Shoring Up the Rotation

[Lord Snow]

I don't think any Sox fan will deny that the 2013 Red Sox have been a pleasant surprise through the first seven games of the season.

 

Where do you see the Red Sox going to beef up the rotation? Lester and Buchholz have been absolutely fantastic to start the season and are really looking like the 1-2 combo we have have been waiting for them to be.

 

But beyond Lester & Buchholz the rotation is bad, really bad.

 

Will the Sox look to make improvements internally (Allen Webster and/or Rubby de la Rosa)?

 

Or will they look to trade for a quality arm?

 

John Lackey is a bust not one start into 2013, but this was expected. As is typical of guys his age coming off major surgery, he will bounce back and forth from the DL all season, persistently leave games due to injury (like his first start).

 

Dempster looked to be every bit the NL pitcher we were all told that he was.

 

And Felix Doubront is, well, Felix Doubront.

 

I support a May or June promotion for Allen Webster and give him a trial run in the big league rotation.

 

I can't believe I'm saying this but the Sox look so sharp I think they could be one or two sturdy middle-of-the-rotation options away from being a playoff contender, especially with the Yankees' starting lineup on the DL and a diminished Rays team.

[BornToRun]

First off.

 

Dempster wasn't that bad vs the Yankees. I think your jumping the gun to suggest he's gonna pitch to a 5.40 ERA all year. I doubt we'll see him in the 3's but a low 4 is both possible and passable in my opinion.

 

Doubront is a young hard throwing lefty who struck out more than a guy per inning last year. He only lasted 5 in his first start but he didn't walk a batter which is a solid sign considering that that was his big issue last year.

 

Lackey had an arm strain and tests show no structural damage to his arm, to say he will be shuttling in between the mound and DL all season is just unjustified pessimism. He had a scare but we later found out that he's fine. He very well may have injury problems this year but so might the rest of the rotation. Not to mention that he's in the best shape he's ever been in with the Red Sox and looked the best he ever has with us on Saturday before leaving with his injury, getting good velocity on his pitches and striking out 8 over 4 1/3.

 

Lester and Buch have indeed been awesome to start the year, that much I agree with, but saying that the back half of our rotation is "bad, really bad" is unbased hyperbole on your part.

[Thunder]

Now I don't want to see Aceves start. With the off day, they should go with a 4 man rotation this time around. Why? So I can see Buch when I go on Sunday. When his turn comes around again, he is a good option to replace Lackey.

[Palodios]

But beyond Lester & Buchholz the rotation is bad, really bad.

 

Dempster, Lackey and Doubront have given up an average of 2.66 runs per start between them. Boohoo.

[User Name]

Lord Snow IS unjustified pessimism. He's also not very smart, because his negativity-filled arguments make no sense.

 

That being said, the Sox do need to shore up their SP depth.

[Lucienbel]

Dempster, Lackey and Doubront have given up an average of 2.66 runs per start between them. Boohoo.

 

Agreed. If they continue to pitch like that there shouldn't be a big problem. Would love to see some more innings out of Doubront really, and I'm certainly hoping that that is something that begins to happen this year. Other than that and the uncertainty of Lackey at the moment (though that seems to be looking positive) not a whole lot to talk about rotation wise at the moment personally.

 

Wish we had more young depth to be talking about, or more depth in general for the Lackey situation. Guess at the moment we just have to hope that pans out well.

[Palodios]

That being said, the Sox do need to shore up their SP depth.

 

The Red Sox do need to add another back end starter, absolutely. That being said, do we really need a pessimist ranting about how bad the back of the rotation hasn't been?

[User Name]

The Red Sox do need to add another back end starter, absolutely. That being said, do we really need a pessimist ranting about how bad the back of the rotation hasn't been?

 

No, we really don't.

[redsoxbeatz]

Lord Snow IS unjustified pessimism. He's also not very smart, because his negativity-filled arguments make no sense.

 

That being said, the Sox do need to shore up their SP depth.

 

You're not very smart because I said so.

[User Name]

You're not very smart because I said so.

 

You're the expert. Where's my "dunce" hat?

[redsoxbeatz]

You don't get to use quotations around that word. You're just a regular dunce.

[User Name]

You don't get to use quotations around that word. You're just a regular dunce.

 

But, but, but i thought i was special

[a700hitter]

What's going on? U.N. has no problems with posters other than SBF... right?

[User Name]

Dear Lord in heaven you're an idiot.

[Dojji]

Lord Snow IS unjustified pessimism. He's also not very smart, because his negativity-filled arguments make no sense.

 

That being said, the Sox do need to shore up their SP depth.

 

... a little bit. We don't need to acquire a Name, just a guy who can do what we had guys like Aaron Cook and Paul Byrd do in recent years. Come in and be a warm body if absolutely nessary and sit in the minors in the meantime.

[User Name]

You're on to something here. I don't quite think people generally understand what the word "depth" means when used in this context. Capable, healthy major leaguers are not "depth". They are part of a team's rotation.

[SCM33]

You're on to something here. I don't quite think people generally understand what the word "depth" means when used in this context. Capable, healthy major leaguers are not "depth". They are part of a team's rotation.

 

Depth on a staff....is a AAA pitcher unless they are the mop up guy.

[Dojji]

Yep.

 

I wouldn't be against adding, say, Bruce Chen, who's in the bullpen where he is anyway. I was pulling to add John Lannan in the offseason because I thought he'd be better than "cheap depth" options, but he's better off where he is for now. If you're looking for a guy who can come in as a lefty out of the pen and slide into the rotation at need, Chen's one of the better possibly-available options. I can't imagine the Royals turning down a fair return for him. Heck, Ciriaco-for-Chen might make sense for both teams, if the Sox think Iglesias is better served staying in the big leagues.

[SoxFanForsyth]

I think Nava can be a well above average starting pitcher.

 

Fixed it for you.

[Dojji]

Oh enough, people. I'm pulling for a guy that I've pulled for since he was in the minors, and he has 2 great days in a row and I'm happy for him. Don't make it out to be more than it is.

[mvp 78]

Oh enough, people. I'm pulling for a guy that I've pulled for since he was in the minors, and he has 2 great days in a row and I'm happy for him. Don't make it out to be more than it is.

 

You're the one making Nava out to be more than he is. Remember your horrible Teddy Ballgame/Nava OBP comment from last year? People criticize you because you jump off the deep end when he has a few good games. When he plays at a replacement level for a few months, you stop talking about him and the posts fall to the third page.

[a700hitter]

Anyone who has been here for any length of time understands where Doji is coming from. He thinks outside the box and has some different ideas. Sometimes he gets a bit carried away, but who doesn't from time to time? He's been right about quite a few players and moves throughout the years. There's no cause to subject him to ridicule.

[mvp 78]

But Dojji also loves just throwing random crap against the wall.

 

http://www.talksox.com/forum/red-sox-minor-leagues/15430-alex-hassan-anything-there.html

[Dojji]

Yes, God forbid I ask a question about a prospect with which I was relatively unfamiliar, but who had decent numbers in the minors.

 

God forbid I like to try to foster discussion about a number of topics that tailor to my biases, because duh.

 

Seriously, MVP, you are a man in desperate need of a major humility infusion.

[User Name]

Back on topic:

 

It looks like Capuano is still on the trading block. Would he be a better fit than Harang?

[a700hitter]

Yes, God forbid I ask a question about a prospect with which I was relatively unfamiliar, but who had decent numbers in the minors.

 

God forbid I like to try to foster discussion about a number of topics that tailor to my biases, because duh.

 

Seriously, MVP, you are a man in desperate need of a major humility infusion.

Oh pish posh. He humiliates himself quite regularly. Almost every attempt of his to be a snarky prick is lame and full of incorrect premises, recollections, intepretations, etc.

[RedSoxfanforlife305]

Jesus, you guys argue the smallest things. The Red Sox are winning and doing good, lighten up a little bit. Go for each others head if we're going down the gutter and baseball gets boring again.

[a700hitter]

Jesus, you guys argue the smallest things. The Red Sox are winning and doing good, lighten up a little bit. Go for each others head if we're going down the gutter and baseball gets boring again.

I am amazed at how people can't enjoy winning without being confrontational with fellow Sox fans. It's amazing to me. I thought winning would bring harmony, but apparently there are malcontents who can't even enjoy success.

[BSN07]

Jesus, you guys argue the smallest things. The Red Sox are winning and doing good, lighten up a little bit. Go for each others head if we're going down the gutter and baseball gets boring again.

 

It's not "what" they are arguing about, it's more "who" is doing the arguing. They have been around awhile and it's just how they do

[BSN07]

Back on topic:

 

It looks like Capuano is still on the trading block. Would he be a better fit than Harang?

 

I can't find a GB/FB ration, if he's another NL fly ball P no thanks.