The 2018 Bullpen Season Thread

[Bellhorn04]

The bigger ? is, CAN or WILL Kelly Barnes Hembree win you a World Series?

 

LOL

 

Remind me who the setup guys for Houston were last year and their postseason numbers...

[Larry Cook]

Kimbrel’s pitches are grabbing a lot of plate lately. Not sure he is mechanical right at this time.

[moonslav59]

LOL

 

Remind me who the setup guys for Houston were last year and their postseason numbers...

 

Nobody knows their names, but here's all you need to know:

 

5 of their top 8 RP'ers (35+ IP) had ERAs above 4.35. (3 of 8 were over 5.60.0\

 

Their pen had a combines 1.28 WHIP, but 5 of their top 8 relievers had a WHIP over 1.32.

 

They did have 3 guys under 1.04 WHIP and 3.00 ERA.

 

How does our 2018 pen stack up to that? Yes, small sample size, but...

 

We have 4 of our top 5 IP guys in the pen with an ERA below 3.07.

 

Kimbrel 0.75 and Kelly 0.93 are a nice 1-2 in WHIP leaders. (Barnes is 1.89.)

 

Team pen WHIP is 1.23 (ERA 3.63).

 

 

[S5Dewey]

Here's one I hadn't heard until this morning.

 

http://bangordailynews.com/2018/05/16/sports/boston-red-sox/red-sox-manager-surprised-by-pitchers-injury-comment/

[moonslav59]

Here's one I hadn't heard until this morning.

 

http://bangordailynews.com/2018/05/16/sports/boston-red-sox/red-sox-manager-surprised-by-pitchers-injury-comment/

 

The "blame game" has become a blight on our society.

 

It's always somebody else's fault.

[S5Dewey]

The "blame game" has become a blight on our society.

 

It's always somebody else's fault.

 

It'll be interesting to see how this shakes out. Cora's obviously not going to carry water for Carson Smith - or anyone else, I think. OTOH, one of the best strengths of both Farrell & Tito was that they covered for their players when they said something.... er... controversial.

[mvp 78]

The "blame game" has become a blight on our society.

 

It's always somebody else's fault.

 

Sounds more like the telephone game to me. Not sure Smith was blaming anyone for his injury. Just stating why he got injured.

[notin]

It'll be interesting to see how this shakes out. Cora's obviously not going to carry water for Carson Smith - or anyone else, I think. OTOH, one of the best strengths of both Farrell & Tito was that they covered for their players when they said something.... er... controversial.

 

And then the fans ripped them for it...

[jacksonianmarch]

You clearly need another pen arm. The question is, who can you get and who you give up? I like the EEI argument today.

 

Your #1 prospect had TJS

Your #2 was popped for PEDs.

Swihart is being held hostage and has no value

Johnson has been moved to LHRP and sucks at it.

 

Your gonna have to deal off JBJ to get significant relief help. You can get a reclamation guy or a fringe big leaguer, but who will you get to replace a significant part of your bridge without moving JBJ?

[jung]

I actually think the Sox DON'T need another pen arm until they actually do need him. I would do nothing until the deadline and might not do anything then either. The pen is what it is. One more arm is not going to do anything.

 

Need to see how serious the Smith injury is and if Thornburg actually comes back and then see where we are. Strength of this team is not the pen and it was never going to be the pen.

 

Strength of this team is its rotation followed by the top of the lineup. I would also rather see if Beni and Devers mature a bit through the year. If they do, then this lineup is a monster when coupled with this rotation.

[moonslav59]

You clearly need another pen arm. The question is, who can you get and who you give up? I like the EEI argument today.

 

Your #1 prospect had TJS

Your #2 was popped for PEDs.

Swihart is being held hostage and has no value

Johnson has been moved to LHRP and sucks at it.

 

Your gonna have to deal off JBJ to get significant relief help. You can get a reclamation guy or a fringe big leaguer, but who will you get to replace a significant part of your bridge without moving JBJ?

 

We are not going to trade for a RP'er until we see how Thornburg shakes out. Then, assuming Smith is toast, we will likely give all of these guys a look, before going outside the organization:

 

Locks: Kimbrel, Kelly, Barnes

Near Locks: Wright, Velazquez (DL) & Poyner

Out of options & on the bubble: Hembree & Johnson

DL: Thornburg, Smith & Maddox

 

That's 11 guys for 7 slots.

 

Others who probably will get or deserve a chance:

 

WHIP on the farm (OPS against)

1.03 Workman (0.658)

1.00 R Scott (0.593)

2.50 M Walden (.919 in 6 IP)

T1.41 Buttrey (o.758)

 

I wouldn't be at all surprised, if we never trade for a RP'er this year.

[mvp 78]

You clearly need another pen arm. The question is, who can you get and who you give up? I like the EEI argument today.

 

Your #1 prospect had TJS

Your #2 was popped for PEDs.

Swihart is being held hostage and has no value

Johnson has been moved to LHRP and sucks at it.

 

Your gonna have to deal off JBJ to get significant relief help. You can get a reclamation guy or a fringe big leaguer, but who will you get to replace a significant part of your bridge without moving JBJ?

 

Relief help doesn't typically cost a 2 win player.

[mvp 78]

Guys in AAA that can help: Poyner (taxi squad), Walden (taxi squad), Scott, Workman and Martin. Maybe they could even catch lightning in a bottle with Buttrey?

[notin]

You clearly need another pen arm. The question is, who can you get and who you give up? I like the EEI argument today.

 

Your #1 prospect had TJS

Your #2 was popped for PEDs.

Swihart is being held hostage and has no value

Johnson has been moved to LHRP and sucks at it.

 

Your gonna have to deal off JBJ to get significant relief help. You can get a reclamation guy or a fringe big leaguer, but who will you get to replace a significant part of your bridge without moving JBJ?

 

Did you see what Addison Reed was acquired for last year? 3 no name prospects not even ranked in a weak farm system, at most one of whom will ever see an MLB game without buying a ticket...

[Jasonbay44]

Did you see what Addison Reed was acquired for last year? 3 no name prospects not even ranked in a weak farm system, at most one of whom will ever see an MLB game without buying a ticket...

 

Yup, and I believe they acquired Ziegler very cheap two years ago as well. You can easily acquire good/decent relievers at the trade deadline for cheap. Its not worth overpaying for one.

[Maxbialystock]

Agree with Cora on Carson Smith, but also think fatigue could have been a factor. The thing is, however, what Carson did was just dumb.

[harmony]

Junichi Tazawa, a bullpen mainstay of the 2013 World Series champions, apparently is available.

 

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2018/05/marlins-designate-junichi-tazawa-for-assignment.html#comments

[moonslav59]

Agree with Cora on Carson Smith, but also think fatigue could have been a factor. The thing is, however, what Carson did was just dumb.

 

It was also dumb not letting someone know he was feeling tired.

[moonslav59]

Junichi Tazawa, a bullpen mainstay of the 2013 World Series champions, apparently is available.

 

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2018/05/marlins-designate-junichi-tazawa-for-assignment.html#comments

 

Pass.

[Kimmi]

I actually think the Sox DON'T need another pen arm until they actually do need him. I would do nothing until the deadline and might not do anything then either. The pen is what it is. One more arm is not going to do anything.

 

Need to see how serious the Smith injury is and if Thornburg actually comes back and then see where we are. Strength of this team is not the pen and it was never going to be the pen.

 

Strength of this team is its rotation followed by the top of the lineup. I would also rather see if Beni and Devers mature a bit through the year. If they do, then this lineup is a monster when coupled with this rotation.

 

I endorse this post.

 

Personally, I think the Sox are well balanced and are not in need of anything right now.

[MADSTORK]

Who suggested trading Bradley for a reliever?

And they say my Post are ####ed up!

 

Anyone remember Reddick for the great ABailey? Even better TShaw for an injured reliever, what was his name?

The best was Bagwell for who was it ?

 

JBJ at worst a 4th OF late inning defensive replacement,

You don’t give up on a player that young with his defensive ability.

 

Trade chip is ERod

[cp176]

Who suggested trading Bradley for a reliever?

And they say my Post are ####ed up!

 

Anyone remember Reddick for the great ABailey? Even better TShaw for an injured reliever, what was his name?

The best was Bagwell for who was it ?

 

JBJ at worst a 4th OF late inning defensive replacement,

You don’t give up on a player that young with his defensive ability.

 

Trade chip is ERod

 

Larry Amderson - a good move at the time no doubt. Hindsightitis says it wasn't. This is a common sickness that many people who think that they know more than anyone else often suffer from.

[mvp 78]

Who suggested trading Bradley for a reliever?

And they say my Post are ####ed up!

 

Anyone remember Reddick for the great ABailey? Even better TShaw for an injured reliever, what was his name?

The best was Bagwell for who was it ?

 

JBJ at worst a 4th OF late inning defensive replacement,

You don’t give up on a player that young with his defensive ability.

 

Trade chip is ERod

Bagwell and Reddick had a 5 win season before their trades?

[Spudboy]

I endorse this post.

 

Personally, I think the Sox are well balanced and are not in need of anything right now.

 

I am inclined to agree.

[Natick to NC]

The team needs as I see it .

 

1. Catcher

2. Bullpen arm

[Natick to NC]

Who suggested trading Bradley for a reliever?

And they say my Post are ####ed up!

 

Anyone remember Reddick for the great ABailey? Even better TShaw for an injured reliever, what was his name?

The best was Bagwell for who was it ?

 

JBJ at worst a 4th OF late inning defensive replacement,

You don’t give up on a player that young with his defensive ability.

 

Trade chip is ERod

 

great post agree completely .Erod would net someone significant .

[Natick to NC]

Pass.

 

Yes I finally agree with you ....big hard pass.

[SoxHop]

Trade chip is Erod for a reliever. That right there is pure comedy gold in a sad sad way.

[moonslav59]

Trade chip is Erod for a reliever. That right there is pure comedy gold in a sad sad way.

 

I took it as sarcasm.

 

If it wasn't, it's a tragic comedy.

[jacksonianmarch]

Relief help doesn't typically cost a 2 win player.

 

He’s currently not a 2 win player