Poll: Does Lackey deserve a spot in the rotation?

[Palodios]

What young players were showcased last year? Lavs showed he could catch. Iggy showed he still can't hit. Pedro (not a prospect) showed he could sub when needed. Tazawa pitched great. Gomez (not a prospect) showed he's a marginal talent.

 

It's not like Brentz, JBJ and Xander were getting reps.

 

When brought up to AAA, Brentz had a .284 OPS in the five games he played. When brought up to AA, both Bradley saw his stats dropoff a bit as he adjusted. Same with Barnes in high A. Bogaertz actually improved in AA, but Drew is only holding his throne for a year.

 

It is very obvious that these guys will get their chances. But wasting pre-arbitration years of elite talent costs money AND production... and sometimes trade value as well, so why not wait a year?

[onlybereaved]

What young players were showcased last year? Lavs showed he could catch. Iggy showed he still can't hit. Pedro (not a prospect) showed he could sub when needed. Tazawa pitched great. Gomez (not a prospect) showed he's a marginal talent.

 

It's not like Brentz, JBJ and Xander were getting reps.

 

Pedro is unreal. Couldn't believe how great/comfy he looked.

 

Edit to add: Re: Lackey...At least it shouldn't be too difficult being at least on-par with the Red Sox rotation. That may give him some confidence. I hope he blows everyone's hair back and performs better than expected. Could be really ugly, no-one knows. The guy just starting throwing the ball 'yesterday' for frigs sake

[BSN07]

If Lackey is healthy, his salary guarantee's him a rotation spot.

[jacksonianmarch]

If healthy, you have to see what you have in him.

[iortiz]

I voted trade the f***er, but I'm curious to see whether there's still something in that tank or not.

[kapsis21]

I voted trade the f***er, but I'm curious to see whether there's still something in that tank or not.

 

there is nothing you can get in return right now for him.

[Lucienbel]

I said he should have to compete for a spot. It's tough to know how a guy is going to be coming off TJ surgery, so he at least deserves the chance. If he is capable of pitching decent there's no reason he shouldn't. If he can't I'd rather see him slotted into the pen as a long man, but as a few others have noted we didn't really go out and pick up anyone else who would be capable of breaking the rotation.

[BSN07]

I said he should have to compete for a spot. It's tough to know how a guy is going to be coming off TJ surgery, so he at least deserves the chance. If he is capable of pitching decent there's no reason he shouldn't. If he can't I'd rather see him slotted into the pen as a long man, but as a few others have noted we didn't really go out and pick up anyone else who would be capable of breaking the rotation.

 

Has anyone said he wouldn't get a chance? To think if he is healthy and not part of the starting 5 making 15M is lunacy.

[Station 13]

He is paid $16M. He will be in the rotation. Just hope for the best, maybe 12-15 wins from the horseface.

[Lucienbel]

He is paid $16M. He will be in the rotation. Just hope for the best, maybe 12-15 wins from the horseface.

 

If we could get around a 4.00-4.50 ERA and a decent amount of innings out of him it wouldn't be terrible. Hopefully the need for the TJ surgery was a big part of his problem since he's been in Boston, because if it was we could reasonably expect that 4.50 and some innings.

[BSN07]

If we could get around a 4.00-4.50 ERA and a decent amount of innings out of him it wouldn't be terrible. Hopefully the need for the TJ surgery was a big part of his problem since he's been in Boston, because if it was we could reasonably expect that 4.50 and some innings.

 

I'd be happy with 160 IP of sub 5 ERA ball and no pre or post game interviews. That would be a mega win.

[SoxSport]

Lackey will probably be better next year--when they have him for cheap. At least he won't have to pay taxes then.

 

This year, I doubt he'll be 100% for the first half year. Wainright was not right until the 2nd half last year.

 

My guess is one of those pitching prospects will be in the rotation by mid-season--out of necessity.

Figure on at least one of those starters getting hurt or crapping the bed. Dempster comes to mind.

He figures to be a Molotov cocktail at Fenway and Yankee stadium.

[jung]

Well at least Dempster throws from the right side of the plate for Fenway but not for that little piss ant park in the Bronx. I don't want to think about Dempster in that place.

[Lucienbel]

Lackey will probably be better next year--when they have him for cheap. At least he won't have to pay taxes then.

 

This year, I doubt he'll be 100% for the first half year. Wainright was not right until the 2nd half last year.

 

My guess is one of those pitching prospects will be in the rotation by mid-season--out of necessity.

Figure on at least one of those starters getting hurt or crapping the bed. Dempster comes to mind.

He figures to be a Molotov cocktail at Fenway and Yankee stadium.

 

I'd also assume that he won't be right until a ways in. Hopefully he can continue to show progress through the first half to give enough confidence he will be able to turn it around.

 

Also, I'd like to second the no pre and post game interview idea.

[SoxSport]

If Lackey is healthy, his salary guarantee's him a rotation spot.

 

Correct there. Salary is everything.

[SoxSport]

He is paid $16M. He will be in the rotation. Just hope for the best, maybe 12-15 wins from the horseface.

 

 

He was a good pitcher when healthy for the Angels, but always sucked at Fenway. Of course, the Angels always sucked at Fenway as well until the Red Sox declined the last few years.

 

Lackey pitched in Boston with a bad elbow. That's clear now. I expect him to be much better, but it will take him some time to get sharp again.

[Behindenemylines]

The simple question here is: If the Red Sox are committed to making the team better, then why not? With all of the contracts they've signed, they're keeping the seats warm for their prospects. Not a single one of their top 10 prospects are blocked from reaching the majors. Keeping the team respectable isn't important just to keep fans in the seats-- it is a big factor in signing free agents, as well as international players.

 

You said it yourself-- the 2012 team played some of the worst baseball that many of us have seen. If they get lucky with pitching in 2013, there is a very good chance they'll go to the playoffs. I would much rather that than be a team like the Marlins who have no shot.

 

Unless there is a major trade before spring training the Sox starting pitching is here. The Sox go into the spring with Lester, Buchholtz, Dempster, Lackey and Doubront penciled in as their rotation. They have Morales and Aceves on the 40 man in case of injuries. If this rotation craps out and the Sox explode then you will start seeing the Websters and Dela Rosas as the Sox will look toward 2014 and beyond. For the Sox to be better and compete in 2013 then we need to hope that more of the ifs turn out positively then negatively. That in its self is a big IF!

[User Name]

Or that they make a couple of other moves either before the season or in-season, which is not out of the realm of possibility.

[jopete19]

Funny story. A friend of mine gave me a call the other day. He was down in Texas, told me he met Lackey a couple of times. Called him a alcoholic. Must've been drinking up a storm. Dumbass

[mvp 78]

Or that they make a couple of other moves either before the season or in-season, which is not out of the realm of possibility.

 

People complained last offseason that Ben moved too slow. He did the majority of his work after Jan 1st. I expect more of the same this year. I expect about 2 trades and several more depth signings.

[mvp 78]

Funny story. A friend of mine gave me a call the other day. He was down in Texas, told me he met Lackey a couple of times. Called him a alcoholic. Must've been drinking up a storm. Dumbass

 

We had a poster on here getting all pissy because a friend saw Lackey drink 5 Bud Lights after a game one night. The problem wasn't the drinking, it was his elbow.

[Behindenemylines]

If you look at the payroll (If Napoli and his $13 million finally signs) for 2013 and you include the arbitation raises the Sox are not going to invest to much more for 2013. I can see the depth signings happening, but major $$$$ being added at this point, don't think its in the FO's plan.

[mvp 78]

If you look at the payroll (If Napoli and his $13 million finally signs) for 2013 and you include the arbitation raises the Sox are not going to invest to much more for 2013. I can see the depth signings happening, but major $$$$ being added at this point, don't think its in the FO's plan.

 

Major money? Not unless they move Ells, but that's not happening until July at the earliest. There will be moves to round out the roster, but none to bring in AS talent. Certain posters will be pissed, but it is what it is at this point. Not much wiggle room left.

[Behindenemylines]

Major money? Not unless they move Ells, but that's not happening until July at the earliest. There will be moves to round out the roster, but none to bring in AS talent. Certain posters will be pissed, but it is what it is at this point. Not much wiggle room left.

 

I agree not much wiigle room left with the 2013 payroll. Any team trading for Ellsbury is going to want to extend his contract before agreeing to take him in a trade. An you know Borus is not going to let that happen. If a team does take him with extending him then the return the Sox get isn't going to be that great. So if Ellsbury has a good year he walks and will be in high demand. It will be tough for the Sox to get fair value with any trade of Ellsbury.

[mvp 78]

I think no trade is made for Ells. He has an ok season. Ends up resigning with the Sox as no other offers blow him away.

[reYoukilis]

I think no trade is made for Ells. He has an ok season. Ends up resigning with the Sox as no other offers blow him away.

 

If Els has another good year then he will get great offers for sure.

[seabeachfred]

Anyone out there actually believe that Lackey might just come back and have a solid season for us? Call me nuts if you will but I think he just might turn out to be a very pleasant surprise. I know he was blamed by many people for crap that went on in the clubhouse that miserable September in 2011, but the more evidence that comes out the more it seems that it was Beckett who was the real dickhead leader in all that. We have to keep in mind that Beckett himself said that baseball was not that big a priority in his life anymore and he started acting very strange during the 2010 season.

 

At any rate, we need to hope that finally Lester and Clay finally have big years and that Lackey and Doubrant have decent seasons. It might be a longshot for all four of them to have great seasons, but who knows? Maybe one of the young prospects will accelerate his development and make it to the Red Sox this summer. Hell, I know I may be grasping at straws but aren't we due for some good breaks after all the s*** that we've endured the past four seasons?

[InfernoOrangeSS]

I agree that Lackey has a good year. I think he will be motivated to show what he can do.