Iglesias hit only .200 in spring training, but he never looked overmatched at the plate.
He struck out three times in 25 at-bats. He bunted, moved runners along, hit balls into the gap, went the other way. His average wasn’t good, but did anyone expect it to be, and more important, did anyone care?
That absolute disgusts me.Felger just began a segment asking the question "Who on the Red Sox beat has been killing it with great coverage this spring training?" His answer, Nick Cafardo, the guest he and Mazz just brought on to advocate for Iglesias being made the starting shortstop. Felger was worried Cafardo would be suffering an emotional letdown with Iglesias being sent down.
Nick replies, what does that have to do with pitchers pitching to contact?.200/.286/.280
.227 BABIP
.040 ISOP
The league leader in fewest strikeouts last year (among qualified players) was Juan Pierre, he of the 657 OPS.Cafardo is on with Felger and Mazz right now about Iglesias. "It's not like he's overmatched. He's only struck out 3 times and he's making contact".
"Immeasurable stuff makes champions. This team doesn't have the talent or the immeasurables".
WAAA--WAAAAA
Right. Two years ago, they were killed for overvaluing defense, now they're misguided in their misappreciation of it. Why is it so hard for mediot types like Cafardo and F&M to grasp that it's not about defense or offense but rather total value.He said that he thought that maybe Bill James' influence and their love of stats like win shares might be causing the front office to undervalue shortstop defense, which Cafardo is just baffled by.
Honest question- how does one measure an 'immeasurable?'"Immeasurable stuff makes champions. This team doesn't have the talent or the immeasurables".
Handshakes x Nicknames x Position of hat on head x amount of pine tar on batting helmet/ Salary x Quotable factor = X factor.Honest question- how does one measure an 'immeasurable?'
Maybe...
Handshakes x Nicknames / Salary = X Factor!
I want them to win the World Series right now more than I ever have in my life."Immeasurable stuff makes champions. This team doesn't have the talent or the immeasurables".
No. First, go to an ashram and meditate on this question. When you understand the dishonesty of the question, you will have achieved some immeasurable fraction of enlightenment.Honest question- how does one measure an 'immeasurable?'
And Mark Belanger.Let's put 9 Iglesias' and Puntos out there Nick. That'll show em all.
If I thought Iglesias could put up a .657 OPS, I'd be in favor of starting him. At this point Iglesias wouldn't be just a bad hitter, he'd be Kevin Cash (714 career plate appearances, .526 OPS) bad.The league leader in fewest strikeouts last year (among qualified players) was Juan Pierre, he of the 657 OPS.
Obviously Nick doesn't know that lack of strikeouts does not equate with not overmatched.
I'd go more towards Craig Grebeck territory.If I thought Iglesias could put up a .657 OPS, I'd be in favor of starting him. At this point Iglesias wouldn't be just a bad hitter, he'd be Kevin Cash (714 career plate appearances, .526 OPS) bad.
Now, guess where Nicky ranked him among the 30 MLB managers ...John Farrell, Blue Jays - Bright guy who keeps growing on the job. Like any former pitching coach, he is catching up to managing the rest of the team, and all reports are that he is doing well in that area. He has been able to delegate responsibility (to his coaches), as any strong leader does.
Hard to fault Cafardo for that one. Damon put up a 110 OPS+ to Abreu's 104 last year. Neither can play defense or run all that well any more. They're the exact same age, they are both left handed hitters. I don't know why you'd trade for either guy if you could simply sign the other one.5. Wouldn’t the Indians be better off signing Johnny Damon than trading for Bobby Abreu?
https://twitter.com/#!/nickcafardo/status/186531018025611266Johnny Damon would be a nice 25th player for the Red Sox.
Nick, still pushing for Damon#nickcafardo: I think they have versatile backups like nick punto and darnell mcdonald. They need a leader and a winner.
Bruce Jenkins and Marty Lurie were discussing Cafardo's rankings on the all-sports station out here over the weekend. They were baffled as to how Bochy had dropped as much as he did (I think he went from first in 2011 to ninth in 2012 or something like that). They never figured out that Cafardo does these off the top of his head as a space-filler.I would love to know just how Cafardo chooses his manager rankings. I think that it's based on who talks to him the most because while I don't think that Joe Girardi is a bad manager, he doesn't strike me as a top five guy. But it shouldn't be surprising as Nick is the only one of his compatriots who chose the Yankees to win the World Series this year.
Though Michael Vega may want to check on the Red's free agent acquisition, Mat Latos.
"This correspondent"???? .... Nick has regressed to WWII radio now?This correspondent believes Bobby Valentine should send Daniel Bard back to the bullpen.
Bard was supposed to be Jonathan Papelbon's heir apparent anyway. Yes, he's stretched out as a starter and you can make the case that it's not fair to him to have to go back.
But he's going back to what would be a glamorous role - not the set-up man, but the pitcher who earns saves and therefore can accrue future dollars in the process.
It would be an easy move to make.
Veteran Aaron Cook doesn't really need more time in the minors. He's ready to go right now and he would be easy to make the fifth starter. If Bard returned to the pen, Alfredo Aceves could be given his wish to be a starter.
Bake 'em away, toys.Several sources says Bailey's out at least 4 months. Then Cafardo tweets:
#nickcafardo Daniel Bard has progressed as a starter, but should this experiment be scrapped with Andrew Bailey out until the All-Star break?
That's some fine detective work there, Lou.
It's a mystery? Really?6. Johnny Damon, OF/DH, free agent - Any time we mention that Damon remains a free agent, baseball people shake their heads. “That one,’’ said one American League GM, “is a mystery."
You first, Nick.Apropos of nothing
11. Quick, name three Astros.
12. Quick, name three Padres.
But can you name three padres players?Astros: Jed Lowrie (played for the Sox, you know he's in Houston if you paid attention this offseason) Kyle Weiland (ditto) and Wandy Rodriguez, who the Sox were rumored to be interested in last year.
Pirates: Erik Bedard (pitched for the Sox last year) Andrew McCutcheon (upcoming star) and AJ Burnett (well publicized Yankee trade this offseason)
It's very easy to answer those if you follow the Red Sox and/or any baseball at all, and give it a second of thought, which explains why Cafardo thought they were puzzling questions.
Weak sauce. Own the mistake. Wear it proudYeah, as can anyone who likes baseball a little bit. Cafardo assumes the people who read the Boston Globe Sunday baseball notes aren't interested in baseball, because he's not.
Nick Cafardo ‏@nickcafardo
At least one bit of good news for Red Sox is that No 1 pick righty Matt Barnes struck out 13 for Greenville vs Lakewood in his pro debut.
I mean this isn't a big deal, especially on Twitter, but when stats are this easy to look up and double check it comes across as horribly lazy.
Nick Cafardo ‏@nickcafardo
"Nobody in here is thinking about last year," said Braves C Brian McCann. Maybe McCann's Braves and Red Sox, 0-3, should remember September.
I really couldn't tell that Cafardo wants Bard as the closer. Because he's only been tweeting about this since the beginning of March. #deadhorse@nickcafardo
Bobby V thinks he needs to manage bullpen better. I think the only way to do that is to insert Bard as closer.