Buchholz is getting frustrated

[TheKilo]

http://www.necn.com/Boston/Sports/2009/06/14/Candid-Buchholz-itching-to/1245029231.html

 

"Until I got to the big leagues is whenever I faced the problems that arose, and I feel like I'm more equipped with everything that I have right now -- as far the pitches, and the mental aspect and I'm physically healthy -- to be up there and helping that team. And if not that team, I want to be in the big leagues and I do want to go somewhere where I'll be able to play and pitch every fifth day."

 

"There's nowhere to go, and it's sort of a logjam up there (in Boston)," Buchholz said. "Whenever they come to a problem, they seem like they find a way to fix it without me being in the picture. It is what it is -- it's frustrating at times."

 

"Everybody knows that this game doesn't last forever, for a pitcher especially," Buchholz said. "I feel like I don't want to waste bullets here."

[Cocos Disciples]

Fiery! He'll be called up in due time; September, if not earlier.

[BoSox21]

very understandable but at worst, he's gonna be a regular next season. maybe he should take a step back and realize he had an opportunity to nail down a full-time gig on this team last season and blew it

[Cocos Disciples]

very understandable but at worst' date=' he's gonna be a regular next season. maybe he should take a step back and realize he had an opportunity to nail down a full-time gig on this team last season and blew it[/quote']

 

Yup. He's not entitled anything after his miserable 2008. And I'd be shocked if he isn't in the opening day rotation in 2010.

[BoSox21]

the way I see, Smoltz, Penny and Wakefield won't be here next year. And even if Wakefield is, there will still be a spot open for Buch

[TheKilo]

I don't see anything wrong in what he said - in fact, I agree with him. Everyone's running around trying to find a spot for Smoltz on this team but no one is paying heed to the notion that Buchholz might be the better option.

[a700hitter]

I posted this in another thread:

 

If they get some double headers later in the summer, he might get called up for a start or two. He probably will get a start or two in September. Other than that, he'll get his shot at the rotation next year. He really can't complain that he has done everything he needs to do, because he spit the bit big time when he was handed the job last year. That was his fault. His failure caused the FO to make other plans and commitments for this season, because they couldn't rely on him. Those are one year commitments. He'll get another shot next year. If he keeps his head on straight maybe he won't blow it again next year.

[Cocos Disciples]

I don't see anything wrong in what he said - in fact' date=' I agree with him. Everyone's running around trying to find a spot for Smoltz on this team but no one is paying heed to the notion that Buchholz might be the better option.[/quote']

 

In the current situation, Smoltz is the option. We signed him to a one year deal and this is the only chance we have to get value from him. With Buchholz, we control him for a good deal of time. To put it another way--if we choose Smoltz, we still have Buchholz for the future. If we choose Buchholz, Smoltz is worthless.

[Jacoby_Ellsbury]

very understandable but at worst' date=' he's gonna be a regular next season. maybe he should take a step back and realize he had an opportunity to nail down a full-time gig on this team last season and blew it[/quote']

He wouldn't be openly saying stuff like this if he didn't know he was ready.

[Cocos Disciples]

He's definitely ready IMO. He's dominated AAA (I know, I know), and he's shown that he can pitch at the big league level.

[a700hitter]

I don't see anything wrong in what he said - in fact' date=' I agree with him. Everyone's running around trying to find a spot for Smoltz on this team but no one is paying heed to the notion that Buchholz might be the better option.[/quote']If Smoltz is healthy and his velocity is okay, he would be the better option. It doesn't matter what Bucholz is doing in AAA. While Smoltz's stuff may not be as good as Bucholz at this point, his experience and command should bring a consistency that a young pitcher usually cannot provide. Also, when it comes to post season, he'll have the intestinal fortitude and experience to succeed. Schilling's arm was hanging by a thread, but he was able to succeed in the 2007 post season as a result of experience and command.

[BoSox21]

He wouldn't be openly saying stuff like this if he didn't know he was ready.

 

im sure he thought he's been ready since he threw his no-hitter

 

he should be grateful he's in an organization that has such a good track record at making sure their pitching prospects adapt well to the majors and that they keep their pitching talent so healthy as opposed to an organization like Toronto

[rician blast]

I don't see anything wrong in what he said - in fact' date=' I agree with him. Everyone's running around trying to find a spot for Smoltz on this team but no one is paying heed to the notion that Buchholz might be the better option.[/quote']

 

I'm with you, Kg...we've got an absolute unkown right now in Smoltz but he's got a better shot to pitch big league innings than Buch...I don't blame Clay at all.

[Rdsxmbnt]

FREE CLAY

 

But really I feel for Buchholz because on every other team in the majors he has a spot in the rotation. I think you'd be extremely hard pressed to find another 24 year old with the flawless minor league track record and talent of Buchholz who is not in a rotation.

 

I think you can say something similar for Bowden too. He's younger, but in most rotations out there he would have a spot also.

 

I'll say this though, it'd be a shame if we traded Buchholz for someone who's not a legit superstar (IE Salty) because of an apparent space issue. Because later this year or the 2010 season there will most definitely be spots and Buchholz would occupy one of those.

[Lived2seeit]

a couple of you hit it right on; he had his shot last year.

 

I love C-Buc, and wouldn't want to see him go, but he's gotta understand where his place is right now, and unfortunately it's in the waiting room. I do agree we need to give him some time up, maybe a double-dip, anything to show our commitment to him also.

[TheKilo]

If Smoltz is healthy and his velocity is okay' date=' he would be the better option. It doesn't matter what Bucholz is doing in AAA. While Smoltz's stuff may not be as good as Bucholz at this point, his experience and command should bring a consistency that a young pitcher usually cannot provide. Also, when it comes to post season, he'll have the intestinal fortitude and experience to succeed. Schilling's arm was hanging by a thread, but he was able to succeed in the 2007 post season as a result of experience and command.[/quote']

 

I absolutely agree, my point was very few people are even recognizing the fact Buchholz might be the better choice.

[a700hitter]

FREE CLAY

 

But really I feel for Buchholz because on every other team in the majors he has a spot in the rotation. I think you'd be extremely hard pressed to find another 24 year old with the flawless minor league track record and talent of Buchholz who is not in a rotation.

 

I think you can say something similar for Bowden too. He's younger, but in most rotations out there he would have a spot also.

There are only six division leaders, and the Red Sox are one of them. Most teams stink. Being with an organization like Boston, gives a pitcher a better chance of succeeding when he makes it to the majors than he would have with most other teams. With a strong Red Sox team in 2008, Bucholz stunk out the joint. He wasn't unlucky. He was bad, very bad. Even if he has worked out his troubles in AAA, he would be likely to experience alot of failure in the rotations of teams like the Marlins and the Natinals. He's lucky to be with the Red Sox and to be highly regarded by their FO. He'll get his shot soon enough. His career got derailed by his own terrible performance when he was given a shot. He should shut his trap and do his work so that when he gets his shot he has a better chance of succeeding.

[yankeessuck013]

Bowden feels differently.

 

"I'd rather stay in the minors an extra year or so to play for Boston, to play in Boston at Fenway with that group of guys."

[Spudboy]

My heart pumps piss for young Clay. 24 years old, playing a game for a living. Making huge money.

While it's true that most MLB teams could start him now, he is under contract with the Sox. He needs to grow up and wait his turn. I applaud Bowden's comments.

[BSN07]

I like where Bowden's head is at.

 

 

I can understand Buchholz's frustration. But like evryone has said, he was handed the job basically and proceeded to suck for what ever reason. I like the fact he's hungry for it though. But I hope he is able to be mature enough and understand the overall picture of what the Sox are doing.

[Lived2seeit]

My heart pumps piss for young Clay. 24 years old' date=' playing a game for a living. Making huge money.... [/quote']

 

BAHAHAHAHA, too true. Like most of these kids with 6-7 figure salaries he's not appreciating what he's got going for himself. Ya, tasting the big leagues and then having it taken away has gotta be rough, but appreciate where you are at.

[a700hitter]

BAHAHAHAHA' date=' too true. Like most of these kids with 6-7 figure salaries he's not appreciating what he's got going for himself. Ya, tasting the big leagues and then having it taken away has gotta be rough, but appreciate where you [b']are[/b] at.

He might have to steal a few laptops to help him make ends meet until he gets called up.

[Teddyballgame10]

This makes me more mad at Dice-K for sucking so much.

[Rdsxmbnt]

btw the Pawsox game is on NESN tonight @ 7:05 and Buchholz is pitching if anyone is interested

[redsoxrules]

Game rained out and he will ptich tomorrow

[dcdave]

This is the benefits of a front office that makes good business decisions. I am glad they are stacking up prospects and also giving one year contracts at a bargain to proven vets. It is a long season and pitchers can get injured at anytime. Bucholtz is learning it is business - he can cry in his wheaties all he wants - but he shat the bed last year...he needed more time. He was handed an opportunity that many others just do not get. I know the Sox tried to change his mechanics - is his current delivery more vulnerable to injury. I mean he is not exactly a big strapping thrower so I could see him breaking down if he is putting too much stress on his arm with his 'proven' mechanics.

[a700hitter]

This is the benefits of a front office that makes good business decisions. I am glad they are stacking up prospects and also giving one year contracts at a bargain to proven vets. It is a long season and pitchers can get injured at anytime. Bucholtz is learning it is business - he can cry in his wheaties all he wants - but he shat the bed last year...he needed more time. He was handed an opportunity that many others just do not get. I know the Sox tried to change his mechanics - is his current delivery more vulnerable to injury. I mean he is not exactly a big strapping thrower so I could see him breaking down if he is putting too much stress on his arm with his 'proven' mechanics.

They changed his mechanics because he was not consistent with the command of his fastball, not because of injury concerns.

[jacksonianmarch]

I actually think it was for injury concerns a700. I think his arm slot was considered to be vulnerable to injury to the shoulder long term and they tried to fix it. At least, that is what I remember

[example1]

Bowden feels differently.

 

Bowden is 22, Clay 24. We'll see how Bowden feels in 2 years if he's arguably the best pitcher at AAA and has no clear path to Boston. I agree that he shouldn't whine, but I think he actually articulated himself well and wasn't really whining. Just frustrated with the hand as it has played itself out.

[Paradisecity]

BAHAHAHAHA' date=' too true. Like most of these kids with 6-7 figure salaries he's not appreciating what he's got going for himself. Ya, tasting the big leagues and then having it taken away has gotta be rough, but appreciate where you [b']are[/b] at.

 

I think that we DO forget that these mid 6 figure salaries aren't what they seem to those of us in the workforce.

 

If I make 50K this year, odds are pretty good that I will make a little more than that next year, and a little more than that again the year after, and so on, until I retire, many many years from now ( I'm 27)

 

If Bucholz makes 300K this year (Im just throwing that # out there), first he has to pay his agent, then probably 2 or three other people, then he has to travel with a bunch of guys making millions and try to keep up an appearance with them. (Yeah, not that big a deal, and can be managed correctly. I'm just saying it's easy to mow through that).

 

Most importantly though, his career has a limit. I can work at my craft and become more valuable as I age for 40 years if I want. Can he? What is the average lifespan for a minor league pitcher, even a top ranked one? How many years can he expect to get out of his "career"? 1? 5? 20? If its twenty, he has nothing to worry about. But the odds would say that lifespan is much much closer to 1.

 

What does he have when that career lifespan is over? What marketable skill does he possess? A high school education? Teaching kids how to pitch? This is one of very few job markets where your skill set is actually diminished over time

 

The truth is, me with my MBA, or even better me two years ago with my undergrad, may be set up better off for the duration of my life than a pitcher with a high school education who makes 400K for 3 or 4 years.

 

 

Now, I'm not saying I feel bad for the kid, or agree or disagree, I just think when we talk about the salaries of a minor leaguer who may never get another contract again, we shouldn't act like they are set for life.