Franklin Morales

[a700hitter]

He didn't say when though. Morales needs to pitch every fifth day. Matsusaka needs to return to the DL or be jettisoned. I have seen enough of him and I know I am not alone.

I wish it was Matsuzaka hitting the DL, but instead it is Buchholz. He had just turned the corner and had been our best starter recently:

 

Clay Buchholz, SP, BOS

News: The Red Sox placed starting pitcher Clay Buchholz on the 15-day DL Sunday with a gastro-intestinal issue, according to the Boston Globe. Aaron Cook was activated off the 15-day DL to replace Buchholz on the mound Sunday.

Analysis: Apparently this issue Buchholz is dealing with is severe enough that he will have to miss at least a few starts. He has won all four of his June starts and has a 2.43 ERA in his last five outings. Buchholz is finally pitching up to par. This is an unfortunate setback, however. Keep Buchholz stashed in Fantasy while he is on the DL.

[redsoxfan3]

Imagine if Morales actually pans out to be a decent number 5th starter. Morales is only 26 and Doubront is only 24. That is two guys that had no impact in the rotation last year that could possibly have a huge impact in the rotation this year. Doubront has already been decent this year. Morales is impressive after his first two starts. I do not want to be too optimistic with Morales, but I am liking what I am seeing. I would love to see Doubront as a #3 or #4 for many years to come. I would also love to see Morales as a #5 for several years to come if he can prove himself this year. I want to point out that after two starts that I am not sold on Morales. He needs to continue to start the rest of this year and have a solid year as a starter before I am sold on him.

 

Next year we could potentially have Lester, Beckett, Buchholz, Doubront, Morales, and Lackey all fighting for spots in the rotation. I know there has been some talk about trading Beckett this offseason. I do not know how realistic that is, but if that is the case and we could land Hamels in free agency, then we could have a good rotation next year. Like I said, Morales still has a lot to prove, but so far, so good.

[jung]

Morales should look at film of himself from yesterday. I commented during the game that I had not seen him that smooth and flowing like....ever. It might not be a coincidence that his control was pretty much there all day.

[a700hitter]

Next year we could potentially have Lester, Beckett, Buchholz, Doubront, Morales, and Lackey all fighting for spots in the rotation. I know there has been some talk about trading Beckett this offseason. I do not know how realistic that is, but if that is the case and we could land Hamels in free agency, then we could have a good rotation next year. Like I said, Morales still has a lot to prove, but so far, so good.

I can't wrap my head around this^. I need the WS to end before I start dreaming about next season. Right now, it means nothing to me, not when the Sox are fighting to stay out of the basement with July coming in a week.

[a700hitter]

So does Epstein get any credit for getting Morales for nothing' date=' or did the franchise-crippling blind squirrel merely stumble on another acorn.[/quote']f*** Theo. He is irrelevant. He works in middle America now where no one gives a s*** about him.

[redsoxfan3]

I can't wrap my head around this^. I need the WS to end before I start dreaming about next season. Right now' date=' it means nothing to me, not when the Sox are fighting to stay out of the basement with July coming in a week.[/quote']

 

I know where you are coming from. I guess I like to look into the future as well. I was just throwing out potential starting pitching for next season. You are right, right now it is meaningless.

[The Celtbot]

Morales looks like he could be a solid starter for years to come, think this is the year we get rid of a bunch of players at the all star break and really try to restructure our team for the near future.

[Bellhorn04]

f*** Theo. He is irrelevant. He works in middle America now where no one gives a s*** about him.

 

I only care about his player transactions that are still with us-they are what's relevant. Morales looks like a good one.

[BornToRun]

So does Epstein get any credit for getting Morales for nothing' date=' or did the franchise-crippling blind squirrel merely stumble on another acorn.[/quote']

 

God forbid we give credit to the greatest GM in club history. It isn't like the man brought us two world series.

[a700hitter]

I know where you are coming from. I guess I like to look into the future as well. I was just throwing out potential starting pitching for next season. You are right' date=' right now it is meaningless.[/quote']Don't mind me. I'm just a bit cranky today.

[a700hitter]

I only care about his player transactions that are still with us-they are what's relevant. Morales looks like a good one.

I'll send an email to Cubs ownership with a letter of reference for Theo citing Morales as a great acquisition if he keeps pitching this way. Maybe they'll give Theo a raise. Other than that, he's a thousand miles away, left us in a financial bind where we can't acquire much needed pitching, but we already knew all that. He's irrelevant.

[FredLynn]

Morales looks like he could be a solid starter for years to come' date=' think this is the year we get rid of a bunch of players at the all star break and really try to restructure our team for the near future.[/quote']

 

Lets not get ahead of ourselves. Morales has had exactly TWO impressive starts. That does not make him a reliable starter for years to come. I would want to see what he can do for at least a full season before I even begin to think he is someone who deserves to be in the rotation. Right now he deserves only a shot at it.

[a700hitter]

Not that long ago, people here were asking the FO to DFA him when Rich Hill returned. Lefties that can hit 95-96 consistently aren't that easy to find.

[redsoxbeatz]

Imagine if Morales actually pans out to be a decent number 5th starter. Morales is only 26 and Doubront is only 24. That is two guys that had no impact in the rotation last year that could possibly have a huge impact in the rotation this year. Doubront has already been decent this year. Morales is impressive after his first two starts. I do not want to be too optimistic with Morales, but I am liking what I am seeing. I would love to see Doubront as a #3 or #4 for many years to come. I would also love to see Morales as a #5 for several years to come if he can prove himself this year. I want to point out that after two starts that I am not sold on Morales. He needs to continue to start the rest of this year and have a solid year as a starter before I am sold on him.

 

Next year we could potentially have Lester, Beckett, Buchholz, Doubront, Morales, and Lackey all fighting for spots in the rotation. I know there has been some talk about trading Beckett this offseason. I do not know how realistic that is, but if that is the case and we could land Hamels in free agency, then we could have a good rotation next year. Like I said, Morales still has a lot to prove, but so far, so good.

 

What if Morales turns out to be the stellar front line pitcher he was thought to be when he was drafted? Maybe not he won't be able to to hit his full potential any longer after the Rockies possibly screwed him up, calling him up early, etc., and then his injuries. But still, in Boston he could shine again... why not? crazier things have happened.

 

diamond in the rough.

 

Can't wait for his next start. 2k per inning this guy.

[FredLynn]

What if Morales turns out to be the stellar front line pitcher he was thought to be when he was drafted? Maybe not he won't be able to to hit his full potential any longer after the Rockies possibly screwed him up, calling him up early, etc., and then his injuries. But still, in Boston he could shine again... why not? crazier things have happened.

 

diamond in the rough.

 

Can't wait for his next start. 2k per inning this guy.

 

Morales turning out to be a stellar front line pitcher would be a nightmare for Jacko, eh?

[kapsis21]

What if Morales turns out to be the stellar front line pitcher he was thought to be when he was drafted? Maybe not he won't be able to to hit his full potential any longer after the Rockies possibly screwed him up, calling him up early, etc., and then his injuries. But still, in Boston he could shine again... why not? crazier things have happened.

 

diamond in the rough.

 

Can't wait for his next start. 2k per inning this guy.

 

he seems like the only legit starter right now and that is really sad cuz no one else is owning up.. but hats of to Morales.

[SoxFanForsyth]

What if Morales turns out to be the stellar front line pitcher he was thought to be when he was drafted? Maybe not he won't be able to to hit his full potential any longer after the Rockies possibly screwed him up, calling him up early, etc., and then his injuries. But still, in Boston he could shine again... why not? crazier things have happened.

 

diamond in the rough.

 

Can't wait for his next start. 2k per inning this guy.

 

Wow this is a good call.

 

I had no idea, but in 2008, Morales was ranked as the 8th best prospect in baseball per Baseball America.

 

Seems like he's been able to harness his control a lot more, too. If he can do that, he can be a top of the rotation guy, based on his stuff and his newly found change.

[Dojji]

He deserves the right to pitch his way out of the rotation at this point.

[redsoxbeatz]

Wow this is a good call.

 

I had no idea, but in 2008, Morales was ranked as the 8th best prospect in baseball per Baseball America.

 

Seems like he's been able to harness his control a lot more, too. If he can do that, he can be a top of the rotation guy, based on his stuff and his newly found change.

 

I was reading about him on the Over The Monster blog per SBNation.

 

I don't see why he can't still live up to that #8 prospect ability still. He is only 26.

[FredLynn]

He deserves the right to pitch his way out of the rotation at this point.

 

In place of who? Who leaves if Morales pitches well? Do you think the FO has the guts to jettison DiceK? He would make a really crappy bullpen addition, what with the walks and the first inning jitters.

[SoxFanForsyth]

In place of who? Who leaves if Morales pitches well? Do you think the FO has the guts to jettison DiceK? He would make a really crappy bullpen addition' date=' what with the walks and the first inning jitters.[/quote']

 

Yes. The FO will absolutely cut ties with DiceK for Morales, and it's not close. Not only is DiceK a worse pitcher, but he's also in the last year of his contract, whereas Morales is only 26 and can be a future staple in the rotation.

 

If he's as good as he's shown, which would likely translate into a low 3's ERA SP (which, by the way, he's got a 0.24 FIP right now. He's got a 3.27 ERA but his BABIP is .423 as a SP and his strand rate is 58.3%, exceedingly low.), then he will definitely be part of the rotation.

 

If the Red Sox are in an in-between place of rebuilding while trying to win, then there is absolutely zero reason not to let Morales keep starting, and the fact that DiceK is the only one keeping him back turns it into sub-zero.

 

I wouldn't be surprised to see DiceK in a salary dump to an NL team like the Dodgers or someone who needs SP at the deadline.

[FredLynn]

Yes. The FO will absolutely cut ties with DiceK for Morales, and it's not close. Not only is DiceK a worse pitcher, but he's also in the last year of his contract, whereas Morales is only 26 and can be a future staple in the rotation.

 

If he's as good as he's shown, which would likely translate into a low 3's ERA SP (which, by the way, he's got a 0.24 FIP right now. He's got a 3.27 ERA but his BABIP is .423 as a SP and his strand rate is 58.3%, exceedingly low.), then he will definitely be part of the rotation.

 

If the Red Sox are in an in-between place of rebuilding while trying to win, then there is absolutely zero reason not to let Morales keep starting, and the fact that DiceK is the only one keeping him back turns it into sub-zero.

 

I wouldn't be surprised to see DiceK in a salary dump to an NL team like the Dodgers or someone who needs SP at the deadline.

 

You have more faith in our FO than I do. I don't think DiceK is going anywhere this season. As for Morales, he has had what-3 good starts? He does look good, but its a small sample size. It earns him a shot in the rotation, not a spot there. And if he fails after DiceK is gone we are down a SP (if you call DiceK a SP). Tough call.

[redsoxbeatz]

I out FO should be desperate enough to roll with a six man rotation including Morales OR trade DiceK, probably in a package deal.

 

Morales can't give us any worse outings than DiceK or our other SPs have given is this far anyway. Plus, Morales has incrediy high upside. He is young and incredibly talented. I think Colorado gave up way too early on this guy. He is a strikeout machine, works quickly, and doesn't whine/lose his s*** when the Umpire isnt his best friend.

 

We should see Morales on Thursday unless Beckett has a setback than Wednesday.

[redsoxbeatz]

Morales turning out to be a stellar front line pitcher would be a nightmare for Jacko' date=' eh? [/quote']

 

Hell yeah so much sweeter

[SCM33]

In place of who? Who leaves if Morales pitches well? Do you think the FO has the guts to jettison DiceK? He would make a really crappy bullpen addition' date=' what with the walks and the first inning jitters.[/quote']

 

Dice-K has half a season left in his RedSox career......DFA him and buyout the remainder of the contract.

[redsoxbeatz]

Dice-K has half a season left in his RedSox career......DFA him and buyout the remainder of the contract.

 

He's okay though, Dice-K. Like, 5BB, 20K over 21-ish IP? That's not shabby (especially for Dice-K!)

 

I vote for 6 man rotation till someone injures or prove themselves not worthy of being in the rotation.

[SCM33]

He's okay though, Dice-K. Like, 5BB, 20K over 21-ish IP? That's not shabby (especially for Dice-K!)

 

I vote for 6 man rotation till someone injures or prove themselves not worthy of being in the rotation.

 

Hasnt Dice-K pretty much proven himself not worthy his entire time here (minus 1 year)???

 

The guy is gone anyway after this season.....DFA him and eat the remaining 4M. He serves no purpose if everyone in the rotation is a better option and he cant pitch from the pen.

[redsoxbeatz]

Hasnt Dice-K pretty much proven himself not worthy his entire time here (minus 1 year)???

 

The guy is gone anyway after this season.....DFA him and eat the remaining 4M. He serves no purpose if everyone in the rotation is a better option and he cant pitch from the pen.

 

But as of right now almost no one in the rotation is better.

[SCM33]

But as of right now almost no one in the rotation is better.

 

Better than Dice-K?

[redsoxbeatz]

Better than Dice-K?

 

Beckett on DL. ERA is over 4.00 but has been good as of late minus DL issue.

Lester, sketchy as f***. ERA over 4.00

Buchholz, superb in 3 of last 4 but now is bleeding on the inside and out till ASB.

Doubront, decent #4 but a horrid outing last time. Over a 4.00 ERA, also.

Morales, hell yeah this guys awesome.

 

Okay, so Beckett & Morales are performing pitchers I'd rather have on the mound than Dice-K this season. But everyone else is just as likely to exhibit a classic "Dice-K-1st-Inning-Melt-Down" than Dice-K himself.

 

But Dice-K really has only had 2(ish) bad innings in 3 outings.

 

Not sure how Dice-K can be considered THAT BAD THUS FAR? Comparatively. I understand he has been agonizing in the past seasons but we're talking about this season.

 

I'd rather see Beckett or Morales on the mound than Dice-K. Otherwise, it doesn't matter who goes out there we'll get the same results. Could be a 1 run over 5/6+ IP, could be 4+.