chitownsportsfan

Yankees broadcast is really bad. Switching to Sox next inning.

QUOTE (harkness @ Apr 17, 2017 -> 06:25 PM) He batted .229 with 3 hr and 13 RBI last April... and not much better in May. He has left a lot of easy RBI out there. He needs to do his job.. right now he isn't contributing on offense and is a liability on defense. I continue to believe he's about 2-3 years older than listed.

that was a meatball. Slow bat early for TA.

Sally is the 3B of the next 5 year IMO.

Tyler is a nice player but worrying about a too crowded IF is just worrying to worry. If the Sox have too many good starting IF then that's a good f***ing problem to have and you don't ask Moncada to move off 2B for some future hypothetical that isn't even a big problem if it happens. If Davidson is actually legit then you move him to 1B, you move Jose to DH and you put Tyler at 3B. That also assumes that Tyler is a worthy starter. A lot of assuming. And hey, if it all these guys turn into solid regulars as mentioned that's a great "problem" to solve.

QUOTE (shipps @ Apr 17, 2017 -> 03:59 PM) Saladino's play dictating where Moncada plays? Holy s***. This crazy talk won't die down.

He looks good and he looks healthy. Positive vibes so far from pretty much the entire pitching staff other than Q.

As mentioned, the velocity is there, just seems to have had some command issues early on, which as we know for Q can jump up and bite him on occasion. If he was forth 5 rupies in the offseason maybe he's worth 4.5 rupies now after the slow start. But if he gets hot he'll be right back at 5 and or even more depending on how it shakes down in mid-summer. Just stay healthy, that is the critical thing.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Apr 17, 2017 -> 05:44 PM) Puig this year would be another example of bat speed returning at a much lighter weight. I think for some guys they just play better a lighter weight. Some guys play better bulkier. Just gotta find what works the best for each guy. The Sox have a great training staff I'd be curious if they had any input on his decision to lose some weight (including muscle) this offseason.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Apr 17, 2017 -> 04:34 PM) Most projection is based on previous work. You usually can throw out September stats on a non contender but last year's results certainly can be used especially when the guy was working on changing his swing. Of course I would never bet money Avi is now one of the better hitters in the league, but there have been encouraging signs he is truly turning things around. The problem is he has had at least a couple 40 or 50 game stretches where he has looked great. Two weeks from now it might be Avi being Avi is back. But as long as he hits the ball in the air, and makes pitchers throw strikes, he is very dangerous. His last 240 or so plate appearances he is hitting around .280 with an OPS around .800, and he actually was pretty Aviesque last September. He looked skinnier at the end of last year as well and he looks thinner then he has before so far this spring. I think it's helped get his bat through the zone a little quicker. Some guys can bulk up and not lose quickness through the zone but for Avi it always looked like he was a little too stiff in his trunk. Maybe he did less weightlifting and more band and flexibility training this offseason. There was a very interesting interview I heard with Robbie Cano about his new offseason training plan. His trainer ordered him not to touch a weight for two months and to only work on band and core flexibility work. He said he feels better now than he has in half a decade.

QUOTE (bmags @ Apr 17, 2017 -> 12:50 PM) Avi's batting average is not his weakness, it's been his bizarre lack of power numbers despite hitting the ball hard. Hard to hit doubles on ground balls, there's not much space between the corners. That's why this increase in lifted balls is important. He can hit .245 if it means 35 doubles instead of 15, 20 home runs instead of 13-14. But, he'll also need to prove it on defense and I still have no confidence there, though I do think LF with his arm could be more helpful. If he hits 245 he's going to have a 285 OBP. That's not acceptable even if he's hitting 30 HR. He needs to hit 280 or higher in order to have an acceptable OBP. His defense is a lost cause imo. If he can slash 280/320/480 he's a 2-3 WAR player however.

If he keeps hitting the ball in the air and swinging at less junk outside the zone his turnaround will continue. He's not going to BABIB over 400 all year but if he keeps hitting this many line shots he'll have one around 320-350. That should allow him to hit 280 or higher. Keep it up Avi. I'll update the stats at the end of this week and see if we can spot some more trends.

it's f***ing pouring rain.

wow unhitch the trailer todd.

TA BB ALERT!

check this guy for PEDs

QUOTE (Scoots @ Apr 14, 2017 -> 08:26 PM) That umpire got rocked it f***ing nailed him. wow.

QUOTE (Tannerfan @ Apr 14, 2017 -> 08:24 PM) So he's not part of the 2019 plan right? Right??? yea for the independent league though.

QUOTE (elrockinMT @ Apr 14, 2017 -> 08:22 PM) If Covey is a sinker ball pitcher he might want to get the ball down he's just a guy, that has to pitch for a month or so.

QUOTE (elrockinMT @ Apr 14, 2017 -> 08:20 PM) You would have agreed with me if he was safe it was stupid, don't gain much with 2 outs being at 3rd.

QUOTE (Heads22 @ Apr 14, 2017 -> 08:15 PM) Then I have some bad news for you yea i'm too stoned. I missed that the sox batted before the rain delay.

looked like a tie but ball beat him.

I love Renteria batting Avi leadoff, he hit it hard.

This is going to be a train wreck.

QUOTE (fathom @ Apr 14, 2017 -> 08:00 PM) Probably will be bad dadgumit.