Red Sox Bullpen

[bostopz]

Which pitchers make the team?

 

 

Any of the below do you see having the ability to at some point this year be a very good bullpen pitcher if called upon early or later in the year?

 

Barnes, Rodriguez, Johnson, Owens, Escobar, Vavaro?

[Kimmi]

Which pitchers make the team?

 

 

Any of the below do you see having the ability to at some point this year be a very good bullpen pitcher if called upon early or later in the year?

 

Barnes, Rodriguez, Johnson, Owens, Escobar, Vavaro?

 

 

Vavaro, I think, is a virtual lock for a BP spot. I've read that he could end up being the steal of the offseason. I believe the Sox are already discussing the possibility of Barnes in the pen. I would guess that Escobar might see some time in the pen also, if needed. I would not expect to see the others in there.

[cp176]

Vavaro, I think, is a virtual lock for a BP spot. I've read that he could end up being the steal of the offseason. I believe the Sox are already discussing the possibility of Barnes in the pen. I would guess that Escobar might see some time in the pen also, if needed. I would not expect to see the others in there.

 

Bobby Layne and I hope that they don't move Barnes to the pen.

[Spudboy]

Bullpens are crap shoots. This is why I was not happy to see a guy like Badenhop let walk.

 

I guess they feel that they got better value or even have upgraded with some replacement arms.

 

I certainly do not know. It will be until July or August until I do know unless they suck pond water all year.

 

I believe that we can count on Tazawa at this point. I suspect ( and want! ) Breslow to bounce back. I think that he was just too pooped after 2013 but am not sure.

 

I like Layne from what I saw of him last year in Pawtucket. Ogando ( who I was not happy that they signed, low risk / high reward be damned ) is looking good. He may be a great signing if his arm does not fall apart.

 

I'm hoping to see more of the second half Mujica. Especially with the possibility that Koji will suck some more.

 

I am still very curious to see how the Sox rotation depth pans out and who the successful replacements will be.

[mvp 78]

Johnson, Owens and Rodriguez should not pitch in the bullpen.

[User Name]

They should if they are prepping for starting roles next year, but will not be used as rotation depth this year.

[a700hitter]

Which pitchers make the team?

 

 

Any of the below do you see having the ability to at some point this year be a very good bullpen pitcher if called upon early or later in the year?

 

Barnes, Rodriguez, Johnson, Owens, Escobar, Vavaro?

 

I think Rodriguez was sent down this week.

[sk7326]

Bullpens are crap shoots. This is why I was not happy to see a guy like Badenhop let walk.

 

I guess they feel that they got better value or even have upgraded with some replacement arms.

 

I certainly do not know. It will be until July or August until I do know unless they suck pond water all year.

 

I believe that we can count on Tazawa at this point. I suspect ( and want! ) Breslow to bounce back. I think that he was just too pooped after 2013 but am not sure.

 

I like Layne from what I saw of him last year in Pawtucket. Ogando ( who I was not happy that they signed, low risk / high reward be damned ) is looking good. He may be a great signing if his arm does not fall apart.

 

I'm hoping to see more of the second half Mujica. Especially with the possibility that Koji will suck some more.

 

I am still very curious to see how the Sox rotation depth pans out and who the successful replacements will be.

 

They are - and Badenhop was a crap shoot too. You plan to cycle through guys until the answer pops up. As far as the kids go, I think Barnes and Escobar could help in the pen, but much has to do with how the starters shake out health and form-wise. I suspect the bullpen will be fine as long as it is not overtaxed.

[Kimmi]

Bobby Layne and I hope that they don't move Barnes to the pen.

 

I don't know who Bobby Layne is, but I would have to agree with the two of you. As of now, I think he would serve the team better as starting pitching depth than he would as a reliever.

[Kimmi]

Johnson, Owens and Rodriguez should not pitch in the bullpen.

 

Agreed, twinsie.

[Bellhorn04]

I don't know who Bobby Layne is, but I would have to agree with the two of you. As of now, I think he would serve the team better as starting pitching depth than he would as a reliever.

 

Tommy, not Bobby, Layne, the lefty. He's looked pretty good since we got him last year.

[Kimmi]

Tommy, not Bobby, Layne, the lefty. He's looked pretty good since we got him last year.

 

Ah, well that makes sense.

 

Farrell has hinted that he wants 2 lefties in the pen for the lefty stacked Philly and Yankee line ups that we'll be facing in our first 2 series. I am pretty sure Breslow and Layne will both be on the Opening Day roster.

[cp176]

Tommy, not Bobby, Layne, the lefty. He's looked pretty good since we got him last year.

 

C'mon Bellhorn - just tell her the truth. CP176 is old mentally. I keep getting the the two first names mixed up. Tommy - I got it now. He has pitched well enough to make this team. I realize that it won't happen but I would take him over Breslow.

[cp176]

I don't know who Bobby Layne is, but I would have to agree with the two of you. As of now, I think he would serve the team better as starting pitching depth than he would as a reliever.

 

 

It is insulting that you wouldn't indulge me. Are you sure that you don't know who Bobby Layne is? Just joking about the insulting part.

[jacksonianmarch]

The sox are putting a whole lot on Uehara's plate this offseason. Last year, you had Miller back there with Tazawa and Uehara. And even though the offense and the starters kinda s*** the bed, the back end was solid until the trade deadline. Now, Uehara looks his age and is hurt and Tazawa, IMO, isn't a closer type. I could be wrong. If Uehara doesn't come back and own it again, the sox entire staff is going to be completely f***ed. I get that offense is limited now, but completely forgoing any pitching upgrades and dealing for/signing short term or salvage guys does not a good staff make. All 3 of their title teams had nasty rotations and lock down pens. This team has neither

[User Name]

The sox are putting a whole lot on Uehara's plate this offseason. Last year, you had Miller back there with Tazawa and Uehara. And even though the offense and the starters kinda s*** the bed, the back end was solid until the trade deadline. Now, Uehara looks his age and is hurt and Tazawa, IMO, isn't a closer type. I could be wrong. If Uehara doesn't come back and own it again, the sox entire staff is going to be completely f***ed. I get that offense is limited now, but completely forgoing any pitching upgrades and dealing for/signing short term or salvage guys does not a good staff make. All 3 of their title teams had nasty rotations and lock down pens. This team has neither

 

The 2013 team has a nasty rotation and a lock down pen? You spent all ofseason and season harping on their lack of rotation depth and the injury issues of the BP after Bailey/Hanrahan went down. You are full of s*** with this revisionist stuff. Also, they have way too many arms in the minors to not be able to fill out the BP if they so need. It's what several succesful teams (I am looking straight at Oakland and St. Louis) do without dipping into the FA market.

[a700hitter]

The sox are putting a whole lot on Uehara's plate this offseason. Last year, you had Miller back there with Tazawa and Uehara. And even though the offense and the starters kinda s*** the bed, the back end was solid until the trade deadline. Now, Uehara looks his age and is hurt and Tazawa, IMO, isn't a closer type. I could be wrong. If Uehara doesn't come back and own it again, the sox entire staff is going to be completely f***ed. I get that offense is limited now, but completely forgoing any pitching upgrades and dealing for/signing short term or salvage guys does not a good staff make. All 3 of their title teams had nasty rotations and lock down pens. This team has neither

 

I guess Mujica is the backup plan.

[Kimmi]

It is insulting that you wouldn't indulge me. Are you sure that you don't know who Bobby Layne is? Just joking about the insulting part.

 

 

LOL I Googled him. Even if I were old enough to know who he was, he plays the wrong sport, so I probably wouldn't know who he was anyway.

 

If it makes you feel any better, I mix names up all the time.

[Kimmi]

The sox are putting a whole lot on Uehara's plate this offseason. Last year, you had Miller back there with Tazawa and Uehara. And even though the offense and the starters kinda s*** the bed, the back end was solid until the trade deadline. Now, Uehara looks his age and is hurt and Tazawa, IMO, isn't a closer type. I could be wrong. If Uehara doesn't come back and own it again, the sox entire staff is going to be completely f***ed. I get that offense is limited now, but completely forgoing any pitching upgrades and dealing for/signing short term or salvage guys does not a good staff make. All 3 of their title teams had nasty rotations and lock down pens. This team has neither

 

 

Why are you always ragging on our beloved Red Sox? Tearing our team apart is not going to make your team any better.

 

I have my concerns about Koji, but if he can't close, I'm sure that the Sox will find someone else, either internally or externally, who can. As has been stated many times, BPs are a crapshoot. Just as easily as someone who was lights out last year might be meh this year, someone who was meh last year might be lights out this year. To me, it seems that most of the best closers aren't the high-priced free agents, but rather the no name guys who seem to come out of nowhere.

[Dojji]

He should just focus on looking forward to the return of Alex Rodriguez to the everyday Yankee roster.

[Ogden]

Ah, well that makes sense.

 

Farrell has hinted that he wants 2 lefties in the pen for the lefty stacked Philly and Yankee line ups that we'll be facing in our first 2 series. I am pretty sure Breslow and Layne will both be on the Opening Day roster.

 

 

 

I see what you did there.

[cp176]

LOL I Googled him. Even if I were old enough to know who he was, he plays the wrong sport, so I probably wouldn't know who he was anyway.

 

If it makes you feel any better, I mix names up all the time.

 

 

Good for you for looking him up. I like that. Wrong game for sure. Still - good for you! I am hoping that I remember my grandchildren's names. Added some new ones this year. Guaranteed Red Sox fans!!!

[sk7326]

The sox are putting a whole lot on Uehara's plate this offseason. Last year, you had Miller back there with Tazawa and Uehara. And even though the offense and the starters kinda s*** the bed, the back end was solid until the trade deadline. Now, Uehara looks his age and is hurt and Tazawa, IMO, isn't a closer type. I could be wrong. If Uehara doesn't come back and own it again, the sox entire staff is going to be completely f***ed. I get that offense is limited now, but completely forgoing any pitching upgrades and dealing for/signing short term or salvage guys does not a good staff make. All 3 of their title teams had nasty rotations and lock down pens. This team has neither

 

It will or won't iron itself out. The closer is the right guy because he closes.

 

The Giants last year won with their 2nd choice for closer

The Red Sox won in 2013 with their 3rd contestant

The Cardinals got to the WS in 2013 with their 2nd contestant

The Dodgers got to the 2013 NLCS with their 2nd choice

The Tigers got to the 2013 LCS with their 82nd choice

 

When Uehara melted down and they ran out Mujica, he was ok. Now having a special guy like Uehara or Rivera is amazing to have - but the gig often figures itself out.

[bostopz]

Why are you always ragging on our beloved Red Sox? Tearing our team apart is not going to make your team any better.

 

I have my concerns about Koji, but if he can't close, I'm sure that the Sox will find someone else, either internally or externally, who can. As has been stated many times, BPs are a crapshoot. Just as easily as someone who was lights out last year might be meh this year, someone who was meh last year might be lights out this year. To me, it seems that most of the best closers aren't the high-priced free agents, but rather the no name guys who seem to come out of nowhere.

 

Is that guy "Jackson" really a Yankee fan?

 

Often when I read his stuff - I think he's wrong.

[Palodios]

In 2013, the bullpen contained Koji, Taz, Breslow, Workman. They still have those guys, and added Mujica, Varvaro, Ogando. Miller was hurt. No other significant pitchers were involved.

 

I just don't understand how anyone can be so far down on a bullpen that hasn't changed much since winning a ring.

[Kimmi]

Good for you for looking him up. I like that. Wrong game for sure. Still - good for you! I am hoping that I remember my grandchildren's names. Added some new ones this year. Guaranteed Red Sox fans!!!

 

 

Congrats on the new grandchildren! You make sure that they are Red Sox fans. I have a neighbor who is trying to convert my son into a Cowboys fan. Can you believe that???

[Kimmi]

Is that guy "Jackson" really a Yankee fan?

 

Often when I read his stuff - I think he's wrong.

 

 

Yes, as far as I know, Jacko is a Yankees fan.

 

And that would explain why he is often wrong. ;-)

[sk7326]

In 2013, the bullpen contained Koji, Taz, Breslow, Workman. They still have those guys, and added Mujica, Varvaro, Ogando. Miller was hurt. No other significant pitchers were involved.

 

I just don't understand how anyone can be so far down on a bullpen that hasn't changed much since winning a ring.

 

The most important factor for the success/failure of the bullpen will be the starter's ability to get into the 7th with some regularity. If the bullpen has to be pitching the 5th and 6th a lot, it's going to be terrible. And I'm not even digging at the Red Sox specifically here. Almost every team has a relatively lousy "early innings" bullpen.

[Divinity]

In 2013, the bullpen contained Koji, Taz, Breslow, Workman. They still have those guys, and added Mujica, Varvaro, Ogando. Miller was hurt. No other significant pitchers were involved.

 

I just don't understand how anyone can be so far down on a bullpen that hasn't changed much since winning a ring.

 

Your closer isn't the same as he was in 2013, he's turning 40 next weekend. If last season was any indication, it seems Koji can't endure the workload a full season anymore without fatigue setting in. He posted a 1.65 ERA and .174 BAA in 43⅔ innings prior to the All-Star break, and he finished with a 4.35 ERA and .282 BAA in the second half.

[jacksonianmarch]

Pal, Uehara had a season for the ages. He had one of the best seasons in the history of baseball for a closer. Since then, he has been injured, has gotten older and has lost his splitter. Expecting a 2013 return for him is unlikely. Breslow also pitched out of his damn mind in 2013 with a 1.81ERA over 59.1IP. He has dealt with some shoulder issues and isn't the same player. Miller gave you 30IP, but his K/9IP and ERA were dazzling. He was a bigger cog last year for sure. Losing him doesn't help. Tazawa has been the same guy for the most part. Your 2013 team had 202IP out of Koji, Taz, and Breslow with an aggregate ERA near 2. If that happens again, you can have my sig for a month. Also, you added to your depth last yr with Badenhop and Mujica. Badenhop was actually really good for you guys and he is gone. Mujica is hit or miss. In terms of 2013 to now, Breslow and Uehara aren't the same guys and you effectively dealt Miller for Mujica. Also, sk's inference is absolutely spot on. You got a lot of innings out of Lester, Lackey, Dempster, Doubront and the combo of Buch and Peavy. You're staring at a bigger workload for a reduced pen. Usually that isn't a good recipe for success