Lillian

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Apr 22, 2015 -> 09:24 AM) So we should have confidence most will hit near their career norms except LaRoche. The good news is if you don't think LaRoche will ever hit lefties is that there are only about 1 in 5 pitchers who are lefties. VS. LHP .222/.308/.675 .239/.297/.716 The top guy is the guy you posted over and over about how the Sox needed to sign him because they needed a LH hitter so badly, and you plugged him into the 4 spot. The guy on the bottom you have already written off after 13 games saying he can't hit clean up because he can't hit lefties. I know the losses suck, and some people go way overboard, but you usually do not. Until now. Adam La Roche is 35 years old. This isn't likely to improve. Here is what he hit vs. LHP last year, and the year before: AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO AVG OBP SLG OPS 137 13 28 3 0 5 16 0 0 15 43 .204 .284 .336 .620 131 11 26 6 0 3 12 1 0 9 38 .198 .254 .313 .566 81 strike outs in 268 at bats (33%) and an OBP well under .300. I'm sorry, but you simply can't have a clean up hitter hitting that poorly, vs. LHP. The opposing manager will go to the pen, for a LOOGY, every time he comes up, with men on base, in a close game, after the 6TH inning.

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Apr 22, 2015 -> 08:35 AM) I would prefer to have Mike Trout, but the reality is we dont have him. Your point always is "We need a lefty hitter that can hit lefties very well" and time and time again you are shown that this type of person either does not exist, is not available, or is in the hall of fame. Adam Laroche is a capable hitter and he offers protection for Abreu. He isnt perfect, but he can field his position very well which gives him a step up from his predecessor. He is NOT Adam Dunn. And your obsession is not arguable. It is well documented, it is a fact. No, my point in other posts, over the last couple of years, has consistently been that we needed a middle of the order left handed bat, to break up all of the right handed hitters. The Sox haven't had a good one, since Thome. Apparently, the front office felt the same way. Rick Hahn articulated that view, on multiple occasions. I'm just disappointed that they weren't able to sign someone who was also respectable vs. left handed pitching.

The small sample size, this early in the season, should give us confidence that most of these players will eventually hit close to their career norms. La Roche however, has not been productive vs. LHP, for a few years now. At his age, and given his recent history, it would seem unrealistic to expect him to suddenly start hitting lefties. Of course, a lot of teams have hitters who struggle vs. lefties, or vice versa. The point is that we are talking about our clean up hitter. Moreover, we were hoping that this was going to be more than just an average team. This was supposed to be a well constructed team, that would compete. "Not so much".

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Apr 22, 2015 -> 06:57 AM) You are obsessed with a lefty middle of the order hitter. No need for you to elaborate why, i know. I have read it. Many. Many. Many times. We need Grady Whether or not it's true that I am "obsessed" with a left handed, middle of the order hitter is arguable, but not my point here. What I am saying is that a team should not have a guy hitting cleanup, who is completely incapable of hitting left handed pitching. Do you disagree with that point? I would actually prefer a right handed hitter, who could hit both RHP and LHP, to guys like Adam Dunn and now Adam La Roche, who are worthless vs. lefties.

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Apr 22, 2015 -> 06:00 AM) omg lillian. ???????? Apparently, you find something in my post astounding. Would you care to elaborate?

I think that the biggest flaw in this team remains what I have been complaining about for a couple of years: The lineup lacks a really potent left handed hitter, in the middle of the order. Adam Dunn was a total failure, in that role and I'm afraid that Adam La Roche will prove to be a similar disappointment. As many of us have pointed out, he cannot hit LHP. A clean up hitter, who is incapable of hitting left handed pitching represents a big liability. In the late innings, with the potential for a big inning, the opposition will simply go to the pen and bring in a lefty to face La Roche. Moreover, it makes it too easy for the pitcher to go around Abreu, knowing that La Roche is coming up behind him, and that he can be retired by bringing in a "LOOGY". Having a couple of guys in the lineup, who cannot hit lefties is acceptable, but not right in the heart of the order. This is why I advocated using Sanchez as the #2 hitter, which would allow Melky to hit behind Jose. He won't hit as many home runs as La Roche, but he is a switch hitter, he hits for average, and does not represent an automatic out vs. a lefty. La Roche probably has to hit behind Garcia. I'm hoping that Beckham can continue to have decent at bats, which would solve the similar problem that Gillaspie poses. Gordon could pinch hit for him, in the late innings, vs a tough left handed reliever. Those late innings are a time when having his superior defense at third, alone justifies removing Gillaspie, in favor of Beckham. If the Sox had been able to sign Victor Martinez, this lineup would look so much better. And, of course, it would have been a big blow to the Tigers. But, that's "water over the dam". I don't know how they are going to fix this problem, but I hope they figure out something soon, because I think we've all had enough, over the last several years, of watching an inept "Adam" at the cleanup spot, killing rallies, in the late innings.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Apr 20, 2015 -> 11:14 AM) Sanchez as a major leaguer will be a #9 hitter, without a ton of improvement. We have to remember that Sanchez won't turn 23 until June. He has made the adjustment, at every level, and become a productive hitter. I disagree with your assessment, and frankly don't understand upon what you're basing it. I think that he will hit #2, for someone, if not for the Sox. Of course, we're all just speculating, and non of us are professional scouts.

QUOTE (Joshua Strong @ Apr 20, 2015 -> 07:06 AM) You bat your best hitter second (or third of you're not familiar with that sabremetric school of thought), Carlos Sanchez is not the team's best hitter. I'm familiar with that argument, but never have been convinced of its validity. Leadoff and #2 hole are specialized roles. They aren't designed for the "best" hitter. A leadoff guy needs to see pitches, work the count, get on base, and steal if possible. A #2 has to be patient, in order to give the leadoff hitter a chance to steal. He has to stay out of the double play, execute the hit and run, bunt etc. That's why Abreu would not be a suitable hitter for either of those two spots, even though he is clearly the "best" hitter on the team. I just don't understand that entire argument. I think Carlos is a proficient hitter, from both sides of the plate, and that he is capable of performing the specialized tasks of a #2 hitter. Melky has some pop, and could be a run producer, if he batted further down in the order. Seems like a waste of his talent, to have him taking extra pitches, to protect a would be base stealer. I'm also pretty sure that bunting is not his strong suit, nor a good use of his talent. I wouldn't mind seeing Cabrera batting right behind Avi, vs LHP, instead of La Roche. Moreover, exactly what is Johnson going to contribute in the #9 hole, that would make him so valuable? He needs to demonstrate an ability to get on base at a higher than average rate, in order to become the big base stealing threat that he has the potential to be. All of that said, I'm convinced that Caulfield is right, and that Micah will benefit from the experience. I'm already discouraged enough about this team's chances for this year, that it makes sense to let him play, and get the experience so that next year, he won't be a rookie.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Apr 20, 2015 -> 05:31 AM) You don't make these kinds of desperation moves barely 1/16th of the way into a season...yes, we're behind the 8 Ball, but the fact is that Carlos Sanchez wasn't an overwhelming offensive force by any stretch of the imagination last year (at the MLB level). I'm sure they have their reasons for sticking with M.Johnson, just like Guillen was right to have reservations about playing Viciedo against tough righties from 2010-2011 or bringing up Gordon Beckham too quickly (2008-09) and letting the hype build and build....he was, in the end, right on both accounts...remember, there was a long period of time when Juan Pierre was really struggling and Viciedo was raking in the minors that they stood pat and didn't make a move and it seemed inexplicable at the time. It's going to be hard for the fans to let go of their hopes of making the playoffs in 2015, but Micah Johnson's the better long-term solution at 2B, and in order to build a playoff-caliber team, they're going to have to take their lumps with him THIS year. If they push him back another year, you're breaking in a rookie on a team that absolutely has to compete for the division title/playoffs/wildcard from Day 1. Better to do it in 2015. That's a very compelling argument, and I think you're right. I guess I'm going to just start focusing on next year. If the Sox can get their s*** together, this year fine. However, they will still have everyone next year, with the possible exception of Samardzja. I'll just have to take solace in that.

Of course, he is not going to hit .400. However, he is hitting as well as anyone in the organization, and doing it in the 2 hole. Right now, the Sox are not getting many base runners, in front of Abreu and the rest of the middle of the order. Just what would they be losing, by demoting Johnson? What has he done to block Sanchez?

I sure hope that you're right, "Dick" and that I'm over reacting. However, I really don't think that I am. It will be interesting to see how he pitches, his next start.

The reason to make the change is based more on the way Sanchez is performing, than it is on Johnson's slow start. I'm especially intrigued by the idea of having Carlos hit second, which is a much more valuable spot in the lineup, than 9TH.

QUOTE (Y2JImmy0 @ Apr 19, 2015 -> 09:00 PM) What? Quintana will not be shutdown. He was a 5 WAR pitcher last year. He needs to stop docking around and throw strikes. Rodon will be in the pen, like they've said and then he'll take Noesi's rotation spot. What kind of pitcher he was last year is irrelevant, or the year before, for that matter. He has lost around 5 mph on his fastball. I'm convinced that he is not throwing strikes, because he knows that his 89 mph fastball is going to get hit hard, if he throws it in the zone. I will be shocked if it is Noesi, whom Rodon replaces in the rotation. Noesi is still throwing as well as he did last year, or better. Quintana is the guy they're probably worried about, because he is the one guy who has mysteriously lost his stuff. Quintana'a problems seem to have begun, at the latest, with his last start in Spring Training. In that game on April 2ND, he went just 2 innings, gave up 8 hits and 6 earned runs. His next start was 6 days later vs the Royals. He gave up 5 earned runs, on 9 hits, in just 5 innings. Then on April 14TH against the Indians, he pitched well enough to get the win; 6 innings, just 3 hits and only 1 unearned run. The problem is that his velocity was not there. And then yesterday, we all saw what the Tiger hitters could see. He had no velocity, and they were sitting on his breaking ball, which he threw a lot, probably out of necessity. I don't know how to use all of the tools on Fangraphs. Would someone check and see just how much velocity he has lost on his fastball. Perhaps I'm mistaken, but I thought that he threw his fastball at 93 - 94, last year. To reiterate; ihs last two starts, he has been sitting at around 89.

I know it's early, but Sanchez had the second highest average of any Sox hitter in Spring Training, with a .425 avg. He went 2 for 3 in his only AB's, when the season started, and he has been on fire at Charlotte. His defense is outstanding, and I'd like to see him bat in the 2 hole, which would allow Melky to be moved into a spot where he could drive in more runs. In addition, he seems quite adept at batting second, which is a more valuable spot in the lineup than the 9TH hitter. Why not let Johnson have a full year at AAA, and earn a spot? Based upon what Sanchez did at Charlotte last year, and how he has come out of the "starting gate," he deserves a shot.

I would guess that the front office and coaching staff have seen enough of Quintana to suspect that he needs to be shut down. This is the first time that I can remember him looking this bad, and not being able to throw 93 - 94. This sudden loss of velocity is very alarming. At the least, they need to get him out of the rotation, and Rodon is the natural choice to replace him. Rodon is not coming up to replace Danks. Johnny is what he is, at this point, and the Sox, knowing that, have decided that he still has a place at the back end of the rotation, as an innings eater. In addition, there is his contract. All we can hope is that whatever is wrong with Quintana, that it's temporary, and that he'll bounce back. He is definitely not a #3 starter, at this point, and Rodon could very well be that, or better.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Apr 19, 2015 -> 02:54 PM) I didn't pay attention to every pitch but definitely saw some at 91-92 today. Certainly not out of the range we saw last year. I started watching the game when he had already thrown over 40 pitches. I didn't see one fastball over 90. That Fangraphs graph is pretty neat. I'll have to check that out. Thanks.

As I posted in the pre-game thread; Quintana's velocity has been down 4 - 5 mph, on his fastball, at least the last couple of starts. Perhaps that accounts for his "nibbling". He's probably trying to get guys to swing at bad pitches, because any fast ball in the zone is likely to get hit hard. I missed the first 40+ pitches today. Was he still around 88 - 90? We may say Rodon sooner than we thought. They might as well bring Johnson with him.

QUOTE (Dunt @ Apr 19, 2015 -> 09:13 AM) I was seeing 91-93 I was watching the posted velocity, and I never saw a single fastball over 90, from around the 3RD inning, on. As I said, he was consistently 88 - 89. That is Johnny Danks speed, and down from Jose's normal 93 - 94. Maybe that's why he was working so slowly. He and the catcher were trying to figure out what to do, given the lack of velocity.

If Quintana's velocity isn't better than it was in his last start, we may have to start worrying about his health. His fastball was consistently 88 to 89, for most of the game, after the 2ND inning. I didn't see the beginning, so I don't know how hard he was throwing early.

Another 3 hit game for Sanchez. He's on fire!!! Hitting around .500 vs both RH and LH pitching. Small sample size, just 7 games, but impressive, nevertheless.

It just might turn out to be a blessing. If this team really has the talent we think it has, this will be a chance for it to show its true mettle. It's going to be a real test of their character. If the roster is lacking, particularly in the bullpen, there is plenty of time to fix it. In either case, they can't be as bad a they look so far.

CF Eaton LF M. Cabrera 1B Abreu RF Garcia SS Ramirez C Soto 3B Bonifacio/Beckham DH Shuck 2B Johnson

Shuck with 2 more hits today. Now batting almost .400, with 4 for 4 in stolen bases, and solidifying his place on the roster, as the 4TH outfielder.

Another 3 at bats for Avi, with no strike outs. That's 1 SO in 35 at bat, on the Spring. I'm focusing on that stat, as I regard Garcia as a key player for our offense. If he hits, the Sox could score a lot of runs. I love the .400 average, but the contact rate is even more impressive.

Micah just stole second. What amazing acceleration. Just Wow!!!!