Caught a few innings of the Rays game yesterday. Actually saw a perfectly executed hit-and-run by the Sox. I might like Bobby V afterall.
2012 Spring training
Collapse
X
-
"I believe in the Church of Baseball. I tried all the major religions and most of the minor ones. I've worshipped Buddha, Allah, Brahma, Vishnu, Siva, trees, mushrooms and Isadora Duncan. I know things. For instance, there are 108 beads in a Catholic rosary and there are 108 stitches in a baseball. When I learned that, I gave Jesus a chance." ~Ron Shelton, from Bull Durham
-
-
Originally posted by Therwil Flyer View PostI think Doubront has a real shot! He's homegrown, despite his struggles last year he's always had good stuff and he's out of options so he can't be sent down...
Comment
-
-
I don't think Cook will crack the opening day rotation. There were some health issues early in ST and Cook has only pitched 5.1 innings yet this spring. For better or worse, I think the Red Sox are committed to give Bard a legitimate shot at starting. Fot the 5th spot, my guess is it's between Aceves, Doubront and Padilla.
At this point, I'd say:
Beckett
Lester
Buchholz
Bard
Doubront
Bailey
Melancon
Aceves
Bowden
Miller/Padilla
Morales
Albers
But it's still 18 days to go. A lot can happen in 18 days...Watching Derek Jeter make 40 defensive plays and then watching Adam Everett make 40 defensive plays at the same position is sort of like watching video of Barbara Bush dancing at the White House, and then watching Demi Moore dancing in Striptease. (Bill James)
Dustin Pedroia doesn't have the strength or bat speed to hit major-league pitching consistently, and he has no power. If he can continue to hit .260 or so, he'll be useful, and he probably has a future as a backup infielder. (Keith Law)
Comment
-
-
The Sox have released Carlos Silva, knocking one more name out of the competition for the #5 spot in the rotation.
If I had to guess, I'd say Bard 4th and Doubront 5th to start the season, with Cook inserting himself into the discussion after starting the season with Pawtucket to continue building up arm strength.Visit my card site at Mike D's Baseball Card Page.
Comment
-
-
I watched Bard's start yesterday and the good news is that even in the fifth his FB was still consistently in the mid 90's, touching 96. The bad is that he continues to walk batters at a worrisome rate this spring and that a couple of his pitches have been rather wild. It's only spring training though so that might be just a pitcher trying to find his mechanics.
I'm still convinced he will be given a spot in the rotation (at least until about June).Last edited by Therwil Flyer; 03-21-2012, 08:25 AM.Watching Derek Jeter make 40 defensive plays and then watching Adam Everett make 40 defensive plays at the same position is sort of like watching video of Barbara Bush dancing at the White House, and then watching Demi Moore dancing in Striptease. (Bill James)
Dustin Pedroia doesn't have the strength or bat speed to hit major-league pitching consistently, and he has no power. If he can continue to hit .260 or so, he'll be useful, and he probably has a future as a backup infielder. (Keith Law)
Comment
-
-
Originally posted by Boston Boxer View Postwhat about Doubront and Cook as the #4 and #5 guys in the rotation and Bard/Aceves back in the pen?
Beckett
Lester
Buchholz
Doubront
Cook
Bailey
Bard
Aceves
Melancon
Bowden
???
???
Comment
-
-
Originally posted by Boston Boxer View PostI still think it should be #4 Doubront and either #5 Cook or Padilla. the bull pen needs Bard and Aceves in it.Visit my card site at Mike D's Baseball Card Page.
Comment
-
-
It seems at least once a week, if not daily Nick Cafardo and others, but particularly Cafardo states Iglesias should be the starting SS.
In another RS forum someone suggested that Valentine is feeding Nicky this info and he’s drinking the kool aid. I’m not sure if Valentine is feeding Nicky but Valentine does appear to like Iglesias, and some suggest that Valentine compares him to Rey Ordenez, Valentines SS with the Mets, who played great defense but couldn't hit.
Although it would be exciting to watch Iglesias make great defensive plays at SS, it may be depressing to watch him be an almost automatic out at the plate.
I believe that with such a current weak bat, the best thing for Iglesias is to at least start the season in Pawtucket and work on his hitting. I think it might hurt his development as a hitter to rush him to the big club too soon, and why be hasty in doing that when we have who appears to be a decent SS in Aviles?
I think the Red Sox FO believe that Aviles will give them about the same defense/offense as Scutaro did, which is decent.
Aviles career stats are .288/.318/.419 with an OPS of .737. However playing in Fenway where he’ll play half his games this year, Aviles career offense is .326/.356/.453 and
I believe playing half his games in Fenway that Aviles could hit better then his career numbers.
But as an example, or a loose comparison; In 2009 Scutaro hit .282/.379/.409 with an OPS of .789 which a little better then Aviles career OPS but possibly close to what Aviles might hit this year playing half his games in Fenway.
And in 2009 Scutaro had an UZR/150 at SS of -10.5 with 1252.2 innings giving him a FG WAR of 4.5.
Aviles career UZR/150 at SS with 1212 innings is + 12.4 but lets assume for this example he plays defense and hits about that same as Scutaro in 2009.
Now as another loose comparison for example, let’s say Iglesias is as good defensively as Omar Vizquel was in 2007 when he had an UZR/150 of + 23.2, saving over 23 runs and hit
.246/.305/.316 (better then Iglesias hit in AAA last year) giving Vizquel a FG WAR of 2.4
Now my comparisons are admittedly loose but I think potentially could be pretty close. I think it’s possible Aviles may get to a 4.5 WAR which is better then a possible 2.4 WAR that Iglesias may get playing for the big club while possibly hindering his hitting development.
So even though Iglesias defense would be better the Aviles, potentially Aviles could possibly give us 2 wins above replacement more then Iglesias. Though of course I could be wrong, maybe Iglesias hits well on the big club, but I'd like to see him prove his hitting in AAA first. So to me it makes sense to send Iglesias down to develop and keep Aviles as our starting SS.Last edited by Dogdaze; 03-25-2012, 12:02 PM.
Comment
-
-
With Aviles not falling on his face so far, and Iglesias still not hitting (and still so young), I can't imagine they don't at least start the season with Iglesias in AAA and Aviles starting in the bigs. It's kinda like Bard situation, where I say "start him in the rotation and see how he does". I just don't see the downside to doing it.Visit my card site at Mike D's Baseball Card Page.
Comment
-
Ad Widget
Collapse
Comment