Sox signing Wacha

[Hugh2]

“Wacha did finish the season strong & there could be something to build on there as it came w/a pitch mix change. He relied more on his FB/CH, ditched his cutter & started throwing his CB again. From 8/20 on: 39.1 innings, 3.20 era, 45 K:7 BB. Opponent slash line .193/.234/.331.”

 

 

@iancundall

[Hugh2]

Bloom just dumpster diving like he always does .chaim Bloom has an open checkbook and clipping coupons for a billionaire. Bloom showing year over year he’s better served in Oakland .

 

It’s November, calm down.

[harmony]

Michael Wacha flew so far under the radar that the righthander failed to gain even an honorable mention below MLB Trade Rumors' list of Top 50 free agents this offseason:

 

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/11/top-50-mlb-free-agent-rankings.html

 

Wacha might be a mirror image of lefthander Andrew Heaney, whom the Los Angeles Dodgers signed earlier this month for a reported $8.5 million.

 

Wacha and Heaney, who were born less than a month apart, were the 19th and ninth picks in the 2012 draft out of Texas A&M and Oklahoma State, respectively. In fact, Wacha and Heaney faced each other that year in Big 12 Conference action*:

 

https://12thman.com/sports/baseball/stats/2012/oklahoma-state/boxscore/4804

 

Since the start of the 2019 season Wacha has posted an ERA of 5.11 and ERA+ of 80 in 285.1 innings whlle Heaney has posted an ERA of 5.21 and ERA+ of 87 in 291.2 innings.

 

Heaney occupied the final slot on the MLBTR Top 50 free agent list but was unranked at The Athletic's Top 100 list where Wacha came in at No. 100. Neither Wacha nor Heaney made the Top 50 free agent list at FanGraphs:

 

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/2022-top-50-free-agents/

 

The Red Sox and Dodgers, two of baseball's more successful franchises, presumably had more and better information on Wacha and Heaney than the casual fan who is puzzled by each signing.

* falling deeper down that rabbit hole, the previous year Wacha and Texas A&M toppled current Seattle lefthander Marco Gonzales and Gonzaga in a game saved by the Aggies' Ross Stripling:

 

https://12thman.com/sports/baseball/stats/2011/gonzaga/boxscore/3363

Edited November 27, 2021 by harmony

[Bellhorn04]

The Red Sox and Dodgers, two of baseball's more successful franchises, presumably had more and better information on Wacha and Heaney than the casual fan who is puzzled by each signing.

 

Depth signings, 1 year contracts, some upside indicators. It's not that complicated when one gives it a little thought.

[Old Red]

Depth signings, 1 year contracts, some upside indicators. It's not that complicated when one gives it a little thought.

 

Upside indicators after 9 years in the league, and 30 yrs old with a 5+ ERA. He sucks plain, and simple, and a $7M contract to boot. 7 thousand should have been more like it. Not 7M.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Upside indicators after 9 years in the league, and 30 yrs old with a 5+ ERA. He sucks plain, and simple, and a $7M contract to boot. 7 thousand should have been more like it. Not 7M.

 

I'd rather spend $7M on a 30-year-old veteran starter than $50M on someone pushing 40...

 

Wacha's biggest challenge will be leaving the ALE's resident genius skipper and having to pitch instead for a guy who wasn't even a finalist for Manager of the Year -- which, to be unfair, some pundits blame on something that happened before 2021 (like getting thrown under the bus by players seeking amnesty, or steering a club with a payroll top-heavy with debts to many ex-Red Sox).

[dgalehouse]

Poke and hope. You poke around enough in the dumpster and you might find something good. It does sometimes happen . So , have hope.

[moonslav59]

I must say, when I heard the news of this signing I thought I just had to head over to the talksox forum to read all the negative nancies. Ya’ll deliver….without failure.

 

I’ll admit this isn’t the sexiest move, but I trust Bloom knows more than we do. Wacha had a strong finish to a bad year, perhaps bloom sees something fixable. Regardless, this is a great depth move. Bloom took this team from awful to Championship contenders because he understands how good the 26th man on your roster is is very important.

 

As fans, we obsess over the top of a roster but guys who know what they’re doing like bloom are thinking about all 40 men.

 

Also, let’s remember that the Sox are not done, I suspect they’ll pick up another starter and a few relievers too.

 

Well said, as always.

[Old Red]

I'd rather spend $7M on a 30-year-old veteran starter than $50M on someone pushing 40...

 

Wacha's biggest challenge will be leaving the ALE's resident genius skipper and having to pitch instead for a guy who wasn't even a finalist for Manager of the Year -- which, to be unfair, some pundits blame on something that happened before 2021 (like getting thrown under the bus by players seeking amnesty, or steering a club with a payroll top-heavy with debts to many ex-Red Sox).

 

I would rather spend $15M on E Rod.

[moonslav59]

Poke and hope. You poke around enough in the dumpster and you might find something good. It does sometimes happen . So , have hope.

 

$7M is an expensive pots, but I have faith in Bloom.

[moonslav59]

I would rather spend $15M on E Rod.

 

Me, too, even at 5 years $16.5M.

[Larry Cook]

If hang’em Chaim and crew can fix this guys mechanics, we may have something.

[Old Red]

Me, too, even at 5 years $16.5M.

 

For the next 5 years it may cost more to replace E Rod,and not just the money part.

[moonslav59]

For the next 5 years it may cost more to replace E Rod,and not just the money part.

 

I agree, or we lose more.

[Bellhorn04]

For the next 5 years it may cost more to replace E Rod,and not just the money part.

 

This guy is replacing Perez, not E-Rod.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

I would rather spend $15M on E Rod.

 

A lot of us would -- probably Bloom, too... but for just one year (definitely not five).

 

The main concern Sox fans should have for any pitcher acquired to give us innings is that the term "innings pitched" requires -- for every IP -- a total of three outs to be recorded. Somehow.

[jacksonianmarch]

Wacha is insurance for Houck and Whitlock in the rotation

[Old Red]

This guy is replacing Perez, not E-Rod.

 

Who’s replacing E Rod? If you say Houck, or Whitlock then it’s going to cost to replace them in the pen with anyone decent. Either way it’s going to cost, and most likely more than replacing E Rod.

[moonslav59]

This guy is replacing Perez, not E-Rod.

 

Let’s hope so.

 

I like Wacha more than Perez.

[Bellhorn04]

Who’s replacing E Rod? If you say Houck, or Whitlock then it’s going to cost to replace them in the pen with anyone decent. Either way it’s going to cost, and most likely more than replacing E Rod.

 

I don't have the answer. Maybe they shell out for Stroman, or maybe they swing a trade. What I know is that it's November 27.

[Bellhorn04]

Let’s hope so.

 

You really don't have much faith in Bloom then.

[Old Red]

Let’s hope so.

 

I like Wacha more than Perez.

 

Neither one is to enticing. 5+ ERA for $7M is to much money for 1 year, or not.

[harmony]

Let’s hope so.

 

I like Wacha more than Perez.

Since the start of the 2019 season Michael Wacha has posted an ERA of 5.11 and ERA+ of 80 in 285.1 innings while Martin Perez, who is three months older than Wacha, has posted an ERA of 4.88 and ERA+ of 95 in 341.1 innings.

[Old Red]

You really don't have much faith in Bloom then.

 

Bloom is only operating on a small allowance from JH, so don’t expect much.

[Tedballgame]

They couldn't re-sign Andriese so they went for Wacha.

[Tedballgame]

Hope we get 2013 Michael Wacha!

[Tedballgame]

Wacha has a 5.05 ERA last year and gets a 4 million dollar raise from 3 million to 7 million. What a country!

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Wacha has a 5.05 ERA last year and gets a 4 million dollar raise from 3 million to 7 million. What a country!

 

Come on -- his ERA just went down for '22 because he doesn't have to face Boston hitters. Wander how he'll do vs. Tampa, though...

[Old Red]

Wacha has a 5.05 ERA last year and gets a 4 million dollar raise from 3 million to 7 million. What a country!

 

Yes, but that 5.05 was an improvement from his 6.62 from the year before. What a prize pickup. NOT.

[moonslav59]

You really don't have much faith in Bloom then.

 

It’s Henry I’m not sure about.

 

It’s about the budget not Bloom to me.