2012 MLB Regular Season Running Thread

I just don't find this very impressive.

http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=3501&position=OF

 

I find his 2011 season quite impressive. And I also find his versatility defensively impressive.

 

Lillibridge is the offensive equivalent of a lefty middle reliever. For what he is, last season was, indeed, impressive. But he's just a good end-of-the-bench guy when it comes right down to it. If he gets enough chances, I have no doubt he'll become a fan favorite in Boston, but if he gets enough chances, that means the Red Sox are in trouble.

 

Scrappy white guy of little value to team becomes fan favorite in Boston? No way.

 

Exactly.

 

I think this is a pretty good summary. He's not going to be making any All-Star appearances. On the other hand, I'd hardly call him a "throwaway" or whatever the phrase was. He has value.

 

At least Trout isn't just given BJs. He earns every last one.

 

Kevin Youkilis did make All-Star games. Youkilis piled up a 29.6 WAR over his career and slipped only in the last year and a half because he's been hurt or playing hurt. He switched positions two or three times (including a stint in the outfield a few years ago) to accommodate their needs. What can you say? This is a bad trade for Boston.

 

1. Sox feel, rightly or not, that Youkilis is done, or at least, gets hurt so often as to have limited value.
2. Middlebrooks' showing he can hit in the big leagues left Youkilis with no position to play.
3. Lillibridge was acquired as a result of one of the Sox' darkest fears -- that Pedroia is going to start getting hurt as often as Youkilis has been.

 

Even with Middlebrooks ready to take over?

I'm just not sure how much more Boson would have been able to get for Youkilis. I suppose they could have held out until closer to the trade deadline, but that risks an injury and then you get nothing. And in the meantime, you have this uncomfortable situation going on at third base. Whoever is getting him essentially was getting him for just the rest of this season. Nobody's going to give up the farm for that. The White Sox were the best suitor, because they have no prospects to give up, but did have some expendable major league parts to send over.

 

No, the Sox actually feel that Youkilis has some life left.

The Red Sox, on the other hand, felt otherwise!

 

Not the majors, but a Flying Squirrels game was called today because the outfield wall was blown down by a storm.