Wade Miley: Not bad actually

[Dojji]

182 innings pitched

11 wins to 10 losses

4.34 ERA

Peripherals exactly in line with career norms

 

This on a losing team.

 

Miley's been better than people let on sometimes. He's done exactly the same job he did in Arizona to this point, which is that average (99 ERA+ is basically average) inning burning bottom of the rotation guy. He's done that exactly as well as he did it last year for Arizona. If he didn't have the arms above him in the rotation to make his performance satisfactory by placing it lower in the depth chart that's really not his fault.

 

Miley did start out rough and I'm sure that colored some perceptions of the guy but there's no denying he's really turned it around especially in the second half. Just felt he deserved some recognition for that even if no one would call him the ideal pitcher.

[sk7326]

He is interesting trade filler because of his contract - but he is what he is ... a useful starter for a marathon.

[Dojji]

He's a good #4 or #5 starter on any team.

[Spudboy]

He's a good #4 or #5 starter on any team.

 

Yup.

 

I've been tooting his horn since July.

 

He has been fairly consistent since then.

 

And he is not expensive, either.

 

I say don't trade him.

[Bellhorn04]

In his last 9 starts Miley has a 3.75 ERA and 62.1 IP. Especially like the 62.1 IP - just about 7 innings per start.

[Kimmi]

I read today that Miley has a lower FIP than King Felix. LOL

[Kimmi]

A guy like Miley, who consistently gives the team around 200 innings and can keep the team in most games is very valuable at the back end of the rotation.

[a700hitter]

I read today that Miley has a lower FIP than King Felix. LOL

so much for FIP.

[a700hitter]

Yup.

 

I've been tooting his horn since July.

 

He has been fairly consistent since then.

 

And he is not expensive, either.

 

I say don't trade him.

He could get caught in a numbers squeeze. Porcello's contract is too big to move and ER will get a rotation spot. I think they will add 2 quality top of the rotation pitchers. That leaves one spot up for grabs by Miley, Buchholz and Kelly. Unfortunately for Miley, he is the most tradeable of the three.

[Spudboy]

But no one is making the Sox pick up Buch's option. He could still be gone.

[a700hitter]

But no one is making the Sox pick up Buch's option. He could still be gone.

there would be no tears from me.

[Behindenemylines]

He's a good #4 or #5 starter on any team.

 

He would be a good #5 who eats innings. Unless he is needed as a piece to get top of the rotation pitching you can't go wrong with him as your 5.

[Kimmi]

But no one is making the Sox pick up Buch's option. He could still be gone.

 

I've said it before and I'll say it again. If Buchholz is healthy this offseason, meaning he'll be ready to go by next spring, picking up his option is a no brainer.

[Bellhorn04]

I've said it before and I'll say it again. If Buchholz is healthy this offseason, meaning he'll be ready to go by next spring, picking up his option is a no brainer.

 

Yes, I think Buch has proven he is a no brainer.

[a700hitter]

Yes, I think Buch has proven he is a no brainer.

 

I agree that Buch has no brains, and probably no guts either.

[Kimmi]

Yes, I think Buch has proven he is a no brainer.

 

LOL Nice one Bell.

 

But please don't encourage a700.

[Northern Star]

I'd like to cut bait with Fucholz if a substantially better option is available.

[cp176]

I agree that Buch has no brains, and probably no guts either.

 

it would be a beautiful thing if Dombrowski sees it the same way. No more hopes and dreams for wannabes and woulda, coulda, shouldas. i could care less if the big 2 plus 1 ever play in a Red Sox uniform again. That would be Ramirez, Buccholtz, Sandoval in that order. Turn the gd page and welcome in a new era!

[Kimmi]

it would be a beautiful thing if Dombrowski sees it the same way. No more hopes and dreams for wannabes and woulda, coulda, shouldas. i could care less if the big 2 plus 1 ever play in a Red Sox uniform again. That would be Ramirez, Buccholtz, Sandoval in that order. Turn the gd page and welcome in a new era!

 

If Buchholz is healthy, picking up his option is a done deal. Last I heard was that if Buch comes out of his next BP session with no pain, then the option will be picked up.

[a700hitter]

If Buchholz is healthy, picking up his option is a done deal. Last I heard was that if Buch comes out of his next BP session with no pain, then the option will be picked up.

 

Then who do you think leaves? There is no room for 2 new top of the rotation guys and Porcello, Miley, ER, Kelly, and Buch.

[sk7326]

Then who do you think leaves? There is no room for 2 new top of the rotation guys and Porcello, Miley, ER, Kelly, and Buch.

 

Could easily see Miley and Kelly as trade filler one'd think. Also looking at the approach to the rotation generally will be worthwhile - honestly, based on the last couple of months, razing the bullpen might actually be more important than finding a premium starter. (they are not mutually exclusive goals)

[a700hitter]

Could easily see Miley and Kelly as trade filler one'd think. Also looking at the approach to the rotation generally will be worthwhile - honestly, based on the last couple of months, razing the bullpen might actually be more important than finding a premium starter. (they are not mutually exclusive goals)

I think it would be a huge mistake if they don't upgrade the rotation. Relying on their performance in the last 2 months of 2015 continuing into 2016 would be a mistake. Rebuilding the bullpen from the ground up is a necessity.

[Kimmi]

Then who do you think leaves? There is no room for 2 new top of the rotation guys and Porcello, Miley, ER, Kelly, and Buch.

 

Either Kelly or Miley are likely trade candidates. But there's also a good chance that Kelly goes to the BP. Again, I would put Rodriguez in AAA if we have too many starters. We would have two new pitchers, Buchholz, Porcello, and Miley in the rotation to start the season. Rodriguez and Owens as depth when needed.

 

Another poster pointed out that he would also sign Hill, and worry about having too many pitchers later. I tend to agree with that.

[cp176]

One could argue ( which would be me ) that since he has come up he has been our most exciting to watch as well as our best starting pitcher. Sending him back to AAA would be unbelievable. Depth of course is important but you don't send someone who really has proven that he can pitch back down. It won't happen, unless he gets hurt, so it is a moot point. We all ant to win. Best players need to play. One game - everything on the line - who do you pitch?

[a700hitter]

One could argue ( which would be me ) that since he has come up he has been our most exciting to watch as well as our best starting pitcher. Sending him back to AAA would be unbelievable. Depth of course is important but you don't send someone who really has proven that he can pitch back down. It won't happen, unless he gets hurt, so it is a moot point. We all ant to win. Best players need to play. One game - everything on the line - who do you pitch?

 

ER with 10 wins has a spot in the rotation next season unless he comes up lame. There would be nothing to be gained by sending him to AAA. As for Rich Hill, I would like to have him in AAA as a depth option, but at 35 years old and healthy for the first time in 8 year, I don't see him accepting a minor league assignment. He needs to seize the day.

[cp176]

ER with 10 wins has a spot in the rotation next season unless he comes up lame. There would be nothing to be gained by sending him to AAA. As for Rich Hill, I would like to have him in AAA as a depth option, but at 35 years old and healthy for the first time in 8 year, I don't see him accepting a minor league assignment. He needs to seize the day.

 

They are fun to watch again and it is no mystery that some of the fun comes from not having to worry about about how Ramirez and Sandoval can screw things up. I would also add that the notion of Buccholtz or Kelly being healthy hasn't entered most of our thoughts. They are clearly replaceable and although they might have some value, the good news is that while they are nursing wounds a pretty good core of healthy guys have taken advantage of their opportunities. Rich Hill has been a great story. He will get a chance next season maybe with us maybe not.

[sk7326]

Either Kelly or Miley are likely trade candidates. But there's also a good chance that Kelly goes to the BP. Again, I would put Rodriguez in AAA if we have too many starters. We would have two new pitchers, Buchholz, Porcello, and Miley in the rotation to start the season. Rodriguez and Owens as depth when needed.

 

Another poster pointed out that he would also sign Hill, and worry about having too many pitchers later. I tend to agree with that.

 

Rodriguez is one of this team's 5 best starters - regardless of what happens in the offseason. He is also this team's best shot at an ace if one is not acquired elsewhere. Owens I am a little more in agreement with you, although his problems this season have often been a result of the coaches getting a little greedy (industrywide, you see managers getting much more aggressive about having the eject button the 3rd or 4th time through the lineup). Hill probably has created a mini-bidding war. If nothing else, I'd consider him for a mid-bullpen role if he cannot crack the rotation - that strikeout rate is very impressive.

[Spudboy]

No way in hell that ER starts 2016 in Pawtucket. That is nuts.

 

Even Owens ( in a small sample ) has demonstrated that he is MLB worthy and at least as good as some of the other guys on the staff.

[Bellhorn04]

No way in hell that ER starts 2016 in Pawtucket. That is nuts.

 

Except that he may have an innings limit of 180 or something like that.

[SoxnCycles]

Except that he may have an innings limit of 180 or something like that.

 

He hit 170 this year, between AAA and Boston. 200+ shouldn't be an issue next year.

The issue may be who has options and who doesn't.