Jason Jennings

[SchillingIsTheNatural]

So there is a rumor floating that Jennings may be available if he continues to struggle with Colorado. The Sox tried to deal for him a year ago and had no luck. I'm not sure what to think of this since we already have a crowded rotation when Schilling and Wells come back but he could be high reward. Maybe add him to the bullpen??

 

I don't know anyone have any thoughts on this?

[Sox fan in Tex]

I personally am not fond of us making any moves or bringing anyone else in right now. I think our bullpen is fine...maybe later on, but not right now.

 

I still don't know why if in 48.0 innings, he's 1-5 with a 6.19 ERA we'd want him. Maybe I'll reconsider my thoughts if there's more beyond stats that I can't see.

[elsrbueno]

The fact that he's pitching in Colorado no doubt has a lot to do with his struggles, and if you ask guys like Denny Neagle, Mike Hampton, etc they'll tell you that pitching half your games at Coors even messes with you when you're on the road.

 

Now, Jennings is young and can rebound, but who knows just how good this guy is? Having spent his entire career with the Rockies to date, and statistics need to be taken with a grain of salt. Here is ESPN's scouting report on Jennings:

 

Pitching

Jennings has three quality pitches. His strength is a hard sinker that will sit between 90-93 MPH. He also has a solid average changeup. He gets in trouble, however, because he has a fascination with his slider. He can get into such a predictable pattern with the slider that hitters have no fear about sitting on the pitch. Jennings also gets caught up in trying to overthink. He has to be more aggressive, busting righthanded batters inside and changing speeds on lefthanded hitters. With his sinker, he just needs to let it fly.

 

Sounds like a pitcher with a Derek Lowe/Matt Clement type makeup to me, which means there's a chance the Sox could help him turn around... but is it worth it?

[SchillingIsTheNatural]

If the price is low I say why not. He is still pretty young and has the talent. Low cost and high risk is what the Sox like. I'm sure just having Varitek as your catcher would help. I just don't know where we would put him. I guess he is not really necessary but its a thought.

[Zenny]

Jennings was one of the best pitchers in the country in college a couple years back. I wouldn't be opposed to a trade for Jennings under different circumstances, but we have a buttload of starters already and we don't need a Coors Field project to work on during a pennant race.

[Tek4pres]

I don't think that Jennings really fits in here. He's a right hander who has has higher batting average against versus right handed batters than lefties. Not a great thing for a guy who'd come out of the pen. Plus, he'd be costly in terms of prospects; he's a former rookie of the year who has good stuff but doesn't.

 

And for those who think that he's just a trip out of Coors field away from becoming Mike Hampton, he's given up more homeruns in less innings on the road this year than at home. Getting him out of Coors would not benefit him as much as getting him with a pitching coach that can help him harness his potential.

[Gambit]

Jennings was one of the best pitchers in the country in college a couple years back. I wouldn't be opposed to a trade for Jennings under different circumstances, but we have a buttload of starters already and we don't need a Coors Field project to work on during a pennant race.

Exactly - we already have 6 starters... we need bullpen help much more.

 

Matt