Pineiro Expected To Sign

[CrespoBlows]

Other than Clement inking with the Red Sox, I can't think of another move I hated more.

[VA Sox Fan]

If Papelbon can close without any other health issues he is the best answer' date=' besides he is a better closer than he is a starter. Lester is going to be in Pawtucket for at least the first half of the season, not only because of the health issues, but because he needs to refine his pitching.[/quote']

 

I understand the plan for Lester. Papelbon was so successful for the Sox last year and seems to be willing to do what is best for the team (while imagining the big $$ starters make).

 

I remember him as a starter, very strong in the early innings and I think you're right about him being a better closer. Just hoping he's young (and, of course, stays healthy) enough to accomplish his and the team's goals.

[riverside sluggers]

The Red Sox might not admitted' date=' not for now anyways, but the signing of Pineiro may not be for him to be a reliever, he is much better as a starter than he may be as a reliever, there is talk among baseball people that one of the reason the Sox haven't made a move to fill the closer issues is because they may had a change of hart and thatPapelbon may be the closer at the of Spring training and the signing of Pineiro may be sign of it and become the fifth starter on the rotation, there's also talk that Papelbon would only pitch just one inning at the time and a reduced games pitched in a row.[/quote']

 

I dont know about others on here, but I wont feel all warm inside knowing Piniero rounds out the 2006 starting rotation

[jacksonianmarch]

I agree' date=' unelss we get the rocket ASAP, 5 very good starting pitchers and an empty closer's role with plenty of applicants is fine by me.[/quote']

 

Very good is also debatable. The sox have the potential to have 4 aces and a solid 5. But Schilling and Beckett did not inspire ace-like comparisons last yr, Paps didnt start last yr, and Matsuzaka is new to the bigs. It is far from a given, but is possible.

 

Then again, having an unreliable closers role would make every game potentially hairy. While having one starting spot uncertain per se and a solid closer would make one out of every 5 games hairy.

[jacksonianmarch]

I dont know about others on here' date=' but I wont feel all warm inside knowing Piniero rounds out the 2006 starting rotation[/quote']

 

this just solidifies what I just said above. Having a rotation of Schill, Beckett, Matsuzaka, Wakefield, and Piniero, no matter how bad he is in the rotation with having a bullpen ace in Paps is better than relying on Piniero as the bullpen ace and having Paps in his rotation slot. If I were a sox fan, I would feel much better if this was the case.

[riverside sluggers]

I doubt the Sox would worry about save situations for every game, wouldnt that set a record for save opportunities?

[jacksonianmarch]

I doubt the Sox would worry about save situations for every game' date=' wouldnt that set a record for save opportunities?[/quote']

 

you know what I mean. Every game has the potential to be a problem if the closers role is unfilled. And not just every game, but every close game in which the sox are winning.

[riverside sluggers]

this just solidifies what I just said above. Having a rotation of Schill' date=' Beckett, Matsuzaka, Wakefield, and Piniero, no matter how bad he is in the rotation with having a bullpen ace in Paps is better than relying on Piniero as the bullpen ace and having Paps in his rotation slot. If I were a sox fan, I would feel much better if this was the case.[/quote']

 

As I said before... he'd be the best bet to be the long man/spot starter if he were to remain in the bullpen, not the potential bullpen "ace". Piniero would be traded or DFA'd mid-season if he was the 5th starter

[CrespoBlows]

If the Red Sox can find a pitcher who puts up a 3.50 ERA, then that closer role should be OK. The Tigers got there with Jones, (granted with Zumaya in front), the Cardinals got there with Isringhausen and Wainwright.

[Cityofchampions33]

Very good is also debatable. The sox have the potential to have 4 aces and a solid 5. But Schilling and Beckett did not inspire ace-like comparisons last yr, Paps didnt start last yr, and Matsuzaka is new to the bigs. It is far from a given, but is possible.

 

Then again, having an unreliable closers role would make every game potentially hairy. While having one starting spot uncertain per se and a solid closer would make one out of every 5 games hairy.

 

Of course that's a given, as I mentioend in my other post this rotation has great potential. However, I do expect good seasons from beckett, DMat, and Paps somewhat. Schilling should give us a chance to win every time out, same goes with the underrated Wakey.

[BoSox34]

Of course that's a given' date=' as I mentioend in my other post this rotation has great potential. However, I do expect good seasons from beckett, DMat, and Paps somewhat. Schilling should give us a chance to win every time out, same goes with the underrated Wakey.[/quote']

 

Wakefield gives us a chance to win every start? He could've fooled me last season..

[VA Sox Fan]

hey VA. Good to see you stepping up on the boards. We need a feminine influence on here more often, WOWZAH!

 

The sox wont be signing a closer between now and the season. They may deal for one, but there arent any other pitchers out there that should get closer duties.

 

Also, unless they make a deal involving one of the guys under contract, this is the team that will take the field. The only guy on the projected 12 man pitching staff that doesnt have a major league contract is MDC (well he has options left). That means that Timlin, Tavares, Okajima, Romero, Piniero, and Donnelly will be on the opening day roster. And unless the perfect deal falls into their lap, this is the team going forward.

 

Now one thing Dibble and Kennedy were talking about was Papelbon's history. He was a closer in college, so it isnt like he got hurt in his only season of closing. They did say he was overworked in his first closing season of professional ball, but by no means does this mean his shoulder cannot handle it. They were also replaying an interview with Torre. Torre said some powerful things about Papelbon. Like "he changes the game" and he has "changed the mindset of our players when we play them". Essentially something along the lines of, we better tie or go ahead prior to the ninth or we are sunk. A mindset the yankees have not had at any time in the past while facing the sox. He gave the sox the same thing that Mo gave the yankees for one yr. And since he has the pedigree as closer, and his injury wasnt serious as far as we know, why the hell arent they sticking with what works.

 

 

Hey Jackson (you MFY tool ), I should have said GET a closer. Papelbon was overused in a time of desperation (that, IMO, started when Tek went on the DL 8/1/06). I agree his injury wasn't that serious b/c I remember him saying he would have pitched had we been in the hunt (once he got the temporary rest and rehab he needed etc).

 

Just glad it's January and things can go a lot of different ways.

[jacksonianmarch]

Of course that's a given' date=' as I mentioend in my other post this rotation has great potential. However, I do expect good seasons from beckett, DMat, and Paps somewhat. Schilling should give us a chance to win every time out, same goes with the underrated Wakey.[/quote']

 

I think Wake is being underrated badly this offseason and I feel as if Beckett is being burdened with unrealistic expectations of recovery to being a top tier pitcher.

[riverside sluggers]

Wakefield gives us a chance to win every start? He could've fooled me last season..

 

3 months out with a back injury would do that to any pitcher...

 

Oh and the offense helped him not win starts for majority of the season. Look at his stats, the Sox backed him up with 3 runs or less most of the time

[jacksonianmarch]

VA, I'm not glad it is January. January sucks. I like April MUCH better

[Cityofchampions33]

Wakefield gives us a chance to win every start? He could've fooled me last season..

 

I think he does, but then again, that term could be used for just about everyone in a way. What I mean is, he has shown at times that he can actually be an ace (2003 playoffs, flashes in 05 season) and usually keeps us in the game. I'm not saying he's a Schilling or is betetr than anyone in our rotation, but he is solid to say the least, nto to mention a Yankee killer.

[VA Sox Fan]

Wakefield gives us a chance to win every start? He could've fooled me last season..

 

 

That was ONE season. Wake will hopefully AND should be fine. How cool is it to have a knuckle-baller who has the potential to pitch well into his 40's etc? I like TIMMMAAAAAAAY!

[jacksonianmarch]

Wake is no ace. He is not a #2. He isnt even a #3. He is a guy you stick in your 5 hole and watch him go 12-12 with a 4.5 era and chewing up 200 innings like clockwork.

[VA Sox Fan]

VA' date=' I'm not glad it is January. January sucks. I like April MUCH better [/quote']

 

January does suck, but as far as time for baseball moves, ya know? Who doesn't prefer April?

 

Just hoping the Pineiro signing helps the Sox in '07. We ALL know, anything can happen.

 

Have you ever heard the expression: A-Rod sucks and blows? LOL....

[scaffolds]

If Papelbon is a better closer than starter' date=' than why move him? My best guess would be for efficiency, since good starters are more valuable. Am I missing something?[/quote']

 

Haven't you heard about Papelbon shoulder issues, the Sox didn't think of moving back to the rotation because they taught that he was a better starter than a reliever.

[Cityofchampions33]

Wake is no ace. He is not a #2. He isnt even a #3. He is a guy you stick in your 5 hole and watch him go 12-12 with a 4.5 era and chewing up 200 innings like clockwork.

 

I'd use Wakey as a #3. I mean a low 4's ERA and 15 wins is not impossible for this guy. If everyone can recall we used him in the top of the rotation for the past few seasons.

[schillingouttheks]

Haven't you heard about Papelbon shoulder issues' date=' the Sox didn't think of moving back to the rotation because they taught that he was a better starter than a reliever.[/quote']

 

Yes, I did hear about them, I just wasn't sure. Thanks.

[scaffolds]

I dont know about others on here' date=' but I wont feel all warm inside knowing Piniero rounds out the 2006 starting rotation[/quote']

 

Isn't like Pineiro didn't have any offers on the table from other teams to be a starter. Pineiro is better than some of some of the starters that the red Sox send out there (Johnson, Snyder, Clement)

[jacksonianmarch]

A-Rod sucks and blows? LOL....

 

Should be my sig.

[jacksonianmarch]

Isn't like Pineiro didn't have any offers on the table from other teams to be a starter. Pineiro is better than some of some of the starters that the red Sox send out there (Johnson' date=' Snyder, Clement)[/quote']

 

His ERA last season as a starter was 6.62. His ERA in 2005 as a starter was 5.62. Starting doesnt seem to be his bag, baby, yeah.

[jacksonianmarch]

but I think the sox may be better off with him as the 5 and paps closing.

[CrespoBlows]

but I think the sox may be better off with him as the 5 and paps closing.

 

Pencil in every fifth day as a loss.

[scaffolds]

His ERA last season as a starter was 6.62. His ERA in 2005 as a starter was 5.62. Starting doesnt seem to be his bag' date=' baby, yeah.[/quote']

 

That is very true, but he won't be the first pitcher that with a change of scenario (team) and coach that has change his carreer. Not one has question his stuff.

[jacksonianmarch]

Pencil in every fifth day as a loss.

 

what is worse is watching a masterfully pitched ballgame get blown by a s*** closer on a repeated basis. A bad closer loses games that you have a lead in late, ie games you should win. Bad closers torpedo good teams.

[jacksonianmarch]

That is very true' date=' but he won't be the first pitcher that with a change of scenario (team) and coach that has change his carreer. Not one has question his stuff.[/quote']

 

actually, his stuff is the latest question. He used to throw 95+ and had 2 plus pitches. His latest assessment that I read was that his fastball was in the low 90s range and lost command. Who knows, but the scouting reports during last season were that he had regressed stuff and production wise. We'll see if it is reclaimable.