2022 Bullpen Thread

[Larry Cook]

Robles strikes again ! Serves up a 2 run meatball. Walks the bases loaded.

[FredLynn]

The Sox are not going to unnecessarily deplete bullpen depth. Even Bracchio wasn’t dealt until after a DFA due to him having no options left.

 

I could see Danish, who has options, getting demoted. I could see Robles getting DFAd followed by a demotion or a minor league deal (again). In fact, I hope he gets DFAd…

 

I agree. Robles is useless. Danish isn't far behind him and he should get DFA's if only because his name sounds too much like a cream puff.

Seriously, this team really needs two solid RHRPs. SPing is solid, but our pen sucks.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

How would we rank the current bullpen from best to worst?

 

Bloom Era: 1. 2021 - ya, it pretty much sucked in the postseason, but Barnes was an All-Star closer for half a season, and Whitlock was great in multi-inning set-up.

 

2. 2022 - brutal, just brutal... and the only thing keeping it out of last place is...

 

3. 2020. Why? How about because 14 different relievers finished games. That's not a unit, but a never-ending audition. For a last place team (but they're first in the Bloom Error).

[Nick]

My

 

1 Houck closer

1A Whitlock long man

3 Schreiber

4 Strahm (looking scary lately)

5 Brasier

6 Davis

7 Sawamura

8 Danish (to AAA)> Barnes > Diekman

DFA Robles

 

Houck, Whitlock and Schreiber, then pray for rain or complete game.

[moonslav59]

I like it.

 

The “DFA Robles” comment was made before today’s mess.

[jacksonianmarch]

So Cora admitted that Whitlock is going to be in the pen after he returns and he will need a rehab assignment.

 

I know Hill just went down, but Sale is almost ready. Bello is ready in the minors as well and would likely be the next up when Seabold or Winckowski fall back to earth. But with the development of Scheiber and now Houck and Whitlock, you have the makings of a solid back end. The middle can be held down with Strahm and maybe Diekman who is turning his season around. Sawamura is hit or miss. Your issue right now is health. Once back to full health, there is a good chance the sox pen is at least decent. If Bloom invests in the team, he could add a couple arms that make it more than that

[moonslav59]

So Cora admitted that Whitlock is going to be in the pen after he returns and he will need a rehab assignment.

 

I know Hill just went down, but Sale is almost ready. Bello is ready in the minors as well and would likely be the next up when Seabold or Winckowski fall back to earth. But with the development of Scheiber and now Houck and Whitlock, you have the makings of a solid back end. The middle can be held down with Strahm and maybe Diekman who is turning his season around. Sawamura is hit or miss. Your issue right now is health. Once back to full health, there is a good chance the sox pen is at least decent. If Bloom invests in the team, he could add a couple arms that make it more than that

 

I missed the comment by Cora, but it makes sense.

 

I won't get into Paxton's return, because it's too far away and maybe not even happening, this year, but assuming Hill is healthy, or a prospect fills his slot, our rotation would look like this:

 

1. Pivetta

2. Eovaldi

3. Sale

4. Wacha

5. Hill, Wink/Seabold/Bello

 

Adding Whitlock to the pen, and maybe even Wink, Bello or German, it might look like this:

 

Closer: Houck

Set-up/long man: Whitlock

RP3 Schreiber

RP4 Strahm

RP5 Brasier

RP6 Davis

RP7 Sawamura

RP8 Taylor/Barnes/Diekman

AAA Danish (Wink/Seabold/Bello/German)

DFA Robles (maybe Diekman, later)

 

[Bellhorn04]

Peter Abraham suggests trading for David Robertson and doing it now!

 

Robertson may not be the best choice, but he wouldn't be a bad one.

 

As always the question is what we'd have to give up.

[notin]

Peter Abraham suggests trading for David Robertson and doing it now!

 

Robertson may not be the best choice, but he wouldn't be a bad one.

 

As always the question is what we'd have to give up.

 

 

BTV gives Robertson a surplus value of 0.7, which makes him equal to many Sox prospects, none of whom are very exciting. Nick Northcut (0.8) is probably the most intriguing game based on 2022 numbers…

[moonslav59]

BTV gives Robertson a surplus value of 0.7, which makes him equal to many Sox prospects, none of whom are very exciting. Nick Northcut (0.8) is probably the most intriguing game based on 2022 numbers…

 

I'm a believer in the theory of going with the hot hand in the pen, and I'd be fine with a Nothcut for Robertson trade, but I'm not convinced he would be the white horse coming to the rescue.

 

I'd DFA Robles in a heartbeat to make room for him.

 

Would the Cubs jump at a trade offer, now, when more might be offered closer to the deadline?

[notin]

I'm a believer in the theory of going with the hot hand in the pen, and I'd be fine with a Nothcut for Robertson trade, but I'm not convinced he would be the white horse coming to the rescue.

 

I'd DFA Robles in a heartbeat to make room for him.

 

Would the Cubs jump at a trade offer, now, when more might be offered closer to the deadline?

 

But if the Sox acquire one good reliever plus move Whitlock to the bullpen, the situation improved drastically, unless they also pull out relievers to fill the rotation.

 

But a pen of Robertson, Houck, Whitlock, Schreiber, Davis, Strahm, Diekman, and Brasier is a huge step up.

 

(I’d DFA Barnes and Robles today, but I doubt Bloom does.)

[moonslav59]

But if the Sox acquire one good reliever plus move Whitlock to the bullpen, the situation improved drastically, unless they also pull out relievers to fill the rotation.

But a pen of Robertson, Houck, Whitlock, Schreiber, Davis, Strahm, Diekman, and Brasier is a huge step up.

 

(I’d DFA Barnes and Robles today, but I doubt Bloom does.)

 

I agree on it being a big improvement. I'm just not convinced this 30 IP by Robertson in 2022 is the real Robertson, at age 37. What's the odds he comes close to those numbers going forward? (Surely, better than Barnes & Robles making a turn-around.)

 

I would not release Barnes, at this time, and not just about the money being a deterrent. I still have hope he can find himself. Once he comes of the IL, and not having any options left, makes keeping a 26 man roster slot for him highly problematic, but there are plenty of mop-up innings to go around, and at this moment, I'm not for cutting ties with him. I'd DFA Robles, yesterday. I'd put Diekman ahead of Barnes- maybe even Sawamura. (Danish can be demoted.) I'm on the fence with Davis.

 

We might even be able to trade Sawamura for peanuts and some salary relief. We might be able to trade Diekman, if we pay half or 3/4 of his remaining contract- again for just peanuts & $ relief.

[notin]

I agree on it being a big improvement. I'm just not convinced this 30 IP by Robertson in 2022 is the real Robertson, at age 37. What's the odds he comes close to those numbers going forward? (Surely, better than Barnes & Robles making a turn-around.)

 

I would not release Barnes, at this time, and not just about the money being a deterrent. I still have hope he can find himself. Once he comes of the IL, and not having any options left, makes keeping a 26 man roster slot for him highly problematic, but there are plenty of mop-up innings to go around, and at this moment, I'm not for cutting ties with him. I'd DFA Robles, yesterday. I'd put Diekman ahead of Barnes- maybe even Sawamura. (Danish can be demoted.) I'm on the fence with Davis.

 

We might even be able to trade Sawamura for peanuts and some salary relief. We might be able to trade Diekman, if we pay half or 3/4 of his remaining contract- again for just peanuts & $ relief.

 

If the price is a 23yo A ball third sacker having a career year, it’s worth seeing if it’s the “real Robertson.” And truth be told, it doesn’t have to be. As long as he’s an improvement over Robles and Barnes, it’s worthwhile…

[moonslav59]

If the price is a 23yo A ball third sacker having a career year, it’s worth seeing if it’s the “real Robertson.” And truth be told, it doesn’t have to be. As long as he’s an improvement over Robles and Barnes, it’s worthwhile…

 

I said I'd trade Northcut for Robertson and DFA Robles.

 

It's worth it by a long shot.

 

I'm just saying, I don't expect Robertson's next 30 IP to be nearly as good as his first 30 IP, but I'm all for going with the hot hand theory.

[Bellhorn04]

I said I'd trade Northcut for Robertson and DFA Robles.

 

It's worth it by a long shot.

 

I'm just saying, I don't expect Robertson's next 30 IP to be nearly as good as his first 30 IP, but I'm all for going with the hot hand theory.

 

Robertson has had a rock solid career. He's no spring chicken but appears to be 100% healthy.

 

Also, his career ERA of 2.88 is identical to his career FIP. That alone should be worth something.

[jacksonianmarch]

Robertson has been nails everywhere he goes. If he stays healthy, I’ve no doubt that would continue

[Bellhorn04]

Robertson has been nails everywhere he goes. If he stays healthy, I’ve no doubt that would continue

 

I've always liked him, even though he wore the pinstripes for so long.

[notin]

Robertson has been nails everywhere he goes. If he stays healthy, I’ve no doubt that would continue

 

He wasn’t “nails” in Philadelphia…

[moonslav59]

Robertson has had a rock solid career. He's no spring chicken but appears to be 100% healthy.

 

Also, his career ERA of 2.88 is identical to his career FIP. That alone should be worth something.

 

I'm all for getting him. I'm saying I don 't expect him to repeat his 0.900 WHIP over the next 30 IP. Saying that does not mean I think he will suck or is not worth trading for.

 

It's his great numbers now that is sparkling and getting everyone's attention. His career numbers are fine, but not great, and not "nails." 19 IP from 2019-2021 is far from nails.

 

WHIP

1.157 NYY decent

1.107 CWS good

1.250 TBR meh

2.100 PHI yuck

0.900 Cubs in 30 IP

 

.608 OPS Against Career is very good.

.484 OPSA in 2022 is probably not sustainable, but again, I think the hot hand theory has merit, and I'm all for getting him. I'll take .608 and 1.145 over the second half of 2022. Our pen, this year, as a whole is .665 and 1.233.

 

Robertson looks like a clear improvement.

 

Edited July 2, 2022 by moonslav59

[notin]

Robertson is fine. Ditto Michael Fulmer.

 

Both will be on multiple radars…

[Nick]

Fresh off his second straight SoxProspects.com Pitcher of the Month Award, Brayan Bello got to work on the three-peat. The right-hander allowed just two hits across 5 1/3 scoreless innings, walking three, and striking out eight. He induced 17 swinging strikes and lowered his ERA since his promotion to Triple-A to 2.81.

 

I would love to see this kid at least as middle inning guy this year.

 

54.2 innings pitched in AAA, Winckowski

51.1 innings pitched in AAA, Bello

 

Bellow has now pitched 84.3 innings total in 2022 vs 95.1 innings in 2023.

Edited July 2, 2022 by Nick

[Nick]

+2.0 games up in wildcard chase....only stat that matters!

[Nick]

I'm going to follow Kimmi's approach.....always seeing good in our Sox.

 

On what planet would we be unhappy that we're in the thick of playoff chase while we've seen Pivetta elevate his game, found a possible future rotation guy in Winckowski, a closer in Houck, a set up/long reliever/starter in Whitlock, future all-star in Duran (yep, I'll say it), a solid corner OF/1B Cordero and not to mention Verdugo finding his groove?

 

Kutter, Seabold and Bello are waiting in the wings. Matta and now Ward are rehabbing. Sale is also one more outing away from pitching in Fenway.

 

We're in thick of it despite chalking up most walk off losses in the majors.

 

All things considered, life is good.

Edited July 2, 2022 by Nick

[moonslav59]

I'm going to follow Kimmi's approach.....always seeing good in our Sox.

 

On what planet would we be unhappy that we're in the thick of playoff chase while we've seen Pivetta elevate his game, found a possible future rotation guy in Winckowski, a closer in Houck, a set up/long reliever/starter in Whitlock, future all-star in Duran (yep, I'll say it), a solid corner OF/1B Cordero and not to mention Verdugo finding his groove?

 

Kutter, Seabold and Bello are waiting in the wings. Matta and now Ward are rehabbing. Sale is also one more outing away from pitching in Fenway.

 

We're in thick of it despite chalking up most walk off losses in the majors.

 

All things considered, life is good.

 

Good outlook and straight to the point.

 

It's simpler than it looks.

[JDavis76]

Another stellar performance from the pen last night......

[notin]

I'm going to follow Kimmi's approach.....always seeing good in our Sox.

 

On what planet would we be unhappy that we're in the thick of playoff chase while we've seen Pivetta elevate his game, found a possible future rotation guy in Winckowski, a closer in Houck, a set up/long reliever/starter in Whitlock, future all-star in Duran (yep, I'll say it), a solid corner OF/1B Cordero and not to mention Verdugo finding his groove?

 

Kutter, Seabold and Bello are waiting in the wings. Matta and now Ward are rehabbing. Sale is also one more outing away from pitching in Fenway.

 

We're in thick of it despite chalking up most walk off losses in the majors.

 

All things considered, life is good.

 

 

I’m not quite with you on Cordero, who looks like a bench bat/strong side platoon OF to me. He’d probably be better in CF than he’s been at 1b.

 

I suspect Josh Bell/Jesus Aguilar/short term rental to be there by the end of the month…

[Nick]

I’m not quite with you on Cordero, who looks like a bench bat/strong side platoon OF to me. He’d probably be better in CF than he’s been at 1b.

 

I suspect Josh Bell/Jesus Aguilar/short term rental to be there by the end of the month…

 

That's fair.

[moonslav59]

I’m not quite with you on Cordero, who looks like a bench bat/strong side platoon OF to me. He’d probably be better in CF than he’s been at 1b.

 

I suspect Josh Bell/Jesus Aguilar/short term rental to be there by the end of the month…

 

With Kike’s season in doubt, and JBJ back under .570, I think it’s a toss up between getting a renatl1Bman or CF/RF. We may get both plus RPer or two.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

With Kike’s season in doubt, and JBJ back under .570, I think it’s a toss up between getting a renatl1Bman or CF/RF. We may get both plus RPer or two.

 

Needs are similar to a year ago: relief and a bat. But instead of picking up two bullpen guys nobody else really wants, it could be imperative for this month to get a good one like Robertson asap.

 

Schwarber, leading the NL in HRs, probably isn't available again, but it would be nice to land Josh Bell, who is having a better year than Juan Soto in Washington. Or maybe CJ Cron can be packaged with Danny Bard. Bell is 29, Cron 32...

[Old Red]

Needs are similar to a year ago: relief and a bat. But instead of picking up two bullpen guys nobody else really wants, it could be imperative for this month to get a good one like Robertson asap.

 

Schwarber, leading the NL in HRs, probably isn't available again, but it would be nice to land Josh Bell, who is having a better year than Juan Soto in Washington. Or maybe CJ Cron can be packaged with Danny Bard. Bell is 29, Cron 32...

 

What a bad time for the big bats to go silent. JD, Bogey, and even Raffy has tailed off big time, and unless they pick it back up soon with this tough stretch coming up it won’t matter who gets picked up. Story has been pretty much dead wood too. Houck has picked up some saves, but has been shaky for the most part in doing so, but with Whitlock going back to the pen finally will help. How well Sale, and Evol come back will also be a big determination one way, or the other.