The Pen

[notin]

He did let up an HR, and his K/9 was only 4.2, but his 1.15 WHIP was acceptable.

 

He was a lot better once Eric Gagne clued him in that he was tipping his pitches...

[notin]

Brandon Morrow started as the closer but got hurt.

 

Theo Epstein was apparently a little displeased with Joe Maddon about the circumstances under which Morrow got injured...I don't remember the exact details.

 

Silly Epstein.

 

If there’s one thing he needed to know about Brandon Morrow, it’s that he gets hurt easily and frequently.

 

I assume Maddon just looked at Morrow funny. That is usually enough...

[TylerD]

He did let up an HR, and his K/9 was only 4.2, but his 1.15 WHIP was acceptable.

 

Ya, I am not sure what got into him in the playoffs.... But it seems he was off in the early series against the Yankees, and then tried to change his mechanics or something.... Whatever it was..... it was ugly. Still at the end of the day with his regular season stats, and being on a team winning the World Series it doesn't surprise me what he wants in his contract and a good chance he will likely get it. On paper he looks irreplaceable but losing him in all honesty I don't think will break this team.

[mvp 78]

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/01/red-sox-to-sign-jenrry-mejia.html

 

The Red Sox have inked a minor-league deal with former MLB reliever Jenrry Mejia, according to Jon Heyman of Fancred (Twitter link). He’ll head to MLB Spring Training in search of a comeback from a lengthy absence — one that was occasioned by his own incredibly poor decisionmaking.

 

Mejia, of course, was once a key late-inning reliever for the Mets. That all changed when he was popped for PED-related violations on three occasions, leading to a lifetime ban. While commissioner Rob Manfred ultimately lifted that prohibition, Mejia is now long removed from his big league career. The 29-year-old last appeared on the MLB mound in the middle of the 2015 season.

[notin]

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/01/red-sox-to-sign-jenrry-mejia.html

 

The Red Sox have inked a minor-league deal with former MLB reliever Jenrry Mejia, according to Jon Heyman of Fancred (Twitter link). He’ll head to MLB Spring Training in search of a comeback from a lengthy absence — one that was occasioned by his own incredibly poor decisionmaking.

 

Mejia, of course, was once a key late-inning reliever for the Mets. That all changed when he was popped for PED-related violations on three occasions, leading to a lifetime ban. While commissioner Rob Manfred ultimately lifted that prohibition, Mejia is now long removed from his big league career. The 29-year-old last appeared on the MLB mound in the middle of the 2015 season.

 

I gave this its own thread, so people could find it easier...

[Bellhorn04]

Silly Epstein.

 

If there’s one thing he needed to know about Brandon Morrow, it’s that he gets hurt easily and frequently.

 

I assume Maddon just looked at Morrow funny. That is usually enough...

 

I had to do some digging on this.

 

The issue about Morrow was that Maddon used him in 3 straight games, May 31 to June 2, and Morrow subsequently reported some pain.

 

The second thing Epstein was displeased about was Pedro Strop getting injured when Maddon inserted him as a pinch-hitter in extra innings, with the pen already depleted.

[mvp 78]

I gave this its own thread, so people could find it easier...

 

Effff the people...

[Kimmi]

Dave's got something up his sleeve. Like everyone else here, I have no idea what it is yet.

 

I also believe that he has something up his sleeve.

 

I just hope it doesn't involve trading someone like Jackie or Porcello for relief help.

 

Then again, I might be pleasantly surprised by the return.

[Kimmi]

Kimbrel was extremely reliable for us for 3 seasons. I don't know what was going on with him in the postseason, but it was bad. Remarkably he didn't actually blow any games, just scared the crap out of everyone.

 

Having him back would make us a better team. But his price is going to rule that out.

 

In Kimbrel's defense, what happened in the postseason is one of those small sample size random things. I would not use that as any type of gauge as to whether to re-sign him or not. There are other factors that would keep me from re-signing him, but not his postseason woes.

[Bellhorn04]

In Kimbrel's defense, what happened in the postseason is one of those small sample size random things. I would not use that as any type of gauge as to whether to re-sign him or not. There are other factors that would keep me from re-signing him, but not his postseason woes.

 

Yes, I tend to agree.

[Kimmi]

Silly Epstein.

 

If there’s one thing he needed to know about Brandon Morrow, it’s that he gets hurt easily and frequently.

 

I assume Maddon just looked at Morrow funny. That is usually enough...

 

That may be the case, but Maddon is another one of those self-important twits.

[Larry Cook]

In Kimbrel's defense, what happened in the postseason is one of those small sample size random things. I would not use that as any type of gauge as to whether to re-sign him or not. There are other factors that would keep me from re-signing him, but not his postseason woes.

 

I think there are two issues working against Kimbrel.

 

1.) control issues in 2018 that escalated during the playoffs. Stats guys see that as a red flag.

 

2.) ridiculous contract demands.

 

I wonder how much the control issues are affecting our decision to not sign kimbrel?

[harmony]

The Arizona Diamondbacks reportedly will sign reliever Greg Holland:

 

 

 

I wonder whether that makes Archie Bradley or Yoshihisa Hirano (or Rubby De La Rosa) more available in a trade.

[moonslav59]

I think there are two issues working against Kimbrel.

 

1.) control issues in 2018 that escalated during the playoffs. Stats guys see that as a red flag.

 

2.) ridiculous contract demands.

 

I wonder how much the control issues are affecting our decision to not sign kimbrel?

 

His demands mean nothing, if nobody comes near them.

[harmony]

Is Craig Kimbrel out of the question for the Red Sox?

 

https://weei.radio.com/blogs/rob-bradford/what-its-worth-craig-kimbrel-working-out-near-boston

[dgalehouse]

As long as Kimbrel has not signed elsewhere, there is still hope . Why some Sox fans don't want him back is completely beyond my comprehension. He is one of the best closers of all time . Still young , strong, healthy and durable .

[Bellhorn04]

As long as Kimbrel has not signed elsewhere, there is still hope . Why some Sox fans don't want him back is completely beyond my comprehension. He is one of the best closers of all time . Still young , strong, healthy and durable .

 

The arguments against re-signing him are that he'll be too expensive and that he appears to be in decline.

 

If anyone says he wouldn't help this team, that would be wrong of course.

[Bellhorn04]

Closers do get a bit of a rough ride from fans. Maybe that's why they think they should be paid more LOL

 

Who is the best-loved closer in Red Sox history?

 

It's Koji, of course. There may not be any other contenders. Foulke, Papelbon, Kimbrel all fell out of favor with a lot of fans for performance regression.

[Jack Flap]

I liked Notin's idea of offering Kimbrel $20 million for 1 year and seeing if he bites. That would probably be the best possible outcome for this winter, though if the Sox are firm about staying under the top LT threshold (and all indications are that they are), it's a moot point.

[S5Dewey]

As long as Kimbrel has not signed elsewhere, there is still hope . Why some Sox fans don't want him back is completely beyond my comprehension. He is one of the best closers of all time . Still young , strong, healthy and durable .

 

It's very significant that Kimbrel hasn't signed yet. It tells me that the Sox aren't the only team thinking that K's expectations are too high. A good many things influence those expectations; MONEY, length of contract, the city, the other players on the team, a chance at a ring, how management is perceived, they all come into play (but notice that MONEY is capitalized). Sooner or later K's expectations will meet the offer of a GM someplace and he'll sign.

 

My best guess is that DD has an open line to K's agent and the Sox will get a shot at him yet. The only question is whether they'll get together on a price.

[dgalehouse]

Closers do get a bit of a rough ride from fans. Maybe that's why they think they should be paid more LOL

 

Who is the best-loved closer in Red Sox history?

 

It's Koji, of course. There may not be any other contenders. Foulke, Papelbon, Kimbrel all fell out of favor with a lot of fans for performance regression.

Koji had an unbelievable year in the magical season of 2013 . Other than that , he was good , but his career numbers are not nearly equal to Kimbrel's. He was definitely lovable. I still love him .

[notin]

So according to Olney, DD has said he’s done with the bullpen . (Is DD to be believed? That’s another thing altogether.)

 

If DD is done, it looks like the Sox have a bullpen with Barnes, Brasier, and Hembree as locks. Johnson is probably a lock, too. Thornburg and Workman are likely. That leaves at least one spot for at least one of Tapia, Brewer, Mejia, Lakins, and Poyner while Wright, Smith and Putnam all probably start the year on the DL...

[notin]

Koji had an unbelievable year in the magical season of 2013 . Other than that , he was good , but his career numbers are not nearly equal to Kimbrel's. He was definitely lovable. I still love him .

 

His career numbers in Boston are better than Kimbrel’s...

[TylerD]

As long as Kimbrel has not signed elsewhere, there is still hope . Why some Sox fans don't want him back is completely beyond my comprehension. He is one of the best closers of all time . Still young , strong, healthy and durable .

 

If the price is right absolutely sign him. But he was scary in the playoffs. Maybe to some, that is too small a sample size. But if our team wasn’t as good as it was he would have cost us some games in the playoffs. With that said. Every pitcher has some bad stretches so I’m not against signing him back....... if the price is right. Call me crazy whatever. But I think he can be replaced.

[dgalehouse]

His career numbers in Boston are better than Kimbrel’s...

 

In four years with the Sox Koji was 14 -13 with 79 saves . In three years Kimbrel is 12 - 7 with 108 saves . Koji does have a lower ERA however . The thing that most stands out to me about Kimbrel is his career stat in OPS against . In nine years , it is . 485 . I could be wrong ( yet again ) but I don't think anyone has a lower one than that .

[notin]

In four years with the Sox Koji was 14 -13 with 79 saves . In three years Kimbrel is 12 - 7 with 108 saves . Koji does have a lower ERA however . The thing that most stands out to me about Kimbrel is his career stat in OPS against . In nine years , it is . 485 . I could be wrong ( yet again ) but I don't think anyone has a lower one than that .

 

Going by saves isn’t really a good measure. Koji did spend 4 years in Boston, but 2 of those were a last place team, which presumably meant fewer save chances. Koji did have a lower ERA, and also a lower WHIP. ..

[moonslav59]

Koji had an unbelievable year in the magical season of 2013 . Other than that , he was good , but his career numbers are not nearly equal to Kimbrel's. He was definitely lovable. I still love him .

 

He was off the charts in 2013, but he had several excellent years.

 

WHIP- K/BB

 

Uehara (7 nice years, including 1 great one!)

0.96- 11.0 ('10)

0.72- 9.44 ('11)

0.64- 14.3 ('12)

0.57- 11.2 ('13)

0.92- 10.0 ('14)

0.92- 5.22 ('15)

0.96- 5.73 ('16)

 

Kimbrel (8 nice years including 2 great ones)

1.04- 3.97 ('11)

0.65- 8.29 ('12)

0.88- 4.90 ('13)

0.91- 3.65 ('14)

1.05- 3.95 ('15)

1.09- 2.77 ('16)

0.68- 9.00 ('17)

1.00- 3.10 ('18)

 

Koji 7 seasons blows Kimbrel 8 seasons away on K/BB

 

K/BB

8.78 Koji

4.38 Kimbrel

 

WHIP is closer but still clearly in Koji's favor

0.795 Koji

0.908 Kimbrel

 

For reference sake...

 

Mo Rivera from 1999-2012- his best stretch:

0.942 WHIP

4.74 K/BB

 

Let's not shortchange Koji just because his one great year was so fantastic. He had a nice streak before and afterwards:

 

2010-2012:

0.772- 10.76

 

2014-2016

0.930-6.79

 

Amazing numbers without 2013.

 

[dgalehouse]

He was off the charts in 2013, but he had several excellent years.

 

WHIP- K/BB

 

Uehara (7 nice years, including 1 great one!)

0.96- 11.0 ('10)

0.72- 9.44 ('11)

0.64- 14.3 ('12)

0.57- 11.2 ('13)

0.92- 10.0 ('14)

0.92- 5.22 ('15)

0.96- 5.73 ('16)

 

Kimbrel (8 nice years including 2 great ones)

1.04- 3.97 ('11)

0.65- 8.29 ('12)

0.88- 4.90 ('13)

0.91- 3.65 ('14)

1.05- 3.95 ('15)

1.09- 2.77 ('16)

0.68- 9.00 ('17)

1.00- 3.10 ('18)

 

Koji 7 seasons blows Kimbrel 8 seasons away on K/BB

 

K/BB

8.78 Koji

4.38 Kimbrel

 

WHIP is closer but still clearly in Koji's favor

0.795 Koji

0.908 Kimbrel

 

For reference sake...

 

Mo Rivera from 1999-2012- his best stretch:

0.942 WHIP

4.74 K/BB

 

Let's not shortchange Koji just because his one great year was so fantastic. He had a nice streak before and afterwards:

 

2010-2012:

0.772- 10.76

 

2014-2016

0.930-6.79

 

Amazing numbers without 2013.

 

 

I am not shortchanging Koji by any means . I am a big fan of his . His career numbers are not as good as Kimbrel's. Plain and simple.

[notin]

I am not shortchanging Koji by any means . I am a big fan of his . His career numbers are not as good as Kimbrel's. Plain and simple.

 

 

Also worth mentioning, Koji didn’t pitch in MLB until he was 34 and those numbers span through age 41. Kimbrel turns 31 in May...

[Slasher9]

As long as Kimbrel has not signed elsewhere, there is still hope . Why some Sox fans don't want him back is completely beyond my comprehension. He is one of the best closers of all time . Still young , strong, healthy and durable .

 

i would love to have him on a 1 year deal. i dont even care the amount of $$$. more than 1 year? hard pass. we resetting next year. this year? $300MM payroll for all i care. give him 1/$20MM contract.....