Red Sox Bullpen

[Kimmi]

That's one of the possibilities I laid out CP but I think SK might have misinterpreted it. I have high hopes for Owens and, yes, we must not rush him as both you and SK say. That was mostly what I was saying. That third part I suggested was one I hoped to hell that would never be the case.

 

 

He has pitched all of 38 innings at the AAA level. Patience.

[cp176]

Realistically, Escobar, Barnes, Wright and Johnson are probably your candidates for "first man up" if the rotation needs to be plugged. Owens or Rodriguez might come - but they won't be part of a taxi squad. If they are recalled, it is probably with intention of them staying.

 

I think that you are right but my order would be Rodriguez and then Owens without a doubt. It's early - let's see how they come along.

[Spudboy]

Owens had a rough spring training, but he did manage a 2.40 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 10.1 K/9 in AA last year at age 21.

 

In comparison, Weiland had a 4.42 ERA at AA at age 24.

Doubront had a 3.35 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, 8.2 K/9 in AA at age 22.

Bowden had a 4.28 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, 7.6 k/9 in AA at age 20.

 

Owens is the only guy who has been a no-hitter threat every minor league start. It will take him time, but he'll get here.

 

Excellent data Pal. Especially the bold part.

[jacksonianmarch]

Realistically, any of the kids being part of the pen would only happen at the end of the year after they put their work in

[Ogden]

Owens has been terrible. Clearly he is not the pitcher the scouts and the industry think he is. After when you've lost the spring, you've lost the career.

 

 

Yeah, forget his minor league career and the potential the organization and scouts have seen in him since he was signed. It's all a mirage.

[Ogden]

People making judgements on players they have never seen or maybe saw play 2 innings or even a game or two in the spring is frightening. There is nothing else I can say.

[User Name]

people making judgements on players they have never seen or maybe saw play 2 innings or even a game or two in the spring is frightening. There is nothing else i can say.

 

qft.

[a700hitter]

The guy to watch is Brian Johnson. He was a college draftee so he's a bit more advanced at 24. He has 3 decent pitches and a fringe slider. Good 2014 stats, good spring training stats.

 

Certainly not an ace, but I wouldn't be surprised to see him be a more than respectable replacement for Kelly or Masterson in the backend of the rotation.

My brother saw Johnson pitch against the Marlins in Jupiter the other day. He thought that Johnson looked very good.

[SeanJohn93]

Im in the running for a baseball operations internship, I'll let everyone know how it goes. As far as the bullpen goes, I think you throw as many flies on the wall and see what sticks. I like Ogando though.

[sk7326]

I swear, anybody who starts getting wound up over spring stats after living through Grady Sizemore's March last year deserves to be slapped.

[User Name]

I swear, anybody who starts getting wound up over spring stats after living through Grady Sizemore's March last year deserves to be slapped.

 

Fred, take notice.

[Palodios]

Im in the running for a baseball operations internship, I'll let everyone know how it goes. As far as the bullpen goes, I think you throw as many flies on the wall and see what sticks. I like Ogando though.

 

I lost track of him this spring -- how's his fastball? He used to be throw in the upper 90s -- that's usually a very good thing.

[seabeachfred]

Fred, take notice.

 

I saw it User and the guy is right. Those stats don't really mean all that much. The problem is all I have to go on is the box scores after the games. Right now my MLB package doesn't start until the Season Opener and I haven't seen the team on TV yet so there really isn't much to go on. We have five starting pitchers and my take is that three of them must step up big this season, that Hanley and Pablo must hit for the money they're getting and our bullpen has got to be near shutdown mode. Then, again, you guys in the East are seeing a lot more than I am so there may be more to all this than just what I have said. And remember too, I have put my ass on the line in predicting an AL East Title for the Red Sox and it would be nice not to get egg on my face on that one.

[Ogden]

I saw it User and the guy is right. Those stats don't really mean all that much. The problem is all I have to go on is the box scores after the games. Right now my MLB package doesn't start until the Season Opener and I haven't seen the team on TV yet so there really isn't much to go on. We have five starting pitchers and my take is that three of them must step up big this season, that Hanley and Pablo must hit for the money they're getting and our bullpen has got to be near shutdown mode. Then, again, you guys in the East are seeing a lot more than I am so there may be more to all this than just what I have said. And remember too, I have put my ass on the line in predicting an AL East Title for the Red Sox and it would be nice not to get egg on my face on that one.

 

 

Actually Fred, your ass really isn't on the line. There are no consequences to anything anybody predicts unless they have money riding on the outcome. If anybody makes judgements of a person based on predictions the person makes, they need to find a better use of their memory like going on Jeopardy. As far as the bullpen goes, it looks like it's destined to be mediocre at best. but we shall see.

[Bellhorn04]

Actually Fred, your ass really isn't on the line. There are no consequences to anything anybody predicts unless they have money riding on the outcome.

 

Exactly. Fred, your ass is not on the line.

[Brown28]

Seems like Uehara won't be going on opening day. So I assume Mujica gets the save chances until he's ready.

[Ogden]

Farrell said it will depend on matchups with maybe even Tommy Layne throwing in certain situations, but Mujica is most likely.

[seabeachfred]

Farrell said it will depend on matchups with maybe even Tommy Layne throwing in certain situations, but Mujica is most likely.

 

This is starting to sound a little like a "closer by committee" mantra........and we must remember how that devastated us in 2003 when we lost about a dozen games early in the season because none of the suspects could claim the job after Epstein refused to ante up the money for resigning our 2002 closer....can' remember his name, a Dominican I believe.

[Kimmi]

This is starting to sound a little like a "closer by committee" mantra........and we must remember how that devastated us in 2003 when we lost about a dozen games early in the season because none of the suspects could claim the job after Epstein refused to ante up the money for resigning our 2002 closer....can' remember his name, a Dominican I believe.

 

 

Nah, Farrell stated that Mujica is his closer to start the season, just that other options "could be available". I don't see it as a closer by committee situation. Hopefully, Koji isn't out for that long anyway.

 

It also looks like Kelly will start the season on the DL so that the Sox can carry an extra BP arm to start the season.

[Dojji]

This is starting to sound a little like a "closer by committee" mantra........and we must remember how that devastated us in 2003 when we lost about a dozen games early in the season because none of the suspects could claim the job after Epstein refused to ante up the money for resigning our 2002 closer....can' remember his name, a Dominican I believe.

 

Urbino. Put up a 4-something ERA in Texas in the 2003 season. He wouldn't have closed the door much better than the usual suspects that year.

 

The pen was an absolute train wreck in 03 whether or not we closed by committee.

Edited March 29, 2015 by Dojji

[Bellhorn04]

Urbino. Put up a 4-something ERA in Texas in the 2003 season. He wouldn't have closed the door much better than the usual suspects that year.

 

The pen was an absolute train wreck in 03 whether or not we closed by committee.

 

Although, as we all recall , the pen was lights out in the postseason.

[Behindenemylines]

They still don't have the power arms that some bullpens have. I thought Barnes might be one, but he is starting season in AAA. I hope the Sox have enough in the pen, or this could be along season with a lot of high scoring games.

[Kimmi]

They still don't have the power arms that some bullpens have. I thought Barnes might be one, but he is starting season in AAA. I hope the Sox have enough in the pen, or this could be along season with a lot of high scoring games.

 

 

I am a little surprised that Barnes was sent to AAA. It sounded like the Sox wanted him in the pen. However, he will probably be added to the pen soon enough. The Sox wanted Wright in the pen in case Kelly is not ready to go as our 5th starter, and they wanted 3 lefties in the pen against the Phillies and Yankees line up.

[User Name]

Kelly's early injury probably means they stretch Barnes out as SP depth.

[Kimmi]

Kelly's early injury probably means they stretch Barnes out as SP depth.

 

 

That could be the case.

[cp176]

That could be the case.

 

Thank heaven for the fact that they aren't trying to screw up another potential starting pitcher by using him in any type of relief situation.

[Kimmi]

Thank heaven for the fact that they aren't trying to screw up another potential starting pitcher by using him in any type of relief situation.

 

 

I prefer that the Sox keep him stretched out as a starter too. However, Barnes will go wherever the team's biggest need ends up being. If the pen struggles, he will be used as a reliever.

 

The team received some good news on Koji today. They are hoping he'll be ready for the home opener, so that's a plus.

[Spudboy]

I prefer that the Sox keep him stretched out as a starter too. However, Barnes will go wherever the team's biggest need ends up being. If the pen struggles, he will be used as a reliever.

 

The team received some good news on Koji today. They are hoping he'll be ready for the home opener, so that's a plus.

 

Threw off the mound without pain. That is a start. Hopefully he can shake the problem for good and get back to near what he was.

[User Name]

Ruin? What? Most of the guys you see headlining starting rotations right now got their start by acclimating in the big leagues from the BP. It's a philosophy that has paid huge dividends to teams like Tampa and the Chicago White Sox.

[cp176]

I don't like the concept of young pitchers who have been starting pitchers in your minor league organization being bounced around if they have been successful. If the decision has been made that Matt Barnes is not apt to be successful as a starter then it may make sense to use him in the pen. I haven't read or seen anything saying that though. Starting pitching is quite often challenged in Boston. If he shows promise as a starting pitcher, I see know reason to use him in the bullpen.