Post by carolinacoolpapa (Scott, BOS) on Aug 13, 2019 16:20:47 GMT -5
Thanks to Adam for providing a nice template to use!
Yearly results:
4 years total:
353 - 313 - 54 (.530)
2016:
101 - 60 - 19 (.627)
AL Wild Card
Lost ALCS to Houston
2017:
94 – 76 - 10 (.553)
3rd in AL East
Missed playoffs
2018:
61 - 108 - 11 (.361)
5th in AL West
Missed playoffs
*New ownership mid-season
2019:
97 - 69 - 14 (.584)
3rd in AL West
AL Wildcard #2
Lost Wildcard to Yankees
Category leaders (In terms of stats contributed to the team’s results throughout the year. Not necessarily on the Red Sox roster at the end of the year, nor the players' end of year stat totals.):
BA: .291 – Omar Narvaez . . . with a nod to Luis Arraez .326 (132ab) and Jose Ramirez .323 (127ab)
HR: 26 – Manny Machado
RBI: 80 – Bryce Harper
R: 106 – Mookie Betts (new record over Nolan Arenado’s 85 in 2016)
SB: 12 – Mookie Betts
Worst BA: .184 – Curtis Granderson
Strikeouts: 70 – James Paxton
ERA: 2.66, 41 IP – Aroldis Chapman (new bullpen record over Hector Velazquez’s 2.68 in 2018)
WHIP: 1.060, 54 IP – Taylor Rogers
W: 5 – Jalen Beeks, Kenta Maeda
SVH: 27 – Taylor Rogers (new record over Addison Reed’s 24 in 2017)
Worst ERA: 8.10, 27 IP – Jonathan Holder (not counting Alex Reyes’ 15.00 in 3ip)
Season summary:
Crazy, crazy season! After trading away 95% of the farm system talent, not to mention blowing the budget, in the off season for Bryce Harper, Manny Machado and Mookie Betts, there wasn’t much left to commit roster depth. Entering (and spending most of) the season with exactly nine major league hitters and a pitching strategy heavily reliant (entirely reliant by end of season) on the bullpen, the best hope was winning enough offensive and reliever categories to steal a wildcard spot and roll the dice with one-on-one matchups in the playoffs.
The plan didn’t look great at the start as the Red Sox posted a 11-18-1 record (.379) to start the season. However, they turned it around the rest of the way, going 86-51-13 (.628) the rest of the way . . . the #1 Wildcard Yankees were .636 on the season.
It was an amazing chase for the #2 wild card spot against Houston and Oakland. At the start of games on July 1, Boston was leading Oakland by a single game and Houston by two. At the end of the regular season on August 11, the Astros were a game and a half back and the A’s two!
The keys to success down the stretch were trade acquisitions and late-season call-ups. Most notably was the resurgent Jose Ramirez who was back to his 2018 self (.323, 9hr, 24r, 31rbi, 6 sb in 127 ab . . . projects to 45-30 season with 120r and 155rbi in 578ab, his number of ab from 2018). These players came up big in Boston’s final three critical series . . .
Vs. Tampa Bay (6-4-0)
The Red Sox won all five offensive categories, largely thanks to Ramirez who hit .400 with 4 home runs, 7 runs, 9rbi and 2 stolen bases.
Vs. Colorado (3-6-1)
A rough series that was partially salvaged by a 2-1 win in the stolen base category . . . the steal that made the difference was by new call-up Travis Demeritte who went 1-2 on the series with 1 run and 1 stolen base.
Season Finale vs. New York (5-5)
With the Astros having a great week and the A’s still threatening, EVERY category counted and all five won by the Sox were close. Offensively, Boston came out on top in home runs (14-12), rbi (38-30), steals (3-2) . . . all three offensive categories would have been lost without Ramirez (2hr, 5rbi, 2sb) and minor league call-up Sam Travis (2hr, 5rbi). On the pitching side, Boston came out on top in saves+holds (4-2) and strikeouts (32-29). The SVH category was a full bullpen effort as four different pitchers had one apiece, but the strikeout category was interesting one to watch play out. To try and win the category, the Red Sox turned to the lone starter standing in their rotation, one who had not thrown a pitch in a game since being acquired from the Braves in the Aroldis Chapman deadline deal. Who else but Adam Wainwright would be perfect to come through in the clutch with an absolute gem (W, 6ip, 1r, 6h, 8k, 2bb) and clinch the wildcard spot. Being a life-long Cardinal fan, this was PRICELESS!
Surprises:
- 2B/3B Luis Arraez (.326, 1hr, 21r, 10rbi in 132ab). I was not surprised that he could hit, just did not expect him to get a call-up before September, let alone secure an everyday role, usually in a key spot in the Twins lineup.
- SP/RP Jalen Beeks (5w, 63k, 3svh, 2.95era, 1.323whip in 76ip). Incredibly valuable with my bullpen strategy since he could fill an SP spot (also had Sergio Romo most of the season who filled a similar role). Pitching behind an opener in Tampa Bay really seemed like a good fit for him this season . . . would love to see that continue in 2020.
- Significant injuries. As in, none of them. It is an absolute shock. When I rolled the dice investing everything in three big bats (and only 9-11 total offensive players throughout the season), I was just sure one of my key players and/or significant support players would go down, leaving me with a huge hole in my offense. It just never happened. Betts (.285, 20hr, 106r, 62rbi, 12sb), Machado (.265, 26hr, 67r, 70rbi, 4sb) and Harper (.250, 22hr, 69r, 80rbi, 6sb) each fell a bit short of my hopes/expectations, but none of them missed any time on the IL. Pure luck.
Disappointments:
- OF Brett Phillips and Zach Granite. Coming into the season, I was really counting on one of these guys to win an outfield spot. Neither one managed to have a major league plate appearance in 2019 so I had to rely on part-timer Melky Cabrera (.292, 2hr, 19r, 21rbi, 1sb in 130ab) and Curtis Granderson (.184, 10hr, 36r, 29rbi, 0sb in 255ab) to fill the space in left field. Not that the contributions of these guys weren’t appreciated – Melky was a great BA boost when he played and Granderson’s home runs and runs were helpful . . . plus “Grandpa Grandy” held together the clubhouse through the tough points in the season (He’s one of my favorite players).
- David Robertson (6.2ip) and Alex Reyes (3ip). These guys were supposed to be linchpins of my pitching staff but both were lost for the season due to injuries. Reyes, in particular was a disappointment as he literally added insult to injury in 2018 by pitching 4 innings – the exact number he needed to reach 50 for his career and start his salary clock ticking. Two lost years with nothing to show for it.
- James Paxton (4w, 70k, 4.48era, 1.506whip in 70ip). When I acquired Paxton from the Mariners for a handful of prospects (most notably Darwinzon Hernandez who I would love to have back), I was sure I was getting a breakout fringe Cy Young candidate.
Just What Was Needed (neither a surprise nor disappointment but absolutely critical):
- Marcus Semien (.275, 19hr, 87r, 55rbi, 6sb) and Omar Narvaez (.291, 17hr, 52r, 42rbi, 0sb). These guys were not the flashy stars but, man, were they important for the stability of this team! So consistent all season long (not to mention healthy . . . critical considering I had no bench), there is no way Boston could have won the wild card without them.
Awards:
Team Batting MVP: Mookie Betts. It was fun to see my “Big 3” spread out the categories leads (Betts in runs and steals, Harper in RBI, Machado in HR), but Betts was definitely the player who contributed most to the success of the team.
Honorable mention: Jose Ramirez. The MVP down the stretch, carrying the offense through several critical series.
Team pitching MVP: Taylor Rodgers. Led the team with 27SvH while posting a 2.68 ERA, 1.060 WHIP and a 11.4k/9 in 53.2 innings. The “bullpen strategy” would not have worked without him. A toss up between Rodgers and Chapman but Rogers was key in the final few weeks and his team-leading WHIP was really helpful.
Honorable mention: Aroldis Chapman (3W, 26SvH, 2.66ERA, 12.8k/9, 1.208whip in 40.2ip).
Minor League Players of the Year will be announced at the end of the full minor league season in my prospects report.
Yearly results:
4 years total:
353 - 313 - 54 (.530)
2016:
101 - 60 - 19 (.627)
AL Wild Card
Lost ALCS to Houston
2017:
94 – 76 - 10 (.553)
3rd in AL East
Missed playoffs
2018:
61 - 108 - 11 (.361)
5th in AL West
Missed playoffs
*New ownership mid-season
2019:
97 - 69 - 14 (.584)
3rd in AL West
AL Wildcard #2
Lost Wildcard to Yankees
Category leaders (In terms of stats contributed to the team’s results throughout the year. Not necessarily on the Red Sox roster at the end of the year, nor the players' end of year stat totals.):
BA: .291 – Omar Narvaez . . . with a nod to Luis Arraez .326 (132ab) and Jose Ramirez .323 (127ab)
HR: 26 – Manny Machado
RBI: 80 – Bryce Harper
R: 106 – Mookie Betts (new record over Nolan Arenado’s 85 in 2016)
SB: 12 – Mookie Betts
Worst BA: .184 – Curtis Granderson
Strikeouts: 70 – James Paxton
ERA: 2.66, 41 IP – Aroldis Chapman (new bullpen record over Hector Velazquez’s 2.68 in 2018)
WHIP: 1.060, 54 IP – Taylor Rogers
W: 5 – Jalen Beeks, Kenta Maeda
SVH: 27 – Taylor Rogers (new record over Addison Reed’s 24 in 2017)
Worst ERA: 8.10, 27 IP – Jonathan Holder (not counting Alex Reyes’ 15.00 in 3ip)
Season summary:
Crazy, crazy season! After trading away 95% of the farm system talent, not to mention blowing the budget, in the off season for Bryce Harper, Manny Machado and Mookie Betts, there wasn’t much left to commit roster depth. Entering (and spending most of) the season with exactly nine major league hitters and a pitching strategy heavily reliant (entirely reliant by end of season) on the bullpen, the best hope was winning enough offensive and reliever categories to steal a wildcard spot and roll the dice with one-on-one matchups in the playoffs.
The plan didn’t look great at the start as the Red Sox posted a 11-18-1 record (.379) to start the season. However, they turned it around the rest of the way, going 86-51-13 (.628) the rest of the way . . . the #1 Wildcard Yankees were .636 on the season.
It was an amazing chase for the #2 wild card spot against Houston and Oakland. At the start of games on July 1, Boston was leading Oakland by a single game and Houston by two. At the end of the regular season on August 11, the Astros were a game and a half back and the A’s two!
The keys to success down the stretch were trade acquisitions and late-season call-ups. Most notably was the resurgent Jose Ramirez who was back to his 2018 self (.323, 9hr, 24r, 31rbi, 6 sb in 127 ab . . . projects to 45-30 season with 120r and 155rbi in 578ab, his number of ab from 2018). These players came up big in Boston’s final three critical series . . .
Vs. Tampa Bay (6-4-0)
The Red Sox won all five offensive categories, largely thanks to Ramirez who hit .400 with 4 home runs, 7 runs, 9rbi and 2 stolen bases.
Vs. Colorado (3-6-1)
A rough series that was partially salvaged by a 2-1 win in the stolen base category . . . the steal that made the difference was by new call-up Travis Demeritte who went 1-2 on the series with 1 run and 1 stolen base.
Season Finale vs. New York (5-5)
With the Astros having a great week and the A’s still threatening, EVERY category counted and all five won by the Sox were close. Offensively, Boston came out on top in home runs (14-12), rbi (38-30), steals (3-2) . . . all three offensive categories would have been lost without Ramirez (2hr, 5rbi, 2sb) and minor league call-up Sam Travis (2hr, 5rbi). On the pitching side, Boston came out on top in saves+holds (4-2) and strikeouts (32-29). The SVH category was a full bullpen effort as four different pitchers had one apiece, but the strikeout category was interesting one to watch play out. To try and win the category, the Red Sox turned to the lone starter standing in their rotation, one who had not thrown a pitch in a game since being acquired from the Braves in the Aroldis Chapman deadline deal. Who else but Adam Wainwright would be perfect to come through in the clutch with an absolute gem (W, 6ip, 1r, 6h, 8k, 2bb) and clinch the wildcard spot. Being a life-long Cardinal fan, this was PRICELESS!
Surprises:
- 2B/3B Luis Arraez (.326, 1hr, 21r, 10rbi in 132ab). I was not surprised that he could hit, just did not expect him to get a call-up before September, let alone secure an everyday role, usually in a key spot in the Twins lineup.
- SP/RP Jalen Beeks (5w, 63k, 3svh, 2.95era, 1.323whip in 76ip). Incredibly valuable with my bullpen strategy since he could fill an SP spot (also had Sergio Romo most of the season who filled a similar role). Pitching behind an opener in Tampa Bay really seemed like a good fit for him this season . . . would love to see that continue in 2020.
- Significant injuries. As in, none of them. It is an absolute shock. When I rolled the dice investing everything in three big bats (and only 9-11 total offensive players throughout the season), I was just sure one of my key players and/or significant support players would go down, leaving me with a huge hole in my offense. It just never happened. Betts (.285, 20hr, 106r, 62rbi, 12sb), Machado (.265, 26hr, 67r, 70rbi, 4sb) and Harper (.250, 22hr, 69r, 80rbi, 6sb) each fell a bit short of my hopes/expectations, but none of them missed any time on the IL. Pure luck.
Disappointments:
- OF Brett Phillips and Zach Granite. Coming into the season, I was really counting on one of these guys to win an outfield spot. Neither one managed to have a major league plate appearance in 2019 so I had to rely on part-timer Melky Cabrera (.292, 2hr, 19r, 21rbi, 1sb in 130ab) and Curtis Granderson (.184, 10hr, 36r, 29rbi, 0sb in 255ab) to fill the space in left field. Not that the contributions of these guys weren’t appreciated – Melky was a great BA boost when he played and Granderson’s home runs and runs were helpful . . . plus “Grandpa Grandy” held together the clubhouse through the tough points in the season (He’s one of my favorite players).
- David Robertson (6.2ip) and Alex Reyes (3ip). These guys were supposed to be linchpins of my pitching staff but both were lost for the season due to injuries. Reyes, in particular was a disappointment as he literally added insult to injury in 2018 by pitching 4 innings – the exact number he needed to reach 50 for his career and start his salary clock ticking. Two lost years with nothing to show for it.
- James Paxton (4w, 70k, 4.48era, 1.506whip in 70ip). When I acquired Paxton from the Mariners for a handful of prospects (most notably Darwinzon Hernandez who I would love to have back), I was sure I was getting a breakout fringe Cy Young candidate.
Just What Was Needed (neither a surprise nor disappointment but absolutely critical):
- Marcus Semien (.275, 19hr, 87r, 55rbi, 6sb) and Omar Narvaez (.291, 17hr, 52r, 42rbi, 0sb). These guys were not the flashy stars but, man, were they important for the stability of this team! So consistent all season long (not to mention healthy . . . critical considering I had no bench), there is no way Boston could have won the wild card without them.
Awards:
Team Batting MVP: Mookie Betts. It was fun to see my “Big 3” spread out the categories leads (Betts in runs and steals, Harper in RBI, Machado in HR), but Betts was definitely the player who contributed most to the success of the team.
Honorable mention: Jose Ramirez. The MVP down the stretch, carrying the offense through several critical series.
Team pitching MVP: Taylor Rodgers. Led the team with 27SvH while posting a 2.68 ERA, 1.060 WHIP and a 11.4k/9 in 53.2 innings. The “bullpen strategy” would not have worked without him. A toss up between Rodgers and Chapman but Rogers was key in the final few weeks and his team-leading WHIP was really helpful.
Honorable mention: Aroldis Chapman (3W, 26SvH, 2.66ERA, 12.8k/9, 1.208whip in 40.2ip).
Minor League Players of the Year will be announced at the end of the full minor league season in my prospects report.