Is it time to trade Bucholz, I think yes

[Spudboy]

De La Rosa was a very pleasant surprise for me.

 

I was prepared to see him get throttled last night.

 

However, he looked very composed and in control of the hitters most of the night.

 

Maybe the Sox have a gem here even though it is a very small sample size.

[gojohn99]

De La Rosa looked great. And Holt has been on fire!

[win red sox]

Webster has shown some good stuff at times - but he is also a purported sinkerballer who gave up 7 home runs in 30 innings! (SSS caveat here). He has not shown much pitching IQ in his stops here. He has a lot more "elite reliever" feel to me than a guy who can turn lineups over.

 

De La Rosa clearly showed the potential last night.

 

Webster lost confidence in his sinker last year and was leaning on his 4 seamer way too much. I find him as the most polarizing pitcher on the Pawtucket squad and when it comes to pure "stuff" no one in the org compares, but will he ever harness it? who knows.

[d-money]

Can we trade JBJ? For a bag of marbles lol

[jacksonianmarch]

The biggest barometer for a minor league player is how they handle the upper levels. Bradley ripped s*** up in the SAL, but on promotion to AA, he took a step back. He hit .273 in AA and AAA through 141 games. His major production was based on OBP and a little power. Well, OBP is nice and all, except for when guys target you in the lineup and come right after you. He's 24 also, so it isn't like he is a kid, granted, he's only been a pro now for 4 yrs. My guess is that he wont be the hitter you saw in the minors, at least not here. Could he blossom if moved to KC or PIT, absolutely. But in Boston, where every game is under a microscope and where he is gonna be under the pressure, I don't think so. He seems like a kid who needs some time and wont get that here

[Rdsxmbnt]

The biggest barometer for a minor league player is how they handle the upper levels. Bradley ripped s*** up in the SAL, but on promotion to AA, he took a step back. He hit .273 in AA and AAA through 141 games. His major production was based on OBP and a little power. Well, OBP is nice and all, except for when guys target you in the lineup and come right after you. He's 24 also, so it isn't like he is a kid, granted, he's only been a pro now for 4 yrs. My guess is that he wont be the hitter you saw in the minors, at least not here. Could he blossom if moved to KC or PIT, absolutely. But in Boston, where every game is under a microscope and where he is gonna be under the pressure, I don't think so. He seems like a kid who needs some time and wont get that here

 

Nice try but no. He had a .275/.374/.469 line in over 300 AB in AAA last year while flashing impressive gap power and HR power for a CF. He's always been a great hitter in the minors, the AA is no more representative of his abilities than his A+ and AAA work.

[seabeachfred]

Nice try but no. He had a .275/.374/.469 line in over 300 AB in AAA last year while flashing impressive gap power and HR power for a CF. He's always been a great hitter in the minors, the AA is no more representative of his abilities than his A+ and AAA work.

 

He is hitting exactly 200 after two-plus months this season, and he hasn't hit one home run. He hasn't stolen more than two or three bases, and he has struck out about 40% of the time. If you can't hit better than 270 or so in AA or AAA, especially when you can't bunt for hits and have only average speed and lit tle power you are more a liability than an asset to your team. Jackie needs to go just where Jacko said....to the NL and a less pressurized place. He is not going to bit in Boston and anyone who still believes he will is only kidding themselves.

[Rdsxmbnt]

Well I can only hope the front office doesn't feel the same way about jettisoning a top prospect after 170 AB

[a700hitter]

He is hitting exactly 200 after two-plus months this season, and he hasn't hit one home run. He hasn't stolen more than two or three bases, and he has struck out about 40% of the time. If you can't hit better than 270 or so in AA or AAA, especially when you can't bunt for hits and have only average speed and lit tle power you are more a liability than an asset to your team. Jackie needs to go just where Jacko said....to the NL and a less pressurized place. He is not going to bit in Boston and anyone who still believes he will is only kidding themselves.

People have tried to compare Bradley's slow start to Pedroia's slow start in 2007. There is no comparison. Pedroia's slow start lasted a few days into May, and then he caught fire after about 70 or 80 ABs. Combined with his struggles at the end of 2006, it took Pedroia about 150 ABs to get on track. Bradley has had 275 ABs combined between 2013 and 2014 and he is still hitting on the Interstate.

[redsoxfan3]

People have tried to compare Bradley's slow start to Pedroia's slow start in 2007. There is no comparison. Pedroia's slow start lasted a few days into May, and then he caught fire after about 70 or 80 ABs. Combined with his struggles at the end of 2006, it took Pedroia about 150 ABs to get on track. Bradley has had 275 ABs combined between 2013 and 2014 and he is still hitting on the Interstate.

 

We really need to make an adjustment in the OF. Once Victorino gets back, we either need to trade for a RF or trade for a CF. Victorino would obviously take over whichever we do not acquire via trade. I would preferably want a player who can platoon with Sizemore in RF. Depending on how Holt keeps hitting and can handle LF, I think a platoon of Holt and Gomes could be pretty good in LF. We need to move Victorino to CF. Bradley needs to go back to Pawtucket to get back on track. I think Carp could be a real option to trade. I would say Nava, but we would only be able to get a bucket of used balls in return. If Holt can continue to hit pretty consistently, Herrera and Carp are both almost irrelevant to have on the team. Holt can play 1B, utility IF/OF. We don't need Carp or Herrera. We need to trade Carp, Herrera, and a prospect for a decent RF or CF. It is easier said than done and I don't know who would want Herrera, but you would have to think that Carp could be a pretty valuable player to a team that is not in the AL East.

[a700hitter]

We really need to make an adjustment in the OF. Once Victorino gets back, we either need to trade for a RF or trade for a CF. Victorino would obviously take over whichever we do not acquire via trade. I would preferably want a player who can platoon with Sizemore in RF. Depending on how Holt keeps hitting and can handle LF, I think a platoon of Holt and Gomes could be pretty good in LF. We need to move Victorino to CF. Bradley needs to go back to Pawtucket to get back on track. I think Carp could be a real option to trade. I would say Nava, but we would only be able to get a bucket of used balls in return. If Holt can continue to hit pretty consistently, Herrera and Carp are both almost irrelevant to have on the team. Holt can play 1B, utility IF/OF. We don't need Carp or Herrera. We need to trade Carp, Herrera, and a prospect for a decent RF or CF. It is easier said than done and I don't know who would want Herrera, but you would have to think that Carp could be a pretty valuable player to a team that is not in the AL East.

It will be interesting to see how Holt handles LF.

[Behindenemylines]

Buchholz is at a low point value-wise. Trading him makes sense, but he has to actually get well first. That said, his history points to him figuring this out ... he has generally never been "in between" performancewise.

 

I agree Buchholtz has no value now. He has to come back and look like he can get a major league hitter out before you can get anything of value. I have a bad feeling though, this looks like another BARD happening right before our eyes. Much like Bard was one of the top set up guys in baseball before the wheels feel off, Buchholtz the beginning part of 2013 was one of the top SP in baseball. Is there anyone else that is feeling that?

[a700hitter]

He gave up 2 home runs in his first AAA rehab start. His 2014 has killed this team. He was supposed to head up a strong rotation.

[Station 13]

he said he only wants to pitch in the majors for his next outing. STFU Clay. This guy has never been accountable for his failures.

[a700hitter]

he said he only wants to pitch in the majors for his next outing. STFU Clay. This guy has never been accountable for his failures.

So, the Sox should put him out there to give away a game or maybe two before he gets on track?

[Station 13]

So, the Sox should put him out there to give away a game or maybe two before he gets on track?

 

They tell him shut his trap and do his rehab in AA, since AAA was smoking him. Clay has never admit he sucks in games he bombed, it's always they hit good pitches. I'm just about done with this headache.

[Beecke]

I don´t know about Buchholz, he certainly is a big reason for this seasons struggles, just imagine him putting up his projected numbers and bumping Lackey and Peavy down one spot in the rotation, things would look pretty good then and things would fit quite well. Finding a #5 starter is not a difficult task right now and the rotation would be set nicely.

 

Anyway, doesn´t look like Buchholz will come around anytime soon, so what´s there to do? His trade value will be too low to be useful, so you pretty much either decide to just give up on him anyway or give him a shot to build some value back up. Frustrating stuff, but having watched him for so many years now with the Red Sox I am at the point, where I don´t care that much anymore, just find someone to replace him, please.

[Spudboy]

So, the Sox should put him out there to give away a game or maybe two before he gets on track?

 

NO!!! Tell him to suck it up ( the other way!!! ) and play in the minors somewhere, anywhere, until he can pitch effectively then try him back in the majors.

 

What a spoiled brat.

[Spudboy]

I don´t know about Buchholz, he certainly is a big reason for this seasons struggles, just imagine him putting up his projected numbers and bumping Lackey and Peavy down one spot in the rotation, things would look pretty good then and things would fit quite well. Finding a #5 starter is not a difficult task right now and the rotation would be set nicely.

 

Anyway, doesn´t look like Buchholz will come around anytime soon, so what´s there to do? His trade value will be too low to be useful, so you pretty much either decide to just give up on him anyway or give him a shot to build some value back up. Frustrating stuff, but having watched him for so many years now with the Red Sox I am at the point, where I don´t care that much anymore, just find someone to replace him, please.

 

Amen.

[seabeachfred]

he said he only wants to pitch in the majors for his next outing. STFU Clay. This guy has never been accountable for his failures.

 

What you say about Clay is very true, no argument there. What you fail to say though is that most of the players on this year's team have also not be accountable for their miserable failures. They keep flying left and right with the excuses and now we see rookies Bogaerts, one of the worst hitters in baseball this year with RISP, and Bradley, still mired at around 205, telling all who will listen that success for them is just around the corner.....as soon as the weather heats up or when they learn the pitchers. This started in ST and now the chickens have come home to roost. Yesterday and today were two of the worst choke jobs by this miserable 2014 version of this team.

[Station 13]

Farrell shot Clay down very quickly this afternoon. Clay jumped the gun declaring himself ready to return, Farrell have other plans. Clay need to show some consistency before he earn his way back.

 

Workman is doing just fine as a starter, and may won the rights to keep his starting job.

[seabeachfred]

Farrell shot Clay down very quickly this afternoon. Clay jumped the gun declaring himself ready to return, Farrell have other plans. Clay need to show some consistency before he earn his way back.

 

Workman is doing just fine as a starter, and may won the rights to keep his starting job.

 

If Farrell did that then kudos to him. About time he laid it on the line to the big baby. Of course, how can you be ready Station to return to the Red Sox when you get torched for two home runs in a rehab assignment. Let little Clay stay down there until he shows he can get batters out.

[Beecke]

What you say about Clay is very true, no argument there. What you fail to say though is that most of the players on this year's team have also not be accountable for their miserable failures. They keep flying left and right with the excuses and now we see rookies Bogaerts, one of the worst hitters in baseball this year with RISP, and Bradley, still mired at around 205, telling all who will listen that success for them is just around the corner.....as soon as the weather heats up or when they learn the pitchers. This started in ST and now the chickens have come home to roost. Yesterday and today were two of the worst choke jobs by this miserable 2014 version of this team.

 

You have said that a number of times on this board and I really, really struggle to get on board with this kind of thinking. I have yet to read any statistical analysis that shows batting with RISP to be a special tool, that certain players have and others don´t. As far as I understand it, it´s not that big of a deal, deviating only slightly from your typical BA and potentially changing wildly from season to season with the same player. So making hitting with RISP out to be a skill, that will have to be learned or whatever is not making a lot of sense to me.

 

So you either slight Bogaerts for his batting, his approach or whatever you want to critizice, but going about his hitting "in the clutch" is arbitrary IMO and proves nothing.

[reYoukilis]

Im not sure what it is but I certainly believe some players are clutch while others arent, and its not luck. Not everything is physical skill. Alot of it is mental, be it a better understanding of the situation or a level of relaxation or confidence.

[Beecke]

Im not sure what it is but I certainly believe some players are clutch while others arent, and its not luck. Not everything is physical skill. Alot of it is mental, be it a better understanding of the situation or a level of relaxation or confidence.

 

The thing is that I want to believe this as well and I find it hard to believe that being "clutch" doesn´t exist, especially since it is a narrative often used throughout sports to describe all-time greats. But I am not aware of any statistical analysis coming out with data backing this up in any sport, it merely seems like the real good players stand out because they stay real good, not because they elevate their play in specific situations. I will happily be wrong, if someone can point me in the direction of studies that suggest otherwise, because sometimes I really like the the whole "clutch" narrative.

[Jacoby_Ellsbury]

You have said that a number of times on this board and I really, really struggle to get on board with this kind of thinking. I have yet to read any statistical analysis that shows batting with RISP to be a special tool, that certain players have and others don´t. As far as I understand it, it´s not that big of a deal, deviating only slightly from your typical BA and potentially changing wildly from season to season with the same player. So making hitting with RISP out to be a skill, that will have to be learned or whatever is not making a lot of sense to me.

 

So you either slight Bogaerts for his batting, his approach or whatever you want to critizice, but going about his hitting "in the clutch" is arbitrary IMO and proves nothing.

Yay, someone gets it!

[reYoukilis]

Well if there is such a thing as clutch it WOULD be hard to prove statistically but then again its just as hard to disprove it too. I just believe Ortiz is more clutch than A-Rod. I also believe that Jeter is more clutch than his talent would indicate.

[Jacoby_Ellsbury]

Clutch is for people who hate logic.

[a700hitter]

Im not sure what it is but I certainly believe some players are clutch while others arent, and its not luck. Not everything is physical skill. Alot of it is mental, be it a better understanding of the situation or a level of relaxation or confidence.

As Yogi said, ninety percent of the game is half mental. Some players thrive in the spotlight and others wilt. It's as simple as that, and statistics are not that helpful in figuring out which category a player falls in. The players can see it in another player's eyes or bearing.

[seabeachfred]

As Yogi said, ninety percent of the game is half mental. Some players thrive in the spotlight and others wilt. It's as simple as that, and statistics are not that helpful in figuring out which category a player falls in. The players can see it in another player's eyes or bearing.

 

Believe it---some players thrive in tough situations, others seem to slink away and fail repeatedly. Sometimes good players just have bad years in that regard when in other seasons they do well under the same circumstances. You said it all, though. Some players thrive in the spotlight----hate to say it but Reggie Jackson stands out in that regard. Some simply do not like the spotlight and their play shows it. You can develop, get experience and grow out of it but if you look at baseball history the last five or six decades you see some players made a career of being tough when things were criticial and others who simply melted from the tension.