Sox, Dalbec continue to disappoint
Welcome to Kvetch of the Day, your chance to ask us your burning questions.
Sox fans continue to lament the team’s slow start. Reader Paul Baranofsky asks: “While the majority of the blame for the Red Sox’ horrid start clearly should be laid at the feet of the players who can’t hit in clutch situations and the manager like all managers makes questionable moves at times I place as much blame on Chaim Bloom and his Tampa Bay philosophy he is using in Boston. While DFAing Travis Shaw was a great move i would have DFAed the automatic out aka Jackie Bradley Jr. And the stat nerds can shove their statistical defensive stats. I would also send down Bobby swing and miss Dalbec to triple a. Also call up Tristan Casas to play first base and Jarren Duran to play right field. They surely couldn’t do any worse. And Bloom also failed with a BIG F the starting pitching needs since their best pitcher Garrett Whitlock is forced to start thus weakening an already pathetic bullpen.”
And George Tebbetts wonders if baseballs might contribute to Dalbec’s glacial start: “Hi guys, as a longtime Sox fan, two questions arise. What in the world is the situation with Bobby Dalbec? The guy is not a major league player and has proven that over time. A 150 hitter with marginal defense can only be auditioned for some time, especially if you’re carrying 1/2 a lineup below 200. Secondly, what’s the buzz re: the baseballs? There’s no carry seemingly! Did they detune the ball? Thanks!”
Red Sox columnist Jason Mastrodonato replies: “Paul, while I agree that Bloom has shied away from adding top-end pitching talent and has instead prioritized depth — something that is clearly hurting them right now, as they search for a true shutdown reliever in the bullpen — I think you’re way off on your Bradley take. He’s second on the team in doubles, third in walks and leads all MLB outfielders with six defensive
runs saved already. We’ve seen what a disaster right field at Fenway Park can be without a legitimate defensive outfielder in that position. Bradley isn’t the problem. First base has been a huge problem as Dalbec is starting to look a little uncomfortable on both sides of the ball. I’ve shied away from calling for Casas to replace him, but if this offense doesn’t figure things out soon, the Sox may have no choice.
“George, to add on your point about Dalbec, one has to wonder if his time is running out and a trip to
Worcester would be best for him. Not a short trip either; an extended stay in TripleA to rediscover his confidence and make some necessary adjustments with his swing. He’s been in the big leagues long enough now that teams know who he is, they know how to pitch him and he’s still not making contact. His contact rate of 64% ranks 169 out of 172 qualified big leaguers. And he’s been mediocre on defense. It’s hard to imagine the Sox riding it out with him much longer. As for the baseballs, we don’t have enough data to say for sure if there are multiple balls being used once again, but that is suspected. It’s unfortunate that MLB appears to manipulate the game to their liking each year by tinkering with the baseballs. Maybe it’ll be for the best, as balls in play make for a more exciting game than the three true outcomes, but there’s no question something is up. Home runs are down drastically, from 13.2% of fly balls turning into homers to just 10.2%, an unprecedented drop.”
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