Red Sox Starting Rotation 2023

[Bellhorn04]

“Tonight was a little different because I didn’t have great command,” said Paxton. “But Connor did a great job behind the plate changing speeds and keeping those guys off balance.”

[Nick]

Paxton throwing 109 pitches tells me his arm is in good shape.

He is capable of going 7/8 innings with a better command.

[moonslav59]

Paxton throwing 109 pitches tells me his arm is in good shape.

He is capable of going 7/8 innings with a better command.

 

To be honest, with his injury history, and this basically still being almost still like ST'ing, going over 90 pitches kinda scared me.

 

Going 109 is very encouraging. We could use someone giving us 7-8 IP, every now and again..

[sk7326]

Paxton throwing 109 pitches tells me his arm is in good shape.

He is capable of going 7/8 innings with a better command.

 

You have to worry about the injuries. That said, the Sox suddenly have a half-decent Top 3 rotation? Kluber is a high floor, low ceiling ... which is fine for your #4.

[moonslav59]

You have to worry about the injuries. That said, the Sox suddenly have a half-decent Top 3 rotation? Kluber is a high floor, low ceiling ... which is fine for your #4.

 

Injuries is probably the main concern, and since Sale & Paxton have missed more than 2 full years out of the last 3, it will always be a dark cloud hanging.

 

Bello, Whitlock, Houck and Crawford have all dealt with recent injuries, too. Pivetta has been the rock, but he also has the lowest ceiling of the 7.

 

Keeping 5 of the 7 healthy as much as possible is easier than 5 of 5 or 5 of 6, but we also need production from whatever 5 are going out there every 5 days.

 

Depth is a nice thing to have.

 

I'd prefer more quality than quantity, but this is what we have to work with, and maybe the deadline can give us a boost, if we haven't "found" the right 5 by then,

[cp176]

To be honest, with his injury history, and this basically still being almost still like ST'ing, going over 90 pitches kinda scared me.

 

Going 109 is very encouraging. We could use someone giving us 7-8 IP, every now and again..

 

I guess my question would be how many starts did he have before they called him up? Based on that, doesn't look like protecting that arm by limiting his pitches to any major extent is particularly important. 109 shouldn't have much impact on him at this point.

[moonslav59]

I guess my question would be how many starts did he have before they called him up? Based on that, doesn't look like protecting that arm by limiting his pitches to any major extent is particularly important. 109 shouldn't have much impact on him at this point.

 

I'm not saying they made the wrong call- just that it got me concerned.

 

AAA Starts

4/9 3 IP

4/14 3.1 IP

4/19 0.2

4/25 4.1

4/30 5.1

5/5 5.0

 

That certainly is as much or more than ST'ing, so my comment on that was not right.

 

 

 

[notin]

Paxton throwing 109 pitches tells me his arm is in good shape.

He is capable of going 7/8 innings with a better command.

 

I hope the Sox don’t get overreliant on Paxton just yet. Good so far, but 11IP is 11IP…

[Bellhorn04]

I hope the Sox don’t get overreliant on Paxton just yet. Good so far, but 11IP is 11IP…

 

Could be the only 11 innings he ever pitches for the Sox LOL.

 

But needless to say I wish all the best for his continued good health.

[Hugh2]

I'm not saying they made the wrong call- just that it got me concerned.

 

AAA Starts

4/9 3 IP

4/14 3.1 IP

4/19 0.2

4/25 4.1

4/30 5.1

5/5 5.0

 

That certainly is as much or more than ST'ing, so my comment on that was not right.

 

 

 

 

It's not like he just started throwing on 4/9. He had bullpen sessions and has been training and conditioning for a while now during his rehab. Physically, he should be able to throw 100 pitches and not blow out his elbow.

 

I think the bigger concern should be his total innings pitched this year. If he is throwing 100 pitches + every time out that could build up by the end of the year. But who knows, hopefully the rest of the rotation and bullpen settles so you are more comfortable taking him out after 5 or 6.

[mvp 78]

They only have one year with Paxton. Why hold back on his bullets?

[Hugh2]

They only have one year with Paxton. Why hold back on his bullets?

 

It would be pretty cool if Paxton pitches his way into being offered a QO.

[mvp 78]

It would be pretty cool if Paxton pitches his way into being offered a QO.

 

It's cool if he's just in the conversation for what he's gone through.

[notin]

They only have one year with Paxton. Why hold back on his bullets?

 

They want him to last all year?

[mvp 78]

They want him to last all year?

 

With his history, I'm not sure even trying to manage his innings will make a difference.

[Hugh2]

Actually, Sale just might end up pitching his way into a QO as well. One good season is one thing, but how much better off will he be (and the Sox) if he comes back strong for two seasons? The way the pitching market is now a days someone will give him a high AAV for 3 years even at 36. I don't expect it to be Boston but I'll take that draft pick.

[moonslav59]

I don't think it is in anybody's best interest to run Paxton into the ground.

 

That being said, I did not mean to open a can of worms by saying I was scared about letting him go over 90-100 pitches.

 

After looking at all his starts in AAA, it doesn't look like a big deal, anymore, to me, but I do think we probably don't want him to go 109 pitches, every 5 days.

 

If they guy keeps grooving it, I'm all for letting him go 110. (Yes, I flipped.)

[moonslav59]

Actually, Sale just might end up pitching his way into a QO as well. One good season is one thing, but how much better off will he be (and the Sox) if he comes back strong for two seasons? The way the pitching market is now a days someone will give him a high AAV for 3 years even at 36. I don't expect it to be Boston but I'll take that draft pick.

 

Wouldn't that be something!

 

BTW, this is Sale's remaining contract:

 

24:$27.5M, 25:$20M club option (2025 option guaranteed if Sale finishes in top 10 in 2024 Cy Young vote and is not on the injured list at end of 2024 season)

[Hugh2]

Oh I was actually just about to look up the details of his contract because I didn't know if his 2025 option was a club option or a player option. I mean.......lets just say hypothetically Sale pitches like this for the remainder of the year and next year. You have to pick that option up?

[moonslav59]

Oh I was actually just about to look up the details of his contract because I didn't know if his 2025 option was a club option or a player option. I mean.......lets just say hypothetically Sale pitches like this for the remainder of the year and next year. You have to pick that option up?

 

$20M in 2025 might be the going rate for a 3 starter by then.

[mvp 78]

I don't think it is in anybody's best interest to run Paxton into the ground.

 

That being said, I did not mean to open a can of worms by saying I was scared about letting him go over 90-100 pitches.

 

After looking at all his starts in AAA, it doesn't look like a big deal, anymore, to me, but I do think we probably don't want him to go 109 pitches, every 5 days.

 

If they guy keeps grooving it, I'm all for letting him go 110. (Yes, I flipped.)

 

I don't think 110 pitches for Paxton is the end of the world. I wouldn't have him out there throwing 140.

[moonslav59]

I don't think 110 pitches for Paxton is the end of the world.

 

I don't either.

[Nick]

Wouldn't that be something!

 

BTW, this is Sale's remaining contract:

 

24:$27.5M, 25:$20M club option (2025 option guaranteed if Sale finishes in top 10 in 2024 Cy Young vote and is not on the injured list at end of 2024 season)

 

His arm is 3 years younger than rest of his body.

[cp176]

I'm not saying they made the wrong call- just that it got me concerned.

 

AAA Starts

4/9 3 IP

4/14 3.1 IP

4/19 0.2

4/25 4.1

4/30 5.1

5/5 5.0

 

That certainly is as much or more than ST'ing, so my comment on that was not right.

 

 

 

 

what I am saying is that he prepared for this season with quite a bit of work prior to his call up - possibly too much. If the pros aren't concerned with that arm, then I hope that he doesn't get treated like he is always one or two pitches away from being at the end.

[moonslav59]

His arm is 3 years younger than rest of his body.

 

So is Kluber's... LOL!

[moonslav59]

what I am saying is that he prepared for this season with quite a bit of work prior to his call up - possibly too much. If the pros aren't concerned with that arm, then I hope that he doesn't get treated like he is always one or two pitches away from being at the end.

 

Yes, I went back and looked. You were right.

 

My concern was largely unfounded. I no longer feel it was all that risky.

[Nick]

Yes, I went back and looked. You were right.

 

My concern was largely unfounded. I no longer feel it was all that risky.

 

Hell both Paxton and Sale are at risk getting off the bus or even riding a stationary bike.

[moonslav59]

Hell both Paxton and Sale are at risk getting off the bus or even riding a stationary bike.

 

I get it.

 

Plus, they are the only starters we have, right now, that can go 7. (Bello walks too many to get to 7.)

[Nick]

Just to keep in mind.

 

Kluber will earn $500K when he starts 20 games, another $750K at 25 games started and finally another $750K at 30 games started.

[moonslav59]

Just to keep in mind.

 

Kluber will earn $500K when he starts 20 games, another $750K at 25 games started and finally another $750K at 30 games started.

 

If he gets to 20 GS'd, he will likely have earned it.

 

he might not get past 11 or 12 starts.