From The Boston Globe. Maybe some insight into recent or upcoming moves.
QuoteThe stars and schedule have aligned to permit the Red Sox to lean heavily on Sale down the stretch. Thanks to three off days in the team’s final two and a half weeks, the Sox can have Sale start on regular (four days) or extra (five days) rest four times over their remaining schedule. After going nearly two full years without pitching, Sale is positioned to shoulder an enormous workload at a time that will shape his team’s fate.
And...
QuoteWith the team in its final stretch of a playoff push, manager Alex Cora announced Friday that it’s likely Tanner Houck will shift to the bullpen, serving in multiple roles.
“This guy can give us nine outs like he did in New York early in the season,†Cora noted before the Sox’ three-game set against the Orioles. “And he can come in and face a pocket of righties and do his thing on multiple days. So it’s good to have them.â€
The Sox will go to a four-man rotation to end the year. With offdays following the conclusion of each of the Sox’ next three series â€" including this one with Baltimore â€" it gives the rotation a bit more of a breather before six straight games to end the season.
Houck, meanwhile, understands a postseason ticket is at stake and wants to help the team reach its ultimate goal however he can.
The Sox do have a plan to get into the playoffs with pitching and roster moves up and down. As the schedule plays out the oddsmakers give Boston an 81% chance of the wild card, NYY 60% and Toronto 55%. Thats more than likely all based on the remaining schedule.
If you look at the Sox' season in 10 game chunks, they did start off at a healthy .600 - .700 clip. After the awful 3-7 stretch in August, they've settled down to what looks like a .500 clip.
7-3
5-5
6-4
6-4
6-4
7-3
5-5
7-3
6-4
6-4
3-7
5-5
5-5
5-5
5-4
The Sox have a lot going for them - the schedule, getting guys back who ended up getting a week or two of rest late in the season and are now getting back to form. Also, the way the pitching has shaken out, they have Eovaldi, Sale, E-Rod and hopefully Pivetta with Houck, Richards, Whitlock, Sawamura and Ottavino behind them. Hopefully Brasier and Barnes can be positive factors (but I'll never feel good with either of them on the mound). The Sox' problem all year has not been talent, it's been execution. On the offensive side, the biggest problem they have now is finding playing time for Schwarber because Dalbec is too good to take out.
To use a terrible phrase, the control their own destiny. If they win when they "should" they'll be fine. For half the season they won all of those games. Since then, not so much. Do we get the full-strength, full performance Sox down the stretch? Oh, and by the way, Tampa Bay has been stumbling, so hopefully they continue to do so for a few weeks.
Quote from: longgame on September 19, 2021, 11:41:49 AM
The Sox have a lot going for them - the schedule, getting guys back who ended up getting a week or two of rest late in the season and are now getting back to form. Also, the way the pitching has shaken out, they have Eovaldi, Sale, E-Rod and hopefully Pivetta with Houck, Richards, Whitlock, Sawamura and Ottavino behind them. Hopefully Brasier and Barnes can be positive factors (but I'll never feel good with either of them on the mound). The Sox' problem all year has not been talent, it's been execution. On the offensive side, the biggest problem they have now is finding playing time for Schwarber because Dalbec is too good to take out.
To use a terrible phrase, the control their own destiny. If they win when they "should" they'll be fine. For half the season they won all of those games. Since then, not so much. Do we get the full-strength, full performance Sox down the stretch? Oh, and by the way, Tampa Bay has been stumbling, so hopefully they continue to do so for a few weeks.
Ted and the rest of my friends, my take is that we did our job this weekend. I was pretty certain we could take two of the three but sweeps seem to have eluded us too much to suit me. But we got the sweep while the Yankees lost two of three to the Indians. I don't know if we are starting to peak a little but if we are it might be at the right time to get our house in order. Sawamura scared the hell out of me today but we prevailed because others picked up the slack---AND THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT GOOD TEAMS MUST DO, pick each other up. Let's keep this up.
Quote from: SeaBeachFred on September 19, 2021, 04:15:29 PM
Quote from: longgame on September 19, 2021, 11:41:49 AM
The Sox have a lot going for them - the schedule, getting guys back who ended up getting a week or two of rest late in the season and are now getting back to form. Also, the way the pitching has shaken out, they have Eovaldi, Sale, E-Rod and hopefully Pivetta with Houck, Richards, Whitlock, Sawamura and Ottavino behind them. Hopefully Brasier and Barnes can be positive factors (but I'll never feel good with either of them on the mound). The Sox' problem all year has not been talent, it's been execution. On the offensive side, the biggest problem they have now is finding playing time for Schwarber because Dalbec is too good to take out.
To use a terrible phrase, the control their own destiny. If they win when they "should" they'll be fine. For half the season they won all of those games. Since then, not so much. Do we get the full-strength, full performance Sox down the stretch? Oh, and by the way, Tampa Bay has been stumbling, so hopefully they continue to do so for a few weeks.
Ted and the rest of my friends, my take is that we did our job this weekend. I was pretty certain we could take two of the three but sweeps seem to have eluded us too much to suit me. But we got the sweep while the Yankees lost two of three to the Indians. I don't know if we are starting to peak a little but if we are it might be at the right time to get our house in order. Sawamura scared the hell out of me today but we prevailed because others picked up the slack---AND THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT GOOD TEAMS MUST DO, pick each other up. Let's keep this up.
Let's hope they play like they did earlier in the year the rest of the way out.
Martinez was quoted as “halfway in his decision†on whether to opt-out this year. He’s a DH, but Bloom could see this as a chance handed to him by JD to pencil in Schwarber, if he returns, or move Devers to the DH. Also opens up $19mil in part to get a key player on the FA market.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.masslive.com/redsox/2021/09/will-boston-red-soxs-jd-martinez-opt-out-after-season-hes-right-in-the-middle-on-decision-right-now-report.html%3foutputType=amp
Two years ago I would have said no, but they need some fresh blood to build some energy into this team. JDM does not bring energy and he just hasn't been as good.
I loved you JD because you helped make us World Series Champions in 2018 but your time is up and we have to move on and get that $ 19 million towards some pitching and better defense. Thanks you for your efforts and best wishes elsewhere. We nee to retool.
Then of course he has a big night last night.
Fred and I were talking a short time ago about how we can see Dalbec at 3B, Casas at 1B and Devers at DH.
JDM and agent I think want to secure his future with a long term deal, 3 years? But he’s 35 already. He’s making $19. I think Schwarby would sign one year at$15. He is more versatile, but 30 points less BA. Raffy can split DH with Schwarb and both play the field. I think Nelson Cruz is DH’ing for $12mil.
Quote from: longgame on September 30, 2021, 11:20:10 AM
Then of course he has a big night last night.
Fred and I were talking a short time ago about how we can see Dalbec at 3B, Casas at 1B and Devers at DH.
I'm insisting Ted that this must happen. Devers is a DH PERIOD!!!!! There are some who believe he can become a solid third baseman but after four seasons he is no better than he was then. We need his power bat and we will need a DH soon. Dalbec can become a decent third baseman and Casas must NOT be blocked.
Devers will be the premier 3rd baseman in the American League in 22 and 23. Dalbec is a much poorer fielder than Devers. Schwarber is misplaced at 1st. Casas won't be major league ready before 23.
Quote from: elktonnick on September 30, 2021, 04:17:31 PM
Devers will be the premier 3rd baseman in the American League in 22 and 23. Dalbec is a much poorer fielder than Devers. Schwarber is misplaced at 1st. Casas won't be major league ready before 23.
Whatever you're smoking I want some! rofl
I quit smoking on January 1 1985. rofl
Quote
Whatever you're smoking I want some! rofl
I've always thought the one thing Raffy will never have to worry about is finding shelf space for his Gold Glove trophies. :o
He will be the gold glove third baseman either in 22 or 23.
Plenty of time to clear some shelf space, then. ;D
Apparently Cora said today "we have to win out". He should have thought of that a week ago.
The field positions have some holes, no question whatsoever. But addressing starting pitchers in the off-season is a critical area as well. We have only two pitchers who are steady enough to get us through 6 or 7 innings, a healthy Sale and Eovaldi. Perez, Richards and some others should be sent on their way. The farm system is rather shallow, unless someone like Crawford or Seabold find a stroke of luck in the off-season. Pivetta lost a lot of him command over the last three weeks of the season. Maybe he and Houck could be bullpen guys until the coaches trust them to do anything else. Whitlock is an emerging talent that will be interesting to watch.
A couple names I say today might interest the Sox in FA. Marcus Stroman (3.02 era, 1.15 WHip) and Kevin Gausman (2.87 era, 1.04 WHip) 30-31 years old, and their status would not cost the Sox a draft pick in free agency. Gausman could be pricey if he earns a World Series ring this year.
With the Yankees garnering a lot of the news around baseball circles of late, there's not much coverage of other teams on the baseball sites unless you really search for it. I found this one on mlb.com which says some things about the IL and Sox pitchers who might/might not be available this weekend or next week (that possibility ??]
RHP Phillips Valdez
Expected return: By end of regular season, if needed
Valdez joined Danny Santana in reporting to Triple-A Worcester for a rehab assignment on Sept. 29. Boston's bullpen depth has been tested of late with injuries, so it’s possible Valdez will re-enter the mix at some point. At the very least, he is a depth option if there is another injury or two in the bullpen. Valdez has pitched in 28 games for the Red Sox this season, notching a 5.85 ERA. (Last updated: Sept. 29)
INF/OF Yairo Muñoz
Expected return: TBD
Muñoz joined the Red Sox at the start of their COVID outbreak, only to test positive himself on Sept. 1. The reason Muñoz isn’t playing yet is because he has a sore right wrist. When he is cleared to play, it will most likely be for Triple-A. (Last updated: Sept. 22)
10-day IL
RHP Garrett Whitlock (right pectoral strain)
Expected return: Saturday or Sunday
Whitlock took a big step toward being able to pitch in the regular-series finale when he threw a bullpen session prior to Friday night’s game. Given that the situation the Red Sox are still fighting for a postseason berth, the return of Whitlock either Saturday or Sunday would be significant.
“Now, we have to wait to see how he feels throughout the day. I do believe he’s going to be OK,†said Red Sox manager Alex Cora. “Then we'll decide when to activate him if he's fine. You know, maybe tomorrow or Sunday, whatever it is, so we'll wait and see how he reacts.†(Last updated: Oct. 1)
LHP Josh Taylor (low back strain)
Expected back: Postseason at earliest
Taylor is not progressing as quickly from his back injury as the Red Sox hoped and there seems no chance he will return for this weekend’s series against the Nationals. In fact, the chances he could return for a tiebreaker game or the American League Wild Card Game also seems remote. Perhaps the best-case scenario would be if Taylor returns for a potential Division Series.
“Yeah, it hasn't progressed the way we thought,†said manager Alex Cora. “So we have to be patient and let's see what happens.†(Last updated: Oct. 1)
The Sox have yet to finalize a roster for the ALDS. What they have done since the WC was release Iggy and Munoz. That allows them to possibly bring up someone from Woosta', be it bats or arms. If JD is still not fit to play, I have an idiotic, fan-based idea to bring up Casas. It's sounds hairbrained, and not likely to happen at all, he has only played a few games in AAA, but maybe they saw something he could bring as a pinch hitter, that is better than what Shaw or an injured JD can offer. He would certainly give the Boston fans something to buzz about when they return to Fenway. Another addition could be Seabold coming out of the pen.
But back to earth, I think maybe they put JD on the roster. He could be given the green light by the time they return to Boston. They need his playoff experience in the clutch at bats. Connor Wong probably stays on the roster, given his speed, pinch hitter, pinch runner, can sub at a couple positions.
It'd be nice if JD came back and showed us he can still get a hit in a clutch at bat. Sad to see Iggy go. I can't help but feel that there is a very talented player there that just needs some coaching help to shine.
JD's ankle apparently looks bad but he may be ready to go by Game 3. That's a tough call to go with a short bench for 2 games of a 5 game series.