The Pen

[sk7326]

Who would I take NOW as an old man. Uehara is the most tempting because he never worked with a plus fastball anyway - exceptional location and a terrific splitter. Foulke is his arm was healthy had the same thing going for him - an unremarkable fastball but well located and a wipeout change.

[harmony]

The Red Sox reportedly will sign righthanded reliever Brian Ellington to a minor league contract:

 

[notin]

The Red Sox reportedly will sign righthanded reliever Brian Ellington to a minor league contract:

 

 

DD is looking for the next Brasier.

 

Runzler throws about 96 mph. Ellington is closer to 98-99 mph...

[Kimmi]

DD is looking for the next Brasier.

 

Runzler throws about 96 mph. Ellington is closer to 98-99 mph...

 

Dombrowski has officially become "Dumpster Dive" Dave, not that there's anything wrong with that.

 

I am glad to see that he is signing all of these minor league contracts.

[jacksonianmarch]

Runzler has a 1.5 WHIP with the Sugar Land Skeeters. Ellington was awful in 17 and missed 18 with arm issues. They’re all low risk signings, and he’s clearly looking for the next Brasier. The question is, how many games need to be blown before he ponies up and gets someone decent?

[Kimmi]

Runzler has a 1.5 WHIP with the Sugar Land Skeeters. Ellington was awful in 17 and missed 18 with arm issues. They’re all low risk signings, and he’s clearly looking for the next Brasier. The question is, how many games need to be blown before he ponies up and gets someone decent?

 

The more crap you throw, the better the chance that some of it sticks.

[notin]

Runzler has a 1.5 WHIP with the Sugar Land Skeeters. Ellington was awful in 17 and missed 18 with arm issues. They’re all low risk signings, and he’s clearly looking for the next Brasier. The question is, how many games need to be blown before he ponies up and gets someone decent?

 

How many has it cost us so far?

 

Chances are really good neither Runzler nor Ellington ever see Fenway...

[harmony]

The Red Sox failed to sign any of the 10 potential closers suggested in November by Boston Globe columnist Alex Speier:

 

https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/redsox/2018/11/13/here-are-options-for-red-sox-possible-closers/MuAiKEtrWIwIhfutRLnisI/story.html

[notin]

The Red Sox failed to sign any of the 10 potential closers suggested in November by Boston Globe columnist Alex Speier:

 

https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/redsox/2018/11/13/here-are-options-for-red-sox-possible-closers/MuAiKEtrWIwIhfutRLnisI/story.html

 

 

Premature.

 

They technically haven’t failed to sign Kimbrel yet...

[dgalehouse]

Maybe John Henry told D.D. that the spending party is over . And Dombrowski is just busting John's balls with some of these signings . Or maybe he thinks where there is velocity , there is hope .

[notin]

Maybe John Henry told D.D. that the spending party is over . And Dombrowski is just busting John's balls with some of these signings . Or maybe he thinks where there is velocity , there is hope .

 

 

Definitely the latter.

 

I really doubt Dombrowski would risk his job to needle Henry. Especially since Henry has the easiest comeback ever. “You’re fired!! On your way out, send in someone who doesn’t spend his budget on a backup first baseman before he has a plan for the bullpen.”

 

And DD does have a long history of liking radar gun readings. I’d be surprised if there was anything else about Brasier that intrigued him...

[harmony]

Premature.

 

They technically haven’t failed to sign Kimbrel yet...

Good point.

 

https://soxsphere.com/2019/01/31/red-sox-take-time-to-sign-a-closer/

[Bellhorn04]

Maybe John Henry told D.D. that the spending party is over . And Dombrowski is just busting John's balls with some of these signings . Or maybe he thinks where there is velocity , there is hope .

 

It sure gives up something to yack about the next month and a half.

[notin]

It sure gives up something to yack about the next month and a half.

 

 

Yeah.

 

I’ll make my prediction now. The Sox opening day closer is Jenrry Mejia...

[dgalehouse]

Good point.

 

https://soxsphere.com/2019/01/31/red-sox-take-time-to-sign-a-closer/

 

That article pretty much sums up my feelings on the matter. But I am in a very small minority here .

[notin]

That article pretty much sums up my feelings on the matter. But I am in a very small minority here .

 

 

I’d take Kimbrel back on a one year deal yesterday. My opinion of him has always been that I’d prefer the Sox not spend big money long term on a closer with Bogaerts, Bradley and Betts all hitting free agency within 2 years...

[moonslav59]

Maybe John Henry told D.D. that the spending party is over . And Dombrowski is just busting John's balls with some of these signings . Or maybe he thinks where there is velocity , there is hope .

 

Maybe Henry told DD there is no spending limit but to be prudent, and DD does not want to pay Kimbrel $29M for 2019.

[dgalehouse]

Maybe Henry told DD there is no spending limit but to be prudent, and DD does not want to pay Kimbrel $29M for 2019.

 

I think if John Henry gave D.D. the green light to spend what it takes to win another title , D.D. would surely do it . Why wouldn't he ?

[Bellhorn04]

I'm pretty sure DD does not have carte blanche.

[dgalehouse]

I'm pretty sure DD does not have carte blanche.

 

Absolutely. Ultimately, it is John Henry's call . Which is only right . It is his money .

[dgalehouse]

For the umpteenth time ; It is not just Kimbrel. D.D. has passed on Britton , Ottavino , Familia , Miller and just about everyone else between the levels of Robertson and Ellington . It is pretty clear to me that he has been limited in what he is allowed to spend. Nothing else really makes sense .

[notin]

I'm pretty sure DD does not have carte blanche.

 

 

Or... he does have carts Blanche and he figured the bullpen was the best place to save money, especially long term money, while keeping himself under $246mill and not inhibiting resigning Sale and/or Bogaerts and/or Betts and possibly extending Benintendi. All while repeating.

 

He does have to keep the future in mind too.

 

The problem is, this approach has burned him in the past...

[Jack Flap]

I'm pretty sure DD does not have carte blanche.

 

I think it's pretty clear that he doesn't have anything close to carte blanche, and the fact that people keep theorizing he is the one taking it upon himself to place a limit on his spending power is kind of odd.

 

Or... he does have carts Blanche and he figured the bullpen was the best place to save money, especially long term money, while keeping himself under $246mill and not inhibiting resigning Sale and/or Bogaerts and/or Betts and possibly extending Benintendi. All while repeating.

 

This wouldn't explain the lack of even a low to moderate cost 1-year signing, however. Adding one or more of Allen, Brach, Kelley, etc. could have bolstered the 2019 pen without burdening us in 2020 and beyond. This would have put us clearly over $246M, but I see no reason why Dave should care about that unless ownership told him to.

[Jack Flap]

That article pretty much sums up my feelings on the matter. But I am in a very small minority here .

 

I don't think you're necessarily in a minority here. I think all of us came into this winter assuming we'd add a closer -- at least someone better/more experienced than Barnes. It's the owners/front office who seem to have had other plans.

 

I’d take Kimbrel back on a one year deal yesterday. My opinion of him has always been that I’d prefer the Sox not spend big money long term on a closer with Bogaerts, Bradley and Betts all hitting free agency within 2 years...

 

We're definitely on the same wavelength on this.

[moonslav59]

I think if John Henry gave D.D. the green light to spend what it takes to win another title , D.D. would surely do it . Why wouldn't he ?

 

Because $29M for Kimbrel is insane.

 

The article also says what Ottavino would have cost.

 

Also, I said no limit but be prudent.

 

I have no beef with the arguments on why he's not signing someone at $3M, but maybe he thinks trading during season will net a better RP'er for the money, and being strong for the playoffs is more important than being strong in February.

[notin]

 

I have no beef with the arguments on why he's not signing someone at $3M, but maybe he thinks trading during season will net a better RP'er for the money, and being strong for the playoffs is more important than being strong in February.

 

If he waits until July, he can get a $6mill reliever and only have $3mill count against the limit. Pat Neshek, for example.

 

But before that happens, he can give a shot to any of Jenrry Mejia, Dan Runzler, Brian Ellington, Domingo Tapia, Colten Brewer, Daniel Schlereth, Carson Smith, or Zack Putnam. Or one of the draftees, like Lakins, Poyner, or Feltman...

Edited February 2, 2019 by notin

[moonslav59]

If he waits until July, he can get a $6mill reliever and only have $3mill count against the limit. Pat Neshek, for example.

 

But before that happens, he can give a shot to any of Jenrry Mejia, Dan Runzler, Brian Ellington, Domingo Tapia, Colten Brewer, Daniel Schlereth, Carson Smith, or Zack Putnam. Or one of the draftees, like Lakins, Poyner, or Feltman...

 

If he waits until July 31st, the cost should be about 1/3 or $2M for a 6 million dollar man. He could get two and still be under the max line.

[dgalehouse]

Because $29M for Kimbrel is insane.

 

The article also says what Ottavino would have cost.

 

Also, I said no limit but be prudent.

 

I have no beef with the arguments on why he's not signing someone at $3M, but maybe he thinks trading during season will net a better RP'er for the money, and being strong for the playoffs is more important than being strong in February.

No limit , but be prudent is pretty vague . D. D. has passed on just about every quality reliever out there . Some with seemingly reasonable and prudent deals . People gripe about trading prospects. Well , it would take pretty good prospects to acquire a better reliever than what he has already passed up . I guess I'm missing something.

[moonslav59]

No limit , but be prudent is pretty vague . D. D. has passed on just about every quality reliever out there . Some with seemingly reasonable and prudent deals . People gripe about trading prospects. Well , it would take pretty good prospects to acquire a better reliever than what he has already passed up . I guess I'm missing something.

 

Okay. I shouldn't have said "no limit". If there really was no limit, why aren't you screaming for Machado and Harper? We could move Devers to 1B and trade JBJ for a RP'er?

 

The "limit" is to be prudent. It's okay to go over the line, if the cost is prudent.

 

No way $29M for Kimbrel is prudent. Signing someone for $3-5M is another point, but on that point, the mid season pick-up is probably a better idea in the context of more bang for your buck and being prudent.

[Bellhorn04]

Okay. I shouldn't have said "no limit". If there really was no limit, why aren't you screaming for Machado and Harper? We could move Devers to 1B and trade JBJ for a RP'er?

 

The "limit" is to be prudent. It's okay to go over the line, if the cost is prudent.

 

No way $29M for Kimbrel is prudent. Signing someone for $3-5M is another point, but on that point, the mid season pick-up is probably a better idea in the context of more bang for your buck and being prudent.

 

The problem with the logic of waiting until the deadline, of course, is that it's 2/3 into the season and we're in the same division as the Yankees and it does make a big difference now to win the division.