The Pen

[OH FOY]

Well, Barnes pitched fantastically well last postseason.

 

8.2 IP allowing a slash line of 103/257/207.

 

Vastly better than Kimbrel's line, needless to say.

 

Which doesn't mean he'll be a great closer, but it speaks well of his ability to pitch under pressure.

 

How many games, and what was the score, when he entered? Did he face the top of line-up or bottom. What teams too? Like I said, no problem trying him out, but Eovaldi, can be used as a back-up, if he fails. And not only as a 1 inning Closer, either.

Edited January 16, 2019 by OH FOY!

[Bellhorn04]

How many games, and what was the score, when he entered? Did he face the top of line-up or bottom. What teams too?

 

What teams? LOL

 

For starters he preserved the lead in games 1 and 4 of the ALDS against the Yanks.

 

Just check his postseason game log on Baseball-Reference.

 

https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=barnema01&t=p&post=1

[TylerD]

What teams? LOL

 

For starters he preserved the lead in games 1 and 4 of the ALDS against the Yanks.

 

Just check his postseason game log on Baseball-Reference.

 

https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=barnema01&t=p&post=1

 

To me it doesn't even need to be explained. Kimbrel nearly cost us in the playoffs more times than I care to count. Try Barnes in the closing role and if it doesn't work out adjust at that time. In my opinion it can't get much worse than Kimbrel (on paper he was good with closes) but if we didn't have a 2 or 3 or more run lead in 3 (maybe 4) of those games Kimbrel would have blown it for us and maybe a chance at the World Series. Kimbrel shook off whatever he had going on near the end there and pitched well in the Dodgers series but he is too inconsistent for my liking.

[Kimmi]

This is the dumb fan in me speaking, but I wonder about Steve Wright as a closer... if, he's back in form. I think he could be more shut-down than anyone on our current (unfinished, I assume) roster. And he certainly would pose real problems for opposing lineups. As to his consistency, I think it might be able to at least match Kimbrel if he's as good as he once was (pre-injury). And, of course, this move would not at all detract from a 6-man rotation.

 

If the knuckleball is working, he could be a lights out closer. The scary part is that you never know whether it will be dancing or not. There could be a lot of 9th inning drama with him on the mound.

[Kimmi]

How many games, and what was the score, when he entered? Did he face the top of line-up or bottom. What teams too? Like I said, no problem trying him out, but Eovaldi, can be used as a back-up, if he fails. And not only as a 1 inning Closer, either.

 

If moving Eovaldi to the closer role weakens our rotation, then I'm against the idea. IMO, he's more valuable as a starter than he would be as a reliever. Now if other guys like Wright or Johnson are pitching so well in the rotation that Eovaldi kind of becomes the odd man out, then that's a different story.

[moonslav59]

If the knuckleball is working, he could be a lights out closer. The scary part is that you never know whether it will be dancing or not. There could be a lot of 9th inning drama with him on the mound.

 

I never knew, if CK would be on or off, too.

[mvp 78]

To me it doesn't even need to be explained. Kimbrel nearly cost us in the playoffs more times than I care to count. Try Barnes in the closing role and if it doesn't work out adjust at that time. In my opinion it can't get much worse than Kimbrel (on paper he was good with closes) but if we didn't have a 2 or 3 or more run lead in 3 (maybe 4) of those games Kimbrel would have blown it for us and maybe a chance at the World Series. Kimbrel shook off whatever he had going on near the end there and pitched well in the Dodgers series but he is too inconsistent for my liking.

 

Kimbrel nearly cost the Sox the playoffs even though they were never on the verge of being eliminated. Um, ok....

[oldtimer]

I never knew, if CK would be on or off, too.

 

Here we are on January 17th and the three questions that were important before the winter meetings remain unresolved.

 

1. Who will DD get for a closer this year or will he just go with the pen as it is currently configured and bring up one or two minor leaguers to fill it out?

 

2. Will Pedey's knee be in good enough shape to allow him to play a significant amount of the season at 2nd base? If not, then will DD make a move?

 

3. How will the catching situation be resolved? Pretty much it is assumed we will only keep 2 on the roster, but how will that be decided?

 

Seems unlikely, but another question that might come up is whether any of our minor league position players will make the roster. Chavis, Dalbec, Lin?

[notin]

Here we are on January 17th and the three questions that were important before the winter meetings remain unresolved.

 

1. Who will DD get for a closer this year or will he just go with the pen as it is currently configured and bring up one or two minor leaguers to fill it out?

 

2. Will Pedey's knee be in good enough shape to allow him to play a significant amount of the season at 2nd base? If not, then will DD make a move?

 

3. How will the catching situation be resolved? Pretty much it is assumed we will only keep 2 on the roster, but how will that be decided?

 

Seems unlikely, but another question that might come up is whether any of our minor league position players will make the roster. Chavis, Dalbec, Lin?

 

1. I am hoping for a bullpen addition or two, but right now the Sox have Barnes, Brasier, Hembree, Workman, Thornburg, and Johnson and (if healthy) Wright.They also have Poyner, Brewer and Lakins on the 40-man roster and still have one open space.

 

2. Hopefully Pedroia can play. This surgery can go either way. It ended the career of Grady Sizemore prematurely, but it also didn't affect Justin Turner much at all.

 

3. It looks like Vazquez and Leon split catching duties, which is fine with me. Swihart falls into the category of supersub utility players, of which the Sox have 4 if you count Pearce. If Pedroia cannot go, one of Holt or Nunez probably handles 2b, leaving the team at 25 active players. If Pedroia can play, someone has to go. The only player with an option left is Holt, but I really doubt he gets demoted. So maybe Swihart is moved or released at some point?

 

Chavis and Lin will both play at some point this year as needed for injuries. But that's probably the only way they make the 25 man roster at all this season. Dalbec is not even on the 40 man roster yet, and isn't likely to be the next player added from within. Erasmo Ramirez probably is, as he has an opt out but if he pitches like he is capable, he might be in the pen. Durbin Feltman is another player likely added before Dalbec, but I do think they want Feltman to get some innings above A-ball first...

[moonslav59]

1. Who will DD get for a closer this year or will he just go with the pen as it is currently configured and bring up one or two minor leaguers to fill it out?

 

I think DD will acquire one decent to significant RP'er, who may or may not have much closer experience. It probably will be via trade (Chavis/Swihart?).

 

 

2. Will Pedey's knee be in good enough shape to allow him to play a significant amount of the season at 2nd base? If not, then will DD make a move?

We'll never know about Pedey. He could go down at any minute. I don't think we make a deal, until we see how Nunez looks and if Holt is still strong. At worst, we make a similar trade as the Kinsler one in July.

 

 

 

3. How will the catching situation be resolved? Pretty much it is assumed we will only keep 2 on the roster, but how will that be decided?

I don't see this as an issue. I think Vaz is the starter. Leon is Sale's caddy. He probably should be Price's caddy, too. That would make Vaz the 60% starter with Leon getting 40%. Maybe Vaz catches half Price's starts making him the 70% starter.

 

Swihart comes to ST'ing maybe needing to win a job as a utility player with the added bonus of being able to catch when needed, or if we PH for 2 catchers in a game. The 25th slot goes to Swihart, Lin or Chavis if a 1Bman is hurt).

 

I think Vaz will come closer to his 2017 numbers on offense than his 2018 ones, but I'm fine with our catchers' performance of 2018, despite the poor offense all around..

[TylerD]

Kimbrel nearly cost the Sox the playoffs even though they were never on the verge of being eliminated. Um, ok....

 

If you think Kimbrel was sharp in the playoffs give your head a shake man. Maybe that is too strong of a thing to say he almost cost us the playoffs, however everytime he got out there (other than the World Series he improved) it was a heart attack and if it wasn't for us having a 2 or 3 run lead he would have blown it. Not sad to see him leave.

 

The 5 games he played against the Yanks and Astros he gave up 5 runs. Also gave up 2 runs in game 4 in the World Series. Hardly classifies as a shut down closer. He got us a lot of closes this season I'll give you that, but he isn't some valuable God that we need to keep. He especially can't be relied upon to go anything more than 3 innings if need be. He does it, but it's a heart attack waiting to happen.

Edited January 17, 2019 by TylerD

[mvp 78]

If you think Kimbrel was sharp in the playoffs give your head a shake man. Maybe that is too strong of a thing to say he almost cost us the playoffs, however everytime he got out there (other than the World Series he improved) it was a heart attack and if it wasn't for us having a 2 or 3 run lead he would have blown it. Not sad to see him leave.

 

I'm not going to defend his 6.54 FIP in the postseason or his 1.59 WHIP.

[dgalehouse]

Question : When are small sample sizes ( even ultra small sample sizes ) acceptable as evidence? Answer : When it suits our purposes.

[mvp 78]

Question : When are small sample sizes ( even ultra small sample sizes ) acceptable as evidence? Answer : When it suits our purposes.

 

He sucked in the playoffs for sure. Will he suck next year? Probably not.

 

I think most people want to move on from Kimbrel due to the size of his contract demands, not due to 10 innings from last fall.

[TylerD]

He sucked in the playoffs for sure. Will he suck next year? Probably not.

 

I think most people want to move on from Kimbrel due to the size of his contract demands, not due to 10 innings from last fall.

 

This 100%

[dgalehouse]

He sucked in the playoffs for sure. Will he suck next year? Probably not.

 

I think most people want to move on from Kimbrel due to the size of his contract demands, not due to 10 innings from last fall.

 

From what I see , many are very much influenced by his playoff struggles. It is repeatedly mentioned. Keep this in mind ; Kimbrel has been with the Sox for three years . Three times an All Star . Three straight A.L. East titles. Was he the main reason for the titles? No . Was he a big part of it ? Yes . The market will decide what kind of a contract he gets . I do not expect the Sox to pay more than the budget will stand . But I do expect them to at least find a suitable replacement. It will be very difficult to win again otherwise.

[S5Dewey]

He sucked in the playoffs for sure. Will he suck next year? Probably not.

 

I think most people want to move on from Kimbrel due to the size of his contract demands, not due to 10 innings from last fall.

 

It's a combination of the two things. Also, he temporarily fell out of favor with some of us during 2016 during that period when he was yanking his curve ball and couldn't find the plate with both hands and a flashlight. Once you see that happen you have to wonder if it'll happen again... and it did for a while in 2017.

 

That, in addition to the size of his contract demands and his lackluster WS performance would keep me from signing him to anywhere near the contract he wants. I would sign him for the right price, however, but I suspect it's less than he's going to get offered elsewhere and less than he'd take.

[BillyWilliams]

I read a rumor on twitter that the Phillies are interested in kimbrel.

[redsoxrules]

Another reliever off the books. Ottavino signs with Yankee's

[kenmeister]

Another reliever off the books. Ottavino signs with Yankee's

 

Oh no!

[mvp 78]

Another reliever off the books. Ottavino signs with Yankee's

 

Yanks hoping that career low 240 BABIP from last year is the new norm.

[TylerD]

It's a combination of the two things. Also, he temporarily fell out of favor with some of us during 2016 during that period when he was yanking his curve ball and couldn't find the plate with both hands and a flashlight. Once you see that happen you have to wonder if it'll happen again... and it did for a while in 2017.

 

That, in addition to the size of his contract demands and his lackluster WS performance would keep me from signing him to anywhere near the contract he wants. I would sign him for the right price, however, but I suspect it's less than he's going to get offered elsewhere and less than he'd take.

Ya I can’t see it happened. A team like Philly or something will sign him for a good chunk. I agree that with the right price I wouldn’t mind keeping him. And although last season in the post season was a “small sample size” as some like to call it. It was very concerning for the price he likely wants and will get.

[OH FOY]

That 3.36 ERA in Coors Field not bad for Ottavino. 206 innings, only 19 HRS in that launching pad, pretty good.

[harmony]

From a Yankee forum regarding Craig Kimbrel:

Re: Official 2018-19 Offseason / Hot Stove Thread

Quote Originally Posted by Yankee Tripper View Post

Doesn't even need to be Philly. I'm fine if he signs with anyone but Boston like LAA, ATL or anyone really.

Not too concerned about Kimbrel re-signing with the Sox. It may even benefit us to have his contract on their books long term. I'd be happy for them to add Kimbrel this year and lose Boegarts next year or even Sale.

http://www.nyyfansforum.com/showthread.php/138716-Official-2018-19-Offseason-Hot-Stove-Thread/page911

[vegasbob]

Looking at bits and pieces of several recent comments, I think the Sox FO has such a large problem retaining the young core , JDM's option out, and the Porcello/Sale parts of the rotation after 2019 that DD will not go big on a serious closer, including Kimbrel, this year. He has the recency of the WS win to wave around and this team will still be very competitive in 2019. See if Pedroia can play and contribute, see if Barnes/Brasier can step up , see if Johnson/Wright can contribute , see if Erod becomes a consistent winner, see who gets injured , AND then make moves as needed towards mid July. I honestly can't see the Sox being anything less than a serious WC contender in the AL even without a big time RP add. The Sox can us the versatility of Swihart to get another arm during ST.

 

Ottovino would have been an interesting pickup and Cashman has now loaded NYY bullpen, trying to make it easy for Boone to push buttons and get wins.

[Hitch]

The Yankees have built quite the pen.

[d-money]

Skankees are doing everything to surpass us next season. Are we gonna doing anything?

[notin]

Looking at bits and pieces of several recent comments, I think the Sox FO has such a large problem retaining the young core , JDM's option out, and the Porcello/Sale parts of the rotation after 2019 that DD will not go big on a serious closer, including Kimbrel, this year. He has the recency of the WS win to wave around and this team will still be very competitive in 2019. See if Pedroia can play and contribute, see if Barnes/Brasier can step up , see if Johnson/Wright can contribute , see if Erod becomes a consistent winner, see who gets injured , AND then make moves as needed towards mid July. I honestly can't see the Sox being anything less than a serious WC contender in the AL even without a big time RP add. The Sox can us the versatility of Swihart to get another arm during ST.

 

Ottovino would have been an interesting pickup and Cashman has now loaded NYY bullpen, trying to make it easy for Boone to push buttons and get wins.

 

 

I’m noticing DD doesn’t do much in the off-season anymore. What are his 5 best new off-season acquisitions in the past 2 years?

 

1. JD

2. Brasier, and that one might be a bit of luck.

3. Colten Brewer? Erasmo Ramirez? I’m struggling here.

 

Really since 2016, it’s been JD...

[Bellhorn04]

I’m noticing DD doesn’t do much in the off-season anymore. What are his 5 best new off-season acquisitions in the past 2 years?

 

1. JD

2. Brasier, and that one might be a bit of luck.

3. Colten Brewer? Erasmo Ramirez? I’m struggling here.

 

Really since 2016, it’s been JD...

 

When the payroll's pushing 250 mill and the farm is depleted, it does tie your hands a wee bit.

 

Besides, he didn't need to do much more for the 2018 team than what he did.

[notin]

And in unrelated news, Carson Smith won’t be ready to start the season. How shocking!!!

 

I never question minor league contracts and frequently have stated there is no such thing as a bad one. But Smith has become nothing in 3 years. How did he of all the relievers out there get DD’s attention?