11:58PM: Rodriguez will be activated from the 15-day IL to take Brasier’s roster spot on Monday, The Athletic’s Jen McCaffrey reports.
10:12PM: The Red Sox have designated Ryan Brasier for assignment, as the right-hander himself told reporters (including Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe) tonight in the aftermath of a tough outing against the Cardinals. Brasier allowed three runs over 2 1/3 innings of relief in a 9-1 Red Sox loss.
No corresponding move is yet known, though manager Alex Cora told reporters over the weekend that Joely Rodriguez was going to be activated from the 15-day injured list on Monday, so the Sox could be clearing room for Rodriguez’s return. Rodriguez suffered a Grade 2 oblique strain in mid-March during Spring Training, and has yet to pitch this season.
Tonight’s performance inflated Brasier’s season ERA to 7.29 over 21 innings of work out of the Boston bullpen. There is some level of misfortune in that ERA since Brasier’s strand rate (52.8%) and BABIP (.344) are both skewed, and his FIP is a more moderate 4.38. That said, he has also posted below-average strikeout and walk rates, and Brasier is near the bottom of the league in hard contact.
The advanced metrics were much more favorable to Brasier last year, but the bottom-line results still weren’t there, as the righty had a 5.78 ERA over 62 1/3 innings in 2022. With the lack of results stretching into a second season, the Sox have opted to part ways with a reliever who has had his share of ups and downs over six years in Boston, but for the most part was a solid hurler prior to the start of the 2022 season.
After pitching with the Hiroshima Toyo Carp in 2017, Brasier returned from Japan to sign a minor league deal with the Red Sox, and ended up unexpectedly emerging as an ace reliever for the eventual World Series champions. Brasier posted a 1.60 ERA over 33 2/3 regular-season innings and then a 1.04 ERA in 8 1/3 postseason innings to help the Sox win the title.
Brasier’s 2019 season was a lot shakier, but he posted better results in 2020-21, with a 3.16 ERA albeit over only 37 innings. Brasier’s workload was limited by the shortened 2020 regular season, and then a 2021 campaign that saw him miss most of the year due to a calf strain and then a concussion after he was struck in the head by a line drive during a simulated game.
The 35-year-old is in his final year of arbitration eligibility, and is still owed roughly $1.5MM of his $2MM salary for the 2023 season. It doesn’t seem all that likely that another team will claim Brasier off DFA waivers, so the Red Sox will likely end up eating the salary if they end up releasing the righty, or they could simply outright him down to Triple-A. If Brasier is signed by a new team after being released, the new club will only owe the prorated portion of the Major League minimum salary, with Boston covering the remainder of the $1.5MM.
wow… I thought this day would never come, I foresaw the 2nd coming of christ happening before Bloom would give up on his little torture experiment
Obviously the statue of limitations has run out on the dirt he has on John Henry and Tom Werner
Tree – I’m thinking most of the dirt is on Werner and involves Roseanne Barr.
After all, Werner was the one who let her sing the anthem.
You should be banned from this website for even thinking such thoughts Fever. Poor Roseanne…
And to think the Red Sox left Thad Ward unprotected in the Rule V draft to keep Brasier and Ort on their roster. Ort is finally back in AAA and Brasier should be all done now. What a terrible decision by Bloom. Sox fans saw this coming a mile away; it makes me wonder what really goes into the decision making behind closed doors of the Red Sox front office.
Bloom wasted 2 mill on brasier that’s why brasier had such a long leash
Dotty – Mark nailed it, Bloom ignored last year’s awful results and brought him back only because of the idiotic advanced metrics.
I’m happy for Bernardino, he’s pitched well and will get a chance to pitch in front of his hometown crowd.
Ward hasn’t exactly lit the world on fire either. Close to a five era, almost as many walks as strike outs in only 11 innings. You had a point before the season started but ward’s performance so far doesn’t support that anymore.
Three data points on Thad Ward:
1) he’s young at 25, having been begun in 2018
2) he’s still building up in his return from Tommy john. It takes a while to get back to what you were, and, of the 5 years since turning pro, he lost rehab time to Tommy john.
3) he’s cheaper, as in a league minimum type if you want him to be.
Combine all that to a superior upside to the 35 year old brasier, all the reasons to prefer Ward remain. Then youve got option years available (not this year for the Nats, but, would’ve with Boston) and plenty of control.
Good to see ya back, GA
Thanks S-O-B..
It’s a fleeting appearance, but, on the good days I’m rotating through doing some of the more normal things and routines. Wish I could say it’d be regular again, but, not yet.
Actually Ward is 26 (in January) and only pitched 59 innings in the minors over the past 3 years.
GASox – Short answer, I’ll definitely be going back to Atlanta in 2025. If you want I’ll write more details about my trip.
Again, best of luck.
Fever – anything you want to share about the visit for public consumption is always interesting to hear.
Im glad that it sounds like you enjoyed the trip in general.
GASox – Just wanted to make sure you’d be checking back today.
For business reasons we ended up staying a couple nights in Smyrna, about 5 miles from the park. We did also go to Duluth for the last day.
I think it’s a pretty good location for the park. The highways, especially 285, were heavy traffic like you said but only during morning rush hour and then from maybe 2PM-7PM? There’s some seriously steep hills on the side roads!
Parked at Lot E47 (which is really a garage, not a lot) for only $10, it was a long dark walk up Windy Ridge over I-75 but the area definitely seemed safe. Approaching the park was exciting, so many cool things to take in just like their spring training home in Northport.
We were in the VIP seats, so between BP and the game we spent our time in the Jim Bean lounge. We did walk around the entire stadium and go up to the top level, which is definitely not for those who fear heights! Concessions were crazy expensive, $13 for a small slice of pizza? But the lounge provided a $10 food credit, free snacks and free self serve ice cream. Seats were very comfortable and spaced out nicely. It was great to see nearly full houses each night and there was always something going on to entertain the crowd.
Visually the park is amazing, incredible jumbotron and sound system. They got the drum going along with the chop just once during each game, I’m guessing it’s only once each game? Shutting off all the lights for Rasiel’s entrance was fantastic. Acuna has to be MVP this year, the guy is amazing! His second deck shot was a thing of beauty. The crowd was quite friendly, only a couple nasty signs. During one of the breaks the camera zoomed in on a Red Sox fan sitting by himself cradling and eating a bunch of food as the stadium played “Lonely, so lonely” …. I felt bad for the guy getting embarrassed like that. The net going from foul pole to foul pole is really a shame, so unnecessary. Bathrooms were plentiful with short lines, I like how they sing GBA during the stretch, and it was so cool to be there for Kenley’s 400th (not much to talk about with the first game).
Just a good overall atmosphere. The only drawback is the Braves are usually contenders, which means ticket prices are higher. But I will definitely plan to go again next time, hopefully in 2025 the Sox will be more competitive.
Ketch – In addition, he had only 33 innings in AA, and 0 experience in AAA or the MLB! Ward did not have the ability or experience to help in Boston in 2023. Brandon Walter, Kutter Crawford, Josh Winckowski, Bryan Mata, Chris Murphy… were all ahead of Ward on the Red Sox pitching depth chart, so there simply was not room on the 40-man roster. If Ward had been kept over Ort or Brasier, he would have been a DFA when room was needed.
What a terrible decision by Bloom.
==============================
Ward has been awful. As others have mentioned, Ward is too young to be written off. But by the same logic, it is also too early to decide that Ward is a good major league pitcher.
Joe, I’d agree that Ward hasn’t been great, but when you consider his timeline – played ’19, ’20 was milb covid lost year; then in 21-22 he played, had injury, and worked back from TJ surgery; this year he was taken by the Nats and wound up in mlb very green.
All in all, I think he’s actually acquitted himself well – so far. ERA+ sits at 85% of the average (not replacement level) pitcher.
Comparison purposes, Brasier rides out with an ERA+ of 65% of the average arm….
Neither should expect to win much for awards this year, but as you said, lots more reason to want a Ward in your system than seek a Brasier.
I agree it is too early to tell. Just, imho, too many people saying “I can’t believe we don’t have Ward”. Way too many people have too optimistic opinion of Ward, Politi, Seabold, Darwinzon, etc. Probably close to 100% of every #41-45 has some talent. No team gets to keep all of them, unless they are epically bad.
Smyrna, Georgia! Does anyone know Whitefield Academy in Smyrna?
I only hope my home town Fenway east team picks him up like the many ex Redsox players/ coaches/ GM / beer vendors etc!!!
Whaaa I hoped this would happen after they let him throw 42 pitches today, but that seemed unlikely since he’s survived so many awful performances
Now hope for the second half of things to happen. – please, please PLEASE let Oakland claim him.
Damn right after the game…
I feel bad saying this because I don’t wish ill on anyone but after this move take a touch of the sting out for a brutally frustrating weekend series
correction: speak ill of someone losing their job
Acell10 – I believe Brasier’s contract will pay him approximately $2,000,000 whether he is with the Red Sox all year, is a DFA, and ultimately if he signed by someone else.
Paid even if he is sitting home on his couch….that is more than fair.
Brasier’s career earnings are approximately $7,300,000, so no one should feel sorry for him. As a financial planner, I would hope he has done enough proper planning that he should be set for life.
Unlike Jack Clark who bought 51 cars and eventually filed bankruptcy while playing for the Red Sox….
Someone will pick him up. Maybe the Rays.
He will get a job for sure.
No one takes him and due to an injury, he’s back on the Sox MLB roster…
For a solid two years whenever the Sox made a move I’ve expected to see Braisers name on the way out
dog – I think injuries was a big reason why he stuck around so long.
Kinda hard to cut a guy loose while he’s recovering from a line shot to the face.
Going into last year I’d buy that but for the last year he had something on the owners
Kaleb Ort survives another day.
I’m getting a vision of a capacity crowd at Fenway, the transaction is announced over the PA, and the crowd roars for 10 minutes straight. I’m not a RS fan, but I’ve gotten a sense this has been a long time coming.
solaris – Would you believe some people here vehemently argued in favor of keeping him here at least another year.
Velo, BABIP and FIP is all they care about.
“Unlucky” is often their fallback excuse.
Wow, can I take the uniform off first?
FINALLY!!!!
Thanks for 2018. Now hit the bricks!
It is very possible Brasier clears waivers and accepts a minor league assignment so i wouldn’t celebrate just yet
red sox fans been waiting for this
Another player inherited by Bloom bites the dust!! Naturally, the worst of those inherited get to stay the longest and the best of those inherited are starring somewhere else!!
We can only hope Bloom and Cora are next.
Fair to say they’re thankful for 2018, but it’s time to move on.
KD – You nailed it yet again!!!
At least Bloom didn’t wait until July to cut him loose, like he did with Robles.
BTW – After Bloom released Robles, he never appeared in another ML game.
Mariners vs Red Sox on deck. I am psyched, except Fenway is not exactly the “friendly confines” for the M’s. Red Sox fans may recall Trevor Story’s gargantuan series last season where it felt like he hit 5 homeruns, 10 doubles, and drove in 20 against the M’s in a 4 game series. Each game we lost by double digits. I am praying for a little better luck this time around.
At this point, these sox remain an enigma.
They still lack depth this season. There’s a crowded field of guys without options, or with big contracts. And behind them are largely replacement level players with a couple others riding unexpected hot streaks. Have those players experienced a breakthrough? Or will they regress?
Age and health are 2 ticking time bombs, still. Then….. Just when you think they’re hot, and take it to Toronto, they turn around and get manhandled by StL.
Any team that goes 0-6 against the Pirates and Cards at home needs to start making serious adjustments. Bloom needs to go now as does Cora. And why are David Hamilton and Shane Drohan still in the minors?
Drohan isnt ready yet. Though he should be in triple-AAA
milt – Excellent post!!! While there’s no shame in losing to Keller, the Sox certainly should have won the other 5 games.
Going 0-for-6 at home against two teams that are a combined 32-44 against everyone else is embarrassing and unacceptable.
Drohan is getting promoted to AAA.
Right Now?????
Should be shortly per soxprospects.com. I’m guessing his next start will be at AAA.
Sox Prospects is #1
Yes it is. Also, Grant Gambrell is being promoted to replace Drohan at AA.
Gambrell came over in the Benintendi deal. I thought he got released as he hadn’t pitched in years.
Ignorant – Are you getting worried about JRod yet? I have never been a fan of giving massive contracts to 21-year-old players with just a few months in the majors.
Fever: Not worried about JRod at all. It may be a little Sophomore Slump, pitchers have adjusted, he just needs to adjust back. He’s being a bit aggressive with his swing and just needs to slow it down and not try to murder the baseball with every swing. He is an extremely talented and smart ballplayer, so I have every confidence in him. He had a 3 for 5 with a HR over the weekend and I think he’s coming out of it. Getting JRod, Kelenic, & Teoscar all on the same page will be awesome to behold.
You know, Brasier has stunk this year, and much of last, but he was a big part of the last championship team and deserves a little bit of a better sendoff than people jumping up and down with excitement.
Still, it needed to happen.
The Nightmares are finally over
ITS HAPPENING!!!!
I am thankful for Brassier for 2018 when he pitched very well especially in the playoffs. This team played well for a while then dropped 3 in a row to the Cardinals. They really have not gained on the Rays and still sit at 8.5 games back. As a matter of fact they are back in last place. I did not think this was a great team to begin with this year. They lost a lot of the heart and soul of the team in Boggaerts sadly.
Actually they had two games won but Jensen lost both in the 9th. Old age reared it’s ugly head again. This is what you get when the GM signs old players. Bloom has to go!
Rivera was pretty crappy against the Sox.People looked at him as great.
Rivera was over rated. I’ll take Trevor Hoffman over him any day. If Hoffman had been a Yankee he would have been a unanimous first ballot HOFer. If Rivera played for the teams Hoffman played for he might not have gotten in the first year of being eligible. The HOF is incredibly biased toward the Yankees as is the media. It’s an unfortunate fact of life.
Ahhhggg!!! I’m stove up as I anticipated three screen scroll of a KD17 post only to slam to a six sentence abrupt stop!!!
Aahhggg!
Thanks?
down goes brasier!
down goes brasier!
This had to happen unfortunately it happened to late. This guy has to be so fine on the corners since his fastball is so straight. He has given up very hard contact for quite some time and losing his control well it’s just fatal for a guy like this.
Kluber is another issue the guy just doesn’t have the stuff to get big leaguers out anymore. He has to be so fine he has no margin for error his fastball sits at like 88 that just won’t cut it. It’s sad to see a once great pitcher like Kluber radically lose his stuff. I would only use him in a mop up situation at this point. I mean Sale, Bello, Houck, Whitlock, Crawford, Winckowski, and if he can stay healthy Paxon are all better options. I mean Pivetta who should also be in the pen at least has potentially big league stuff. It’s just really sad to see Kluber trying to battle with that BP fastball.
The countdown-to-Kluber-being-DFA’d clock has already started ticking IMO 🙁
Thank the baseball Gods!
I was truly beginning to think that Braiser would outlast Cora and Bloom!
DBH – Outlasting Cora and Bloom may have been a good thing, depending on when Cora and Bloom were let go ;O)
Trade him to Texas for an injured Degrom.
Brais my friend I did and tried everything I could for you to survive… 1254 candles lite.. 3746 prayer’s during your appearances, and just for luck fingers were always crossed.. you were my modern Bob Stanley ( just not as good) but I stuck with you… best of luck but unless they can find Rich Garcias for me I don’t see the point anymore… look for a broken hearted fan face down in the Charles… good bye cruel world ( nation) ….. seriously is el guapo still pitching ( alive)….
olmtiant – I was waiting for you to comment! LOL!!
For me he was my modern John Way Back Wasdin.
Guapo’s 52nd birthday is Thursday!
FPG.. if el guapo is not signed by Thursday …then again I’ll be face down… with buffs wings sauce stains on my 70 jersey/ a dunks ice coffee clutched in left hand.. drinking dirty water… you and Joe Brady were good to me…. My rookie Brais card will be in back right pocket… whom ever finds me first …. Cherish it( maybe pulled a bloom also)
olmtiant – I put my rookie Brais card in the spokes of my son’s bicycle, it makes a cool sound when he rides it.
Love it man!! You’re to much!!! Just think of the poor kid who actually did that with a card that really was valuable…
olmtiant – Or the poor kid who had their Rickey Henderson Topps rookie card stolen … that kid would be me. When I saw last year what it’s worth now, I nearly vomited.
FPG and Oimtiant – Had a massive collection in the early 60s and my little sister loved Mickey Mantle so I gave her his cards to use in her bike to make the cool sounds!!! Yep, thousands of dollars for the cool sounds!!
It still hurts 60 years later!!
Oh my gosh no!!!! I have heard of this!!! Not that my father was big into baseball ball but he gave me and my brother old pinochle cards to use …, my brainstorm was to flick cards to edge of stairs.. closest won .. I have good cards Nolan Ryan Mets with bad corners because of this
Fine… Steve Crawford…. I’ve given you two RSN… please I’m to young and handsome to bathe in the Charles ( well to young at least ) and well 75/78/86/03… ah never mind….
Olmtiant – For me 1972 and 2008 and 2011 were the worst in 3 very unique ways.
1972 was the only time in sports history a team lost a championship because they weren’t allowed to play as many games as their opponents.
FPG… most of my buddies were/ are cub fans and would say geez at least you made the playoffs or w.s… !!! I said yeah I get it but it’s no comparison… you guys never go to prom… we do and our date goes home with someone else!!! Big difference… funny my daughter at game tonight with BC… I told her to go to souvenir shop across the street and offer $10 for a Brais shirt/jersey…LOL!!!
Fever, 1970, when Alex Johnson walked off the field with the batting title by .0003, dang it.
hayzee – My baseball memories start at the end of the ’72 season so I don’t recall Alex Johnson, but yeah Teddy Ballgame never sat to protect a batting title.
FPG and whyhayzee… can you guys please answer me this question as this has sparked major flare ups with baseball buds( you know the ones who blamed Buckner and Bartman) I said the most overrated record is the 56 game hit streak…trust me I get it major accomplishment but the FACT of the matter is you could have a 162 game hit streak and bat 250 or lower… Ted actually hit higher during joes streak .. but you cannot hit 406 by going 1-4 or 1-5 hell even 1-3… Yankee hater sure but I stand but my argument .. thoughts from you guys or anyone else….
oimtiant – No question the MVP should have gone to Williams. It hasn’t been done since and he didn’t have guys giving him lollipop pitches to help him achieve his goal. DiMaggio was a great player but his stature was elevated because he was a Yankee. He was no Ted Williams yet he was compared to him all the time as if they were equals. They weren’t even close. Ted was the greatest pure hitter to ever play the game and he hit for power on top of his ability to put the bat on the ball. Babe Ruth will always be the greatest player of all time but Ted Williams was the greatest hitter and he was robbed of a MVP in 1941.
Quick comparision:
Williams (age 22) walked 147 times lowering his at bats to 456 in 143 games.
DiMaggio (age 26) walked 76 times in 139 games so he had 85 more at bats.
Williiams had 185 hits, 33 doubles, 3 triples and 37 home runs.
DiMaggio had 193 hits (8 more in 85 at bats more) 43 doubles, 11 triples and 30 home runs (again in 85 more at bats)
Williams average .406, OBP .553!!!, SLG .735 OPS 1.287 and 2 SBs
DiMaggio average .357 (49 pts lover), OBP .440 (113 lower) SLG .643 (92 points lower) OPS 1.083 (204 points lower)
Does a hitting streak help a team more than the BA, OBP, SLG and OPS all being significantly higher for Williams? The answer is unequivocally NO!!
Oimtiant – Your friends must be Yankee fans to not see the obvious. Or if they are Yankee fans that would explain their poor assessment of a baseball concept!! haha
Hope this provides some ammo for you!!
Kd.. thanks … I think it’s more of they know what a big fan of Redsox history I am and they bust chops…,he misses out on a mvp cause some writer leaves him off ballot of ten??? Ask anyone greatest bb record and 56 comes up more than not… again impressive but so overrated….
olmtiant – I agree that Buckner was not to blame, it was Johnny Mac’s fault.
Bartman though was indeed to blame. I have always had a problem with fans (and ballgirls) who interfere with play in such a way that costs the home team. Of course now it’s darn near impossible for fans to interfere because of that stupid net that basically goes from foul pole to foul pole.
I totally agree with you on the .406/56 thing, that hit streak is not the greatest accomplishment.
But I do believe the 56-game hit streak is possibly the hardest thing in baseball to accomplish because it requires a tremendous amount of luck. That’s the big difference, to have a hit streak requires pitchers throwing strikes or at least hittable pitches.
There were three instances during that streak when Joe had only 2 AB’s in a game, two of them were because he was walked twice and the 3rd was because it was a rain shortened 5 inning game. That right there makes it very difficult to keep a streak going.
And what if you happen to face a pitcher with no-hitter stuff? Nothing against Ted, but he went hitless in MANY games during the 1941 season. All he needed to do was have a 3-hit game to make up for the hitless ones. Challenging, yes … but definitely doable.
So yeah the 56-game hit streak wasn’t the greatest achievement in MLB history, but it very well could be the most difficult and challenging thing any player has ever done.
FPG.. very good arguments/ points to 56 game streak . True you always don’t get 4 at bats a game and all and no doubt in this era would be nearly impossible with everyone throwing 97 plus but at the end of the day 406 is 406 for a entire season.. KD talks about Ted being robbed in 41 but didn’t he win triple crown and not be voted mvp to Joe Gordon?? As for Bartman they made this kids life a living hell.. alou was not exactly Willie mays with the glove and I point out that Alex Gonzalez/ mark prior should carry most of the blame/ doesn’t help that dusty let the kid hung out to dry… BUT wait like 86 there’s more…. Game 7… and a 3-0 lead( eerily) maybe Bartman was the iceberg but the Cubs still had MANY opportunities to bail and save the ship… killer stat I found out a few years ago… Bob Stanley zero WP in 86 until…. Thank God for 04….
olmtiant – Shag Crawford? Now that’s a blast from the past!
FPG… remember watching alcs and he comes in( got me ready for Brais many years later) the ups and downs of 86 couldn’t be duplicated…. Unless you’re up 3-0 and blow it!!! Ahhh memories of a great kind puts all the nightmares to bed!!!
With the Red Sox losing 6 of 7 (lets thank Brian Gerald Snitker for using an opener to allow Boston to win it’s only game in the last 7) and Boston winning 8 in a row prior to the current 1-6 streak, I think it’s safe to say the Red Sox are a bit streaky in 2023. They have been fairly unpredictable so far too. So don’t get worried yet, if their pattern stays in tact they are due to go on an unlikely run of wins. Since the west coast swing is SD, LAA and ARI it seems unlikely a streak is imminent but that’s exactly what makes it imminent!!
They are an enigma this season.
So lets check the latest offensive stats. Why are they so inconsistent?
Ranked by most at bats
Devers 161 – ..261 average with 11 home runs (low average but doing his job)
Verdugo 161 – .298 average with 13 doubles means he’s doing his job and a bit more
Turner 155 – .265 average but not much power or RBIs (he ain’t no JD!!)
Hernandez 141 – .235 average!!! What’s wrong with this picture? Fourth most at bats yet one of the worst averages? Only Cora can show such Nepotism and not get grilled in the press for his bad decisions!!
Yoshida 131 – .298 average with a .380 OBP!! He’s doing his job and more. He needs ABs.
Casas 108 – .185 average!!!! What’s wrong with this picture? 15 under the Mendoza line and sixth most at bats? Cora proving he should not be a manager.
Duran 90 – .344 average with 6 SBs. He’s doing his job and more but Cora isn’t giving him enough at bats.
The rest of the hitters stink so there is no point in listing them. I listed 7 batters and 2 have way too many at bats so there are 5 worthy hitters right now. Duvall got hurt but he is a tough one to predict since he only had a hot streak.
Cora is mismanaging the at bats and Bloom has failed to provide NINE quality hitters for the 2023 season. If it wasn’t for a few bad hitters doing much better than their norms and the pitching staff keeping them in games the standings could be a LOT worse.
Lets hope the good luck continues but lets hope more for a firing of Bloom and Cora so the new GM can get some resources to try to make this a competitive year and the new manager can figure out who really should be playing and getting the most at bats.
KD – Magnificent post as always!!
You are too nice in not bringing up Wong, but I’m not … in his last 7 games he’s batting just .080 (2-for-25) with 11 strikeouts – pitiful. Defensively he’s been solid, but offensively he’s become another black hole along with Casas – and not surprisingly, they were the only two starters last night who didn’t get a hit or even reach base.
Why would any team pitch to Devers with Casas hitting behind him? I did like the lineup 1-4 last night, Duran should obviously be the leadoff hitter permanently and Yoshida/Dugie should be the 2nd and 3rd hitters with Devers at cleanup and Turner 5th. After that it’s who gives a crap.
I appreciate your optimism, but this is very much a .500 team that will stick around to contend for the final WC spot but that’s about it. You know why Yoshida didn’t play last night? Because Casas at 1B forces Turner to DH, it’s a horrible snowball effect thanks to Cora’s mismanaging. Safe to say these last two games were the most humiliating consecutive losses of the season, and with Schreiber likely going on the IL again the pen is awfully thin until Kenley figures things out.
Why is Bleier still on the team??? He is BRUTAL! His brother Rocky could do a better job pitching.
On a positive note, the announcers were talking about Mayer and saying he’s doing so well that he could be the starting SS at the beginning of next season. They are convinced he will be promoted to the majors sometime in 2024 which is exactly what I’ve been saying. So there’s a light at the end of the tunnel, but not until Cora and Bloom are fired later this year.
Good lord, such optimism. I agree on they’re being a .500 team but there are lots of reasons to look forward. I’m starting to run again with my two new hips. Pretty soon I’ll be able to start a throwing program. And by next season, I’ll be in the bullpen as the oldest setup man in baseball history. So there’s that to look forward to. I mean, just 25 short years ago, I was facing off against college hitters in an amateur baseball league. And just 20 short years ago, I was training to qualify for the Boston Marathon, which I did in 2004. I’m ready to pitch in, literally.
whyhayzee – Congrats on the double hip replacement. 3 weeks ago my wife had her right hip replaced and she’s walking around without much pain other than the incision. You might want to give your care giver a big thank you because it’s not an easy job being at someone’s beck and call 24 by 7 for a week or two. Again, congrats.
My playing days ended at 53 playing in a 25 and over league because we moved from Chicago to NJ and I couldn’t find a comparable league that was driving distance from the new location. I wasn’t close to Toms River where there appeared to be several leagues. If you do get to throw again, you are one lucky old guy!! When my daughter left for college my pitching batting practice days ended and without grand children yet, I’m not sure I will be up for it if it does happen soon!! I’ll need to break out the bands!!
Also, I appreciate you qualifying for the Boston Marathon. My kids just ran in a half marathon despite never being long distance runners and I am amazed how much training is needed to simply be bad at it!! If you were good, you must have been a heck of a runner!!
Fever Pitch Guy –
You are too nice in not bringing up Wong, but I’m not … in his last 7 games he’s batting just .080 (2-for-25) with 11 strikeouts – pitiful. Defensively he’s been solid, but offensively he’s become another black hole along with Casas – and not surprisingly, they were the only two starters last night who didn’t get a hit or even reach base.
_________________________________________________________________
For you this information will be news but for catcher main it is defence, all that he does on the average or higher middle in an attack is a sauce.
That is why catchers is very valued that is able well to be on the defensive and beat.
Such of catchers it is possible to count on the fingers of one hand – J.T.Realmuto, S.Murphy.
Wong has a very good season in defence, he very well manages a starting rotation and he showed that he has pop as in Triple AAA in a past season so in Major in this season.
It is needed to give to the fellow 400 AB and then to do some conclusions about his attacking abilities in Major League.
You begin to pour young players dirt after the pair of unsuccessful games.
Casas had 23 game streak series on a base and for the last 15 matches have a line:
45AB, 12H, Double, 3HR, 7RBI, 10Walks, 10SO, .267Avg, .324Obp, .882 Ops.
Do you want to send of Casas in Triple ААА in earnest?
KD, great post. It is my belief that Alex Cora viewed himself as a starter when he was a player and has always had a chip on his shoulder about being a bench guy. I think that carries over to his managing style. He keeps playing utility guys as every day starters to prove he should have been a full time starter, too.
Your comments about who should be getting at-bats is spot on!
The only thing I disagree with you and FPG is Casas. I think he will come around, we’re already seeing that he is slowly. He is striking out less and walking more (his OBP is finally over .300).. He just needs time, and you are right… out of the top two-thirds of the line up. He should be hitting 7th or 8th until the AS break. If he’s not up to .250 by then, demote him.
Ki-Ki should be hitting 9th, when he plays, which should NOT be every day..
DBH – Just to reiterate my stance on Casas, I do think he will come around. I just think it should happen in AAA, not in the majors.
@FPG, in a normal year I would agree. But the Sox are a .500 club. No real harm in letting him work it out in the Bigs. Like we have both said, get rid of the losers and bring up all the young guns and let them have a no-pressure spring training in Fenway
DBH – You have a valid point.
I was against the Turner signing and at the time pointed out he has drastically declined for 5 consecutive years.
Well, his numbers right now represent a 6th consecutive year of decline. In fact his .740 OPS is his worst in a decade.
But he’s 38 and not David Ortiz, so what did we expect?
I’m just not ready to give up on the season, crazier stuff has happened.
If the Sox are a sub-.500 team at the trade deadline and Sale is dominating again, I think he’d be the first one traded.
DBH – I understand your argument about Casas and since I don’t believe this team is capable of a post season finish I wouldn’t take issue with him learning to hit in the MLB BUT I would insist that Dalbec get the same opportunity.
Can you imagine facing Casas and Dalbec as the back to back 7 and 8 hitters or 6 and 7 hitters? Put a speedster at 9 to precede Duran and pitchers may get lots of strike outs but at some point we might see the bottom of the order pounding HRs at a pace you don’t normally see from 7 and 8. Kike needs to be DFA’d. If Mondesi isn’t ready use Hamilton (Kiki Clone but 10 years younger).
Here is the line-up I would like to see:
Duran CF
Yoshida LF
Devers 3B
Verdugo RF
Turner DH
Casas 1B
Dalbec SS (defensively no worse than Kiki or Hamilton)
Wong/McGuire
Valdez 2B ( or flip flop Valdez and Dalbec)
This team drops off dramatically after the 5th batter BUT facing Casas and Dalbec would seem to be a point for the pitcher to relax but both can take you downtown so you really can’t relax. Also, putting them head to head in competition may bring out the best of both of them. Valdez has been a nice surprise with his speed and his unexpected ability to get on base. He’s perfect for the 9th spot.
This line-up also clearly delineates where the issues are on the team so even an inept GM like Bloom would have a road map to where to fix the team.
@KD. Completely agree with you. If I had any say, Dalbec and Casas would have started in AAA. We had Hosmer for a bad of peanuts, and could have picked up Iglesias for another bag of peanuts plus a bag of popcorn., but since having a player who can both hit and play 1st isn’t allowed in Boston right now, I would be more than happy having ALL of our younger players up, like I said, running a no-pressure, just have fun, spring training this season.
I would run with Duran, Verdugo, Turner, Devers, and Yoshida right now. Devers needs some protection. But I can live with your line up.
DBH – Here’s my thinking on the top of the order.
Lead off man is fast and poses a threat to steal every time he’s on …. thus Duran.
Best OBP guy on the team in the second hole … thus Yoshida
Best hitter in the three hole …. thus Devers
Who will protect Devers best …. I think Verdugo over Turner but the hotter one should hit behind Devers and then the other one.
My issue with your order is your best hitter should always bat in the first inning. Devers needs to bat 3rd. He should be preceded by two high OBP guys and he should be protected by power hitters. Yoshida and Duran seem like the high OBP guys.
JT hasn’t really shown it yet but I think he’s the best power hitter not counting Duvall, Dalbec or Casas who all struggle from an average perspective.
Verdugo is a wild card because he’s over performing right now like Duran. If one of the two fall off then the other takes the top spot in the order and the other goes to 4th or 5th. I like Duran in the 5th hole if Verdugo is the 1 hitter and I like Verdugo in the 4 hole if Duran is the leadoff hitter. The reason is Verdugo historically hits doubles. JT is not as fast as he used to be so if he singles he may not score on a double. If Verdugo bats first and doubles then a single by JT should score him. On the other hand, Duran is more of a singles hitter so let JT’s power be the protection for Devers and Duran can be the guy who gets on after JT and if Casas and Dalbec can put the ball in play after Duran steals second, a run can be manufactured.
Frankly, as long as Devers bats third and Yoshida bats in front of him the rest of the top five can be in any order except no JT in the lead off spot.
KD – Superb post!
The only thing with which I disagree is your assertation about the best hitter batting 3rd in order to bat in the first inning.
Think about it, with Devers batting 3rd if the two hitters in front of him don’t reach base then the bases will ALWAYS be empty when our best hitter steps to the plate in the 1st inning – we don’t want that!!!
The beauty of batting cleanup is that you have a high probability of being able to bat with runners on base. That’s where the term “cleanup” comes from, “cleaning” the bases by driving in runs. It’s the same reason why the Yankees are idiots to bat Judge leadoff or 2nd where almost all his homeruns will be solo shots. Baseball has been around for more than 175 years, they weren’t “dumb” for all that time just because they didn’t have computers back then!
If you were to move Dugie or Yoshida into the cleanup spot, I’m fine with Devers batting 3rd. But nobody else should be batting cleanup in this current lineup.
FPG – Here is the counter argument to what you stated.
Think back to 2018 and the games the Red Sox trailed in and won late. There was always an 8th or 9th inning rally when the order turned over from the 9th hitter to the top of the order. Why were they so successful for most of the year? Because Mookie batted first and had a huge OBP, Benny batted 2nd and had a huge OBP and JD batted 3rd and had a huge OBP. Late inning rallies start at the top of the order. On July 31 Cora move JD to 4th and stuck Pearce in the 3rd hole because he had a good series against the Yankees. This seemed like a meaningless move and it only accounted for one spot in the order BUT late inning rallies changed dramatically because Pearce’s OBP was 100 points lower than JDs. Cora hurt the team badly by switching them but they were so good not many people noticed it.
The first inning scoring has everything to do with the first two hitters that’s why they should be your 1 and 2 OBP guys other than your best hitter. If the first two batters make an out in the first inning the 3rd hitter is there to start a rally with two outs. Devers hits lots of doubles and HRs so worst case scenario is he hits a solo home run best case scenario he doubles and the four hitter drives him in and keeps the rally going. How many times does the 3 hitter homer in the first inning to create the downside you are suggesting is bad for the team?
Looking at Devers numbers I see he hit 6 first inning HRs in 2022 and 21 since he came up in 2017. With the opportunity to get one more at bat in any of the 162 games per year when the team needs a rally late, I’d rather see him batting one spot sooner than worry about him missing out on a base runner in the first inning and ONLY getting a one run homer. I couldn’t determine of the 6 HRs in the first at bat during 2022 whether there were runners on or not so 6 missed opportunities is the greatest cost but it could have been 0!!!
I’ll take him getting up one batter sooner late in the game over the potential for lost RBIs in the first inning. But that’s just me. I’m a probabilities guy so I figure his probability of impacting a score/win is far greater late in the game batting one spot earlier than missing an opportunity for an extra run or two in the first inning on the rare occasion he homers in his first at bat.
KD – Great post as always! I’m really fine with having the best slugger bat 3rd, as long as he doesn’t bat first or second. I totally agree, high OBP guys should bat 1st or 2nd – preferably with some speed, which is why I think Duran should be leadoff.
Unfortunately there’s just not enough great hitters in the lineup right now. Back in 2018 the season started actually with Hanley batting 3rd and JD 4th. Hanley had a .617 SLG and 1.032 OPS early on until his shoulder issues brought down his numbers.