Will Michael Bowden be a starter next year for us?

[PWNdroia]

He had a 3.13 ERA (or something close to that) in Pawtucket. I think he'll be ready to be a starter for us in 2010. What do you think?

[BoSox21]

It's not really about whether he's ready or not, it's about whether there's room. The 2010 rotation so far has Beckett, Lester, Buchholz and Dice-K pretty much set in stone. The 5th spot could go to Bowden but that's provided the team cuts Wakefield loose and stays away from the free agent starting pitcher pool, which I doubt.

[PWNdroia]

It's not really about whether he's ready or not' date=' it's about whether there's room. The 2010 rotation so far has Beckett, Lester, Buchholz and Dice-K pretty much set in stone. The 5th spot could go to Bowden but that's provided the team cuts Wakefield loose and stays away from the free agent starting pitcher pool, which I doubt.[/quote']

 

Personally, I'd rather Bowden than Wake. But if that doesn't happen, I'd assume Bowden may be trade bait which could also help us...

[RWTP24]

I really doubt it because there is a lot of talk about picking up Hernandez, so there would be no room at all if that happens..

[BSN07]

Bowden is somewhere else next season IMO.

 

If he is in Boston though, I would imagine he will start in AAA like Buchholz did this season, and be the 7th option for a SP for the Sox. And again probably would get dangled at the TDL.

[Cocos Disciples]

He will not start the season in the rotation.

[Dojji]

I agree with BSN07. Unless Theo is more committed to Bowden than he's so far demonstrated, he'll probably be playing for another team.

[ORS]

From the limited exposure he's had in the majors, I say trade him now while they can still justify his struggles as "growing pains". If he's in the rotation next year, I think he gets exposed. He doesn't really have an out pitch, IMO.

[CoachC.]

I really doubt it because there is a lot of talk about picking up Hernandez' date=' so there would be no room at all if that happens..[/quote']

 

But in any deal for Felix, Buch would have to be in the package.

[BoSox21]

But in any deal for Felix' date=' Buch would have to be in the package.[/quote']

 

Not necessarily. Who knows what value the Seattle GM places on our prospects.

[Jacoby_Ellsbury]

Unfortunately for us, Bill Bavasi is no longer in charge.

[PWNdroia]

I don't mind if we trade him actually...

[Jasonbay44]

Hopefully he's in a trade involving Adrian Gonzalez.

[example1]

But in any deal for Felix' date=' Buch would have to be in the package.[/quote']

 

Not necessarily. Who knows what value the Seattle GM places on our prospects.

 

Unfortunately for us' date=' Bill Bavasi is no longer in charge.[/quote']

 

I seriously doubt that Buchholz would be moved for "he who shall not be named". The value difference between the two is negligable moving forward, if at least because Buchholz has many more years of cost-controlledness. I would think the only Buchholz deal that would make much sense for the Red Sox would be Buchholz for HWSNBN straight-up or with very little else added. I think the Sox could get him without giving up Buchholz; Bowden would certainly be involved. Probably some other names that we like a lot too, like Kelly and Westmoreland.

 

I've got to say that a rotation of Beckett, Lester, HWSNBN, Buchholz and Dice-K would be the best rotation in recent memory, rivaling Atlanta's rotation a few years back. 5 power pitchers who could be #1s on many other teams (let's not argue about whether Dice could be a #1 in MN or SD or for the Cubs... he could), all of them in their 20s.

 

Last year I thought that Bowden's name would be in contention for a 2010 spot, but I think that is less the case now. If Wakefield retires (hell, even if he doesn't retire) they should fill his spot with the best available starter.

 

I think John Lackey is a headcase. I make fun of him when he gets frustrated and I don't think he's an ace. I also think he's durable, very good and capable of winning big games against other good teams. Perhaps he should be this team's #4 or #5 starter next year. He's had an ERA in the 3s for the past 5 years in the American League. I can imagine a scenario where in 2 or 3 years there is an injury to someone like Lester or Beckett (if he's resigned) and Lackey could pitch like an ace for a few months. He's not at CC's level, but he's better than Burnett. Just a thought. 4 years with an option seems reasonable.

[PWNdroia]

Who is HWSNBN?

[Dojji]

John Lackey is the nominal ace of a playoff bound team. If he escapes the Angels, he will be overpaid by some struggling mid to upper market team looking to make a splash.

 

I'd say out best bets to pick up a quality free agent starter are the injured guys who might come here because of our reputation for keeping people healthy.

 

One name to throw out here that I haven't seen yet is Justin Duchscherer. He could be useful in a swing role without necessarily committing ourselves to a rotation spot. I could see signing him for a bullpen role and letting him try out in Spring as a starter. You could bring a guy like that in and still bring in another full time SP like Bedard, and let Ducscherer try to pitch long relief to be ready for if/when Bedard breaks down

[Dojji]

Who is HWSNBN?

 

We shall not name him. that's why he's He Who shall Not Be Named.

 

Get with the program dude.

[PWNdroia]

We shall not name him. that's why he's He Who shall Not Be Named.

 

Get with the program dude.

 

I think I know who it is now. He should be He who should not pitch.

[Dojji]

Actually HWSNBN is a current and future Cy Young contender.

[PWNdroia]

Actually HWSNBN is a current and future Cy Young contender.

 

Oh, my bad then. I have no idea. I thought it was Wakefield, but I guess not.

[ORS]

It's Felix Hernandez. Don't ask me what he has to do with Valdemort.

[a700hitter]

Who is HWSNBN?

I thought it was He Whose Shall Not Be Named.

[a700hitter]

Bowden is ready to start for KC, not Boston. If he stays with the Sox, they should break him in by using him as a long man in the bullpen.

[example1]

It's Felix Hernandez. Don't ask me what he has to do with Valdemort.

 

I promised a700 that I wouldn't write about him until the offseason. Now, whenever his name comes up and I want to contribute, I don't use his name. Harry Potter was in a similar situation with his friends re: Voldamort. A700 really got upset whenever his name came up, so I stopped using it. It's nerdy and unnecessary, but I want to respect a700 (and confuse newbies).

[Rich1083]

I'd rather the Sox just get Aroldis Chapman and not have to give up anyone.

[example1]

I'd rather the Sox just get Aroldis Chapman and not have to give up anyone.

 

Until I have reason to believe otherwise, I'm going to call him Aroldis Contreras.

 

If he's 21 then he should be treated the same way as Tazawa was--don't pay him too much, let him perform in the minors to see what you have. If he's 28 then he should not be signed for anything huge. If he could be signed for a reasonable amount then a fallback could be for him to be the lefthanded version of Daniel Bard out of the pen, which would be fantastic.

 

Of course, if he's available for a reasonable price then the Yankees will overpay to ensure they get him and Boston doesn't.

[Rich1083]

Until I have reason to believe otherwise, I'm going to call him Aroldis Contreras.

 

If he's 21 then he should be treated the same way as Tazawa was--don't pay him too much, let him perform in the minors to see what you have. If he's 28 then he should not be signed for anything huge. If he could be signed for a reasonable amount then a fallback could be for him to be the lefthanded version of Daniel Bard out of the pen, which would be fantastic.

 

Of course, if he's available for a reasonable price then the Yankees will overpay to ensure they get him and Boston doesn't.

 

lol good point. The problem is, the kid has gotten way too much pub compared to what Tazawa got. Everyone knows that it will likely come down to a bidding battle between the Sox and Yanks. The kid may turn out to be a dud but neither team wants to take the chance of their nemesis getting a possibly dominant pitcher who could wreak havoc on the other for years.

[Dojji]

I'm banking on Chapman to be another Overpriced "Major League Caliber" Latin Special that the yankees overpay for and then regret doing so.

[example1]

I'm banking on Chapman to be another Overpriced "Major League Caliber" Latin Special that the yankees overpay for and then regret doing so.

 

Except I don't think the Yankees are going to regret overpaying for guys anymore. Any team with CC, A-Rod, Teixeira, Cano, Jeter and Rivera will be in playoff contention. They can afford to just throw a 5 year, $70m deal at him and it won't impact them at all.

 

Remember how this past offseason how their fans (Jacko, Gom) were touting that their payroll would actually drop? It didn't, but they don't care.

 

Very few people make the financial advantage argument very clearly, and I think too many Sox fans just let it go. The fact is that this team DOES have financial constraints, whether Jacko or Gom or a700 want to believe it. Yes, they have a shitload of money, OUR money (I pay for mlb games on my computer, I go to some games, etc.,) but that doesn't mean that they should let all financial considerations go out the window. NY and BOS are completely different markets, no matter how many fans the Sox have it won't match the NY Metro area, and their worldwide drawing power.

[PWNdroia]

It's Felix Hernandez. Don't ask me what he has to do with Valdemort.

 

I eventually figured it out, thanks.