What can Joe Kelly become?

[MANNYHOF24]

I really liked watching this guy last season. Has a good arm (hitting 97 a few times on the gun) and has pretty good movement on his fastball. He is only 26 years old and could be coming into his own. Is it crazy to believe that Kelly could have a break out year pitching 200 innings, wining 15 games and having an ERA between 3.50-3.75? How do you guys feel about Joe Kelly's future?

[mvp 78]

Ceiling of a 2. Floor of a swing man. He just needs to stay healthy.

[cp176]

I agree. I like Joe Kelly as much as anybody that that they have right now.

[a700hitter]

I really liked watching this guy last season. Has a good arm (hitting 97 a few times on the gun) and has pretty good movement on his fastball. He is only 26 years old and could be coming into his own. Is it crazy to believe that Kelly could have a break out year pitching 200 innings, wining 15 games and having an ERA between 3.50-3.75? How do you guys feel about Joe Kelly's future?

I could see him doing that. He also has the heart of a bulldog, but with Miley, Masterson, Porcello and Buchholz plus any other acquisition will there be room for him.

[BSN07]

That's if they get anyone else. I can see them standing pat unless something falls in their lap. Then see whos available before August. I like Kelly actually. I think he has #2 potential with possibility of a #1 if he has a big break through. If starting doesn't work out I can see him being a good flame throwing late inning reliever.

[a700hitter]

That's if they get anyone else. I can see them standing pat unless something falls in their lap. Then see whos available before August. I like Kelly actually. I think he has #2 potential with possibility of a #1 if he has a big break through. If starting doesn't work out I can see him being a good flame throwing late inning reliever.

 

I could see that also. It would be a roll of the dice. Miley, Masterson, Porcello and Kelly might put up an almost 800 combined innings and the season will be a success or they might get pumelled and we have another disastrous season. I could see either possibility. I don't see anyone "falling into our lap.". If they want a top pitcher, they will have to pay to get him-- even at mid-season.

[Dojji]

I could see him doing that. He also has the heart of a bulldog, but with Miley, Masterson, Porcello and Buchholz plus any other acquisition will there be room for him.

 

you mean with Miley, Masterson, Porcello and Kelly, will there be room for Buchholz. Because I can't honestly tell you what Clay has done in the last few years that proves he deserves a guaranteed rotation spot. He's either lights out for half a season or less and then literally gone, or utterly ineffective over a full season, and neither are good things. This doofus is on the Rich Harden trail, and will be out of the league within the next 3-4 years at this rate.

 

If Kelly can be any steadier than that (which would *not* be hard) I'd rather give him a rotation spot over Buchholz even if Buchholz still has higher potential.

 

The best thing for all concerned would be assigning Buchholz to the pen and seeing if that helps him remain on the 25 man roster for a full entire season while simultaneously putting up productive numbers for a full season. He doesn't have the capability to do both at once as a member of the rotation, he's made that clear with his pattern of results over the last 5-6 years.

Edited December 12, 2014 by Dojji

[Gringo]

trade bait

[iortiz]

I really liked watching this guy last season. Has a good arm (hitting 97 a few times on the gun) and has pretty good movement on his fastball. He is only 26 years old and could be coming into his own. Is it crazy to believe that Kelly could have a break out year pitching 200 innings, wining 15 games and having an ERA between 3.50-3.75? How do you guys feel about Joe Kelly's future?

I have more faith in Kelly and Ranaudo than the recently signed.

[Palodios]

I can't honestly tell you what Clay has done in the last few years that proves he deserves a guaranteed rotation spot. \

 

You mean besides putting up a 1.74 ERA just last year?

[a700hitter]

You mean besides putting up a 1.74 ERA just last year?

2014 is now last season. His 1.74 ERA was 2 seasons ago.

[cp176]

I have more faith in Kelly and Ranaudo than the recently signed.

 

Agree! if Renaudo had not had the surgery that he had, the Red Sox would never have had a shot at him. At the college level, he was as good as you could get. I also like Kelly.

[seabeachfred]

I really liked watching this guy last season. Has a good arm (hitting 97 a few times on the gun) and has pretty good movement on his fastball. He is only 26 years old and could be coming into his own. Is it crazy to believe that Kelly could have a break out year pitching 200 innings, wining 15 games and having an ERA between 3.50-3.75? How do you guys feel about Joe Kelly's future?

 

In the next to last game this season Joe Kelly pitched on helluva game against the Yankees. He's got the equipment you described MANNY but I think the ne xt two years will tell the story. He has a good fastball and decent breaking stuff. His control needs some work but I see him as a solid No. 3 and maybe improving to a number two man. We'll see.

[Behindenemylines]

I could see the Sox go into the season with the SPs they have and have a lot of economic freedom during the season when maybe a trade for a number one becomes more reasonable. Some of the starters who become FAs at the end of the season become a little more reasonable to get.

[iortiz]

I could see the Sox go into the season with the SPs they have and have a lot of economic freedom during the season when maybe a trade for a number one becomes more reasonable. Some of the starters who become FAs at the end of the season become a little more reasonable to get.

 

Thing in that scenario is that it could be too late if things were wrong. It is a must at least an extra 1st-tier arm. They say that they have money and could go over the LT, so... Why not sign a top FA like Scherzer or Shields without giving up any value. Then, in August if we need an extra arm trade as you are saying in a more reasonable scenario.

[BSN07]

This is what I'm thinking as well

[RedSoxNC84]

Kelly is a cost friendly option under long years of control. He has a high ceiling and a good arm, I think he should stick around for awhile, but it's possible he could be traded again. The only thing that really scares me about this guy is his low K/9 and his high FIP.

[Dojji]

2014 is now last season. His 1.74 ERA was 2 seasons ago.

 

... And over less than half a season. 108 innings of 1.74 ERA would be great out of the bullpen, but for a starter, that's a lot of starts picked up by lesser arms because the dude makes you choose between "healthy" and "effective."

 

Count on nothing from Buchholz. Nothing.

[pruneface]

He can become Kelly Joseph if he walks into the wrong operating room. Edited December 13, 2014 by pruneface

[a700hitter]

... And over less than half a season. 108 innings of 1.74 ERA would be great out of the bullpen, but for a starter, that's a lot of starts picked up by lesser arms because the dude makes you choose between "healthy" and "effective."

 

Count on nothing from Buchholz. Nothing.

Yep. Anything he gives us would be a bonus.

[jacksonianmarch]

Kelly is scary because he doesn't strike guys out and walk them far too frequently. You can have a near 4BB/9IP if you are mowing down hitters as well. But if you're a contact guy who walks a lot of batters, you're in trouble.

[Behindenemylines]

Kelly has the tools to be a very good starter, but has yet to fully show them. He could be in the Sox opening day starter rotation, or if the Sox do make a trade for a true number 1 he could be one of the pieces going back.

[GomesBeard]

Yep. Anything he {Bucholtz} gives us would be a bonus.

 

The problem is, I think they Sox have higher expectations than 'nothing'.... And by making that assumpption, allows them to think they have enough starting pitching...

[seabeachfred]

The problem is, I think they Sox have higher expectations than 'nothing'.... And by making that assumpption, allows them to think they have enough starting pitching...

 

But you and I know better, don't we GB? As Dojii said some time back---EXPECT NOTHING FROM BUCHHOLZ....NOTHING!!!!!! In other words we don't have enough starting pitching and I'm hoping no one on this board is drinking Cherington's Kool Aid believing we do. We need that No. 1 guy and could use a good No. 2 man as well.

[cp176]

It's turning in to a crude joke. I am beginning to think that people truly think that this current team will be competitive in the long haul. Why? Starting pitching is not there currently. End of story. Do people think that this team's hitting is going to carry them. I don't think so. Negative comment on my part but based on history it is called reality.

I will spare you any future abuse. I have suffered through some rather lean years but for most of them I had a little hope. In the gm of basketball, if you have the best player you always have a chance to win. At this time, for the right deal, I would trade any member of this current team. I do not believe that we have the beat player at any position. Do people think that this team looks good because everybody else just sucks?

[a700hitter]

It's turning in to a crude joke. I am beginning to think that people truly think that this current team will be competitive in the long haul. Why? Starting pitching is not there currently. End of story. Do people think that this team's hitting is going to carry them. I don't think so. Negative comment on my part but based on history it is called reality.

I will spare you any future abuse. I have suffered through some rather lean years but for most of them I had a little hope. In the gm of basketball, if you have the best player you always have a chance to win. At this time, for the right deal, I would trade any member of this current team. I do not believe that we have the beat player at any position. Do people think that this team looks good because everybody else just sucks?

The thought that the current configuration of our starting staff can yield consistent success is wishful thinking at best. Porcello can be a solid #3 with a ceiling of a #2 if our IF fielding is top shelf. With the rest, we have a pair of 4's and 5's. If Buch comes out of the gate 11-0 like in 2013,that would be a game-changer, but why would they let a whole season ride on such a crapshoot? Maybe Masterson is healed and regains his velocity. If he does, he is a solid #3, but again, what we get from him will be unpredictable. A top guy is needed. We have the money. He needs to get a number one. It is as simple as that. This offense is much improved, but it will not be a wrecking crew like the 2003-2007 teams. We will need to consistently bludgeon peple with this pitching. That is always hard to do, and we don't have that kind of deep lineup.

[cp176]

I agree with you! We aren't talking yaz, Evans, Fisk, lynn, rice and the rest of the boys here. I would pleasantly be surprised if this team becomes a bludgeoner. I realize I am on a bit of a rant tonight but I really feel like we are all expected to think that we are just loaded up and ready to go. Average, average, average! Give them all coaches awards and call it good. They participated - they get an award!

[User Name]

Sox need a number 1. No one is disputing that. Whatever is making anyone here think that others are arguing otherwise is creating that argument out of thin air. Now, people giving reasons as to why the fo may decide to go with the current rotation is an entirely different argument, and it's the one actually being presented.

[mvp 78]

Sox need a number 1. No one is disputing that. Whatever is making anyone here think that others are arguing otherwise is creating that argument out of thin air. Now, people giving reasons as to why the fo may decide to go with the current rotation is an entirely different argument, and it's the one actually being presented.

 

The closest reasoning I've seen has been "the AL East sucks, they could contend with this pitching staff in the regular season."

 

I'm not sure anyone is getting ready for the duckboats yet. This isn't that kind of team right now.

[cp176]

My take on this thread is that many of the current posters are somewhat satisfied with the current pitching staff composition. The discussion did drift a bit as to what type of lineup it would take to support their potential staff . That lineup does not exist at this time. With respect to Joe Kelly, I am fine with his potential but projecting him to be more than a solid 3 much like the rest of this staff isn't being fair to him.