1755 replies to this topic

[Rudy Pemberton]

Is God punishing us for all the "hey, it can't get worse" comments made last September?

[Cellar-Door]

I can see how this is going to go already:
we score 6 runs
Punto goes 2-3 BB 2R SB
Valentine confirms his own opinion of his "genius"
WEEI starts getting calls about whether Punto should be the starter and we should trade Youk.

[czar]

I should have warned you about the AAA lineup guys.

A.) I'm going to the game.

B.) I used to somehow see Wakefield 50% of the time.

Ergo, C.) shitty lineups are kind of my thing.

[rembrat]

"JennyDellNESN: Youkilis: "Nothing is bothering me physically. I'm just not in the lineup today."

http://twitter.com/J...995585603403776

[Back Bay]

Does anyone know how to get around mlb.tv blackouts?
I need to watch the Sox get their 1st win for the Easters bunny.

[Rudy's Curve]

http://twitter.com/J...995585603403776

This team also needs Youkilis healthy over the long haul, so I have no problem with him sitting on getaway day (especially with a game tomorrow). As alluded to though, Punto leading off and McDonald seeing the field vs. a RHP are less than optimal.

[absintheofmalaise]

Punto had to rise sometime.

[mikeford]

Nick fucking Punto hitting leadoff.

I wish I was dead.

[czar]

But really, you guys are missing out on the potential awesome-sauce reason for the lineup...

When one of our 7-8-9 hitters magically gets on base, we have like a sac bunt hall of famer when the lineup wraps to the top!

[Snodgrass'Muff]

Gonna be a long season.

Tim Britton ‏ @TBritton_ProjoValentine said he was planning to use this kind of lineup even before first two losses. Likes Punto as a spark at top

A spark? A spark for what? The only thing he's going to spark at the top of the lineup is the tinder beneath the wood that is the team's chance to win today.

[glennhoffmania]

I didn't realize that "ability to get on base" was now the same thing as a "spark." Because Bobby certainly knows that OBP is more important than sparkiness, right?

[jnlevetoncnmt]

Punto means "point" in spanish. At least according to the internet. Also the Fiat Punto is a minicar that can go 0-60 in 8 seconds! At least according to wikipedia. I don't know if this bodes good or ill.

[Pumpsie]

Oh, I disagree, Pumpsie.



http://twitter.com/P...981130580606976

You ain't seen worse until you seen Nicky Punto leading-off.

Well, maybe Bobby is using Jimy Williams logic here....Punto is way, way, way, way, way...overdue.

[OnWisc]

I look forward to someone arguing at some date in the near future, "You know they are undefeated when Punto leads off."

If anyone's going to make that argument, they've probably only got about six more hours to do so.

[Snodgrass'Muff]

I didn't realize that "ability to get on base" was now the same thing as a "spark." Because Bobby certainly knows that OBP is more important than sparkiness, right?

Wouldn't a career .325 OBP be more of an inability to get on base? Never mind that he's got a .244 OBP batting lead off, though granted that's in a tiny sample size. Still, I don't see any evidence *for* him batting lead off.

Edit: I know you're not arguing for him batting lead off. Just riffing off your post.

Edited by Snodgrass'Muff, 08 April 2012 - 10:08 AM.

[Pumpsie]

http://twitter.com/J...995585603403776

I don't know if this is good news or bad news. I think I may have felt better if I knew that Youks was nursing some kind of injury. Youks looks like he's forty years old all of a sudden. Maybe he just needs the hot weather so he can sweat more.

[BucketOBalls]

How does punto "spark" the lineup? Shame? A challenge to overcome?

[drtooth]

When even Pete Abe is not defending Valentine, this does not bode well.

Edited by drtooth, 08 April 2012 - 10:15 AM.

[aron7awol]

This team also needs Youkilis healthy over the long haul, so I have no problem with him sitting on getaway day (especially with a game tomorrow). As alluded to though, Punto leading off and McDonald seeing the field vs. a RHP are less than optimal.

He doesn't need the third game of the season off just for regular rest. He says he's fine physically. He should be starting.

[glennhoffmania]

How does punto "spark" the lineup? Shame? A challenge to overcome?

He starts a fire that leads to the whole game going up in flames.

[Tyrone Biggums]

Lets go sox! i feel the bats come alive today and score 5+

Not with Punto leading off...god I hate that signing. That being said I see the Sox winning 3 - 1 today

[Tyrone Biggums]

I'd rather have Jenny Dell leading off than Punto. Infact I think we could all use more Jenny Dell!!

[Rudy's Curve]

He doesn't need the third game of the season off just for regular rest. He says he's fine physically. He should be starting.

I have no doubts that he's fine, but he's extremely prone to developing nagging injuries. Keeping him fresh should reduce the chances of those happening. It's a day game after a late afternoon game, and there's a game tomorrow. I'd much rather have Punto start periodically than be the full-time 3B once Youkilis hits the shelf.

[Buzzkill Pauley]

This team also needs Youkilis healthy over the long haul, so I have no problem with him sitting on getaway day (especially with a game tomorrow). As alluded to though, Punto leading off and McDonald seeing the field vs. a RHP are less than optimal.

I'm less worried about Punto leading off than I am about Youk missing time already -- his hip cannot be 100%. All this media spin about "planned lineups" and whatever make no sense and sounds like a load of absolute crap.

Arthritic hip + Offseason sports hernia surgery + Missing 2nd game after day off = Trouble

[loopslive]

Last season, Cardinals manager Tony LaRussa started Punto eight times at leadoff. He responded with three hits in his first two games, but went 1-for-22 in his last six starts at the top spot.

Valentine said he gives those numbers no weight.

“None,’’ he said. “I think he’s going to hit .260 in the leadoff spot, so he’s got a lot of hits coming. I don’t think it has anything to do with it.
Personally, I don’t think it has anything to do with it.’’

So what does Valentine like about Punto hitting leadoff?

“Just want to see what it looks like,’’ he said. “See if it gives us a little spark. He’s a sparky kind of player, battles everyone.’’

Brilliant. Fucking brilliant.

http://espn.go.com/b...ineup-in-game-3

[Foulkey Reese]

He’s a sparky kind of player, battles everyone

That is 100% Joe Morgan speak for "He fucking sucks"

[glennhoffmania]

So now Bobby is making BA projections, comes up with a shitty BA for Punto, and uses that a reason to have him lead off. Confusing.

[OnWisc]

Punto did do a lot of damage against righty starters last season. And there's no reason to assume that trend won't continue in 2012......well, you know, as long as he maintains that .373 BABIP.

[OnWisc]

“I think he’s going to hit .260 in the leadoff spot, so he’s got a lot of hits coming."

Sounds like the last place team at a fantasy draft.

[JimBoSox9]

I am thisclose to rooting for Punto to take the golden sombrero, preferably while Sweeney (who should be the choice right now to slide into the top 5 if Youks sits) goes 2-3 with a double and a walk.

I hate you, Bobby Valentine. Hate hate hate hate.

[shawnrbu]

This is what the Butch Hobson years felt like 20 years ago. It is getting to the point where you have to openly question whether the Red Sox can still be considered one of the smart baseball organizations.

Edited by shawnrbu, 08 April 2012 - 10:50 AM.

[loopslive]

I am thisclose to rooting for Punto to take the golden sombrero, preferably while Sweeney (who should be the choice right now to slide into the top 5 if Youks sits) goes 2-3 with a double and a walk.

I hate you, Bobby Valentine. Hate hate hate hate.

Perhaps this is part of Bobby V's masterplan of getting Iglesias back a.s.a.p. - a la, "Look, I've tried Punto as Sparky, didn't work!"

[backpeddling]

“None,’’ he said. “I think he’s going to hit .260 in the leadoff spot, so he’s got a lot of hits coming. I don’t think it has anything to do with it.
Personally, I don’t think it has anything to do with it.’’

What the fuck does this even mean?

On McDonald:

"Most of his at-bats in the spring were against righthhanders. So I figure if he's every start against a righthhander it's now," Valentine said.

Huh?

Edited by backpeddling, 08 April 2012 - 10:55 AM.

[NomarRS05]

That is 100% Joe Morgan speak for "He fucking sucks"

The joke's on us.

[sachilles]

We can hope it's some sort of taunt or challenge to Ellsbury. Trying to find the bright side.

[Nomar813]

I saw the lineup and momentarily forgot it wasn't spring training. We are all dumber for having seen Punto leading off; a handful of our neurons are actually committing suicide.

[jodyreeddudley78]

I've defended V so far. I'm not sure I was right to do so. I could understand batting Punto first in August when you're 8 games out on a four game skid and you're looking "to shake things up" or other cliches, but game 3? Bobby, if you're going to have the Scooby crew yank off your mask to reveal an old jackass, wait until the end of the season.

[ngruz25]

In 1997, Jeff Frye had a 121 OPS+ when leading off. He led off 8 times.

That's why I'm cool with Nick Punto leading off. If Jeff Frye could do it... (checks b-ref stats)... oh my, Jeff Frye was better than Nick Punto. I take it all back.

[bluefenderstrat]

Sigh.

[gfur732]

Youk has had massive platoon splits the last couple years. Against righties, the difference between him and Punto since the start of 2010 has been about 100 pts in OPS, most of it in slugging. Scherzer was also really good against righties last year (and complete garbage vs lefties). Then consider that Clay Buchholz is strong GB pitcher and Punto is much better than Youk is defensively.

You probably won't find days where the difference in value between the two is as low as today, so it's not a bad day to rest him.

I have no excuse for Punto at the top of the lineup though. That's just stupid.

[JBill]

I'm less worried about Punto leading off than I am about Youk missing time already -- his hip cannot be 100%. All this media spin about "planned lineups" and whatever make no sense and sounds like a load of absolute crap.

I think he's hurting too, sitting him to keep him "fresh" on the third day of the season doesn't make any sense at all.

As for Punto...it's the third day of the season and I promised I would give Bobby V a fair shake, it's the third day of the season and I promised I would give Bobby V a fair shake, it's the third day of the season and I promised I would give Bobby V a fair shake....breathe.

[Snodgrass'Muff]

.260 means a lot of hits are coming? If he gets 400 ABs that's only 104 hits. Since when is that a lot? And that's assuming 400 at bats... Also, batting average? For real? I thought he was supposed to be progressive?

[TwoDownInTheNinth]

“None,’’ he said. “I think he’s going to hit .260 in the leadoff spot, so he’s got a lot of hits coming. I don’t think it has anything to do with it.
Personally, I don’t think it has anything to do with it.’’

And Bobby believes this... why? That number was pulled right out of his ass.

[Laser Show]

For most of Spring Training, I said to wait on getting pissed at Bobby until he did something stupid in a real game.

That day has arrived. Idiot.

Edited by Laser Show, 08 April 2012 - 11:30 AM.

[Foulkey Reese]

.260 means a lot of hits are coming? If he gets 400 ABs that's only 104 hits. Since when is that a lot? And that's assuming 400 at bats... Also, batting average? For real? I thought he was supposed to be progressive?

Rembrat is pleasuring himself to this post.

[garnett]

...and on the third day the red sox rose from the dead ... amen

[OnWisc]

And Bobby believes this... why? That number was pulled right out of his ass.

Maybe not. I saw him at Starbucks yesterday hunched over a table with a 2012 Baseball Prospectus, some graph paper and calculator.

[Rough Carrigan]

He does the little things guys

Could you please clarify this for me?
The positive little things or the negative little things? Or just the little things?

[Soxaholic]

I'm still dumbfounded by Nick Punto leading off.

Win today in spite of this idiocy!

I think Clay could throw a gem.

[Rough Carrigan]

I'm less worried about Punto leading off than I am about Youk missing time already -- his hip cannot be 100%. All this media spin about "planned lineups" and whatever make no sense and sounds like a load of absolute crap.

Arthritic hip + Offseason sports hernia surgery + Missing 2nd game after day off = Trouble

Remember when we felt almost guilty about the contract that the Sox had signed him to?