Hernandez has a career .290 OBP against right-handlers, although slightly better in 2021. Renfroe has a .268 OBP versus RHP this season, identical to his career mark. If Duran is to be deployed in a platoon role, there is no good reason that those opportunities should come solely or even primarily at Arroyo’s expense.
Renfroe’s been much better than that since he figured his shit out on May 1. I’m all for giving him a breather now and then but he’s made steady progress all season and really seems to be making the leap to a full-time regular. After a rough first month, he’s basically been Mitch Haniger, and it looks sustainable.
Renfroe has a .268 OBP versus RHP this season, identical to his career mark. He is what he has always been, which is a platoon player whose defense merits something slightly more than just the short side of that platoon.
I’m seeing something more from him. Compare what he’s doing against righties this year with his previous best season.
And to be a little cruder, his OPS against righties is just under .700 which isn’t that bad if you factor in how long it took him to get turned around after his abysmal start. He murders lefties, isn’t a total black hole against right handers, and plays an excellent right field with a cannon throwing arm. Renfroe is one of the last players on this team who should be in danger of losing playing time.
I totally agree with this. If you subtract a horrible April, his total game has been as good as anyone on the team. Now, he seemed to regress to the mean a bit hitting wise right before the break. But that dude is a rock in right field, on a team with inconsistent fielding across the rest of the diamond (save Arroyo)....
I haven't really seen any footage of him playing, but would like to. Do you know where I might be able to access Dur' on Film?
I agree with this. He's going to get plenty of opportunity to play right away.
I just hope he doesn't have hands of stone in the outfield.
My guess is that that's the theory right now. But these things usually take care of themselves. "In what world . . . . "? A world where Duran simply forces his way into the lineup as a regular by hitting, say, 350/400/500 and playing acceptable defense.
The Red Sox aren't promoting Duran to be their fourth OF. We should expect him to be the regular CF for as long as his performance warrants. Kike is likely going to be playing primarily 2B. It will be interesting to see how Cora uses Arroyo, but he'll figure something out.
One scenario: a world in which Arroyo is about to get traded.
With today's news that Houck is also joining the team it's most likely Brice who gets DFA'ed.
Did the best I could. I couldn't think of a pun for "Rio" and I don't know many of their songs. I'm looking for a new pun outlet, and will sit patiently until one arises.
As did Ted Williams. April 20, 1939. Batted sixth.
The Canadian nationalist in me didn't realize there was a version other than Loverboy's
Here's my new pun outlet, but I'm not gonna touch this as it's Thursday and I'm too busy workin' for the weekend (like everyone else, I'm told).
With Arroyo and Duran in Boston there is likely room for only one of the other three on the roster. Also the scenario I presented was aimed at Duran being "handed a starting job". I think he becomes part of a rotating platoon, just like several of his teammates have been all season.
Don't forget Tony Conigliaro (off Whitey Ford in '64), Scott Hatteberg (off David Cone '95), Marc Sullivan (off Ron Guidry '82) and (for Cleveland) Manny Ramirez!
I assume you mean with regard to hitting, and so I think it depends on how well he's fielding and how the team is doing during that stretch. Pedroia and Naehring (I believe) started slowly at the plate, but they were good fielders a
Kiké also leads the team in OBP in July with a .404. Keep him at the top.
To me the rotation would have to include Arroyo - so you would have 5 players sharing 4 positions. Very doable and probably advantageous. Folks get scuffed up anyway, and so the innings might naturally distribute themselves because of health. I mean, some folks are questioning who's at bats are going to go with Duran up ... It is always better to have one too many worthy starters than otherwise, obviously. Championship teams have depth.
I just don' think any of those players has the status to gripe about playing time on a first place storied franchise team and has won recent WS including under the current manager. All of those guys - Duran, Kike, Renfroe, Hernandez, Arroyo - before now were either not in the majors, or part time players. If they all get, essentially, 80% playing time and the team is winning, ain't nobody gonna complain. I mean, maybe I'm underestimating the narcissism of pro athletes, but I just don't think that would be an issue with this particular group.
And Jay Payton did? Chances are it won't be an issue, but it's something to keep in mind.
First name I thought of as well. Of course there are undoubtedly countless players who have also done it over the years less publicly. Having some perceived "status" to make griping about playing time okay really isn't a thing. Professional athletes all have huge egos and don't like to lose playing time. Cora will probably go with a rotation that is best for the team, both on the field, and in the clubhouse.
I agree. I should have been clearer that I was imagining multiple different scenarios. It's the scenarios where Arroyo remains at 2B that we need to rotate the outfielders.
No worries. It's hard to keep up with the bad puns in this punfest -- I'll be glad When It's Over. (And on that front, who knows? This Could be the Night.)
The only thing I have learned from Loverboy is that pig & elephant DNA just won't splice.
