Protecting the Shields -- The Nick Cafardo Thread

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John Marzano Olympic Hero

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Money quote from last year: "Ramirez could come back next season and hit 30 homers and knock in 100 runs. Even if he does, that doesn’t necessarily mean that you want him on your team."

I'm not going to fault a guy for not being able to see the future a year in advance, but Abraham has apologized for his Hanley bashing.
 

E5 Yaz

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While obsessing over postseason awards, what I believe in most when it comes to selecting a league MVP is that the player has contributed to a playoff team, unless there are no clear-cut choices. That’s not to diminish the spectacular year by Mike Trout, and if there were a Player of the Year award, he would get it. But for me, an MVP has to be valuable enough to have contributed to a postseason berth, and Trout didn’t.

Stats are important, but intangibles are, too. And those players who have both are the ones who scored highly with me. If awards were all about stats, just pick the best WAR and be done with it. But it’s more than that.

http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/redsox/2016/10/01/nick-cafardo-who-has-been-award-worthy-this-season/blUeSjxLtRY2G38GglqZ2N/story.html

Translation: It's just a flesh wound
 

Humphrey

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So, Nick, how many chances did your Manager of the Year have to use his lights out closer tonight?
 

John Marzano Olympic Hero

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Well that just proves Buck trusts his entire roster, which is something you have to do in the playoffs. The players are the ones who let him down. Shame on THEM.
 

Van Everyman

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Nick is not gonna defend the move – it's too indefensible. But the trust thing is his lifeline – he will probably say "That's why his players love him and management knows that more times than not he's right."
 

E5 Yaz

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{quote]Years ago as a young baseball writer, I took the opportunity each week to make fun of the Indians. There was a section in my Saturday notes column for the Patriot Ledger during the 1980s that I called the “Cleveland Indians Comedy Corner.” Invariably each week there’d be a crazy or pathetic occurrence that would make for great fodder. My, how that changed in the 1990s.[/quote]

1. Xander Bogaerts is in excellent shape so conditioning couldn’t have been at the root of his second-half dive. Obviously, fatigue was a factor.
http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/redsox/2016/10/22/baseball-postseason-has-seen-shift-use-bullpens/WVAQ8ZM2ALS3kMq1o9fm6O/story.html
 

John Marzano Olympic Hero

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Here is what Nick wrote yesterday about the Indians and their names (I'm not going to link to the story, because fuck that guy):

Head researcher Elliot Kalb of MLB Network found this gem in the Jan. 18, 1915, edition of the Cleveland Plain Dealer: “Many years ago there was an Indian named [Lou] Sockalexis who was the star of the Cleveland baseball club. As a batter, fielder, and base runner he was a marvel. Sockalexis so far outshone his teammates that he naturally came to be regarded as the whole team. The ‘fans’ throughout the country began to call the Clevelanders the ‘Indians.’ It was an honorable name, and while it stuck the team made an excellent record.”
Joe Posnanski wrote a better article two weeks ago with a different take on the name and what it means.

Nick stays with the 101 year narrative that the Indians are an "honorable" name while Posnanski goes a little bit deeper (in a blog, no less -- which nothing against blogs, but it's not like Pos is getting paid for this). And that's Nick Cafardo in a nutshell, he accepts the narratives of 100+ years while his better colleagues try to go the extra mile and see what else can be found.

I really, really, really wish that the Globe would wise up and hire someone, anyone to write their baseball column. This is unbearable.
 

ifmanis5

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Yes and all Nick had to do was Google and look and the first Wiki article that comes up about the Indians name origin:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cleveland_Indians_name_and_logo_controversy
The attribution of the new name as being in honor of Sockalexis, a member of the Penobscot Tribe of Maine, is generally discredited given the discriminatory treatment of Native Americans in general, and Sockalexis in particular during that era. The news stories published to announce the selection in 1915 make no mention of Sockalexis, but do make many racist and insulting references to Native Americans.
I mean, that wasn't too hard to check.
 

SydneySox

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The media guys for the league and the team just fucking love giving Nick stuff every week that they know he'll take because he's lazy as shit and will run without any extra work. When you deal with people like Nick you also make sure you thank them every time they come to you with a question and let them know how important an issue it was. Takes like four seconds to say "Oh, thanks Nick, yes that's a very good point. We had our super special executive look that up for you and you're absolutely right, it was because Cleveland had a native american player (except he called him an Indian), that's a great job remembering that. Oh yeah, sure, you can quote me, thank you so much for bringing that to our attention."
 

shaggydog2000

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Is it just me, or do you think part of the reason Nick loves the history of Baseball is that the writers in 1915 were just as lazy and dependent on mythologizing players and executives over doing real work as Nick is now? When I read old sports writing it's very poetic, but seems to be mostly BS.
 

John Marzano Olympic Hero

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There was also no way for anyone to fact check him (no stupid numbers) and people treated sportswriters like they were the only word. Which they were because if you weren't at a game, you relied on these guys to tell you what happened. Also, people had a billion other more important things to worry about in their every day lives, so sports wasn't all-encompassing then as it is now.

Now that more people care and have the time to watch all the games or run the numbers themselves or read literally hundreds of people's takes on the most minute things in the game, the magnifying glass is on a sportswriter's back. As you can see from how many people Nick blocks on Twitter, he doesn't like it. At all.

Nick feels that he and his ilk are the only ones who should be bringing the news from Mt. Olympus to the unwashed masses (us) who "don't know anything" because we've never been in a locker room or seen Tom Glavine naked.
 

soxfan121

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I'm gonna put 100 quatloos on Syd hating "Gladiator" as a movie, with another 100 on a review that mentions how far Ridley Scott has fallen as a filmmaker, and some sort of backdoor compliment on Russell Crowe that references "Tugger".

We'll find out tomorrow.
 

soxfan121

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Maybe we'll also find out if after a night's sleep, you finally got the joke shaggy dog was making.
I got it, Roger Murdock. I just didn't think it was funny enough to drag Syd's ass up and down the court every night.

Don't you have some neighbors to report to the INS or something?
 

John Marzano Olympic Hero

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Posnanski published another thing he wrote about Sockalexis a day or so ago. He originally wrote it in 2007. How the fuck could Nick Cafardo still think that the Indians' name is an honor to Louis Sockalexis?

I mean, he can not be that stupid.
 

E5 Yaz

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Schilling vs ... Epstein?

Those who have known Epstein a long time have suggested him as a future Democratic US Senator from Illinois or Massachusetts. Epstein has never publicly stated any political aspirations, but some Democrats have said that Epstein would make an outstanding politician, one who could even consider a presidential run at some point.
Meanwhile, our weekly dig at analytics

1. With Eddie Romero now assistant GM with the Red Sox, the team should seriously consider hiring his father, former utility infielder Ed Romero Sr., who has been a top instructor and scout. The elder Romero was out of baseball last season, a victim of some of the emphasis baseball has placed on analytics personnel.
http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/redsox/2016/10/29/theo-epstein-not-finished-building-his-legacy/C9QexC8dCxUkneYpT4XveK/story.html
 

joe dokes

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The Tigers and White Sox are open for business, and that means Chris Sale and Justin Verlander are available.
Sure, Dave Dombrowski says he has six starting pitchers and the likelihood of obtaining another isn’t great. But that’s because Dombrowski speaks in the moment, and right now bids for Sale and Verlander have not developed in earnest. It’s too early.
But soon it won’t be too early, and when that time comes, will Dombrowski bite?
Quite frankly, he should.
The reason is Dombrowski needs a pitcher with toughness. They need a starter who will knock you down, show you who’s boss, a guy with grit and determination who can come up big when it counts most.
 
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David Laurila

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How the fuck could Nick Cafardo still think that the Indians' name is an honor to Louis Sockalexis?

I mean, he can not be that stupid.
It's pretty well established that you come here to troll, but I'll bother to comment anyway.

As Joe Pos says to close the article you cited, "I do believe the Indians name could honor him. That choice is ours." If you read Sockalexis' SABR bio, or most other serious explorations of the subject, you'll find much the same.
 

joe dokes

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9. Brock Holt’s value is pretty high because of his ability to play multiple positions, a skill all teams are seeking in young players now. But the older Holt gets, the less valuable he’ll be in that role, which tends to wear players down.
Does Nick think that Holt plays all those positions at once? Otherwise, he's just making it up. Old guys get old.
 

Sir Lancelotti

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5. I still believe Mookie Betts got robbed in MVP voting. The award is not for the best stats, it’s for most valuable.
Well that clarifies everything, thanks Nick.

Also loved the throwaway line about him possibly giving Manny more rope for HOF consideration because his PED suspension came at the end of his career, as if that fact makes the transgression more forgivable.
 

Smiling Joe Hesketh

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I think actually his point about Manny has some internal logic (ie, Manny was naturally great for many years and juiced at the end to try to maintain his numbers, so the majority of his production was legit. Agree or disagree, but there's at least a point there).

His line about Betts/Trout/MVP is dunderheaded and wrong. My god. Betts had a great season and was lucky enough to have better teammates than Trout. Trout had a better season, a historic one in fact.
 

Sir Lancelotti

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I think actually his point about Manny has some internal logic (ie, Manny was naturally great for many years and juiced at the end to try to maintain his numbers, so the majority of his production was legit. Agree or disagree, but there's at least a point there).
Fair point, and I personally believe in that narrative, even as a scrawny teenager it was pretty evident the guy was a natural hitter. Steroids wont give you that swing or plate discipline. Same with Bonds / Clemens, I'm in the camp they were natural HOF's who started using in the "twilight" of their careers to start goosing their stats. Would it surprise me to learn that Clemens was popping Dbol at Texas in 83? Probably not, but I buy into late 90s timeframe. Wouldn't change how I would vote, I'd put them all in based on their numbers and let their plaque and court of public opinion sort it out. I can just see a slippery slope in Cafardo's voting logic that I'm sure other writers will adopt. Does it make Ortiz less worthy that was on the Mitchel Report mid career in 2003 rather than at the end? If your voting criteria is to not consider anyone suspended for PEDs I don't think there should be a sliding scale as to when the transgression to place. To be fair to Cafardo he isn't voting for Manny, but I can see this as becoming future "hot take" material.
 

Cesar Crespo

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Steroids gave Sammy Sosa plate discipline, or at least what appeared to be. The power lead to more pitchers pitching around him.
 

The Gray Eagle

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I miss the old thread title. This thread now looks like a discussion about Gary Sanchez, especially on mobile, where the title is truncated.
And that comment Cafardo made about Sanchez wouldn't even break into the top 50 dumbest things he's written.
 

The Gray Eagle

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Now with the new change, it's the Nick Cafardo of thread titles. :)

Too bad we couldn't keep the good title we used to have. If not that, then at least something utilitarian like "Nick Cafardo = Dumb".
 

pedro1918

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Fair point, and I personally believe in that narrative, even as a scrawny teenager it was pretty evident the guy was a natural hitter. Steroids wont give you that swing or plate discipline. Same with Bonds / Clemens, I'm in the camp they were natural HOF's who started using in the "twilight" of their careers to start goosing their stats. Would it surprise me to learn that Clemens was popping Dbol at Texas in 83? Probably not, but I buy into late 90s timeframe. Wouldn't change how I would vote, I'd put them all in based on their numbers and let their plaque and court of public opinion sort it out. I can just see a slippery slope in Cafardo's voting logic that I'm sure other writers will adopt. Does it make Ortiz less worthy that was on the Mitchel Report mid career in 2003 rather than at the end? If your voting criteria is to not consider anyone suspended for PEDs I don't think there should be a sliding scale as to when the transgression to place. To be fair to Cafardo he isn't voting for Manny, but I can see this as becoming future "hot take" material.
I don't know what this "Mitchel Report" is, but David Ortiz was not mentioned in the Mitchell Report.
 

Humphrey

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A nice early Christmas present - Carlos Beltran is off the table. With a full no trade clause. Which might mean Nick'll not write columns about him getting dealt for a few months.
 

John Marzano Olympic Hero

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You know what you guys? The Yankees are in on EVERYONE! And they want to trade Ellsbury and Gardner.

They're gearing up and tearing down at the same time, what a franchise!
 

E5 Yaz

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Posted this in the other thread. Cross-posting here, for all its Cafardoness

You could easily see the Red Sox and White Sox or Red Sox and Tigers hooking up on a megadeal. The Red Sox could easily pull off a Chris Sale-Jose Abreu trade if they’re willing to give up Andrew Benintendi or Yoan Moncada, as well as Jackie Bradley Jr., Eduardo Rodriguez, and Blake Swihart. They could pull off a Miguel Cabrera-Justin Verlander deal with the Tigers if they were willing to include the above players or add Michael Kopech.

http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/r...er-meetings/xagNgSoNCGhQgTPQgab3MP/story.html
 

joe dokes

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The Rockies have the potential to deal some players, namely outfielder Carlos Gonzalez, who is entering the final year of his deal (at $20 million). Gonzalez, however, is an excellent player and good value. He’s been branded a Coors Field hitter, but someone with his talent could hit well at any ballpark.
Career at home:
.323./381 /602 . 983

Career on the road:
.258/.312/ .438 .750
 

Van Everyman

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Posted this in the other thread. Cross-posting here, for all its Cafardoness

You could easily see the Red Sox and White Sox or Red Sox and Tigers hooking up on a megadeal. The Red Sox could easily pull off a Chris Sale-Jose Abreu trade if they’re willing to give up Andrew Benintendi or Yoan Moncada, as well as Jackie Bradley Jr., Eduardo Rodriguez, and Blake Swihart. They could pull off a Miguel Cabrera-Justin Verlander deal with the Tigers if they were willing to include the above players or add Michael Kopech.

http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/r...er-meetings/xagNgSoNCGhQgTPQgab3MP/story.html
When I read this I can't help but be reminded that Nick is just bored by player development. I'm not sure whether it's a "I only have so many years left in my career so what's the use" thing or just a factor of him having a very rudimentary understanding of the game for a big paper columnist, but his only interest in prospects seems to be as trade chips or how they're keeping some veteran from realizing his potential.

Maybe he thinks Alex Speier has that part of the job covered but it's depressing how relentlessly Cafardo throws big names around like he's playing fantasy baseball while ignoring the kids. It's borderline ridiculous given that the Sox have one of the most exciting groups of young, homegrown and cost-controlled players in the game.
 

DeadlySplitter

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http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/redsox/2016/12/06/dave-dombrowski-going-for-all/UGqOu03OrZF5oVJM5VE6ZO/story.html

This is where the Red Sox might make their mistake. They had dismissed Edwin Encarnacion because of his demand for length of years and salary. Jose Bautista’s agents informed me that the Red Sox had declined a two-year opportunity; Bautista would have been a fierce middle-of-the-order hitter.

Ortiz was more than just the major league leader in OPS. He was clutch. He put the fear of God in pitchers. Missing that is huge. It will make a big difference to the remainder of the hitters, so the Red Sox need someone with presence.

Of course, sometimes the pitching is so good that a team doesn’t have to lead the league in runs, like the Red Sox did last season, to succeed. It’s true that if Pablo Sandoval can produce as he did in San Francisco, the Red Sox will have a productive middle-of-the-order bat.

But adding Bautista wouldn’t have broken the bank and it wouldn’t have been a long-term commitment. He would have been devastating in Boston.
Wishy-washy bullshit from Nick. Can this guy go already?
 
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