The Best Offense is a Good Defense
posted on YouTube by PheasantBreezy
Much like Tom Cruise's character in "A Few Good Men" - most of us aren't ready to handle the truth. We would rather hide our heads then hear the truth; especially if the truth hurts. So I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but...
If the Red Sox don't improve their defense they will not win the World Series in 2010.
I'll wait until you are done screaming.....
If the Red Sox don't improve their defense they will not win the World Series in 2010.
I'll wait until you are done screaming.....
I know - the truth hurts - but isn't winning the World Series the name of the game? Now, I'm not saying that we go out and spend like some other team we all know....BUT when your team was ranked 28th out of 30 in defensive efficiency in 2009 something has to be done. (By contrast, our 2007 WS wining team lead the majors in defensive efficiency.)
According to the Ultimate Zone Rating (a metric used to measure a fielder's ability to turn batted balls into outs - it uses range, errors, and arm strength, coming up with a value, in runs - the more positive the value, the better) Mike Lowell had an UZR of -10.6; Jason Bay had an UZR of -13.9 and Jacoby Ellsbury had one of -16.5. Okay, the numbers don't make me happy either BUT they are what they are. Do I think the Red Sox are going to be trading Ellsbury anytime soon? No. Do I see a diminished role for Lowell soon? Perhaps.
http://www.sitv.com
Lowell had hip surgery in the off-season last year and his range of motion is limited. Balls hit right at him, he had no trouble fielding. And while he was never the faster player running bases, at times last season he seemed so very slow. However - the man could still hit! He will be turning 36 in February and is going into the last year of his contract. I don't think the Red Sox will trade him this off-season, but unless he regains a lot more of his range, I don't see him being the day-to-day third baseman. I think we will see the Red Sox shifting him into more of a DH role (we won't even get into the Big Papi discussion here) where the Red Sox can take advantage of his hitting abilities. So if we don't have Mikey on third - what do we do? Do we move Youk over to third base and get a new first baseman or do we look for a new third baseman? Someone like, say, Chone Figgins? His URZ was 14.5 last season (3rd best in the majors) and he had a.298 batting average and a.395 on-base percentage while stealing 42 bases. Just a thought..
http://mysportsrumors.com
According to the Ultimate Zone Rating (a metric used to measure a fielder's ability to turn batted balls into outs - it uses range, errors, and arm strength, coming up with a value, in runs - the more positive the value, the better) Mike Lowell had an UZR of -10.6; Jason Bay had an UZR of -13.9 and Jacoby Ellsbury had one of -16.5. Okay, the numbers don't make me happy either BUT they are what they are. Do I think the Red Sox are going to be trading Ellsbury anytime soon? No. Do I see a diminished role for Lowell soon? Perhaps.
http://www.sitv.comLowell had hip surgery in the off-season last year and his range of motion is limited. Balls hit right at him, he had no trouble fielding. And while he was never the faster player running bases, at times last season he seemed so very slow. However - the man could still hit! He will be turning 36 in February and is going into the last year of his contract. I don't think the Red Sox will trade him this off-season, but unless he regains a lot more of his range, I don't see him being the day-to-day third baseman. I think we will see the Red Sox shifting him into more of a DH role (we won't even get into the Big Papi discussion here) where the Red Sox can take advantage of his hitting abilities. So if we don't have Mikey on third - what do we do? Do we move Youk over to third base and get a new first baseman or do we look for a new third baseman? Someone like, say, Chone Figgins? His URZ was 14.5 last season (3rd best in the majors) and he had a.298 batting average and a.395 on-base percentage while stealing 42 bases. Just a thought..
http://mysportsrumors.com
I think. Jason Bay has indicated that he would like to play in Boston next year, but to date no deal has been reached. The rumors are that Bay wants a contract for more years then the Red Sox are willing to offer. And that is actually pretty consistent with what the Red Sox do. When a player reaches a "certain age" the Red Sox only like to tie them up for a 2 to 3 year contract. And in some respect, that makes sense. Now some might argue that we should look elsewhere for a left-fielder based solely on Bay's defensive numbers - but I'm not buying that. I think numbers can be deceiving and there is a reason both the Red Sox (and probably Scott's team) are interested in signing him. He put up good numbers at the plate and runners who have challenged Bay's arm this season using came out on the losing end. I think he is a much better defensive player then the numbers indicate. Where I don't think the numbers lie are when it comes to the defensive abilities of our catchers.
boston.comJason Varitek allowed 108 stolen bases over 124 chances. Sigh...And Victor Martinez?
http://cdn0.sbnation.comHe threw out just 2 in 19 chances - NOT to mention the balls that he threw away. In all fairness to V-Mart, he was only played 30 games as catcher for us. The hope is that when he is here for the whole season (and I think it is a very safe bet that he will be our starting catcher next season) he will find some of his 2007-08 form when he threw out 33 percent (46-for-138) of his would-be stealers. But this is a huge problem that the team must address. Teams last year stole at will on the Red Sox - 151 bases were stolen against us. I don't know what the answer to this problem is. Well - maybe I do know part of the answer - Jason Varitek can no longer be our starting catcher.
It makes me sad to say it. But say it I must. Could Tek be a back up catcher? I think so - but I don't know if he would accept the role. I firmly believe that the Red Sox need to be in discussions with Tek to tie him up as a pitching coach. Have him start in the minors - that really is where he needs to begin to learn the ropes - but I suspect that it wouldn't be long before we see him walking out to the mound at Fenway to calm down an anxious pitcher.It's hard to think about things being wrong with the Red Sox - they did win 95 games after all. But there are some weaknesses (shortstop) that must be addressed. A little tweaking will make a world of difference. You know - a "World Series" of difference.
I agree, the Red Sox definitely need to improve their defense. The stolen base thing was just embarrassing. I think some of the defensive issues improved when Alex Gonzalez was signed, but there is still lots of room for improvement.
One of the most important things for the Red Sox next year is to reverse the two-year trend of poor road performance. In 2007, when they won the World Series (and in 2004 too) they had a winning road record. The 2008-2009 trend of under .500 on the road is a disturbing one. They may have been even more dominant at home the last two years, enabling them to win 95 games while having a losing record on the road, but they also appeared one-dimensional--like they couldn't win away from friendly Fenway. The offense and the pitching both suffer on the road, but the offense appears to be the most glaring issue, especially against better-than-average pitching. I hope the Powers That Be figure out what's causing them to look like two completely different teams at home and away and find some solutions or we'll see more years that ended like this one.
Report any abuse or spam
Catchers make great pitching coaches. Look at the Duncan, the pitching coach for the Cardinals.
Emma
http://crzblue.mlblogs.com/
Report any abuse or spam
Weakness at shortstop? Alex Gonzalez is good. He's, I must admit in all fairness, better than my team's shortstop, and he doesn't swing for the fences as often.
Report any abuse or spam
You're absolutely right about defense, it can't be overlooked. For analytical purposes, I'd recommend using 3-year UZR data, it's more accurate than single-year data.
http://paintingtheblack.mlblogs.com/
(Check out my new site)
http://communities.washingtontimes.com/neighborhood/baseballs-labyrinth/
Report any abuse or spam
Defense is key for anything. Something the Sox have been lacking for a while, especially at shortstop. It's what the Yankees did have though, which led them to win yet another ring... Geez, just typing that puts me in denial, but hey, at least the Boston Red Sox play honestly and have a positive look for the future. Hoping for the best in 2010. Now, to figure out what to do about this bet me and my uncle made... I have to write about a former Yankee and a current Yankee on my blog now thanks to all this. But, if you can do it, then I can manage to put a few good Yankees on an entry!!
-Holly
http://irishsoxkid19.mlblogs.com
Report any abuse or spam
Definitely a problem with the Stolen base percentage. You'd think the team would work on the pitch to plate times and the pop times with the catcher's in the offseason. You really have to work at that aspect to have any success. Of course, it never hurts to have a quick release and a rocket for an arm behind the dish ; )
Buz - http://buzblog.mlblogs.com/
Report any abuse or spam
That's absolutely correct about defense -- I didn't used to be as focused on that side of the ball until the end of the season when our D (esp. the IF) was ridiculous and helped pitchers a *lot* It will be interesting to see what the Sox do at catcher...and I do hope they resign Bay (if only to keep him out of NY...)
~AZ
http://azinneck.mlblogs.com
Report any abuse or spam
Oh the Red Sox will be back... with a vengeance I'm sure. And yeah, now is the time that Tek see himself as a backup... if he wants to be part of RSN that is.
--Jeff
http://redstatebluestate.mlblogs.com/
http://mtrredstatebluestate.com
Report any abuse or spam
Well, there's always next year for a Rockies and Red Sox rematch. However, I will say, if it's any consolation, our catcher threw out a total of five guys this season.
Emily
http://deconstructingthoughts.mlblogs.com/
Report any abuse or spam
Personally, I'd like Jason Bay to stay with the Red Sox - if only to see a pretty good Canadian player come to Toronto nine times a year (since I doubt the Blue Jays could sign him). I hear Seattle may be on his wish list of teams as well.
Jonah
http://jonah77.mlblogs.com/
Report any abuse or spam
Defense was horrible this season, no question. But, was it just a bad year, or did we have some poor defensive players? Well, both.
Starting behind the plate, Tek couldn't throw out anybody. Nobody stole a base against him. You can't steal something you're given, so they may have to adjust some stats. V-Mart is the catcher of 2010 and beyond with Tek in a reduced role, probably catching for Beckett and relieving V-Mart after he exercises his $3MIL option.
First base is no question. Youk will be there the majority of games, moving to 3rd to cover for Lowell on his off days.2nd base is a lock.
3rd will see Lowell back and I think better. His hip will be a year removed from the surgery and he will play more games and put up better numbers.
Shortstop? Shortstop?....ok, we'll get back to that....
The outfield trio will be Bay, Ellsbury and Drew....copy that Theo?!?
Did I mention Shortstop?
Report any abuse or spam