What to do with Wakefield

[UKVic]

Why not keep him around as an assistant BP coach / spot releiver for when a pitcher goes on the DL ??

[Meh]

Glue Factory. Make it short, one to the chest and one to the head.

[raygator]

I thought Wake looked great last night

[RedSoxfanforlife305]

Sarcasm ftw haha but seriously it makes me wonder whether he'll have a roster spot or not. I love Wake but he is done. I'd like to see him get 200 wins and pass that dick Roger Clemens and all but it ain't happening.

[Palodios]

I just don't think we've seen anything from him this spring that earns him a spot in front of, say, Aceves, Doubront, or even Atchison/ Bowden.

[boston22407]

they could always use him for ortiz when he goes thru his early season slump and have him pitch to him before games to get his head straight just a thought

[RedSoxfanforlife305]

I don't think that's going to do anything my man haha. From the looks of spring training though, Ortiz won't have the slump he had last yeae.

[BigPapiEnFuego]

There should be some sort of way that you can sign a player and have it so he is considered to be on the team but he only plays when necessary. Like, at times he won't be on the Roster, but not in AAA, and when a player gets injured or something like that they can just call him up and he'll come pitch. He'd get paid by appearances, and by the type of appearance.

[RedSoxfanforlife305]

That'd be pretty awesome.

[Palodios]

Haha, the player's union would not be happy with that.

[SoxSport]

Watching that game with the Cardinals today, it appears Dice_K has rounded into form. When he's on like today, he's a no.2 or 3. Wake looks expendable, and there are rumors they are looking for takers--for him and for Cameron--and maybe even Dice-K. I suspect Theo would love to find a way to keep Kalish, though they are short of right handed hitting in the OF.

 

That big lanky kid Miller had a tough day today. The Cardinals never hit him--they lucked out a few scratch hits and walks. His command sucks, but he could be another Randy Johnson if he can control his 95 fastball and curve. He has AAA written on his forehead for one year. They have to somehow keep this kid--he could be great.

 

Atchison they should not keep. He comes in after Miller and gets hit for real. So Miller gets charged with the runs. Atchison sucks. Your typical mediocre middle reliever who can be hit.

 

I think the Sox have bullpen problems. They have Wake who adds little at this point. They have Pap who is getting hit. They need a 2nd leftie along with Oki in their division, but they don't have the roster space.

All is not perfect with this team. The holes are in the bullpen.

[RedSoxfanforlife305]

Our bullpen isn't as bad as you think. You forgot Bard, Wheeler and Jenks. We have a better bullpen from last year I'll tell you that. Plus we don't know if Oki or Wakefield will have a spot in the bullpen. I don't expect Papelbon to have another 2007 season but not another 2010 either. He'll bounce back(I hope). To be honest I'm more worried about the rotation more than the bullpen.

[jacksonianmarch]

The sox back end is better in theory. Jenks numbers point to him being pretty unlucky. If he shows that 2010 was a fluke, then you have a very strong setup core. Not sure you can point to Paps being fluky, though. He has regressed in every season for the past 3 yrs. I honestly think that this season ends with Bard as the closer. Regardless, the addition of Wheeler offsets any injury or ineffectiveness that may strike the back end as he is a solid middle relief pitcher as well. I do agree that the sox rotation isnt as ironclad as people are making it out to be, but Lester is an ace, Buchholz looks like he's developing into a top of the rotation pitcher and you can be sure that Lackey will give you innings. DiceK and Beckett are wild cards.

[SoxSport]

Our bullpen isn't as bad as you think. You forgot Bard' date=' Wheeler and Jenks. We have a better bullpen from last year I'll tell you that. Plus we don't know if Oki or Wakefield will have a spot in the bullpen. I don't expect Papelbon to have another 2007 season but not another 2010 either. He'll bounce back(I hope). To be honest I'm more worried about the rotation more than the bullpen.[/quote']

 

I'll be happy if they keep two lefthanded relievers. Any two. I'm not fussy. Obviously not Miller. He can't throw strikes yet. But he threw 95 yesterday at a time when most starters aren't up to speed yet. He could be 97 in the summer--at Pawtucket.

 

I'm concerned about Pap, and I hope Wake doesn't block a 2nd lefthander. You also have to be concerned about Beckett. Wake is shaky insurance in that #6 role. Aceves has a shot, but he hasn't opened eyes.

[Palodios]

The sox back end is better in theory. Jenks numbers point to him being pretty unlucky. If he shows that 2010 was a fluke' date=' then you have a very strong setup core. Not sure you can point to Paps being fluky, though. He has regressed in every season for the past 3 yrs. I honestly think that this season ends with Bard as the closer. Regardless, the addition of Wheeler offsets any injury or ineffectiveness that may strike the back end as he is a solid middle relief pitcher as well. I do agree that the sox rotation isnt as ironclad as people are making it out to be, but Lester is an ace, Buchholz looks like he's developing into a top of the rotation pitcher and you can be sure that Lackey will give you innings. DiceK and Beckett are wild cards.[/quote']

 

I agree with almost all of this. Wheeler was an absolute bargain, and should be great for a 7th inning role. I do think that between Lackey, Beckett, Dice-k, the chance of the Sox getting a solid #3 and #4 out of them is pretty reasonable possibility. I'm a little worried about the 5 spot, but I think there is enough depth to fill in if necessary-- as long as the Sox are smart enough to ignore Wakefield.

[Dipre]

I do agree that the sox rotation isnt as ironclad as people are making it out to be' date=' but Lester is an ace, Buchholz looks like he's developing into a top of the rotation pitcher and you can be sure that Lackey will give you innings. [/quote']

 

"People" being who? Basically every sportswriter i've read and pretty much every member of this site has expressed their doubt with the back end of the rotation, so who are these "people?"

[ORS]

The sox back end is better in theory. Jenks numbers point to him being pretty unlucky. If he shows that 2010 was a fluke' date=' then you have a very strong setup core. Not sure you can point to Paps being fluky, though. He has regressed in every season for the past 3 yrs. I honestly think that this season ends with Bard as the closer. Regardless, the addition of Wheeler offsets any injury or ineffectiveness that may strike the back end as he is a solid middle relief pitcher as well. I do agree that the sox rotation isnt as ironclad as people are making it out to be, but Lester is an ace, Buchholz looks like he's developing into a top of the rotation pitcher and you can be sure that Lackey will give you innings. DiceK and Beckett are wild cards.[/quote']

Beckett, Burnett, potato, potahto. While I agree that Beckett is a wild card, you've made several comments regarding your optimism for Burnett. On the one hand, you are spinning the Yankee rotation as not as bad as it seems, in large part due to your optimism for Burnett, while in the other hand you are spinning the Sox rotation as not as good as it looks, in large part due to a very similar pitcher being a question mark.

 

Example 1A of why you catch so much hell for bias here.

[FredLynn]

Regarding Wakeflood: his ERA was over 5 last season and its over 7 this spring training. Its time for Timmy to hang up the horseshoes. He should not be allowed to take up a valuable roster spot and replace someone who can actually pitch.

[jacksonianmarch]

Beckett, Burnett, potato, potahto. While I agree that Beckett is a wild card, you've made several comments regarding your optimism for Burnett. On the one hand, you are spinning the Yankee rotation as not as bad as it seems, in large part due to your optimism for Burnett, while in the other hand you are spinning the Sox rotation as not as good as it looks, in large part due to a very similar pitcher being a question mark.

 

Example 1A of why you catch so much hell for bias here.

 

Or maybe it is because Beckett is coming off an injury plagued season where even when he was on this hill, he looked absolutely terrible. Maybe that had something to do with it. Or maybe it is because the guy hasnt been able to stay healthy since 2007. Maybe that's why he's a wild card, maybe. Seriously, you are the most biased person on the site, calling out other people's bias. Hypocrite

[RedSoxfanforlife305]

Jacko said Beckett will be good this year so nothing to worry about. I just hope our first loss isn't the "final nail in the coffin".

[SCM33]

Or maybe it is because Beckett is coming off an injury plagued season where even when he was on this hill' date=' he looked absolutely terrible. Maybe that had something to do with it. Or maybe it is because the guy hasnt been able to stay healthy since 2007. Maybe that's why he's a wild card, maybe. Seriously, you are the most biased person on the site, calling out other people's bias. Hypocrite[/quote']

 

Beckett sucks.

 

Burnett sucks just as much and hes a head case to boot.

 

Problem is, you NEED Burnett to pitch well.

 

Beckett right now as it stands, is our #4. Your #3, 4 and 5 competition is between a couple of scrap heap projects who probably shouldn't be on big league rosters and Burnett (did I mention he sucks?). When you are scouting Kevin Millwood (who is barely touching 85 with his fastball) for starting pitching help, you are in trouble.

[Meh]

Beckett sucks.

 

Burnett sucks just as much and hes a head case to boot.

 

Problem is, you NEED Burnett to pitch well.

 

Wakefield sucks too.

 

Dice-K sucks as well....

 

Colon and Garcia suck too

 

IDK, never been a fan of Lackey either.

 

Yankees rotation isn't good.... but the Sox rotation is very overrated.

[SCM33]

Wakefield sucks too.

 

Dice-K sucks as well....

 

Colon and Garcia suck too

 

IDK, never been a fan of Lackey either.

 

Yankees rotation isn't good.... but the Sox rotation is very overrated.

 

Who said anything about Wakefield? Who said anything about him being part of the starting rotation? He shouldn't be on the team at all, so thats the end of that discussion.

 

Dice-K sucks. Hes our #5.

 

Colon and Garcia were who I was referring to in my other post in terms of garbage heap players who probably shouldnt be on a teams starting rotation if they wanted to win.

 

Lackey is a #3 no matter how you slice it. Just because you arent a fan doesnt make him not a #3 starter.

 

Sox rotation is overrated.....at the back end. #1 Lester, #2 Bucholz and #3 Lackey are all above average at their respective slots in the rotation compared to the rest of the league.

[Dipre]

Or maybe it is because Beckett is coming off an injury plagued season where even when he was on this hill' date=' he looked absolutely terrible. Maybe that had something to do with it. Or maybe it is because the guy hasnt been able to stay healthy since 2007. Maybe that's why he's a wild card, maybe. Seriously, you are the most biased person on the site, calling out other people's bias. Hypocrite[/quote']

 

Jacko please.

 

Beckett IP total since 2007:

 

174.1, 212.1, 127.2.

 

2010 he was really injury-plagued, but if Burnett gives you in 2011 what Beckett gave the Sox in 2008 you're jumping for joy. You're biased, and people will continue to call you out on it.

[Dipre]

Wakefield sucks too.

 

Dice-K sucks as well....

 

Colon and Garcia suck too

 

IDK, never been a fan of Lackey either.

 

Yankees rotation isn't good.... but the Sox rotation is very overrated.

 

Excuse me Jacko 2.0. but this assessment is wrong on many many levels.

 

Wakefield is not in the rotation, Dice-K is an excellent number 5, and hell, could be number three on the mighty Yankees, Lackey's results speak for themselves, so whether or not you're a "fan" (which is subjective and absolutely against objective analysis and therefore doesn't matter). If Burnett, your number 3, gives you the production Lackey gave us last year, you're all jumping for joy.

 

Please, just a modicum of objectivity. Don't be such a blatant homer.

[jacksonianmarch]

Jacko please.

 

Beckett IP total since 2007:

 

174.1, 212.1, 127.2.

 

2010 he was really injury-plagued, but if Burnett gives you in 2011 what Beckett gave the Sox in 2008 you're jumping for joy. You're biased, and people will continue to call you out on it.

 

Once again, pot calling the kettle black. Beckett has missed SIGNIFICANT time over the past 3 seasons (2 of 3 to be exact) and his location has suffered because of it. At times his FB velocity has stuttered, but he was still throwing mid 90s by yrs end last yr. He's a guy who needs everything right to pitch at his best. And when he throws at his best, he's an ace. The problem is, he's only at his best in about 20% of his seasons. Hence why I called him a wild card. I didnt say he'd suck. I didnt say he's the worst pitcher in baseball. I called him a wild card. Meaning, he could be anything from an injured shell of his former self to the ace of the staff. How is that being biased?

[TeddyBallGame9]

Wakefield sucks too.

 

Dice-K sucks as well....

 

Colon and Garcia suck too

 

IDK, never been a fan of Lackey either.

 

Yankees rotation isn't good.... but the Sox rotation is very overrated.

 

Wow!! If the starting rotation is as bad as you say, better watch out for those under-rated Cleveland Guardians............just could win the AL pennant! lol!!!

[TeddyBallGame9]

Wakefield is a CLASS ACT and if his pitching days are done, I think he would make a nice addition to the front office if he would be interested. I know the guy loves the BoSox and Boston.

[Dipre]

As usual, you miss the point.

 

What you are being called out on is the double standard (not to mention that your point is still wrong because the only year he's missed significant time is 2010 but i digress). You are fairly optimistic that Burnett can rebound, yet fairly pessimistic that Becket can. Par for the course.

 

You calling me biased is downright laughable by the way.

[jacksonianmarch]

I called Burnett a (you guessed it) WILD CARD as well. It wasnt injury with Burnett, from what we know. He was cruising along until something happened. Be it the issue with the pitching coach or his wife, or whatever, something happened with him. If it persists, then he'll suck. If those problems are behind him, then I think he gets back to where he was (4ERA, 200IP). I have gone on record as saying I am optimistic about Burnett AND Beckett. But both are wild cards. I have never said anything but this, so you are once again wrong. As usual