Clay Buchholz - Is he worth the 2016 option?

[mvp 78]

i was just giving you credit for your endless claims beginning-mid season how a 5th starter is the reason we would make the postseason. you ended up being right but refuse to give Clay the credit for being that 5th starter that helped us to the postseason. now you are saying it was all the other reasons that some of us were saying all along.

 

Me? i was saying we needed Price to pitch like an Ace in order to make it. i was wrong. we made the postseason in spite of price acting like a 4/5 starter...

 

Clay has been awesome. I'm not denying that. All I was saying earlier was that it was a missing piece, not the most important piece.

[mvp 78]

C'mon Slash, you're not being reasonable at all. This reminds me of when Pumpsie Green used to say the same thing about Lester.

 

Price has 225 IP, an ERA+ of 113, a K/BB of 4.77, a bWAR of 2.9.

 

Saying he has pitched like a #2 is fair.

 

Please do not invoke that name.

[a700hitter]

Please do not invoke that name.

Fred Fred Fred

[mvp 78]

Fred Fred Fred

 

That name doesn't bother me.

[a700hitter]

That name doesn't bother me.

Go figure. Shrug.

[Slasher9]

Eff you Price.

And your dog.

[User Name]

Our season is hanging on Buchholz' frail shoulders. It's only fitting.

[moonslav59]

Our season is hanging on Buchholz' frail shoulders. It's only fitting.

 

Yeah, you're right.

 

We've spent Porcello & Price.

 

Our kids have convinced many fans they were just a mirage.

 

It's Buch or bust!

[Spudboy]

Our season is hanging on Buchholz' frail shoulders. It's only fitting.

 

Clay's Daughter endorses his shoulder.

[jacksonianmarch]

His option is worth every penny if he mans up and gets the W Sunday

[moonslav59]

His option is worth every penny if he mans up and gets the W Sunday

 

...and if he lets up 5 ERs in 3 IP, what's he worth?

 

I doubt one game makes a big difference, as I think Buch's option will be taken either way.

 

[Slasher9]

Clay for President!!!!

[Kimmi]

That name doesn't bother me.

 

The irony of that statement runs much deeper than you know.

[mvp 78]

The irony of that statement runs much deeper than you know.

 

How so?

[a700hitter]

How so?

I have been wondering the same thing.

[georom4]

WHY is this salami starting? Gutless, inconsistent, and there are literally four better starters out there this season who deserve to be pitching Game 3 instead...

ABC - anyone but clay However I do expect his lackluster pitching to be bailed out by a ten plus run explosion Monday...

[bowman]

We aren't loaded with lights out starting pitching right now. Price pitched okay in season, but not a big game pitcher. Way too much money for him, but who is out there anyways. Not a good spot for us to be in. We blew our load in the 11 game run... But who knows.

[S5Dewey]

WHY is this salami starting? Gutless, inconsistent, and there are literally four better starters out there this season who deserve to be pitching Game 3 instead...

ABC - anyone but clay However I do expect his lackluster pitching to be bailed out by a ten plus run explosion Monday...

 

Well, who would you recommend who's more consistent? Our two pitchers who are supposed to be consistent just got the snot kicked out of them. IMO there are only two possibilities left, Clay and ERod, and under the circumstances I'll go with the one who 1) had better all around stuff, and 2) has playoff experience.

[oldtimer]

Well, who would you recommend who's more consistent? Our two pitchers who are supposed to be consistent just got the snot kicked out of them. IMO there are only two possibilities left, Clay and ERod, and under the circumstances I'll go with the one who 1) had better all around stuff, and 2) has playoff experience.

 

Either E-Rod or Buchholz have good enough stuff to start. JF is going with the more experienced pitcher and I'm okay with that.

[Kimmi]

Either E-Rod or Buchholz have good enough stuff to start. JF is going with the more experienced pitcher and I'm okay with that.

 

Buchholz will be on a short leash. First sign of trouble, he will be pulled. But I think he will get it done.

[Jack Flap]

His 2.98 ERA in his last 8 starts is why he is starting. No, I don't trust him either, but when he's hot you might as well roll with it.

[georom4]

Either E-Rod or Buchholz have good enough stuff to start. JF is going with the more experienced pitcher and I'm okay with that.

 

ERod has been just as good as of late and he wont quit or cry if things get tough...I would put Clay behind Drew P, Wright (even injured/rusty) and Erod...and only ahead of Owens - Let's hope the team scores early and often to relax the basket case...

Edited October 10, 2016 by georom4

[mvp 78]

Buch is earning that option today.

 

He's going to win the hearts and minds of talksox.

[georom4]

Buch is earning that option today.

 

He's going to win the hearts and minds of talksox.

 

I dont think so. The team was literally walking on eggshells the entire time he was starting - not a good way to play. he's had his time here and needs to move on. I have no desire to see his OCD attitude on the mound for any price (even if he pitches for free)

Edited October 13, 2016 by georom4

[Slasher9]

4 year / $36MM contract right now. take it or leave it.

[mvp 78]

4 year / $36MM contract right now. take it or leave it.

 

Signing him for 4 years is kinda crazy considering his injury history. I think it's best to go year to year with him.

[moonslav59]

4 year / $36MM contract right now. take it or leave it.

 

He'd leave it.

 

If Mike Leak can get $80M/5 last winter and Brandon McCarthy can get $48M/4 and E Santana $55M/4 the year before, Buch will want and get more.

 

Of course, there is the risk he will suck in 2017 and lose that value, but my guess is, he will want to score big after next season.

 

Plus, he's not even sure of a slot in our rotation next year.

[oldtimer]

He'd leave it.

 

If Mike Leak can get $80M/5 last winter and Brandon McCarthy can get $48M/4 and E Santana $55M/4 the year before, Buch will want and get more.

 

Of course, there is the risk he will suck in 2017 and lose that value, but my guess is, he will want to score big after next season.

 

Plus, he's not even sure of a slot in our rotation next year.

 

If we get another high quality starting pitcher through trade for next year, I would not choose to renew Buchholz.

[Slasher9]

Signing him for 4 years is kinda crazy considering his injury history. I think it's best to go year to year with him.

trying to sign him at reliever money to minimize risk. as moon stated, very doubtful he would take it anyway but if i were DD i would lay that on the table.

[S5Dewey]

If we get another high quality starting pitcher through trade for next year, I would not choose to renew Buchholz.

 

But now we bring a new question into the equation. I could see the rationale for letting him walk if we got that high quality starting pitcher because he then wouldn't be worth the $13M to us, but some other team looking for pitching would snap him up in a heartbeat, possibly in a shorter time deal, for more than $13M.

 

FWIW I'd exercise the option anyway just because "you can't have too much pitching".