soxfaninfl

I don’t understand Pedro. Why would you PH Vaughn there? Why not Burger since he came into the game anyway? Could have saved Vaughn for the 9th.

That sinker from Bassitt is nasty tonight.

Kinda cherry picking stats, aren’t we? I mean, the team was 14 over in 2021 after that date and I fail to see cause and effect past that year.

I hope the circus that performed in RF yesterday finally made someone come to their senses.

Then he fits right in.

Great post. I think it's fair to say the Pedro hire is endemic for an organization devoid of any real plan to achieve success on any level. The hire really slides in nicely with the many decisions made over the past three seasons to supposedly improve this team. The Sox employ hope and best guesses over any devised plan and, well, 2023 is what you get when that hope or guesses are wrong. The question is, of course, where does one go from here? The Sox have always valued hitters, specifically power hitting DH types, over actual players. It is how we have Vaughn, Burger, Eloy, and Sheets all on the same team (I would actually include Yaz too). Maybe it has to do something about an exploding scoreboard. This needs to change and again (as you allude) a change they tried during the 2004 offseason but regressed the following offseason and continuing, for the most part, to today. It's funny and tragic - the one year the Sox won a WS in my lifetime, the team really did NOT have a prototypical DH. Let that sink in. However, such adjustments take time, especially in light of the team's current situation. It's hard to assess where this team is. There is talent but it has all regressed with the noted exception of Luis. You can't fire the team, especially with the Sox farm condition, but there is a reason the manager is always the first to go. It is, of course, not the only change needed but you have to give this team an opportunity to win. Currently, a losing, scapegoating mentality is infecting this team and this goes no where if that doesn't change now. A change in managers is a quick way to change the tone of a team and, yes, normally, it is a short-term effect but at least the Sox can start to change the tide of past poor decisions and relying on hope. Have to start somewhere... and the sooner, the better.

Need to leave Pedro in the Bay Area. The Sox can’t burn what little talent there is in a losing culture. The tone needs to change and now.

And this is why you don’t pinch run for one of your only hitters in the 7th. Frazier hitting behind Luis…

Reading most of these responses, I am still struck by the simple question: blow it up to what???? In this system???? The only thing the current Sox system does well is destroy talent… until that changes, there really are no answers. The real question is why all this talent has regressed. Need to answer that dilemma first.

Ah, TA, two years ago, you were loved and adored by the fan base. I even bought a jersey after the cornfield game. The problem is not us. Bottom line, you let us down… and with comments like these, you continue to let us down.

‘See ball. Swing at ball. Try make it go far.’ - baseball fundamentals by Mongo.

Not sure I want Colas anywhere near this cesspool right now. Make some changes first, then yeah.

Overanxious hitters with no confidence to go deep in counts.

Problem in Florida is there are a lot of baseball fans… just not Marlins and Rays fans. Now, if the Mets moved here, you might have something. ?

If MLB was interested in having the best six teams in the playoffs every year, the format would be different. The league is just not as interested in such an idea as building pretentious pennant races that create interest in as many teams as possible for as long as possible. Why do you think the two Central divisions exist? And it does work whether you like it or not. Minnesota, Cleveland, Detroit, and the Sox would be buried in a different format as would a lot of NL Central teams. I think it encourages a lot of mediocrity but you never know, the playoffs are a new season, really. The Braves did supply the blueprint a couple of years ago. Build what’s missing at the trade deadline. Of course, that won’t work for the Sox this year - nothing really to trade.

I am not looking to be happy, just progress to a goal of getting better as an organization. Have to start somewhere. Somehow. Start by saying this is unacceptable. And I am not looking for fiery speeches. Looking for commitment, something this team severely lacks. Why do you think the team is in the condition it is?

Okay, we have a bad team. Stating that is not the cure. The Sox need to let Grifol and Hahn go. The tone of this team is all wrong and has been since day 1. Otherwise, what are you saying? Every day I see the shuffling of the same players. No trades, no ‘hot seats’… just blah. I know it’s not even half of Grifol’s fault but for once(!), can this team put excellence on the field before all this other stuff? Send the message… otherwise, you are settling for mediocrity. This is why the team is in the shape it is. Need to expect excellence. If you don’t get it, find someone who will. It’s been this way since Ozzie left, honestly, from the minors on up. If I were a player, it would be hard to excel in such a blah environment. Excellence starts at the top, not with the players. Jerry, for the love of baseball, do something! Or maybe everyone is right and you are just fleecing this organization and its fans for everything you can before you go to other pastures.

Yeah, Robert is darn good CF. He knew that hit was a winner the minute it left the bat. Like you said, so many other issues… like how this team just shrinks from pressure or adversity… and it’s not just one player. It’s virtually everyone. At some point you have to question the tone and belief system instilled on this team. They expect to fail and lose. Why? I have been saying for more than a month Grifol needed to go. Not all his fault but instilling a winning culture (which this team has needed from day 1) is a tough lift for a rookie manager. Seems right now everything is about ‘preparation.’ I would like to see more thought in how this team is going to consistently win games.

Too many games, this team just plays scared. They expect to lose and stop playing the game. The difference in Eloy’s first two ABs and the last couple is just the clearest example. However, kudos to Graveman and Bummer to get the Sox the extra innings.

I don’t disagree but I also think this ‘sell or die’ mantra is a little disingenuous. I understand frustration but what are we trying to say here?

I don’t necessarily disagree but I just don’t solely rely on it saving the Sox. I also think MLB would be interested in a new market without pulling out of one. I just don’t see them blocking a sell to an investor group from one of those cities. And Jerry? If he sells, you know he will take the best bid.

To play devil’s advocate, I think you may be wishing and hoping more than is reality. Yes, the Sox play in the third largest market but it is a shared market, lest you forget about the team in the north. And what is the Sox market share in Chicago now? What happens to that market share if the team starts to tank? You can’t just be idly blind that some investor group from Charlotte, Nashville, or elsewhere could put together the best bid for the team. Maybe if the Bears open a multi-use stadium, MLB might be interested. This team has almost moved twice in my lifetime, 1975 and 1988. Demographics have not improved much over the years. No Veeck or state legislature to help out this time if Jerry just wants to cash out. It is definitely a possibility.

I have been hard on Grifol but I have to admit yesterday was one of his better managing efforts. Loading up on LH bats to face Lange is exactly how you should attack him. A LH bat can track his curve a lot easier and kudos to Pedro for seizing on an opportunity and not using his LH bats earlier. And a wonderful job by Jake taking ball one. I had a feeling the minute the count was 1-0, Lange would have to throw a strike and Jake would find his pitch. Hope this and his walk earlier is an early sign of Jake maturing as a hitter. He just needs to be more selective because he murders anything middle down, especially middle out. Encouraging game all around.

Nice managing by Hinch. Lefty warming, kept Sheets out of the game. And nice Pedro didn’t fall into the trap.

Did Yoan tweak something during his last AB yesterday? That may explain his absence, but a tough lefty on the mound. I can see why you sit Benintendi. Should be PH opportunities late if Dylan keeps things quiet. The curious thing is Eloy at 2. Rather see him hit behind Luis but what do I know? Pedro seems desperate to find an offensive spark. Alberto at 3rd is a concern.