, they're ruining the team, gimme more winning NOW!
Member C: The Contrarians: Yes, but if you look at the spin rate of the pitches Dalbec faced the last month, you'll find that he's actually not hitting all that well. Oh - and do you remember when you said Dalbec sucked (multiple quotes) six weeks ago? Gotcha!
Member D: The Working Out Shit From Their Childhood in a Baseball Forum: ...I'll let you all fill in the blanks ...
I suppose you consider me B. I can certainly have reactive flashes. Guilty! I mean, I AM adolescent - in my fifties but spending half my day thinking about baseball! But I do couple my reactivity with a more nuanced, varied take on things, I think ....shit is often contradictory, ya know.
Do I contradict myself? Very well, then I contradict myself.
Also. Well known uniform critic Chris Sale is a huge fan of the city uniformsRed Sox beat the Mets, 12-5. They've won seven straight - their third seven-game winning streak this year. Other seasons in the last 30 years in which the Red Sox had three winning streaks of 7+ games:
2018.
That's it.
Does Chris Sale like the yellow City Connect alternate uniforms?
"I love them! I do. I know that might be a surprise to some people [laughs]."
View: https://twitter.com/alexspeier/status/1440879275205406724Sale on yellow uniforms: ‘I love them. … What it represents means even more to us.’
You really want to debate that he hasn't been one of the best CFs in baseball this year?
Don't wanna beat the horse too dead, and not to get too Talmudic splitting hairs BUT:This is a genuinely humorous reply and you continue to be a positive and upbeat presence around here..
It's not worth addressing yet again all the ways that it's wrong to say that Bloom could or should have acquired more players at the deadline; or that he somehow erred by trading for the guy who has turned out to be one of the best bats acquired at the deadline simply because that guy wasn't available to play immediately; or that he ruined clubhouse morale by not trading for more players. You obviously believe those things and there's no talking you out of them.
What I do want to point out, however, is that you can't on the one hand claim that Bloom is the right guy for the job and that you believe in him long term, etc. and then, on the other, point to his work this season as some kind of exception to all the promise and potential you see in him. His work this season is literally why he is here with the Red Sox. He has run the team with a laser focus on one obvious, easily identifiable strategy, and he has refused to deviate from it. And that strategy is to build the kind of foundation that is required to compete over the long haul. It is NOT to maximize the chances of the 2021 Red Sox to win a championship. He put together a roster that most predicted preseason would play hard and maybe, with a little luck, compete for a wild care. And that is what the team has done. (Because I know you're going to repeat once again your oft-repeated rebuttal of "Then why did he invest at the trade deadline at all?" I'll respond to it here: Because all it cost him to do so was an injured prospect who is several years from the majors if he makes it at all. Trading Ramirez had exactly zero impact on Bloom's unified theory of organization building. So why not bring in an excellent hitter, see if he can help to stabilize the lineup, and give yourself both an up close look at him and a leg up on a potential free agent signing? It's the same basic reason that he acquired Robles and Davis and Shaw and Iglesias--it helped and it came at a reasonable cost that didn't have any effect on the long term plan.)
We can go round and round on the specifics of all your complaints about Bloom's performance this season. At their heart, though, they're really about the difference between what you (and a contingent of others on this board) want out of this season--which is the Red Sox to do every single thing they can to give themselves the very best chance to compete for a championship--and what Bloom wants out of this season, which is to compete hard while continuing to do every single thing he can to give the Red Sox the very best chance to compete for championships for years to come. If you believe that Bloom is the right executive for this team's future, then you have to be very encouraged by his performance in this specific year.
I now fully believe that their attachment to the yellow uniforms will cost them the season. Should never have gone down that path ....can someone remind me how 2018 ended?
View: https://twitter.com/alexspeier/status/1440872367119429640
Also. Well known uniform critic Chris Sale is a huge fan of the city uniforms
View: https://twitter.com/MacCerullo/status/1440879297028296711
View: https://twitter.com/alexspeier/status/1440879275205406724
this is an insane take.I now fully believe that their attachment to the yellow uniforms will cost them the season. Should never have gone down that path ....
Because @cantor44 has thrown around a lot of quarter-baked takes, it can be difficult to know for certain…but I’m pretty sure that in this instance he was joking.this is an insane take.
BSJ"They outplayed us here. It's a bad time to be doing that, playing worse than the Orioles.'' Xander Bogaerts.
True, but this just struck me as so absurd it was worth calling out. I would enjoy those takes on the game thread, thoughBecause @cantor44 has thrown around a lot of quarter-baked takes, it can be difficult to know for certain…but I’m pretty sure that in this instance he was joking.
I am UTTERLY AND COMPLETELY JOKING!!!!this is an insane take.
I would like to apologize for the fact that my attempt at gentle ribbing came across poorly. I was trying to tease @cantor44 in a friendly way, but it didn’t register that way. I regret that.I am UTTERLY AND COMPLETELY JOKING!!!!
Good lord, thanks all for the quarter-baked shot; it was a response to a post about the yellow jerseys, hence in this thread ....
Okay BringBackMo, thanks for clarifying, appreciated. It's moments like these emojis were invented, I guess! So easy to misread writing. Thanks, Mo. I really enjoy debating/discussing with you.I would like to apologize for the fact that my attempt at gentle ribbing came across poorly. I was trying to tease @cantor44 in a friendly way, but it didn’t register that way. I regret that.