Worst In Game Pitching Decision In Red Sox History

[scottyno]

It was indeed a terrible signing, not because they gave Sale an extension per se, but because they gave him an extension right after a season in which he couldn't really pitch the last two months (used very sparingly) because he was significantly hurt, AND he had another year left on his team-friendly contract (plenty of time to see what he could do coming off an injured season, and then decide), AND they knew they were staring down Mookie's free agency, and would only break the bank for so many bajillion dollar contracts.

That said, of course I hope Sale recovers. Like, by his next start. Or he has the wiles to become an effectively crafty pitcher for the rest of his career. But it was a terrible signing by virtue of its timing as much as anything else.

They didn't extend Sale until Mookie had already turned down their extension offer, they probably had a pretty good idea at that point that there was a strong chance he was gone in 2 years, so that shouldn't have come into the equation when choosing to extend Sale or not. And the deal was a lot smaller than you'd expect a 29 year old superstar ace coming off back to back cy young caliber seasons to get because of the injury potential. If they waited a year and he had another strong year then instead of 5-145 you're looking at a monster deal if you want to retain him, I mean look at what Cole signed for with a much weaker resume than Sale.

They took a calculated gamble that they were buying low on an extension, the next 3 years will determine if they were right or not.

 

[cantor44]

They didn't extend Sale until Mookie had already turned down their extension offer, they probably had a pretty good idea at that point that there was a strong chance he was gone in 2 years, so that shouldn't have come into the equation when choosing to extend Sale or not. And the deal was a lot smaller than you'd expect a 29 year old superstar ace coming off back to back cy young caliber seasons to get because of the injury potential. If they waited a year and he had another strong year then instead of 5-145 you're looking at a monster deal if you want to retain him, I mean look at what Cole signed for with a much weaker resume than Sale.

They took a calculated gamble that they were buying low on an extension, the next 3 years will determine if they were right or not.

You make some good arguments. Though are we certain they had given up on Mookie at that point? I'm not sure that's right.

Meanwhile, at this point, even if Sale has an effective next 3 seasons, he's missed 1.75 seasons. So, rather paying him 145,000,000 for five years of play (averaging 29/per year of active play) they are paying him 145 million for (hopefully) 3.25 years of play (averaging 44.6 M/year of active play). While not 8 or 9 years, at this point that effectively still amounts to a monster contract. Even if he's healthy and good 2022-24.

 

[scottyno]

You make some good arguments. Though are we certain they had given up on Mookie at that point? I'm not sure that's right.

Meanwhile, at this point, even if Sale has an effective next 3 seasons, he's missed 1.75 seasons. So, rather paying him 145,000,000 for five years of play (averaging 29/per year of active play) they are paying him 145 million for (hopefully) 3.25 years of play (averaging 44.6 M/year of active play). While not 8 or 9 years, at this point that effectively still amounts to a monster contract. Even if he's healthy and good 2022-24.

It's not 145, it's actually 125 because of the short season. So yeah he basically has to be worth about 115-120m over the next 3 seasons to be a neutral value contract, or about 55m next season if he opts out. So basically he has to be about a 5 WAR player for the next 3 years. If he's healthy and good he'll likely exceed that.

 

[Lose Remerswaal]

If they hadn’t resigned him the “ John Henry doesn‘t care about winning” cadre would have been out in force. Dozens and dozens more fans would have abandoned the team.

 

[cantor44]

It's not 145, it's actually 125 because of the short season. So yeah he basically has to be worth about 115-120m over the next 3 seasons to be a neutral value contract, or about 55m next season if he opts out. So basically he has to be about a 5 WAR player for the next 3 years. If he's healthy and good he'll likely exceed that.

YOu're right, I stand corrected on 2020. Do you think he'll have 3 seasons better than Eovaldi's 2021 (4.6 WAR)? I suspect that is highly unlikely, but I hope I'm wrong!

 

[nighthob]

Letting Robles face Arozarena.

 

[Pegleg]

Letting Robles face Arozarena.

After the initial homer, it was obvious Robles didn't have his stuff. After the double following it, he should have been yanked. I had a terrible feeling TB was going to get 4 more runs that inning. Cora left him in WAAAY too long.

 

[PedroKsBambino]

Robles looked great the batter before Arozarena. I understand the case for pulling him, but it was not a simple or obvious choice.

One thing that would change my assessment: is it clear when Cora became aware of Robles' illness?

 

[scottyno]

Every move Cora made this series