2016 Starting Rotation

[mvp 78]

Can we focus just a little attention on Wright's strong performance in the loss last night? We're not going to solve the porcello question right here and now and it would be nice if people paid at least some attention to positive developments too.

 

Wright is right up my alley as a nontraditional prospect. As a knuckleballer, he's exactly the sort of guy who's always going to be at least somewhat underestimated by prospect watchers who struggle to find the virtue in older prospects that come to the league from odd directions, and sometimes those guys come out of nowhere to make a place for themselves in the league.

 

Wright can pitch. Over his career in 11 starts as a starter he's got a 4.01 ERA with a WHIP of 1.23 and a k/bb ratio of over 2, which actually marks him as, not an ace, but a potential mid rotation guy if he can establish himself for a season at roughly that level. Steven Wright, if he holds to form, is not anyone's #5, and I'm delighted that he's getting a real chance to prove that this year. I think he's on track to be one of the pleasant surprises this season. Last night's start against a pretty powerful lineup was a good sign in that direction, especially the part where he pitched into the 7th inning with good peripherals.

 

It could all turn to dust of course, but combined with what he accomplished in short stints in the prior 2 years and his great Spring, I'm really encouraged about this guy. We could have found the heir to Tim Wakefield, and that would be a decidedly good thing for this rotation right now.

 

While I don't like watching Wright for aesthetic reasons, I think he could be a consistent starter who puts up a bunch of QS. Like I said previously, his performance would be about what I'd expect from Porcello. He's not a top of the rotation guy, but I don't see him getting hit around the way Kelly and Buchholz do too often. To me, Wright seems like a better fit for the rotation than Kelly, who I'd move to the pen when ERod is ready.

 

That first inning started ugly, but I have no complaints about anything that happened after that. The Sox should be able to put up 3 runs against Estrada and the Jays' bullpen.

[Kimmi]

I'm not a huge fan of knuckleball pitching either, but he has earned his spot in the rotation unless someone else can prove otherwise. Good on him.

 

The last two losses have been extremely frustrating. Good pitching - no offense, then good offense - no pitching.

[MJantomaso]

Our pitching is at its usual form right now. Should be a great season.

[Northern Star]

Too early for a panic trade. Really should have addressed the issue in the offseason.

[a700hitter]

The offense has done it's job as has the bullpen. The rotation has not done its job.

[User Name]

I said it all throughout the offseason. They needed another decent arm to stop the bleeding besides Price. Buch ain't it.

[Yaz Fan Since 67]

I am so done with The Clay Buchholz Experience. Team continues to hold out hope based on 2 good seasons in the last 8. He's never had a 200 inning season and only topped 170 innings 3 times. And he is our #2?

[cp176]

I'm not a huge fan of knuckleball pitching either, but he has earned his spot in the rotation unless someone else can prove otherwise. Good on him.

 

The last two losses have been extremely frustrating. Good pitching - no offense, then good offense - no pitching.

 

Good pitching? All things are relative I guess.

[cp176]

I can live with Porcello. Price is a great arm. but, even though they are ours, I am just so sick of Buchholz and Kelly. Potential, potential, ********. I would much prefer to watch Wright, Owens, Johnson, and anybody else. I get it - it's only April - give em a chance - it's all going to be alright - don't panic- yada,yada,yada. bottom line- they are ours and we are stuck with them. It is about the pitching and we don't have it yet. We have a ton of very good looking position players. there will not be enough places to play them all. It will take some nuts and guts but eventually the trades will come. Pitching rotation upgrade needed - yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

[Yaz Fan Since 67]

Yeah I really like our future with all the young talent all over the field. If that means waiting a year I'm OK with that, I'd hate to see them trade away good young talent just to fill an immediate need.

[Bellhorn04]

Kelly could calm things down with a good outing tonight. Another bad outing will pour more gasoline on the flames of panic about this rotation.

[jacksonianmarch]

Actually UN?, I've been saying that. You've taken the cautiously optimistic approach

[Station 13]

I am so done with The Clay Buchholz Experience. Team continues to hold out hope based on 2 good seasons in the last 8. He's never had a 200 inning season and only topped 170 innings 3 times. And he is our #2?

 

This is the problem they are so tone-deaf about. Get rid of him.

[mvp 78]

The offense has done it's job as has the bullpen. The rotation has not done its job.

 

The second that ERod went down with an injury, they should have grabbed another starter at the very least. They needed a 1 and a 2, only got a 1 and then sat still when their best young pitcher jacked up his knee in ST.

[mvp 78]

Kelly could calm things down with a good outing tonight. Another bad outing will pour more gasoline on the flames of panic about this rotation.

 

Kelly could put himself in the bullpen with a few more putrid starts.

 

"Well, he really only missed on a few pitches and was doing fine until..." Ugh.

[mvp 78]

Actually UN?, I've been saying that. You've taken the cautiously optimistic approach

 

Actually, the vast majority of people here wanted two starters this year and last year. I think UN was saying "I want two starters, but if they don't get them we'll just have to wait and see."

[mvp 78]

I am so done with The Clay Buchholz Experience. Team continues to hold out hope based on 2 good seasons in the last 8. He's never had a 200 inning season and only topped 170 innings 3 times. And he is our #2?

 

Extending Clay was dumb. Maybe they thought it would increase his trade value? Idk. It made no sense to me though.

[User Name]

Actually UN?, I've been saying that. You've taken the cautiously optimistic approach

 

Bitch please. I've been saying they need another arm while moving Kelly to the BP since the day they signed Price.

[mvp 78]

I can live with Porcello. Price is a great arm. but, even though they are ours, I am just so sick of Buchholz and Kelly. Potential, potential, ********. I would much prefer to watch Wright, Owens, Johnson, and anybody else. I get it - it's only April - give em a chance - it's all going to be alright - don't panic- yada,yada,yada. bottom line- they are ours and we are stuck with them. It is about the pitching and we don't have it yet. We have a ton of very good looking position players. there will not be enough places to play them all. It will take some nuts and guts but eventually the trades will come. Pitching rotation upgrade needed - yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

 

Everything about this. Porcello is fine as a back of the rotation guy. There is nothing wrong with Price, just don't expect him to be 1999-2000 Pedro. Buchholz is a mixed bag and is not worth the risk anymore. Kelly just seems like a bullpen arm to me. I think Wright is ok in the rotation. I'm not thrilled about it, but whatever. I believe Owens started off the year in AAA pitching well, so maybe he gets called up first. Are they holding Johnson back a bit due to his injury history?

[mvp 78]

Bitch please. I've been saying they need another arm while moving Kelly to the BP since the day they signed Price.

 

Be nice. He's too busy tying himself in knots trying to make excuses for why the Yankees ownership is so cheap and s***** to its fans and players.

[User Name]

Actually, the vast majority of people here wanted two starters this year and last year. I think UN was saying "I want two starters, but if they don't get them we'll just have to wait and see."

 

This is correct, and I beat that drum harder the day they got Price.

 

Mat Latos or Doug Fister sure would look good right about now. Sure, they're lottery tickets, but Jesus.

[User Name]

Everything about this. Porcello is fine as a back of the rotation guy. There is nothing wrong with Price, just don't expect him to be 1999-2000 Pedro. Buchholz is a mixed bag and is not worth the risk anymore. Kelly just seems like a bullpen arm to me. I think Wright is ok in the rotation. I'm not thrilled about it, but whatever. I believe Owens started off the year in AAA pitching well, so maybe he gets called up first. Are they holding Johnson back a bit due to his injury history?

 

This rotation will have zero stability until E-Rod comes back (asusming he comes back well, because knee luxations linger) and they can unearth a steady starter besides Porcello. Wright will be supremely inconsistent as all knucklers are, but a fine #5. Buchholz and Kelly though, make me want to punt kittens.

[mvp 78]

Buchholz, go away. Kelly, go to the bullpen.

 

Farrell, GTFO.

[User Name]

Buchholz, go away. Kelly, go to the bullpen.

 

Farrell, GTFO.

 

The blueprint for the 2016 WS champions Boston Red Sox.

[jacksonianmarch]

Bitch please. I've been saying they need another arm while moving Kelly to the BP since the day they signed Price.

 

After reading your first two words, all I could think of was an old Xzibit rap, lol

[jacksonianmarch]

Rotoworld says the sox are planning on calling up Vasquez. Can you say panic? Although it might actually be a good move. Swihart losing that popup against a rolling offense was Buch's undoing. BTW, could that wiry db be any more soft?

[Dojji]

The hell do you mean? You do realize that Vazquez was on a rehab assignment. the plan was always to bring up Vazquez, the question is simply a matter of whether Swihart or Hanigan gives way.

[mvp 78]

Rotoworld says the sox are planning on calling up Vasquez. Can you say panic? Although it might actually be a good move. Swihart losing that popup against a rolling offense was Buch's undoing. BTW, could that wiry db be any more soft?

 

CV would have been the opening day starter if he was fully recovered from injury. If he's ready to go, he should be up here.

 

Buchholz can't even nap with his baby without destroying his shoulder. He's softer than wet toilet paper and has never had a pitching performance that he thought was bad.

[mvp 78]

The hell do you mean? You do realize that Vazquez was on a rehab assignment. the plan was always to bring up Vazquez, the question is simply a matter of whether Swihart or Hanigan gives way.

 

Would moving Swihart to AAA help him defensively? Is it getting more clear that he's maybe not a long term solution at C? Trade? Move to another position?

[wyo-sox]

I'm glad to hear CV will be returning to the club. I've never been a big believer in catchers era- but I hope he helps.