A Realistic View at 2021: Part I

[notin]

No, it's not easy, but other teams do it, and some teams, even winning ones like the Dodgers keep churning them out left and right.

 

You'd think we could have at least gotten lucky, once.

 

Maybe it's our development more than our picks.

 

We also have struck out on IFA pitchers. The last notable ones were DiceK and Okajima.

 

It doesn't hurt that we traded away a couple like Frankie Montas and Justin Masterson, and converted some of the better ones left into relievers, like Barnes and Papelbon.

 

To say it's the scouting or development is probably not correct, since this goes back nearly two decades. And if you discount Lester and Buchholz, you have to go back to Aaron Sele in 1991 to find a SP who worked out for the Sox. That spans nearly 30 years and over half a dozen GMs and probably hundreds of scouts and minor league coaches. At this point, it is getting far too coincidental for my liking.

 

Maybe part of the reason is the Sox have had a habit of filling the rotation with veteran arms as they could afford them, and simply dealt their better pitching prospects away or converted them to bullpen arms...

[mvp 78]

It doesn't hurt that we traded away a couple like Frankie Montas and Justin Masterson, and converted some of the better ones left into relievers, like Barnes and Papelbon.

 

To say it's the scouting or development is probably not correct, since this goes back nearly two decades. And if you discount Lester and Buchholz, you have to go back to Aaron Sele in 1991 to find a SP who worked out for the Sox. That spans nearly 30 years and over half a dozen GMs and probably hundreds of scouts and minor league coaches. At this point, it is getting far too coincidental for my liking.

 

Maybe part of the reason is the Sox have had a habit of filling the rotation with veteran arms as they could afford them, and simply dealt their better pitching prospects away or converted them to bullpen arms...

 

Carl Pavano did end up with a higher fWAR than Buchholz.

 

Could also be just the law of averages with the 80's giving us Clemens and Schilling, while we just missed the jackpot since. HOF* starters don't wind up in your lap all that often.

[notin]

Carl Pavano did end up with a higher fWAR than Buchholz.

Could also be just the law of averages with the 80's giving us Clemens and Schilling, while we just missed the jackpot since. HOF* starters don't wind up in your lap all that often.

 

So did Masterson...

[moonslav59]

It's not like we have avoided drafting or signing IFA ( only top bonuses listed unless notable)pitchers. Here's a list with what draft pick they were:

 

2006

1. Daniel Bard

1. Kris Johnson

1. Caleb Clay

2. Justin Masterson

3. Bryce Cox

(5 of top 7 picks were pitchers)

IFA 4. Conuegra, 5. S Pimental

 

2007

1. Nick Hagadone

3. Brock Huntzinger

(3 of top 5 picks were pitchers)

IFA 4. Roman Mendez, 5. R Velette

 

2008

1. Casey Kelly

1. Bryan Price

3. Stephen Fife

3. Kyle Weiland

(4 of top 5- pitchers)

IFA 1. Junichi Tazawa, 5. Luis Diaz, 14. Wm Cuevas

 

2009

2. Alex Wilson

(1 of top 2)

IFA 4. Raul Alcantara, 5. Mario Alcantara, 6. R Betancourt, 15. Frank Montas

 

2010

1. Anthony Ranaudo

2. Brian Workman

(2 of top 4)

IFA 3. Edwar Garcia, 4. Edwin Osorio, 4. Jose Espita

 

2011

1. Matt Barnes

1. Henry Owens

4. Noe Ramirez

(2 of top 3)

IFA 4. D. Romero, 5. Daniel McGrath

 

2012

1. Brian Johnson

1. Pat Light

2. Pat Callahan

3. Austin Maddox

4. Ty Buttrey

(8 of top 9 picks were pitchers)

IFA 1. Jose Almonte, 6. Gersson Bautista

 

2013

1. Trey Ball (7th pick)

2. Teddy Stanki.

(4 of top 5)

IFA 1. Dalier Hinojosa, 3. E De Jesus, 4 J Diaz, 10 D. Hernandez

 

2014

1. Michael Kopech

3. Jake Cozart

(3 of top 5)

IFA 2. Anderson Espinoza, 3. C Acosta, 4. J Espinoza

 

2015

6. Lakins

7. B, Taylor

8. L Allen

(0 of top 4)

IFA 1T. Cesar Gonzalez & J Figuero

 

2016

1. J Groome (12th overall)

3. Shaun Anderson

5. M Sharawyn

(4 of top 6)

IFA (penalty) 1. Hector Velazquez

 

2017

1. T Houck

4. J Thompson

(4 of top 6)

IFA: 7. B Aquino

 

2018

3. D Feltman

5. T Ward

(2 of top 5)

IFA 7. G Jackson

 

2019

3. Zeferjahn

4. N Song

(2 of top 4)

IFA 5. Nathan Cruz, 6. Cesar Ruiz

 

2020

4. Wu-Yelland

5. S Drohan

(2 of top 4)

IFA Projected: 4. Alvo Mejias & Peyton Nunez

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Kimmi]

He certainly wasn't a genius, no. He paid heavily for Sale, Price and Kimbrel.

 

His approach got us a championship followed by a c***f.

 

Another GM might have made completely different moves to get pitching, which might have worked or might not have.

 

The one thing I question, and which is still not really determinable, is how strong that farm was that Ben left, in terms of actual future MLB production.

 

It will be a while before we will know that. It's good to be able to get value out of your prospects through trade as well. I don't disagree with that concept. I just think that Dombrowski went over the top with it.

[Kimmi]

I liked the Thornburg trade, at the time, but I'd do that one over, too.

 

I did not mind either the Kinsler trade nor the Thornburg trade, even though neither one of them worked out.

[moonslav59]

I did not mind either the Kinsler trade nor the Thornburg trade, even though neither one of them worked out.

 

Agreed.

 

The deals I did not like at the times were the Kimbrel and Pom trades. The Pom trade looks fine, since Espinoza has lived on the IL. I still think we overpaid for Kimbrel and his contract, but he did well for us, and we needed a closer.

 

I loved the Sale trade.

[notin]

I did not mind either the Kinsler trade nor the Thornburg trade, even though neither one of them worked out.

 

The Kinsler trade didn't work out?

 

The Sox wanted to shore up 2B defense. Kinsler won a Gold Glove that year. We weren't going to get that out of Eduardo Nunez.

 

And Kinsler got to fulfill two long-held dreams - 1) Win a World Series, and 2) finally take a job away from Dustin Pedroia...

[Kimmi]

Agreed.

 

The deals I did not like at the times were the Kimbrel and Pom trades. The Pom trade looks fine, since Espinoza has lived on the IL. I still think we overpaid for Kimbrel and his contract, but he did well for us, and we needed a closer.

 

I loved the Sale trade.

 

I didn't particularly like the Pom trade, but I thought that it was necessary, so I understood it.

[Kimmi]

The Kinsler trade didn't work out?

 

The Sox wanted to shore up 2B defense. Kinsler won a Gold Glove that year. We weren't going to get that out of Eduardo Nunez.

 

And Kinsler got to fulfill two long-held dreams - 1) Win a World Series, and 2) finally take a job away from Dustin Pedroia...

 

I have no problem with the Kinsler trade. I think it was a good trade, even after the fact. I'm glad he won a World Series with us.

[oldtimer]

I pray that 2021 will see the application of an effective COVID-19 vaccine beginning early in the year, first to those most in danger followed by a full scale roll out. May life begin to return to normal and may we see fannies in the seats at least to partially fill ball parts beginning in April with a full return by the end of June.

My vision for the Sox in 2021 is for a competitive team that can win at least 80 games. We have Bloom and he should lead us in developing a team that gets progressively better over the next few years. I expect Cora back as manager with Roenicke by his side. That pair will have a goal of using a strong draft, effective use of international money with trades and FA pickups all aimed at improving our farm and making incremental steps forward.

I see us staying below the competitive balance tax this year with 2022 where we really go big again.

We have some interesting pieces provided we don’t trade away our strength, but instead build upon it. My vision is for a 26 man consisting of 13 pitchers and 13 field players to start the year.

Starting Pitchers: ( A Weakness) 6 of the following:

Eovaldi (or closer)

E-Rod (assumed recovered from heart inflammation)

Perrez (5th starter)

Pivetta (has the stuff but a reach)

Sale (Back by August?)

Mazza

Mata (when will we bring talent up?)

Seabold (Good reports)

FA acquisition

Bull Pen: (Also not a strength) 7 of the following

Barnes (If not traded)

Brewer

Brice

Hernandez

Leyer

Walden

Weber)Corner

FA or trade

Catchers: (Stay with what we have)

Vazquez

Plawecki (if we can bet back)

Field Players:

Bogaerts SS

Devers (corner infield)

Dalbec (corner infield) or Chavis (1st and Util)

Peraza or Arauz (Placeholder for Downs later in year)

Lin (Util)

Chatham (Util)

Outfield:

Verdugo RF

JBJ CF (if we can get him for 2 years at 6.5 mil/yr)

Duran (Hope to see him up regardless of JBJ situation)

Benintendi (verdict is out after bad 2019 second half and terrible start 2020)

Munoz (depending on Beni and JBJ)

DH:

JDM (contractually with us -but is he declining and does a change make sense?)

[moonslav59]

I pray that 2021 will see the application of an effective COVID-19 vaccine beginning early in the year, first to those most in danger followed by a full scale roll out. May life begin to return to normal and may we see fannies in the seats at least to partially fill ball parts beginning in April with a full return by the end of June.

My vision for the Sox in 2021 is for a competitive team that can win at least 80 games. We have Bloom and he should lead us in developing a team that gets progressively better over the next few years. I expect Cora back as manager with Roenicke by his side. That pair will have a goal of using a strong draft, effective use of international money with trades and FA pickups all aimed at improving our farm and making incremental steps forward.

I see us staying below the competitive balance tax this year with 2022 where we really go big again.

We have some interesting pieces provided we don’t trade away our strength, but instead build upon it. My vision is for a 26 man consisting of 13 pitchers and 13 field players to start the year.

Starting Pitchers: ( A Weakness) 6 of the following:

Eovaldi (or closer)

E-Rod (assumed recovered from heart inflammation)

Perrez (5th starter)

Pivetta (has the stuff but a reach)

Sale (Back by August?)

Mazza

Mata (when will we bring talent up?)

Seabold (Good reports)

FA acquisition

Bull Pen: (Also not a strength) 7 of the following

Barnes (If not traded)

Brewer

Brice

Hernandez

Leyer

Walden

Weber)Corner

FA or trade

Catchers: (Stay with what we have)

Vazquez

Plawecki (if we can bet back)

Field Players:

Bogaerts SS

Devers (corner infield)

Dalbec (corner infield) or Chavis (1st and Util)

Peraza or Arauz (Placeholder for Downs later in year)

Lin (Util)

Chatham (Util)

Outfield:

Verdugo RF

JBJ CF (if we can get him for 2 years at 6.5 mil/yr)

Duran (Hope to see him up regardless of JBJ situation)

Benintendi (verdict is out after bad 2019 second half and terrible start 2020)

Munoz (depending on Beni and JBJ)

DH:

JDM (contractually with us -but is he declining and does a change make sense?)

 

This a nice view of the framework we are starting with. The only player you "added" was JBJ. I think $5M x 2 is more likely.

 

We will certainly sign 1-2 SP'ers and 2-3 RP'er, a CF'er and maybe 1B and/or 2B.

[notin]

I didn't particularly like the Pom trade, but I thought that it was necessary, so I understood it.

 

My only problem with the Pomeranz trade was letting Preller clearly cheat, lie and steal.

 

And Pomeranz has turned into an excellent pitcher who has pitched for 4 teams since that trade, while Espinoza has pitched all of 32 innings for the San Diego minor league system, and none since 2016.

 

Had the Sox not made that trade, what good would Espinoza be doing us today? Making Jay Groome look healthy by comparison?

[notin]

I pray that 2021 will see the application of an effective COVID-19 vaccine beginning early in the year, first to those most in danger followed by a full scale roll out. May life begin to return to normal and may we see fannies in the seats at least to partially fill ball parts beginning in April with a full return by the end of June.

My vision for the Sox in 2021 is for a competitive team that can win at least 80 games. We have Bloom and he should lead us in developing a team that gets progressively better over the next few years. I expect Cora back as manager with Roenicke by his side. That pair will have a goal of using a strong draft, effective use of international money with trades and FA pickups all aimed at improving our farm and making incremental steps forward.

I see us staying below the competitive balance tax this year with 2022 where we really go big again.

We have some interesting pieces provided we don’t trade away our strength, but instead build upon it. My vision is for a 26 man consisting of 13 pitchers and 13 field players to start the year.

Starting Pitchers: ( A Weakness) 6 of the following:

Eovaldi (or closer)

E-Rod (assumed recovered from heart inflammation)

Perrez (5th starter)

Pivetta (has the stuff but a reach)

Sale (Back by August?)

Mazza

Mata (when will we bring talent up?)

Seabold (Good reports)

FA acquisition

Bull Pen: (Also not a strength) 7 of the following

Barnes (If not traded)

Brewer

Brice

Hernandez

Leyer

Walden

Weber)Corner

FA or trade

Catchers: (Stay with what we have)

Vazquez

Plawecki (if we can bet back)

Field Players:

Bogaerts SS

Devers (corner infield)

Dalbec (corner infield) or Chavis (1st and Util)

Peraza or Arauz (Placeholder for Downs later in year)

Lin (Util)

Chatham (Util)

Outfield:

Verdugo RF

JBJ CF (if we can get him for 2 years at 6.5 mil/yr)

Duran (Hope to see him up regardless of JBJ situation)

Benintendi (verdict is out after bad 2019 second half and terrible start 2020)

Munoz (depending on Beni and JBJ)

DH:

JDM (contractually with us -but is he declining and does a change make sense?)

 

 

I'm a little simpler.

 

DFA/release the following: Chris Mazza, Jeff Springs, Matt Hall, Robinson Leyer, Andrew Triggs, Dylan Covey, Mike Kickham, Ryan Weber, Zack Godley, Austin Brice

 

Option the following to Pawtucket: Robert Stock, Colten Brewer (will require a DFA, but he'll clear), Kyle Hart, Marcus Walden

 

Retain the following for MLB roster:

SP: Eduardo Rodriguez, Nick Pivetta, Martin Perez

BP: Barnes, Hernandez, Brasier, Taylor, Phillips Valdez, Nate Eovaldi (Yes, it is time to move the ever-fragile Eovaldi out ofthe 150 IP role and into a 60 IP role, assuming he cannot be dealt).

 

Add 2 SP's, one of whom might be Mata or Seabold, who can hold on to Sale's spot for a couple months. Load up on relief pitchers.

 

C: Vazquez, Plawecki. (Vazquez might be some form of trade bait.)

INF: Dalbec, Devers, Bogaerts, Chavis, Munoz/Lin/Chatham. Maybe add a 2B. While I like Munoz, it's not like he has a great track record. Non-tender Peraza and option Arauz to Pawtucket.

OF: Benintendi, Verdugo, Martinez. Add a CF and a 4th OF.

 

So the Sox need one SP (minimum), one 2B (?), one CF, maybe a 4th OF if they can't find one internally, and maybe 3-5 relief pitchers. And a catcher if they deal Vazquez, unless they like a Plawecki/Gruillon tandem back there...

[moonslav59]

My only problem with the Pomeranz trade was letting Preller clearly cheat, lie and steal.

 

And Pomeranz has turned into an excellent pitcher who has pitched for 4 teams since that trade, while Espinoza has pitched all of 32 innings for the San Diego minor league system, and none since 2016.

 

Had the Sox not made that trade, what good would Espinoza be doing us today? Making Jay Groome look healthy by comparison?

 

Another option would have been to trade Espinoza for someone other than Pom or to combine him with someone else for a better SP'er.

[moonslav59]

I'm a little simpler.

 

DFA/release the following: Chris Mazza, Jeff Springs, Matt Hall, Robinson Leyer, Andrew Triggs, Dylan Covey, Mike Kickham, Ryan Weber, Zack Godley, Austin Brice

 

Option the following to Pawtucket: Robert Stock, Colten Brewer (will require a DFA, but he'll clear), Kyle Hart, Marcus Walden

 

Retain the following for MLB roster:

SP: Eduardo Rodriguez, Nick Pivetta, Martin Perez

BP: Barnes, Hernandez, Brasier, Taylor, Phillips Valdez, Nate Eovaldi (Yes, it is time to move the ever-fragile Eovaldi out ofthe 150 IP role and into a 60 IP role, assuming he cannot be dealt).

 

Add 2 SP's, one of whom might be Mata or Seabold, who can hold on to Sale's spot for a couple months. Load up on relief pitchers.

 

C: Vazquez, Plawecki. (Vazquez might be some form of trade bait.)

INF: Dalbec, Devers, Bogaerts, Chavis, Munoz/Lin/Chatham. Maybe add a 2B. While I like Munoz, it's not like he has a great track record. Non-tender Peraza and option Arauz to Pawtucket.

OF: Benintendi, Verdugo, Martinez. Add a CF and a 4th OF.

 

So the Sox need one SP (minimum), one 2B (?), one CF, maybe a 4th OF if they can't find one internally, and maybe 3-5 relief pitchers. And a catcher if they deal Vazquez, unless they like a Plawecki/Gruillon tandem back there...

 

Hard to disagree.

 

Now, can you list how you prioritize these need areas? Maybe something like this?

 

1. SP

2. RP

3. RP

4. RP

5. CF

6. SP/RP

7. RP

8. 2B

9. 4th OF

[notin]

Hard to disagree.

 

Now, can you list how you prioritize these need areas? Maybe something like this?

 

1. SP

2. RP

3. RP

4. RP

5. CF

6. SP/RP

7. RP

8. 2B

9. 4th OF

 

Except that I do not think Bloom will move Eovaldi to the bullpen. At best, maybe he can utilize as a into a high-priced opener.

 

There were rumors of an Eovaldi/Oder swap in August. I have to wonder if that might get revisited, and if it is a good idea. Oder is cheaper, creating more flexibility. But Texas isn't dissatisfied with him solely because of his contract. He really does sort of suck at a lot of things. He's basically Michael Chavis, but with a bigger, uglier contract.

 

However, he is only 26, 16 months older than Dalbec...

[moonslav59]

Except that I do not think Bloom will move Eovaldi to the bullpen. At best, maybe he can utilize as a into a high-priced opener.

 

There were rumors of an Eovaldi/Oder swap in August. I have to wonder if that might get revisited, and if it is a good idea. Oder is cheaper, creating more flexibility. But Texas isn't dissatisfied with him solely because of his contract. He really does sort of suck at a lot of things. He's basically Michael Chavis, but with a bigger, uglier contract.

 

However, he is only 26, 16 months older than Dalbec...

 

He's a little more proven as a power bat.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

I can't see this franchise -- ownership, fandom, media, and maybe most importantly, on-field management and the core of returning players -- tolerating the Bloom opener strategy again next season. Bloom could trade for all the Tampa openers from the past three years, and it still won't be accepted.

 

Call it what it is: "bullpen games" are bullcrap games, because a team ran out of starters. No one looks forward to it (except maybe a pitcher trying to get in some work and impress so he may get more innings). You can bet no Rays fans were scrambling last year to get into their seats by the end of the anthem so they wouldn't miss Ryne Stanek's one inning, or clamoring to buy tickets for the next game because "Jalen Beeks is supposed to pitch the bulk innings!"

 

Boston needs to plan on acquiring an entire new starting rotation -- because we can't and shouldn't count on anything from ERod, Sale or even Eovaldi. If we bring back Perez, I still think we need five legitimate MLB starters for '21. The Red Sox will have the resources to get them. Hell, the Blue Jays added six starters in a 60-game sprint...

[mvp 78]

Hard to disagree.

 

Now, can you list how you prioritize these need areas? Maybe something like this?

 

1. SP

2. RP

3. RP

4. RP

5. CF

6. SP/RP

7. RP

8. 2B

9. 4th OF

 

How many relievers do you think need to be added to the roster?

[moonslav59]

How many relievers do you think need to be added to the roster?

 

Counting scrubs parked in AAA until needed? Maybe 7-10.

 

On the opening day roster? 3-4 or maybe 2 real good ones.

 

Meaningful IP'ed? 5-7

 

This year, we have seen these newly acquired faces pitch for the big club, so far:

 

SP

Perez

Godley

 

RP/SP

Mazza

Brice

 

RP

Osich

Triggs

Lever

Valdez

Springs

Stock

Covey

Kickham

Peraza

 

[moonslav59]

I can't see this franchise -- ownership, fandom, media, and maybe most importantly, on-field management and the core of returning players -- tolerating the Bloom opener strategy again next season. Bloom could trade for all the Tampa openers from the past three years, and it still won't be accepted.

 

Call it what it is: "bullpen games" are bullcrap games, because a team ran out of starters. No one looks forward to it (except maybe a pitcher trying to get in some work and impress so he may get more innings). You can bet no Rays fans were scrambling last year to get into their seats by the end of the anthem so they wouldn't miss Ryne Stanek's one inning, or clamoring to buy tickets for the next game because "Jalen Beeks is supposed to pitch the bulk innings!"

 

Boston needs to plan on acquiring an entire new starting rotation -- because we can't and shouldn't count on anything from ERod, Sale or even Eovaldi. If we bring back Perez, I still think we need five legitimate MLB starters for '21. The Red Sox will have the resources to get them. Hell, the Blue Jays added six starters in a 60-game sprint...

 

If we are winning and/or showing good signs of a strong rebuild for 2022, I can tolerate almost anything.

[notin]

I can't see this franchise -- ownership, fandom, media, and maybe most importantly, on-field management and the core of returning players -- tolerating the Bloom opener strategy again next season. Bloom could trade for all the Tampa openers from the past three years, and it still won't be accepted.

 

Call it what it is: "bullpen games" are bullcrap games, because a team ran out of starters. No one looks forward to it (except maybe a pitcher trying to get in some work and impress so he may get more innings). You can bet no Rays fans were scrambling last year to get into their seats by the end of the anthem so they wouldn't miss Ryne Stanek's one inning, or clamoring to buy tickets for the next game because "Jalen Beeks is supposed to pitch the bulk innings!"

 

Boston needs to plan on acquiring an entire new starting rotation -- because we can't and shouldn't count on anything from ERod, Sale or even Eovaldi. If we bring back Perez, I still think we need five legitimate MLB starters for '21. The Red Sox will have the resources to get them. Hell, the Blue Jays added six starters in a 60-game sprint...

 

What do you mean by “starters”? Starting pitchers only? Or position players and starting pitchers?

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

What do you mean by “starters”? Starting pitchers only? Or position players and starting pitchers?

 

Starting pitchers. And not just arms. This Red Sox season should be the turning point for future generations, when the cliche "You can never have enough pitching" was modiifed to "Stockpile starting pitching". Trades, free agent signings and call-ups -- we need them all in 2021.

[oldtimer]

Starting pitchers. And not just arms. This Red Sox season should be the turning point for future generations, when the cliche "You can never have enough pitching" was modiifed to "Stockpile starting pitching". Trades, free agent signings and call-ups -- we need them all in 2021.

 

I hope we can start the 2021 with 6 starters and 7 relievers on the active roster. They are not and probably can't move Sale so he will be there, although maybe not until later in the season. E-Rod is one of the better starting pitchers in the league, assuming he regains his health. The Sox won't find better in the FA or trade market. We have Perez as an innings eater with the quality of a 4th or 5th starter. We have candidates in our farm in Pivetta, Mata and Seabold. Maybe one or two of those can make the jump. Finding quality starters in the FA market will be tough as a lot of teams will want them. If we get one we are doing well, two would be outstanding but let not give away the store to get them.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

I hope we can start the 2021 with 6 starters and 7 relievers on the active roster. They are not and probably can't move Sale so he will be there, although maybe not until later in the season. E-Rod is one of the better starting pitchers in the league, assuming he regains his health. The Sox won't find better in the FA or trade market. We have Perez as an innings eater with the quality of a 4th or 5th starter. We have candidates in our farm in Pivetta, Mata and Seabold. Maybe one or two of those can make the jump. Finding quality starters in the FA market will be tough as a lot of teams will want them. If we get one we are doing well, two would be outstanding but let not give away the store to get them.

 

Red Sox fans fully expect a top free agent pitcher to be signed -- especially after the club just celebrated (via tweet?) qualifying for the "reset". But you're right about the free agent market, which is why I also fully expect a blockbuster trade for a good, cost-controlled starting pitcher; can a package of Vazquez-Barnes-Beni yield someone's #3... maybe, if we agree to take back another big fat contract. Then cross your fingers that either Pivetta or Seabold step up, and another minor leaguer moves fast.

 

Meanwhile, stopgap place-holders for Casas, Downs and Duran can be had when available -- and they will be available. But here's something I haven't heard or read yet: if Boston deals Vazquez, that means they're signing Realmuto, right? An All-Star Gold Glove .800+ OPS catcher would be a good addition to the core of a team building for sustained contention...

[notin]

Starting pitchers. And not just arms. This Red Sox season should be the turning point for future generations, when the cliche "You can never have enough pitching" was modiifed to "Stockpile starting pitching". Trades, free agent signings and call-ups -- we need them all in 2021.

 

 

 

A team should probably have about 10 SPs ready to go for a full season. Might not need that many, but a team should be prepared if they do.

 

If ERod returns, they should have ERod, Perez, Eovaldi, and Pivetta ready on the MLB roster. Mata and Seabold in the minors. That's 6, and 7 if they think Ward is good to go. So maybe 3-4 SPs, at least two of whom will need an option year.

 

But maybe 5 if ERod just can't go, Ward isn't added to the 40-man, and maybe if someone is dealt...

[moonslav59]

Like it or not, Perez will likely be our #2 or #3 to start the season, with someone from the system filling the 5 & 6 slots.

 

I see us trying to acquire a #1 or #2 (maybe both).

 

If and when ERod and Sale come back Perez and others may be pushed back to lower slots.

 

I wouldn't count on Eovaldi as anything higher than a 4-5 slot, part timer.

 

If everyone is ever healthy at the same time, it can't hurt having 6 starters:

 

1. Acquistion

2. Sale

3. ERod

4. Eovaldi

5. Perez

6. Acquisition

7+++ (In-System scrubs)

[notin]

Like it or not, Perez will likely be our #2 or #3 to start the season, with someone from the system filling the 5 & 6 slots.

 

I see us trying to acquire a #1 or #2 (maybe both).

 

If and when ERod and Sale come back Perez and others may be pushed back to lower slots.

 

I wouldn't count on Eovaldi as anything higher than a 4-5 slot, part timer.

 

If everyone is ever healthy at the same time, it can't hurt having 6 starters:

 

1. Acquistion

2. Sale

3. ERod

4. Eovaldi

5. Perez

6. Acquisition

7+++ (In-System scrubs)

 

No Pivetta?

 

Bloom apparently wanted him. That trade was far from a salary dump...

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

A team should probably have about 10 SPs ready to go for a full season. Might not need that many, but a team should be prepared if they do.

 

If ERod returns, they should have ERod, Perez, Eovaldi, and Pivetta ready on the MLB roster. Mata and Seabold in the minors. That's 6, and 7 if they think Ward is good to go. So maybe 3-4 SPs, at least two of whom will need an option year.

 

But maybe 5 if ERod just can't go, Ward isn't added to the 40-man, and maybe if someone is dealt...

 

They should, but good rotations with workhorses don't always. The '18 Sox were prepared with basically eight starters -- the original rotation, four who made 23 or more starts, plus Pomeranz (who was replaced late by Eovaldi) -- along with the swingmen that Cora loved: Johnson and Velasquez, who made 19 starts between them, and Steven Wright (four starts).

 

Contrast that staff with the one this year's Sox went into Spring Training with... knowing they were down three starters -- Porcello, Price, and let's be honest, Sale (how could they not know). They replaced that trio with Martin Perez.

 

For all those who trust Bloom, I hope we can trust he'll never do that again.