CaliSoxFanViaSWside

That's exactly what I said. But I was questioning how efficiently a runner uses his speed to get to a ball. You can run a very direct route but run slower if your eye is always on the ball. The very best OF may not look at the ball as much but run faster to his top speed but his route may waver. Obviously the different kind of flyballs also affect that. Line drives using lateral movement or coming in pretty much require eyes on the ball at all times. And CFers would be more efficient with their speed because they don't have to worry about slowing down for foul balls approaching the stands. The deep drives going back on balls over your head or into the gaps are the ones I was wondering just how its possible to see if an OF is using his speed efficiently and ability at the wall isn't something that's probably measured either. Robert has great speed and instincts but had some problems at the wall which I'm sure he will get better at.

I'm not sure whats the best way to run a route efficiently. I would think the statcast people use where a player starts and where he catches the ball and measure deviations from the straight line or most direct path. There are Ofers who can take one look at the ball and if they've done their homework and anticipate hook and slice depending on the handedness of the batter and trajectory, can then adjust their path looking up one more time. These guys are rare. Others may do the look run, look run, look run and still others look at it at all times while the ball is in flight. If you look at it constantly your route may be best but u may be slower to the ball . Defensive metrics are tricky in that way. Is there any one stat that can keep constant tabs on sprint speed, apply it to how close an OF comes to his max sprint speed while chasing a flyball and measure the ability to run full speed while running his route ?

Lots of apples at his locker. Do people still associate an apple on the teachers desk as a thing or is that too old school? That's been around forever.

These are good comments. You admit his health has been bad but mention stuff that you can judge by analytics and scouting. I think his foot speed is still pretty good and he gets good jumps on balls according to what someone already posted here who didn't like him and posted his Statcast data for those things.

You never know. You would think some team would want to see if a guy who put up just as good offensive numbers in Charlotte as Robert and then lit up Spring training up here can actually hit the way he has shown he can. Maybe the Sox can identify the next Fernando Tatis , Jr. in someone's DSL team to trade him for.

Ok so we lost about the same amount getting rid of players. So since the off season started we are Lynn + Eaton's salary over last years payroll or roughly $16M. SO if we add Hendriks and another starter it's possible we are $40M over last years payroll. That isn't too bad in this environment.

I like Walker because he is still young . His FIP is a bit high and he will lose command every so often but he did pitch pretty good for the Jays after Seattle traded him .He's one of those guys who could be just finding himself or just be a blah kind of guy. But if you throw him in the mix for #4 starter with Cease and when Kopech can make some starts we have a 3 way competition for 4 and 5 . More than that if we can somehow get Crochet to throw 4+ innings in 10 or so starts.

I'm confident that if the Sox address DH at all it will be late in the off season. Next up is Hendriks and a starting pitcher . My dark horse candidate SP is Taijuan Walker . Link is to a Fansided Brewer s fan explaining why he thinks Brewers should sign him. It's not heavy on using metrics or anything but it does list some positives to think about. https://reviewingthebrew.com/2020/12/05/brewers-taijuan-walker-perfect-fit/

I'm OK with the off season so far. Seems like the Sox are looking to build some depth and continue to add OBP If the pursuit of Hendriks pays off, 2 of our 3 acquisitions end up being the best (Hendriks) and near best (Lynn). A lock down BP takes you a long way in todays game. With trying to work in our top young starters the Sox can limit their innings and use the BP and still feel confident about winning games. Lynn will also help if he remains the horse he usually is, although with a great BP you can also limit his innings to keep him strong for the playoffs.

Looks to me like Hendriks became the pitcher he is now because he ditched his sinker and change starting right around May 2019 and went exclusively with his 4seam , slider and curve. His 4 seam usage went way up usually accounting for 70+% of his pitches. Slider and curve used 2nd and 3rd most. He says he isn't stuck on any number but the reports are that his contract will be similar to the one signed by Will Smith last year. The ROI didn't work out real well for the Braves in the 1st year since Smith got Covid and didn't pitch well after he came back.

I've been waiting to see a Spanky reference. Good job . But have I seen video of that crazy handshake cerebration thing he does ?

Ha none of you admins are very helpful but somewhat funny telling me it takes a bribe but you all seem to have your special names. Just thought it would be nice to have one I can pick after contributing to this place for about 1000 years now.

Ha what did you pay to make yours "I suck" ?

I've had a run in with Kyle before and I generally agree with SS2k5 and most of our disagreements are cordial.

I always wondered how people get those specialized statements under their name. I don't see a way I can change mine. How is it done ?

Oh no you're becoming like me with that comment about the "of" instead of "have."

It's just tough from a DH type player's perspective for the time being since he will only field offers from AL teams and shortens the window to sign with an NL team. Too many guys in limbo until it actually gets done. Assuming there will be a DH in the NL doesn't help them at all and may hurt them if they wait around for NL approval and it doesn't happen while others sign for cheap with an AL team.

That's actually a good thing . It shows you're a good listener and are willing to soften a previous hard line stance.

Isn't that contrary to the last thing you told us about the DH ? I know you are just reporting it so I'm not taking a stab at you. I'm just not getting a clear picture of the whole DH in the NL thing.

You mean that Hahn is the illegitimate son of Jerry ?

Yea but Yearnin' for Yermin isn't the only thing he's yearnin' for. He also yearns for those laughy emots. and winning the day. Doing it at the expense of Caulfield will always get you those.

Too sensitive . I took it as meaning if the minimum wage guys are making $15 an hr. imagine what everyone else makes and that's why it's expensive. More like a it's a ritzy restaurant rather than punching down at minimum wage workers.

I think most of us would but I will always defend Colome . I will edit this to say the Colome giving up "TRIPLE" the walks per 9 than Hendriks has to be put into context. Without looking at the stats if Hendriks gives up 1 BB/9 that would mean Colome gives up 3 BB/9 . If Colome pitches his typical outing of 1 inning , he is giving up 1 walk every 3 appearances.

One thing that kills closers is giving up the long ball. Colome didn't give up a single HR last year and he never has given up many.

If it didn't happen in 19' or 20" , it's not happening in 21' . The Sox had their opportunities and blew him off. If the NL doesn't have the DH this year, which is looking more and likely, it limits the teams to which he can be traded. He'll probably end up a PTBNL or put on waivers