It was an eventful weekend at Fenway Park, wasn’t it?
On Friday came the news that Pablo Sandoval was designated for assignment and that his Red Sox career was effectively over. The Panda’s time on the disabled list was nearing its end and so the time had come for Sox management to decide whether to hold ’em or fold ’em. Justifiably, they ended the game.
In all, Sandoval played 161 games with the Sox (2015-17), slashing .237 AVG/.286 OBP/.360 SLG in that time compared to a .294/.346/.465 line over seven seasons (869 games) with the Giants. Red Sox baseball president Dave Dombrowski credited ownership for the willingness to write off the $49 million remaining on Sandoval’s guaranteed contract, which runs through 2019.
Over the weekend CBS Sports reported that Panda could reunite with the Giants, though a reporter closer to the scene throws some cold water on the prospect of that actually happening. If Pablo wants to be reunited with San Francisco, Andrew Baggarly wrote, he’ll follow through with a five-step program that seems somewhat arduous for a man of Sandoval’s significant financial means. Why would he bother?
Sox and Yankees Split Four
The Red Sox had to be satisfied with a weekend split in a four-game set that really, truly should have yielded three wins for Boston. Enough about the games has been credibly documented elsewhere (and here, here, and here), but there a couple points worth special mention.
- Jackie Bradley, Jr. makes it look so easy, doesn’t he? Sunday’s night’s catch, which robbed Yankees phenom Aaron Judge of a two-run home run, was undoubtedly “one of the best catches ever made at Fenway Park.” Statcast reported Judge’s flyout to have left the bat at 107.5 MPH with a hit probability of 91 percent.
- Even those with concerns about David Price had to impressed with his performance Sunday night. Over eight strong innings he allowed no runs, no walks, and struck out eight while allowing seven hits. With Craig Kimbrel‘s close, the Sox handed the Yankees their very first shutout loss of the season.
- So there’s this: Despite losing two of the four games, Red Sox pitchers in those losses held a hard-hitting Yankees team to four and three runs on Saturday and Sunday, respectively. In return Boston’s offense mustered just one total run for both of those games. The Sox pitching staff owns a 3.72 ERA this season, the best in the American League and 3rd-best in the majors. Boston relievers’ ERA is 3.04, also 3rd best in baseball.
- Friday’s Red Sox win with a walk-off walk was historical, so too was the next night’s loss. Besides Saturday, the only Fenway game where the Red Sox were held to one or fewer runs longer was a 17-inning, 0-0 tie on July 14, 1916 agains the St. Louis Browns.
- How good was it to see Brock Holt back in action? Until Sunday afternoon he hadn’t been in a game since April 20, down with the effects of a concussion and vertigo. “Emotionally, physically, it was something that, obviously, I would rather not have to go through. It’s going to make me stronger,” Holt told the Worcester Telegram. “I’m glad to be back.” Can’t imagine a single denizen of Red Sox Nation that doesn’t hope the best for Holt.
- What a sight at Fenway Park on the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War. The Red Sox really know how to orchestrate these kind of meaningful events. The morning’s 8th Annual Run to Home Base was followed by an on-field tribute to over 800 veterans. Proceeds from the run benefits Home Base, a Red Sox Foundation and Massachusetts General Hospital program to help service members when they complete their military service.
- We’ll likely see Tzu-Wei Lin again but the Sox sent him back to Triple-A Pawtucket on Monday to make room on the roster for the return of pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez. Lin was 14-for-50 (.280) with two triples and eight walks in his first stint with the big club (19 games).
Red Sox now face the moribund Toronto Blue Jays (7-13 for their last 20) for four games at Fenway before heading out for the last west coast trip of the regular season.
The Red Sox Problems & Cures with a lot of Harshness Thrown In
Going to a Red Sox game at Fenway is always fantastic for me. I don’t even care if they win or not. I go for the social aspects, the ballpark, the look and feel of Fenway Park, and the sights, sounds, and smell of franks, fans, and the grass in the middle of the city. If they win, it’s a bonus. As a kid, I played baseball with my friends almost every day. I played in several leagues and later was on a State Finalist and National playoff softball team. When I went to my first game at 11 years old way back in time, my Godfather took me. He caught a fly ball inside our roof top box! I’m not even going to tell sou who hit that ball, but I still have it. I’ve sat in every section at one time or another. I don’t light my hair on fire or lose sleep if they lose. I managed young players in many types of sports including baseball. I follow many aspects of the game throughout the league, so here are my observations and opinions of the 2017 Red Sox to date (7/18/17).
The team looks pitiful against high quality first or second place major league teams. The hitters appear to almost have their bats on their shoulders (or it seems) when they face quality pitching. Making the playoffs is not likely without some serious investment for 3-4 quality players and switching to an A+ manager. If they were to somehow make it without any of these, winning in playoffs will not be likely. Houston, Wash, Dodgers, and a dozen other teams would eat there lunch. This team needs some major changes. It has lost it’s inner core, it’s starvation for survival, and it’s aggressiveness. These guys can’t even steal second anymore, or stretch runs to home plate from first when a miracle happens and a clutch hit comes about. The fire is gone, and it only gets worse from here without change. No 3rd baseman. No middle relief and only one quality closer. No 4th or 5th batter that’s a real threat with a long ball. No real consistent catcher who can clutch hit and shines as an all star defensively. These catchers look like kids. No clutch hitters at all. leaving the very few base runners there are on base way too often. Way too many chances for rallies blown away in the wind. The weak players can’t even be put on a consistent lineup, and the lineups seldom make sense.
Farrell needs to go.
It must be done in July or must wait until Nov. Much damage will occur if the later. His players no longer respect him. He has made some very bad choices. Especially lineups. They are erratic and senseless many times. Hanley will never be a 4th hitter, and belongs in the 7 or 8 spot if at all. Moreland needs to be in the lineup much more often because he’s not great, but he’s one of the best clutch hitters they have. No one is clutch. Benentendi is very young and is reeling from being yanked from his lineup spot back when he was doing so well. Pitchers get left in too long and not long enough based on all the standard signs of when to make a move.
D Dombrowski needs to go too.
He is not managing Farrell, the culture, the tone, and the urgency. He is not a leader among other team GMs or Head of Ops. The other teams know this, so being able to squeeze teams, negotiate aggressively, and keeping the heat on other league and on Farrell has never happened. He has let excellent player slip through his fingers due to ego and ceilings slightly off from what other pay for the same players. He is not good at motivating players to want to come here. He does not appear to be a good negotiator. He does not understand Fenway and how to build a team. The yankees and most top tier teams run circles around him.
Henley needs to be given some decent hitting coaching, and taken out of the DH spot. He hit much better when he was a player.
Stop screwing around and do what makes sense. Buy an Ortiz replacement, a 3rd baseman who can hit home runs, and a catcher who can hit over .250 and hit 15 home runs.
Young needs coaching and a spot with some consistency. He is not very good at any position. Give him coaching every waking minute or ship him out.
Holt is not a savior. He has never been consistent, Even without the room spinning.
Price needs to learn to keep his mouth shut. He is way to unprofessional. Even players on other teams make fun of him. He’s really had one really good game and that’s great, but prima donna types need to be managed. He’s not THAT good.
The most critical player on the Red Sox in my opinion is Joe Kelly. Losing him due to mismanagement and poor middle pitchers is inexcusable.