2019 Starting Pitching thread

[S5Dewey]

I

He’s pitched 105 IP combined in the last two seasons, both of which ended in injury. No GM is giving him guaranteed money...

That's cherry picking at its finest.

 

To break that down over the two years you mention, in 2017 he went 0-1 in 2 starts before being diagnosed with a tear in the forearm of his pitching hand. After missing the rest of the 2017 season he was 7-2 in 16 starts in 2018 before an injury to his right elbow in August. According to MLB Trade Rumors, "the true severity of the injury isn’t really clear. It’s certainly possible that Buchholz will be able to get back up to full strength with some offseason rest and rehab."

[moonslav59]

I'm sure the team physical will be a large factor in Buch securing a guaranteed ML contract.

[cp176]

I think that we all just make our guesses here don't we. If the guess is right that someone might offer him 4 or 5 million dollars to come on board, I would be very very surprised if it was the Sox. As a matter of fact, that would stun me.

[moonslav59]

I think he will sign an $800K deal with incentives that could bring him over $1.5M. If not, he'll sign a minor league deal with an opt out date, if he isn't on the big club by then. Just my guess.

[cp176]

I think he will sign an $800K deal with incentives that could bring him over $1.5M. If not, he'll sign a minor league deal with an opt out date, if he isn't on the big club by then. Just my guess.

 

800,00 is a whole different ballgame. Once again, I really haven't heard any clamor about him at all. I'm also curious to see what becomes of Pomeranz. I did read the little piece referencing Joe Kelly. If the interest level in him is what he says it is, I doubt that he is back in Boston.

[moonslav59]

800,00 is a whole different ballgame. Once again, I really haven't heard any clamor about him at all. I'm also curious to see what becomes of Pomeranz. I did read the little piece referencing Joe Kelly. If the interest level in him is what he says it is, I doubt that he is back in Boston.

 

The $800 is guaranteed, and is much better than a minor league deal.

[notin]

That's cherry picking at its finest.

 

To break that down over the two years you mention, in 2017 he went 0-1 in 2 starts before being diagnosed with a tear in the forearm of his pitching hand. After missing the rest of the 2017 season he was 7-2 in 16 starts in 2018 before an injury to his right elbow in August. According to MLB Trade Rumors, "the true severity of the injury isn’t really clear. It’s certainly possible that Buchholz will be able to get back up to full strength with some offseason rest and rehab."

 

That’s not cherry picking at all. It’s his last two seasons, not 2 of his last 3 or 4.

 

His return to health, on the other hand, is pure speculation. In the case of Buchholz, what exactly is fully healthy?

[kenmeister]

When you are talking about a 6th or 7th starter, you don't know when you might need him. It would be great if Buch was healthy and pitching well the instant we needed him, but the odds are low.

 

If we end up needing a pitcher to give us 15-20 starts, we will look for next year's Eovaldi or Happ.

 

To answer your question, I'd rather count on Wright, Johnson and Velazquez as starter depth and make a trade, if needed rather than adding Buch to the mix. If he agrees to a minor league deal, I won't complain, but I think we can do better.

 

Moon said everything I was going to.

[Fisk]

I’m very torn on Joe Kelly. What are we going to get from him. Second half joe Kelly whatever contract he gets will be bad, but postseason joe Kelly will be a steal.

[Dojji]

How about a spring training invite for Josh Tomlin? He's good SP depth coming off a tough season, give him a flier and see if there's something in the tank or not

[moonslav59]

I’m very torn on Joe Kelly. What are we going to get from him. Second half joe Kelly whatever contract he gets will be bad, but postseason joe Kelly will be a steal.

 

MLBTR projects an equal contract with Andrew Miller ($9M x 3 years).

[notin]

How about a spring training invite for Josh Tomlin? He's good SP depth coming off a tough season, give him a flier and see if there's something in the tank or not

 

One of the best control pitchers in MLB. If he took a minor league deal, I'm all for it. He might be looking at MLB offers however...

[S5Dewey]

That’s not cherry picking at all. It’s his last two seasons, not 2 of his last 3 or 4.

 

 

Of course it's cherry picking! Cherry picking is going back as far as you have to in order to make your case - which you did. Had you gone back 4 years you'd have had to say that he's 30-31 over the past four seasons which wouldn't have fit your purpose.

 

If you're going to cherry pick at least don't deny you're doing it!

 

Just for fun I'll cherry pick a little. Over the past season, since his surgery in 2017 he's 7-2 with an ERA of 2.01 and a WHIP of 1.037. Great numbers. Sign him now, right?

[Larry Cook]

I think the biggest problem with buchholz is durability, he just is not big and strong enough to pitch 200 innings. As he tires, his mechanics fail and the bottom falls out.

 

As a reliever, pitching 70 to 80 innings a year, he could be killer, because his stuff can be above average.

[fxkatt]

I’m very torn on Joe Kelly. What are we going to get from him. Second half joe Kelly whatever contract he gets will be bad, but postseason joe Kelly will be a steal.

 

In the post-season Kelly looked incredibly focused. He looked like he was pitching from some kind concentrated mental zone which seemed to give some kind of edge on almost every hitter he faced, and of course, far more control of the strike zone.

 

Speaking of post-game relievers, how about Romo for one year at 3-4 million. A gutsy pitcher.

[Fisk]

In the post-season Kelly looked incredibly focused. He looked like he was pitching from some kind concentrated mental zone which seemed to give some kind of edge on almost every hitter he faced, and of course, far more control of the strike zone.

 

Speaking of post-game relievers, how about Romo for one year at 3-4 million. A gutsy pitcher.

 

I like the year and the price, but would want someone along with him.

[Larry Cook]

Doesn’t desperate Dave prefer power relievers to soft tossers?

 

I actually happen to agree with Dave on power relievers.

[notin]

I

I like the year and the price, but would want someone along with him.

 

I’d be hesitant to give Romo a guaranteed deal. Minor league? Sure, but he can and will do better.

 

But if you sign Romo, you might need a replacement arm. I would spend the extra $5-6mill (estimated) and get Kelly or Miller.

 

And if the estimate are right for Kelly and Miller, the Sox really should go get them both...

[Fisk]

I

 

I’d be hesitant to give Romo a guaranteed deal. Minor league? Sure, but he can and will do better.

 

But if you sign Romo, you might need a replacement arm. I would spend the extra $5-6mill (estimated) and get Kelly or Miller.

 

And if the estimate are right for Kelly and Miller, the Sox really should go get them both...

 

Romo should get more then a minor league deal. Had a decent year last year.

[notin]

Romo should get more then a minor league deal. Had a decent year last year.

 

Which I said.

 

But his elbow has been rebuilt too many times for guaranteed money in my opinion...

[fxkatt]

I like the year and the price, but would want someone along with him.

 

Oh yes, that's what I meant. He would be one added reliever among two or three, depending on the cost and contracts. Romo is someone I would want to sneak in at a good price. Romo one year, Miller two years, and Robertson three years... would nicely do.

[oldtimer]

Oh yes, that's what I meant. He would be one added reliever among two or three, depending on the cost and contracts. Romo is someone I would want to sneak in at a good price. Romo one year, Miller two years, and Robertson three years... would nicely do.

 

I would find Robertson for 2 years a good deal but would shy away from Miller and Romo.

[fxkatt]

I would find Robertson for 2 years a good deal but would shy away from Miller and Romo.

 

I would actually go with Robertson and Britton--and Romo later if things fall into a place. I think Romo is one tough bird, and sense he has one more solid year in him. But Robertson and Romo have a lot of mileage on them, and Britton may have recovery issues. Which is why we might want to take all 3 and spread the work around, if possible. (short contracts, of course, if possible)

[moonslav59]

I would actually go with Robertson and Britton--and Romo later if things fall into a place. I think Romo is one tough bird, and sense he has one more solid year in him. But Robertson and Romo have a lot of mileage on them, and Britton may have recovery issues. Which is why we might want to take all 3 and spread the work around, if possible. (short contracts, of course, if possible)

 

I doubt we have enough budget space for both. Both will likely get 3 or more years.

[Kimmi]

I think the biggest problem with buchholz is durability, he just is not big and strong enough to pitch 200 innings. As he tires, his mechanics fail and the bottom falls out.

 

As a reliever, pitching 70 to 80 innings a year, he could be killer, because his stuff can be above average.

 

That's an interesting thought about using Buchholz as a reliever.

[Kimmi]

In the post-season Kelly looked incredibly focused. He looked like he was pitching from some kind concentrated mental zone which seemed to give some kind of edge on almost every hitter he faced, and of course, far more control of the strike zone.

 

Speaking of post-game relievers, how about Romo for one year at 3-4 million. A gutsy pitcher.

 

I get the feeling that Kelly will be returning to Boston.

 

I've read that his teammates really want him back.

[cp176]

It would not surprise me at all if Kelly returns. I'd be ok with it I think either way. I would not alter his role though if he does come back.

[TylerD]

It would not surprise me at all if Kelly returns. I'd be ok with it I think either way. I would not alter his role though if he does come back.

 

I would be ok with him coming back. Especially in the playoffs having a weapon like that to come in and pitch any inning is a beauty to have.

[cp176]

I would be ok with him coming back. Especially in the playoffs having a weapon like that to come in and pitch any inning is a beauty to have.

 

I agree and I also feel that one of the reasons that he pitched so well in the series was that he knew that if he screwed up he had Sale, Price, Porcello. Eovaldi, and E-Rod out there to pick him up.

[Larry Cook]

I get the feeling that Kelly will be returning to Boston.

 

I've read that his teammates really want him back.

 

Yes, I agree, Cora seems to really like guys who are good in the club house and can contribute on the field.

 

If we can stomach the roller coaster ride Kelly will endure during the regular season, this could be an important resigning.