Sox sign Garrett Richards, pending physical

[jacksonianmarch]

The Sox don't need to worry about service time. Especially not for a guy who isn't even a top 5 prospect.

 

Honestly, I think Houck is your future closer. Hard, heavy sinker and a wipeout slider. Closer's make lots of money. Saving a year of service time for a team unlikely to make the playoffs is more important than burning one in a year you arent seeing October

[moonslav59]

Honestly, I think Houck is your future closer. Hard, heavy sinker and a wipeout slider. Closer's make lots of money. Saving a year of service time for a team unlikely to make the playoffs is more important than burning one in a year you arent seeing October

 

The main thing is, we need to limit his innings anyways, so holding him down in the minors for 6-7 weeks is a no brainer.

 

That 6-7 weeks need not be April and May, and since it looks like Sale & ERod will start the season on the IL, Houck may be sent down once one is called up.

 

Who knows? By then, maybe Eovaldi or Richards is on the IL.

[notin]

The main thing is, we need to limit his innings anyways, so holding him down in the minors for 6-7 weeks is a no brainer.

 

That 6-7 weeks need not be April and May, and since it looks like Sale & ERod will start the season on the IL, Houck may be sent down once one is called up.

 

Who knows? By then, maybe Eovaldi or Richards is on the IL.

 

Maybe?

[mvp 78]

Honestly, I think Houck is your future closer. Hard, heavy sinker and a wipeout slider. Closer's make lots of money. Saving a year of service time for a team unlikely to make the playoffs is more important than burning one in a year you arent seeing October

 

Service time is meaningless to this team. You can always use the option later in the season once you're out of it.

[mvp 78]

I don't remember the Yankees messing around with Aaron Judge's service time.

[notin]

Service time is meaningless to this team. You can always use the option later in the season once you're out of it.

 

I wouldn't demote Houck due to service time concerns. This is not some 21yo who we want to keep from reaching free agency at age 27. 2021 will be his age 25 season.

 

But if his role in the future of the Sox is as a starter, then make him a starter and don't half-ass it. If his role is the bullpen, that is different. Keep him over Brice or Valdez...

[moonslav59]

I wouldn't demote Houck due to service time concerns. This is not some 21yo who we want to keep from reaching free agency at age 27. 2021 will be his age 25 season.

 

But if his role in the future of the Sox is as a starter, then make him a starter and don't half-ass it. If his role is the bullpen, that is different. Keep him over Brice or Valdez...

 

We are probably going to limit his IP to 120-140, so having him pitch sparsely in AAA for 7 weeks, solves two goals, at once.

 

Yes, if he's in the pen, then keeping him under 120-140 does not need a demotion to AAA.

[notin]

We are probably going to limit his IP to 120-140, so having him pitch sparsely in AAA for 7 weeks, solves two goals, at once.

 

Yes, if he's in the pen, then keeping him under 120-140 does not need a demotion to AAA.

 

Why bother with his service time?

 

He's almost 25. Is the goal here to maintain control of Houck for his age 32 season?

[mvp 78]

I wouldn't demote Houck due to service time concerns. This is not some 21yo who we want to keep from reaching free agency at age 27. 2021 will be his age 25 season.

 

But if his role in the future of the Sox is as a starter, then make him a starter and don't half-ass it. If his role is the bullpen, that is different. Keep him over Brice or Valdez...

 

A better argument.

[moonslav59]

Why bother with his service time?

 

He's almost 25. Is the goal here to maintain control of Houck for his age 32 season?

 

Why not? For pitchers, year 32 is often a very good year, but wouldn't it actually be age 31?

[notin]

Why not? For pitchers, year 32 is often a very good year, but wouldn't it actually be age 31?

 

Either way. At that point, you're getting to the downside of his career. His age 25 season is likely to be just as good.

 

That is all assuming he even has a full 6 year career, which is well above league average...

[moonslav59]

Either way. At that point, you're getting to the downside of his career. His age 25 season is likely to be just as good.

 

That is all assuming he even has a full 6 year career, which is well above league average...

 

But if his age 26 season needs to be limited in IP'd, anyway, what's the issue?

[notin]

But if his age 26 season needs to be limited in IP'd, anyway, what's the issue?

 

Is it?

 

If he is earmarked for the bull;pen, leave him out there and let him pitch as needed. I just don't like the idea making him a reliever until needed as a starter. If he is a relief pitcher, put him in the bullpen. If he is a starter, but him in either rotation - Boston or Worcester - to start the season until he is needed in Boston. and if he goes to Worcester, that is a good thing because it means the Sox have 5 healthy starters for the start of the season. Service time need not be an issue with older rookies. This is not a guy who is going to be commanding $30-35 mill when he hits the open market...

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Why bother with his service time?

 

He's almost 25. Is the goal here to maintain control of Houck for his age 32 season?

 

Don't. Guys who prove they can pitch in the majors in their mid-20s have less mileage on their shoulders and elbows than guys in their 30s. All teams are always looking for mid-20s arms they can put mileage on.

[moonslav59]

Is it?

 

If he is earmarked for the bull;pen, leave him out there and let him pitch as needed. I just don't like the idea making him a reliever until needed as a starter. If he is a relief pitcher, put him in the bullpen. If he is a starter, but him in either rotation - Boston or Worcester - to start the season until he is needed in Boston. and if he goes to Worcester, that is a good thing because it means the Sox have 5 healthy starters for the start of the season. Service time need not be an issue with older rookies. This is not a guy who is going to be commanding $30-35 mill when he hits the open market...

 

I've already said, if he's going to be a pen arm, then it makes no sense sending him down, since he'll end up with under 120 IP anyway.

 

If they start him, we can limit his innings a few ways:

 

1) Pitch count and less IP/GS (may tax the pen more than wanted)

2) Limit the amount of GS'd (maybe allowing him to go deeper in games he does start)

 

If we choose #2, then sending him to AAA for 7 weeks would do the trick while adding a year of service.

[Kimmi]

Maybe Bloom's moves don't appear flashy enough to some but personally I like them all to date. I don't think that he is apt to make a knee jerk move based on what we have seen so far and I don't think that he is going to get outsmarted.

 

This may be my all time favorite post of yours.

[Kimmi]

His moves are not bad, but he is in a tough spot. The team has too high of a payroll to simply take steps backwards. (Re: losing money). But not enough room left to add significant pieces without going over while still potentially missing the postseason.

 

If Sale had gotten his surgery immediately after the 2019 season and was ready to return a lot sooner, this team would be in a much, much easier spot to determine what path to follow...

 

Being in a tough spot is what makes his moves even better.

 

Someone brought up the point that Bloom could go over the tax limit to start the season. If the team is in contention, he could add more before the deadline. If the team is out of it, he could make some trades to dump some payroll and get back under the tax limit before the penalty kicks in.

[jacksonianmarch]

As proof of how little ST means to established big leaguers, look at Richards. Mercy ruled out of his first inning in first start, sucked in start 2, absolutely dominant in start 3. I loved the boston generated buzz that the Sox chose the wrong guy after two spring starts. The most important thing you get out of the first two to three starts is health, that’s it. Beyond that, I want to see velocity close to normal. By the final start, I want to see command. Spring training is for pitchers, allow the process to unfold

[mvp 78]

As proof of how little ST means to established big leaguers, look at Richards. Mercy ruled out of his first inning in first start, sucked in start 2, absolutely dominant in start 3. I loved the boston generated buzz that the Sox chose the wrong guy after two spring starts. The most important thing you get out of the first two to three starts is health, that’s it. Beyond that, I want to see velocity close to normal. By the final start, I want to see command. Spring training is for pitchers, allow the process to unfold

Richards can pitch. If he is healthy, he’ll be fine.

[Nick]

As proof of how little ST means to established big leaguers, look at Richards. Mercy ruled out of his first inning in first start, sucked in start 2, absolutely dominant in start 3. I loved the boston generated buzz that the Sox chose the wrong guy after two spring starts. The most important thing you get out of the first two to three starts is health, that’s it. Beyond that, I want to see velocity close to normal. By the final start, I want to see command. Spring training is for pitchers, allow the process to unfold

 

Yep...100% true..

[moonslav59]

nailed it

[a700hitter]

As proof of how little ST means to established big leaguers, look at Richards. Mercy ruled out of his first inning in first start, sucked in start 2, absolutely dominant in start 3. I loved the boston generated buzz that the Sox chose the wrong guy after two spring starts. The most important thing you get out of the first two to three starts is health, that’s it. Beyond that, I want to see velocity close to normal. By the final start, I want to see command. Spring training is for pitchers, allow the process to unfold

I didn't need to see any starts to criticize. The guy hasn't had a full season since 2015. Maybe Bloom will get lucky with him, but it will not be because the crack medical staff thoroughly examined him and confidently pronounced him healthy and vouched for his durability. It will be pure luck if he returns to his 2015 form -- and a very long shot bet.

[Larry Cook]

As proof of how little ST means to established big leaguers, look at Richards. Mercy ruled out of his first inning in first start, sucked in start 2, absolutely dominant in start 3. I loved the boston generated buzz that the Sox chose the wrong guy after two spring starts. The most important thing you get out of the first two to three starts is health, that’s it. Beyond that, I want to see velocity close to normal. By the final start, I want to see command. Spring training is for pitchers, allow the process to unfold

 

His first two outings, he had no movement on his pitches. In the third outings, he got movement and it made all the difference.

[Sox75]

I didn't need to see any starts to criticize. The guy hasn't had a full season since 2015. Maybe Bloom will get lucky with him, but it will not be because the crack medical staff thoroughly examined him and confidently pronounced him healthy and vouched for his durability. It will be pure luck if he returns to his 2015 form -- and a very long shot bet.

 

Unfortunately, this is the closest to anybody knowing anything.

 

We don't. Unfortunately, 700 is "likely" correct. He's gambling on unlikely health and durability against the odds. I'm actually ok with that, and I'm ok with hoping against most hope. He likely will not last, but I do love the upside of hoping I'm dead wrong with my natural doubting Thomas realistic pessimism.

 

Fortunately, I'm balanced by a gambler's personality, and the thrill of betting on a few long shots. LOL :0 or.... my slightly unbalanced nature that just keeps things fun & exciting?

 

Whatever! I damned well hope we are wrong 700!

 

I'm starting to get excited about rooting for this group of numerous "underdogs" and "come back used to be's."

I'm kind of sensing a building chemistry that could make for a fun, and possibly very exciting year?

 

If that ball bounces the right way early, I think this is a team that Red Sox fans could really get behind rooting for!

 

Good luck to him and all our guys!

[jacksonianmarch]

I didn't need to see any starts to criticize. The guy hasn't had a full season since 2015. Maybe Bloom will get lucky with him, but it will not be because the crack medical staff thoroughly examined him and confidently pronounced him healthy and vouched for his durability. It will be pure luck if he returns to his 2015 form -- and a very long shot bet.

 

While I agree that he’s a medical risk, you need to take into context that a lot of his missed time was due to his insistence that he didn’t need TJS for his UCL tear. His reluctance for surgery cost him at least one and maybe two seasons of lost time when he finally went under the knife

[mvp 78]

While I agree that he’s a medical risk, you need to take into context that a lot of his missed time was due to his insistence that he didn’t need TJS for his UCL tear. His reluctance for surgery cost him at least one and maybe two seasons of lost time when he finally went under the knife

 

I think most casual Sox fans are underwhelmed by his signing just because it's been so long since he was a top end guy. Kluber would have been the more interesting signing to casual fans. There's a 50/50 chance that he's better than Kluber this year.

[notin]

I think most casual Sox fans are underwhelmed by his signing just because it's been so long since he was a top end guy. Kluber would have been the more interesting signing to casual fans. There's a 50/50 chance that he's better than Kluber this year.

 

Kluber is the bigger name, but both carried a lot of risk for the 2021 season, and both are very, very capable if healthy....

[mvp 78]

Kluber is the bigger name, but both carried a lot of risk for the 2021 season, and both are very, very capable if healthy....

 

That's why I put it at 50/50 that either one is better. They are about the same pitcher going into this season. Of course, we'll have much more information on these guys going into 2022. Right now, there's just too many questions on both.

[notin]

I didn't need to see any starts to criticize. The guy hasn't had a full season since 2015. Maybe Bloom will get lucky with him, but it will not be because the crack medical staff thoroughly examined him and confidently pronounced him healthy and vouched for his durability. It will be pure luck if he returns to his 2015 form -- and a very long shot bet.

 

Without Sale anyway, this is the perfect time to take these kinds of high upside gambles...

[moonslav59]

2015 seems like ages ago, but rolling the dice was about all our winter budget afforded.