tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-145703792024-03-13T02:30:24.795-07:00Kennedy's CommentaryThis blog is dedicated to the nine-time World Series Champions, the Boston Red Sox.Sean M. Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06825363372837634241noreply@blogger.comBlogger543125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14570379.post-14345952129844143262024-02-16T07:16:00.000-08:002024-02-16T07:35:34.909-08:00Where Will Red Sox Find Innings This Season?<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd9lV00BF-UEB21hqLCQeWIFDQu2e8TwOBERgC3sGLmtZB4k2AYrDclQJuIIqCYHX_SU9bm110S6LVrNj5MqtP9n51qz1u7to9eFIdXuR9wARC3NWTuVY5ijYzLgVrG6_ZdcwClAFSSmwbYJCyxBvjzECFQbwmTb47F5pu8ms_Kj0XpYzb0-p69Q/s2560/Giolito.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1712" data-original-width="2560" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd9lV00BF-UEB21hqLCQeWIFDQu2e8TwOBERgC3sGLmtZB4k2AYrDclQJuIIqCYHX_SU9bm110S6LVrNj5MqtP9n51qz1u7to9eFIdXuR9wARC3NWTuVY5ijYzLgVrG6_ZdcwClAFSSmwbYJCyxBvjzECFQbwmTb47F5pu8ms_Kj0XpYzb0-p69Q/w454-h303/Giolito.jpg" width="454" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"> <i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial;">Newcomer Lucas Giolito will attempt to anchor the Red Sox rotation this season.</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial;">There are 1458 innings in a 162-game season, not including extras. The Red Sox starters will be tasked with pitching the bulk of them. Yet, that seems like a highly dubious proposition from the outset.</span></div><p></p><div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Boston’s starting five will consists of <span style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;">Lucas Giolito, who has 178 career starts, and </span><span style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;">Brayan Bello, who has made just 39. Every other pitcher </span></span><span style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); font-family: arial;">upon</span><span style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); font-family: arial;"> whom</span><span style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); font-family: arial;"> the Red Sox will rest their hopes would be in the bullpen of any competitive team. But the Sox ignored the rotation this offseason and will roll the dice with a host of inexperienced, unproven starters. The question remains: How will the Sox account for all those innings this season?</span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial;">Giolito has averaged 5.2 innings per start over his eight-year career. He’ll turn 30 this season and isn’t likely to suddenly become an Iron Man. </span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial;">Bello has averaged 5.1 innings in his 39 career starts. He’ll turn 25 in May, so his innings per start could improve this season and will need to. </span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;">Nick Pivetta has made 152 career starts, </span>averaging 5.1 innings<span style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;">. Going into his age-31 season, he will need to boost that to at least 6 innings per start. Possible? Yes. Likely? No. </span></span></div><div><span style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;">Kutter Crawford has made just 36 career starts, </span><span style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;">averaging about 4.2 innings per start. He turns 28 on April 1 and will need to significantly increase his innings total this season. Again, not very likely.</span></span></div><div><span style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div><div class="xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs x126k92a" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial;">The Red Sox told Garrett Whitlock (age 27), Tanner Houck (age 27) and Josh Winckowski (age 25) all to prepare as starting pitchers for spring training. Yet, all of them have performed much better as relievers. </span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;">Houck has a 4.17 ERA in 41 career starts (198 ⅓ innings) and a 2.68 ERA in 33 career relief outings (53 ⅔ innings). He’s averaged just 4.2 innings per start.</span></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial;"><a style="cursor: pointer;" tabindex="-1"></a>Whitlock owns a 4.76 ERA in 19 career starts (90 ⅔ innings), while posting a 2.65 ERA in 80 career relief outings (132 ⅔ innings). That's also just 4.2 innings per start.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial;">Winckowski has also enjoyed great success as a reliever, posting a 2.88 ERA in 84 ⅓ innings. In a mere 15 career starts, Winckowski has also averaged 4.2 innings per start.</span></div><div dir="auto" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial;">In totality, every single potential member of the Red Sox rotation has averaged about 5 or fewer innings per start in his career. There isn't one horse in the bunch. Imagine a perfect world in which every one of them were to make 30 starts, pitching five innings per start, for a total of 150 innings. In such a scenario, the five starters would account for 750 innings this season, leaving the bullpen to pitch the at least 708 innings. That scenario, of course, is a pipe dream. It is unimaginable that each of them will make 30 starts this season, much less pitch five innings in each of them. Expect the bullpen to go from stressed to distressed.</span></div><div dir="auto" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial;">Here's the Red Sox projected rotation (five of the seven will get a spot): </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial;">STARTER - CAREER STARTS, ERA, WHIP</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial;"><a style="cursor: pointer;" tabindex="-1"></a>Lucas Giolito - 178, 4.43, 1.25</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial;">Brayan Bello - 39, 4.37, 1.46</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial;">Nick Pivetta - 152, 4.86, 1.35</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial;">Kutter Crawford - 36, 4.74, 1.25</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial;">Tanner Houck - 41, 4.17, 1.25</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial;">Garrett Whitlock - 19, 4.76, 1.29</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial;">Josh Winckowski - 15, 5.66, 1.55</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial;">This is a rotation mostly consisting of No. 4 and No. 5 starters, all of whom have career ERA's of roughly 4.50. Clearly, there is no ace to lead the staff. </span></span></div></div></div><div dir="auto" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;">Ownership/management seems content to roll the dice and let a looming pitching disaster play out before our eyes. To be clear, having one young, inexperienced, unproven starter in the rotation is to be expected; every pitcher begins his career </span><span style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;">inexperienced and unproven. But to roll out a rotation in which at least three starting pitchers are </span><span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">inexperienced and unproven is sheer lunacy. And with all due respect, though Pivetta is indeed experienced with 152 career starts, he’s proven that he's best suited for a long relief role and is, perhaps, a No.5 starter. Yet, on this team, he will be the No. 3.</span></span></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Assembling this Red Sox rotation seems to be akin to spinning a roulette wheel — good luck. The effort involved can be described as some combination of complacent and negligent. Ownership/management have shown no regard for the team or the fans. </span> </span></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial;">Unfortunately, all signs point to yet another last-place finish in 2024. </span></span></div></div></div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></div>Sean M. Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06825363372837634241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14570379.post-40756107358446843662024-01-20T08:38:00.000-08:002024-01-20T10:46:31.589-08:00Red Sox Poised for Yet Another Last Place Finish in 2024<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicaCQPokH8hXO4sJ1kZ76qmWfMN3PYxRRmAn8gryxr2xr_BpC3VxeHUN1EMJZywIRz_Z_vdklq1f7jd7SHAtD_f8UeyEWuzat8qS0rUdm3oEll1pwQRln5UE98F3mh7k3ZXEUtoisgzhQhXEz9dXttd3C4vpt7ylSxNxQgXJO4WGTftpaCa-dvVw/s612/57c21026-bed3-4b1c-b27a-25efe7060eff_612x408.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="408" data-original-width="612" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicaCQPokH8hXO4sJ1kZ76qmWfMN3PYxRRmAn8gryxr2xr_BpC3VxeHUN1EMJZywIRz_Z_vdklq1f7jd7SHAtD_f8UeyEWuzat8qS0rUdm3oEll1pwQRln5UE98F3mh7k3ZXEUtoisgzhQhXEz9dXttd3C4vpt7ylSxNxQgXJO4WGTftpaCa-dvVw/w429-h285/57c21026-bed3-4b1c-b27a-25efe7060eff_612x408.jpg" width="429" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: Helvetica; text-align: start; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Red Sox ownership's lack of interest in the team and regard for its fans is astonishing.</i></span></div><p></p><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">In the midst of self-imposed belt tightening, the Red Sox appear poised for yet another last place finish this season. </span><br /><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">After having a $181.2M Opening Day payroll in 2023, Red Sox president Sam Kennedy said Friday night at the Winter Weekend event that the team’s payroll would probably drop again this season. The Sox currently have approximately $177.5M on the books for 2024, according to Roster Resource. Last year's figure ranked 12th in all of baseball, the first time in the 21st century that the Red Sox weren’t at least in the top ten in Opening Day spending. This year will mark the second.</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;">So far, the club's only significant free agent signing was a two-year, $38.5M rebound deal for Lucas Giolito.</span> Any further roster additions before spring training will likely be lower-tier free agents on short-term contracts. Yet, that could still require shedding some payroll first.</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Meanwhile, the Sox still have the highest ticket prices in baseball. As long as Fenway Park remains a tourist destination for fans and travelers around the country, ownership is confident that they’ll continue to make plenty of money from ticket sales, Red Sox fans be damned.</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">This newfound frugality is unexpected and perhaps unexplainable. The Sox had the highest payroll in the game in 2018, the second highest in 2004 and 2007, and the third highest in 2013. The results were pretty spectacular each time.</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">No one should have expected Craig Breslow to come in guns blazing in his first year. He needs to assess the minor league system and see what he’s got. Which prospects does he really believe in? Who’s worth trading? This team is not two pieces from being a World Series contender, and Breslow knows it. He’s playing for 2025 and 2026. That said, he needs to do more this offseason to rebuild fan trust and give people a reason to go to Fenway and watch on TV. He needs to at least keep the Sox out of last place, make them competitive, and make them worth watching again.</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Reasonable fans don’t want the Sox to do just anything; not every big ticket free agent makes sense and many will underperform their contracts. However, the Red Sox inability or unwillingness to make substantial improvements to the roster, particularly </span></span><span style="font-family: arial;">the rotation,</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> are frustrating to the point of being maddening. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Spring training is three weeks away. Here's the Red Sox projected 2024 rotation:</span><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">STARTER - CAREER STARTS, ERA, WHIP</span><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Lucas Giolito - 178, 4.43, 1.25</span><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Brayan Bello - 39, 4.37, 1.46</span><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Nick Pivetta - 152, 4.86, 1.35</span><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Kutter Crawford - 36, 4.74, 1.25</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">That leaves the rotation at least a man short. It's also a rotation mostly consisting of No. 4 and No. 5 starters, all of whom have career ERA's of roughly 4.50. Obviously, there is no ace to lead the staff. Tanner Houck and Garrett Whitlock have clearly proven that they belong in the bullpen, not the rotation. They are not solutions. The same could be fairly said about Pivetta and Crawford.</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Yet, Breslow said in an interview that he’s comfortable letting Whitlock, Houck and Josh Winckowski compete for the fifth starter role. The team is already going to be relying on Pivetta and Crawford, both of whom should be in the bullpen anyway. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The construction of the rotation is, at the least, complacent or negligent. It shows no regard for the team or the fans. All signs point to yet another last-place finish in 2024. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The Sox have a decent core right now. They are not a World Series competitor, but why not sign Jordan Montgomery and at least make the club interesting and more competitive? How would giving him a 5-6 year deal screw up their timeline for contention? They seem to be placing all of their focus on the future and none on the present. They’re losing fans as a result. </span><br /><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">It’s pretty astonishing that after three last place finishes in the past four years, the Red Sox are still in the midst of a rebuild. The question of how much longer it will take is a really valid one. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The Sox traded Mookie Betts four years ago, got nothing to show for it, and still haven’t recovered. If they had to sign one guy to a massive long-term contract, Mookie was that guy, not Rafael Devers, who they extended in a panic and under great public pressure. It’s quite apparent that the Sox grossly overpaid Devers (10 years, $313.5M), who had negative-9 defensive runs saved in 2023 and has negative-53 defensive runs saved in seven major league seasons. He'll need to move to DH sooner than later, and he's still just 27 years old! Screwing up the Mookie negotiations caused them to overplay their hand with Devers.</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">John Henry seems quite distracted by other interests; he didn’t even show up for Friday night's event. He wasn’t available to the media when Bloom was fired either, leaving the explaining to Sam Kennedy. Other than a few informal exchanges with reporters during the 2021 postseason and a few </span></span><span style="font-family: arial;">email</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> exchanges with two reporters last February, Henry has not made himself available to the media in a press conference setting since February of 2020, almost four years ago. Yet, a lot has happened in the interim. The club has hired two managers, fired one chief baseball officer and hired another, lost a home-grown, cornerstone player in free agency, and given out the biggest contract in franchise history. They’ve also finished in last place three times in those four years. Yet, Henry is busy with other things. It shows. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The team is being mismanaged and their brand is being ruined. Henry has clearly lost interest and should sell the franchise. Empty seats at Fenway and plunging NESN ratings may be the only way to get his attention.</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Get ready for another long and disappointing season, Red Sox fans.</span></span></div>Sean M. Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06825363372837634241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14570379.post-33622387471984186172024-01-12T11:31:00.000-08:002024-01-13T13:56:43.301-08:00The Red Sox Brand is Slowly Being Destroyed Right Before Our Eyes<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGekZ7shtQ1StYL3OWOnMAdJNFMPKl5JtQGJrUzr20rTtki5uRCmjYKGW4WjDjvljekzImJt2XnT864LhV76lJH8KrXvGcFqHuAFaJ6QEA5Vguq2z7rHICV7AeKboaqvB8IOrBZvTQpBD0Y6dFphhEXq15mh1XlT8Br-DLwXHaGVypj8CqjIyneQ/s1024/fenway.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="764" data-original-width="1024" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGekZ7shtQ1StYL3OWOnMAdJNFMPKl5JtQGJrUzr20rTtki5uRCmjYKGW4WjDjvljekzImJt2XnT864LhV76lJH8KrXvGcFqHuAFaJ6QEA5Vguq2z7rHICV7AeKboaqvB8IOrBZvTQpBD0Y6dFphhEXq15mh1XlT8Br-DLwXHaGVypj8CqjIyneQ/w417-h312/fenway.jpg" width="417" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">Just a cursory glance at the Red Sox roster moves this offseason indicates that management is playing the long game. There is no indication that leadership thinks this club is a World Series contender or even a playoff contender, for that matter. </span></p><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">The Sox' biggest splurge, so far, is the 2-year, $38.5M deal for Lucas Giolito. New outfielder Tyler O’Neill is under club control for just one season. Reliever Cooper Criswell, who was signed for the bargain basement price of $1M, is under club control for six seasons, if he can somehow manage to keep a job that long. New second baseman Vaughn Grissom, who was obtained for Chris Sale, will play for the rookie minimum and is under club control for the next six seasons. He could be a keeper and will likely amount to an upgrade over the carousel of second baseman who manned the position last year. However, he will not move the needle in 2024 and push the Red Sox into a playoff position. </div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">So, if the Sox are content with obtaining young players with multiple years of club control, and signing free agents to short-term deals, then why not sign righty Marcus Stroman, who just accepted a two-year, $37M deal with the Yankees? That’s less than Giolito cost. Stroman is battle-tested in the AL East and over nearly six seasons in Toronto <span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68);">compiled a solid 3.76 ERA across 135 appearances (129 starts).</span> After <span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68);">opting out of the shortened 2020 campaign, Stroman pitched to a 3.02 ERA for the Mets, across a league-leading 33 starts during the 2021 season. </span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68);">Stroman spent 2022 with pitched the Cubs and posted a 3.50 ERA across 138 2/3 innings of work. Last season, he posted </span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68);">an incredible 2.28 ERA over 98 2/3 innings across his first 16 starts, before injuries derailed his season. </span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68);"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68);">Why wouldn't that guy be of interest to the myopic Red Sox, who are clearly waiting for their top prospects to start arriving in 2025? Stroman would have perfectly fit their timeline. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68);">That’s what makes this offseason so confusing. By the way, even after Marcello Mayer and Kyle Teel arrive, when was the last time a team consisting primarily of first- and second-year players led the Red Sox, or any other club, to a World Series title? It’s a rhetorical question. </span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68);"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Shota Imanaga, who the Red Sox </span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">scouted and evaluated extensively, was </span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">one of their free agent targets since the start of the offseason. Yet, the Sox were runners up to the Cubs, who gave the Japanese star </span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">a four-year, $53M guarantee. </span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">A short-term, low-cost, incentive-laden deal is right up the Sox' alley. Did </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Imanaga simply pick the Cubs over the Sox? If so, it’s an embarrassment to t</span></span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">he Red Sox organization, which used to be able to sign virtually any free-agent </span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); font-size: 14px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">target they set their sights on. Though some evaluators project Imanaga as a No. 3 starter, how did the Red Sox get outbid for, or looked over by, a No. 3 starter? Missing out on Stroman, </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Imanaga, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto (who wouldn't even give the Red Sox a courtesy visit) could have far reaching effects.</span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); font-size: 14px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgba(13, 13, 13, 0.9);">Acquiring starters Jesus Luzardo from the Marlins or Dylan Cease from the White Sox will require parting with a bounty of top prospects. Why not just spend money on free agents and keep the prospects? After all, John Henry is, you know, a billionaire, and the Red Sox have the highest ticket prices in the game. They can afford to splurge this offseason.</span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgba(13, 13, 13, 0.9);"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;">MLBTR predicted that Blake Snell would land a contract of $200M over seven years, and that Jordan Montgomery will get a </span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">six year, $150M deal. I’d take Montgomery over Snell in a heartbeat, and he’d at least make the Red Sox more interesting and give them a chance to win every fifth day. </span></span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;">Over seven seasons (three of which he barely pitched, due to injuries), the 31-year old Montgomery has gone 38-34, allowing 706 hits and fanning 705 batters over 755 innings, resulting in a 3.68 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP. </span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;">Hey, Craig Breslow, go get that guy now! </span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;">The Red Sox brand is slowly being destroyed right before our eyes. The organization needs to make the team interesting this season and give fans a reason to tune in and show up at the ballpark. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(31, 30, 30); letter-spacing: 0.234px;">Excluding the shortened 2020 season,</span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(31, 30, 30); letter-spacing: 0.234px;"> attendance in 2022 and 2023 fell below 2.7 million for the first time since 2002, the first year of Henry’s ownership.</span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5);"> A</span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5);">fter three last-place finishes in the past four years,</span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5);"> t</span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5);">he fans aren't interested in a 2025-2026 timeline. Baseball has been losing younger fans for years. At this rate, the Red Sox stand to lose an entire generation, which they may never get back. They’d better take this seriously and act quickly. Time is wasting.</span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The free agent starter pickings are increasingly slim, led by names</span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(31, 30, 30); letter-spacing: 0.234px;"> like Hyun Jin Ryu, Michael Lorenzen and Mike Clevinger. None of them will inspire hope or interest. The Red Sox ha</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.234px;">d better get Montgomery now and save whatever</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.234px;">’</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.234px;">s left of their flagging reputation. </span></span></div>Sean M. Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06825363372837634241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14570379.post-15866335993587322582023-11-19T08:54:00.000-08:002023-11-19T09:10:02.227-08:00Why Signing Shohei Ohtani Is Not the Right Move for the Red Sox<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6oWTOt1urYZOS9HptKMFDY52o_G7tee1CW2YwP2Uep2Kq-bj2B16sCIESaXW38RvethkjzfqiC7AKCK3AqM0IQBUDHIwvX4Qc1rMxVT1mP_GYRVUIYpJzSkb4TBWmY__U3pkGp9NBbQNFSalpuUU-JPmratr4l69-emTXxkUY_qdAPiX2ZhQ94w/s2560/6556c02c8a2e25.87031328.jpeg.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="2560" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6oWTOt1urYZOS9HptKMFDY52o_G7tee1CW2YwP2Uep2Kq-bj2B16sCIESaXW38RvethkjzfqiC7AKCK3AqM0IQBUDHIwvX4Qc1rMxVT1mP_GYRVUIYpJzSkb4TBWmY__U3pkGp9NBbQNFSalpuUU-JPmratr4l69-emTXxkUY_qdAPiX2ZhQ94w/w554-h312/6556c02c8a2e25.87031328.jpeg.webp" width="554" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Many Red Sox fans are giddy with excitement over the potential that uber free agent Shohei Ohtani might sign with the Olde Towne Team this offseason. After all, he has a sponsorship deal with Reebok! And the Red Sox have <span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(31, 30, 30); letter-spacing: 0.234px;">finished in last place in each of the last two seasons, three times in the last four and six times in the last dozen years. They desperately need to get back on a winning track and they really need star power to fill seats at Fenway and raise sunken TV ratings.</span></span></p><div style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(31, 30, 30); letter-spacing: 0.234px;"><span>However, if you look at free agency with the mindset of a business owner or general manager, shelling out upwards of a half-billion dollars for one player, albeit a generational talent, is not a wise allocation of resources. </span></span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(31, 30, 30); letter-spacing: 0.234px;"><span> </span></span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5);">MLB Trade Rumors, which has a pretty solid history of predicting the terms of free agent contracts, pegs Ohtani at 12 years, $528M. Just </span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">imagine what the Red Sox (or any other club for that matter) could do with those same dollars. They could give out two $250M contracts or four $125M deals or five $100M deals and still save money. There are much better ways to spend money and allocate resources.</span></span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span><br /></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Again, the Red Sox </span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(31, 30, 30); letter-spacing: 0.234px;">finished in last place in each of the last two seasons. Is Ohtani the missing piece that suddenly vaults them over the top and back into the World Series? In a word: No. Consider that over six years with the Angels, Ohtani never played in a single playoff game. And he was paired with Mike Trout over the entiety of that span. The two best players in the world couldn’t get the Angels into the playoffs. </span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(31, 30, 30); letter-spacing: 0.234px;"><span><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(31, 30, 30); letter-spacing: 0.234px;"><span>What would make anyone believe that things would be any different in Boston? The Red Sox aren’t one superstar player away from World Series contention. They desperately need starting pitching and Ohtani, after having a second Tommy John surgery, won’t pitch at all in 2024. In signing Ohtani, they would blow their entire offseason budget and still not address the rotation for 2024, and perhaps beyond. </span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(31, 30, 30); letter-spacing: 0.234px;"><span><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(31, 30, 30); letter-spacing: 0.234px;">Ohtani will be 30 next season and will always carry the concern that he is one pitch away from becoming a full-time hitter. Two Tommy John surgeries are not reassuring. The </span></span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">most prominent among those who have come back from a second TJ are Nathan Eovaldi and Jameson Taillon. That’s a short list. </span></span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span><br /></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">A better allocation of resources, for example, would be to sign Japanse sensation </span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(31, 30, 30); color: #1f1e1e; letter-spacing: 0.234px;">Yoshinobu Yamamoto. The righty is just 25 years old and has </span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(31, 30, 30); color: #1f1e1e; letter-spacing: 0.234px;">won three consecutive pitching Triple Crowns, as well as three straight </span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(31, 30, 30); color: #1f1e1e; letter-spacing: 0.234px;">Sawamura awards, the Japanese equivalent of the Cy Young. </span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">MLB Trade Rumors projects a nine-year, $225M deal for </span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(31, 30, 30); color: #1f1e1e; letter-spacing: 0.234px;">Yamamoto</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span></span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;">Many</span><span data-offset-key="44duo-1-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;"> analysts expect the Red Sox to make two additions to the starting rotation this offseason. Jordan Montgomery has been listed as a Red Sox target this winter. The 30-year-old lefty has gone three straight seasons with a sub-4.00 ERA, while throwing at least 150 innings and making over 30 starts. MLB Trade Rumors has him projected for six years, $150M. Additionally, Montgomery was ineligible for the qualifying offer, which is a bonus. In contrast, Blake Snell, Aaron Nola and Sonny Gray all received the QO. </span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span>Based on MLBTR’s projections, the Red Sox could sign both <span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(31, 30, 30); color: #1f1e1e; letter-spacing: 0.234px;">Yamamoto and Montgomery for roughly $375M, which would be about $150M less than Ohtani. That would amount to a much more prudent allocation of resources than signing the modern day Babe Ruth. </span></span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(31, 30, 30); color: #1f1e1e; letter-spacing: 0.234px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(31, 30, 30); color: #1f1e1e; letter-spacing: 0.234px;">The Red Sox certainly need star power to help reinvigorate interest in what has become a moribund franchise. But, first and foremost, they need to field a competitive team starting next season, and they need a whole lot more than Shohei Ohtani to do that. Ohtani will never be able to adequately live up to a 12-year pact exceeding half-a-billion dollars. Let some other team make that mistake. The Red Sox can find more appropriate and resourceful ways to spend their money.</span></span></div>Sean M. Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06825363372837634241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14570379.post-49237497515147830522023-10-26T11:04:00.015-07:002023-10-26T11:28:19.009-07:00Expect Red Sox Outfield to Look Different in 2024<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje7UiYWv6cGXTpclelM-ylLpXQtGobYc6qDdtzkEgWXTIgSFqyMz7WHO4G90cjgeycZNc6bw9qdwGggWZ3JhB7BVkwa9PBF4NoSikGx76hsOBbTqadl0OORo2JM8V4_OhBB8koA6ZTxYrzRl_sgvBxLnMn8SYL9bsapdPFWQzfOfsMODFYJVS2Lg/s760/SoxOutfield.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="428" data-original-width="760" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje7UiYWv6cGXTpclelM-ylLpXQtGobYc6qDdtzkEgWXTIgSFqyMz7WHO4G90cjgeycZNc6bw9qdwGggWZ3JhB7BVkwa9PBF4NoSikGx76hsOBbTqadl0OORo2JM8V4_OhBB8koA6ZTxYrzRl_sgvBxLnMn8SYL9bsapdPFWQzfOfsMODFYJVS2Lg/w569-h319/SoxOutfield.png" width="569" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">The Red Sox defensive struggles were on display for the baseball world to see this season. It was unmistakable. The team was third-worst in the majors in Defensive Efficiency Ratio. While the Red Sox have inferior defenders at both first base (Triston Casas) and third base (Rafael Devers), they also have inferior defenders in the outfield: Masa Yoshida and Jarren Duran. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Helvetica; white-space: pre-wrap;">The latter rated -5 in defensive runs saved (DRS) in center and he was an even 0 in outs above average (OAA). Yoshida was worth just 1.4 bWAR</span><span style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); font-family: Helvetica; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and only </span><span style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); font-family: Helvetica; white-space: pre-wrap;">0.6 fWAR, mostly due to his poor defense and base-running. </span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); font-family: Helvetica; white-space: pre-wrap;">Yoshida rated -8 in outs above average (OAA), which was fifth-worst among left fielders — and that’s playing half his games in Fenway Park, which is the smallest left field in the majors.</span><span style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); font-family: Helvetica; white-space: pre-wrap;"> While Yoshida started hot offensively, he cooled considerably as the season progressed and ended up with a rather pedestrian </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; white-space: pre-wrap;">.289/.338/.445/.783</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> slash line. The guy's greatest skills are bat-to-ball and on base, yet he didn’t bat .300 or reach a .350 OBP. He didn’t slug .500 and his OPS was below .800. None of that warrants a $90M deal. </span></span></p><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68);">The only reliable defender in the outfield is</span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68);"><b> </b><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/search/search.fcgi?pid=verdual01,verdug001ale&search=Alex+Verdugo&utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2023-10-24_br" rel="nofollow noopener" style="background-color: inherit; box-sizing: border-box; transition: all 0.1s ease-in-out;" target="_blank">Alex Verdugo</a>, who</span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68);"> is </span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68);">entering his final season of arbitration eligibility and could be a trade candidate. MLB Trade Rumors projects that Verdugo will make $9.2M in 2024. While Verdugo played </span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68);">strong defense and is a Gold Glove candidate, his</span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68);"> </span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68);">offense was around league average (</span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;">.264/.324/.421/.745</span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68);">). </span></span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68);"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68);">As if defensive shortcomings weren’t problematic enough for the Red Sox outfield, none of the three above outfielders even reached 20 homers this season. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;">Yoshida (15 HR), Verdugo (13 HR) and Duran (8 HR) simply aren't power hitters. Poor defense and little-to-no power is not a workable scenario going forward.</span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68);"> </span></span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68);"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><div><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68);">Running the current group back into the </span></span><span style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68);">outfield</span><span><span style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68);"> next season doesn’t seem wise or realistic. That’s why Verdugo is a trade candidate, as may be Duran, whose value has never been higher. Duran enjoyed </span></span><span style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;">a breakout season at the plate, </span><span style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;">slashing .295/.346/.482, with 8 homers, 40 RBI, </span></span><span style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;">34 doubles, and</span><span style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"> a team-leading 24 stolen bases in 102 games.</span><span style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"> He entered the 2023 campaign with a career OPS+ of 69 (31 points below average) but leaped to a 120 mark (20 points above average) this season. The Sox may view selling high as a wise move right now.</span></span></div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Yoshida is on a long-term deal and likely isn’t going anywhere. He’ll have to DH quite a bit going forward, which isn’t what the club was projecting. But Verdugo and Duran could be headed elsewhere.</span></span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68);"> </span><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68);"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/a/abreuwi02.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2023-10-23_br" rel="nofollow noopener" style="background-color: inherit; box-sizing: border-box; transition: all 0.1s ease-in-out;" target="_blank">Wilyer Abreu</a></strong><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68);"> and </span><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68);"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/rafaece01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2023-10-23_br" rel="nofollow noopener" style="background-color: inherit; box-sizing: border-box; transition: all 0.1s ease-in-out;" target="_blank">Ceddanne Rafaela</a></strong><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68);"> both saw big league action this season and both offer lots of flexibility because they are controllable and cheap, allowing money to be deployed elsewhere while building the roster.</span><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Further, </span><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68);"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=anthon000rom&utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2023-10-23_br" rel="nofollow noopener" style="background-color: inherit; box-sizing: border-box; transition: all 0.1s ease-in-out;" target="_blank">Roman Anthony</a></strong><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68);"> is viewed as a Top 100 talent and reached Double-A this year. It’s conceivable that he might debut in Boston by late next season.</span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span><span style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: small;">Expect changes in the Red Sox outfield mix this offseason; they’re much needed. </span></span></div>Sean M. Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06825363372837634241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14570379.post-73153687839770513612023-02-19T12:09:00.018-08:002023-02-20T14:50:50.184-08:00Get Ready: The American and National Leagues are Going Away<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoOdOqjw-iAULz_mO6onTDJaZFVF-M5XhNSlvoDej0RmCS7y9Febb_AVeEURFi1J7KJYcO5vF_pG2Ft2f0Y1olqxkJurE7AYyKm4OhkqGwjAzjh2Cb8pMDRcL_xYdGh7V8yMA-8AZlddZ89Ho3qoqPPXO3QpGaWKwb85kO8LYzoQ0BGmFQqW4/s1200/major-league-baseball.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="605" data-original-width="1200" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoOdOqjw-iAULz_mO6onTDJaZFVF-M5XhNSlvoDej0RmCS7y9Febb_AVeEURFi1J7KJYcO5vF_pG2Ft2f0Y1olqxkJurE7AYyKm4OhkqGwjAzjh2Cb8pMDRcL_xYdGh7V8yMA-8AZlddZ89Ho3qoqPPXO3QpGaWKwb85kO8LYzoQ0BGmFQqW4/w566-h284/major-league-baseball.jpg" width="566" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div data-block="true" data-editor="do5lv" data-offset-key="c6c1n-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="c6c1n-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="c6c1n-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;">MLB’s new schedule will feature less divisional play and more inter-league play, with every team facing every other club each season. Starting this year, clubs will play only 13 games against each of their division rivals, instead of the traditional 19. So, teams will play 24 fewer games against their division rivals and 24 more against teams from the opposing league.</span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="do5lv" data-offset-key="2surr-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="2surr-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="2surr-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="do5lv" data-offset-key="7envn-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="7envn-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="7envn-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;">I could see this coming long ago. I’ve been saying for years that MLB will ultimately do away with the two leagues; they are a vestige of a long ago past. </span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="do5lv" data-offset-key="461u5-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="461u5-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="461u5-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="do5lv" data-offset-key="n05d-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="n05d-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="n05d-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;">The American league claimed Major League status in the 1901 season, 25 years after the formation of the National League. That’s why they are respectively known as the "Junior Circuit" and the "Senior Circuit.”</span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="do5lv" data-offset-key="dbjn3-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="dbjn3-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="dbjn3-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="do5lv" data-offset-key="2h57-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="2h57-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="2h57-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;">The two leagues operated as entirely separate entities, each believing they were superior to the other. To determine who was truly better, the leagues decided to have their two best teams square up against each other in the World Series, which was first played in 1903. </span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="do5lv" data-offset-key="fvfhf-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="fvfhf-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="fvfhf-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="do5lv" data-offset-key="49bqs-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="49bqs-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="49bqs-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;">For the first 96 years, the two leagues faced each other only in exhibition games, spring training, the All-Star Game and the World Series. </span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="49bqs-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="49bqs-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="49bqs-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="49bqs-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;">However, beginning in 1997, inter-league games have been played during each season. That first year, there were 214 inter-league games, followed by 224 in ’98; 251 in ’99 and 2000; 252 from 2000-’12; and 300 games since 2013 (with the exception of 298 in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season). The wall dividing the two leagues was starting to fall. </span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="do5lv" data-offset-key="8gh75-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="8gh75-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="8gh75-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="do5lv" data-offset-key="2se4q-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="2se4q-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="2se4q-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;">For nearly a century, the two leagues operated as independent entities, each with its own president. However, following the 1999 season, the American and National Leagues were merged with Major League Baseball, and the leagues ceased to exist as separate business entities. The role of the league president was eliminated. Major League Baseball is now presided over by a single commissioner. More bricks in the wall had fallen.</span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="do5lv" data-offset-key="6eqjr-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="6eqjr-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="6eqjr-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="do5lv" data-offset-key="ca07q-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="ca07q-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="ca07q-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;">Through 1999, there were separate National and American League umpires. However, the 2000 collective bargaining agreement between Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Umpires Association resulted in all umpires being placed on one roster and working in games in both leagues. The wall between the leagues was now fully crumbling.</span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="do5lv" data-offset-key="drjc5-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="drjc5-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="drjc5-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="do5lv" data-offset-key="4858k-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="4858k-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="4858k-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;">Though the AL unilaterally adopted the Designated Hitter in 1973, the NL finally joined them last season. The only remaining difference between the two leagues is now finally gone. </span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="4858k-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="4858k-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="4858k-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="4858k-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;">There is no longer any wall, any difference, between the two leagues. At last, they are more like the NFL’s AFC and NFC, the NBA’s Eastern and Western Conferences, and the NHL’s Eastern and Western Conferences. </span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="do5lv" data-offset-key="bavno-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="bavno-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="bavno-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="bavno-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="bavno-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;">The next step will be to eliminate the two leagues altogether and move to a full geographical realignment. Under such a plan, teams will play more games against clubs in their regions, regardless of league.</span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="do5lv" data-offset-key="5ajrj-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="5ajrj-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="5ajrj-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="do5lv" data-offset-key="8haht-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="8haht-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="8haht-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;">Commissioner Rob Manfred’s has long-desired adding two teams and implementing a geographic realignment of a 32-team MLB that will eliminate the last vestiges of the American and National Leagues you grew up with. </span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="8haht-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="8haht-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="8haht-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="8haht-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;">The cities most likely to get an expansion team include Portland, Oregon, Nashville, Tennessee, and Charlotte, North Carolina. There are only seven teams in the West, so it’s hard to envision MLB adding two more in the East. For the sake of discussion, let’s assume that the cities are Portland and Nashville, which already has a name (The Stars), an investment group, a board, and advisors. </span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="do5lv" data-offset-key="foocj-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="foocj-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="foocj-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="do5lv" data-offset-key="6l9o6-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="6l9o6-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="6l9o6-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;">We might expect to see eight, four-team divisions under such a realignment. It could look something like this:</span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="do5lv" data-offset-key="soo2-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="soo2-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="soo2-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="do5lv" data-offset-key="5dm7d-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="5dm7d-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="5dm7d-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;">Northeast - Red Sox, Yankees, Mets, Blue Jays</span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="do5lv" data-offset-key="7tk2l-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="7tk2l-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="7tk2l-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;">Mid-Atlantic - Phillies, Pirates, Nationals, Orioles</span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="do5lv" data-offset-key="fjol0-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="fjol0-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="fjol0-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;">Southeast - Stars, Braves, Rays, Marlins</span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="do5lv" data-offset-key="emm6g-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="emm6g-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="emm6g-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;">Mid-West - Cubs, White Sox, Brewers, Tigers</span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="do5lv" data-offset-key="6q2ar-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="6q2ar-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="6q2ar-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;">Central - Royals, Cardinals, Reds, Guardians</span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="do5lv" data-offset-key="d62nr-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="d62nr-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="d62nr-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;">West - Rockies, Rangers, Astros, Twins</span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="do5lv" data-offset-key="9u2g1-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="9u2g1-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="9u2g1-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;">Pacific North - Mariners, Portland, Giants, A’s</span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="do5lv" data-offset-key="1hj9v-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="1hj9v-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="1hj9v-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;">Pacific South - Dodgers, Angels, Padres, Diamondbacks</span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="do5lv" data-offset-key="1oatm-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="1oatm-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="1oatm-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="do5lv" data-offset-key="b0a0c-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="b0a0c-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="b0a0c-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;">The division names are plainly generic. Of course, other names may or will be chosen. And the division makeup may also be different. This is merely a thought experiment. At present, MLB only has 10 teams west of the Mississippi River, which would go to 11 with the addition of a team in Portland. Still, there is an abundance of teams in the Northeast and Upper Midwest, which will make realignment vexing and, perhaps, somewhat odd. </span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="do5lv" data-offset-key="6cukv-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="6cukv-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="6cukv-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="do5lv" data-offset-key="3pe7r-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="3pe7r-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="3pe7r-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;">The challenge will be maintaining longterm rivalries, playing up natural regional rivalries (i.e., Cubs and White Sox, Reds and Guardians, etc.) and cutting down on travel. For example, it makes no sense for the Red Sox and Yankees to play the Mariners and A’s more often than the Mets and Phillies, just because the former two clubs are in the American League.</span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="do5lv" data-offset-key="4tgei-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="4tgei-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="4tgei-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="do5lv" data-offset-key="b998v-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="b998v-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="b998v-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;">Older fans may howl with discontent and even disgust, but this is no longer your father’s game. We’re in the 21st Century and MLB knows is must change with the times. The two leagues are no longer separate entities; there's no further use in pretending that they are. </span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="do5lv" data-offset-key="81bub-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="81bub-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="81bub-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="do5lv" data-offset-key="2nqub-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="2nqub-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="2nqub-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;">A change is coming. Get used to it. </span></span></div></div>Sean M. Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06825363372837634241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14570379.post-60095661725433108232023-01-30T05:05:00.002-08:002023-01-30T05:10:27.192-08:00Red Sox Pitching Staff Doesn't Inspire Confidence<p> <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAUrbG_NKnAScOs4F0FFeAvi0K0ukyXylbjwlwlXJik7-ztGRF6nkIDfEg8UE9EQ7_Tos8kLseijWnzHluKLhf9iDYQZi64TmyAmKC_PL_G727nRP-XLuExuMTHLIizGTVutcE3wPLI4IY3sIViO6muircfLCyZn_TThRPqD-rrxMwsa0yGvM/s300/images.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="300" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAUrbG_NKnAScOs4F0FFeAvi0K0ukyXylbjwlwlXJik7-ztGRF6nkIDfEg8UE9EQ7_Tos8kLseijWnzHluKLhf9iDYQZi64TmyAmKC_PL_G727nRP-XLuExuMTHLIizGTVutcE3wPLI4IY3sIViO6muircfLCyZn_TThRPqD-rrxMwsa0yGvM/w503-h282/images.jpeg" width="503" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><p></p><div dir="auto" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The Red Sox lost Nate Eovaldi, Rich Hill and Michael Wacha this offseason. Consequently, t</span></span>hey needed a significant rotation overhaul and upgrade this offseason, but failed to do it. The Sox don’t currently look like a team with legitimate postseason aspirations this year.</span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: white;">The Red Sox rotation will almost certainly run into an innings problem this season. </span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68);"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/salech01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2023-01-25_br" rel="nofollow noopener" style="box-sizing: border-box; transition: all 0.1s ease-in-out 0s;" target="_blank">Chris Sale</a></span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68);"> and </span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68);"><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/paxtoja01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.mlbtraderumors.com&utm_campaign=2023-01-25_br" rel="nofollow noopener" style="box-sizing: border-box; transition: all 0.1s ease-in-out 0s;" target="_blank">James Paxton</a></span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68);"> have hardly pitched in the past three years and will likely struggle to handle a starter’s workload for a full season. </span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68);"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;">Sale has </span>appeared in just 11 games,<span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"> tossing 48 1/3 total innings, over the past three seasons. Fellow lefty </span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;">Paxton has only logged a total of 21 2/3 innings over the past three seasons. The optimistic view is that both pitchers </span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;">have low-mileage arms.</span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"> Yet, if the Sox can get about 20-25 starts out of each of them, that would have to be viewed as a success. </span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">Corey Kluber will be 37 in April and has faced numerous injuries in recent years that have really limited his availability. Just look at his innings totals:</span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">2019 - 35.2</span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">2020 - 1.0</span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">2021 - 80</span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">2022 - 164</span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">Total = 280.2 over four seasons</span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;">T</span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;">he team is going to need more arms and innings. </span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: white;">Yet, </span><span style="background-color: white;">Brayan Bello threw just 57.1 innings in the bigs last season, </span><span style="background-color: white;">and his professional high was 117.2 innings in A-ball back in 2019. Who knows what to expect from him, but that may be his ceiling. Bello also went</span> 2-8, with a 4.71 ERA and 1.78 WHIP, though he did get much better over his final starts. <span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">Nick Pivetta is the club’s workhorse, having thrown 155 and 179.2 innings over the past two years. However, he posted an ERA above 4.50 in each of them and has a career 5.02 ERA. That’s fifth-starter material. </span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">What will the Sox do with Garrett Whitlock? The club says they plan to use him as a starter. However, in nine career starts, Whitlock has a 4.15 ERA. Yet, in 68 games as a reliever, he has 2.24 ERA. His presence in the bullpen would greatly strengthen the relief core, especially now that they’ll be without both Matt Barnes and Josh Taylor. Both of those subtractions may be detrimental this season.</span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;">Last season, the </span><span style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><a class="x1i10hfl xjbqb8w x6umtig x1b1mbwd xaqea5y xav7gou x9f619 x1ypdohk xt0psk2 xe8uvvx xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1a2a7pz xt0b8zv x1qq9wsj xo1l8bm" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/redsox?__eep__=6&__cft__[0]=AZU-4I_PKljnA4zkeUikCyGVG_oLKUk6v4QbcKdL_z6t4M5K1ijD_MGTSS7s0bdAMLOYLHIPJXKOQKFfzfHFc75tJNBBZ8XWEFPaBPYHzomvMYmh_D7lTm00TY3e61hAtyogTQDEaChl1-MJ5nLXED7RgfpmNhR0MbZIbAgY7BpHhw&__tn__=*NK-R" role="link" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration: none; touch-action: manipulation;" tabindex="0">Red Sox</a></span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"> bullpen posted the fifth-worst ERA in baseball (4.59) and was 39-for-67 (58.2%) in save opportunities. Whitlock would help, a lot.</span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: white;">The only other surefire relievers returning from last season are John Schreiber and Tanner Houck, who had back surgery last year. </span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;">Houck was 8-for-9 in save opportunities in 2022. </span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;">This offseason, the Sox added free agent relievers Kenley Jansen (</span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;">two years, $32M</span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;">),</span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"> Joely Rodríguez (1 year, $2 million) and Chris Martin (2 years, $17.5 million). They also traded Josh Taylor, DFA’d Darwinzon Hernandez and lost Matt Strahm to free agency. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">Chaim Bloom tells us that the farm system will continually feed this team and return it to a World Series competitor. Take a look a what these young pitchers did last year. It’s not encouraging. </span></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div dir="auto" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">Kutter Crawford - 12 starts/21 games, 3-6, 5.47 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, 77.1 IN, 77 K</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">Josh Winckowski - 14 starts/15 games, 5-7, 5.89 ERA, 1.59 WHIP, 70.1 IN, 44 K</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">All these other pitchers on the 40-man roster have little or no major league experience. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://www.mlb.com/player/franklin-german-681464" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">Franklin German</span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><a href="https://www.mlb.com/player/zack-kelly-677161" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none;">Zack Kelly</a><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"> </span></span></div><div><a href="https://www.mlb.com/player/bryan-mata-667356" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">Bryan Mata</span></a></div><div><a href="https://www.mlb.com/player/wyatt-mills-670090" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">Wyatt Mills</span></a></div><div><a href="https://www.mlb.com/player/chris-murphy-669684" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">Chris Murphy</span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><a href="https://www.mlb.com/player/kaleb-ort-672391" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none;">Kaleb Ort</a><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"> </span></span></div><div><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><a href="https://www.mlb.com/player/brandon-walter-687888" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none;">Brandon Walter</a></span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">Meanwhile, the Sox lost a combination of reliability in Hill, and competency in Wacha and Eovaldi. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">Rich Hill - 26 starts, 8-7, 4.27 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 124.1 IN, 109 K</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">Michael Wacha - 23 starts, 11-2, 3.32 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 127.1 IN, 104 K</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">Nathan Eovaldi - 19 starts, 5-3, 4.05 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 104.1 IN, 99 K</span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">Taking a big picture view, it’s hard to be optimistic about the starting rotation, or the depth guys that the Sox will surely rely on this season.</span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><br /></div></div></div>Sean M. Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06825363372837634241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14570379.post-71629223062734374782023-01-22T06:15:00.004-08:002023-01-22T06:21:21.084-08:00Chaim Bloom is the Architect of the Red Sox Mismanagement<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgipZVvzygpq6JGaZ4Z2FikFAGmZLCjB4eHoeirt37FTT1-6DKDoUV_7eyV7ZaoeaB1lijsGyByIDXfkgxEGCt1E9_DzjM3wLDmUrWA6glH99ALgIjE76DX7wLJy1r2D_sEfZOfcYM08rx76p3WvUk5ly_J2OxF4jQOQVlrmH853xrHv8txUf4/s1280/319565141_633790518528429_7272255334418129664_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="331" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgipZVvzygpq6JGaZ4Z2FikFAGmZLCjB4eHoeirt37FTT1-6DKDoUV_7eyV7ZaoeaB1lijsGyByIDXfkgxEGCt1E9_DzjM3wLDmUrWA6glH99ALgIjE76DX7wLJy1r2D_sEfZOfcYM08rx76p3WvUk5ly_J2OxF4jQOQVlrmH853xrHv8txUf4/w498-h331/319565141_633790518528429_7272255334418129664_n.jpg" width="498" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68);">The Red Sox are currently </span><a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/roster-resource/payroll/red-sox" style="box-sizing: border-box; transition: all 0.1s ease-in-out 0s;" target="_blank">projected</a><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68);"> to have about $216M worth of luxury-tax obligations on their ledger, which </span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68);">leaves about $17M worth of spending room before they’d be at risk of paying the tax for a second consecutive season. They’ll probably need to use some of that for a middle-infielder. </span></span></span></p><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68);">Boston was one of six teams to exceed the CBT threshold in 2022, and the only one that didn't make the playoffs. The </span></span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68);">Red Sox ended the season $1.2M over </span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68);">CBT mark, in what can only be described as total mismanagement. </span></span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68);"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 33);">Entering Aug. 2, the day of the 2022 MLB </span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 33);">trade deadline, the </span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 33);">Red Sox had a 53-52 record, putting them just over the .500 threshold. They were 17 games behind the American League East-leading New York Yankees</span>. The Sox had proven themselves to be a thoroughly mediocre ball club, not a World Series contender, most of the season. Any reasonable person would have concluded that they should be sellers (at least enough to fall below the CBT threshold), not buyers. </span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68);"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68);">By simply trading either Nathan </span><span style="background-color: white;">Eovaldi or J.D. Martinez at the deadline, Chaim Bloom would put the Red Sox below the CBT threshold, avoided any subsequent penalties, and improved their lot for this season. Though the club later issued qualifying offers to both Xander Bogaerts and Eovaldi, as luxury tax payers they will be penalized in the upcoming draft. </span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68);"> </span></span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68);"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(15, 20, 25); white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;">Had the Red Sox gotten under the luxury tax threshold at the deadline, they would have received picks 70 and 71 in the 2023 Draft for the departed Bogaerts and Eovaldi. Instead they will receive picks 133 and 134. They also missed out on roughly $1 million in additional bonus pool money, based on 2022 slot values.</span></span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(15, 20, 25); color: #0f1419; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #0f1419; font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Not only has Bloom continually failed to accurately read the free agent market, which has cost the team repeatedly, he failed to accurately gage and assess his team’s playoff chances, were were essentially nil. </span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #0f1419; font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #0f1419;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Yes, </span></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #202121;">the installation of a third wild-card spot gave Boston some modicum of hope, but it was the squint-your-eyes variety. The Sox at the time trailed Tampa, Cleveland and Baltimore. That would have amounted to a lot of leap-frogging for a team that could only be described as inconsistent, at best. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 33); color: #202121;">Their Pythagorean record entering Aug. 2 (their projected record based on runs scored and runs allowed) </span><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/?date=2022-08-02" rel="nofollow" style="box-shadow: rgb(255, 255, 255) 0px 0px 0px 0px inset, rgb(32, 33, 33) 0px -1px 0px 0px inset; caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 33); color: #202121; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;">ranked as the 11th best in the A</a>L. </span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 33); color: #202121;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;">Sure enough, that proved to be predictive: the Red Sox went 26-32 after the deadline, finishing eight games behind the Rays.</span></span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 33); color: #202121;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #202121; font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;">Yet, Bloom failed to trade some key pending free agents, which would have improved Boston’s lot this season. However, he traded the popular Christian Vazquez, and added Tommy Pham and Eric Hosmer, both of whom are no longer with the team. Neither player added any value or improved the roster in any meaningful way upon arrival. </span></span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #202121; font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #202121; font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;">The acquisition of Reese McGuire for Jake Diekman was Bloom's only sound move, but it didn’t affect the CBT threshold. That’s what really matters at the moment. </span></span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #202121; font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #202121; font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;">Everyone in baseball knew about Trevor Story’s elbow issues last offseason. The Sox gambled and lost. Now they need not one but two middle infielders, and that’s where their luxury tax problem is coming home to roost. If Boston goes over the CBT a second season in a row, their penalties will only increase next year, when they might really like to play in the deep end of the free agent pool. </span></span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #202121; font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #202121; font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;">The possibility of going over the CBT again, and again landing in last place is a disaster that should never occur. But that’s where the Red Sox find themselves at the moment. And it’s all the result of the ‘leadership’ of the incompetent Bloom. He needs to go. </span></span></div>Sean M. Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06825363372837634241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14570379.post-55811981107081265712023-01-22T06:08:00.002-08:002023-01-22T06:10:10.969-08:00Red Sox Middle Infield Remains Unsettled and Uncertain<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5hzn7nfgxql2V5NYhPBxu8-F1BlWaWQHV_UHdunlfuB64nkUI7pL0BYKIOWTrPl9BeVEZ8JmuK9P6gxl5GUVxAuDC1wsvuqx1P8oiHfiGB681tlt2MGBGWuIBpKOxUmgwCy4Vbu2Mta54crq8BhJmW_QT2_NXjDn0LlQovHouONGiyd53dVg/s977/AP22120008080729.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="652" data-original-width="977" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5hzn7nfgxql2V5NYhPBxu8-F1BlWaWQHV_UHdunlfuB64nkUI7pL0BYKIOWTrPl9BeVEZ8JmuK9P6gxl5GUVxAuDC1wsvuqx1P8oiHfiGB681tlt2MGBGWuIBpKOxUmgwCy4Vbu2Mta54crq8BhJmW_QT2_NXjDn0LlQovHouONGiyd53dVg/w510-h340/AP22120008080729.jpg" width="510" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xdj266r x126k92a" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xdj266r x126k92a" style="margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">The <span style="font-family: inherit;"><a class="x1i10hfl xjbqb8w x6umtig x1b1mbwd xaqea5y xav7gou x9f619 x1ypdohk xt0psk2 xe8uvvx xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1a2a7pz xt0b8zv x1qq9wsj xo1l8bm" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/redsox?__eep__=6&__cft__[0]=AZWHUzPy_-_EHUNUR0WIYF1C7d5SV15D6WnkfuojUIMSFNMWUfF_l5BpLLxKrqXduMcz9LwvSQyGCiFIrjglVC4oxOSG86bQ0zR5UpncsgC6ho6iVeNhKJb01aZJvT_wExrnT5-wMDnWOM_EgUG-mU7sWDtJPloqMh6O7qf4plWkaIbr8yDXoSXyqzjMMhg7hRs&__tn__=*NK-R" role="link" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--accent); cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-family: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration: none; touch-action: manipulation;" tabindex="0">Red Sox</a></span> held their Winter Weekend convention on Friday evening, where Chaim Bloom and Alex Cora addressed the media and fans. Bloom and John Henry both received a series of sustained boos during the event, and deservedly so. </div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Cora suggested that Enrique Hernández was the in-house favorite to play shortstop, with Christian Arroyo the likeliest option to man second base.</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Though Hernández has experience at every non-catching position on the diamond, he’s primarily played <span style="font-family: inherit;"><a style="color: #385898; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit;" tabindex="-1"></a></span>center field, having logged just 618 innings at shortstop through parts of nine MLB seasons. Yet, he's played even fewer at second. </div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">For reference, if a guy plays 150 games in a season, he'd amass 1,350 innings. So, Hernández has played less than half a season at shortstop in his entire career. I'm not saying he's incapable, but the Red Sox certainly won't be playing to his strengths by moving him out of center and not playing him at second. </div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">At age 27, Arroyo remains a tantalizing player. He showed flashes of excellence last season, when he batted .286 over 87 games. However those 87 games marked a career high for Arroyo, who has continually struggled to stay healthy and on the field. Since he debuted in 2017, Arroyo has averaged just 43 games per season, excluding the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, when appeared in just 15 games. </div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Over six seasons, Arroyo has slashed .255/.307/.400/.708. Entrusting him with a starting role is quite risky. </div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Now that Adam Duvall has been signed to man center field, where he has started only 55 games in his career, the wisest choice would be to move Hernández to second, where he has played just 454 career innings, but has typically graded out as a solid or better defensively. </div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">The Sox could then sign either Elvis Andrus or José Iglesias to play short. Both players have extensive experience at the position and grade out highly there. Each of them would come fairly cheap at this point in their careers and this offseason. With the absence of Xander Bogaerts and Trevor Story, the Red Sox cannot afford to take further risks up the middle this season. </div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Arroyo could remain in the utility position that has served him well over the years, manning second base on days when the Sox move Hernández out to center. This would give the team lots of flexibility. </div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">However, the Sox could also sign a veteran second baseman, such as 35-year-old Josh Harrison, to pair with Arroyo. They clearly need insurance at the position, given Arroyo's history. </div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">It's hard to tell whether Boston's plan is set in stone or if their stated position is merely a smokescreen being used as bargaining leverage with free agent shortstops, such as Andrus or Iglesias. Let's hope it's the latter. </div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">If the Sox go with their stated plan, the lineup looks like this:</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">1. LF Masataka Yoshida (L)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">2. SS Kiké Hernandez (R)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">3. 3B Rafael Devers (L)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">4. DH Justin Turner (R)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">5. 1B Triston Casas (L)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">6. CF Adam Duvall (R)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">7. RF Alex Verdugo (L)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">8. 2B Christian Arroyo (R)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">9. C Reese McGuire (L)</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">That lineup comes with too many unknowns. </div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Yoshida has never played in the majors and was a defensive liability in Japan. </div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Hernández has never played a full season at shortstop. </div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Devers is a defensive liability at third.</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Justin Turner is 38 years old. </div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Tristan Casas has played just 27 games in the majors. </div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Duvall has amassed just 75 innings in center, having primarily played left or right field over his eight seasons. </div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Verdugo has played a grand total of 151 innings in right field over his entire 6-year career. </div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Arroyo has averaged just 43 games per season and maxed out at 87 last year. </div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">McGuire played in a career-high 89 games last season and has averaged just 53 games over his four-year career, excluding the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, when appeared in 19 games. </div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">There are question marks all over the field and few reasons for confidence or high hopes this year. And I haven't even addressed the starting rotation, which is a topic for another day.</div></div></div></div><p><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></p>Sean M. Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06825363372837634241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14570379.post-14395861937325986712022-12-08T03:55:00.005-08:002022-12-08T04:02:40.185-08:00Bogaerts' Contract a Bridge too Far for Boston<p><br /> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxsudywcS4ec2x-HAiFphHEYdAuO9jSY6ZoI0AT5cS4ycnELpSz3fQsmvOX0f0cA_i63fH8i7N-2W1urqKuThJJmVhaTLblxai_M06hMG8-T0wVIZnz7A09vMyNT0KE0dyNvQQi1sOkj6Fjd5C7VJOoGtaAZ3NhIbSyipOgXc5H4i4Vf9aJp0/s263/Unknown.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="192" data-original-width="263" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxsudywcS4ec2x-HAiFphHEYdAuO9jSY6ZoI0AT5cS4ycnELpSz3fQsmvOX0f0cA_i63fH8i7N-2W1urqKuThJJmVhaTLblxai_M06hMG8-T0wVIZnz7A09vMyNT0KE0dyNvQQi1sOkj6Fjd5C7VJOoGtaAZ3NhIbSyipOgXc5H4i4Vf9aJp0/w485-h354/Unknown.jpeg" width="485" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><div data-block="true" data-editor="fmg5h" data-offset-key="e9uc5-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="e9uc5-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="e9uc5-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">Xander Bogaerts has agreed to a whopping 11-year, $280M contract with the Padres. </span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="fmg5h" data-offset-key="6t0mi-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="6t0mi-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="6t0mi-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="fmg5h" data-offset-key="4tuu5-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="4tuu5-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="4tuu5-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">Though there were reports that </span><span class="xv78j7m" end="38" start="31" style="font-family: inherit;">Red Sox</span><span data-offset-key="4tuu5-2-0" style="font-family: inherit;"> ownership had gotten involved in negotiations in recent days, a contract of that length and cost was a bridge too far for Boston. </span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="fmg5h" data-offset-key="dpktp-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="dpktp-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="dpktp-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="fmg5h" data-offset-key="bl0vk-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="bl0vk-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="bl0vk-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">Ownership appeared to recognize that they have a major PR problem. The fans weren’t happy with the Bogaerts' negotiations all season. The belated attempt to sign him was meant to address that.</span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="fmg5h" data-offset-key="babc0-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="babc0-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="babc0-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="fmg5h" data-offset-key="2ttr1-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="2ttr1-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="2ttr1-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">However, it's hard to justify giving an 11-year contract to a 30-year-old shortstop, especially one who had significant defensive liabilities throughout his 20s.</span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="fmg5h" data-offset-key="5686g-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="5686g-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="5686g-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="fmg5h" data-offset-key="enqg9-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="enqg9-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="enqg9-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">Bogaerts entered the 2022 season with negative-55 defensive runs saved at shortstop from 2013-21. Yet, he had 4 defensive runs saved this season, which was 11th among MLB shortstops. It was the first time in his career he produced a positive number in that category.</span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="fmg5h" data-offset-key="13qpg-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="13qpg-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="13qpg-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="fmg5h" data-offset-key="d0seb-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="d0seb-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="d0seb-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">Bogaerts is not going to develop more range and quickness in his 30s. The Red Sox knew full well that he would soon need to be moved off the position, to third or second base. If Boston has a genuine motivation to re-sign Rafael Devers (which it now seems to, more than ever), Bogaerts would have been indefinitely blocked at third. And with Trevor Story earning from $20M-$25M per season for the next five and potentially six years, Bogaerts was blocked indefinitely at second. </span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="fmg5h" data-offset-key="9p5i6-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="9p5i6-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="9p5i6-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="fmg5h" data-offset-key="74sn8-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="74sn8-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="74sn8-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">No one in their right mind would pay Bogaerts an average of $25M annually to DH when he's reached 30 home runs just once in 10 seasons. </span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="fmg5h" data-offset-key="do5fp-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="do5fp-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="do5fp-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="fmg5h" data-offset-key="67boo-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="67boo-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="67boo-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">Baseball has entered silly season. Many of the contracts being handed out are reckless to the point of absurd. The Padres had made $400M offers to both Trea Turner and Aaron Judge, only to be spurned. They were determined not to let it happen again, so they overpaid for Bogaerts. They will come to regret it. </span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="fmg5h" data-offset-key="1auic-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="1auic-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="1auic-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="fmg5h" data-offset-key="6ugpa-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="6ugpa-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="6ugpa-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">The deal, by the way, comes with a full no-trade clause. Bogaerts and his contract will represent dead weight on San Diego's roster for the last half of the deal. Good for the Red Sox for showing restraint and not bowing to pressure. </span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="6ugpa-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="6ugpa-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="6ugpa-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="6ugpa-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; white-space: normal;">As more than 100 years of history/evidence shows, the weighted-average OPS of a major league player peaks at age 29 and begins to plummet by age 32. </span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="6ugpa-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="6ugpa-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; white-space: normal;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="6ugpa-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="6ugpa-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; white-space: normal;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="6ugpa-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="6ugpa-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Em6X7hMz9DaAYZN0viL7y5Klo-uCFD56N4w9aY5AS-3lANRUIXpzDnaof_swmWTruzGPtpMkrAmh2_h92YYQvlQPOgpE9XD6mhx3buIyQrNX1Dox8DZOqeYr0BnRr-JzlroegkonlVwd_u3OKjLaiLAZszNTvshE9wqzE8L3_QrZZC4KBlc/s726/28058984_1913568438685000_8075898610004357991_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="505" data-original-width="726" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Em6X7hMz9DaAYZN0viL7y5Klo-uCFD56N4w9aY5AS-3lANRUIXpzDnaof_swmWTruzGPtpMkrAmh2_h92YYQvlQPOgpE9XD6mhx3buIyQrNX1Dox8DZOqeYr0BnRr-JzlroegkonlVwd_u3OKjLaiLAZszNTvshE9wqzE8L3_QrZZC4KBlc/w468-h326/28058984_1913568438685000_8075898610004357991_n.jpg" width="468" /></a></div><br /><span style="background-color: white; white-space: normal;"><br /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="fmg5h" data-offset-key="baq3l-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="baq3l-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="baq3l-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="fmg5h" data-offset-key="1c2uh-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="1c2uh-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="1c2uh-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">So, 100 years of history shows that baseball player tend to peak by age-29 season and then begins to decline from there. For some players, it's slower and more graceful than others. Reaction time is the first thing to go. Batting averages tend to fall and quickness wanes. That's not good for a shortstop who already has limited range and isn't known for his speed.</span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="fmg5h" data-offset-key="5olue-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="5olue-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="5olue-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="fmg5h" data-offset-key="8ifmg-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="8ifmg-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="8ifmg-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">Power is usually the last thing to go, which makes the contract for Turner (11 years, $300M) so absurd. Neither Bogaerts or Turner is a power hitter. Once the reaction time goes, a player who relies on speed and quickness becomes a liability. That will be the case with Bogaerts.</span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="fmg5h" data-offset-key="e4up4-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="e4up4-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="e4up4-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="fmg5h" data-offset-key="d76e8-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="d76e8-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="d76e8-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">We can thank Bogaerts for 10 great seasons in Boston. The Red Sox likely got the best of him. He was a four-time All Star and two-time World Series winner with the Sox. He won five Silver Slugger Awards and was a quiet leader. </span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="fmg5h" data-offset-key="3cg0v-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="3cg0v-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="3cg0v-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="fmg5h" data-offset-key="7j5ke-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="7j5ke-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="7j5ke-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">The Red Sox probably could have retained Bogaerts if they had acted sooner and more decisively, like back in spring training. They probably would have been able to retain him for something like six years, $150M. But once he reached free agency and all the offers that ensued, he was as good as gone.</span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="fmg5h" data-offset-key="47u5j-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="47u5j-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="47u5j-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="fmg5h" data-offset-key="9ch2k-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="9ch2k-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="9ch2k-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">Even if the Red Sox didn't do the right thing by getting Bogey locked up earlier this year, they ultimately did the right thing yesterday by letting Bogaerts walk while saying, Thanks for everything. </span></div></div>Sean M. Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06825363372837634241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14570379.post-45788299919087176292022-11-12T07:07:00.005-08:002022-11-12T07:12:17.410-08:00Rafael Devers Is Not a $300M Player<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmnPG1_85MX9Q4v43_3E2Tgud2OXKoLdG_RaKtyzMHqyur8YYJ3KcvucKS8G-MsvR16XRgGGuowgodujj7p1XnfyS6yHiinWp1nR4KlbBIH-HkXsHVDYb4z4USNq1V6E4ZYmMExkfeazcIqf6dHW4gatnucM4HvzFYzY1tvlFijiRf5NN_0N4/s620/SOXsc005-3.jpg.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="328" data-original-width="620" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmnPG1_85MX9Q4v43_3E2Tgud2OXKoLdG_RaKtyzMHqyur8YYJ3KcvucKS8G-MsvR16XRgGGuowgodujj7p1XnfyS6yHiinWp1nR4KlbBIH-HkXsHVDYb4z4USNq1V6E4ZYmMExkfeazcIqf6dHW4gatnucM4HvzFYzY1tvlFijiRf5NN_0N4/w559-h294/SOXsc005-3.jpg.webp" width="559" /></a></div><br /> <span style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); font-family: arial; white-space: pre-wrap;">A big divide remains in how the Red Sox value Rafael Devers and how he values himself.</span><div class="xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs x126k92a" style="margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The third baseman is supremely confident, viewing himself uniquely among his major league peers. He has made public statements that clearly indicate his belief in himself: </span></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;">"</span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">I’m a different player.</span></span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">”</span></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">"</span></span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); white-space: pre-wrap;">I know my worth.</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">”</span></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); white-space: pre-wrap;">"I know the type of money I should be making.</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">”</span></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); white-space: pre-wrap;">"I’m not focused on what other guys are making or what they are doing. I’m more focused on what I’m doing on the field and what I’m worth.</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">”</span></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">These are the words of a self-assured young man, who doesn’t seem inclined to take any sort of hometown discount to re-sign with the Red Sox.</span></span></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In Spring Training, the Red Sox reportedly offered Devers an extension in the neighborhood of eight years, $168 million — well below his market value.</span></span></div><div dir="auto" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The Red Sox recently raised their offer to Devers, but there is still about a $100 million gap between the two sides, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post.</span></div><div dir="auto" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;">"Word is the Red Sox have now raised their offer to $200 million-plus, probably necessary given the Braves signed less-experienced star third baseman Austin Riley for $212 million," Heyman wrote. "However, with Devers only a year away from free agency, he seeks at least 10 years for $300 million-plus."</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a style="cursor: pointer;" tabindex="-1"></a>That's a big ask by Devers and big gap between the two sides.</span></div><div dir="auto" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">No one doubts Devers’ ability with a bat in his hand. The issue comes down to his defense or lack thereof. </span></span></div><div dir="auto" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><div data-block="true" data-editor="d43a" data-offset-key="18jh8-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="18jh8-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Advanced<span data-offset-key="18jh8-1-0"> metrics have graded Devers as a subpar third baseman for his entire career. </span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="d43a" data-offset-key="8usbf-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="8usbf-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="8usbf-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="d43a" data-offset-key="6qda1-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="6qda1-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="6qda1-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;">In 2018, his first full season, Devers led the major leagues with 24 errors. </span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="d43a" data-offset-key="986cj-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="986cj-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="986cj-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="d43a" data-offset-key="2gmla-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="2gmla-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="2gmla-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;">In 2019, he led all major league third basemen with 22 errors.</span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="d43a" data-offset-key="6j4pq-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="6j4pq-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="6j4pq-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="d43a" data-offset-key="5ijf3-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="5ijf3-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="5ijf3-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;">In the pandemic shortened 2020 season, Devers led all major league players with 14 errors, more than twice as many as any other AL third baseman, and had the lowest fielding percentage, .891, of all major league third basemen. </span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="d43a" data-offset-key="4kqfe-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="4kqfe-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="4kqfe-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="d43a" data-offset-key="ejf7s-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="ejf7s-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="ejf7s-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;">In 2021, Devers committed 22 errors, the highest total among major league third baseman, and the second-highest total among all players. </span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="d43a" data-offset-key="51mqb-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="51mqb-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="51mqb-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="d43a" data-offset-key="2sb1n-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="2sb1n-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="2sb1n-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;">In 2022, he had 14 errors, a good year by his standards. However, he still led all AL third basemen. He also rated as six runs below average by measure of Defensive Runs Saved and two runs below par according to Statcast.</span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="d43a" data-offset-key="88ure-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="88ure-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="88ure-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="d43a" data-offset-key="5plkq-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="5plkq-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="5plkq-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;">In sum, Devers has led either all American League third basemen or all major league third basemen in errors every year for five straight years. </span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="d43a" data-offset-key="1gsq-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="1gsq-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="1gsq-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="d43a" data-offset-key="dsa3u-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="dsa3u-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="dsa3u-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;">He’s also rated as a below-average defender by measure of Defensive Runs Saved in every season of his career. </span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="d43a" data-offset-key="cnghj-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="cnghj-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="cnghj-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="d43a" data-offset-key="aqlkn-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="aqlkn-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="aqlkn-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;">Baseball is a two-way sport, yet Devers is a defensive liability. He’s simply not a $300M player.</span></span></div></div></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto"><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto"><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto"><div data-block="true" data-editor="d43a" data-offset-key="p98d-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="p98d-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="p98d-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="d43a" data-offset-key="e48m3-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="e48m3-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span data-offset-key="e48m3-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;">Devers will be 27 when he enters free agency. An eight-year pact would take him through his age 34 season, which is reasonable. A whopping $30M per season over eight years would amount to $240M. A 10-year pact at that AAV would be <a href="https://kennedyscommentary.blogspot.com/2017/12/long-term-contracts-are-bad-for-baseball.html" target="_blank">excessive and quite risky</a>. </span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="d43a" data-offset-key="eh24u-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="eh24u-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="eh24u-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="d43a" data-offset-key="fna6h-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="fna6h-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="fna6h-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;">Devers is listed at 240lbs and could get bigger. He has been a sub-standandard third baseman his entire career. He will soon need to move off third. However, first base will likely occupied by Tristan Casas for at least the next six years. </span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="d43a" data-offset-key="d3lfg-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="d3lfg-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="d3lfg-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="d43a" data-offset-key="6ge3i-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="6ge3i-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="6ge3i-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;">Third baseman are more highly valued and therefore more highly paid than first baseman, who are more highly valued and higher paid than designated hitters. Paying Devers long-term third baseman money when you know he has to move to first or DH is bad business. </span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="6ge3i-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="6ge3i-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="6ge3i-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="6ge3i-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;">The Red Sox know this. So do most other clubs.</span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"></div></div></div><p><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></p>Sean M. Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06825363372837634241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14570379.post-2226554566329099202022-10-10T16:32:00.005-07:002022-10-10T16:37:47.030-07:00MLB Is in Decline<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZr4COOoWYv2xv2e3ZNNKTEIXzqp09wcuIX1eWtYuCfEjLuYHMs4z4BkKx-0XqHQQvqruM2w8pE2npknBEhPnKfXWNNcpuSpqKrsZOqSAO3aXApSUs0s_vZUCAd7Ji-LMf7--zlRrppxY_nzp9Qh018vmJVsytrk_K9H9xaqZdQ0fUARe71-Q/s1366/1658324837452.jpg.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="1366" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZr4COOoWYv2xv2e3ZNNKTEIXzqp09wcuIX1eWtYuCfEjLuYHMs4z4BkKx-0XqHQQvqruM2w8pE2npknBEhPnKfXWNNcpuSpqKrsZOqSAO3aXApSUs0s_vZUCAd7Ji-LMf7--zlRrppxY_nzp9Qh018vmJVsytrk_K9H9xaqZdQ0fUARe71-Q/w576-h576/1658324837452.jpg.webp" width="576" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;">A variety of statistics reveal that baseball — I’m talking about the very product on the field — is in decline. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;">Batting .300 proved to be quite a rare accomplishment this year. There are roughly 400 non-pitchers on big league rosters at any given time. Yet, only 11 major league hitters managed to bat at least .300 this season. </span></span></p><div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;">Even worse, the league-wide batting average was just .243. You have to go back more than half a century to find this sort of ineptitude. </span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;">The last time the league-wide average was this low was 1968, when it fell to .237. The year before, 1967, it was .242.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;">Across the majors, there were 39,677 hits this season and 40,812 strikeouts. That's pathetic. </span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;">Oddly, just one player (Kyle Schwarber) whiffed at least 200 times. So, that .243 league average was also the result of a lot of weak ground balls, pop outs and fly outs. </span></span></div><div><div><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Not a single major leaguer recorded as many as 200 hits this season, a stunning decline from what was once common for the better hitters in the game. Hitting has become a lost art. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">And only 10 players scored at least 100 runs. Again, that’s just awful.</span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><span> </span></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The fundamentals of the game are in ruins.</span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The 1968 season was known as the “Year of the Pitcher.” B</span></span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(10, 21, 41); letter-spacing: 0.09504px;">atting averages and scoring had been dropping for several years, while strikeouts had been rising. Sound familiar?</span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(10, 21, 41); letter-spacing: 0.09504px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">In response, MLB lowered the mound and shrank the strike zone. Then the American League instituted the designated hitter in 1973.</span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: arial;">What will MLB do now? Next season will see the adoption of pitch clocks, larger bases, bans on defensive shifts, and limits on pickoff moves. Let’s hope it all results in more action. </span></span></div></div><div><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">On the pitching side, the numbers show an equally alarming decline. </span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Just eight pitchers reached the <a href="http://kennedyscommentary.blogspot.com/2022/04/where-have-mlbs-innings-eaters-gone.html">200-innings threshold</a>, which used to be routine. </span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Though batters now strike out at a horrendous rate, just 11 pitchers notched at least 200 Ks, which was also routine for top pitchers in previous decades. Why the discrepancy? As noted, starters now throw relatively few innings. So, relievers are making up all those innings that used to be pitched by starters. </span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Furthermore, just one pitcher won 20 games this year.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">MLB is at a crossroads. Games are too long and the action too limited. The ’<a href="http://kennedyscommentary.blogspot.com/2018/01/three-true-outcomes-making-baseball.html">Three True Outcomes’</a> (strikeouts, walks and home runs) are killing action because the ball isn’t put in play often enough. This season, <a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=bat&lg=all&qual=0&type=c,4,6,11,12,13,21,-1,34,35,40,41,-1,23,37,38,50,317,61,-1,111,-1,203,199,58,212&season=2022&month=0&season1=1900&ind=0&team=0,ss&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&startdate=1900-01-01&enddate=2022-12-31&sort=1,d">33.5% of all plate appearances</a> ended in one of the Three True Outcomes. It's affecting the game and it's showing up in attendance figures.</span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 53);">MLB attendance <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/maurybrown/2022/10/06/mlb-attendance-for-2022-down-nearly-5-from-2019-last-year-before-the-pandemic/?sh=469fbdc35109">was down 5.7%</a> compared to 2019, the season before the pandemic. MLB saw its lowest attendance since 1997. The sport has seen a decline in attendance for nine consecutive seasons, excluding the</span><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 53);"> pandemic-shortened season in 2020. </span></span></div><div><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 53);"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 53);">To be fair, </span><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 53);">MLB isn't alone. Average NBA and NHL </span><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 53);">attendance</span><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 53);"> was down 3.7% and 9.3%, respectively, compared to 2019. </span></span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;">Where it goes from here remains to be seen.</span><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"> The owners, however, are not struggling.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">A </span><a href="https://frontofficesports.com/mlb-revenue-to-top-pre-pandemic-levels/" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" style="border: 0px solid; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">report</a><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"> from Front Office Sports said that Major League Baseball is expecting record revenue for 2022, exceeding the </span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">$10.7 billion from 2019, the</span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"> last full season before the pandemic. However, obviously that is due to raising prices for tickets, merchandise, and food and beverage sales.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Baseball needs more than just home runs and strikeouts to be interesting. Let’s hope that the rule changes coming next season help to speed up the game and increase on-field action, which they are intended to do. Baseball desperately needs it. </span></span></span></div><div><br /></div></div></div>Sean M. Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06825363372837634241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14570379.post-87934835148297727192022-09-07T11:44:00.002-07:002022-09-07T11:45:29.726-07:00What Are We to Make of This Unpredictable Red Sox Organization?<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpiTrihu-QkzN49pq5i5qRXKsfm6EhYm0hqrCetaexurg3MUxwVf517C2ES1h4J4v5FYm36UfeMVkKK2sXlVEYCvsaNPt1XEx8nan2OTfbtC0LlmHHfnKpWpPoPLyb4umg4mrxurzmB4ki7vIp2s62J3rZY2KT_4-9ZIGXnhsvbB7lyoOFlu4/s466/1679f922051ed1a185d4198afeb7e570-original.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="250" data-original-width="466" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpiTrihu-QkzN49pq5i5qRXKsfm6EhYm0hqrCetaexurg3MUxwVf517C2ES1h4J4v5FYm36UfeMVkKK2sXlVEYCvsaNPt1XEx8nan2OTfbtC0LlmHHfnKpWpPoPLyb4umg4mrxurzmB4ki7vIp2s62J3rZY2KT_4-9ZIGXnhsvbB7lyoOFlu4/w595-h319/1679f922051ed1a185d4198afeb7e570-original.jpg" width="595" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">The Red Sox have spent the last decade zig-zagging from worst to first, with a couple of quick playoff exits and two World Series Championships, all in dizzying fashion. It makes it really difficult to figure out this team’s identity. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">No club can be expected to win their division every year, much less the World Series. But this organization veers from horrible to extraordinary far too often, spending too many seasons in the horrible category. Take a look at the schizophrenic nature of this club over the past decade:</span></p><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;">2012: 69-93, last place</span><div><span style="font-family: arial;">2013: 97-65, first place (won World Series 4-2)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">2014: 71-91, last place</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">2015: 78-84, last place</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">2016: 93-69, first place (lost ALDS 3-0)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">2017: 93-69, first place (lost ALDS 3-1)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">2018: 108-54 first place (won World Series 4-1)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">2019: 84-78, third place</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">2020: 24-36, last place</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">2021: 92-70, second place (lost ALCS 4-2)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">2022: last place</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Chaim Bloom has now been at the helm for three seasons. His mission, he's said repeatedly, is to make the Red Sox a contender, year after year. He intends to balance both near-term and long-term concerns. That’s laudable, but it doesn’t seem to be working. The Sox have finished in last place two times in three seasons on Bloom’s watch. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">None of the players drafted durning Bloom’s term will impact the big league roster for at least a few more years, if ever. Prospects are a gamble and most never even play in the big leagues, never mind become stars or even starters. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Bloom has so far signed just one star free agent, Trevor Story, handing out the only long-term, high-dollar contract of his tenure (six years, $140M). This isn’t the path to success in a big market, such as Boston. The region loves its sports stars. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Most of the </span><span>current</span><span> money on Boston’s books was here before Bloom arrived. But the result is still troubling. </span><span style="caret-color: rgb(15, 20, 25); color: #0f1419; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Red Sox remain in last place in the AL East, behind even the Baltimore Orioles, who have about one-fifth of Boston's payroll.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>The fact that the Red Sox are poised to end this season </span><span>in last place, yet</span><span> over the luxury tax threshold, is inexplicable because it’s </span><span>unimaginable. </span></span></div><div><div data-block="true" data-editor="3l2g2" data-offset-key="c2p3p-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(15, 20, 25); color: #0f1419; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="c2p3p-0-0" style="direction: ltr; overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-top: 2px; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="c2p3p-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="3l2g2" data-offset-key="2nug5-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(15, 20, 25); color: #0f1419; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="2nug5-0-0" style="direction: ltr; overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-top: 2px; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="2nug5-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;">John Henry has a right to be angry.</span></span></div></div></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Money needs to be spent this winter, but it needs to be spent wisely. The Red Sox need more high-character leaders in their clubhouse and dugout. When the Sox won the World Series in 2013, they did so on the backs of just such players: Shane <span style="background-color: white;">Victorino, Mike Napoli, Jonny Gomes, David Ross and Ryan </span><span style="background-color: white;">Dempster. All of them were relatively inexpensive, free-agent veterans. Ben Cherington spread the money around wisely, addressing many needs. </span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span>That would be good advice for Bloom this winter. But first he needs to be willing</span></span><span face="primary-normal-book-regular, sans-serif" style="background-color: white;"> to spend. </span></span></div><div><span face="primary-normal-book-regular, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span>Improving the Red Sox via trades hasn’t proved to be Bloom’s forte. </span></span><span style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;">He lost the Mookie Betts trade, the Andrew Benintendi trade, and the Hunter Renfroe trade. </span></span></div><div><div class="m8h3af8h l7ghb35v kjdc1dyq kmwttqpk gh25dzvf n3t5jt4f" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; margin: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto"><div data-block="true" data-editor="7pfhs" data-offset-key="avld3-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="avld3-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="avld3-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="7pfhs" data-offset-key="8pqle-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="8pqle-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="8pqle-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;">The only one he got right was Brandon Workman and Heath Hembree for Nick Pivetta and Connor Seabold.</span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="7pfhs" data-offset-key="74rvb-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="74rvb-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="74rvb-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="7pfhs" data-offset-key="ahn9s-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="ahn9s-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="ahn9s-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;">To this point, Bloom doesn't look like a baseball savant.</span></span></div></div></div></div></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><br /></div>Sean M. Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06825363372837634241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14570379.post-15582943554132373182022-07-17T15:32:00.007-07:002022-07-17T17:12:05.086-07:00The Rafael Devers Era in Boston Seems to Be Nearing Its End<p> <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioLAco93Y56cp1dxBblKte39JkSkaXEo6-m9QVyFD7I425GS_-torrWpBXOyIdoGselEgXby79c0WkWOBPPkODtrmQWVqjIGZ0C4TxeQdcvFMedU4Jj7fYFJgg-Zj55OMr_vAWG57wzihmaKggtqrYM3EGQEGqxJbDSGtCOcrkQvJ8ps_i8Ao/s2162/Red_Sox_Tigers_Baseball_47326-625776264d435.jpg.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1441" data-original-width="2162" height="369" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioLAco93Y56cp1dxBblKte39JkSkaXEo6-m9QVyFD7I425GS_-torrWpBXOyIdoGselEgXby79c0WkWOBPPkODtrmQWVqjIGZ0C4TxeQdcvFMedU4Jj7fYFJgg-Zj55OMr_vAWG57wzihmaKggtqrYM3EGQEGqxJbDSGtCOcrkQvJ8ps_i8Ao/w554-h369/Red_Sox_Tigers_Baseball_47326-625776264d435.jpg.webp" width="554" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i>Rafael Devers could soon be waving goodbye to Red Sox fans.</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">It’s</span><span data-offset-key="7np1g-1-0" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> been reported that Juan Soto turned down the Nationals’ 15-year, $440 million contract offer. To be clear, Soto turned down the biggest offer in the history of baseball, which is stunning. </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div data-block="true" data-editor="afqfs" data-offset-key="871vs-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="871vs-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="871vs-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="afqfs" data-offset-key="cm62s-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="cm62s-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="cm62s-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;">Soto, who won't become a free agent until after 2024 season, has balls. He clearly believes he can get an even higher offer elsewhere. It's a big gamble; he'd better not get hurt in the next 2 1/2 seasons. </span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="afqfs" data-offset-key="l7hl-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="l7hl-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="l7hl-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="afqfs" data-offset-key="atq0f-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="atq0f-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="atq0f-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;">The issue obviously comes down to average annual value (AAV). Soto is a Scott Boras client; he not only wants the biggest contract in history, but also the highest AAV. </span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="afqfs" data-offset-key="adtto-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="adtto-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="adtto-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="afqfs" data-offset-key="e976l-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="e976l-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="e976l-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;">The $29.3 million per year in the Nationals' offer would rank only 15th among players, based on their 2022 salaries. That’s not good enough. </span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="afqfs" data-offset-key="3qjit-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="3qjit-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="3qjit-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="afqfs" data-offset-key="3gf84-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="3gf84-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="3gf84-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;">After repeatedly insisting that they wouldn’t trade Soto because they were determined to extend him, the Nats are now listening to trade offers.</span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="afqfs" data-offset-key="6cnf-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="6cnf-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="6cnf-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="afqfs" data-offset-key="3td3e-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="3td3e-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="3td3e-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;">This brings us to us to Rafael Devers, who has already rejected a contract extension offer made by the Red Sox in March because it was too low. Devers noted at the time that the Red Sox had never previously approached him about an extension. In retrospect, that was a mistake. </span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="afqfs" data-offset-key="7pctt-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="7pctt-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="7pctt-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="afqfs" data-offset-key="2rqk5-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="2rqk5-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="2rqk5-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;">This is what Devers said after agreeing to his one-year, $11.2 million arbitration deal in March:</span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="afqfs" data-offset-key="do0cf-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="do0cf-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="do0cf-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="afqfs" data-offset-key="bncf2-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="bncf2-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="bncf2-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;">"It was tough, obviously, having to go back and forth about what my worth was because we have other guys they were saying, ‘This is what they are slotted at.’ But I was like, ‘That’s not me. I’m a different player and I know the type of player that I am.’ That’s really what it was."</span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="afqfs" data-offset-key="aairg-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="aairg-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="aairg-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="afqfs" data-offset-key="7p38-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="7p38-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="7p38-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;">"We all want to make a lot more money because of the performance and what we do for the team. That’s something that may be hard at first, but you know you’re worth and I know my worth. What it comes down to is I know the type of money I should be making, so that’s what I’m focused on."</span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="afqfs" data-offset-key="4ml3d-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="4ml3d-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="4ml3d-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="afqfs" data-offset-key="clt49-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="clt49-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="clt49-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;">"I’m not focused on what other guys are making or what they are doing. I’m more focused on what I’m doing on the field and what I’m worth. That’s why when it comes to those type of talks, where they are trying to compare different types of players, that doesn’t matter me because I know who I am and that’s what I focus on."</span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="afqfs" data-offset-key="8plna-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="8plna-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="8plna-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="afqfs" data-offset-key="66hp7-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="66hp7-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="66hp7-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;">Simply put, Devers doesn't want to be compared to other players at his position; he sees himself as a unique talent. He views himself as one of the elite players in the game. </span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="afqfs" data-offset-key="8egbe-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="8egbe-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="8egbe-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="afqfs" data-offset-key="fk5uv-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="fk5uv-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="fk5uv-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;">Devers will turn 26 this October, which means he'll reach free agency at age 27. </span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="afqfs" data-offset-key="40c0u-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="40c0u-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="40c0u-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="afqfs" data-offset-key="4mtuj-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="4mtuj-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="4mtuj-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;">Clearly, he's not thinking of precedents when assessing his value. Forget Manny Machado's 10-year, $300 million deal, signed at age 26 or Nolan Arenado's 8-year, $260 million deal, signed at age 27.</span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="afqfs" data-offset-key="f17lo-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="f17lo-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="f17lo-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="afqfs" data-offset-key="7ju9j-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="7ju9j-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="7ju9j-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;">Anthony Rendon’s absurd $35 million AAV, which he hasn't even come close to earning, is not even the starting point. </span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="afqfs" data-offset-key="7icsu-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="7icsu-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="7icsu-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="afqfs" data-offset-key="1p3qa-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="1p3qa-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="1p3qa-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;">My sense is that Devers is looking for closer to $40 million per season, for a term of at least 10 years.</span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="afqfs" data-offset-key="d2hcu-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="d2hcu-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="d2hcu-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="afqfs" data-offset-key="cl6hk-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="cl6hk-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="cl6hk-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;">Devers is only two years older than Soto, who just turned down $440 million. Though they play different positions, their numbers are similar. Both are two-time All-Stars and World Series champions. Soto has a higher OPS (.980 vs .904) over the last four seasons, but Devers has 59 more extra-base hits in just 16 more games played. </span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="afqfs" data-offset-key="9jm44-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="9jm44-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="9jm44-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="afqfs" data-offset-key="9ftrh-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="9ftrh-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="9ftrh-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;">The Red Sox would have received more favorable terms had they offered Devers a reasonable extension two years ago, buying out some of his arbitration years, but that ship has sailed. </span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="afqfs" data-offset-key="c96ai-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="c96ai-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="c96ai-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="afqfs" data-offset-key="2t873-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="2t873-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="2t873-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;">It's getting harder and harder to imagine Devers being in a Red Sox uniform beyond next season, perhaps even beyond this season. I think the Red Sox will trade Devers this offseason; and if they believe their playoff aspirations are unrealistic </span></span><span style="font-family: arial;">this year</span><span style="font-family: arial;">, they could maximize his value by trading him by the Aug. 2 deadline. Don’t be surprised. </span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="afqfs" data-offset-key="ahflb-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="ahflb-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="ahflb-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="afqfs" data-offset-key="fprhb-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="fprhb-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="fprhb-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;">When asked this week about about reaching contract extensions with Devers and Xander Bogaerts, owner John Henry sounded ominous.</span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="fprhb-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="fprhb-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="afqfs" data-offset-key="crlu6-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="crlu6-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="crlu6-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;">"It takes two to make a deal," he said. "I think it's clear both of them want to be here. We want them here. We made efforts in the past to try to sign players that we weren't able to sign.</span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="afqfs" data-offset-key="2bmtg-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="2bmtg-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="2bmtg-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="afqfs" data-offset-key="4a8gl-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="4a8gl-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="4a8gl-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;">"It's not 100 percent our fault when we don't end up signing a player. We've signed players where it's really worked out. We've signed others that…” Henry went on to say, without saying it directly, that other players haven’t worked out, which is true.</span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="afqfs" data-offset-key="dvo5u-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="dvo5u-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="dvo5u-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="afqfs" data-offset-key="sjgr-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="sjgr-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="sjgr-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;">"The key thing I think with a long-term deal is to make it with the right players. For us at this point, both Raffy and Xander are two players we would love to have. In Xander's case, it could be till the end of his career. But players have rights and you have to respect that." </span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="afqfs" data-offset-key="5pu6d-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="5pu6d-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="5pu6d-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="afqfs" data-offset-key="akmg2-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="akmg2-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="akmg2-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;">That's pretty disingenuous since the club gave Bogaerts a lowball offer of four years, $90 million, which was essentially asking him to honor the three years, $60 million on his current deal, and the Sox would throw in $30 million on a fourth and final year. Considering the $300-plus million contracts for Fernando Tatis Jr., Corey Seager, and Francisco Lindor, the Sox offer was absurd. It simply didn’t meet the current market. </span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="afqfs" data-offset-key="n0r-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="n0r-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="n0r-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="afqfs" data-offset-key="4qll3-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="4qll3-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="4qll3-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;">We don’t know what exactly the Sox offered Devers, but it doesn’t require much imagination to figure that it was equally absurd. </span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="afqfs" data-offset-key="b8bip-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="b8bip-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="b8bip-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="afqfs" data-offset-key="6qi7a-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="6qi7a-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="6qi7a-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;">Clearly, Devers wants to remain in Boston, telling MassLive on Friday, "If that (staying in Boston) can happen, that would be great. We know the type of city Boston is. If it were up to me, I’d stay here my whole career. It’s a great city to play for, great fans, great ballpark. Everything that involves the organization is great, so I hope I can finish my career here because that’s what I want.”</span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="afqfs" data-offset-key="2eug8-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="2eug8-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="2eug8-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="afqfs" data-offset-key="8b6d0-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="8b6d0-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="8b6d0-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;">The Red Sox drew the line at $300 million for Mookie Betts, a more complete player than Devers. And they clearly feel burned by Chris Sale’s five-year, $145 million deal, which has a team option for 2025. The Sox extended Sale despite the lefty coming off an injury-plagued 2018 season, and his injuries have continued for the majority of the last four seasons.</span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="afqfs" data-offset-key="4udk7-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="4udk7-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="4udk7-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="afqfs" data-offset-key="2jj8m-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="2jj8m-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="2jj8m-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;">Devers and Sale are different players, with different bodies, at different positions, but the Red Sox seem to have a sense of “Once bitten, twice shy.” They got burned by the Pablo Sandoval and David Price contracts as well. </span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="afqfs" data-offset-key="ckuu4-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="ckuu4-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="ckuu4-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="afqfs" data-offset-key="7n5n9-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="7n5n9-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="7n5n9-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;">Since Chaim Bloom took control of baseball operations, the Red Sox' biggest outlay has been a six-year, $140 million deal for second baseman Trevor Story. Devers is clearly looking for a contract about twice as long and more than twice as expensive. The Red Sox don’t seem willing to go there. So, it looks like we’re nearing the end of Devers' stay in Boston.</span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="afqfs" data-offset-key="1m1t4-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="1m1t4-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="1m1t4-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="afqfs" data-offset-key="303co-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="303co-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="303co-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;">The Yankees must be salivating. Josh Donaldson’s contract comes off the books after next season, right when Devers reaches free agency. </span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="afqfs" data-offset-key="em3lb-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="em3lb-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="em3lb-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="afqfs" data-offset-key="dsde8-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="dsde8-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="dsde8-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;">Get ready, Red Sox fans. </span></span></div></div></div>Sean M. Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06825363372837634241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14570379.post-58471221980998405132022-04-09T09:54:00.049-07:002022-04-09T12:02:41.535-07:00Where Have MLB's Innings-Eaters Gone?<p> <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnh0RoWd8k0amPfLld6Xvq_WhIE479W0bquicfe-G_4dThk9UhHMCkaaBJha1UuMUXeN-9Y_0GUo35AbT9wyH7OekZuu3fs1fVoRWjrAYjy8r8pQUYjYfcXfK7_olzUClpobrbRlQTtGsm_bknegko80-bo_IOOddYlCJqn0XD3sPkkO07RGI/s800/190885498_hst.19.baseball-carlton_t1000.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="628" data-original-width="800" height="423" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnh0RoWd8k0amPfLld6Xvq_WhIE479W0bquicfe-G_4dThk9UhHMCkaaBJha1UuMUXeN-9Y_0GUo35AbT9wyH7OekZuu3fs1fVoRWjrAYjy8r8pQUYjYfcXfK7_olzUClpobrbRlQTtGsm_bknegko80-bo_IOOddYlCJqn0XD3sPkkO07RGI/w539-h423/190885498_hst.19.baseball-carlton_t1000.jpg" width="539" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: arial;">Steve Carlton threw 304 innings in 1980. He is the last big league pitcher to reach that mark.</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><p></p><div class="ApplePlainTextBody"><span style="font-family: arial;">There are 162 games in each MLB </span><span style="font-family: arial;">team's</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> regular season and nine innings per game — assuming there are no extra innings, which is beyond unlikely. But let’s play along with this assumption anyway.</span></div><div class="ApplePlainTextBody"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />This means each club will play at least 1,458 innings per season. That’s a significant burden on pitching staffs. Well, at least it is for modern pitching staffs. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="ApplePlainTextBody"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="ApplePlainTextBody"><span style="font-family: arial;">In the late 19th Century, starting pitchers would toss as many as 600 innings in a single season. Though it sounds fantastical, it was done 13 times. And big league starters threw at least 500 innings on 72 different occasions. Moreover, through the early 20th Century, starters tossed at least 400 innings 239 different times. These guys weren’t cyborgs; they were flesh and blood humans. But they still managed one hell of a heavy load. </span></div><div class="ApplePlainTextBody"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="ApplePlainTextBody"><span style="font-family: arial;">This isn't ancient history either. Throwing 300 per season was fairly routine throughout the 1970s.</span></div><div class="ApplePlainTextBody"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="ApplePlainTextBody"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="ApplePlainTextBody" style="font-family: -webkit-standard;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The Tigers’ Mickey Lolich threw 376 innings in 1971. The lefty also threw at least 300 innings for four consecutive seasons from 1971-1974. Lolich made at least 40 starts in four consecutive seasons, and he made at least 35 starts in seven of his 16 seasons. His career ended in 1979.</span></div></span></div><div class="ApplePlainTextBody"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="ApplePlainTextBody"><span style="font-family: arial;">In 1972, Wilbur Wood threw 376.2 innings for the White Sox. He followed that up with 359.1 innings the next season. In fact, Wood, who began his career with the Red Sox, pitched at least 300 innings for four consecutive seasons, and he made at least 40 starts for five consecutive seasons in the 1970s.</span></div><div class="ApplePlainTextBody"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="ApplePlainTextBody"><span style="font-family: arial;">Gaylord Perry threw </span><span style="font-family: arial;">344 innings in 1973, and tossed</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> at least 300 innings six times in a seven-year span. Perry made at least 40 starts in three seasons, and at least 35 starts in eleven seasons. His 22-year career didn’t end until 1983.</span></div><div class="ApplePlainTextBody"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="ApplePlainTextBody"><span style="font-family: arial;">Nolan Ryan, whose legendary fastball topped 100 mph, threw </span><span style="font-family: arial;">326 innings in 1973, followed by</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> 332.2 innings in 1974. Ryan also threw 299 innings in 1977. Throwing hard didn’t prevent him from going deep into games and making all of his starts. In fact, Ryan made at least 35 starts in eight seasons, and he made at least 30 starts 16 times in a 27-year career that ended in 1993.</span></div><div class="ApplePlainTextBody"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="ApplePlainTextBody"><span style="font-family: arial;">Phil Niekro threw 342 innings in 1979. Niekro exceeded 300 innings four times in a career that didn't end until 1987. Niekro made at least 40 starts in three seasons, and at least 35 starts in 11 of his 24 seasons. </span></div><div class="ApplePlainTextBody"><br /></div><div class="ApplePlainTextBody"><span style="font-family: arial;">Steve Carlton threw 346.1 innings for the Phillies in 1972. Eight years later, in 1980, the lefty once again broke the 300-innings threshold (304) and remains the last big leaguer to do so. Carlton twice made at least 40 starts, and he made at least 35 starts eleven times in a 24-year career didn't end until 1988. </span></div><div class="ApplePlainTextBody"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="ApplePlainTextBody"><span style="font-family: arial;">Until the 1980 season, the major league innings leader would routinely toss <b>at least</b> 300 innings per season. Year after year, what now seems impossible was regularly achieved. </span></div><div class="ApplePlainTextBody"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="ApplePlainTextBody"><span style="font-family: arial;">It's worth noting that up until the late 1960s/early '70s, most MLB teams still used four-man rotations, requiring pitchers to make more starts and throw more innings each year. </span></div><div class="ApplePlainTextBody"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="ApplePlainTextBody"><span style="font-family: arial;">These guys threw hard, they threw often, and still they had exceptionally long careers. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">However, all of that changed in the intervening decades. </span></div><div class="ApplePlainTextBody"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="ApplePlainTextBody"><span style="font-family: arial;">In the1990s, the innings leader in each league threw at least 250 innings 15 times times over that 10-year span. </span></div><div class="ApplePlainTextBody"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="ApplePlainTextBody"><span style="font-family: arial;">By the 2000s, the innings leader in each leaguer threw at least 250 innings just five times. You could already see the downward trend in innings pitched.</span></div><div class="ApplePlainTextBody"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="ApplePlainTextBody"><span style="font-family: arial;">Quite tellingly, since 2010, a big league pitcher has reached the 250-innings threshold just twice, and it last occurred in 2010 (Roy Halladay) and 2011 (Justin Verlander). It hasn’t been done since. </span></div><div class="ApplePlainTextBody"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="ApplePlainTextBody"><span style="font-family: arial;">To reach 300 innings, pitchers had to be able to regularly record complete games. That’s become an unrealistic expectation. The 1980s were the first time in MLB history that the number of saves outnumbered complete games. By 1995, there were nearly four saves for every complete game.</span></div><div class="ApplePlainTextBody"><span style="font-family: arial;"> <br />For the past three decades, starting pitchers have only been expected to give their clubs about 30 starts and roughly 200 innings per season, which has become the new milestone. This assumes that they remain healthy, which has become all the more unusual in recent years. </span></div><div class="ApplePlainTextBody"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="ApplePlainTextBody"><span style="font-family: arial;">It’s worth noting that a "quality start” is defined as lasting at least six innings, while allowing three or fewer runs. To be clear, three runs in six innings would result in a 4.50 ERA. That doesn’t really seem like “quality,” but it’s the state of the game today. </span></div><div class="ApplePlainTextBody"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="ApplePlainTextBody"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 36);">A starter who pitches a full season in a five-man rotation will generally tally, </span><span style="caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 36);">at most, 34 games started</span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 36);">. However, last season (2021) not a single pitcher made 34 starts. In 2019, just seven pitchers did so. </span></span></div><div class="ApplePlainTextBody"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />If a starting pitcher were to make 32 starts, tossing seven innings each time, he would amass 224 innings in a season. While that used to be a standard expectation, these days it seems like fantasy. Last season, just four pitchers threw at least 200 innings. In 2019, only 15 pitchers reached that threshold. These days, starting pitchers are expected to give their teams just six innings per start, </span><span style="font-family: arial;">at best,</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> which amounts to 192 innings over 32 starts.</span></div><div class="ApplePlainTextBody"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />Let's make a fantastical projection that all five starters each give their club 192 innings. That would amount to just 960 innings over the course of the season. <br /><br />But, as noted above, there are at least 1,458 innings in each season — assuming there are no extra innings games, which is an absurd projection. <br /><br />That </span><span style="font-family: arial;">498-inning</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> differential needs to be absorbed by the bullpen, and it's a pretty heavy load for a relief core. </span></div><div class="ApplePlainTextBody"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />By rule, teams are allowed just 13 pitchers on the 26-man roster (staffs used to be comprised by just nine or 10 pitchers). This means bullpens can now carry eight relievers at any given time. Of course, the makeup of the bullpen is subject to change over the duration of the season, but let’s play along simply as a thought experiment. <br /><br />If those eight relievers have to absorb those 498 innings, that amounts to 62.25 innings apiece. Last season, 91 pitchers in the majors made at least 60 appearances. While that may seem like a lot, remember that there are 30 teams, each possessing an eight-man bullpen. That means there are a minimum of 240 relievers across the majors. </span></div><div class="ApplePlainTextBody"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="ApplePlainTextBody"><span style="font-family: arial;">So, just 38% of relievers made at least 60 appearances last season. In other words, each member of an eight-man bullpen cannot realistically be expected to toss 62.25 innings per season. </span></div><div class="ApplePlainTextBody"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="ApplePlainTextBody"><span style="font-family: arial;">The solution isn’t to expand bullpens or to shuttle more players back and forth from the minors. The solution is to get starters throwing at least 200 innings per season again. Organizations need to stop </span><span style="font-family: arial;">focusing on strict 100-pitch limits, which could be </span><span style="font-family: arial;">achieved by ending the obsession with upper-90s fastballs. The focus on extreme heat has lead to a rash of elbow injuries and resulting Tommy John surgeries, which require about 15 months of recovery time. </span></div><div class="ApplePlainTextBody"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="ApplePlainTextBody"><span style="font-family: arial;">The focus should be on locating pitches, throwing strikes, being crafty and getting batters to chase pitches outside the strike zone. Ultimately, pitchers need to trust the defenses behind them.</span></div><div class="ApplePlainTextBody"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="ApplePlainTextBody"><span style="font-family: arial;">Being out of gas in the fifth or sixth inning is not acceptable. This must end. Excessive pitching substitutions aren’t just lengthening the game, they're ruining the game. </span></div><div class="ApplePlainTextBody"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="ApplePlainTextBody"><span style="font-family: arial;">Pitchers from the 1870s to the 1980s weren’t super human. They threw hard and they never heard of a pitch count. Except for an unusual injury, leaving a game before the eighth inning was complete was practically unheard of, and it was an embarrassment. These guys took pride in taking the ball every fourth or fifth day, routinely making 30-35 starts every year, and throwing 200-300 innings every season. </span></div><div class="ApplePlainTextBody"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="ApplePlainTextBody"><span style="font-family: arial;">It’s time for that sort of pride, and ability, to return. The game would be better for it. </span></div></div>Sean M. Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06825363372837634241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14570379.post-33324914239643437392022-03-20T08:56:00.028-07:002022-03-20T14:21:58.972-07:00Red Sox Sign Trevor Story, Their Most Important Acquisition This Offseason<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj6rUoP4jMs5QtcDM4PPfbCXdrP1wo-SlE1huplubWOmngJcR975KKJNCEF9WPFQC7p3uCK1pQlX88sharMggOv6Xz4ck_Q23QuRqZD7X2yisJJnm_J42NxsDBkksbXsaUnOCFOvfpZf5NbDrrYCtttzErXpUzWRLtjtcbC7JbstGicNCYOpXk=s3200" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2133" data-original-width="3200" height="349" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj6rUoP4jMs5QtcDM4PPfbCXdrP1wo-SlE1huplubWOmngJcR975KKJNCEF9WPFQC7p3uCK1pQlX88sharMggOv6Xz4ck_Q23QuRqZD7X2yisJJnm_J42NxsDBkksbXsaUnOCFOvfpZf5NbDrrYCtttzErXpUzWRLtjtcbC7JbstGicNCYOpXk=w524-h349" width="524" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div data-block="true" data-editor="6sbab" data-offset-key="2e2ui-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="2e2ui-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><div data-block="true" data-editor="6sbab" data-offset-key="2e2ui-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="2e2ui-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The<span data-offset-key="2e2ui-1-0"> Red Sox are in agreement with Trevor Story on a six-year, $140 million deal that has a unique opt-out clause. Story can opt out of the deal a</span></span><span style="font-family: arial;">fter four years</span><span style="font-family: arial;">, but Boston can negate the opt-out by picking up a $20 million seventh-year option, making it a seven-year, $160 million deal. Story will not receive a no-trade clause in the deal. </span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="6sbab" data-offset-key="78pbj-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="78pbj-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="78pbj-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="6sbab" data-offset-key="e5dr-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="e5dr-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><div data-block="true" data-editor="d8a3k" data-offset-key="bm9sj-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); white-space: normal;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="bm9sj-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div data-block="true" data-editor="e5slm" data-offset-key="bm9sj-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5);"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="bm9sj-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Whether<span data-offset-key="bm9sj-1-0"> Story opts out after four seasons or stays for all seven, the average annual value (AAV) of this pact is a very reasonable $22.86 million, which is a great deal for Boston. Avoiding a no-trade clause also benefits Boston.</span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="e5slm" data-offset-key="f7pq2-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5);"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="f7pq2-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="f7pq2-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="e5slm" data-offset-key="bqrvg-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5);"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="bqrvg-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="bqrvg-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;">Since the Rockies made a qualifying offer that Story rejected, the Red Sox will forfeit their second-highest pick and and will have their international signing bonus pool reduced by $500K.</span></span></div></div></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="d8a3k" data-offset-key="2sdee-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); white-space: normal;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="2sdee-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="2sdee-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="d8a3k" data-offset-key="fa5br-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); white-space: normal;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="fa5br-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="fa5br-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;">Story will play second base, with Xander Bogaerts continuing to man shortstop, giving the Red Sox one of the best middle infields in baseball. It's worth noting that Alex Cora played 530 career games at second, which will provide Story plenty of useful coaching and insight as he seeks to make this transition during a shortened spring training. </span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="d8a3k" data-offset-key="33op0-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); white-space: normal;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="33op0-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="33op0-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="d8a3k" data-offset-key="90utc-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); white-space: normal;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="90utc-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="90utc-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;">Story’s addition gives the Red Sox lineup, which lost Hunter Renfroe's 31 homers and 96 RBI, some much needed punch. He represents a massive upgrade over Christian Arroyo at second, and he offers Boston an option when Bogaerts undoubtedly opts out of his contract at season's end. </span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="d8a3k" data-offset-key="4a0nt-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); white-space: normal;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="4a0nt-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="4a0nt-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="d8a3k" data-offset-key="c2rf5-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); white-space: normal;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="c2rf5-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="c2rf5-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;">Story has belted at least 24 homers in every season since his 2016 debut (high of 37 in 2018), with the exception of the shortened 2020 season, when he hit 11. Yet, that still put him on pace to hit about 28 homers over the course of a normal season. Story has posted an OPS of at least .900 in three of his six seasons, and slugged at least .500 in four of them. </span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="d8a3k" data-offset-key="1lj5l-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); white-space: normal;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="1lj5l-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="1lj5l-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="d8a3k" data-offset-key="fclpf-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); white-space: normal;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="fclpf-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="fclpf-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;">The 2021 season, when he slashed .251/.329/.471, was considered a down year by Story's lofty standards. Yet, he still produced a 4.2 WAR, which is considered All Star caliber. The glove still matters and Story is a gifted all-around player. </span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="d8a3k" data-offset-key="rn5c-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); white-space: normal;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="rn5c-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="rn5c-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="d8a3k" data-offset-key="8ajdf-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); white-space: normal;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="8ajdf-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="8ajdf-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;">Like most of the great hitters who’ve thrived at Coors Field, Story will face questions about how he’ll fare away from Denver. </span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="d8a3k" data-offset-key="45m88-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); white-space: normal;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="45m88-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="45m88-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="d8a3k" data-offset-key="d5eoc-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); white-space: normal;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="d5eoc-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="d5eoc-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;">Story hit .303 at home, but just .241 outside of Colorado. He also posted a .972 OPS in the Mile High City, but just a .752 OPS on the road.</span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="d8a3k" data-offset-key="fo5hb-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); white-space: normal;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="fo5hb-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="fo5hb-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="d8a3k" data-offset-key="1o71p-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); white-space: normal;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="1o71p-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="1o71p-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;">However, plenty of hitters have left the advantageous environment of Coors Field and continued to succeed — Matt Holliday, DJ LeMahieu, Nolan Arenado, Corey Dickerson, Seth Smith, Dexter Fowler, and Chris Iannetta among them.</span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="d8a3k" data-offset-key="4g2cu-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); white-space: normal;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="4g2cu-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="4g2cu-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="d8a3k" data-offset-key="9vooi-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); white-space: normal;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="9vooi-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="9vooi-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;">Additionally, Story is also a stolen base threat, having swiped at least 20 bases in three of the last four seasons. The only year he missed 20 swipes was 2020, when he still led the NL with 15 stolen bases. That’s amazing an amazing total for just 60 games. </span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="d8a3k" data-offset-key="17uua-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); white-space: normal;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="17uua-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="17uua-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="d8a3k" data-offset-key="62nru-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); white-space: normal;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="62nru-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="62nru-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;">For comparison, the Red Sox, as a team, had 31 stolen bases in 2020 and just 40 in 2021. Story will open up a whole new dimension for them. </span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="d8a3k" data-offset-key="4l272-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); white-space: normal;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="4l272-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="4l272-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="d8a3k" data-offset-key="59m2s-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); white-space: normal;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="59m2s-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="59m2s-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;">The main concern might be Story's elbow, which was problematic last year due to inflammation. Some MLB insiders think that, going forward, he may be best suited for the less demanding second base. Yet, the Sox had to be okay with his medicals. Now they have a chance to see how the second base experiment works out this season. </span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="6sbab" data-offset-key="9d7ok-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="9d7ok-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="9d7ok-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="6sbab" data-offset-key="2ua9j-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="2ua9j-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="2ua9j-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;">It will be really interesting to see what the Sox do with Bogaerts now. Will they top Story’s contract to keep him in Boston or let him walk? Like Story, Bogaerts is also 29 and will surely be looking for a deal that would pay him at least $30 million annually and run for at least six years. It should be noted that Bogaerts is represented by Scott Boras. </span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="6sbab" data-offset-key="ehkih-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="ehkih-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="ehkih-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="6sbab" data-offset-key="cebfp-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="cebfp-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="cebfp-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;">We'd all like to see Bogaerts finish his career in Boston, but with Jeter Downs and Marcello Mayer in the pipeline, the Sox may not want to commit longterm to a player who is already showing a defensive decline. </span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="6sbab" data-offset-key="8icsr-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="8icsr-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="8icsr-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="6sbab" data-offset-key="45udd-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="45udd-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="45udd-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;">Defensive metrics weren’t kind to Bogaerts last season, as he ranked 16th among shortstops in the Majors by defensive runs saved at minus-5, per FanGraphs. However, he made only nine errors in 523 chances, logging 1,169 innings. Consequently, Bogaerts had a fielding percentage of .983, his second best in nine years on the job. </span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="6sbab" data-offset-key="chtah-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="chtah-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="chtah-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="6sbab" data-offset-key="c0nd7-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="c0nd7-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="c0nd7-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;">On the other hand, fielding percentage is an antiquated way of evaluating defense and the advanced metrics have always been harsh in rating Bogaerts. Players generally aren’t charged with an error if they don’t get to the ball to begin with. The more modern metrics penalize Bogaerts for being a step slow to the ball or being out of position.</span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="6sbab" data-offset-key="dfk9u-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="dfk9u-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="dfk9u-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="6sbab" data-offset-key="eupdt-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="eupdt-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="eupdt-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;">Since entering the league in 2013, Bogaerts has produced -50 defensive runs saved, by far the worst among qualified shortstops in that time frame.</span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="6sbab" data-offset-key="5abuc-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="5abuc-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="5abuc-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="6sbab" data-offset-key="eem3q-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="eem3q-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="eem3q-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;">Bogaerts, Boston's primary shortstop for nearly a decade, was asked this week how he'd feel about Story joining the Red Sox. He sounded quite positive.</span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="6sbab" data-offset-key="4hkg8-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="4hkg8-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="4hkg8-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="6sbab" data-offset-key="298u5-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="298u5-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="298u5-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;">“He’s a big bat," Bogaerts aid. "We know what he does defensively already. I think that bat would play really well at Fenway just with that short porch over there. He has a nice swing that’s kind of built for that. It would be nice if we could get an addition like that after some of the big names that we lost to free agency or traded away.”</span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="6sbab" data-offset-key="741f4-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="741f4-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="741f4-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="6sbab" data-offset-key="d6887-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="d6887-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="d6887-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;">"That’s a big boy," Bogaerts said of the 6-2, 213lb Story. "That’s a big bat right there. That’s an impact player.”</span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="6sbab" data-offset-key="cr9ds-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="cr9ds-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="cr9ds-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="6sbab" data-offset-key="9aomp-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="9aomp-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="9aomp-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;">Those don’t sound like the words of a player who feels threatened or jealous. Bogaerts will probably be even more supportive now that he's assured of remaining at shortstop this season. </span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="6sbab" data-offset-key="135nu-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="135nu-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="135nu-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="6sbab" data-offset-key="4ugv1-0-0"></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="6sbab" data-offset-key="ard80-0-0"></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="6sbab" data-offset-key="5654c-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="5654c-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="5654c-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;">The addition of Story will likely light a fire under Bogaerts, who will be auditioning for a long-term pact and knows that the baseball world is watching. How will he fare defensively this season? Second baseman are less valuable than shortstops, and Bogaerts knows this.</span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="6sbab" data-offset-key="8o5ol-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="8o5ol-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="8o5ol-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="6sbab" data-offset-key="aif14-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="aif14-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5);"><span style="font-family: arial;">Boston has a lot of payroll flexibility coming its way starting next season, when JD Martinez, Nathan Eovaldi, Jackie Bradley Jr., Christian Vazquez, Enrique Hernandez, Michael Wacha, Rich Hill, Matt Strahm and Kevin Plawecki all come off the books. A potential Bogaerts opt-out could result in their payroll plummeting to just $60 million, leaving a huge amount of money to fill out the team’s active roster next year.</span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="6sbab" data-offset-key="3c6qe-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="3c6qe-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="3c6qe-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="6sbab" data-offset-key="57s0f-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="57s0f-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="57s0f-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;">Translation: There’s still plenty of money for Bogaerts. There's plenty of money for a number of great players in Boston next year and beyond.</span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="6sbab" data-offset-key="2o53i-0-0" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"></div><div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><div data-block="true" data-editor="68g7v" data-offset-key="22lkg-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="22lkg-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><br /></div></div></div></div>Sean M. Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06825363372837634241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14570379.post-79157954660227294052022-02-05T13:22:00.016-08:002022-02-05T13:43:06.760-08:00Red Sox Desperately Need Outfield Help<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjog7upkL7op1qlHnuAjGxYZYA9pfZ2V9mDrIUgE1u0eqKDb8lm99BtSMj6roHvMe94C9VdQShKMsGgm3Fl_JN1WbyrZ2N5_UnV0FUr2j_2Kp6XpC0Ck-pSUb5OgLY7JHQve2PPVUfU_JnAZ5e_zuIyPY6_nmQ975TigsnulJ6O_0cp8ROmyDk=s800" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="800" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjog7upkL7op1qlHnuAjGxYZYA9pfZ2V9mDrIUgE1u0eqKDb8lm99BtSMj6roHvMe94C9VdQShKMsGgm3Fl_JN1WbyrZ2N5_UnV0FUr2j_2Kp6XpC0Ck-pSUb5OgLY7JHQve2PPVUfU_JnAZ5e_zuIyPY6_nmQ975TigsnulJ6O_0cp8ROmyDk=w556-h418" width="556" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><i>Japanese outfielder Seiya Suzuki checks all the boxes for Boston</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">The Red Sox outfield mix currently consists of Enrique Hernandez, Alex Verdugo, and Jackie Bradley Jr., who no longer profiles as an everyday player. Then there’s JD Martinez and rookie Jarren Duran.</span></p><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">Bradley will most likely be a fourth outfielder and late-inning defensive substitute this season. The 31-year-old’s batting average and on-base percentage declined every season from 2016 through 2019. His slugging percentage also peaked in 2016 and fell from there. That long decline culminated with the worst season of his career in 2021, when Bradley slashed a woeful .163/.236/.261. At this point, Bradley is an automatic out and a black hole in any lineup, other than a high school team. But he can still defend with the best of them. </div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">After a brilliant run at Triple-A, Duran wilted during his call-up to the majors last summer. The 25-year-old slash<span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(42, 42, 42); letter-spacing: 0.23399998247623444px;">ed .215/.241/.336/.578, with two home runs, two triples, three doubles, <b>40 strikeouts and four walks</b> in 33 games (112 plate appearances) last season.</span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(42, 42, 42); letter-spacing: 0.23399998247623444px;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(42, 42, 42); letter-spacing: 0.23399998247623444px;">Duran was plagued by too many strikeouts and too few walks, as evidenced by his </span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(42, 42, 42); letter-spacing: 0.23399998247623444px;">35.7% strikeout percentage and 3.6% walk percentage. </span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(42, 42, 42); letter-spacing: 0.23399998247623444px;">League-wide,</span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(42, 42, 42); letter-spacing: 0.23399998247623444px;"> r</span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(42, 42, 42); letter-spacing: 0.23399998247623444px;">ookies averaged a 27.3% and 7.8%, respectively, last season.</span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(42, 42, 42); letter-spacing: 0.23399998247623444px;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(42, 42, 42); letter-spacing: 0.23399998247623444px;">Duran discovered a previously untapped power stroke last year in the minors, but that inevitably led to a lot of swings and misses at the big league level. He’ll need to gain much better control of the strike zone to have success in the majors. The jury is still out on that. As a result, he's likely to start this season back in the minors. </span></span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(42, 42, 42); letter-spacing: 0.23399998247623444px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.23399998247623444px;">Then there’s Martinez, who’s been used sparingly in the outfield since his 2018 arrival in Boston. </span></span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><b>JD Martinez, Outfield Appearances with Red Sox</b><div><br /></div><div>2018 - 57 starts</div><div>2019 - 38 games (37 starts) </div><div>2020 - 6 starts (60-game season)</div><div>2021 - 36 games (35 starts)</div></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">As you can see, Martinez’s outfield usage has steadily declined, notwithstanding the shortened 2020 season. </div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">Martinez is a capable corner outfielder, but defense has never been his calling card. The Red Sox, wary of his previous lisfranc foot injury, have wisely limited his outfield assignments, lessening his chance of re-injury and keeping his steady bat in the lineup. At this point, the 34-year-old could be considered a fifth outfielder.</div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">Hernandez was brought to Boston with the intention of becoming the team's everyday second baseman. But his extraordinary skill in center field couldn’t be resisted, as he played Gold Glove caliber defense there. Yet, while second baseman Christian Vazquez showed flashes in 2021, he was frequently injured and appeared in just 57 games. Ultimately, Vazquez's major league experience is so limited (142 games over five seasons), that he cannot realistically be relied upon. This means the Red Sox may be compelled to shift Hernandez back to second base at some point this year. Yet, that would eliminate what is, perhaps, their best outfield option. </div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">That leaves Verdugo as the only reliable, everyday option in Boston’s outfield. </div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">When looked at comprehensively, the picture suddenly becomes quite clear. All of this points to the fact that the Red Sox are very much in need of another everyday outfielder, particularly one with enough versatility to play both corner outfield spots on any given day. </div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">Kyle Schwarber is a worse outfielder than Martinez; he is certainly not the answer. </div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">Another free agent option is Nick Castellanos, who is as bad or worse than Schwarber defensively. Then there’s World Series MVP Jose Soler, who has a .246 batting average and .331 OBP after eight seasons, making him more of a problem than a solution. The remaining free agent options become even less enticing from there. The best free-agent outfielders were quickly signed before the lockout began on Dec. 2. </div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">Japanese outfielder Seiya Suzuki checks all the boxes for Boston, as he surely does for many other major league clubs. Suzuki has won five Gold Gloves in Japan, while displaying excellent offensive skills. <span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68);">Over the past four seasons, the 27-year-old Suzuki has slashed .319/.435/.592, with 121 home runs and 115 doubles. He also exhibits great plate discipline, walking in </span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68);">16.1% of his plate appearances, while striking out just 16.4% of the time. </span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68);"> </span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68);"> </span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">There will be a lot of competition for Suzuki, who may prefer to play for a West Coast team with spring training facilities in Arizona. That would obviously work against the Red Sox. They may have to make him an offer he can’t refuse. </div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">For what it’s worth, MLB Trade Rumors projects a five-year, $55 million contract for Suzuki. It would be nice if the suddenly low-budget Red Sox were the highest bidder for a player they really need, one who checks all the boxes on their list. </div>Sean M. Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06825363372837634241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14570379.post-92213164783113612012021-11-01T13:00:00.010-07:002021-11-01T13:05:44.052-07:00Rule Changes That Can Improve MLB<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfqhm6iV_sYXvNFlsuPmgHGSDMhO28lB6ZN6Kat-kLoToz3lJSyCxLX14CsHWqjymaHdgePZ2PgIzbjVHMHUJIlStdqWILvh0VJom4bDwIfSYhOPijBwCbI0Pv3RXa7ZM-4MoShw/s2642/MLB-logo.jpg.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1191" data-original-width="2642" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfqhm6iV_sYXvNFlsuPmgHGSDMhO28lB6ZN6Kat-kLoToz3lJSyCxLX14CsHWqjymaHdgePZ2PgIzbjVHMHUJIlStdqWILvh0VJom4bDwIfSYhOPijBwCbI0Pv3RXa7ZM-4MoShw/w563-h253/MLB-logo.jpg.webp" width="563" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;">Over the past half-century, the average length of an MLB game has risen from about 2 1/2 hours to 3 hours and 11 minutes. Meanwhile, the number of balls in play has dwindled. Hits are near historic lows and strikeouts at historic highs.</span></span></p><div><div data-block="true" data-editor="ff869" data-offset-key="1c36a-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="1c36a-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="1c36a-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">According to MLB, the time between batted balls has reached an average of nearly four minutes, up by almost a minute from two decades ago. </span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="ff869" data-offset-key="asbid-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="asbid-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="asbid-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="ff869" data-offset-key="91j98-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="91j98-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="91j98-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">The game has simply become slow and boring, with too little action. </span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="ff869" data-offset-key="cakrt-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="cakrt-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="cakrt-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="ff869" data-offset-key="7to6t-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="7to6t-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="7to6t-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">MLB's own surveys show that fans most want to see triples and steals, both of which rarely occur these days. </span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="ff869" data-offset-key="9u69v-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="9u69v-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="9u69v-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="ff869" data-offset-key="fckpp-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="fckpp-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="fckpp-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">Three players tied for the major league with eight triples this season, and just 14 players had as many as five. </span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="ff869" data-offset-key="c3mqk-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="c3mqk-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="c3mqk-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="ff869" data-offset-key="bdcaf-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="bdcaf-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="bdcaf-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">Not a single player stole 50 bases this season and just two stole at least 40; Starling Marte swiped 47 bags and Whit Merrifield stole exactly 40.</span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="ff869" data-offset-key="d8j4f-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="d8j4f-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="d8j4f-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="ff869" data-offset-key="60ibp-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="60ibp-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="60ibp-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">Here are some rule changes that would benefit baseball:</span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="ff869" data-offset-key="9vnf4-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="9vnf4-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="9vnf4-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="ff869" data-offset-key="dhr7m-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="dhr7m-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="dhr7m-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><b>Universal Designated Hitter</b></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="ff869" data-offset-key="c9ig2-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="c9ig2-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="c9ig2-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="ff869" data-offset-key="ebp2e-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="ebp2e-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="ebp2e-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">Out of the 713 pitchers who appeared in the big leagues in 2021, just 20 had at least 50 at-bats and a mere two had at least 60 at-bats. Seventeen of them batted below .200; 13 of them batted below .150; and six of them batted below .100.</span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="ff869" data-offset-key="5jj00-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="5jj00-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="5jj00-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="ff869" data-offset-key="ei4em-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="ei4em-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><span data-offset-key="ei4em-0-0">Pitchers are essentially an automatic out. Their at bats are an exercise in futility in a game that already has far too few hits. </span><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); white-space: normal;">It’s time for a universal DH.</span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="ff869" data-offset-key="73tv8-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="73tv8-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="73tv8-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="ff869" data-offset-key="9si3u-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="9si3u-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="9si3u-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><b>Automated Strike Zone</b></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="ff869" data-offset-key="cbd11-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="cbd11-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="cbd11-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="ff869" data-offset-key="3ipv9-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="3ipv9-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="3ipv9-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">Strike zones are inconsistent across baseball and have become subjective, catering to the whims of the umpires behind the plate. Making the correct call is vital to the game and incorrect calls are affecting games. </span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="ff869" data-offset-key="ek74h-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="ek74h-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="ek74h-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="ff869" data-offset-key="a68tc-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="a68tc-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="a68tc-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">Umpires would remain behind the plate to call runners safe or out, to determine if a batter was hit by a pitch, and to call check swings or misses. </span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="ff869" data-offset-key="f129e-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="f129e-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="f129e-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="ff869" data-offset-key="f3bjq-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="f3bjq-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="f3bjq-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><b>Pitch Clock</b></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="ff869" data-offset-key="8h7el-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="8h7el-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="8h7el-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="ff869" data-offset-key="bp10c-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="bp10c-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="bp10c-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">Football and basketball both have play clocks to keep the action rolling. Why not baseball as well, the slowest of the team sports? Many fans don't realize that there is already a rule on the books governing this. </span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="ff869" data-offset-key="3fh88-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="3fh88-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="3fh88-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="ff869" data-offset-key="emcu0-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="emcu0-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="emcu0-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">Rule 8.04 states:</span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="ff869" data-offset-key="2urcd-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="2urcd-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="2urcd-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="ff869" data-offset-key="8a7pv-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="8a7pv-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="8a7pv-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">"When the bases are unoccupied, the pitcher shall deliver the ball to the batter within 12 seconds after he receives the ball. Each time the pitcher delays the game by violating this rule, the umpire shall call “Ball.”</span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="ff869" data-offset-key="8shdm-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="8shdm-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="8shdm-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="ff869" data-offset-key="50csg-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="50csg-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="50csg-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">"The 12-second timing starts when the pitcher is in possession of the ball and the batter is in the box, alert to the pitcher. The timing stops when the pitcher releases the ball.</span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="ff869" data-offset-key="4pi9u-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="4pi9u-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="4pi9u-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="ff869" data-offset-key="8a3rh-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="8a3rh-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="8a3rh-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">"The intent of this rule is to avoid unnecessary delays. The umpire shall insist that the catcher return the ball promptly to the pitcher, and that the pitcher take his position on the rubber promptly. Obvious delay by the pitcher should instantly be penalized by the umpire."</span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="8a3rh-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="8a3rh-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="8a3rh-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="8a3rh-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;">It's time to enforce it. </span></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="ff869" data-offset-key="5ngkm-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="5ngkm-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><br /></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="ff869" data-offset-key="19q3n-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="19q3n-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="19q3n-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><b>No More Warmup Pitches for Relievers Entering the Game</b></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="ff869" data-offset-key="cjpp-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="cjpp-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="cjpp-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="ff869" data-offset-key="8m39c-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="8m39c-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="8m39c-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">This is why there's a bullpen... for warming up.</span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="ff869" data-offset-key="ds80k-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="ds80k-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="ds80k-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="ff869" data-offset-key="3b161-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="3b161-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="3b161-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><b>Ban Defensive Shifts</b></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="ff869" data-offset-key="5ss02-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="5ss02-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="5ss02-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="ff869" data-offset-key="e59b4-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="e59b4-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="e59b4-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">Two infielders must be positioned on each side of second base, and all four must remain on the dirt until the ball is hit. Shifts are killing offense, making the game boring and predictable. </span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="ff869" data-offset-key="espig-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="espig-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="espig-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="ff869" data-offset-key="8nga8-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="8nga8-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="8nga8-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><b>Make all Salaries Merit Based</b></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="ff869" data-offset-key="7hf6i-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="7hf6i-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="7hf6i-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="ff869" data-offset-key="edq6u-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="edq6u-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="edq6u-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">If a rookie has a breakout year and is top-10 in multiple categories, he should be paid like a top-10 player; no need to wait for arbitration or free agency. On the other hand, aging, underperforming veterans should not be making tens of millions per year. Pay must be tied to performance. This might require abandoning the Luxury Tax Threshold. Yet, owners might appreciate paying for current performance, rather than past performance.</span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="edq6u-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="edq6u-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="edq6u-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="edq6u-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><b><span data-offset-key="c63dv-0-0"><span data-text="true">Implement a Salary </span></span><span data-offset-key="c63dv-1-0"><span data-text="true">Floor</span></span></b></span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="edq6u-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="edq6u-0-0"><span data-offset-key="c63dv-1-0"><span data-text="true"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="edq6u-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><span data-offset-key="edq6u-0-0"><span data-offset-key="c63dv-1-0"><span data-text="true"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); white-space: normal;">The problem with MLB's </span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); white-space: normal;">revenue-sharing model</span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); white-space: normal;"> is that teams aren’t required to reinvest that money directly into improving the on-field product. Perhaps a specific figure for the floor, say $100 million, is too arbitrary or difficult for some small market clubs to meet. Yet, </span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); white-space: normal;">mandating that all teams that receive </span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); white-space: normal;">revenue-sharing money</span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); white-space: normal;"> must allocate a certain percentage of it directly towards players' salaries would help to improve the competitive balance in baseball.</span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="edq6u-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); white-space: normal;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="edq6u-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="edq6u-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="edq6u-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span data-offset-key="edq6u-0-0"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: small;">Major League Baseball has lots of work to do to bring fans back into parks and viewers to television screens. The sport’s popularity has been steadily declining and even the World Series' ratings have regular</span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 36);">ly</span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 36);"> fallen since 2003, dropping to a new low of 5.1 in 2020. Whereas the 2003 World Series averaged 25.47 million viewers, the 2020 World Series averaged just 9.78 million. </span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="edq6u-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="edq6u-0-0"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 36); white-space: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="edq6u-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="edq6u-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 36); white-space: normal;">MLB welcomed fans back into the stands in 2021, but attendance was at a generational low. The league saw </span><span style="caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 36); white-space: normal;">45.3 million fans attend regular-season games</span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 36); white-space: normal;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 36); white-space: normal;">in 2021, a 33.9% drop from the 68.5 million in 2019, and the lowest figure since 1984.</span></span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="edq6u-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="edq6u-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="edq6u-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="edq6u-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;">Changes are long overdue. The current Collective Bargaining Agreement expires one month from today (Dec. 1). Let’s hope the owners and players recognize how serious their predicament really is, and that they take action to make the game more attractive and entertaining for younger and older fans alike. </span></span></span></div></div></div>Sean M. Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06825363372837634241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14570379.post-61226626565305333902021-10-26T16:50:00.018-07:002022-02-12T11:30:13.236-08:00MLB Has Become Slow, Plodding and Boring. It Needs Help, Now.<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEbfbrZgFZfCHXHYS9mVzXXljECCCa4n_OaFGNyX3CjD6V_4GyXLG2NJNLAWecvMs3d3aMR-fcJWn4Fe-i08KjkMCS5ggKZlXEA1C7Yi9lx55D8MuJohgd28rL3qgnPbTaX6OiGw/s2000/baseball.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1334" data-original-width="2000" height="391" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEbfbrZgFZfCHXHYS9mVzXXljECCCa4n_OaFGNyX3CjD6V_4GyXLG2NJNLAWecvMs3d3aMR-fcJWn4Fe-i08KjkMCS5ggKZlXEA1C7Yi9lx55D8MuJohgd28rL3qgnPbTaX6OiGw/w587-h391/baseball.jpeg" width="587" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div data-block="true" data-editor="479se" data-offset-key="3ch1r-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="3ch1r-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">Baseball has always had a decided advantage for pitchers. After all, the most elite hitters of all time might have gotten a hit just 35% of the time. But the advantage now enjoyed by pitchers is ruining the game. </span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="3ch1r-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="3ch1r-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">Just<span data-offset-key="3ch1r-2-0"> 14 Major League hitters batted at least .300 this season. There are 30 teams, each with a 26-man roster. So there are at least 780 players. Again, just 14 of them were able to manage a hit at least 30% of the time.</span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="479se" data-offset-key="65lni-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="65lni-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="65lni-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="479se" data-offset-key="2ekft-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="2ekft-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="2ekft-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;">Across the majors this season, there were 42,145 strikeouts, and just 39,481 hits. Yes, there were actually more strikeouts than hits in Major League Baseball this year. This trend has really screwed up the game. </span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="479se" data-offset-key="c4ep0-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="c4ep0-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="c4ep0-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="479se" data-offset-key="e4gal-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="e4gal-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="e4gal-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;">As recently as 2008, there were just 32,884 strikeouts across the majors. So, the game now endures nearly 10,000 more strikeouts per season than it did just 13 years ago. </span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="479se" data-offset-key="1u8ec-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="1u8ec-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="1u8ec-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="479se" data-offset-key="5mmmf-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="5mmmf-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="5mmmf-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;">The league-wide batting average was just .244 this season, the lowest since 1972, after which the American League instituted the designated hitter. In response to the .242 batting average in 1967, MLB lowered the mound 10 inches to aid hitters. What will the league do this time? </span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="479se" data-offset-key="489v-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="489v-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="489v-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="479se" data-offset-key="2ddd8-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="2ddd8-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="2ddd8-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;">For decades, Major League Baseball’s strikeout rate was roughly 15%-16%. These days, MLB hitters are striking out in roughly a quarter of all plate appearances (23.2% this year).</span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="479se" data-offset-key="6ga5d-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="6ga5d-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="6ga5d-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="479se" data-offset-key="89vfu-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="89vfu-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="89vfu-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;">The level of ineptitude by major league hitters is just stunning. </span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="479se" data-offset-key="c6h5e-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="c6h5e-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="c6h5e-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="479se" data-offset-key="3s267-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="3s267-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="3s267-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;">The game is plagued by the Three True Outcomes: strikeouts, walks, and home runs. In fact, 36% of all plate appearances in 2021 ended with one of those three outcomes, as did 35% in 2019. </span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="479se" data-offset-key="9pj66-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="9pj66-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="9pj66-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="479se" data-offset-key="b13j-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="b13j-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="b13j-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;">There were 5,944 home runs in the majors this year, the third-highest total of all time. The two higher totals came in 2017 (6,105) and 2019 (6,776). Do you spot a trend? </span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="479se" data-offset-key="6s987-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="6s987-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="6s987-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="479se" data-offset-key="lgnj-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="lgnj-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span data-offset-key="lgnj-0-0">While home runs may be exciting, just as with walks and strikeouts, the ball is not put in play. In all three instances t</span>he defense merely watches, and there are a LOT of these instances these days. </span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="479se" data-offset-key="52dhi-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="52dhi-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="52dhi-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="479se" data-offset-key="bslps-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="bslps-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="bslps-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;">Baseball has become slow, plodding and boring. And this is coming from someone who loves the game, who grew up on the game, and who played through high school. </span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="bslps-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="bslps-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="bslps-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="bslps-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div data-block="true" data-editor="479se" data-offset-key="3bbv7-0-0" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; white-space: normal;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="3bbv7-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="3bbv7-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;">Hitters should be compelled to stop swinging for the fences in every at-bat and simply put the ball in play. We need more runners on base, more steals, more sacrifices, more moving runners to the next base, and more runs via small ball. Simply put, we need more action! </span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="479se" data-offset-key="439mh-0-0" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; white-space: normal;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="439mh-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="439mh-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="479se" data-offset-key="v1o3-0-0" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; white-space: normal;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="v1o3-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span data-offset-key="v1o3-0-0" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: small;">Urging pitchers to throw 98-MPH fastballs isn’t just leading to lots of strikeouts; it's leading to a rash of Tommy John Surgeries. A <a href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1gQujXQQGOVNaiuwSN680Hq-FDVsCwvN-3AazykOBON0/edit#gid=0">whopping 105</a> major league and minor league players had UCL surgery in 2021. As of 2015, </span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); white-space: pre-wrap;">one-third of all MLB pitchers had undergone Tommy John surgery, according to Baseball Reference. It’s time to get back to the craft of pitching, not just hurling and flame-throwing. </span></span></span></span></div></div></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="479se" data-offset-key="329bg-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="329bg-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="329bg-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="479se" data-offset-key="4puju-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="4puju-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="4puju-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;">There is an opportunity in the upcoming Collective Bargaining Agreement to fix some of what ails baseball. </span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="479se" data-offset-key="bspn9-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="bspn9-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="bspn9-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="479se" data-offset-key="2s66f-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="2s66f-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="2s66f-0-0" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Banning defensive shifts would be a start. Batters are no longer talented enough to avoid shifts. They can't even make contact </span></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">anymore! A</span></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> new rule should mandate that two infielders must be on each side of second base, and on the dirt.</span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="479se" data-offset-key="70n18-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="70n18-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="70n18-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="479se" data-offset-key="cpg4i-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="cpg4i-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="cpg4i-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial;">It’s also time to let computers call balls and strikes; the umps all have different strike zones and get the calls wrong far too often. The technology exists. Everyone at home can see the strike zone box on TV. The calls should be accurate every time, but they're not. It’s affecting the game. </span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="479se" data-offset-key="v1o3-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="v1o3-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="v1o3-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); white-space: pre-wrap;">Lastly, the 12-second pitch clock, </span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: arial; white-space: pre-wrap;">which is already in the MLB rule book (<a href="http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/downloads/y2007/08_the_pitcher.pdf">Rule 8.04</a>),</span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: arial; white-space: pre-wrap;"> must be strictly enforced. Football has a play clock and basketball has one too, and they're enforced. It’s time for baseball to start enforcing its own rule too. </span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="v1o3-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: arial; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="v1o3-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: arial; white-space: pre-wrap;">Long, slow, plodding baseball games must be made a thing of the past. It’s time. </span></div></div><p><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></p>Sean M. Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06825363372837634241noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14570379.post-83477308410480876922021-10-24T06:17:00.006-07:002021-10-24T06:27:38.806-07:00The Red Sox Didn't Really Come Up Short This Year; They Overachieved<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEuMiP-uPv1jenSIQ3w4pLuluDJrVjhMtdN2-JTHf4xBaRLMTPSiIHIWeZeTLv0y8vkHUcyXswQmfIUD33069dRHAlgPLlbY4736NMKsXvwecxT_SM1JcaKxoXYENdnJjKlga3fA/s720/1634015835_617214_noticia_normal_recorte1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="405" data-original-width="720" height="351" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEuMiP-uPv1jenSIQ3w4pLuluDJrVjhMtdN2-JTHf4xBaRLMTPSiIHIWeZeTLv0y8vkHUcyXswQmfIUD33069dRHAlgPLlbY4736NMKsXvwecxT_SM1JcaKxoXYENdnJjKlga3fA/w624-h351/1634015835_617214_noticia_normal_recorte1.jpg" width="624" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><div data-block="true" data-editor="bobi0" data-offset-key="18k7d-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); font-family: Helvetica; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="18k7d-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span data-offset-key="18k7d-0-0">When the season began, I wrote that the 2021 Red </span>Sox<span data-offset-key="18k7d-2-0"> would go <a href="https://kennedyscommentary.blogspot.com/2021/04/red-sox-2021-preview-this-team-will-go.html">only as far as their pitching would take them</a>. The offense, I predicted, would be among the best in baseball, and I was right. </span>The Red Sox offense ranked second in the Majors in slugging (.449), third in OPS (.777), third in batting (.261), and fifth in runs per game (5.1).</span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="bobi0" data-offset-key="b3id2-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); font-family: Helvetica; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="b3id2-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="b3id2-0-0"><span style="font-size: small;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="bobi0" data-offset-key="4lh4a-0-0" style="font-family: Helvetica;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="4lh4a-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span data-offset-key="4lh4a-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;">However, the imbalances of their offense finally caught up to them in the American League Championship Series. Feast or famine clearly doesn't work in the playoffs. </span><span style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;">The Red Sox scored a total of three runs in their final 27 innings of baseball this year. That</span><span style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;">’</span><span style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;">s how playoff series are lost. </span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="4lh4a-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="4lh4a-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;">In reality, the Red Sox schizophrenic performance in the ALCS was more of the same; we had already seen an extended preview.</span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="4lh4a-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="4lh4a-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="5jl38-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span data-offset-key="5jl38-0-0"><span style="background-color: white;">The Red Sox</span><span style="background-color: white;"> inconsistent results over the season's two months could be described as a tale of two teams, and this was clearly on display in the ALCS. </span></span><span style="background-color: white;">It was if the Red Sox team had a split personality; Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. They were two teams in one: laconic and explosive. You never knew which team would show up from game to game.</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></div></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="4lh4a-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><br /></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="4lh4a-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">But all the blame cannot be laid at the feet of Boston</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">’</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">s offense. </span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="bobi0" data-offset-key="5jl38-0-0" style="font-family: Helvetica;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="5jl38-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="5jl38-0-0"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="5jl38-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span data-offset-key="5jl38-0-0">Red Sox pitchers surrendered 5 earned runs in both Games 1 and</span> 2. While that may get it done in the regular season, it rarely results in wins during the postseason, where pitching typically dominates. Yet, Sox pitchers allowed 11 earned runs (12 total) in Game 3, and 8 earned runs (9 total) in Game 4; that’s rarely a winning formula. Though Sox pitchers allowed just 4 runs in Game 5, defensive miscues resulted in a total of 9 Houston runs. Again, that rarely leads to a win. Finally, Sox pitchers surrendered 5 earned runs in the deciding Game 6, while their offense delivered nothing, zip, zilch. </span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="5jl38-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="5jl38-0-0"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="5jl38-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="5jl38-0-0"><span style="font-size: small;">Add it all up and the end result was quite predictable. </span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="5jl38-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="5jl38-0-0"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="5jl38-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="5jl38-0-0"><span style="font-size: small;">Yet, this season should be viewed as nothing less than a smashing success.</span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="5jl38-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="5jl38-0-0"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="5jl38-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="5jl38-0-0"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: white;">In spring training, the notion of the Red Sox</span><span style="background-color: white;"> being in the ALCS seemed more than improbable; it seemed impossible.</span></span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="5jl38-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="5jl38-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: white;">Considering that the Red Sox</span><span style="background-color: white;"> win-total for </span><span style="background-color: white;">this season</span><span style="background-color: white;"> was projected at 80.5 by oddsmakers, the fact that they won 92 games is remarkable. The fact that they made the playoffs in a division with four 90-plus-wins teams (which had never happened before) is incredible. The fact that they beat the Yankees in their first one-game playoff matchup since 1978 was delightful. That they eliminated the defending American League Champion Tampa Rays was inconceivable. Yet, the fact that they were eliminated by Houston in the ALCS was predictable. </span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="5jl38-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="5jl38-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;">This team had flaws and they were exploited. But that doesn’t take away from the extraordinary results they managed over the course of 162 regular season games and 11 playoff games.</span></span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="5jl38-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="5jl38-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;">We shouldn’t forget that this was supposed to be a bridge year. The fact that the Sox made it to the ALCS is beyond surprising; it's stunning. </span></span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="5jl38-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="5jl38-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;">As Red Sox fans used to say for decades, Wait until next year! The team will be even better; they have a great nucleus of Bogaerts, Devers, Dalbec, and Verdugo. But they will surprise no one in 2022.</span></span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="5jl38-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="5jl38-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;">The Sox will have some interesting decisions to make in the coming weeks and months. </span></span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="5jl38-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="5jl38-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: small;">We’ve likely seen the last of Martin Perez and Garrett Richards, neither of whom is likely to be renewed. R</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;">ichards’</span> absence from the ALCS roster was telling. </span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="5jl38-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="5jl38-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;">Tanner Houck will get a rotation spot next season, joining Chris Sale, Nate Eovaldi, Nick Pivetta and, perhaps, Garret Whitlock, unless the Sox are determined to make him their closer. He just seems to have much more value as a multi-inning starter. </span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="5jl38-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="5jl38-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;">Will Eduardo Rodriguez be re-signed? He’s been so frustrating over the course of his career. The Red Sox have spent years waiting for him to blossom into at least a reliable No. 2 starter, yet he consistently performs more like a No. 4. How much do the Sox value him at this point?</span></span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="5jl38-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="5jl38-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;">Will the Sox retain free-agent reliever Adam Ottavino, who was probably overpaid this year at $8 million?</span></span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="5jl38-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="5jl38-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;">The Sox will certainly explore the free agent and trade markets for another starter. They need another frontline pitcher to compete in the stacked AL East. At the least, they need someone who is consistently reliable. </span></span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="5jl38-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="5jl38-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;">Will JD Martinez opt in or opt out? His decision will impact the Red Sox intentions with Kyle Schwarber, who is best-suited as a DH. Schwarber is extremely limited defensively and is otherwise a player without a position. Though the Sox surely love his bat, can they really carry two DH’s? </span></span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="5jl38-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="5jl38-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;">Can Jarren Duran hit well enough to be a reliable fourth outfielder next season? </span></span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="5jl38-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="5jl38-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;">Dustin Pedroia’s $12 million finally comes off the books this offseason. Richards made $10 million this year, including his buyout; bringing him back would cost $8.5 million. Rodriguez made $8.3 million. Ottavino made $8 million. Perez made $5 million. If Martinez opts out, the Sox will save $19.375 million. </span></span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="5jl38-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="5jl38-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;">Add it all up, and the Sox could have $61 million to play with in the free agent market.</span></span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="5jl38-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="5jl38-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;">Chaim Bloom has made a series of savvy moves in restocking the farm system, and some of the Sox top prospects could impact the roster next season, including first baseman Triston Casas, second baseman Jeter Downs, righty </span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;">Connor Seabold, lefty Jay Groome, and righty Josh Winckowski.</span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="5jl38-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="5jl38-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;">The point is, this team has deep pockets, ample payroll space, and is stacked with prospects waiting to make the jump to the majors. </span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="5jl38-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="5jl38-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;">Have hope Red Sox fa</span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;">ns. This year was just a preview. The future looks bright.</span></div></div>Sean M. Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06825363372837634241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14570379.post-77992115961546835302021-10-02T05:02:00.004-07:002021-10-02T05:12:31.230-07:00Should Ted Williams Have Won 10 MVPs?<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTJIGRO-4XXeu9tPEiFF4ji9mV0xGxDKmI1DCu5GfjdmdUtwuGZ8kOOe8z58PK54ryzJLbsgvRHbMx8JDvpQx4Xn8F1Fddcuzw-R_THkQhiKY9ykPpE55zQVqRALoVGF2Uv6baWg/s600/tedwilliams.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTJIGRO-4XXeu9tPEiFF4ji9mV0xGxDKmI1DCu5GfjdmdUtwuGZ8kOOe8z58PK54ryzJLbsgvRHbMx8JDvpQx4Xn8F1Fddcuzw-R_THkQhiKY9ykPpE55zQVqRALoVGF2Uv6baWg/w567-h378/tedwilliams.jpg" width="567" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Ted Williams played 19 seasons in the majors and won two MVP Awards: in 1946 and 1949. That would be a great achievement for most players, but not so much for a player who is widely regarded as "the greatest hitter who ever lived.”</span></p><div><span style="font-family: arial;">The truth is, Williams didn’t have just two fantastic seasons during his illustrious career. He had a string of phenomenal seasons that didn’t result in an MVP Award. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">For example, in 1941, Williams’ third season, he led the majors with 135 runs, 37 homers, 147 walks, that legendary .406 batting average, a .553 OBP, a .735 slugging percentage, and a 1.287 OPS, the highest of his career.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Yet, Joe DiMaggio, who had a 56-game streak that season, won the award and Williams was the runner up. The Yankees won the American League Pennant, while the Red Sox finished in second place, 17 games out. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">But that wasn’t the only time that Williams’ was snubbed.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">In 1942, Williams’ fourth season, he led the majors with 141 runs, 36 homers, 137 RBI, 145 walks, a .499 OBP, a .648 slugging percentage, a 1.147 OPS, and 338 total bases. He also lead the AL with a .356 batting average. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Yet, despite winning the Triple Crown, Williams again finished in second place to another Yankee, second baseman Joe Gordon. Boston once again finished in second place, behind the Yankees. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Williams missed the 1943, 1944 and 1945 seasons — the prime of his career — while fighting in World War II. We can only imagine what he would have done on the diamond, but it surely would have been extraordinary. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">As noted above, Williams finally won the MVP Award in 1946, upon returning from the war. That year he led the majors with 142 runs, 156 walks, a .497 OBP, and a .667 slugging percentage. He also led the AL with 343 total bases. Additionally, Williams batted .342, which, quite incredibly, led neither league. By Williams' lofty standards, there was nothing exceptional about this year. It was almost an ordinary year for Williams, who made greatness seem ordinary. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">In 1947, Williams again finished second to DiMaggio, despite leading the AL with 125 runs, 32 homers, 114 RBI, a .343 batting average, a .634 slugging percentage, and 335 total bases. He also led the majors 162 walks, a .499 OBP, and a 1.133 OPS. Williams once again won the Triple Crown (his second in three seasons), yet still didn’t win the MVP. It seems impossible, yet it happened. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">In 1948, Williams led the AL with 44 doubles, 126 walks, a .369 average, .497 OBP, .615 slugging, and a 1.112 OPS. Yet, Cleveland's Lou Boudreau won the MVP and Williams finished third, despite leading the league in six offensive categories. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Williams won his second and final MVP Award in 1949, after leading the AL with 155 games, 39 doubles, 43 homers, a .650 slugging percentage, and 368 total bases. He also led the majors with 150 runs, 159 RBI, 162 walks, a .490 OBP, and a 1.141 OPS.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Williams was 30-years-old and in his prime, yet had won the final MVP Award of his long, extraordinary career. Despite turning in six Hall-of-Fame-caliber seasons, he had just two MVPs to speak for it all. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">In 1951, his age-32 season, Williams led the AL with a .556 slugging, a 1.019 OPS, and 295 total bases, while leading the majors with 144 walks, and a .464 OBP. Despite leading the AL or the majors in five offensive categories, Williams finished 13th in the MVP voting. The Red Sox finished the season third in the American League.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Yet, Williams still wasn’t done producing historic seasons. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">In 1954, his age-35 season, Williams led the majors with 136 walks, a .513 OBP, and a 1.148 OPS, while leading the AL with a .635 slugging percentage. Most remarkably, Williams did all of this in just 117 games. For his efforts, he finished seventh in the MVP voting. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span data-offset-key="8braf-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;">Notably, Williams hit .345 in 386 at-bats, yet Bobby Ávila, who had hit .341, won the batting championship. This was because a batter needed 400 at-bats to qualify for the batting title. Williams' league-leading 136 walks kept him from qualifying under the rules at the time. Using today's standards (plate appearances), he would have been the champion. The rule was changed shortly thereafter to </span><span style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;">prevent</span><span data-offset-key="8braf-2-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"> this from happening again. </span></span></div><div><span data-offset-key="8braf-2-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span data-offset-key="8braf-2-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;">In 1955, </span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;">Williams batted .356 in 320 at bats, lacking a sufficient number to win the batting title over Al Kaline, who batted .340. </span><span style="background-color: white;"><span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Williams, who also hit 28 home runs and drove in 83 runs, was named the "Comeback Player of the Year.” He finished fourth in the MVP voting. </span></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Yet, that still wasn’t the end of Williams' historic output. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">In 1957, his age-38 season, Williams led the majors with a .388 batting average, a .526 OBP, a .731 slugging percentage, and a 1.257 OPS. He also bashed 38 homers, 28 doubles, drove in 87 runs, and scored 96 times. Yet, he finished second in the MVP voting, behind Mickey Mantle. The Yankees won the AL Pennant, while the Red Sox finished third. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">By this point, Williams was a living legend. He had complied nine Hall-of-Fame-caliber seasons, yet had still won only two MVP Awards. Winning just one pennant in all those years likely played a role in this, as did Williams' surly demeanor toward the press. Yet, it is impossible to look at the dominance he displayed year after year and not wonder how the writers could have snubbed him so often. It seems spiteful. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">However, Williams still had one final burst in him. Though it wasn’t necessarily an MVP-caliber season, in 1958, the year he turned 39, the ageless wonder led the AL with a .328 batting average, while also leading the majors with a .458 OBP and a 1.042 OPS. Williams also belted 26 homers, 23 doubles, and had 85 RBI. He finished seventh in the MVP voting. Again, he was 39 years old. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">It’s fair to say that Williams could have, perhaps should have, won as many as seven more MVP Awards in his career. And this doesn’t even include the three years he spent fighting in WWII during his prime, or the two years (1952, 1953) that he spent as a Marine Corps Aviator in the Korean War. Williams was still in his extended prime at that time, as these were his age-33 and age-34 seasons. As further evidence, he turned in two more MVP-caliber seasons following his return from the war ('54 & '57). Upon his return in 1953, Williams batted .407 over 37 games. <span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34);">In 1957 and 1958 at the ages of 39 and 40, respectively, he was the AL batting champion for the fifth and sixth time. </span></span><span style="font-family: arial;">Williams was not washed up by any</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">stretch of the imagination.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">The point is, over the course of those five seasons that were completely (or mostly) lost to war, Williams would certainly have performed well enough to justifiably earn multiple MVP Awards. Whether the writers would have voted for him is another matter and can only be left to the imagination. But it requires little imagination to recognize that Williams would have produced statistics that modern writers just couldn’t have ignored or overlooked. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">The writers of his era shouldn’t have either. It was an injustice. </span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><br /></div>Sean M. Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06825363372837634241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14570379.post-4269393366686447672021-09-27T17:12:00.003-07:002021-10-03T16:45:16.277-07:00This Red Sox Team Should Be Celebrated, Not Derided<p> <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUg-qufkIF0OdmiAi2B46Fv9wQ9JAgq9FjFXOpa86OmxTksozSqLB4tKY_i3S7pOLzVQ8Asr1P2Ds6pgikKWXFasyZq39pComNfe_KxfaZbvKG8yjBirLNIhaxuyoWtM0MN10eyw/s2048/RedSox.jpg.tiff" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="2048" height="391" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUg-qufkIF0OdmiAi2B46Fv9wQ9JAgq9FjFXOpa86OmxTksozSqLB4tKY_i3S7pOLzVQ8Asr1P2Ds6pgikKWXFasyZq39pComNfe_KxfaZbvKG8yjBirLNIhaxuyoWtM0MN10eyw/w587-h391/RedSox.jpg.tiff" width="587" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><div><div data-block="true" data-editor="e8p0r" data-offset-key="125sl-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="125sl-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><span data-offset-key="125sl-0-0">Yes, the </span><span>Red</span><span data-offset-key="125sl-2-0"> Sox getting swept by the Yankees in three straight home games was frustrating, dejecting and disheartening, especially when this team is vying for a Wild Card berth.</span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="e8p0r" data-offset-key="30ash-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="30ash-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="30ash-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="e8p0r" data-offset-key="56lsq-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="56lsq-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="56lsq-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">Sunday night's loss put Boston in the second Wild Card spot, one game behind their arch rivals, with six games left in their season. And Toronto is just one game behind Boston.</span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="e8p0r" data-offset-key="4flkk-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="4flkk-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="4flkk-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="e8p0r" data-offset-key="70bfr-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="70bfr-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="70bfr-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">The Sox play three games in Baltimore against the 50-106 Orioles, and then finish out the season this weekend with three games in Washington against the 64-92 Nationals.</span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="e8p0r" data-offset-key="b8rbh-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="b8rbh-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="b8rbh-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="e8p0r" data-offset-key="8a0p-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="8a0p-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span data-offset-key="8a0p-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span>Those two teams are awful and the Red Sox could conceivably win all six games. Yet, this Red Sox team has been terribly inconsistent for the past two</span><span style="font-size: small;"> months</span></span><span style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-size: small; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and there are no easy or guaranteed wins for this bunch. </span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="8a0p-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: arial; font-size: small; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="8a0p-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-size: small; white-space: pre-wrap;">While the Red Sox may beat up on the dregs of the major leagues, </span><span data-offset-key="8a0p-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: small;">they are just</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: white;"> 8-21 against teams with winning records since the trade deadline. That’s not an optimistic reality for a team with playoff aspirations. </span></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="e8p0r" data-offset-key="b0450-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="b0450-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="b0450-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="e8p0r" data-offset-key="d1ior-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="d1ior-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="d1ior-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">That said, the Red Sox are sort of playing with house money at this point. They were never supposed to be in this position in the first place. Fighting for a playoff spot in the season's final week was not in the cards for this club when the season started, according to the experts. </span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="e8p0r" data-offset-key="1ded-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="1ded-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="1ded-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="e8p0r" data-offset-key="aqup8-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="aqup8-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="aqup8-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">The Las Vegas sports books and Draft Kings all pegged the Red Sox win total at 80 ½. </span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="e8p0r" data-offset-key="3tk10-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="3tk10-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="3tk10-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="e8p0r" data-offset-key="ca662-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="ca662-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="ca662-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">I was a bit more optimistic. <a href="https://kennedyscommentary.blogspot.com/2021/04/red-sox-2021-preview-this-team-will-go.html">Here's what I wrote on April 1</a>:</span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="e8p0r" data-offset-key="d2ngo-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="d2ngo-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="d2ngo-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="e8p0r" data-offset-key="13rbl-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="13rbl-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="13rbl-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">"Given their potent offense, I think the Sox are capable of 85 wins this season, which should be good enough for third place in the ever-challenging AL East."</span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="e8p0r" data-offset-key="800aj-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="800aj-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="800aj-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="e8p0r" data-offset-key="5ta77-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="5ta77-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="5ta77-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">Here we are on Sept. 27 and the Red Sox are 88-66, in third place in the AL East. The Olde Towne team is already three wins ahead of my optimistic projection, with six games to go. They're way ahead of what Vegas and Draft Kings projected. </span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="e8p0r" data-offset-key="dd0k5-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="dd0k5-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="dd0k5-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="e8p0r" data-offset-key="co9rh-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="co9rh-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="co9rh-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">No matter how many of these final six games the Sox win, they will almost certainly claim at least two of them, which would put them at 90 wins this season. That has to be viewed as a stunning accomplishment all by itself, well beyond any reasonable expectations. </span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="co9rh-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="co9rh-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="co9rh-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="co9rh-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">The Red Sox used 33 pitchers this season, the most in franchise history. They also placed 11 players on the Covid injury list, which may have sealed their fate by early September. </span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="e8p0r" data-offset-key="dohp2-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="dohp2-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="dohp2-0-0"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div data-block="true" data-editor="e8p0r" data-offset-key="93ral-0-0"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="93ral-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><span data-offset-key="93ral-0-0">This was supposed to be a bridge year anyway. The Red Sox will be a better team next season. Tanner Houck and Garrett Whitlock be better and more experienced. They will become rotation stalwarts, replacing Garrett Richards and Martin Perez, who spent much of this season as ineffective starters before being demoted to the bullpen. </span><span>The Sox will likely target a starting pitcher in a trade or in free agency, as well. </span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="93ral-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="93ral-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #050505;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Dustin Pedroia</span></span><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, .SFNSText-Regular, sans-serif" style="color: #050505;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">’</span></span><span style="color: #050505;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">s $12 million salary will finally come off this books this winter, freeing up some free agent money. However, </span></span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;">the Sox will pay the Dodgers another $16 million for David Price next season, the final year of his current contract. </span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="93ral-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="93ral-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; white-space: pre-wrap;">This team has a solid foundation, comprised by the aforementioned Houck and Whitlock, plus Chris Sale, Rafael Devers, Hunter Renfroe, Alex Verdugo and even Bobby Dalbec. And if the Sox do the right thing, Xander Bogaerts will be in Boston through the end of his career.</span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="93ral-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="93ral-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">Hopefully, the worst of the coronavirus will be behind us all next year, and the Red Sox will not again have their roster devastated by quarantined players. </span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="93ral-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="93ral-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">In short, there is much to look forward to in 2022. This year was just a preview and it gave us a lot to feel hopeful about. Good days are ahead, Red Sox fans. </span></span></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><div class="q5bimw55 rpm2j7zs k7i0oixp gvuykj2m j83agx80 cbu4d94t ni8dbmo4 eg9m0zos l9j0dhe7 du4w35lb ofs802cu pohlnb88 dkue75c7 mb9wzai9 l56l04vs r57mb794 kh7kg01d c3g1iek1 buofh1pr" style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; font-family: inherit; overflow: hidden auto; perspective-origin: 100% 0%; perspective: 1px; position: relative; transform-style: preserve-3d; z-index: 0;"><div class="j83agx80 cbu4d94t buofh1pr l9j0dhe7" style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><div class="j83agx80 cbu4d94t ss3p3tc4 l9j0dhe7" style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; font-family: inherit; min-height: 155px; position: relative;"><div class="jb3vyjys dflh9lhu qt6c0cv9 scb9dxdr" style="font-family: inherit; padding: 0px 8px;"></div></div></div></div></div></div>Sean M. Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06825363372837634241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14570379.post-91031036016447171202021-05-18T18:30:00.008-07:002021-05-18T18:47:05.674-07:00Expect Danny Santana in Boston Soon, As Red Sox Shakeup Roster<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBY8Lf7y9gAQJXWmqniLgwAWPE0SNh9JUY2Ume8w80aFCBMRLjxv5o_pyn29jeVogx5G9XUpIOvaSJZyrxjYzCQnswP0y5_kNyPYirwrJu2PUfWLQGtZgjYBskeruPI25MsEQoFA/s320/Santana.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="213" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBY8Lf7y9gAQJXWmqniLgwAWPE0SNh9JUY2Ume8w80aFCBMRLjxv5o_pyn29jeVogx5G9XUpIOvaSJZyrxjYzCQnswP0y5_kNyPYirwrJu2PUfWLQGtZgjYBskeruPI25MsEQoFA/w261-h392/Santana.jpeg" width="261" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The Red Sox entered the day with 217 runs scored, tied with the White Sox for the major league lead. That’s a byproduct of Boston’s major league-best .446 slugging percentage and .772 OPS. The Red Sox .264 batting average is also third in the majors.</span></p><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">However, all that offensive output is driven by just four players: </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">J.D. Martinez - <span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;">.340/.417/.601/1.018</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Xander Bogaerts - <span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;">.342/.401/.605/1.006</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Rafael Devers - <span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;">.278/.354/.583/.937</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Alex Verdugo - <span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;">.284/.345/.446/.791</span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Those four players are masking the deficiencies in the rest of the lineup, not just those in the bottom third of the order.</span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;">Marwin Gonzalez - </span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;">.218/.310/.315/.624</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hunter Renfroe - </span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;">.225/.258/.392/.650</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bobby Dalbec - </span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;">.211/.262/.395/.657</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;">Enrique Hernandez - </span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;">.237/.296/.421/.717</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;">Franchy Cordero - </span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;">.167/.222/.226/.448</span></span></div><div><span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: arial; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #050505;"><span style="font-family: arial; white-space: pre-wrap;">Gonzalez offers the team tremendous defensive versatility, making up for his offensive shortcomings. Similarly, Renfroe’s cannon-like arm and deft ability to patrol right field also make him an asset. </span></span></span></span></div><div><span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #050505;"><span style="font-family: arial; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #050505;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The Sox still believe in Bobby Dalbec, who is coming off a 2020 showcase in which he delivered 8 homers and 16 RBI in just 80 at bats. In that brief span the first baseman compiled a .359 OBP and a .600 slugging; that's why there's still so much hope. Though Gonzalez could replace </span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;">Dalbec</span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"> at first, that would eliminate Gonzo's greatest asset: the ability to play multiple positions each week.</span></span></div><div><span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #050505;"><span style="font-family: arial; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #050505;"><span style="font-family: arial; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hernandez could and should lose his leadoff spot. But, like Gonzalez, his defensive versatility assures him a spot in the lineup each day.</span></span></span></span></div><div><span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #050505;"><span style="font-family: arial; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #050505;"><span style="font-family: arial; white-space: pre-wrap;">Then there’s Cordero, who simply isn’t justifying a roster spot at this point. Though he is speedy for a big guy, Cordero is not noted for his defense. With a roster shakeup in the offing, Cordero will almost certainly be the odd man out. </span></span></span></span></div><div><span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #050505;"><span style="font-family: arial; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #050505;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Who would replace him? </span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;">Danny Santana, whom the Red Sox signed to a minor-league deal in March. </span></span></div><div><span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #050505;"><span style="font-family: arial; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #050505;"><span style="font-family: arial; white-space: pre-wrap;">Like Gonzalez and Hernandez, Santana can play virtually any defensive position, other than catcher. Then there’s his offensive versatility; Santana is also a switch-hitter. The super-utility player suffered a serious foot infection during spring training, which delayed his season. However, he has been raking during his minor-league rehab assignment and could be called up any day now.</span></span></span></span></div><div><span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #050505;"><span style="font-family: arial; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #050505;"><span style="font-family: arial; white-space: pre-wrap;">The rub is that Santana is not on the 40-man roster, so a spot would have to be created. In other words, someone else needs to go. Though the Sox can demote Cordero since he has minor league options, they will not remove him from the 40-man roster. </span></span></span></span></div><div><span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #050505;"><span style="font-family: arial; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #050505;"><span style="font-family: arial; white-space: pre-wrap;">Michael Chavis could also be sent back to Triple-A, but he will not be removed from the 40-man either. </span></span></span></span></div><div><span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #050505;"><span style="font-family: arial; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #050505; font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Most likely, </span></span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Brandon Brennan, whom the</span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Red Sox claimed off waivers from Seattle on May 3, will be designated for assignment, creating space for Santana.</span></span></div><div><span style="color: #050505;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #050505;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial;">Boston has been operating with a 14-man pitching staff this season, which they’ve needed. That’s because not one Red Sox starter is averaging as many as six innings per outing this year, which has put a lot of pressure on the bullpen. That extra man is a nice luxury for Alex Cora. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: #050505;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #050505;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial;">However, something has to give and the woeful output by half the Red Sox lineup may take precedence over pitching depth, at least at this point in the season. </span></span></div>Sean M. Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06825363372837634241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14570379.post-11234174534527459032021-05-08T13:22:00.001-07:002021-05-08T13:23:13.550-07:00Xander Bogaerts vs Nomar Garciaparra: Who Is/Was Better?<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGHajW8HM0C0d2g5LYfUI5IdHT26AnaefSypKhmMGoh4vajJCNe3sgDtJjDkQZJJ-8a2drUw-TzoUtXDNazBPVOyI0UsPmOi3ka-7k4fBWD2uIeYU3xNBce-9oye4E4plVTDRlaQ/s2048/Bogaerts.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGHajW8HM0C0d2g5LYfUI5IdHT26AnaefSypKhmMGoh4vajJCNe3sgDtJjDkQZJJ-8a2drUw-TzoUtXDNazBPVOyI0UsPmOi3ka-7k4fBWD2uIeYU3xNBce-9oye4E4plVTDRlaQ/s320/Bogaerts.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz15w97H4Dm6ednVBC0HZKmI94aD5F-lEObifC4YJMfmSWnqfUyDxXVd5uXQpNTlXZXWaUWbJX_L4owcPZv2ORh_VFgJ4Q0mZYMdk9A-KLMWs_YY3NrYGLCPlbTYRRfQFOCBH7zw/s480/Nomar.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz15w97H4Dm6ednVBC0HZKmI94aD5F-lEObifC4YJMfmSWnqfUyDxXVd5uXQpNTlXZXWaUWbJX_L4owcPZv2ORh_VFgJ4Q0mZYMdk9A-KLMWs_YY3NrYGLCPlbTYRRfQFOCBH7zw/s320/Nomar.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">This week, Xander Bogaerts became<span style="background-color: white;"> the 30th player in Red Sox history to play 1,000 games with the club. And he’s just</span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(27, 27, 27);"> </span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(27, 27, 27);">the 10th Sox player to do it before turning 29 years old. He would have reached the milestone last year, if not for the pandemic-shortened season. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(27, 27, 27); font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: white;">I’m a big Bogaerts’ fan; I think we all are. Bogey is on the short list of greatest shortstops in Red Sox history, a group that also includes Hall of Famer Joe Cronin, </span></span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(27, 27, 27);">Johnny Pesky,</span><span style="background-color: white;"> Rico Petrocelli and, of course, Nomar Garciaparra. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(27, 27, 27); font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(27, 27, 27); font-family: arial;">Cronin retired as a player in 1945, and then went on to a 15-year managerial career. Pesky retied in 1952. Petrocelli exited the game in 1976. Most current fans never saw any of them play. Nomar played for the Red Sox as recently as 2004. </span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(27, 27, 27); font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(27, 27, 27); font-family: arial;">There’s a recency bias that favors both Bogaerts and Garciaparra, but the numbers do too. </span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(27, 27, 27); font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(27, 27, 27); font-family: arial;">Since the two players appeared in nearly the same number of games and had essentially the same number of at-bats with the Red Sox, this is a great time to assess and compare the two. Who is/was better?</span></span></span></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><div><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>Nomar (age 30) - 966 games, 3968 AB, 709 R, 1281 H, 279 2B, 50 3B, 178 HR, 690 RBI, 279 BB, 406 K, 84 SB, .323/.370/.553/.923</span><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">Xander (age 28) - 1000 games, 3866 AB, 597 R, 1125 H, 246 2B, 14 3B, 124 HR, 549 RBI, 350 BB, 776 K, 63 SB, .291/.352/.458/.810 </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">As you can see, Nomar appeared in fewer games and had fewer at-bats than Xander, yet has a significant edge in every single category, except walks. Yet, he still had a better on-base percentage. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: small;">When it comes to offense, Nomar was clearly the superior player; he was a generational talent who would have been elected to the Hall of Fame had his body not broken down at such an early age. </span><span>Garciaparra was plagued by a genetic condition (exertional compartment syndrome) that affected his connective tissues.</span><span> HIs career was over by age 35, and he never played in more than 122 games over his final six seasons. In fact, he appeared in just 55 and 65 games, respectively, over his last two seasons. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: small;">Garciaparra was </span></span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(27, 27, 27);">Rookie of the Year,</span><span style="background-color: white;"> a six-time All Star, won two batting titles and </span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(27, 27, 27);">a Silver Slugger</span><span style="background-color: white;">. He had five top-ten MVP finishes, including runner up in ’98. </span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(27, 27, 27); font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(27, 27, 27); font-family: arial;">Bogaerts is a two-time All Star, has won three Silver Sluggers, and is a two time World Series champion. He's had one top-five MVP finish. </span></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(27, 27, 27); font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(27, 27, 27); font-family: arial;">Neither player was/is particularly noted for their defense. For example, neither ever won a Gold Glove Award. </span></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(27, 27, 27); font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(27, 27, 27); font-family: arial;">Over 11 seasons, Garciaparra posted a .968 fielding percentage at shortstop. He had 1606 putouts in 4710 chances and made 149 errors.</span></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(27, 27, 27); font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(27, 27, 27);"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">Over nine seasons, Bogaerts has accumulated a .977 fielding percentage. He has 1202 putouts in 3573 chances and has made 82 errors. </span></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(27, 27, 27);"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">Slight advantage, Bogaerts.</span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(27, 27, 27);"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(27, 27, 27);"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">Bogaerts is just 28 and, barring injury, has roughly another decade to build his case for Hall of Fame consideration. He is certainly on that trajectory at present. </span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(27, 27, 27);"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(27, 27, 27);"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">But when it comes to who was better after roughly the same number of games and at-bats, the answer, undoubtedly, is Garciaparra. </span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(27, 27, 27);"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(27, 27, 27);"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">Though he was often overshadowed by his contemporaries, Alex Rodriguez (who was PED-enhanced) and Derek Jeter (who won five World Series playing for the Yankees, arguably the most famous and illustrious sports franchise in the world), Garciaparra was better than Jeter and was nearly the equal of the freakish Rodriguez. </span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(27, 27, 27);"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Garciaparra’s career, despite its greatness, will always be a matter of what might have been. He averaged just 84 games a season over his final six years.</span></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Nine years into his career, Bogaerts is still in his prime and he is flourishing. He continues to write his story each day, and what a story it is. </span></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Enjoy every moment of it, Red Sox fans. As Nomar knows all too well, you never know when, or how quickly, it will come to an end. </span></span></span></div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></div>Sean M. Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06825363372837634241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14570379.post-10960022032404429812021-04-04T11:37:00.005-07:002021-04-04T11:47:22.817-07:00How Long Will Red Sox Continue to Tolerate Rafael Devers' Defensive Shortcomings?<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-LMpbFOUxt_4Iy-wfS-k8fnQVYjUG1e41UOv4riRI33LNcRWUQsPsWchVNzXIekUjL-zXdYS2BmI9r832lH_1cc5ee0-V1VWFxxxIaIf2EJp7E3yOB0Lb8v3APofwIodtvwba8A/s2048/E3WLEEVY4VEJBN3GPLSC5TZZ2Q.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-LMpbFOUxt_4Iy-wfS-k8fnQVYjUG1e41UOv4riRI33LNcRWUQsPsWchVNzXIekUjL-zXdYS2BmI9r832lH_1cc5ee0-V1VWFxxxIaIf2EJp7E3yOB0Lb8v3APofwIodtvwba8A/w530-h298/E3WLEEVY4VEJBN3GPLSC5TZZ2Q.jpg" width="530" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span>That "E" behind Rafael Devers has become very symbolic.</span></i></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(28, 30, 33); font-family: Helvetica; margin: 0px 0px 6px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The first two games of the 2021 season have only added to the ongoing concerns about Rafael Devers' ability to adequately play third base. For the past couple of years, his continuing miscues have led many to suggest that he needs to be shifted across the diamond to first base. </span></p><div style="font-family: Helvetica;"><br /></div><p style="caret-color: rgb(28, 30, 33); font-family: Helvetica; margin: 6px 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">In 2017, his rookie season, Devers committed the fourth-most errors (14) among MLB third baseman, despite playing in just 56 games. In 2018, Devers led the major leagues with 24 errors. In 2019, he led all major league third basemen with 22 errors. Last season, he once again led the majors with 14 errors in just 57 games. Additionally, Devers had the lowest fielding percentage among major league third basemen in two of the past three seasons.</span></p><div style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">A really troubling pattern has been established, and it can no longer be ignored. </span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica;"><p style="caret-color: rgb(28, 30, 33); margin: 6px 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The idea has been floated, in the media at least, of moving Devers to first base and shifting Bobby Dalbec, a natural third baseman, to the hot corner. However, Devers has never played first and he would likely bring his defensive struggles with him across the diamond. </span></p><div><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial;">And the designated hitter spot is blocked by JD Martinez, who is under contract through the 2022 season. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The Red Sox may be running out of patience with Devers. And he could face some strong internal pressure from within the organization.</span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Tristan Casas is <span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86);">ranked</span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86);"> as to the top prospect in Boston's farm system and No. 44 overall by MLB.com. The 21-year-old has played both first and third base in the minors, as has current first baseman Dalbec. Last year, I suggested that the Sox could shift Dalbec to third when Casas is brought to the majors, making Devers a trade chip.</span></span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86);"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">While it might seem outlandish to suggest trading Devers, a player who is just 24 and isn’t eligible for free agency until after the 2023 season, he is a stone-cold defensive liability and his four-year track record is not an aberration. His youth and affordability would would make him an attractive trade chip to many clubs, who might be able to use him as a DH. As always, the Red Sox need starting pitching. </span></span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="background-color: white;">However, Casas has just 433 minor league at-bats, meaning he is not yet ready for the majors. He will open this season with the High-A </span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Greenville Drive, likely putting him at least a year or year-and-a-half from the majors. </span></span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The problem is that the Sox may not be able to wait that long for Devers. His defensive shortcomings are the kind of liability that results in losses. One way or another, this cannot continue indefinitely. </span></span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">If Devers can revert to his 2019 offensive form, when he batted .311, slugged .555 and led the majors with 359 total bases, it could make up for his defensive miscues. In essence, he may be able to win more games with his bat than he’ll lose with his glove. But, after his reversion in 2020, that possibility remains nothing more</span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial;"> than hope right now. </span></div>Sean M. Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06825363372837634241noreply@blogger.com0