A Realistic View at 2022: Part III

[moonslav59]

Not much you can do when a guy gets hit in the hand by a pitch.

Indeed. I'm not blaming Story for getting hurt or Bloom for not foreseeing the injury.

The jury is still out on Story, and I do think Bloom made a credible effort to add some serious RH'd offense to the roster by signing Story.

[moonslav59]

You just have to have some fun and enjoy things. That was an exciting game last night . Had me on the edge of my seat or standing. I felt sure the Sox were going to win it in the 9th. It had a big game feel and not like watching a team that was 16 games out. Baseball can still be fun and exciting . Don't let it make you miserable. The curse ended 18 years ago.

Yes, indeed.

Baseball is still the best game. It's much more fun watching a winning team, but within the context of the curse being broken, it's not so hurtful watching the Sox lose as it was years ago.

[Bellhorn04]

Kike gets the Shane Victorino award for this year. Reserved for players who become fan favorites their first season, come down with an apparently minor injury early in their second season, and are never seen again.

[Bellhorn04]

How about some love for Kutter Crawford? He's one guy who has been better than expected and has helped keep the pitching staff from completely imploding.

[moonslav59]

How about some love for Kutter Crawford? He's one guy who has been better than expected and has helped keep the pitching staff from completely imploding.

He looked scary bad his first call-up, but man-0-man, he's looked very good since then. (May 14>)

3.33 ERA
3.62 FIP
.631 OPS Against

Since June 19th: 45 IP
3.20 ERA
3.32 FIP
.610 OPSA

[moonslav59]

Kike gets the Shane Victorino award for this year. Reserved for players who become fan favorites their first season, come down with an apparently minor injury early in their second season, and are never seen again.

Good one.

Vic had a 3 year deal and was eventually traded for fan favorite Josh Rutledge.

[notin]

How about some love for Kutter Crawford? He's one guy who has been better than expected and has helped keep the pitching staff from completely imploding.

I thought he was worthless DFA material last year. Lately he’s the staff ace…

[notin]

They should not have been caught off guard by the squeeze bunt . Watching on TV , I was expecting it . The camera caught Boone flashing signs and Benintendi looking intently at him. But it was a good bunt and I don't know if it made a difference .

They should have made the play on Trivino, which, as the second out, likely nullifies any squeeze attempt…

[Larry Cook]

How about some love for Kutter Crawford? He's one guy who has been better than expected and has helped keep the pitching staff from completely imploding.

His confidence is high now and he is executing his pitches. Every time he goes out, he continues to trust his stuff more and more.

[Old Red]

A nice save by Whitlock last, which to me is the way it should have been all year. I said it before the season, and I’ll say it to the end of the season that if Whitlock would have been the closer the Red Sox would have a better record right now. Yes I know there has been a lot of pushback about that, but that’s my opinion. Eck has said all year that’s where Whitlock should be, and recently has said 1 inning save opportunities is better than trying to get a two inning save. Pitching 3-4 times a week is better than pitching 2 innings, and then having to wait 2-3 days to pitch again. With Houck out this is a good time to try it.Same with Schreiber 1 inning at a time if possible.It would be great also if Barnes could pitch somewhat decent the rest out the year. I hope Bloom has seen what the importance of having a good closer makes. I know the Braves think the $16M spent on Jansen was well worth it.

[A Red Sox fan named Hugh]

A nice save by Whitlock last, which to me is the way it should have been all year. I said it before the season, and I’ll say it to the end of the season that if Whitlock would have been the closer the Red Sox would have a better record right now. Yes I know there has been a lot of pushback about that, but that’s my opinion. Eck has said all year that’s where Whitlock should be, and recently has said 1 inning save opportunities is better than trying to get a two inning save. Pitching 3-4 times a week is better than pitching 2 innings, and then having to wait 2-3 days to pitch again. With Houck out this is a good time to try it.Same with Schreiber 1 inning at a time if possible.It would be great also if Barnes could pitch somewhat decent the rest out the year. I hope Bloom has seen what the importance of having a good closer makes. I know the Braves think the $16M spent on Jansen was well worth it.

The Sox specifically plan to not throw Whitlock every day and give him rest. I know originally it was because they were not trying to load up his arm after surgery and had long-term ambitions of stretching him out as a starter. It seems to me, that they should be able to take the training wheels off and go one way or the other by now, but I think they still have ambitions for him to be a part of the rotation in 2023.

[Old Red]

The Sox specifically plan to not throw Whitlock every day and give him rest. I know originally it was because they were not trying to load up his arm after surgery and had long-term ambitions of stretching him out as a starter. It seems to me, that they should be able to take the training wheels off and go one way or the other by now, but I think they still have ambitions for him to be a part of the rotation in 2023.

2023 is fine, but only to me is if the Red Sox get an actual reliable closer.

[moonslav59]

The Sox specifically plan to not throw Whitlock every day and give him rest. I know originally it was because they were not trying to load up his arm after surgery and had long-term ambitions of stretching him out as a starter. It seems to me, that they should be able to take the training wheels off and go one way or the other by now, but I think they still have ambitions for him to be a part of the rotation in 2023.

I also think the plan is to have him start, next season, perhaps with no innings restrictions. I'm not against the idea, but he's been so great in the multiple inning, high leverage relief role.

If Houck comes back and looks assuring as the closer, I'd be more inclined to support moving Whitlock to the rotation. As of now, I'd like to see us add a solid #1/2 type, give Wacha a QO for the #2 slot, hope Sale or Paxton are healthy (not both) for the 3 slot, and then hand the #4 slot to Pivetta. The 5 slot can be filled by the best of Crawford, Winckowski, Bello, Mata and others. (The others add depth to the farm or pen.)

[A Red Sox fan named Hugh]

I also think the plan is to have him start, next season, perhaps with no innings restrictions. I'm not against the idea, but he's been so great in the multiple inning, high leverage relief role.

If Houck comes back and looks assuring as the closer, I'd be more inclined to support moving Whitlock to the rotation. As of now, I'd like to see us add a solid #1/2 type, give Wacha a QO for the #2 slot, hope Sale or Paxton are healthy (not both) for the 3 slot, and then hand the #4 slot to Pivetta. The 5 slot can be filled by the best of Crawford, Winckowski, Bello, Mata and others. (The others add depth to the farm or pen.)

But Whitlock is better than all those guys, so he should start. If Whitlock can start and handle the load, that's where he's going to be the most valuable to this team.

[moonslav59]

But Whitlock is better than all those guys, so he should start. If Whitlock can start and handle the load, that's where he's going to be the most valuable to this team.

Indeed, and again, I'm not against the idea.