Red Sox Starting Rotation 2023

[notin]

But you want him to pitch well because it makes your prediction looks better.

 

We’re talking about Chaim Bloom. Not sure that enters the equation.

 

The only way my prediction looks good is if (when) Bloom completes a deal for him…

[Maxbialystock]

We’re talking about Chaim Bloom. Not sure that enters the equation.

 

The only way my prediction looks good is if (when) Bloom completes a deal for him…

 

One problem Bloom (and other teams' executives) has/have right now is that 22 teams can legitimately claim to have a shot at a wild card or better. That means 22 buyers and 8 sellers, which is a lousy ratio if you are a buyer. Way, way too much competition.

 

I've made a big deal (and been shot down) about the fact that starting August 4 the Sox play 48 games with just 2 days off, which will definitely be a strain on the pitching as currently configured. The Sox have 3 starters, Pivetta pitching long after someone else (preferably lefty Bernardino) starts and goes an inning or two, and a bullpen game.

 

I don't think that will work for those 48 games. I am also not optimistic about the returning arms. Kluber will never start again for the Sox. Houck and Whitlock are both more likely to return in September than in August, plus both have ERA's over 5. Sale could be back in a week or two (apparently the shoulder has healed), which is great, but we can't be sure that he can stay healthy and/or pitch the way he did for roughly 8 starts this season.

 

Given all of the above, I do not envy Bloom's situation. It's a bad time to buy, but there is also in my view a compelling need for another starter.

[moonslav59]

One problem Bloom (and other teams' executives) has/have right now is that 22 teams can legitimately claim to have a shot at a wild card or better. That means 22 buyers and 8 sellers, which is a lousy ratio if you are a buyer. Way, way too much competition.

 

I've made a big deal (and been shot down) about the fact that starting August 4 the Sox play 48 games with just 2 days off, which will definitely be a strain on the pitching as currently configured. The Sox have 3 starters, Pivetta pitching long after someone else (preferably lefty Bernardino) starts and goes an inning or two, and a bullpen game.

 

I don't think that will work for those 48 games. I am also not optimistic about the returning arms. Kluber will never start again for the Sox. Houck and Whitlock are both more likely to return in September than in August, plus both have ERA's over 5. Sale could be back in a week or two (apparently the shoulder has healed), which is great, but we can't be sure that he can stay healthy and/or pitch the way he did for roughly 8 starts this season.

 

Given all of the above, I do not envy Bloom's situation. It's a bad time to buy, but there is also in my view a compelling need for another starter.

 

Other teams face the same schedule. We have not played less games than them. We all have the same amount of games and days left.

 

IMO, our depth, and the fact that Cora as rested our players more than many wished he would, it is to our advantage we play many games in fewer days than before.

 

Add to this, we just got Schreiber Chang and Reyes back and Duvall has recovered, and more players are returning soon, I'm happy we play 48n games in 50 days.

[Larry Cook]

One problem Bloom (and other teams' executives) has/have right now is that 22 teams can legitimately claim to have a shot at a wild card or better. That means 22 buyers and 8 sellers, which is a lousy ratio if you are a buyer. Way, way too much competition.

 

I've made a big deal (and been shot down) about the fact that starting August 4 the Sox play 48 games with just 2 days off, which will definitely be a strain on the pitching as currently configured. The Sox have 3 starters, Pivetta pitching long after someone else (preferably lefty Bernardino) starts and goes an inning or two, and a bullpen game.

 

I don't think that will work for those 48 games. I am also not optimistic about the returning arms. Kluber will never start again for the Sox. Houck and Whitlock are both more likely to return in September than in August, plus both have ERA's over 5. Sale could be back in a week or two (apparently the shoulder has healed), which is great, but we can't be sure that he can stay healthy and/or pitch the way he did for roughly 8 starts this season.

 

Given all of the above, I do not envy Bloom's situation. It's a bad time to buy, but there is also in my view a compelling need for another starter.

 

The GM for the Astro’s said available starting pitching is scarce!

[jgar658]

I would not go for a starting pitcher. Right now our three starting pitchers are doing amazing and we will

soon have Sales, Houck, and Whitlock. That would be three additional starting pitchers.

I would deal Verdugo for high promise prospects. Once Story is back we do not need more bats.

[Larry Cook]

I would not go for a starting pitcher. Right now our three starting pitchers are doing amazing and we will

soon have Sales, Houck, and Whitlock. That would be three additional starting pitchers.

I would deal Verdugo for high promise prospects. Once Story is back we do not need more bats.

 

What version of story do we get???

[Dipre]

What version of story do we get???

 

And what version of the injured starting pitchers come back? Important questions.

[jgar658]

What version of story do we get???

 

And what version of the injured starting pitchers come back? Important questions.

 

No one knows. Story may start with a slump or perform just like Kike. There are no guarantees.

 

If they are truly healed I feel or hope that Sales, Houck, and Whitlock can be 90% as good as our three current starters.. Sales, Houck, and Whitlock as a group should be better than a rental SP some other team

wants to trade. I rather go for more BP pitching.

[Dipre]

Houck and Whitlock had been pretty bad either way. As Max says, this tram needs to improve its pitching depth if it is to survive August. They don't have to trade for top tier pitching, but they need more innings than what the current group will be able to provide.

[moonslav59]

Houck and Whitlock had been pretty bad either way. As Max says, this tram needs to improve its pitching depth if it is to survive August. They don't have to trade for top tier pitching, but they need more innings than what the current group will be able to provide.

 

I’m never one to count on most recent data as the best predictor of what comes next.

 

Houck and Whitlock are both good pitchers with nasty stuff. They may struggle: they may not. I’m going to be optimistic until they prove me wrong.

 

 

[Dipre]

I’m never one to count on most recent data as the best predictor of what comes next.

 

Houck and Whitlock are both good pitchers with nasty stuff. They may struggle: they may not. I’m going to be optimistic until they prove me wrong.

 

 

 

They already proved your wrong by providing neither innings nor run prevention during the first half, and they are coming back from injury, not a vacation in Hawaii.

[Larry Cook]

De facto starter pivetta had not been terrible to date

[moonslav59]

they already proved your wrong by providing neither innings nor run prevention during the first half, and they are coming back from injury, not a vacation in hawaii.

 

lol

[Maxbialystock]

No one knows. Story may start with a slump or perform just like Kike. There are no guarantees.

 

If they are truly healed I feel or hope that Sales, Houck, and Whitlock can be 90% as good as our three current starters.. Sales, Houck, and Whitlock as a group should be better than a rental SP some other team

wants to trade. I rather go for more BP pitching.

 

You are dreaming if you are counting on Sale, Houck, and Whitlock. Sale, I grant you, looks like he is headed back, maybe even in early August. Plus before the shoulder went bad, he had like 8 solid starts out of 11. However, I think we need to count him has fragile until proven otherwise.

 

Houck and Whitlock are now expected back in September, not August. Plus they both had ERA's over 5. Whitlock has never been a consistent starter and neither has Houck.

 

In fact, our four best starters--by a wide margin--right now are Bello, Paxton, Crawford (yes, Crawford), and Pivetta (who starts in the 2d or 3d inning, which seems to work beautifully).

[moonslav59]

You are dreaming if you are counting on Sale, Houck, and Whitlock. Sale, I grant you, looks like he is headed back, maybe even in early August. Plus before the shoulder went bad, he had like 8 solid starts out of 11. However, I think we need to count him has fragile until proven otherwise.

 

Houck and Whitlock are now expected back in September, not August. Plus they both had ERA's over 5. Whitlock has never been a consistent starter and neither has Houck.

 

In fact, our four best starters--by a wide margin--right now are Bello, Paxton, Crawford (yes, Crawford), and Pivetta (who starts in the 2d or 3d inning, which seems to work beautifully).

 

Nobody is expecting all 3 to come back and be great. We don't ven need great from 1. We just need one to be good or two to be decent or give us 3-5 IP.

 

On Sale, you act like 8 out of 11 good to great starts is bad, and it was his last 8, so I'd think that counts for something more.

 

On Houck, it's not like he had TJ surgery. He's been throwing since 7/11 and threw his second pen session on 7/28. He could be ack before September.

 

On Whitlock, he threw his second pen session 7/29 (35-40 pitches), and he may start rehabbing in the minors in less than a week. Mid August is not out of the question.

 

(I think we add a SP'er and hope one comes back from the 3. If more come back, they go to the pen.

 

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

What version of story do we get???

 

Cliff Notes version; too late in the season to get the whole story.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

You're gonna love this, notin: your guy Paul Blackbyrd pitches tonight against Chris Flexen.

 

Take these broken wings and learn to fly. You were only waiting for Sale-Houck-Whitlock-Song to arrive...

[moonslav59]

Take these broken wings and learn to fly. You were only waiting for Sale-Houck-Whitlock-Song to arrive...

 

I’m waiting for a SPer to arrive via trade, first.

[Larry Cook]

Is Hang’em Chaim currently dancing with San Diego?

 

Snell would make an expensive addition

[mvp 78]

You are dreaming if you are counting on Sale, Houck, and Whitlock. Sale, I grant you, looks like he is headed back, maybe even in early August. Plus before the shoulder went bad, he had like 8 solid starts out of 11. However, I think we need to count him has fragile until proven otherwise.

 

Houck and Whitlock are now expected back in September, not August. Plus they both had ERA's over 5. Whitlock has never been a consistent starter and neither has Houck.

 

In fact, our four best starters--by a wide margin--right now are Bello, Paxton, Crawford (yes, Crawford), and Pivetta (who starts in the 2d or 3d inning, which seems to work beautifully).

 

He could finish off this season strong and start 30 games next year and I'd still believe him to be fragile.

 

Houck and Whitlock both had ERA's in the 5's and xFIP's in the 3's. I'm not sure if either would be brought back into a starting role, but could definitely help the pen down the stretch.

[mvp 78]

Is Hang’em Chaim currently dancing with San Diego?

 

Snell would make an expensive addition

 

I hope not. He's in the bottom 5% in BB rate. He has an xERA of 3.86. His LOB% seems unsustainable.

 

You'd have to trade Rafaela to get him or package of Alcantara and Wikelman. Seems like a lot for this version of the Red Sox.

[moonslav59]

He could finish off this season strong and start 30 games next year and I'd still believe him to be fragile.

 

Houck and Whitlock both had ERA's in the 5's and xFIP's in the 3's. I'm not sure if either would be brought back into a starting role, but could definitely help the pen down the stretch.

 

While both Houck and Whitlock may comeback and continue with ERAs in the 5's and FIPs in the 3's, it's not a given, and to me, I think at least one should do better. We won't need 5-6 IP, either. If just one can do what Pivetta is doing, we may squeak in the playoffs.

 

Sale would be an added bonus, but we should not count on 1 more IP from him, We need to trade for a SP, ASAP.

[notin]

I hope not. He's in the bottom 5% in BB rate. He has an xERA of 3.86. His LOB% seems unsustainable.

 

You'd have to trade Rafaela to get him or package of Alcantara and Wikelman. Seems like a lot for this version of the Red Sox.

 

BTV - who’s been pay accurate so far this deadline - gives Snell a surplus value of $8.7mill. This makes him roughly equivalent to Mikey Romero or Alcantara. Not sure I go there for two months of Snell…

[moonslav59]

BTV - who’s been pay accurate so far this deadline - gives Snell a surplus value of $8.7mill. This makes him roughly equivalent to Mikey Romero or Alcantara. Not sure I go there for two months of Snell…

 

Paulino and Walter

 

Walter, Mata and Hickey

[notin]

Paulino and Walter

 

Walter, Mata and Hickey

 

Certainly possible. I always go for the best equivalent single prospect on that site when evaluating a deal. It’s kind of a worst case scenario. And most teams should prefer quality over quantity…

[mvp 78]

BTV - who’s been pay accurate so far this deadline - gives Snell a surplus value of $8.7mill. This makes him roughly equivalent to Mikey Romero or Alcantara. Not sure I go there for two months of Snell…

 

They weren't accurate on the Angels trade with the ChiSox.

[mvp 78]

Paulino and Walter

 

Walter, Mata and Hickey

 

I can't see Bloom saying no to Paulino and Walter for Snell.

[Maxbialystock]

While both Houck and Whitlock may comeback and continue with ERAs in the 5's and FIPs in the 3's, it's not a given, and to me, I think at least one should do better. We won't need 5-6 IP, either. If just one can do what Pivetta is doing, we may squeak in the playoffs.

 

Sale would be an added bonus, but we should not count on 1 more IP from him, We need to trade for a SP, ASAP.

 

Good analysis, especially on Houck and Whitlock. The guy (Ian Browne) for mlb.com now says Houck will return in August and that Whitlock is a possibility. Both can be long relievers, which would definitely help--as you have said.

 

Also agree the Sox need another starter. I'm skeptical and hopeful about Sale for obvious reasons.

[dgalehouse]

" Bullpen game " is not a forbidden phrase. There is nothing wrong with it. They have become relatively common. And often are successful. Obviously, you need to have a good and a deep bullpen. The Sox bullpen is much improved from last year. But if you can't find another good starter, try to add some more quality to the pen.

[notin]

They weren't accurate on the Angels trade with the ChiSox.

 

No, but most of the others were good. Even the Scherzer trade worked out on their system…