Battle For the Bullpen

[EXman369]

Seeing how the Red Sox are going to go into the season with;

 

Rotation

1. Jon Lester

2. John Lackey

3. Clay Buchholz

4. Josh Beckett

5. Daisuke Matsuzaka

 

Pen

CL: Jonathan Papelbon

SU: Daniel Bard

SU: Bobby Jenks

MR: Dan Wheeler

LR: Tim Wakefield

 

This leaves us with 2 spots among Hideki Okajima, Dennys Reyes, Andrew Miller and Rich Hill, Alfredo Aceves, Scott Atchision and Matt Albers

 

I have not seen a lot of games this spring or have been able to follow it to closely but have only heard good things about Aceves which would leave us for a need for a lefty to go along with Wheeler.

 

Any thoughts?

[Dojji]

Are we really assuming Wakefield? I have to think that at this stage of his career Wake can lose his job.

 

I'd go for the front 4 plus Aceves, Oki and Atchison.

[boston22407]

Hideki Okajima,Andrew Miller

[VA Sox Fan]

From Peter Abraham of The Globe:

 

Projecting the roster for Opening Day

 

Posted by Peter Abraham, Globe Staff March 22, 2011 11:07 AM

 

ROTATION

Jon Lester

John Lackey

Clay Buchholz

Josh Beckett

Daisuke Matsuzaka

 

BULLPEN

Jonathan Papelbon

Daniel Bard

Bobby Jenks

Dan Wheeler

Tim Wakefield

Dennys Reyes

Scott Atchison

 

Explanation: The only real decisions are at the back end of the bullpen. Wakefield is wedged into a role he doesn't much like, but the Red Sox need the rotation insurance he provides. In relief, he can eat up innings to save the bullpen for the next day. There is value in that.

 

Reyes is a better fit as a lefty specialist than Hideki Okajima, which is what this bullpen needs. Okajima also has minor-league options, allowing the Red Sox to see what Reyes can do for a few weeks.

 

Matt Albers has pitched well enough to make the team. But he had an rough few years in Baltimore and Atchison would seem to provide more versatility. It would not be a surprise if Albers gets traded in the coming week. Then again, it would not be a surprise if Albers makes the team and Atchison gets optioned.

 

The final 2-3 spots of every major league bullpen are fluid and will change constantly during the season. If the Sox start with Reyes and Atchison, they will have Okajima, Alfredo Aceves, Andrew Miller, Felix Doubront, Junichi Tazawa (eventually) and Rich Hill waiting in Pawtucket. All six of those players have big league experience.

 

Plus there's Michael Bowden, Matt Fox and Randy Williams. They also have big-league time. Add it up and Pawtucket will have nine legitimate candidates for relief jobs. That's excellent depth.

****************************************

 

 

and the rest..........

 

FORT MYERS, Fla. — The season starts on April 1, so technically the Red Sox have 10 days to pick their roster.

 

But I would bet they know the 25 players who will be in uniform against the Texas Rangers on Opening Day.

 

As Terry Francona said yesterday, "When we make our decisions, I just think if you’re looking at the last week of spring training, you’re setting yourself up to make mistakes. Even with our bullpen, if somebody goes out and throws a killer inning, that doesn’t mean they’re going to make the team. We just need to set our team up where we think we’re best.”

 

Theo Epstein and his staff spend all winter evaluating and projecting what the players will do. Spring training offers too small of a sample size to change those well-considered opinions — unless there is a physical issue.

 

That said, here's my shot at projecting the roster:

 

LINEUP

Jacoby Ellsbury

Dustin Pedroia

Carl Crawford

Adrian Gonzalez

Kevin Youkilis

David Ortiz

J.D. Drew

Jarrod Saltalamacchia

Marco Scutaro

 

BENCH

Jed Lowrie

Mike Cameron

Darnell McDonald

Jason Varitek

[BigPapiEnFuego]

Atchison? I'd rather have wake than him, and Aceves over either probably.

[TedWilliams101]

Atchison and Wake? Really? I know Wake has history with this team, but I feel a LOT safer with just about anyone on the mound than Wake at this point... except maybe Atchison. Sure, he can give you multiple innings... of suck. I'd take any rookies over them, at least they have potential...

[EXman369]

Ted change your quote thing

Get Gonzalez, check

Get Crawford, check

[TedWilliams101]

Ted change your quote thing

Get Gonzalez, check

Get Crawford, check

 

But it isn't complete yet, they still have to get that championship checked... <_>

 

It's better than my signature at Pats fans, haven't changed it since Moss signed the new deal 3 years ago...

[Palodios]

Ideally, they'll go with Atchison, Reyes, Aceves. Atchison earned his place on the team last year, and I'm more than comfortable letting him be a 5th/6th inning guy. Aceves has looked too good to keep at AAA, and Reyes is by far the best lefty of the group-- plus if they don't take him now, they lose him.

 

Albers has a 5.11 ERA in the majors. Rich Hill is around 4.8. Wakefield should be on his way to the glue factory. Okajima has shown nothing to deserve a spot, let him get his s*** together before calling him up.

[SoxFanForsyth]

Ideally, they'll go with Atchison, Reyes, Aceves. Atchison earned his place on the team last year, and I'm more than comfortable letting him be a 5th/6th inning guy. Aceves has looked too good to keep at AAA, and Reyes is by far the best lefty of the group-- plus if they don't take him now, they lose him.

 

Albers has a 5.11 ERA in the majors. Rich Hill is around 4.8. Wakefield should be on his way to the glue factory. Okajima has shown nothing to deserve a spot, let him get his s*** together before calling him up.

 

Not to mention the fact that Wakefield's entire role on this team is a spot starter/long reliever. Atchison can easily be stretched out and be a more effective long reliever, and in stretches when he hasn't been used in long relief, he can be utilized in a 6th or 7th inning role, which is some flexibility that Wakefield doesn't have. Add to the fact that we have Doubront, Aceves, and Miller all with great stuff and the potential to be great starters, and you've got 3 more guys who can come up for a spot start.

 

Wakefield is truly just wasting a roster spot. He's ineffective and easily replaced.

[EXman369]

You both right about Wakefield but no way he doesn't make the team even though it only makes us worse

[Jasonbay44]

I really hope Aceves makes the team, I thought he was pretty good on the Yankees and I've heard nothing but good things about him this spring. Id much rather have him then guys like Wakefield, Atchison or Albers. For the other spot, its probably going to be a lefty, so ill just go with Reyes.

[FredLynn]

Ideally, they'll go with Atchison, Reyes, Aceves. Atchison earned his place on the team last year, and I'm more than comfortable letting him be a 5th/6th inning guy. Aceves has looked too good to keep at AAA, and Reyes is by far the best lefty of the group-- plus if they don't take him now, they lose him.

 

Albers has a 5.11 ERA in the majors. Rich Hill is around 4.8. Wakefield should be on his way to the glue factory. Okajima has shown nothing to deserve a spot, let him get his s*** together before calling him up.

 

Okajima has options left, but they require his approval to be sent down. I doubt he would go to Pawtucket. He would probably prefer to find work elsewhere-not that thats a bad thing.

 

http://www.soxprospects.com/40man.htm

[Jasonbay44]

According to rotoworld, Matt Albers was released today. He was unlikely to make the team anyway, but his release eliminates one possible candidate.

 

Edit: Now they are saying he wasn't released I guess.

[a700hitter]

Albers stinks.

[FredLynn]

Matt Albers Still In Mix For Red Sox

By Ben Nicholson-Smith [March 23 at 4:38pm CST]

 

4:38pm: Red Sox GM Theo Epstein told Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe that the team has not released Albers (Twitter link). He remains in the mix for a job in Boston's bullpen.

[VA Sox Fan]

Red Sox make more cuts

 

Posted by Peter Abraham, Globe Staff March 25, 2011 02:44 PM

By Peter Abraham, Globe Staff

 

FORT MYERS, Fla. — Scott Atchison was optioned to Pawtucket this afternoon as was Michael Bowden.

 

Randy Williams, Rich Hill and Brandon Duckworth were reassigned. There could be a few more moves.

 

If you assume Jonathan Papelbon, Daniel Bard, Bobby Jenks, Dan Wheeler and Tim Wakefield are in the bullpen, the Sox have two spots open with Alfredo Aceves, Matt Albers, Hideki Okajima and Dennys Reyes still in camp.

 

Atchison had an option remaining, which into the decision to send him down. Albers is out of options.

[Palodios]

Fuuuuuck. How does Wakefield get a spot over Atchison?

[SCM33]

I suspect it will be Albers and Reyes. They have no options.

 

Acevedo and OKI have options (doesnt mean OKI will accept).

 

One tricky thing will be adding Acevedo to the 40 man roster.

 

Options to remove from 40 man:

Tazawa to 60 man to further rehab.

Mark Wagner (there are a handful of catching prospects ranked higher)

Lars Anderson (his path is blocked other than DH, maybe a trade?)

[WhiskeyBreath]

Fuuuuuck. How does Wakefield get a spot over Atchison?

 

Like the article said, he has options.

[Palodios]

Like the article said' date=' he has options.[/quote']

 

Funny, I mentioned this in one of the ST threads-- it makes it a lot easier to swallow.

[jacksonianmarch]

My guess is they carry Albers and Reyes since they're out of options and Albers has quality big league stuff. He reminds me a bit of the sox signing of Matt Mantei a few yrs ago. Eye popping velocity, can't hit the broad side of a barn. I guess Young thinks he could harness it, and I wouldnt be surprised if Theo gives him a month to see if he can pull through. I do think that by midseason, Oki isnt in the Red Sox org and Aceves is the long man

[redsoxrules]

I'd give OKI a shot because last year he was injured when he imploded and when he was finaly healthy he put up great numbers at the end of the year

[SCM33]

My guess is they carry Albers and Reyes since they're out of options and Albers has quality big league stuff. He reminds me a bit of the sox signing of Matt Mantei a few yrs ago. Eye popping velocity' date=' can't hit the broad side of a barn. I guess Young thinks he could harness it, and I wouldnt be surprised if Theo gives him a month to see if he can pull through. I do think that by midseason, Oki isnt in the Red Sox org and Aceves is the long man[/quote']

 

How does Albers remind you of Mantei?

 

Mantei was a pretty solid setup guy/closer whose career was ruined because of injuries. Mantei walked a good number but averaged 11K/9 innings and was a reliever throughout his career.

 

Albers was a starting pitcher who flopped, walks less than Mantei but also pitches to contact (only averages 5.8K/9) who had a middle of the road season last year.

 

The only reason they are really looking at Albers over OKI, is bc OKI sucked last year, gradually gotten worse and they are trying to project OKIs downside with Albers upside and the fact that mL options comes in to play. Simple as that.

[VA Sox Fan]

Red Sox keep Albers and Reyes; Aceves and Okajima optioned to minors

Posted by Peter Abraham, Globe Staff March 28, 2011 09:40 AM

By Peter Abraham, Globe Staff

 

FORT MYERS, Fla. — The Red Sox have set their 25-man roster. General manager Theo Epstein just said the team will keep RHP Matt Albers and LHP Dennys Reyes.

 

RHP Alfredo Aceves and LHP Hideki Okajima have been optioned to Class AAA Pawtucket.

 

So the 25-man roster is:

 

Rotation

LHP Jon Lester, RHP John Lackey, RHP Clay Buchholz, RHP Josh Beckett, RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka

 

Bullpen

RHP Jonathan Papelbon, RHP Daniel Bard, RHP Bobby Jenks, RHP Dan Wheeler, LHP Dennys Reyes, RHP Matt Albers, RHP Tim Wakefield

 

Outfielders

Mike Cameron, Carl Crawford, J.D. Drew, Jacoby Ellsbury, Darnell McDonald

 

Infielders

Jed Lowrie, Adrian Gonzalez, Dustin Pedroia, Marco Scutaro, Kevin Youkilis.

 

Catchers

Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Jason Varitek

 

DH

David Ortiz

 

Epstein also said that LHP Felix Doubront will start the season on the disabled list and remain in extended spring training until he is stretched out. The Pawtucket rotation will be:

 

Aceves

Doubront

Brandon Duckworth

Andrew Miller

TBA (an in-house prospect)

 

The final bullpen decision was based on roster management, Epstein said. Albers and Reyes are out of options and would have been lost to another team had they been placed on waivers. Aceves and Okajima have options.

 

"A big part of this decision was the preservation of pitching depth," Epstein said.

 

Epstein said he believes Aceves will eventually help the Red Sox and that they have faith in him as a starter, long reliever or short reliever. "It's a tough day having to send him down because he did just about everything he could do to make the club," Epstein sad. "It's a numbers game with so many good pitchers pitching well. It's an unfortunate result for Alfredo and we told him we'd see him again."

 

Epstein said Okajima is "trending in the right direction" after a good spring training. "We think he's really close to being locked in to where he can come back and help us," Epstein said.

[Palodios]

Its a little frustrating to see Aceves, Atchison and Doubront in AAA, and Albers and Wakefield on the ML roster, but I can understand this as a depth move, as long as it doesn't cost the team in April.

[Meh]

Doubront l.

 

Isn't he hurt?

[Station 13]

Isn't he hurt?

 

Yes and he's not a bullpen arm either.

[a700hitter]

Keeping Wakefield and Albers is not pitching depth. One is a "has been", ant the other is a "never was". The should stop deluding themselves about these guys and just cut ties with them.

[Dipre]

Oy Vey.