How will this team finish the season?

[mvp 78]

Farrel and Buchh are both gone after this year, so what's the problem?

 

No, they are picking up Buchholz's option again this offseason. If the Sox finish the season strong, Farrell stays too.

[Jack Flap]

This is something we agree on. If Price doesn't get his s*** together, this team is done.

 

I am much more concerned about the 4/5 spots in the rotation at this point.

 

(EDIT: And you basically just said that. Need more coffee this morning.)

Edited June 30, 2016 by Jack Flap

[Kimmi]

They preach patience for Buch but s*** all over Price before half the season has been completed. Then they will complain about the win it now mentality forcing the FO to make ill advised moves. Their patience is non existent for Price or Kimbrel who are genuine top talents. They deserve a roster full of Craig Hansens and other great Home grown pitchers.

 

I can't speak for others, but if by 'they' you are including me, you are 100% off base. Quit making false statements about what 'they' think.

 

As far as Buchholz goes, I have acknowledged that he has been awful so far. So, am I not allowed to voice an opinion that Price has not pitched to his level of expectation so far?

[Spudboy]

This is a good point. A lot of people are fixated on getting guys for the top of the rotation, when that's clearly not the problem. Give the team a chance to win on nights Price/Wright/Porcello don't start and we're in business.

 

This is why I keep saying that the Sox need two more number 3s.

[mvp 78]

Red Sox starter's ERA is 4.79. Wright, Porcello and Price's ERAs are 2.18, 3.78 and 4.74, respectively. That means the other 2 guys pitching in that turn are utter dog s***. Every other guy who has taken the hill has an ERA above 5.00. Henry Owens has been the team's 4th best starter and they threw him in Pawtucket. Buchholz has been their 5th best starter and has a negative WAR! Clearly, there is an upgrade they can make for the last two roster spots.

[mvp 78]

It they had replacement level guys at the back end of the rotation, they'd probably be in first place right now...

[Kimmi]

I don't really get the argument you're trying to make, Slash. I don't think anyone denies that Price's results so far haven't matched expectations.

 

I guess we don't agree that a $31 million guy currently pitching more like a mid-rotation starter (with plenty of encouraging peripherals) and a $13 million guy who is, at this point, barely worthy of being on an MLB roster are on similar levels of bad.

 

I would bet that by the end of the season, you would take Price over Wright or Porcello in a must-win game.

 

I agree that the comparison of Buchholz and Price is a little off. I still have faith in Buchholz (I know, call me crazy), but Price is the much better bet for many reasons.

[Slasher9]

I don't really get the argument you're trying to make, Slash. I don't think anyone denies that Price's results so far haven't matched expectations.

 

I guess we don't agree that a $31 million guy currently pitching more like a mid-rotation starter (with plenty of encouraging peripherals) and a $13 million guy who is, at this point, barely worthy of being on an MLB roster are on similar levels of bad.

 

I would bet that by the end of the season, you would take Price over Wright or Porcello in a must-win game.

 

i agree with you - i dont think we see it the same way. to me, Buchholz (and his sh1tea performance in 2016) is not a problem. it's a 1 year option at minimal cost and i didnt expect him to be TOTR guy (although i always hold out hope). Price OTOH (and his sh1tea performance in 2016) is a problem. it's a 7 year deal (the highest contract ever for a SP i believe) for $31MM per and i DO expect him to be a TOTR guy. we can look at all the peripherals we want to show me how great Price has been this year. but there is only 1 true number when it comes to SP.

that number for Price is currently 4.74. this puts him about as close to buchholz (5.90) as he is to Porcello (3.78). you can forget about wright and his 2.18.

 

i hope your last sentence is because you believe Price will pitch 1.50 the rest of the way instead of wright or porcello pitching to a 6.00.....

[Kimmi]

This is something we agree on. If Price doesn't get his s*** together, this team is done.

 

When we have the mess that we currently have in our #4/5 slots, we need to be able to win the games that Price starts.

[mvp 78]

When we have the mess that we currently have in our #4/5 slots, we need to be able to win the games that Price starts.

 

When we have the mess we currently have in our 4/5 slots, we need to fix our 4/5 slots.

[Kimmi]

In terms of contracts, I don't understand how anyone can say that signing Price for 7yrs/$210 was worth the risk, but signing Buchholz for 1yr/$13 mil was not worth the risk.

 

I do not like Price's contract at all, but I fully understand why the FO did it, and I'm glad to have him on my team. As you all know, picking up Buchholz' option was a no brainer.

[Kimmi]

When we have the mess we currently have in our 4/5 slots, we need to fix our 4/5 slots.

 

Yes, I agree with that.

[SoxnCycles]

When we have the mess that we currently have in our #4/5 slots, we need to be able to win the games that Price starts.

 

Yup, everyone agrees that the back of the rotation is crap and something needs to be done about it.

DD either thinks the problem will fix itself, or there simply isn't a starter available at a reasonable price.

 

Anyone want to pick up a #3-4 starter for Betts or Bogearts?

 

It's another 3 weeks until negotiations for pitching get serious.

What no one seems to want to aknowledge is in the meantime, our "ace" had better start pitching like one, or we'll be so far out of the race, we may as well be sellers at the deadline.

 

Porcello is pitching to expectations, Wright is pitching much better than expected.

If either of those two stumble, we are screwed, without Price.

[SoxnCycles]

When we have the mess we currently have in our 4/5 slots, we need to fix our 4/5 slots.

 

Then, why isn't DD fixing it?

[mvp 78]

Then, why isn't DD fixing it?

 

Because it would apparently take Betts or Xander to bring in a 3rd starter.

[SoxnCycles]

Because it would apparently take Betts or Xander to bring in a 3rd starter.

 

So, you don't know either.

No problem....

[Kimmi]

Yup, everyone agrees that the back of the rotation is crap and something needs to be done about it.

DD either thinks the problem will fix itself, or there simply isn't a starter available at a reasonable price.

 

Anyone want to pick up a #3-4 starter for Betts or Bogearts?

 

It's another 3 weeks until negotiations for pitching get serious.

What no one seems to want to aknowledge is in the meantime, our "ace" had better start pitching like one, or we'll be so far out of the race, we may as well be sellers at the deadline.

 

Porcello is pitching to expectations, Wright is pitching much better than expected.

If either of those two stumble, we are screwed, without Price.

 

Dombrowski has stated that he is aggressively looking for pitching, but as of now, there are only 5 teams who are clear sellers. I'm sure the prices are astronomical. As you said, it will be another 3 weeks before talks get serious.

 

In the meantime, we need to hope that Price can pitch like an ace, and that Buchholz can regain some semblance of the pitcher that he was last year.

 

We also need the offense to do its job. They were shut out by a pitcher with a 5+ ERA yesterday. Unacceptable.

[SoxnCycles]

Dombrowski has stated that he is aggressively looking for pitching, but as of now, there are only 5 teams who are clear sellers. I'm sure the prices are astronomical. As you said, it will be another 3 weeks before talks get serious.

 

In the meantime, we need to hope that Price can pitch like an ace, and that Buchholz can regain some semblance of the pitcher that he was last year.

We also need the offense to do its job. They were shut out by a pitcher with a 5+ ERA yesterday. Unacceptable.

 

Nope, we need to DFA Buchholz.

[User Name]

To the people defending Buchholz: Did you lose a bet?

[SoxnCycles]

To the people defending Buchholz: Did you lose a bet?

 

Sorry, but until I see a replacement that's actually better than he is, I'm not joining the torch and pitchfork club.

 

Sue me.

[Slasher9]

To the people defending Buchholz: Did you lose a bet?

 

replace "Buchholz" with "Price" and have at it.

at least my bet only cost me $13MM.....

[Michfan]

This home stand may be what makes or breaks the team. I'm going to the games in Detroit Aug.18-21. I hope i'm not embarrassed wearing my Red Sox tees...

Of course the Tigers are pretty well sucking too.

[User Name]

replace "Buchholz" with "Price" and have at it.

at least my bet only cost me $13MM.....

 

What are you even talking about?

[Slasher9]

What are you even talking about?

 

exactly

[SoxnCycles]

This home stand may be what makes or breaks the team. I'm going to the games in Detroit Aug.18-21. I hope i'm not embarrassed wearing my Red Sox tees...

Of course the Tigers are pretty well sucking too.

 

I'm going to the Rays game, next Friday night.

My friends were bitching about this being a boring game a couple of weeks ago.

 

So much for that!

 

Enjoy the games.

Hopefully, the Sox are still playing for something by August.

[SoxnCycles]

exactly

 

lol

[TheBabeStrikesBack]

2 years from now, Price will still be a top level talent while Buchholz is out of baseball.

 

Price isn't even showing to be a top level talent this year, let alone 2 yrs from now.

[a700hitter]

2 years from now Price will still have 4+ years left on his $217MM contract and Buchholz will not be under Boston contract.

Do you watch baseball with a financial spreadsheet of salaries? Here is my view on salaries... they are all overpaid. Price is the best pitcher on our roster for my ticket price. He is not what needs fixing on the 2016 roster.

[User Name]

exactly

 

I haven't been this flabbergasted since realizing "straight pride day" was a thing.

[User Name]

lol

 

Abbot and Costello apparently.