soxfaninfl

A couple of days ago I posted the stats for Vaughn and Sheets thru approximately their last 500 ABs. While I realize the comparison is a little unfair to Andrew (he sees a lot of righties and Sheets doesn't face many lefties), the reason I find the stats compelling is not to elevate Gavin but rather to have some basis for evaluating Andrew before we jettison one of the most productive hitters in Sox history. Now, I really like Andrew but I would also like to see us put the best team out there for 2023 and, to me, what one thinks of this team's chances next year is the challenge to the offseason. If you want to contend in '23, then you keep Abreu and look to offer Andrew up for a piece we need. If you feel '24 is the better option to truly contend and you're willing to risk '23, then you keep Andrew. Either way, bring up Colas, and develop a true plan to compete with pieces that fit and not just acquire bodies. This whole team is dependent on the health of Eloy, Robert, and TA anyway regardless if Yoan bounces back or not. Too far into this plan to think we could get anything better than those three healthy. Honestly, we need some grinders on this team and much fewer free swingers. Also, don't be so quick to think we should emulate the Guardians. It's funny to me to read all the hand-wringing here about Cleveland and all their rookies, all their team development, while ignoring one big fact - Cleveland has the best position player in the division. Take him out of their lineup for any reason and the wheels could come off Cleveland pretty fast. Cleveland does what it does because it has to. I tip my hat, honestly, but I also feel this team is built around Jose Ramirez. If the Sox want to emulate anything, it should be this. The Sox have the pieces. The Sox needed to do a better job building around those pieces and, yes, put somebody else in charge.

Judge isn’t leaving NY. He may move to the Mets but there is no way we compete with those deep pockets.

Going to play devil's advocate here.... Vaughn (2022) 480 ab, 17 HR, .785 OPS Sheets (career) 504 ab, 25 HR, .753 OPS Just going to let that sit here. Think what you want for I am unsure of my opinion. I really like Andrew but I still think he is a work in progress.

The most difficult time to win is when you are expected to win and this team has reacted poorly. Over confidence at first and then pressing as the schedule became short. Look at Cleveland. They didn’t expect to win but worked hard to win. They play loose and hustle. It’s managing. Francona is the biggest difference.

Francona.

Tough loss. A really well played game until the Diekman/Zavala implosion in the 11th. Cleveland just out-hustled, out worked, and out-managed the Sox. Myles Straw… Myles fricking Straw. If it wasn’t for Elvis, Jose, and Eloy the Sox would have had zero offense. Gamers. The Guardians just have more than we do. I hope this loss hurts every member of this team. Maybe it will be a good thing if we miss the playoffs. Something needs to motivate this team. Lastly, I hope Lambert recovers from this okay. He’s been decent this year but he should not have been out there tonight. It’s why you don’t rely on rookies in a pennant chase.

All this talk of Eloy at DH so reminds me of talk surrounding Frank Thomas circa 30 years ago because, well, Frank wasn't exactly Mark Teixeira over at 1B. The problem is the same because you need the bat and the team needs a happy, productive player. And, yes, we need the bat because Eloy's second half here has been, um, very Frank Thomas-like (except for the walks and eye-popping OBP but Frank is a HOFer for a reason). Like I have stated in other posts... if Eloy wants to play LF, tell him to come to camp in shape and ready to have an MVP season. The key to this team has always been him and Robert. If they can do what they have done even this year over a 130-140 game span with TA returning to his normal production, the offense is fine regardless of whatever decision you make on Abreu/Vaughn. Move the one that presents the best opportunity to fill a need be it a starting pitcher or a LH bat. The Sox are stuck with Yoan and AJ. So, just hope for the best and, hopefully, it won't matter as much because the above 3-4 are doing their thing. Pitching will be the issue but look around... it is everywhere. The Sox have Cease, Lynn, Kopech, and Gio (depending on arbitration). Gio will be playing for a contract so there is that and hoping he will be better but that staff is not horrible. Crochet should be back but probably a lefty out of the bullpen. Still. the bullpen should be solid as long as Lopez and Lambert continue their emergence. Probably need a starter. The pieces are here. Less drama out of the dugout (read new manager) and a healthier team next year with a couple of shrewd moves should put this team back on track. If not, God help us fans...

I tend to agree with you and I feel some still do not understand the economics of this team and why we are not the Dodgers or Cardinals. The Rays might be a closer example but even that has some limitations in this market. This rebuild is important to this team and I am withholding any judgment until after the Cleveland series. Not just how the team performs but how well the Sox draw in the most important series of the year. The Sox currently rank 18th in average attendance... during a season the team has never been more than 5 games out of a division lead. The Sox also operate in a market unlike most other teams, only the Mets and Angels play in similar situations and... they both outdraw the Sox. This has always been the albatross around the team's success. Obviously to draw this team needs to be a serious contender. This offseason will be tricky for any GM. Yes, Hahn has made mistakes and, yes, I am completely unsure he can right this ship but the Cubs (yeah, you don't even want to look at what they draw...) are in a position to spend money this offseason and potentially suck all the oxygen out of Chicago this offseason. Simply, the Sox do not compete solely with the American League for a pennant but also the Cubs for market share. It's why this rebuild is so important, to maintain a sense of relevancy. We have some underperforming players and others that just can't seem to stay healthy but the core of this team is, hopefully, solid. Some tweaks. New management. Just have to hope for the best and that 2022 is the anomaly to the years afterwards. Lastly, for those who want to let Abreu walk, expect him in a Minnesota or Cleveland uniform next year. Not saying that is going to happen but it is the risk you take when you want to let a franchise player walk.

I think instead of moaning about Eloy's past injuries, we should be celebrating what he is doing now. Two major injuries yet who has been better in all of baseball this second half? Judge, definitely. Goldschmidt is doing other worldly things. Lowe? It's a short list and Eloy still isn't 100%. Just tell him, if he wants to play LF next year, come to camp in shape and be ready to have an MVP season. The player that should concern everyone is Robert. He is not rebounding well and this team needs both to truly be considered a contender. It's really why we area struggling .500 team. These two have not played together nearly enough. Need both to be healthy next year unless you trade for a Goldschmidt or sign a Judge.

Two sweeps in the Bay Area would be nice. Can we play home games there?

And we have had a couple of the best ever DHs. Both are in the Hall.

Good one. Didn’t see that one coming. Kudos.

Just overthinking things. Right hander on the mound, rather go with the veteran, I guess. But it’s September. This is the time to put your best team on the field, throw out the bats and balls and let the best team win. Right now, that is with Romy at 2B, especially after Josh tried his hardest to lose the rubber match in Seattle. Just makes no sense. Having said that, may Josh go 3-4 and prove me wrong.

For the love of God, why is Harrison playing?

3 runs in 6 innings is not bad or good. Gio is just not an ace but giving up 3 in 6 is a serviceable Major League pitcher but, you're right, he should not be pitching in a must win game. Not everyone is Cease.

I am trying to not read to much into this recent surge from TLR's absence to Andrus and Romy. It's September and it was really now or never with this team. Still, the Sox seems to have found something with Andrus and Romy up the middle, especially Andrus. He has delivered desperately needed veteran leadership and baseball savvy but I also believe the attitude of this team switched soon after he arrived. Sometimes it just takes that guy to come in, flash a smile, play well, and show some excitement to loosen up a team because this team has played tight all year. This has been TA until this year. Hope he is taking notes. Also, Eloy has been huge. This is the bat we have been missing for most of the year.

Eloy takes a lot of crap for his injuries (some deserved) but he is so valuable to this team.

Andrew needs a day off. AJ is swinging a bit better bat right now anyway.

Kelly is just an enigma and I don’t think they know what to do to get him out of his funk. Probably thought an easy first inning might help but that didn’t happen. This bullpen scares me, though. Kinda reminds me of 2010 when Ozzie really had no one outside of Jenks as a consistent option. Difference was that team could score and we are going too have to do some of that, especially today I fear.

Or Luis.

I am really not an Eloy aplologist. I said in an earlier post that Eloy needed a treadmill. But, hey, the guy has had a terrible two years of health and I am willing to cut him some slack. Get to the off-season, get in shape but I will be right with the ‘time to move on’ crowd if he comes in next year in the same shape.

Wasn’t it public knowledge that Eloy was going to have periods of leg soreness after he tore his hamstring?? Not sure why all the hate for a guy who’s been decent since the all star break and this also happened a couple of weeks ago and he was in the lineup the next day. Let’s just see if he’s in the lineup tomorrow. Without him, this lineup is truly pedestrian.

I often wonder if the Sox haven’t already told Jose they weren’t signing him to another contract. It would help explain his preseason comments and possibly some of the clubhouse problems.

When you’re 25 and have a 31 HR season and a Silver Slugger already on your baseball card, I would disagree that he’s not worth the squeeze. I would love to see 80-90% of a season with Eloy. Let’s hope that happens.

I do too but baseball can be a hard business. The problem with the Sox is they have the potential for a lot of serious dead money contracts next year and I think it’s obvious they have to get better. I just don’t see how you give up control on either Eloy (at 25) or Andrew (at 24) given the contract situation. If I felt JR was going to turn on the money machine this off-season, then maybe you keep Abreu. Gavin has proven himself to be a MLB player but not yet a starter. Of course, if you let Jose walk, you leave it to chance that he winds up in Cleveland or Minnesota and come kick our ass.