The Playoff Roster

[Maxbialystock]

I'm just questioning the options on that particular play.

 

I wanted JF gone earlier in the year, but I can't argue with the results lately.

 

It was absolutely the right call by Farrell. With Wright out of the picture, the rotation finally got into gear. So did the bullpen. Knuckleballers are nothing but trouble.

[Bellhorn04]

It was absolutely the right call by Farrell. With Wright out of the picture, the rotation finally got into gear. So did the bullpen. Knuckleballers are nothing but trouble.

 

That's just silly.

[mvp 78]

It was absolutely the right call by Farrell. With Wright out of the picture, the rotation finally got into gear. So did the bullpen. Knuckleballers are nothing but trouble.

 

+1,000,000,000

[Maxbialystock]

That's just silly.

 

Of course it's silly. I'm just getting tired of reading about Wright on a thread about playoff roster. If you're still mad at Farrell, there is a thread called "referendum on Farrell."

 

Back to the playoffs. Maybe we could have used Wright in October, but that's now very unlikely. Meanwhile, without him, the Sox are making a September run for not only the ALE, but the best record in the AL. I credit most of that to a bullpen which may not be lights out, but which has been awfully good this month. I mean these days Farrell almost delights in jerking a guy for giving up a hit or a starter after 2 or 3 innings.

[a700hitter]

Of course it's silly. I'm just getting tired of reading about Wright on a thread about playoff roster. If you're still mad at Farrell, there is a thread called "referendum on Farrell."

Back to the playoffs. Maybe we could have used Wright in October, but that's now very unlikely. Meanwhile, without him, the Sox are making a September run for not only the ALE, but the best record in the AL. I credit most of that to a bullpen which may not be lights out, but which has been awfully good this month. I mean these days Farrell almost delights in jerking a guy for giving up a hit or a starter after 2 or 3 innings.

Earth to Mad Max, Kimmi made a simple joke about Wright and Pinch Running and you reignited the whole argument with your post in this thread (#40). If you don't want to read about the Wright pinch running fiasco, stop bringing it up, and good God, try to be a little more accurate, cohesive, and pleasant in your posting. The Red Sox are about to clinch the Division, and you are like an angry mad man.

[oldtimer]

Of course it's silly. I'm just getting tired of reading about Wright on a thread about playoff roster. If you're still mad at Farrell, there is a thread called "referendum on Farrell."

 

Back to the playoffs. Maybe we could have used Wright in October, but that's now very unlikely. Meanwhile, without him, the Sox are making a September run for not only the ALE, but the best record in the AL. I credit most of that to a bullpen which may not be lights out, but which has been awfully good this month. I mean these days Farrell almost delights in jerking a guy for giving up a hit or a starter after 2 or 3 innings.

 

My assumption is that JF will experiment with the roster in subtle ways. He wants to win the AL East of course and even to get home field advantage, but the lineups he uses during the next 6 games should hint at who will make the playoff roster. Most players are settled already of course, but it is the fringe players who will be chosen late who we are looking at.

 

As said earlier in this thread, it is a choice from the three catchers, Hill, Hernandez, and Moncada for field players. In the pitching area it may be a choice between Scott and Abad and Kelly is probably in so Barnes may not make it and Hembree had a good night recently but he or Tazawa may not make it. With 11 pitchers it is pretty restrictive.

 

Price, Porcello, Pomeranz, Buchholz, Kimbrell, Uehara, Ross and Ziegler look like locks so there is room for. Kelly, (Scott, Abad, Henbree, Barnes, Tazawa). Maybe JF will go with 12 pitchers to ease the choice a little.

[sk7326]

For the staff: Porcello, Price, Rodriguez and Buchholz are probably your 4 starters

Pomeranz goes to the pen

Kimbrel, Uehara and Ziegler are locks ... that leaves 3 pitchers if you want an 11 man staff (my preference), 4 if you want 12.

 

Now personally, I would be content with zero LOOGYs, as neither Abad nor Scott has proven enough to say they deserve one of the three spots.

 

Kelly has been outstanding since coming back, and he can get 6 outs at a time as needed, so he is one of the choices for me.

Hembree has dominated righties all season and he also can stretch out as needed

 

The question for 1 spot to me is Barnes v Tazawa v Scott/Abad ... I don't know if I trust Scott on such a small amount of data to be able to get a lefty when it matters. Abad has been shaky but has a better track record. With the other pitchers you have the luxury to go with a 3 out guy here. Tazawa has looked good recently and has been well rested, and I cannot get behind Barnes still.

 

So I'd go Kimbrel-Uehara-Ziegler-Kelly-Hembree-Tazawa + Pomeranz as my pen.

 

The best thing I can say is that it's a really hard decision - and that is a compliment I never expected to utter.

[User Name]

Robbie Ross Jr.

[Bellhorn04]

Robbie Ross Jr.

 

The Rodney Dangerfield of the staff.

[sk7326]

Robbie Ross Jr.

 

GOod call - as bell's post above indicates, I forgot he existed.

 

Again, it is striking that this is a tough decision because everybody's form is good. Imagine saying that in July.

 

The tricky thing is with Pomeranz in the pen, would he get some of Ross' work or is he kept in a glass case in case of a bad start only. And do you carry 12 pitchers vs 11?

Edited September 27, 2016 by sk7326

[Bellhorn04]

Pomeranz is missing his start this week because of some soreness. His postseason may be in doubt.

[User Name]

Here is my 25-man roster:

C-Leon

1B-Hanley

2B-Pedroia

SS-Bogaertss

3B-Shaw

LF-Benintendi

CF-Bradley

RF-Betts

DH-Ortiz

 

Bench:

C-Vasquez

UTIL-Holt

OF-Young

IF-Hernandez

IF-Marrero

 

SP:

1)Porcello

2)Price

3)Buchholz

4)Rodriguez

 

BP:

Kimbrel

Uehara

Ross Jr.

Ziegler

Kelly

Pomeranz

Tazawa

 

That's my 25-man playoff roster. I would carry the extra position player, and use two BP lefties, but drop Hembree.

[Station 13]

Pomeranz should not play against teams like Texas or Toronto/Baltimore. I would keep him off the roster.

[Maxbialystock]

Earth to Mad Max, Kimmi made a simple joke about Wright and Pinch Running and you reignited the whole argument with your post in this thread (#40). If you don't want to read about the Wright pinch running fiasco, stop bringing it up, and good God, try to be a little more accurate, cohesive, and pleasant in your posting. The Red Sox are about to clinch the Division, and you are like an angry mad man.

 

Who's mad? I'm thrilled and have said so repeatedly. And, believe me, plenty of folks on this thread have wanted to bring up Wright, goodness knows why. For these playoffs, he is merely a footnote.

 

Assuming 11 pitchers because of the days off, we can be pretty sure of the rotation: Price, ERod, Porcello, and Buchholz. Bullpen is a little harder, but Kimbrel, Uehara, Zeigler, and Kelly are pretty good bets. Pomeranz as a lefty and long reliever. For another lefty I prefer Ross over Abad. Assuming those first six are right--and they very well might not be--I have no great insight into who else. Abad would provide a third lefty.

 

It's the 14 lineup players who have attracted most of the discussion. I think the first 13 are pretty obvious: 6 infielders (HanRam, Pedroia, Bogaerts, Shaw, Holt, and probably Hill); 4 outfielders (Betts, JBJ, Benintendi, and Young); 2 catchers (Leon and Vazquez, I think); and 1 DH (Ortiz). I like Hill despite his weak hitting so far, but won't complain if Farrell picks another infield for #6. I prefer Vazquez as the backup catcher because I think he and Leon are the two best defensively and that the bench will likely continue to call a lot of the pitches.

 

And I've changed my mind about the 14th guy and now think it should Moncada, about whom I have complained incessantly. But Sunday I watched Pedroia trying to score from 1st on that double and saw the throw beat him by 15 feet. I think Moncada's speed, assuming he is focused and takes off at the right time, would have enabled him to beat that throw. I doubt he tries to steal base, but his speed could be valuable just one time, and that one time could win a whole game. Francona had a pinchrunner in 2004 who saved the entire season, and Farrell had one handy in 2013 but didn't need him.

 

So those are my 25, but I will be fine with almost any picks Farrell makes. If momentum in September and overall wins and losses mean anything, this team has the potential to get to the WS.

[moonslav59]

Here is my 25-man roster:

C-Leon

1B-Hanley

2B-Pedroia

SS-Bogaertss

3B-Shaw

LF-Benintendi

CF-Bradley

RF-Betts

DH-Ortiz

 

Bench:

C-Vasquez

UTIL-Holt

OF-Young

IF-Hernandez

IF-Marrero

 

SP:

1)Porcello

2)Price

3)Buchholz

4)Rodriguez

 

BP:

Kimbrel

Uehara

Ross Jr.

Ziegler

Kelly

Pomeranz

Tazawa

 

That's my 25-man playoff roster. I would carry the extra position player, and use two BP lefties, but drop Hembree.

 

I like Marrero over Hill, but when and how would he be used? PR'er? He's good on D, but he's not a defensive replacement for Bogey or Shaw, is he?

 

I think Holaday over Vazquez is a slightly better choice, but it's too close to disagree.

[Maxbialystock]

I forgot Tazawa, who would be a good reliever in the playoffs.

[oldtimer]

Hill helped himself with the homer tonight. He may make the roster.

[cp176]

I think that Pomeranz's "injury" plus the amount of innings pitched for the year, could be what gets him left off the playoff roster.

[moonslav59]

Hill helped himself with the homer tonight. He may make the roster.

 

To me, he is not better than Hernandez, Holt and even Marrero.

[moonslav59]

I think that Pomeranz's "injury" plus the amount of innings pitched for the year, could be what gets him left off the playoff roster.

 

Maybe with the extra rest he'll get over the next week plus, he'll have more in the tank come playoff time.

[SoxnCycles]

Maybe with the extra rest he'll get over the next week plus, he'll have more in the tank come playoff time.

 

I'm guessing he'll need more than a week off.

 

Hopefully, the Sox pursue additional compensation in the off season, after getting ripped off by SD.

[moonslav59]

I'm guessing he'll need more than a week off.

 

Hopefully, the Sox pursue additional compensation in the off season, after getting ripped off by SD.

 

We should get Espinoza back, and the compensation would be that we got some decent performances out of Pom this year. They can have him back.

 

Then, maybe we use Espi as part of a bigger package to get Quintana or Sale without having to part with JBJ.

[SoxnCycles]

We should get Espinoza back, and the compensation would be that we got some decent performances out of Pom this year. They can have him back.

 

Then, maybe we use Espi as part of a bigger package to get Quintana or Sale without having to part with JBJ.

 

I'd be surprised if that happens. But, who knows what the commish could decide to do.

I'd love to send Pomeranz back to SD and get Espinoza back.

[moonslav59]

I'd be surprised if that happens. But, who knows what the commish could decide to do.

I'd love to send Pomeranz back to SD and get Espinoza back.

 

I doubt it happens, but if I can return a broken toaster, we should be able to return PomPom.

[mvp 78]

We should get Espinoza back, and the compensation would be that we got some decent performances out of Pom this year. They can have him back.

 

That will never happen. The Sox are SOL. There won't be any adjustments to the trade.

[mvp 78]

I doubt it happens, but if I can return a broken toaster, we should be able to return PomPom.

 

 

"Hey buddy, I got this used car from you 2 months ago. The clutch is completely shot. Can I get my money back?"

"FOH."

[sk7326]

I doubt it happens, but if I can return a broken toaster, we should be able to return PomPom.

 

Zero chance - indeed the Padres did not break any statutes. I mean they violated league understanding - and best practices and ethics ... hence the suspension. The BEST you can get is some additional negotiation. And I am not betting that.

[sk7326]

I think that Pomeranz's "injury" plus the amount of innings pitched for the year, could be what gets him left off the playoff roster.

 

Possible. I think they need to figure out if they think he can help at all. His bullpen experience in the past means you have to at least consider him.

[sk7326]

Now if you wanted to be creative - and I would not be surprised if it at least came up in the org meetings - perhaps you think about seeing if Ramirez is comfortable moving over to 3B. So instead of carrying Hill, look at Ramirez at 3B and Chris Young at 1B as your lefty platoon, while just letting Benintendi ride in LF.

 

Now I am certain this won't happen - but I'd at least consider it.

[SoxnCycles]

"Hey buddy, I got this used car from you 2 months ago. The clutch is completely shot. Can I get my money back?"

"FOH."

 

Yeah, that's exactly the same thing.