Sox sign Garrett Richards, pending physical

[Sox75]

Garrett Richards:

 

On Thursday, Richards raved about the state of the rotation.

 

“We’ve got dogs, we’re out there to win and we’re all pushing for each other,” Richards said over Zoom. “It’s a tight-knit group even though we’ve only been together a month and a half or so. We all want each other to do well, and that’s what I think great staffs do — we push each other and we’re always rooting for each other. We share information, we talk pitching, sequences, certain hitters, whatever it may be, but we’re all trying to help each other. We’re all about winning ballgames and ultimately winning a championship.

 

“It’s been nice to see us naturally come together so far without even really trying. So it’s been nice, this whole group, really, to be honest with you. I’m the new guy here and it’s been really easy to fall into place and build relationships with guys here in spring before we get going.”

 

I'm starting to think this Red Sox team is going to be far better than most think.

 

In fact, my money is on the Red Sox eclipsing 90 wins.

93 to be exact.

[Kimmi]

Garrett Richards:

 

On Thursday, Richards raved about the state of the rotation.

 

“We’ve got dogs, we’re out there to win and we’re all pushing for each other,” Richards said over Zoom. “It’s a tight-knit group even though we’ve only been together a month and a half or so. We all want each other to do well, and that’s what I think great staffs do — we push each other and we’re always rooting for each other. We share information, we talk pitching, sequences, certain hitters, whatever it may be, but we’re all trying to help each other. We’re all about winning ballgames and ultimately winning a championship.

 

“It’s been nice to see us naturally come together so far without even really trying. So it’s been nice, this whole group, really, to be honest with you. I’m the new guy here and it’s been really easy to fall into place and build relationships with guys here in spring before we get going.”

 

I'm starting to think this Red Sox team is going to be far better than most think.

 

In fact, my money is on the Red Sox eclipsing 90 wins.

93 to be exact.

 

I'm almost thinking we should print up the Five Aces t-shirts! LOL

 

I like your optimism. I, too, think the team will pleasantly surprise Red Sox fans.

[a700hitter]

Garrett Richards:

 

On Thursday, Richards raved about the state of the rotation.

 

“We’ve got dogs, we’re out there to win and we’re all pushing for each other,” Richards said over Zoom. “It’s a tight-knit group even though we’ve only been together a month and a half or so. We all want each other to do well, and that’s what I think great staffs do — we push each other and we’re always rooting for each other. We share information, we talk pitching, sequences, certain hitters, whatever it may be, but we’re all trying to help each other. We’re all about winning ballgames and ultimately winning a championship.

 

“It’s been nice to see us naturally come together so far without even really trying. So it’s been nice, this whole group, really, to be honest with you. I’m the new guy here and it’s been really easy to fall into place and build relationships with guys here in spring before we get going.”

 

I'm starting to think this Red Sox team is going to be far better than most think.

 

In fact, my money is on the Red Sox eclipsing 90 wins.

93 to be exact.

Wow, your pain meds must be kick ass.

[Sox75]

Nice talkin to ya

 

Et tu, Brute?

 

Good on ya mate

Edited March 22, 2021 by Sox75

[mvp 78]

I still think this team is a 85-86 win team. I don't think 90+ is out of the realm of possibilities. I think they'd just need a lot of things to break the right way.

 

I think the starting rotation could go sideways due to injury.

[notin]

I still think this team is a 85-86 win team. I don't think 90+ is out of the realm of possibilities. I think they'd just need a lot of things to break the right way.

 

I think the starting rotation could go sideways due to injury.

 

 

Having 19 games against the Orioles might inflate the win total a bit

[mvp 78]

Having 19 games against the Orioles might inflate the win total a bit

 

It didn't last year.

[Bellhorn04]

I still think this team is a 85-86 win team. I don't think 90+ is out of the realm of possibilities. I think they'd just need a lot of things to break the right way.

 

I think the starting rotation could go sideways due to injury.

 

I concur on all points.

[notin]

It didn't last year.

 

They didn’t play the Orioles 19 times last year....

[mvp 78]

They didn’t play the Orioles 19 times last year....

 

If they did, their record might not be any different considering that first series.

[a700hitter]

Nice talkin to ya

 

Et tu, Brute?

 

Good on ya mate

I was just joking. I didn’t mean to hit on any sensitive medication issue.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

I still think this team is a 85-86 win team. I don't think 90+ is out of the realm of possibilities. I think they'd just need a lot of things to break the right way.

 

I think the starting rotation could go sideways due to injury.

 

I just think too many IFs have to be DIDs at once. Pitchers staying healthy is a requirement for any contender, but the Sox are also counting on a lot of versatility to mesh with platoons -- and having most of them make positive contributions while staying happy with part-time PT. Maybe this is why Munoz isn't likely to be part of the early roster...

 

Having one or two guys like Holt or Ben Zobrist can boost a contender, providing competence at multi-positions, resting regulars, L-R match-ups... Marwin in Houston, Kike (and Taylor) in LA. But when the continuity is mix-and-match, it may be a lot to ask for it all to work out. Could be they're just hoping for minor leaguers to take over a few spots in the next year.

 

I do think Cora will settle into some steady line-ups, like maybe one set outfield for Fenway, with maybe a different one on the road.

[notin]

If they did, their record might not be any different considering that first series.

 

Well, last year they had Ryan Weber as the #3 starter. This year, he isn't even the #3 starter in Worcester. I'd call that a significant upgrade...

[notin]

I just think too many IFs have to be DIDs at once. Pitchers staying healthy is a requirement for any contender, but the Sox are also counting on a lot of versatility to mesh with platoons -- and having most of them make positive contributions while staying happy with part-time PT. Maybe this is why Munoz isn't likely to be part of the early roster...

 

Having one or two guys like Holt or Ben Zobrist can boost a contender, providing competence at multi-positions, resting regulars, L-R match-ups... Marwin in Houston, Kike (and Taylor) in LA. But when the continuity is mix-and-match, it may be a lot to ask for it all to work out. Could be they're just hoping for minor leaguers to take over a few spots in the next year.

 

I do think Cora will settle into some steady line-ups, like maybe one set outfield for Fenway, with maybe a different one on the road.

 

I don't see how a Kike/Marwin flexibility situation is any different than a Kike/Taylor situation.

 

The Sox won't win it all, and probably won't even play in the post-season, but this flexibility abundance will not be the reason why...

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

I don't see how a Kike/Marwin flexibility situation is any different than a Kike/Taylor situation.

 

The Sox won't win it all, and probably won't even play in the post-season, but this flexibility abundance will not be the reason why...

 

An abundance of flexibility isn't a negative, but a dearth of daily regulars working together can be; for example on defense -- being in synch, knowing each other's proclivities, like with double play partners or outfield mates.

[notin]

An abundance of flexibility isn't a negative, but a dearth of daily regulars working together can be; for example on defense -- being in synch, knowing each other's proclivities, like with double play partners or outfield mates.

 

I doubt we see any sort of daily mix and match. If everyone is healthy, we might not even see any more variations than in a normal season.

 

We all assumed there would be a Cordero/Renfroe platoon, but even that might not be the case. Gonzalez is slated for an apparent bench role. And while Hernandez is reportedly going to play multiple positions, as they are only going to have a three man bench, this is probably just to accommodate a larger bullpen.

 

I would be surprised if the Sox were anymore mix and match than in recent years...