2015 Red Sox In-Season Thread

[jad]

I don't believe Craig, as a veteran, can be sent down. It's keep him or waive him. (Not sure of Nava's status on that score, but I agree, he still has value--he came back last eyar after a stint at Pawtucket, and that may be the best option now. Obviously, being in the lineup every 3 days or so is not working.)

[a700hitter]

I don't believe Craig, as a veteran, can be sent down. It's keep him or waive him. (Not sure of Nava's status on that score, but I agree, he still has value--he came back last eyar after a stint at Pawtucket, and that may be the best option now. Obviously, being in the lineup every 3 days or so is not working.)

 

When Victorino comes back, Craig should get cut.

[Spudboy]

So it seems that Bradley is on his way up.

 

He was pulled from the lineup today.

 

Either that or he is on his way to another team.

 

I hope not.

[Northern Star]

When Victorino comes back, Craig should get cut.

 

They should just release Victorino. Castillo is the longterm answer (at least for now).

[Northern Star]

So it seems that Bradley is on his way up.

 

He was pulled from the lineup today.

 

Either that or he is on his way to another team.

 

I hope not.

 

We don't need another OFer. We need another pitcher.

[Whatsinaname]

Turn off the lights as you close the door…..this season is done.

[MJantomaso]

turn off the lights as you close the door…..this season is done.

 

rip 2015

[a700hitter]

So it seems that Bradley is on his way up.

 

He was pulled from the lineup today.

 

Either that or he is on his way to another team.

 

I hope not.

 

Interesting. I don't think they will call him up to send him back down when Victorino gets activated. Maybe Craig and Nava will be looking for employment.

[Kimmi]

And you are ignoring that his xfip is a full run below his career average. Isn't it likely that this will regress towards his norm of 4? I would assign some hope to his current xfip if it was his career norm, but it isn't. He will improve but he will probably end up with a 4.5 ERA which is just not good enough to be a top of the rotation pitcher.

 

No, I did not ignore that his xFIP is a run below his career average. I stated that even if Clay regresses to his career xFIP, that is still a full 2 runs below his ERA. Also, no one said that Clay would be a top of the rotation starter. If he only improves to 4.5 ERA (think QS, 3 runs in 6 innings), that is pitching well enough to keep the team in the game, provided the offense wakes up. No, a 4.5 ERA is not great, but once again, this team was built to win 7-6 games, not 2-1 games.

[Kimmi]

I don't believe Craig, as a veteran, can be sent down. It's keep him or waive him. (Not sure of Nava's status on that score, but I agree, he still has value--he came back last eyar after a stint at Pawtucket, and that may be the best option now. Obviously, being in the lineup every 3 days or so is not working.)

 

Craig and Kelly both have options and less than 5 years of service time. Either one of them can be sent down.

 

Farrell hinted after the game that changes were coming. It sounds like Craig might be going down with JBJ coming up. Perhaps some other changes are coming as well. This line up needs to shaken up.

[a700hitter]

No, I did not ignore that his xFIP is a run below his career average. I stated that even if Clay regresses to his career xFIP, that is still a full 2 runs below his ERA. Also, no one said that Clay would be a top of the rotation starter. If he only improves to 4.5 ERA (think QS, 3 runs in 6 innings), that is pitching well enough to keep the team in the game, provided the offense wakes up. No, a 4.5 ERA is not great, but once again, this team was built to win 7-6 games, not 2-1 games.

 

We can agree that he might get back to a 4.5 ERA. Where we differ is that I don't think a 4.5 ERA by our #1 or 2 starter will be good enough to keep the team in contention.

[Spitball]

Craig and Kelly both have options and less than 5 years of service time. Either one of them can be sent down.

 

Farrell hinted after the game that changes were coming. It sounds like Craig might be going down with JBJ coming up. Perhaps some other changes are coming as well. This line up needs to shaken up.

 

I believe Craig will be sent down.

[a700hitter]

I am surprised that Craig has options. Who goes down when Victorino comes up?

[a700hitter]

This had to be done. Hopefully, Bradley will form a good lefty/righty platoon with Victorino.

Red Sox To Option Allen Craig

By Charlie Wilmoth [May 9, 2015 at 6:42pm CDT]

 

6:42pm: The Red Sox will option Craig to the minors, Mastrodonato tweets.

 

5:11pm: A struggling Red Sox team appears set to shake up its roster, Jason Mastrodonato of the Boston Herald writes. Roster moves are “under discussion right now,” according to manager John Farrell. Michael Silverman, also of the Herald, tweets that one possible move could be a trade of outfielder Allen Craig. The team could also option Craig to the minors. Mastrodonato writes that Craig was in Farrell’s office with the door closed this afternoon.

 

Meanwhile, outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr., who has hit well for Triple-A Pawtucket, was scratched from the PawSox’ game Saturday. Mastrodonato notes that if Bradley were promoted, he could play center field against many righties, with Mookie Betts moving to right and Shane Victorino (who’s currently on a rehab assignment at Double-A Portland) playing right field against lefties.

 

It would likely be easier for the Red Sox to option Craig than to trade him. He’s off to a .146/.255/.208 start and also hit poorly last year, and he has about $25MM remaining on his contract. It would appear that the only way to trade him, then, would be to eat a significant amount of salary in the process. Hitting coach Chili Davis says he believes Craig needs to play every day to regain his hitting stroke, so perhaps a stint at Pawtucket could help rebuild his value.

[Northern Star]

JBJ might have been hitting AAA pitching, but he needs to get it done in the majors. Fortunately for him, Craig has set the bar very low.

[Jasonbay44]

JBJ might have been hitting AAA pitching, but he needs to get it done in the majors. Fortunately for him, Craig has set the bar very low.

Even if JBJ is as s***** as last year, its still an upgrade over Craig - this is sad, but true.

[SoxHop]

Wow, we are now in reactionary mode already. This doesn't bode well.

 

JBJ was rushed last year, maybe a few others. Swihart now too........ . . . .

 

Going with plan c already........ yikes....

[reYoukilis]

Reactionary mode indeed. Its the Sox MO. People'd like to put it on the head of Cherington but in reality its the salivating Red Sox fans and their demanding ways that are the culprit.

[cp176]

Wow, we are now in reactionary mode already. This doesn't bode well.

 

JBJ was rushed last year, maybe a few others. Swihart now too........ . . . .

 

Going with plan c already........ yikes....

 

What are their other options? If you don't bring them up and you don't make trades what do you suggest? Status quo?

[cp176]

Reactionary mode indeed. Its the Sox MO. People'd like to put it on the head of Cherington but in reality its the salivating Red Sox fans and their demanding ways that are the culprit.

 

 

Not sure the fans really have that kind of power.

[wyo-sox]

Reactionary mode indeed. Its the Sox MO. People'd like to put it on the head of Cherington but in reality its the salivating Red Sox fans and their demanding ways that are the culprit.

 

Maybe Farrell and Cherries can explain that when they get their pink slips.

[mvp 78]

Per the Herald, Craig was sent down for JBJ.

[Palodios]

I've liked most of Cherrington's moves, but that Lackey trade continues to look as awful as it did day 1. Joe Kelly has given up 5+ runs in all of his last four starts, and Craig's average is sitting at .135.

[Spudboy]

Interesting. I don't think they will call him up to send him back down when Victorino gets activated. Maybe Craig and Nava will be looking for employment.

 

Nava is out of options so he can't be hidden in Pawtucket.

 

But, it turn out that Craig has options!!!! I did not know this.

 

Maybe he will be sent to Pawtucket for a while to work on his batting or whatever.

 

Castillo continues to get back into game condition and has been hitting the ball from what I have read.

 

The outfield continues to be a mess.

[Spudboy]

I don't see platooning Mookie in Right Field.

 

That idea seems very dumb to me.

 

He need to take his licks now.

 

He'll be okay.

[VA Sox Fan]

I read that Ortiz and Pedroia had a players only meeting after yesterday's game. I like it.

[jad]

Farrell also assures us that hiring his friend Willis as pitching coach is "not about hiring friends," because, well, hiring friends is, I suppose, NEVER about hiring friends.

[a700hitter]

Not sure the fans really have that kind of power.

 

I am also pretty sure that there is no connecting these moves to salivating fans. The one problem this organization does not have is the fan base which continues to fill the ballpark to watch this inferior team. There is a lot wrong with this team that needs to be addressed if they don't want to fall out of contention early.

[a700hitter]

I don't see platooning Mookie in Right Field.

 

That idea seems very dumb to me.

 

He need to take his licks now.

 

He'll be okay.

What I have read indicates that the platoon will be between Bradley and Victorino.

[a700hitter]

I read that Ortiz and Pedroia had a players only meeting after yesterday's game. I like it.

I have always loved that these 2 guys are so competitive and hate losing and I admire them for caring enough to have this meeting. I don't think this team' s problem is a motivational problem. I think they are giving a full effort. They have some huge talent issues. The players only meeting is a blaring signal that this team is in trouble.