The Pen

[SCM33]

why personal? why so angry? i dont get you man.

 

Slasher, you are ok. I cant stand a couple of your old board mates though. They are brutal.

 

Whenever I post anything, they attack it, then report me to the admins.

 

Moonslav had an issue with me since the day I started posting here again.

[notin]

Slasher, you are ok. I cant stand a couple of your old board mates though. They are brutal.

 

Whenever I post anything, they attack it, then report me to the admins.

 

Moonslav had an issue with me since the day I started posting here again.

 

 

For the record, I have never reported ANYONE to the admins. Not even the Yankee trolls. Never. Not on this board or any other...

[Slasher9]

Slasher, you are ok. I cant stand a couple of your old board mates though. They are brutal.

 

Whenever I post anything, they attack it, then report me to the admins.

 

Moonslav had an issue with me since the day I started posting here again.

 

getting reported is no fun. but it's happened to us all at one time or another. dont let that make you hate.

FWIW - it seems like you are just coming on lately to rip the Pen and JBj. which is fine if that is what you want to do. that's what i think you are portraying though and i have seen much more insightful posts from you in the past....i think this season is just making us all angry though.

for you bruins guys - hope you get that dub tonight to give you all a bit of sunshine in this putrid spring/early summer......

[SCM33]

getting reported is no fun. but it's happened to us all at one time or another. dont let that make you hate.

FWIW - it seems like you are just coming on lately to rip the Pen and JBj. which is fine if that is what you want to do. that's what i think you are portraying though and i have seen much more insightful posts from you in the past....i think this season is just making us all angry though.

for you bruins guys - hope you get that dub tonight to give you all a bit of sunshine in this putrid spring/early summer......

 

 

I can understand how it looks that way. I get it. In the end, I want them to win, I want JBJ to play well, I want the Pen to succeed. I get so frustrated with them, this is an outlet for the frustration. But I do understand how that looks.

[Maxbialystock]

The bullpen's mediocrity is kind of getting buried under the avalanche of other problems.

 

Agree. Almost all MLB teams go with 13 lineup players and 12 pitchers on the roster. This has been true of the Red Sox as well, and last year I think they had 11 pitchers for the playoffs.

 

But the Sox have kept 13 pitchers for almost every game this year simply because of that long road trip with no break to start the season--which was then exacerbated by the starters getting bombed early. There have actually been some runs--consecutive games--in which the bullpen has bailed the Sox (and the starter) out, but this will never be a top line bullpen. These days, top line bullpens are pricey. The Yankees top four relievers get $40M this year. The Sox top five relievers get $5.5M.

 

But the real issue--your issue-- is that the Sox needed the rotation to come thru, and they haven't--except for Sale and Price, and they also struggled early in the season. And the hitting is nowhere near as good as last year.

[moonslav59]

getting reported is no fun. but it's happened to us all at one time or another. dont let that make you hate.

FWIW - it seems like you are just coming on lately to rip the Pen and JBj. which is fine if that is what you want to do. that's what i think you are portraying though and i have seen much more insightful posts from you in the past....i think this season is just making us all angry though.

for you bruins guys - hope you get that dub tonight to give you all a bit of sunshine in this putrid spring/early summer......

 

It might also help if his posts are based in facts.

 

Last night, he said JBJ is "plummeting," when he couldn't be more wrong. I'm fine with people being wrong, but when you point it out, he never recognizes the mistake or re-states a point. He just name calls.

 

True, I called him a clown several times, and I think that was being kind, after the insults he hurled towards me and others.

 

Sorry, but I just haven't seen the "insight" you speak of. Maybe it was there before us band of board -destroyers joined this site.

 

[mvp 78]

For the record, I have never reported ANYONE to the admins. Not even the Yankee trolls. Never. Not on this board or any other...

 

There's a sale on tin foil in aisle 4 this week.

[jacksonianmarch]

Thicker skin ladies and gentlemen. There’s only one way to survive in enemy territory as long as I have and that’s to not give a s*** if someone comes at you on a board. Nobody is going to hurt you. It’s all keystrokes. Relax

[moonslav59]

Agree. Almost all MLB teams go with 13 lineup players and 12 pitchers on the roster. This has been true of the Red Sox as well, and last year I think they had 11 pitchers for the playoffs.

 

But the Sox have kept 13 pitchers for almost every game this year simply because of that long road trip with no break to start the season--which was then exacerbated by the starters getting bombed early. There have actually been some runs--consecutive games--in which the bullpen has bailed the Sox (and the starter) out, but this will never be a top line bullpen. These days, top line bullpens are pricey. The Yankees top four relievers get $40M this year. The Sox top five relievers get $5.5M.

 

But the real issue--your issue-- is that the Sox needed the rotation to come thru, and they haven't--except for Sale and Price, and they also struggled early in the season. And the hitting is nowhere near as good as last year.

 

Overall (not lately), the pen has done better than the starters. Price & Sale are not enough. We need more consistency from Porcello & ERod. Our 5th starter is pretty much an automatic 6+ runs scored and a likely loss.

 

Here are our ERA- numbers from April 24 to today:

 

43 Price (1.06)

44 Sale (0.75)

81 Porcello (1.11)

88 ERod (1.29)

109 Weber (1.40)

135 JSmith (1.59)

164 Velazquez (1.55)

191 DHern (2.67)

213 J Taylor (2.22)

11 Hembree (0.81 WHIP)

30 Workman (0.89)

32 Shawaryn (0.17)

54 Walden (0.93)

67 Brewer (1.55)

90 Barnes (1.35)

110 Brasier (1.21)

177 Lakins (1.85)

213 Thornburg (2.22)

230 Poyner (2.40)

 

If we can replace the pitchers in red with Eovaldi and an acquisition or two, maybe our staff would be much better.

 

We still could use a bat, and I'm not sure Moreland's return is what I'm talking about.

 

[SCM33]

Thicker skin ladies and gentlemen. There’s only one way to survive in enemy territory as long as I have and that’s to not give a s*** if someone comes at you on a board. Nobody is going to hurt you. It’s all keystrokes. Relax

 

You have never said anything more correct. In fairness, I hardly even remember you are a yankees fan.

 

I remember when people couldnt stand you, when you had that other username. Now, not many people remember any of that.

[jacksonianmarch]

You have never said anything more correct. In fairness, I hardly even remember you are a yankees fan.

 

I remember when people couldnt stand you, when you had that other username. Now, not many people remember any of that.

 

Time heals all wounds my friend. It also brings wisdom. I came on this site as a brash douchebag who would literally get steaming angry when someone would come at me. Age mellows all and teaches us good lessons. This is a message board we all voluntarily come to and shoot the s*** on. If it is significantly painful to come, then why come at all? A better mindset made this place incredibly tolerable and very fun to be a part of

[Kimmi]

We keep picking on the pen, but I think the intermittent offense and starting pitching are equally to blame for our .500 record.

 

When the pen blows a game, the loss is so glaring and heart wrenching that I think it stands out more than any other type of loss. Our pen needs some help. However, the pen is reason #3 behind starting pitching and inconsistent offense as to why we are a roughly .500 team.

[Maxbialystock]

When the pen blows a game, the loss is so glaring and heart wrenching that I think it stands out more than any other type of loss. Our pen needs some help. However, the pen is reason #3 behind starting pitching and inconsistent offense as to why we are a roughly .500 team.

 

 

Yup.

[moonslav59]

Yup.

 

Our pen has helped us win more games than they have helped us lose.

 

I'd say our biggest problems have been:

 

1) Lack of timely hitting

2) Defense

3) SP (first 3 weeks only)

4) Second base (before Chavis & Holt's return)

5) CF (before May 20)

 

Biggest pluses:

1) Bogey

2) Price

3) Devers

4) JD

5) Sale (after first few starts)

6) Betts

7) Pen (especially Workman/Walden/Hembree)

 

[MADSTORK]

Call Feltman

[moonslav59]

Call Feltman

 

...and tell him to stay put, work on his control, and try to get ready for September.

[notin]

...and tell him to stay put, work on his control, and try to get ready for September.

 

Steven Wright will be next.

 

At some point, DD has to remember why he signed Jenrry Mejia as well...

[notin]

In his last 8 outings (7.2 IP), Marcus Walden has a 5.87 ERA and a 1.025 OPSA. And those numbers do NOT include today.

 

Normally, bad stretch, and not a big one. But Marcus Walden is 30 years old and been part of 5 organizations since 2007. At some point, he might just return to being a pumpkin.

 

Or did that happen 9 innings ago?

[moonslav59]

Steven Wright will be next.

 

At some point, DD has to remember why he signed Jenrry Mejia as well...

 

We've bought a little time to give Johnson & Wright a showcasing, but IMO, even if they look good, we should still trade for a solid RP'er- preferably a closer type.

[notin]

We've bought a little time to give Johnson & Wright a showcasing, but IMO, even if they look good, we should still trade for a solid RP'er- preferably a closer type.

 

 

And no more Johnson. Let Shawaryn take his starts and soon-to-be Red Sox reliever Adam Conley (who is a big time Dombrowski type pitcher) take his relief outings...

[dgalehouse]

We've bought a little time to give Johnson & Wright a showcasing, but IMO, even if they look good, we should still trade for a solid RP'er- preferably a closer type.

 

There are a number of contending teams that need bullpen help . It will not be easy to get a really good reliever without giving up more than you might like .

[notin]

There are a number of contending teams that need bullpen help . It will not be easy to get a really good reliever without giving up more than you might like .

 

It never is, although by moving for a non-closing pending free agent, the cost is typically minimal.

 

Kind of a s***** list this year.

 

Closer Sean Doolittle does check most of the boxes the Sox could use this year...

[moonslav59]

There are a number of contending teams that need bullpen help . It will not be easy to get a really good reliever without giving up more than you might like .

 

It's going to be a buyers market for sure as more teams than ever will be out of it and sellers.

 

They will go for dirt cheap. Book it.

[dgalehouse]

It's going to be a buyers market for sure as more teams than ever will be out of it and sellers.

 

They will go for dirt cheap. Book it.

 

If you can get a closer type for dirt cheap , that would be great .

[moonslav59]

If you can get a closer type for dirt cheap , that would be great .

 

When you trade near the deadline, you only owe 1/3 of a player's salary. Some team will be looking to dump salary, and if we can keep the money below our max tax line, we'll find an excellent closer or two very good set up men for a decent prospect or two.

 

We got Addison Reed and Eovaldi for peanuts. What can cashews get us?

[moonslav59]

Right now 5 AL teams are already toast (BAL, KC, TOR, DET & SEA) and it is my opinion, the White Sox and Angels will be sellers by July. There's even a chance one from the Guardians, Rangers or A's might be sellers. (The Guardians have been shopping SP'ers even as they compete.)

 

In the NL, things look pretty bunched up near the last WC slot, but IMOthe Cubs and Phillies will likely have a solid lead on many teams still "in it" now. Miami and SF are all but dead now. Add Cincy, Pitt & WSH and that's 5. That makes 10 MLB teams out of it by mid June. Add CWS, LAA, NYM and SD, and we're up to 14- almost half the teams. Add the Guardians, who are already looking to sell and maybe 1-3 teams from AZ, COL, TX & OAK, and we should see over half the teams as seellers by the end of July.

 

 

[Bellhorn04]

We got Addison Reed and Eovaldi for peanuts. What can cashews get us?

 

Beeks has done pretty well with the Rays. Not sure you can call him peanuts.

[jacksonianmarch]

And no more Johnson. Let Shawaryn take his starts and soon-to-be Red Sox reliever Adam Conley (who is a big time Dombrowski type pitcher) take his relief outings...

 

Shawaryn is not going to take starters innings. He’s going to be a middle relief guy and be reserved for blowouts, rest of other relievers, or RH dominant lineups. His delivery and stuff should make him a good play vs the Yankees RH dominant lineup. The lefty dominant lineups will murder him. Other than that, I doubt you can start him in the majors.

 

He’s lower than 3/4 and higher than sidearm with a top velocity of 91 and a sweeping slider. He’s a lefty hitter’s dream.

[notin]

C

Shawaryn is not going to take starters innings. He’s going to be a middle relief guy and be reserved for blowouts, rest of other relievers, or RH dominant lineups. His delivery and stuff should make him a good play vs the Yankees RH dominant lineup. The lefty dominant lineups will murder him. Other than that, I doubt you can start him in the majors.

 

He’s lower than 3/4 and higher than sidearm with a top velocity of 91 and a sweeping slider. He’s a lefty hitter’s dream.

 

His velocity has topped out higher than 91mph, but he does lack stamina and a third pitch. But he’s still better than Johnson...

[Jasonbay44]

C

 

His velocity has topped out higher than 91mph, but he does lack stamina and a third pitch. But he’s still better than Johnson...

 

Being better than Johnson isn't saying much. Its like being better than Josh Smith