Bullpen Concerns

[yeszir]

What the f*** are you guys talking about

[Youk Of The Nation]

I should start a gamethread one of these days...

[yeszir]

I should start a gamethread one of these days...

 

THREE WIFE FOULKERS WOOHOOooOOOOooo

[Youk Of The Nation]

THREE WIFE FOULKERS WOOHOOooOOOOooo

 

We should pin that thread at the top of the Gamethread forum.

[yeszir]

Timlin and his near 7 ERA need to go.

 

It might be a good way to get Bucholz back in the swing of things, pitching some innings of relief

[VA Sox Fan]

What the f*** are you guys talking about

 

billyboy posted on the BH. Told the most off the wall, fk'n hilarious stories. He is missed.

[yeszir]

billyboy posted on the BH. Told the most off the wall' date=' fk'n hilarious stories. He is missed.[/quote']

Can you believe the whole BH --> Talksox fiasco was over 2 years ago

[Soxfan1]

Can you believe that Riverside Sluggers ever got passed for the post count lead?

[ksushi]

I think you stick with MDC and Hansen this year. I feel they will be able to do something as the year progresses......Hopefully.

 

I think we need a third solid reliever. It could be one of those two, but I don't know if it is MDC or bust and if we're looking down the barrell of Hansen or Bust, I don't think we're a playoff team. Wake and Masterson can both be put in the bullpen. Initially, Masterson projected as a reliever, a short-term conversion to that role wouldn't keep him from starting in the future. They did it with Pap with all intentions originally of having him be a starter, it gave him experience in the bigs (and playoffs), which helped his development for sure. It also gave the club a major boost. Masterson could be similar.

 

This is a long shot to say the least, but, if Daniel Bard toys with AA hitters like he did in A, a swift promotion to AAA could be in order. A 100mph fastball, when spotted, is effective at any level. But, like I said, serious long shot. I like Hansen and MDC to turn it around way more than I like Bard to make it to the bigs, but I wouldn't say its 100% out of the question yet. MDC was nice last night, so all this might be moot.

[jacksonianmarch]

Right now, Masterson may end up being in your rotation for a bit, so converting him to the pen is likely a poor idea. Until you know when DiceK is coming back for sure, you dont convert him. Also, you guys have a guy in Colon occupying a spot in the rotation who has had problems with endurance as the season wears along, so having an emergency starter like Masterson is a boon. Also, Schill is actually throwing so if he can fill in as the emergency starter then moving Masterson to the pen potentially can help. I do think Masterson will be in your pen for the playoffs though. His sinker-slurve (looked like a slurve on TV) is solid.

[YAZMAN]

What the f*** are you guys talking about

 

billy, billy ruane.

 

He lives in his mom's basement.

He rides a Huffy.

He smokes cool, refreshing Mustang Menthols.

His computer has a broken period key.

He has a penchant for shoplifting small items such as lighters and gum.

He likes to punch people in the back, and execute spinning kicks that frequently miss their mark.

He usually winds up hiding in bushes and getting punched in the throat.

His favorite expression is WHOOOOOO WHOOOHOOOOOO!

He's the lead singer in a Van Halen cover band. I went to see them play once:

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v495/BoNeato/ticket.jpg

[ksushi]

Right now' date=' Masterson may end up being in your rotation for a bit, so converting him to the pen is likely a poor idea. Until you know when DiceK is coming back for sure, you dont convert him. Also, you guys have a guy in Colon occupying a spot in the rotation who has had problems with endurance as the season wears along, so having an emergency starter like Masterson is a boon. Also, Schill is actually throwing so if he can fill in as the emergency starter then moving Masterson to the pen potentially can help. I do think Masterson will be in your pen for the playoffs though. His sinker-slurve (looked like a slurve on TV) is solid.[/quote']

 

I don't think anyone should be concerned about our rotation. Right now, we have seven starters including Masterson, and eight if you include Curt Schilling who might possibly come back. We can get by if Dice-K needs to miss time, Masterson won't be the first guy we would turn to either. Right now, there is a pressing need in our bullpen, I don't think it will happen today or tomorrow, but this regular season Masterson will be in our pen.

[TheKilo]

Regarding Bard - I'd like to see him have some sustained success against AA batters first...but who knows, Joba redux?

[ksushi]

Right, obviously, he hasn't been in AA for long but the early results are good and his fastball is crazy. Hit 101 earlier this year. Freak.

[jacksonianmarch]

I don't think anyone should be concerned about our rotation. Right now' date=' we have seven starters including Masterson, and eight if you include Curt Schilling who might possibly come back. We can get by if Dice-K needs to miss time, Masterson won't be the first guy we would turn to either. Right now, there is a pressing need in our bullpen, I don't think it will happen today or tomorrow, but this regular season Masterson will be in our pen.[/quote']

 

I wouldnt be so sure...

 

Lets say DiceK is out for an extended period of time, which when making contingency plans, you must assume the worst.

 

That leaves you with...

 

Beckett

Colon

Wakefield

Lester

....

 

Right now, the sox are actually moving Mastersons start back to get him right in line with DiceK's start, essentially meaning that right now, Masterson is considered the favorite for DiceK's start. Now lets assume that Masterson isnt in the sox plans as a starter for a long time this yr. Lets say that Buchholz eventually takes the spot the second time around. That leaves you with...

 

Beckett

Colon

Wake

Lester

Buchholz

 

and Masterson in the minors. Schilling is throwing, but is so far from a sure bet to make it from the majors that he cannot even be on the radar screen right now. So therefore, its those 5 with Masterson as the 6th starter sitting in AAA and DiceK out for an extended period of time with arm issues. Looking at the recent history, Colon's shoulder holds out for around 10 or so starts before it goes to crap. Therefore, Masterson in the starter's role is necessary in the event that Colon goes down.

 

As the season goes along, these contingency plans can get modified. If Colon continues to throw well and doesnt tire, then you have a spot secure. If DiceK's arm is solid and he comes back and is dominant again, then you have another spot secure. If Schill beats the odds and comes back as a reliable 6th starter then the contingency spot is secure. THAT is when you move Masterson to the pen. But for right now, there is a chance that JMast sees a lot of time in your rotation, and that chance will keep him from getting transitioned for awhile.

[SchillingIsTheNatural]

I wouldnt be so sure...

 

Lets say DiceK is out for an extended period of time, which when making contingency plans, you must assume the worst.

 

That leaves you with...

 

Beckett

Colon

Wakefield

Lester

....

 

Right now, the sox are actually moving Mastersons start back to get him right in line with DiceK's start, essentially meaning that right now, Masterson is considered the favorite for DiceK's start. Now lets assume that Masterson isnt in the sox plans as a starter for a long time this yr. Lets say that Buchholz eventually takes the spot the second time around. That leaves you with...

 

Beckett

Colon

Wake

Lester

Buchholz

 

and Masterson in the minors. Schilling is throwing, but is so far from a sure bet to make it from the majors that he cannot even be on the radar screen right now. So therefore, its those 5 with Masterson as the 6th starter sitting in AAA and DiceK out for an extended period of time with arm issues. Looking at the recent history, Colon's shoulder holds out for around 10 or so starts before it goes to crap. Therefore, Masterson in the starter's role is necessary in the event that Colon goes down.

 

As the season goes along, these contingency plans can get modified. If Colon continues to throw well and doesnt tire, then you have a spot secure. If DiceK's arm is solid and he comes back and is dominant again, then you have another spot secure. If Schill beats the odds and comes back as a reliable 6th starter then the contingency spot is secure. THAT is when you move Masterson to the pen. But for right now, there is a chance that JMast sees a lot of time in your rotation, and that chance will keep him from getting transitioned for awhile.

 

Based on the Red Sox depth in the rotation and the amount of quality arms...I don't see the Red Sox abusing any of them. Clay Buchholz has a finger nail problem and he goes right on the DL. Dice K has a tired arm (which I promise he can still pitch if they asked him) is going to miss a start or two. Bartolo Colon was able to take off over a month before we decided to get him involved...any setbacks and they won't hestitate to give him a DL stint. Thats the beauty of depth...you don't need to push any of them.

[ksushi]

I wouldnt be so sure...

 

Lets say DiceK is out for an extended period of time, which when making contingency plans, you must assume the worst.

 

That leaves you with...

 

Beckett

Colon

Wakefield

Lester

....

 

 

If DiceK is out for an extended period of time right now that leaves us with : Beckett, Colon, Lester, Wakefield and Buchholz all at the major league level and I feel 100% comfortable with that rotation. All major league quality arms, all capable of giving us a chance to win night in and night out, and until we are told otherwise, all are healthy. If you're going to argue about Clays fingernail.... well, I'll just assume you won't and give you the benefit of the doubt.

 

Right now, the sox are actually moving Mastersons start back to get him right in line with DiceK's start, essentially meaning that right now, Masterson is considered the favorite for DiceK's start. Now lets assume that Masterson isnt in the sox plans as a starter for a long time this yr. Lets say that Buchholz eventually takes the spot the second time around. That leaves you with...

 

Beckett

Colon

Wake

Lester

Buchholz

 

and Masterson in the minors. Schilling is throwing, but is so far from a sure bet to make it from the majors that he cannot even be on the radar screen right now. So therefore, its those 5 with Masterson as the 6th starter sitting in AAA and DiceK out for an extended period of time with arm issues. Looking at the recent history, Colon's shoulder holds out for around 10 or so starts before it goes to crap. Therefore, Masterson in the starter's role is necessary in the event that Colon goes down.

 

As the season goes along, these contingency plans can get modified. If Colon continues to throw well and doesnt tire, then you have a spot secure. If DiceK's arm is solid and he comes back and is dominant again, then you have another spot secure. If Schill beats the odds and comes back as a reliable 6th starter then the contingency spot is secure. THAT is when you move Masterson to the pen. But for right now, there is a chance that JMast sees a lot of time in your rotation, and that chance will keep him from getting transitioned for awhile.

 

I guess I just don't see eye to eye with you here. I think given the depth of our farm system and that of our current roster, we can easily afford to put Masterson in the bullpen. All of your speculation is under the assumption that DiceK is out for a long time when we don't know that is the case, but even if he is we have 5 major league quality arms to fill the rotation not counting masterson and the potential return of schilling. It is a move we can afford to make and most likely will. I'll take you're skepticism as a sign of fear that the sox can right their bullpen.

 

My biggest concern about the sox as currently constituted is the offense.

[SCM33]

My concern is still the pen.

 

We have enough arms in the rotation, but the pen has sucked ass.

 

The lineup is going through a funk, they will pull out of it.....the pen however, just has too many question marks besides the 8th and 9th innings.

[rician blast]

SCM, I would tend to agree with the assessment regarding the offense. I think they're too good not to break out in the heat of June, July, and August...that's my gut talking anyway.

[SCM33]

Timlin slowly carving his ERA down to size.

 

In May:

10 appearances

3 ER

1-1-1 W-L-S

ERA has gone from 12.79 to 6.48.

[YAZMAN]

The pen looked pretty good last night.

[das11209]

The pen looked pretty good last night.

 

Absolutely. As much s*** the bullpen takes ( sometimes quite justified) - they are servicable at this point IMO.

[das11209]

SCM' date=' I would tend to agree with the assessment regarding the offense. I think they're too good not to break out in the heat of June, July, and August...that's my gut talking anyway.[/quote']

 

I asked a question sometime back. At what point we say that the offense is not going through slump - they are not as good as advertised.

 

I am not saying that I am giving up on the offense. But if they keep sucking on the road - when it is OK to say that something is wrong? June end? ASB? September?

[jacksonianmarch]

He said he heard a pop when swinging. XRays were negative, but he says he will likely not play today. If this continues to bother him an MRI might be in his future.

[YAZMAN]

No prediction of shutting him down for the season or some sort of career threatening metacarpal catastrophe?

 

Clearly you're slipping.

[ORS]

Is anyone quicker to report an injury for the Sox?

[yeszir]

We're doomed!

 

Hopefully he'll sit out a game or two then come back and raise his damn batting average.

[TheKilo]

Your question doesn't deserve to be answered because you throw a s*** fit if the offense doesn't score 8 runs a game or is as good as the 2003 offense.

[TheKilo]

Is anyone quicker to report an injury for the Sox?

 

I was just going to say, Jacko couldn't wait to start this thread.

[BSN07]

He said he heard a pop when swinging. XRays were negative' date=' but he says he will likely not play today. If this continues to bother him an MRI might be in his future.[/quote']

 

 

Jacko, I think I have those straws you where looking for;)