Rounding_Third

So my regression opinion is based on a 2019 projections window at the time of his signing; predicting regression vs $'s offered. How likely was he to match his 2019 Brewer stats or his previous LA season....unlikely. Or that he would catch 153 games or the 140 in 2018...again, unlikely. Or that he would begin to physically regress along with possible injuries as a 31-34 C ...likely. Predicting regression can be a crap shoot but there were enough factors and 2019 was so lofty for him that it was a probability and, in fact, he did (for whatever 2020 stats are worth). But that's moot, I 'm talking about 2019 FO vision before the signing. All the while with a very solid McCann who could have been signed then for tens of $M's less. Oh what they could have done with that cash and still be very strong at the C position! If he had earned his new contract based on Sox performance for those years then, yeah, reward him. But the Sox rewarded him for what he did for other teams. For example, Realmuto earned a big deal this winter with the Phillies because he got there with them. Yeah, they signed him in 2018 (for just 2 years) based on a Mia career. But he was only 27 and most likely to progress or at least maintain. He progressed as a Philly and got rewarded. What's done is done, He's a Sox and can't be replaced. Hopefully, he plays well from here on out. Since he's been playing more this past week or so, hopefully that knee is healing and he can begin to turn it up,

No disrespect to Grandal; he's still a very good C and was a great one in 2019. But in 2019, C was not a position of weakness; McCann was very good and deserving of a longer deal. A 2 or 3 yr deal then for McCann at ~$10 or ~$18 ($4,6,8m - was making $2.9m in 2019) and then spent the tens of $m's of savings elsewhere would have been much more prudent. Grandal's regression from 2019 could have easily be expected but was not anticipated by the FO, especially switching leagues and his age. This isn't hindsight, the Grandal signing was a big time head scratcher for me then. He wasn't $14m or $12m or even $10m better than McCann from a 2019 offseason perspective.

One reason may be that baseballs are somewhat "deadened" this year. Not only is it designed to travel less far, its a little smaller and lighter probably allowing pitchers to do more with it. Slightly smaller = harder to hit, too; contributing to higher K-rate. Chicks dig the popup!

If it was like Blackhawks, I would give the C to Jose and the two A's to Tim & Lucas with Carlos/Yoan next in line.

Couldn't agree more. Have a few Jack & Cokes last night, did ya? ? Thanks for not answering my question.

I keep hearing that but numbers don't lie. Somewhat true, but not entirely, relative to his final seasonal stats. Mostly false, except for 2016, relative to 2021 March/April vs career March/April. Not even close. Not sure where that "slow start" perception comes from. I guess 2016 sticks in people's minds. Still has some games to match April history, though.

Maybe still being affected by Covid?

Send him to alt site then Charlotte until he he learns to hit MLB pitching dammit! Seriously, wondering if his earlier bout with Covid is still affecting him. He had a bad ST in warm AZ, too.

But still only as a spot starter, right? It shouldn't be anything more than that for this year. That pitch limit would come fast. Don't want him shut down before the end of the season.

Yeah, he's done a nice job; nothing's fooled him. Looks like he's been playing out there his whole career. At the plate, teams figured him out halfway though ST. He's pretty confused right now. Overmatched.

Agree. Give him until AAA opens with full season there. Then hope that Engel truly has turned the corner. If not, start the trade discovery.

Keuchel vs Green Monster! Yikes! Kopech starts game 2???

My biggest concern right now is what's happening at C. What's the deal with Grandal? Is that knee much worse than reported? He runs 3/4 speed to 1st. He's only caught 9 of 14 games. That works out to just 104 for the season. With Collins struggling at the plate again, and no proven depth, catcher is a big red flag. $18m AAV for what so far?

That's very small window of that specific opportunity and its not worth him sitting on the bench game after game with no other usage. Doubtful that Madrigal or Engel would even come out of a late inning close game. They both can hit and you turn the chance over to the next power hitter in order. Are you really going to pinch hit Lamb for a .280- .320 hitter? Anyway, Lamb's not the same bat from 2016 & 17. He wouldn't have been available if he was.

Lamb lacks LH power, too, for last 3 years. And his ability to actually the ball safely at all is very limited. Besides, who would Lamb really pinch hit for? The situational need for LH power off the bench are very minimal. In extras, all you need is a base hit.

Same. But its Lamb's only position really. Mendick so much more versatile; more options for TLR even with Leury. If TLR had experienced Medick's Sox career first hand, I doubt if Lamb would even be here. And I don't see a real need for Lamb's PH bat except for NL road games. That's not a big enough need especially since Mendick hits righties much better. And right now, DH is in good hands. He's a Lamb Duck! Sorry!

lol yeah! The shitter/no hitter!

It better be Lamb for Engel. Today, Mendick has a career line of .306/.350/.454/.804 against RHP, team chem, and can play 3 positions. His minimal power isn't missed in this order. At least it shouldn't be when the others turn it it up. 1B is covered by Vaughn, Collins, & Grandal. And with Collins's LH bat, Lamb is repeatedly redundant.

Maybe Dylan got what Carlos had.

Every pitching coach at all levels from HS to MLB should bio Tom Seaver's mechanics every spring to their staffs for durability and effectiveness. Pitching poetry.

Last night's postgame was 1st time I saw TLR alert, fresh, & excited. Hope for more to come.

So sorry Carlos!!! But my concern & criticism are also about durability. If you can pitch ~130-150 innings effectively I will eat the entire crow. Watched all 3 interviews last night; nbcsn, espn, mlbn. Was said that Katz has focused on his lower body mechanics just like Cease. When I first heard that this is a staff focus for Katz back in Feb, it was so refreshing. It seems to be a lost focus in modern baseball with so much arm strength. Was also said how when in college and early pro, he was "slider, slider, slider" heavy and now he's changed his pitch selections to reduce them big time with more 4 seamers, curves, & changeups. IMO, the slider heavy repertoire is what got his arm in trouble. Katz "strikes" again! Hopefully this will contribute big time with his durability. A side note, SVP at espn asked him about "his" TLR office/locker shutout bet that TLR spoke about. Since it was between TLR & Collins, Carlos "hadn't heard that one". So clever espn, you really scooped that one! Iddyats!

No doubt Renteria made bad decisions and needed to be replaced but the team chemistry was very good and they played some good ball. It sure seams like TLR is losing them or already has. Last night's tired TLR postgame has been a std since the season opener. After the longest night game in LA, there was a slightly longer pause between questions and TLR came within an instant of literally falling asleep. His eyes closed for a brief second and his head snapped. Then he got pissed; "what's the question?" when there was none. Even after the day game in Seattle, he was wanting to doze and the questions were clearly irritating him; keeping him awake. There are plenty of 76 yr olds that are astute & vibrant. TLR is not one of them; far from it. If a team is a reflection of their manager, it explains this lethargic start with no end in sight. What a waste of the 5 year rebuild.

Why is Lamb on this team? Switch hitting (w/LH decent power) A. Cabrera signed with crappy AZ for $1.75; Sox signed Lamb for $1. AC can play all 4 IF positions & DH. Mendick can play 3, Lamb 2 and one, 1B is covered by Vaughn and Grandal. Mendick has a .300+ BA against RHP and team chemistry. Yet they pass on AC, send Mendick down, and sign Lamb. IF utility role is another weird TLR decision. There's a very worrisome pattern with him. Makes me wonder how much of this lethargic start is due to odd TLR words and actions in the clubhouse and dugout that we don't know about. How much eye rolling has been going on?

The one that makes any sense to me is that there's something going on with Grandal; that he's not available to catch today. Other than that....?