Comments on: Don't get defensive over Red Sox's moves

By: Dave G.

Dave G. — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 19:07:09 +0000

“Who in the lineup strikes fear into you? Yes it is a good lineup, but no one in that lineup scares you like Manny and Ortiz did 3-4 years ago. Everyone in that lineup you mentioned can/will be pitched to in a big spot”
And this is bad? So when Manny and Papi were playing the opposing team KNEW who to avoid, therefore makes it easier to plan around. How do you plan around good but not great hitters? You don’t! The opposing team won’t know WHO to pitch around and therefore pitch to a good but not great hitter.
I’d rather have a team that hits .272 1-9 rather than .248,.254,.275,.290,.298,.237,.180,.178.,.210.
You can plan around the 2nd lineup. you CAN’T plan around the first (except for the speed factor).

By: lardin

lardin — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 15:05:01 +0000

Whoever ever scores more runs wins. Sounds simple enough. even if the other team scores no runs you still need to score one. But since no team averages an ERA of One, you will need to score more than One run a game. A quality start is 6 innings of 3 runs or a 4.50 era. I will give the sox the benefit of the doubt with their pitching and defense, and project a TEAM era of about 4. This means the sox need to score on average 5 runs a game. I have doubts this lineup can do that.

By: lardin

lardin — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 14:59:35 +0000

To Themarksmith:
Who in the lineup strikes fear into you? Yes it is a good lineup, but no one in that lineup scares you like Manny and Ortiz did 3-4 years ago. Everyone in that lineup you mentioned can/will be pitched to in a big spot.

By: themarksmith

themarksmith — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 11:20:19 +0000

Some of you are acting as if the Red Sox now have the Giants lineup. They’re still running out this lineup –> Ellsbury, Pedroia, Youkilis, Martinez, Ortiz, Drew, Cameron, Beltre, Scutaro. No, there aren’t any big boppers, but they;re not exactly chopped liver. They’ll be in the top 5 of offense while having a top 3 defense and pitching staff. That’s still pretty impressive.

By: Ace

Ace — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 10:02:01 +0000

I know we’re veering off topic a bit here, but I’d just like to note that from June 6 on, Ortiz did lead the AL in home runs and tied for the lead in RBIs. I don’t think he’s totally finished yet.

By: David

David — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 09:54:48 +0000

You know, Bob, considering from a rational/logical standpoint what is required to win a game of baseball, I’d agree with you that a run saved is the same as a run earned. Unfortunately, Major League Baseball is very concerned with the almighty dollar, and we live in a society where far too many people would rather go with their “gut” (read: lazy) instincts and therefore focus on who can mash the baseball the farthest, rather than consider things like defense that are harder to quantify but might be more valuable to actually WINNING a game of baseball. Such an view manifests itself in comments like this:
Consider yourself lucky you have a job you idiot.
So, as you can see, because enough fans would rather turn the game of baseball into a perpetual home run derby, there may still be something to be said for “a run scored is a little better than a run saved.” More fans are interested in scoring than defense, which means a run scored probably earns more almighty dollars than a run prevented. Seems like those days are nearing an end, though. Personally, I think it can’t come soon enough.
Attention Boston fans who are complaining: Stop. I’m insanely jealous of your offseason acquisitions. I was praying the Twins would get Beltre. I don’t want them to touch Lowell. I would have been thrilled with a Cameron pickup. Bay would have been a nice upgrade over Delmon Young, but I’d rather take the defense and spend the dollars saved by not overpaying Jason Bay on something else. Your team is going to be really fun to watch next year. Look forward to it.

By: Jake

Jake — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 09:40:43 +0000

You can have Cameron, guy is good for like 150 strike outs a year at the plate and for 20 homeruns and a .240 batting average. Beltre isnt a lot at the plate either and thats gonna be a big problem for boston with Ortiz being finished.

By: Mark

Mark — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 09:27:54 +0000

“The above quote is not even close to being accurate. If it were true, it would be possible to win a game 0-0. You need to score runs to win games. End of story..”
Of course, if we’re just picking arbitrary hypothetical situations than a run saved when you’re leading 9-8 is just as valuable as a run scored.

By: Matt M

Matt M — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 09:25:03 +0000

In order to get a 0-0 game, you have to, you know, PREVENT runs. If you don’t prevent runs, the score is, well, infinity to 0. That seems worse than 0-0, no?

By: Old video

Old video — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 09:15:34 +0000

He has lost a step since most of those highlights. Not many were from 2008 or 2009.
Andy Phillips? wow that was a few years back….

By: Lardin

Lardin — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 08:48:18 +0000

“remember that a run prevented is just as good as a run scored.”
The above quote is not even close to being accurate. If it were true, it would be possible to win a game 0-0. You need to score runs to win games. End of story..

By: James

James — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 08:23:57 +0000

Red Sox Monster didn’t post the 8-minute Beltre highlight reel. They just embedded it on their blog. It was actually posted by a Japanese Seattle Mariners fan with the YouTube handle “Mariners2009″. He’s going to miss Beltre, that’s for sure

By: billybill

billybill — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 04:28:04 +0000

Consider yourself lucky you have a job you idiot.

By: Stone

Stone — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 03:50:20 +0000

Holy Christ! Just seeing that video makes me wonder if the Mariners can eclipse last year’s win total; even with their offseason signings.