We stopped bunting because our inning leadoff OBP was well below .300 and we were behind most of the time.
No leadoff man on base and losing equals drop in number of sac bunts
Keep Cohen with no demands on staff
Keep Cohen, but require staff changes
Fire Cohen
Unsure
I've actually said all year that hitting isn't the problem. Timely hitting and situational hitting were the problem on offense. I think a lot of that was our approach. When we got runners in scoring position it was like we were just looking to walk... Seems we were way too passive.
You're right though... Pitching was the biggest problem. When me, you, and Stevie wonder could see our bullpen was complete and utter garbage, why did Cohen continue to play for 1 run over-and-over again? It was almost like Cohen was just too proud to admit his small ball approach was crap and adjust accordingly. Then when the season was completely shot, Cohen stopped bunting
We stopped bunting because our inning leadoff OBP was well below .300 and we were behind most of the time.
No leadoff man on base and losing equals drop in number of sac bunts
Let me be clear: I AM NOT saying pitching wasn't a major problem. It was. Bigger than the offense? Yes. However.....
This is a very fair point by Smitty. Just because he is the one to make it doesn't mean it's any less valid. When you're constantly starting the inning with 1 out, 0 runners, and trailing on the scoreboard there aren't a whole lot of opportunities for Cohen to call a sac bunt. So saying he "adjusted" when he had very limited opportunities is a little misleading. Once aGAIN, I'm not letting pitching off the hook. Just don't want this point being dismissed just because Smitty is the one making it.
Frankly, we sucked so bad at everything this season, it's not fair to say any single particular aspect was the reason we were losing. And allow me to make one more point: Many of us, myself included, have been screaming for a hitting coach. There are plenty here, Engine immediately comes to mind, who think Butch should be untouchable. But when I look at those pitching ranks and combine that with our failure to get productive years from pitchers prior to their Junior season, I think it's more than fair to conclude Butch should replaced too. I say Cohen gets this ONE opportunity to clean his house and he needs to completely nuke his staff. Can Butch, Mingione, the S&C guy, everyone. Bring in fresh blood all the way around or GTFO, so far as I'm concerned.
It's the roller coaster of hope that this program keeps us on that makes it hell being a State fan. - CadaverDawg, 10/15/22