Will Michael Bowden be a starter next year for us?

[TheKilo]

Should have traded him for Montero.

[jacksonianmarch]

Montero had a good yr. Hell, they still might deal him for Montero. VMart is running out of time behind the dish and we all know how bad Tek has been.

[Dojji]

You guys speak as if Bowden wasn't still one of our top 10 prospects.

 

Or that he didn't throw mid 90's heat with a decent slider and a great change.

[jacksonianmarch]

Bowden can throw mid 90s heat. He usually sits low 90s though. I actually was a bit disappointed that he didnt light up the radar gun a bit better in his relief appearance, but it has been a long season and one could assume he's a bit fatigued. That being said, I would unload Bowden ASAP. His mechanics look terrible from a long term health perspective and the last thing you need is a hot commodity like him going down with shoulder woes before you have the chance to capitalize on his worth.

[example1]

Bowden can throw mid 90s heat. He usually sits low 90s though. I actually was a bit disappointed that he didnt light up the radar gun a bit better in his relief appearance' date=' but it has been a long season and one could assume he's a bit fatigued. That being said, I would unload Bowden ASAP. His mechanics look terrible from a long term health perspective and the last thing you need is a hot commodity like him going down with shoulder woes before you have the chance to capitalize on his worth.[/quote']

 

I think they should unload him, less because he's a bust at 23 years old, and more because they need to make some big moves and their rotation is deep with young talent at this point (assuming Dice is healthy moving forward for next year, which I assume he is). I think Bowden will end up as somebody's #3 starter in due time, and that isn't a value-less claim. As a piece in a deal, getting an eventual #3 starter is a really good thing.

 

His mechanics are wacky, but the Sox have checked him out and apparently he's okay. Plus he's got a really nice pitchers frame which should give him good durability once he's trained like a 26 year old starting pitcher, rather than a 23 year old who has been pitching above his age level.

[WhiskeyBreath]

Montero had a good yr. Hell' date=' they still might deal him for Montero. VMart is running out of time behind the dish and we all know how bad Tek has been.[/quote']

 

I think Arizona wants to keep Montero and deal Snyder away.

[TheKilo]

i agree with both Jacko and e1, dealing Bowden for Montero would have been a boon for both teams and really made the catching position one of strength once the trade for Martinez happened. or who knows, maybe the Sox become a larger player in the Lee sweepstakes.

 

deal shoud have been done but wasn't

[TheKilo]

You guys speak as if Bowden wasn't still one of our top 10 prospects.

 

Or that he didn't throw mid 90's heat with a decent slider and a great change.

 

Let's disregard the fact that you said he'd be a better pitcher this season than Buchholz.

 

edit - Also, this performance doesn't inspire any confidence as well.

[Looch Ness Monster]

I think the consensus now is...nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnope.

[a700hitter]

A guy doesn't have to suck this bad for me to know that he is not ready for a rotation spot. This guy is quickly proving to me that he is not ready for a spot in the pen.

[example1]

Lots of innings. I'm willing to give him a pass and reevaluate his skills next year. I'm not willing to say he should be a starter for this team. He's being a good soldier and eating the innings asked of him.

[a700hitter]

He is just showing nothing. He's been little more than a punching bag. We wouldn't even get much for him in a trade. If he breaks camp next season as the 5th starter, theteam will be in for a long disappointing season.

[example1]

He is just showing nothing. He's been little more than a punching bag. We wouldn't even get much for him in a trade. If he breaks camp next season as the 5th starter' date=' theteam will be in for a long disappointing season.[/quote']

 

I don't think that will happen. I think it is important to remember that last year he showed good signs with the big club and he has had a good minor league career. Don't sell low on him at this point.

[SCM33]

I don't think that will happen. I think it is important to remember that last year he showed good signs with the big club and he has had a good minor league career. Don't sell low on him at this point.

 

Ive seen him live now three times. Hes been BRUTAL in all of them. specifically the blowout against the Yankees (Penny started the game, they lost like 19-11 I think) and tonight. Every time I see him pitch he gets hammered. Maybe its unlucky that I always see his worst, but if this is what we have to look foward to, no thanks.......he has sucked the big one every time I see him live. So disappointed that I bought tickets thinking that Beckett was pitching, only to find out Bowden was.....already knew the outcome of that shitstorm.....

[BSN07]

Like exp1, I'm willing to give him a pass, and see how he responds next season. Just like Buchholz last season.

 

Not sure Theo trades him. His value may have taken a hit. But who knows, other GM's, especially in the NL may really value him. He's got a similar ERA to what Penny had here, now look at Penny lol Bowden maybe in contention for the NL Cy Young next year

[a700hitter]

I don't think that will happen. I think it is important to remember that last year he showed good signs with the big club and he has had a good minor league career. Don't sell low on him at this point.

I think he pitched only one game for the Sox in '08. I'm not advocating that he be traded. He pretty much wrecked his offseason trade value with his imitation of a pinata. They have to hope he bounces back in AAA. I hope that his putrid performance puts to rest the thought that he provides us with depth in the rotation.

[Dojji]

I think he pitched only one game for the Sox in '08. I'm not advocating that he be traded. He pretty much wrecked his offseason trade value with his imitation of a pinata. They have to hope he bounces back in AAA. I hope that his putrid performance puts to rest the thought that he provides us with depth in the rotation.

 

you're overreacting. Buchholz looked pretty putrid last year too. Look at him now.

 

Some of the best pitchers in the game have mediocre rookie and pre-rookie campaigns. CAse in point: Curt Schilling, who floundered in the pen for years before even getting a chance to start.

[a700hitter]

you're overreacting. Buchholz looked pretty putrid last year too. Look at him now.

 

Some of the best pitchers in the game have mediocre rookie and pre-rookie campaigns. CAse in point: Curt Schilling, who floundered in the pen for years before even getting a chance to start.

And after Buchholz's terrible performance in 2008 he had ruined his value as a trading chip until he rehabilitated himself in AAA this season. Bowden is in a similar position, so I am not over-reacting. He has to prove himself just like Buchholz did. He's not going to get a rotation spot out of spring training no matter what he does. The one difference between Buchholz and Bowden is that Clay has much better pure stuff.

[Mr Crunchy]

I dont think Bowden has the tools that Bucholz has, he'll be in the rotation if we're 10 games out in August but otherwise I think he'll be in Rhode Island for another summer... unless we deal him to the National League where he will win 15 games in 22 starts and a rookie of the year award.

[Dojji]

I dont think Bowden has the tools that Bucholz has' date=' .[/quote']

 

Not many do, but Bowden has solid tools in his own right. He throws in the mid 90's and his breaking-ball and change are big league caliber. His command is also well regarded.

 

There's a reason this kid's in the top 10.

[Mr Crunchy]

Top 10 of what, MLB prospects?? Ok thats a bonus and hes only 23? or so, theres room for improvement I would hope.

We did need him this year and he failed us miserably.

He didnt even belong on the field with the rest of the team and he was scared shitless.

My mother lit a candle and cried for him when he got beaten like an Englishmen at the South Boston St Patricks Day parade against the Yankees.

He did pitch well in AA ball and had a decent ERA in Pawtucket but his pro outings have been humiliating for all of us, him included..

He'll have a shot at earning a job next spring and I hope he has success, Im willing to put up with bumps and bruises along the way but not the humiliating efforts hes put forth so far.

Of course I have no idea why Francona would put him in against the best lineup assembled since the 89 A's either.

Cla Meredith had mental hangups due to shell shock, you'd think we'd learn a bit about being delicate with these young mens psyches but we throw them right into the blazing inferno none the less.

His whip is what 1.25-1.30?? era under 3.5 and a k/bb ration thats not all that good and needs improvement before he gains full time employment with the big boys.

Im rooting for him, We know John Henry is rooting for him, he'll save the company 10m a year if he can develop into a 3rd or 4th man.

[Dojji]

There's no denying that Bowden could have been a lot better. But this isn't Abe Alvarez or David Pauley. Bowden has big league stuff.

[TheKilo]

I must have missed the games where Bowden threw in the mid 90s

[Dojji]

I must have missed the games where Bowden threw in the mid 90s

 

Bowden throws 95 like Clay throws 96. Generally he sits around 92 throughout the season. If he's much below that it's because his innings cap is being pushed.

[Dipre]

Bowden throws 95 like Clay throws 96. Generally he sits around 92 throughout the season. If he's much below that it's because his innings cap is being pushed.

 

When you talk about a guy "Throwing 95" you talk about him hitting that velocity consistently, and Bowden doesn't hit 95 consistently.

[TheKilo]

yeah, no. Bowden is in the low 90s and Buchholz has a good 3 MPH on him. plus, Buchholz's complimentary pitches put Bowden's to shame.

 

Bowden's a nice pitcher who I fear we held on to for too long.

[a700hitter]

There's no denying that Bowden could have been a lot better. But this isn't Abe Alvarez or David Pauley. Bowden has big league stuff.

I think he will be a major league pitcher, but I am not sure that he will be a very good major leaguer. He may only be average or worse, and he may never earn a starting job. One thing that I am fairly certain about is that he will not start 2010 in the Sox rotation. He'll need more than a solid spring training to earn that opportunity.

[Ray10]

Doubt it I see him coming out of the pen maybe but not starting for the Sox.