Miley dealt to the M's

[Spudboy]

The difference in managing the pen this year versus how Farrell had to manage the pen last year is that he should be able to manage this year by choice rather than by necessity.

 

This is true only to the extent that the rotation pulls it's share of the load. If two or more of that group comes up short in innings the pen will face being over-taxed again. Even with the recent fortifications.

[Kimmi]

This is true only to the extent that the rotation pulls it's share of the load. If two or more of that group comes up short in innings the pen will face being over-taxed again. Even with the recent fortifications.

 

That is true. Price is a horse. I am encouraged by what I saw from Porcello and Kelly at the end of last season. Rodriguez should only get better. I think that Farrell will be able to manage the pen better this year.

[GomesBeard]

The only issue with Wright is that he's out of options so he can't be stashed.

 

Hopefully Vasquez can catch him a little better than Swihart.....

[Dojji]

I think Wright could be a big part of what this rotation does in 2016. He's the natural first choice to replace any injuries at this point, and can handle long man duties out of the pen until he's needed. He's shown he can go deep into the game and a deep innings starter with an ERA of around 4 is a solid guy to have if he can repeat his performance over a larger sample size.

 

I'm not saying he's going to be an ace or anything but Stephen Wright is a pretty good pick to be one of the pleasant surprises for this team next year.

[cp176]

i'm taking a shot with Brian Johnson this year. Before going down last year, he appeared poised to step into a starter's role. Nothing he has says top of the rotation but he does have a nasty curve and it looks like he knows how to pitch. He may very well become a very solid performer when he gets his chance which I think he will. If he gets packaged up in a trade, i take it all back!

[Behindenemylines]

Someone needs to step up in regards to getting close to 200 innings. By trading Miley they lost some in stone innings out of their starters.

[a700hitter]

Someone needs to step up in regards to getting close to 200 innings. By trading Miley they lost some in stone innings out of their starters.

Price should get 200 innings. I would expect that Porcello should eat around 200 innings unless he implodes again like he did in 2015. ER should be good for 160-170 innings. Kelly and Buch are a Forrest Gump box of Chocolates-- you never know what you are going to get. I really hope that DD is working to get another top starter, because the potential lack of innings from our starters could burn out the bullpen.

[cp176]

Price should get 200 innings. I would expect that Porcello should eat around 200 innings unless he implodes again like he did in 2015. ER should be good for 160-170 innings. Kelly and Buch are a Forrest Gump box of Chocolates-- you never know what you are going to get. I really hope that DD is working to get another top starter, because the potential lack of innings from our starters could burn out the bullpen.

 

DD I think is a realist. If he can make something happen, I think he will. He might not be able to but I think that he sees the issues that we have. He has been painted into a bit of a corner by the signings that came before he was hired. I'm sure that he sees it and would like to change a few things if he could. The farm is not the issue but last year's signings certainly present challenge. Given time, eliminate the wheat from the chaff and we will be in the driver's seat for a while. By chaff, I specifically mean Ramirez followed closely by Sandoval. They won't see their contracts reach an end in Boston.

[jacksonianmarch]

The only guy in your rotation you can count on is Price, but you can count on big innings and big performance, which is huge. Porcello was not reliable last yr, so relying on him in any way is dicey. ERod has the most upside of anyone not named Price, but young pitchers are highly unpredictable in both performance and durability. Akin to Severino with us, it's nice to pencil in the name, but it could be a bumpy ride for 2016. Clay and Kelly are basically dice rolls and Owens and Johnson don't seem to project as future dominant starters either. You need one more reliable, mid rotation to #2 to top off the off season. Elias is not that guy

[Kimmi]

The only guy in your rotation you can count on is Price, but you can count on big innings and big performance, which is huge. Porcello was not reliable last yr, so relying on him in any way is dicey. ERod has the most upside of anyone not named Price, but young pitchers are highly unpredictable in both performance and durability. Akin to Severino with us, it's nice to pencil in the name, but it could be a bumpy ride for 2016. Clay and Kelly are basically dice rolls and Owens and Johnson don't seem to project as future dominant starters either. You need one more reliable, mid rotation to #2 to top off the off season. Elias is not that guy

 

I agree that there are some things that can go either way with the rotation. I also agree that adding a #2/3 starter would be ideal. That said, unless the cost of acquring a good starter comes down, I think Dombrowski will wait until midseason, then reevaluate the need for a starter at that time.

 

I think the difference between this year and last is that Dombrowski will have the #2-5 guys on short leashes. If one of them starts to falter, he will not hesitate to call Owens or somebody else up to replace him. He will not show the patience that Ben showed last season.

[jacksonianmarch]

He won't show patience, I agree. I also don't think he'll be patient on the #2 front. I think you'll deal for one

[Dojji]

We do have some very strong depth in our rotation this year. Guys like Wright, Johnson and Owens could all be very good, and Elias has the makings of an interesting depth option as well, and this is of course before we start getting creative. We may wind up doing quite a bit of mixing and matching this year.

[a700hitter]

We do have some very strong depth in our rotation this year. Guys like Wright, Johnson and Owens could all be very good, and Elias has the makings of an interesting depth option as well, and this is of course before we start getting creative. We may wind up doing quite a bit of mixing and matching this year.

For the mixing and matching to be done effectively, we need a good manager. Farrell can not figure out how to get out of a paper bag even if the top is open and he is holding a box cutter. The man looks confused after the ceremonial first pitch.

[jacksonianmarch]

Dojji, while they may have depth, I wouldnt classify it as strong

[Kimmi]

Dojji, while they may have depth, I wouldnt classify it as strong

 

I would not classify it as strong either, though it could be. Pretty much any rotation that his decimated by injuries to the point where you have to go 8, 9, 10 deep into your depth chart for more than a spot start or two is going to be in trouble. As always, it's going to largely come down to health.