2014 Roster Projections

[marklmw]

He had a devastating shoulder injury ... and then hurt his chest this season. He made all his starts in 2012 and then missed a bunch for a non-recurring reason this year. That ain't Buchholz. Peavy has a track record as a hoss (the giant shoulder asterisk noted) ... Buchholz has never gotten that.

 

Team could use some help in the rotation - spending 100 million on a #3 Japanese starter ain't it - but pitcher health is sort of the variable every team faces. And if one is afraid of missing starts - that's what Dempster is for.

It will be interesting to see how Tanaka does next year. We shall see if he turns out to have #3 type stuff. Henry Owens could be a nice surprise for the Sox next year.

[sk7326]

It will be interesting to see how Tanaka does next year. We shall see if he turns out to have #3 type stuff. Henry Owens could be a nice surprise for the Sox next year.

 

I am curious too - I have seen some of the fawning reports. At the same time I have seen skeptics who wonder if Tanaka is really more like a pitcher like Kuroda (darn good still) but riding the Darvish hype to end up overvalued.

[Dojji]

He had a devastating shoulder injury ... and then hurt his chest this season. He made all his starts in 2012 and then missed a bunch for a non-recurring reason this year. That ain't Buchholz. Peavy has a track record as a hoss (the giant shoulder asterisk noted) ... Buchholz has never gotten that.

 

Team could use some help in the rotation - spending 100 million on a #3 Japanese starter ain't it - but pitcher health is sort of the variable every team faces. And if one is afraid of missing starts - that's what Dempster is for.

 

Peavy's track record as a hoss is more than 5 years old. I'm not going to discout the possibility entirely, since John Lackey is right there as an example of a SP who can get their crap together after extended struggles. but I'm also sure as heck not going to count on Peavy to do it, just like we didn't count on Lackey to, and I don't think this franchise has made the mistake of counting on Buchholz.

[Thunder]

I am curious too - I have seen some of the fawning reports. At the same time I have seen skeptics who wonder if Tanaka is really more like a pitcher like Kuroda (darn good still) but riding the Darvish hype to end up overvalued.

 

I'm always hesitant when it comes to Japanese pitchers. It's so different pitching over here. There have only been a few success stories in recent years: Darvish, Kuroda, and Nomo come to mind. The hype is always the same, but the success in the US isn't a gimme.

[sk7326]

I'm always hesitant when it comes to Japanese pitchers. It's so different pitching over here. There have only been a few success stories in recent years: Darvish, Kuroda, and Nomo come to mind. The hype is always the same, but the success in the US isn't a gimme.

 

For me, the problem has always been approach. In the NPB, you have the 5 days of rest instead of 4, and the much higher pitch counts. It encourages the "away from contact" sort of approach Daisuke had. Now granted, Matsuzaka is an extreme example. But even Nomo was not pitch efficient, and tried to get hitters to chase stuff (hence the popularity of the splitter, a pitch which has really disappeared from view among the US). Darvish is the only example of a guy who has a true American approach - who works inside the strike zone and counts on his stuff for swing and miss. Yes, he throws a lot of pitches too and had walk issues last year - but you know what I mean.

[Thunder]

For me, the problem has always been approach. In the NPB, you have the 5 days of rest instead of 4, and the much higher pitch counts. It encourages the "away from contact" sort of approach Daisuke had. Now granted, Matsuzaka is an extreme example. But even Nomo was not pitch efficient, and tried to get hitters to chase stuff (hence the popularity of the splitter, a pitch which has really disappeared from view among the US). Darvish is the only example of a guy who has a true American approach - who works inside the strike zone and counts on his stuff for swing and miss. Yes, he throws a lot of pitches too and had walk issues last year - but you know what I mean.

 

Yes I do. I agree with you for the most part. I'm just concerned that Tanaka won't be successful in his first, maybe even second year. The tough transition is going to aggravate the pitching coach and manager of which ever team signs him, and they might end up giving up on him or giving him a lesser role, like a demotion to the pen. It's such a risk with Japanese pitchers. If you spend too much, it can come back and bite you in the ass.

[jacksonianmarch]

What I like about Tanaka (from reports) is the fact that he can pitch deep into games and has a developed arsenal of pitches. Daisuke had 10 pitches or so, but his slider was his best pitch and he couldn't locate his FB. Tanaka sounds like a guy who locates a solid above avg fastball (91-93) but locates all of his other pitches as well and pitches to contact. The guy's career BB/9 in the Japan league is 1.9, but over the last 3 yrs it has been 1.1, 1.0 and 1.4. I think he might be well suited for the states, but who the f*** knows until he's standing on a mound in America

[mvp 78]

@bradfo: Per source, Red Sox have activated Jon Lester's $13 million option for next season

[Thunder]

@bradfo: Per source, Red Sox have activated Jon Lester's $13 million option for next season

 

Glad to hear, but fully expected it after his performance in the playoffs.

[jung]

It would have happened playoffs or no. Sox had no choice but to exercise. Not to would have been incredibly foolish.

[BigPapi]

Starting Pitchers

1. Clay Buchholz RH

2. Jon Lester LH

3. Jake Peavy RH

4. Felix Doubront LH

5. John Lackey RH

 

Bullpen

CL. Koji Uehara RH

SU. Andrew Bailey RH

SU. Andrew Miller LH

MR. Junichi Tazawa RH

MR. Craig Breslow LH

LR. Franklin Morales LH

LR. Brandon Workman RH

 

Lineup

CF. Jacoby Ellsbury L

RF. Shane Victorino S

2B. Dustin Pedroia R

DH. David "Mr. Cooperstown" Ortiz L

1B. Mike Napoli R

SS. Xander Bogaerts R

LF. Daniel Nava S

C. Ryan Lavarnway R

3B. Will Middlebrooks R

 

 

Bench

C. David Ross R

1B. Mike Carp L

IF. Nick Punto S

OF. Jackie Bradley L

OF. Jonny Gomes R

 

 

You can say what you want about the great offensive production this year, but don't forget that pre allstar break 2012, the sox had very good offensive production as they were just second to texas at the break, yet still were just a 500 team by the break. The sox also had very good offensive numbers at the break this year for runs scored, but because of the drastically improved starting pitching and late inning games going their way, they were a team 19 games above 500 going into the break. Great starting pitching is the key to winning. As we saw in the alcs, great pitching can stun great hitting. Where would the sox have been without that dominant game 3 performance by lackey over verlander and lesters completely dominant post season? You can say whatever you want about the chemistry of the 2012 sox team, but when you basically have five ryan dempster 2013 quality pitchers pitching for your staff, I dont care if you score nearly 1000 runs in a season. Your not going to win anything. 5.19 starter era is not bringing you anywhere.mTimely hitting and mainly good pitching wins championships. As for that projected 2014 starting 9, I do like a lot of aspects of it. I would love to have ells back. But, I'm highly doubting that nava and victorino will match their 2013 campaigns. The same could be said with big papi with his old age but after that world series, he doesn't seem like he's slowing down. I also think nap could replicate his production, but I dont see him having a season much better than 2013.

[StealBasesWinGames]

Starting Pitchers

1. Clay Buchholz RH

2. Jon Lester LH

3. Jake Peavy RH

4. Felix Doubront LH

5. John Lackey RH

 

I'd like to get 1 more stud pitcher. I think Clay is as soft as they get. You know he's going to get hurt, who knows how long. Yeah, he can be dominant but seems like he's always hurt or has an injury nagging him. Lackey pitched his ass off in the post season. Peavy and Dubront are shaky. Only ones I really trust in is Lester and Lackey. Need another pitching stud.

[wyo-sox]

Nobody's talking about Workman. I would not be surprised if he finds himself in the starting rotation on a regular basis sometime through the season.

[marklmw]

Starting Pitchers

1. Clay Buchholz RH

2. Jon Lester LH

3. Jake Peavy RH

4. Felix Doubront LH

5. John Lackey RH

 

I'd like to get 1 more stud pitcher. I think Clay is as soft as they get. You know he's going to get hurt, who knows how long. Yeah, he can be dominant but seems like he's always hurt or has an injury nagging him. Lackey pitched his ass off in the post season. Peavy and Dubront are shaky. Only ones I really trust in is Lester and Lackey. Need another pitching stud.

 

If ownership does not mind ponying up the posting fee they really should make a bid for Tanaka. Although the odds of repeating are very low adding Tanaka would certainly improve the teams chances.

[BigPapi]

Nobody's talking about Workman. I would not be surprised if he finds himself in the starting rotation on a regular basis sometime through the season.

 

Indeed.

[Dojji]

Nobody's talking about Workman. I would not be surprised if he finds himself in the starting rotation on a regular basis sometime through the season.

 

Workman lives up to his name. Excellent young pitcher I'm very happy we have, I'm sure he'll thrive in any role he's given.

[jad]

Not sure why everyone's indifferent to keeping a .300 hitter who costs under a million; Gomes' reputation seems largely a product of his own self-promotion--he's still hitting .250. Bradley as savior is wishful thinking-- he did nothing when he came up; Els by contrast lit it up as soon as he got to Boston. Who is Coco Crisp? ... was Gary Geiger not available?

[jacksonianmarch]

You have a glut of starters and Workman was a big part of your pen. Be careful

[Wasatch]

Redsox exercised their option on Lester.

[mvp 78]

Salty is a good dude though.

 

^stopping at the finish line with Gomes and Napoli.

Edited November 2, 2013 by mvp 78

[User Name]

You have a glut of starters and Workman was a big part of your pen. Be careful

 

I have a hunch that both Workman and Doubront will be members of the bullpen next season, but both will make a significant number of starts as well.

[win red sox]

I would offer QO's to Napoli, Drew, Ellsbury, and Salty. Hopefully all of them decline and we grab the 4 picks.

 

In free agency I would target Hochever 3/12, and McCann 5/75.

 

I would look into trading for Billy Butler, maybe something like Peavy+Morales+Lavarnway.

 

I would also look into trading for Luke Gregerson, maybe someling like Dempster+Hassan.

 

Lineup vs rhp

 

cf Bradley

2b Pedroia

dh Ortiz

1b Butler

c McCann

ss Bogaerts

lf Nava

3b Middlebrooks

rf Victorino

 

Bench

of Gomes

1b Carp

c Ross

ut Holt

 

Rotation

1.Lester

2.Buchholz

3.Lackey

4.Doubront

5.Workman/Webster/Ranaudo/Barnes/RDLR

 

Bullpen

cl Koji

su Miller

su Tazawa

mr Hochever

mr Gregerson

mr Breslow

mr Workman/Villareal

[mvp 78]

I'd offer a QO to only Nap and Ells. I'd try to sign Salty for 2/20. 14M is too much for one year of Salty.

 

There were only like 6-8 QO's offered in all of MLB last year.

[User Name]

9, and only Ortiz remained with the team offering the QO.

[seabeachfred]

I'd offer a QO to only Nap and Ells. I'd try to sign Salty for 2/20. 14M is too much for one year of Salty.

 

There were only like 6-8 QO's offered in all of MLB last year.

 

Trying to bring the whole team back for an encore performance is kind of foolhardy in my opinion. Some changes have to be made and we all know that, but to go and empty a whole swatch of players who performed for us so well this season is a dangerous proposition as well. I think we need Napoli back and I hope he gets inked for a two or three year contract. He proved this season that he was healthy and he turned into a pretty good defensive first baseman as well. Yes, a QO for Ellsbury but he will refuse that out of hand. I think Drew is gone as well and for your take on Salty that 2/20 might be in the ballpark.

[User Name]

I think they really need to go in another direction at catcher, although i may be in the minority when it comes to that position.

[mvp 78]

I think they really need to go in another direction at catcher, although i may be in the minority when it comes to that position.

 

I'd want Salty short term and have room for Vasquez in 2015.

[InfernoOrangeSS]

I am hoping Drew returns. I like his steady defense at SS and I think he works really well with Pedroia.

[sk7326]

Not sure why everyone's indifferent to keeping a .300 hitter who costs under a million; Gomes' reputation seems largely a product of his own self-promotion--he's still hitting .250. Bradley as savior is wishful thinking-- he did nothing when he came up; Els by contrast lit it up as soon as he got to Boston. Who is Coco Crisp? ... was Gary Geiger not available?

 

Bradley had 61 at-bats above single-A when he crushed spring training ... his progress is fine. There is little reason to think Bradley won't be Ellsbury's equal (or close) in terms of getting on-base.

[Bellhorn04]

I am hoping Drew returns. I like his steady defense at SS and I think he works really well with Pedroia.

 

I think many of us would like to see Drew back, with Bogaerts at third. But the economics may rule it out.