A Realistic View at 2021: Part II

[Nick]

With starters basically trying to pitch 5 innings, shouldn't we have one more long reliever that can pitch multiple innings?

 

I know we have two right now but to me Houck should be the third. Get couple of innings out of long relievers and get us to the eight inning.

 

That would give us six pitchers left for two innings.

[moonslav59]

Certainly Houck needs to be on the roster and Taylor needs to go to Worcester.

 

Replacing the other 2 will just have to take longer. But Taylor has to go first because Cora seems to think he can pitch in important spots...

 

I don't disagree.

[moonslav59]

I'll say again, nothing like this should be judged on the benefit of hindsight. You agree there were reasons to do what they did. I think the conversation doesn't need anymore than this.

 

As an aside I didn't think you were going after Cora in particular, as I imagine it was group decision.

 

As an aside to the aside, I stay clear of the game threads. If I wanted that kind of night I'd put some Joni on and scroll through pictures of old lovers.

 

Joni Mitchell?

 

I absolutely love her and Sox management.

 

I have nothing else to add on this topic.

[moonslav59]

I think I'd probably trust Brewer on the current roster. I didn't see Bazardo in ST, but reports are that his stuff is way up. I would keep Seabold to start the season and make sure he's stretched out. I think they'll need him by the All Star break.

 

Other than Taylor, everyone else has looked good, except for maybe Richards, who looked good his last start, and Valdez, who looked good in 3 games and bad in his last.

 

Brice is out of options and is, for some reason, loved by the Sox brass. Keeping as many options on the table is not getting any beef from me.

[jad]

Other than Taylor, everyone else has looked good, except for maybe Richards, who looked good his last start, and Valdez, who looked good in 3 games and bad in his last.

 

Brice is out of options and is, for some reason, loved by the Sox brass. Keeping as many options on the table is not getting any beef from me.

 

OMG, I thought, given the thread, you were talking about James Taylor and Keith R., but when you said he looked good, I knew I had misread the reference.

[notin]

I'll say again, nothing like this should be judged on the benefit of hindsight. You agree there were reasons to do what they did. I think the conversation doesn't need anymore than this.

 

As an aside I didn't think you were going after Cora in particular, as I imagine it was group decision.

 

As an aside to the aside, I stay clear of the game threads. If I wanted that kind of night I'd put some Joni on and scroll through pictures of old lovers.

 

Joni Mitchell for reminiscing about old lovers? That’s what Green Day is for!!!

[Bellhorn04]

OMG, I thought, given the thread, you were talking about James Taylor and Keith R., but when you said he looked good, I knew I had misread the reference.

 

If you're thinking Taylor and Richards, it should be Mick Taylor.

[moonslav59]

lol!

[Kimmi]

I'm fine with 14 pitchers. I'm happier with it if at least two of Brice, Valdez and Taylor are not among them...

 

I thought and still think that 14 pitchers made the most sense. I was surprised at the number of people who thought we should go with 13 pitchers.

[moonslav59]

I thought and still think that 14 pitchers made the most sense. I was surprised at the number of people who thought we should go with 13 pitchers.

 

The arguments used to be 12 vs 13, and I remember when 11 was not uncommon.

 

With 2 days off in the first 11 days, most who wanted 13 thought bring up the 14th after 11-13 games would work out, and if there was ever a shortage, the Alt site is just a couple hours away.

[Nick]

Per Overthemonster Preview

 

The Red Sox complete their second turn through the rotation on Monday as Martín Pérez makes his second start of 2021. The lefty was basically what we expect him to be in his first appearance of the year, which came against the Rays. And what we expect him to be is definitely not a star, but a guy who can certainly keep a team in ballgames. The southpaw did that in his first start, allowing three runs over five innings of work with six strikeouts and two walks. He’ll have a big challenge on his hands in Minnesota, which of course also happens to be where he called home for a short time prior to coming to Boston. Look for him to potentially be a little more cautious around the zone, as this is the kind of lineup that can punish mistakes, particularly against pitchers with his kind of middling stuff.

 

Perez is good value based on what we're paying him but here's a very good example where there should be an upgrade if we want to win it all in 2022. Replace him with Houck or Whitlock, surely they'll be an ugprade. We're FORCED to live with this type of pitcher until our young guns are ready. Just got to get some our high ceiling guys developed and brought up....I'm thinking Mata, Ward, Seabold, Groome, Song, this year's 4th round pick who better be a college pitcher. I'm 65, I can't wait for some 18 year old boys to grow up.

 

We don't lose any bats for 2022. We need to clean up our pitching staff, that means Sale being 100% and re-signing E Rod. Another ace wouldn't hurt to go with Eovaldi & Company.

 

Sale

E Rod

Eovaldi

Pivetta

Houck

Whitlock

FA Ace type

Edited April 13, 2021 by Nick

[jacksonianmarch]

Per Overthemonster Preview

 

The Red Sox complete their second turn through the rotation on Monday as Martín Pérez makes his second start of 2021. The lefty was basically what we expect him to be in his first appearance of the year, which came against the Rays. And what we expect him to be is definitely not a star, but a guy who can certainly keep a team in ballgames. The southpaw did that in his first start, allowing three runs over five innings of work with six strikeouts and two walks. He’ll have a big challenge on his hands in Minnesota, which of course also happens to be where he called home for a short time prior to coming to Boston. Look for him to potentially be a little more cautious around the zone, as this is the kind of lineup that can punish mistakes, particularly against pitchers with his kind of middling stuff.

 

Perez is good value based on what we're paying him but here's a very good example where there should be an upgrade if we want to win it all in 2022. Replace him with Houck or Whitlock, surely they'll be an ugprade. We're FORCED to live with this type of pitcher until our young guns are ready. Just got to get some our high ceiling guys developed and brought up....I'm thinking Mata, Ward, Seabold, Groome, Song, this year's 4th round pick who better be a college pitcher. I'm 65, I can't wait for some 18 year old boys to grow up.

 

We don't lose any bats for 2022. We need to clean up our pitching staff, that means Sale being 100% and re-signing E Rod. Another ace wouldn't hurt to go with Eovaldi & Company.

 

Sale

E Rod

Eovaldi

Pivetta

Houck

Whitlock

FA Ace type

 

I have said before and I will say again, if Eovaldi is anything but your #4 or 5, your rotation is at risk. He is a walking injury and he always has a stretch where he becomes maddeningly hittable. His stuff should dominate, but he never really does so beyond a month or two.

 

I honestly think the sox may pass on re-signing ERod and make a run at Syndergaard. Noah has the bigger upside, also the biggest risk. But he can be the ace of the rotation and Sale can slot into the 2 hole and make a solid 1-2 punch.

[notin]

I have said before and I will say again, if Eovaldi is anything but your #4 or 5, your rotation is at risk. He is a walking injury and he always has a stretch where he becomes maddeningly hittable. His stuff should dominate, but he never really does so beyond a month or two.

 

I honestly think the sox may pass on re-signing ERod and make a run at Syndergaard. Noah has the bigger upside, also the biggest risk. But he can be the ace of the rotation and Sale can slot into the 2 hole and make a solid 1-2 punch.

 

Or maybe the Sox will sign them both...

[jacksonianmarch]

Or maybe the Sox will sign them both...

 

Possible, but Bloom is the GM and I doubt you ear mark $85 mil a year until Sale's contract runs out on your top 3

[moonslav59]

I have said before and I will say again, if Eovaldi is anything but your #4 or 5, your rotation is at risk. He is a walking injury and he always has a stretch where he becomes maddeningly hittable. His stuff should dominate, but he never really does so beyond a month or two.

 

I honestly think the sox may pass on re-signing ERod and make a run at Syndergaard. Noah has the bigger upside, also the biggest risk. But he can be the ace of the rotation and Sale can slot into the 2 hole and make a solid 1-2 punch.

 

If Eovaldi is anything, he's unpredictable.

 

He doesn't "always" do anything, except maybe get hurt.

 

It is possible he can put together a full season of pitching well. I'm not holding my breathe, though.

 

[moonslav59]

Possible, but Bloom is the GM and I doubt you ear mark $85 mil a year until Sale's contract runs out on your top 3

 

$85M a year?

[Sox75]

I have said before and I will say again, if Eovaldi is anything but your #4 or 5, your rotation is at risk. He is a walking injury and he always has a stretch where he becomes maddeningly hittable. His stuff should dominate, but he never really does so beyond a month or two.

 

I honestly think the sox may pass on re-signing ERod and make a run at Syndergaard. Noah has the bigger upside, also the biggest risk. But he can be the ace of the rotation and Sale can slot into the 2 hole and make a solid 1-2 punch.

 

It's gonna be so much fun giving the Yanks a run for their money this year!

 

#4/4

[Hitch]

Joni Mitchell?

 

I absolutely love her and Sox management.

 

I have nothing else to add on this topic.

 

On these two things, we agree my friend.

 

There's only one Joni.

 

Notin, I will take you word for it on Greenday!

[jacksonianmarch]

$85M a year?

 

$30 mil per annum for Sale, $30 mil per annum Thor, $25 mil per annum ERod

[moonslav59]

$30 mil per annum for Sale, $30 mil per annum Thor, $25 mil per annum ERod

 

We spent $32M on Price, $24 on JD, $21 on Porcello and $20 on Betts, and extended Sale at the same time.

 

I don't think $85M/3 is all that unrealistic. Doubtful, maybe.

 

(Also, Sale's lux hit is only $25M, but the deferred money does still count.)

[Nick]

Per MassLive

 

Santana could add more versatility to an extremely versatile Red Sox roster that already includes Kiké Hernández and Marwin Gonzalez.

 

Santana has played every position except for catcher during his major league career.

 

He can opt out by 4/30. Cora tipping his hand, team may drop down to 13 pitchers/13 position players when this long stretch of no days off ends. So there you go....

[Nick]

We spent $32M on Price, $24 on JD, $21 on Porcello and $20 on Betts, and extended Sale at the same time.

 

I don't think $85M/3 is all that unrealistic. Doubtful, maybe.

 

(Also, Sale's lux hit is only $25M, but the deferred money does still count.)

 

As we keep repeating.....Sox will do it if they think they're close....but they'll do it without trading away the farm.

[moonslav59]

As we keep repeating.....Sox will do it if they think they're close....but they'll do it without trading away the farm.

 

Exactly, Nick. This team will spend large, again, when the time is right, although we are still spending large as we speak.

 

The thing to watch for is how we spend large.

 

Let's say we spend $80M, this winter. Will it be 5 guys at $3OM + $20M + $10M +$10M +$10M or 8 guys at about $10M each? Or, somewhere in between?

 

I could see $25M, $20M, $15M and then $5-10M on 3-4 players. A lot depends on how many slots are filler within our own system, and how many are open or in need of support.

[mvp 78]

Per MassLive

 

Santana could add more versatility to an extremely versatile Red Sox roster that already includes Kiké Hernández and Marwin Gonzalez.

 

Santana has played every position except for catcher during his major league career.

 

He can opt out by 4/30. Cora tipping his hand, team may drop down to 13 pitchers/13 position players when this long stretch of no days off ends. So there you go....

 

Santana was shut down in ST due to his elbow not being ready. Is he ready to go now?

[moonslav59]

Santana was shut down in ST due to his elbow not being ready. Is he ready to go now?

 

One wonders, if he might stay with us, past the date, in the minors due to recovering from the injury.

[Nick]

Santana was shut down in ST due to his elbow not being ready. Is he ready to go now?

 

According to Cora in the article, he's working out in Ft Meyers, ready to take live hitting. Sounds like he'll be ready by 4/30.

[Nick]

One wonders, if he might stay with us, past the date, in the minors due to recovering from the injury.

 

He's over the injury....just working into playing shape...live hitting is next up

[Nick]

I had also forgotten about Brasier....at some point, he'll contribute in a month or so....

[notin]

I had also forgotten about Brasier....at some point, he'll contribute in a month or so....

 

... depending on whether or not it is the contributing Brasier who shows up...

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Exactly, Nick. This team will spend large, again, when the time is right, although we are still spending large as we speak.

 

The thing to watch for is how we spend large.

 

Let's say we spend $80M, this winter. Will it be 5 guys at $3OM + $20M + $10M +$10M +$10M or 8 guys at about $10M each? Or, somewhere in between?

 

I could see $25M, $20M, $15M and then $5-10M on 3-4 players. A lot depends on how many slots are filler within our own system, and how many are open or in need of support.

 

Your breakdowns of "how we spend large" are intriguing -- and what happens will go a long way in defining the new big-market Bloom. I just can't get on board yet with any guarantees of Sox spending based on past GMs; not when the next extension or contract for more than 2 years here will be Bloom's first. I'm not down on most of his acquisitions of position players for the Sox (though the musical chairs outfield doesn't thrill), but believing is seeing...