Red Sox 2023 Bullpen

[mvp 78]

With the Jansen signing, it looks like the bullpen shouldn't be as embarrassing as it has been the past few years. They seem to have a closer and a few high leverage arms at the moment, but who knows...

 

Jansen - Closer

Houck - 7/8

Schreiber - 7/8

Martin - 7/8

Kelly - Middle Relief

Barnes - Middle Relief

Joely - Lefty

Winckowski - Swingman

 

Maybe they'll look for another left handed guy to throw out there? They say Paxton will get the chance to start, but maybe he takes Winckowski's spot as swingman?

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

With the Jansen signing, it looks like the bullpen shouldn't be as embarrassing as it has been the past few years.

 

... inextricably linked is if the starting rotation isn't as embarrassing in its failure to even go five innings per game. Without starting depth -- and that includes innings and bodies (to fill in when injuries inevitably hit) -- the pen will be overused, no matter how good the arms are in the first few months...

 

The Red Sox need more reliable starting pitchers.

[mvp 78]

Sox SP's averaged exactly 5 innings pitched per start last season (21st in the league). In 2021? The averaged 5 IP (18th in the league). Back in 2018, they averaged 5 1/3 (17th in the league).

 

It really hasn't changed much since Cora came onboard. While starters are throwing a little less, it's in line with the trend across MLB. At least now, there's an extra reliever you can put innings on as the rosters have expanded.

[moonslav59]

With the Jansen signing, it looks like the bullpen shouldn't be as embarrassing as it has been the past few years. They seem to have a closer and a few high leverage arms at the moment, but who knows...

 

Jansen - Closer

Houck - 7/8

Schreiber - 7/8

Martin - 7/8

Kelly - Middle Relief

Barnes - Middle Relief

Joely - Lefty

Winckowski - Swingman

 

Maybe they'll look for another left handed guy to throw out there? They say Paxton will get the chance to start, but maybe he takes Winckowski's spot as swingman?

 

That looks pretty decent. Crawford may beat out Wink or we may keep both as swingmen/long relief profiles.

 

9 RP'ers is the norm. Maybe we add Crawford or German or acquire another. I think we are done with pen additions.

[Jasonbay44]

I would prefer at least one more decent middle relief guy, but definitely a step in right direction.

[moonslav59]

I would prefer at least one more decent middle relief guy, but definitely a step in right direction.

 

A solid SP'er would take some pressure off the pen, IMO.

 

Our 9 man pen currently looks like this:

 

Jansen

Houck

Martin

Schreiber

Barnes

Joely R.

Crawford

Winckowski

Brasier/Taylor/Kelly/German/Politi/Wallace/DHern/Fernandez

Converted minor league SP'ers: Mata, Walter, Murphy, Seabold, Santos, TWard

 

If adding another pen arm insures a Brasier DFA or trade, like it should, I'm all for it, but more likely we'll have Wink or Crawford start the season in AAA, assuming no injuries- ha, ha, ha!

[mvp 78]

I'm 100% in on Mata making the Opening Day roster in the pen.

[notin]

I'm 100% in on Mata making the Opening Day roster in the pen.

 

Even if it means bumping Houck to the rotation?

[mvp 78]

Even if it means bumping Houck to the rotation?

 

I don't think it would bump Houck to the rotation. Houck would be more likely to be traded IMO.

[notin]

I don't think it would bump Houck to the rotation. Houck would be more likely to be traded IMO.

 

While trading a Houck is the better option, I do think the rotation is more likely than a trade…

[moonslav59]

Maybe we sign Seth Lugo and move Houck to the rotation. (Maybe just add Rich Hill.)

[mvp 78]

Maybe we sign Seth Lugo and move Houck to the rotation. (Maybe just add Rich Hill.)

 

Teams this offseason are talking about moving Lugo to the rotation though?

[mvp 78]

While trading a Houck is the better option, I do think the rotation is more likely than a trade…

 

You would.

[Larry Cook]

A solid SP'er would take some pressure off the pen, IMO.

 

Our 9 man pen currently looks like this:

 

Jansen

Houck

Martin

Schreiber

Barnes

Joely R.

Crawford

Winckowski

Brasier/Taylor/Kelly/German/Politi/Wallace/DHern/Fernandez

Converted minor league SP'ers: Mata, Walter, Murphy, Seabold, Santos, TWard

 

If adding another pen arm insures a Brasier DFA or trade, like it should, I'm all for it, but more likely we'll have Wink or Crawford start the season in AAA, assuming no injuries- ha, ha, ha!

 

I would like to see another lefty added to this group.

[moonslav59]

I would like to see another lefty added to this group.

 

I think we are done adding pen arms.

 

FYI

Career Pen Splits OPS Against

 

® Jansen .502 v R/.587 v L

® Martin .704 v R/ .664 v L

® Houck .528 v R/ .676 v L

® Barnes .691 v R/.696 v L

® Schreiber .625 v R/.748 v L (but .676 in 2022)

 

(L) Joely Rod. .732 v R/ .691 v L

(L) Taylor .801 v R/ .478 v L

 

[notin]

You would.

 

Yes I would!! And so would Air Bud!

[mvp 78]

Yes I would!! And so would Air Bud!

 

Don't.