Lillian

I haven't been to Spring Training in about 7 years, after spending almost every March in Arizona, during the previous decade. I now have a truck camper, and am considering spending this Spring near Camelback Ranch, for Spring Training. I thought that I'd get started planning and wondered if anyone has any insight into some good possibilities for RV "camping" near Camelback Ranch. Your suggestions would be appreciated.

No one seems to mention the "eye test". The more I've watch both Lawrie and Saladino, the more I favor the latter. Perhaps it's that terrible hitch in Lawrie's swing and all of the accompanying strike outs. Whatever it is, Tyler just looks like a more fundamentally solid player. It's a shame because Lawrie has talent. Some guys just seem to have that baseball acumen and Saladino strikes me as one of those guys. When Lawrie broke into the Big Leagues, he was young, even for a rookie. He began his career with a world of promise, but has not developed, in fact, he has regressed. He should now be in his prime, but has not translated his physical tools into performance. Maybe that's something that requires good baseball acumen. Put another way; the better the baseball acumen, the better a player is able to use his experience, in order to improve his performance. Saladino gives one the impression that he is that kind of player. Do others here get the same impression?

Before going down with an injury in 2014, at age 24, Saladino had a very good season at Charlotte: Games 82 PA 325 AB 294 Runs 41 Hits 91 2B 16 3B 4 HR 9 RBI 43 SB 7 CS 1 BB 27 SO 50 AVG .310 OBP .367 SLG.483 OPS .850 He was on pace to hit 30 doubles, 8 triples, 18 HR, while driving in 85 runs, in a 162 game season. That's terrific for a middle infielder. This year, he had a terrific Spring, and has responded to increased playing time. If he finishes strong, over the next 2 weeks, he's my second baseman. At that position, he adds plus defense, and offense. Lawrie could be traded, or maybe he should return to catching, which is where he started. Incidentally, that's also where Saladino started. Maybe one of them should see if he can still get the job done, behind the plate. We could sure use help there. Either one of them would provide extraordinary athleticism, as a catcher.

I turned the game off, before Tyler's 3RD hit. What kind of single was it? Was it a solid hit? The fact that he has responded to more regular playing time is very encouraging. Unlike many bench players, who become "exposed" with more playing time, he has only gotten better. It shouldn't be surprising that a guy with his baseball acumen would improve with more experience. Last night he was facing a tough right hander and was very solid, once again. It's hard not to really like the guy. If he can produce like this, as a second baseman, he is certainly a starter, in my opinion. He brings good defense, solid contact, a little pop, high baseball acumen, versatility and is very affordable. What's not to like?

Rabbit, do you really think that your suggested starting rotation would constitute a post season level staff? 1.) Quintana 2.) Rodon 3.) Rodriguez 4.) Gonzalez 5.) Shields IMO, I see one #1, a potential #1, 2 bottom of the rotation starters and one complete disaster. Where might you find a candidate better than Rodriguez? Surely Boston has a better trade chip than that, for Chris Sale? Moreover, I would prefer to get a couple of Major League ready, really good players, rather than 5 or 6 prospects, in any deal involving Sale. Given that contract, I would think that some team would be willing to give up a solid, middle of the rotation starter, and at least one top position player, along with maybe 1 or 2 good prospects. I just don't see the point in using someone of Sale's caliber, with that contract, for a bunch of young, unproven prospects. There is both the risk that they will not develop their potential, and the time it takes to realize it.

It may not be realistic to hope to be able to acquire Votto, however that is the kind of bat that would go a really long way toward making the offense productive. If you inserted a hitter like that into this year's lineup, the bottom third of the order would instantly not be that big of an issue: Eaton Anderson Abreu Votto Melky Frazier Saladino Catcher (Outstanding Defense) Center Fielder (Outstanding Defense, some speed and respectable OBP) That is exactly the kind of roster I'd seek. With those top 6 hitters, why would it be so important to have real productive offensive players in Center and behind the plate? I continue to think that trying to fill every "hole" with a good offensive player is both unrealistic and unnecessary.

QUOTE (Y2JImmy0 @ Sep 13, 2016 -> 07:49 AM) Lawrie would have had 20-30 doubles and 20 homers had he stayed healthy. It doesn't really matter at this point though because I'm pretty confident the rebuild is coming. Saladino is fine, my only issue is when people act like he's some kid. He's 27 years old. Very solid utility guy. Not a 1st Division regular though. I disagree that he could not be "1ST Division regular". His performance this year, is certainly more than adequate as a second baseman. If he were surrounded by an adequate offense, his spot in the lower third of the lineup would be just fine.

Just a few other observations: Saladino has been far less prone to strike out than Lawrie, who was on pace to fan more than 150 times. Not acceptable for a middle infielder. Lawrie is stronger and a more gifted athlete, but doesn't have Tyler's baseball acumen. That awful hitch in Lawrie's swing will probably prevent him from ever reaching his offensive potential. If the Sox don't start Lawrie, he should be traded. He is not a good candidate to be a bench player. If they traded Lawrie, who would be the back up at second? Would it be Sanchez, L. Garcia, or E. Alvarez?

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Sep 11, 2016 -> 10:57 PM) https://www.yahoo.com/sports/news/as-releas...-184720047.html Your 2017 "limited budget" DH is....Billy Butler. As to the last post, is there a willingness on the part of JR to eat another $22 million (making the Shields' acquisition look more foolhardy) to do the same things we've already wasted $25 million (Danks/Latos/Shields) on this season??? That's the question of the moment. Not whether they'll break out the checkbook for Cespedes, since there's a good chance he won't be available, and certainly a multi-year price tag COULD also scare the Sox away. If the Sox were to acquire Billy Butler, to be their DH, I think that might be the last straw for me. How would Butler do anything to fix this pathetic offense? They need one really good hitter, with a high OBP, legitimate power, and preferably left handed. You insert that guy into the top 2/3 of our current line up and you have suddenly transformed an inept lineup, to a dangerous, effective run scoring offense. Billy Butler is not that guy: Eaton Anderson Melky Abreu New DH (preferably Left Handed) Frazier That line up would be more than adequate, with the right DH. The problem is that no one seems to know who might fill that hole, or how to acquire him. It would be ideal if there were a player in the last year of his contract, playing for a new lucrative deal in 2018. He might be affordable, available and highly motivated. Then we could let him walk, with or without a qualifiying offer, at the end of the year.

Why do so many of you dismiss Cabrera as a player to be replaced? Frankly, to me, he has been one of our most consistent hitters for the last year and 1/2. Moreover, he provides the only left handed hitting, middle of the order hitter, on next year's roster. I've come to really like him and appreciate his contribution. He's had a very good season, and should be considered part of the plan going into 2017, unless someone thinks that he could bring back an important piece, in a trade. He will cost them $15 million, in the final year of his contract, and seems to be well worth that. Not being obligated to any financial commitment, beyond next year, also gives the front office some financial flexibility, going forward.

QUOTE (Hatchetman @ Sep 9, 2016 -> 10:45 AM) no no. you said two. not one. unless its babe ruth reincarnated. Well, to be completely accurate, what I said was: "Add a potent LH hitting, middle of the order bat, and one more significant offensive contributor..." I also said that Anderson may be able to stick in the top 2/3 of the order, which would mean that they would still be one bat short of an adequate top 2/3 of the order. Nevertheless, your question is still not only valid, but the most important one; Where are they going to find that one big bat? I have no idea, do you?

QUOTE (Hatchetman @ Sep 9, 2016 -> 09:46 AM) Sure, two potent bats in the middle of the order would make a huge difference. Now, how are they going to get them? Of course, that is the challenge. However, isn't it easier to fill 1, or 2 holes than to try to fill a half a dozen? Maybe quality would reduce the need for quantity. If that middle of the order bat were potent enough, one more bat might be enough. Nevertheless, your question is still the big one; "how are they going to get them?" (or him).

I have argued elsewhere that I don't think it is either necessary, nor realistic to try to fill all of the holes with top tier talent. Fix the bullpen with one more solid LH reliever, fill the void of a middle of the order LH bat and make sure that the first 6 hitters in the lineup are very productive. The bottom third of the lineup could consists of good defensive players, who are not "black holes" on offense. Guys like Saladino, or Lawrie, the catcher and one more hitter, can fill the bottom of the order. That third player could be Anderson, unless he keeps up his current pace, which would put him somewhere further up in the order. There are few teams which have good offensive players at every position. If the top 2/3 of the order produces enough, that would be sufficient, with a good defense, great starters and a dominant bullpen. So how do you improve the top 2/3 of this offense? Barring any trades, which would subtract from the current roster, we have the following guys who fit into that top 2/3 of the order: Eaton Melky Abreu Frazier Add a potent LH hitting, middle of the order bat, and one more significant offensive contributor (again, that could be Anderson) and the Sox could have a productive offense. Trading away one of the two best starters only creates a huge hole in the key area of starting pitching. If they are really going to "go for it" again next year, they probably can't afford to trade either of Sale or Quintana and may not need to. If you really think that they need to fill all the offensive holes with really good players, they probably aren't ready to compete, and need to rebuild. In that scenario, sure, you could consider trading one of the two top starters.

Anderson was originally described as a very raw, but "toolsy" SS. Somewhere between the time those observations were made and his arrival in the Big Leagues, he seems to have refined those tools and become a legitimate, solid Major League contributor. His only deficiency seems to be his unwillingness to walk. Whether, or not, he can correct that flaw will significantly impact his OBP and consequently his suitability as a leadoff hitter. Other than that, he appears, at least to me, to be one of the key, core players on this roster, going forward. His arm strength, his amazing range and speed, his surprising power and his ability to hit to all fields, combined with his age, all suggest that he could become a Super Star.

The scouting reports were pretty underwhelming. Now that we've had a chance to see him in action, I'm very impressed. It wouldn't surprise me if he became a Super Star. He has a lot of great tools. I'm surprised by his defense and his power. I envisioned him as a lead off hitter, primarily because of his speed. He may end up being able to hit closer the the middle of the lineup. We'll see.

QUOTE (GreenSox @ Sep 8, 2016 -> 04:49 PM) Narvaez plus a health Avila would be fine, going for it or not. It's the healthy Avila that is the big if. That tandem would consist of two left handed hitters. Is that a good idea? Whom might the Sox use for a right handed hitter?

His last 3 years in the Minors, he has been a pretty good hitter vs. RHP. He could be a temporary solution to half of a catching tandem, for next year. For me, the most important qualification for a catcher is still defense. If he is a solid defensive catcher, I think he has a decent chance to be capable replacement for Avila. I'd rather see the sox spend the money on a solid left handed hitting DH, or outfielder.

Let's see our so called "closer" have a dominant 3 up, 3 down inning, for a change.

Some of you might be interested on this recent article on speedster Joel Booker: http://www.thegazette.com/subject/sports/b...-start-20160820

QUOTE (Jose Abreu @ Aug 28, 2016 -> 05:24 PM) August numbers: 30.2 IP (5 GS) 24 H 7 BB 26 K 1.01 WHIP 1.47 ERA I also like that he's getting more speed, hitting 97-99 now when he needs to (Sale-esque with a bit more velocity) but also being able to fool hitters with his slider and change-up. A Sale/Quintana trade would definitely be more manageable if Rodon can be a true #1/#2 pitcher, which he definitely has the potential to be. Yes, however I suspect that the prospect of having 3 #ones will make it more likely that the front office will keep them all and try to go for it again.

Could it be time to re-evaluate Leury Garcia? He has had a very good year at AAA, especially vs. RHP. Last year at Charlotte, he was actually better against LHP, while hitting around .300, overall. With his speed and defense, I'd like to see what he could do at second. He seems to have finally figured it out, and is still only 25. At the very least, maybe he could be a decent utility guy, at SS, 2B and CF.

QUOTE (fathom @ Aug 14, 2016 -> 01:31 PM) Awful performance by Sale. Absolutely doesn't deserve CY and Cooper deserves serious criticism for the approach this year Again, you read my mind. The only way Sale is a Cy Young candidate is if he goes back to being a strike out pitcher. Pitching to contact has resulted in a serious decline in his effectiveness. He hasn't won a game in 6 weeks. If he can't be the strike out pitcher, that he was formerly, and go 6 plus innings, then he is not that great. Being able to go another inning isn't sufficient reason for the diminution of his effectivenes.

QUOTE (fathom @ Aug 14, 2016 -> 12:30 PM) Sale is such a headcase. Should have been covering home. Exactly, that is Sale's responsibility. The thin margin is widening, between who is having the better season, Sale or Q. I'll take Q.

QUOTE (raBBit @ Aug 12, 2016 -> 11:38 AM) I shouldn't have been so outright dismissive but I really don't think anything will come of him. He has a 24% K% and a .524 BABIP. I wouldn't know how to go about looking up the highest BABIPs in minor league history, but assuredly so, he would still be at very top if not the highest BABIP in MiLB history. What I will give him credit for his ability to get XBH and ISO power so far. That's very impressive especially for a relative unknown even in the Pioneer League. Can you offer anymore insight into why your expectations for him are so low? It's hard not to be impressed.

In a previous post, I argued that I'd prefer the Sox trade Sale than Quintana, and I gave several reasons. Although I don't advocate trading either one, I'd like to add one more reason why I would trade Sale over Quintana; The evidence is mounting that, at least this year, Q is actually a slightly better pitcher. I know that sounds ridiculous, but look at their respective game logs, and see if you don't agree. The margin isn't very great, but Quintana barely edges out Sale as the more consistently reliable Ace. What a shame that this team can't score enough runs to make him the Cy Young candidate that he deserves to be.