A Realistic View of 2024: Part II

[Bellhorn04]

Can't forget about Hendriks. How's he doing?

[Nick]

Man, bullpens can really fall apart overnight.

 

Kelly and Booser are about the only two guys you would want to see pitch tonight.

 

Jansen-blew it last night and was shaky in his previous inning

Slaten-on IL and who knows when he returns

Martin-on IL and who knows when he returns

Bernardino-was great up until June but has been terrible since

Winckowski-OK but not confidence-inspiring

Weissert-just about dead and dusted

Campbell-see you in 2025

Horn-disappeared?

Anderson-mopup guy

 

Spot on about Weissert.....he does not look anything special anymore. Maybe his back to the plate set up had me impressed. I'm impressed easily.

[notin]

Proven late inning relievers actually tend to be pretty costly.

 

If you want a closer, sure.

 

But this deadline could feature some Yimi Garcia/John Brebbia/Trevor Richards types that can do the job for much less than a Mason Miller price tag…

[notin]

Spot on about Weissert.....he does not look anything special anymore. Maybe his back to the plate set up had me impressed. I'm impressed easily.

 

Since June 28, opponents have a 1.123 OPS against Weissert…

[moonslav59]

Since June 28, opponents have a 1.123 OPS against Weissert…

 

He's been horrible for about a month, true.

 

Last 28 Days OPSA

1.304 Bernardino

1.042 Weissert

.994 Criswell

 

.854 Bello

 

.758 Jansen

.745 Wink

 

.685 Houck

.670 Horn

.648 Kelly

.618 Anderson

 

.530 Pivetta

.521 Slaten (IL)

 

.407 Crawford

.364 Martin (IL)

.328 Booser

 

Do we follow the "hot hand" theory and start pitching Booser, Anderson and Horn more and more in higher leverage situations?

 

It looks like Kelly is our new #2, but our #3 & 4 look sketchy.

 

[Bellhorn04]

Horn hasn't pitched since July 5, when he tossed 2.2 scoreless against the Yanks.

 

Not sure why a Sox reporter doesn't just straight out ask Cora why the f*** Horn hasn't pitched since July 5.

 

I think Cora would get a chuckle out of that and would give an honest answer.

[moonslav59]

Horn hasn't pitched since July 5, when he tossed 2.2 scoreless against the Yanks.

 

Not sure why a Sox reporter doesn't just straight out ask Cora why the f*** Horn hasn't pitched since July 5.

 

I think Cora would get a chuckle out of that and would give an honest answer.

 

Seems like a wasted 26 man roster slot, unless he's waiting for mop up duty.

[notin]

Horn hasn't pitched since July 5, when he tossed 2.2 scoreless against the Yanks.

 

Not sure why a Sox reporter doesn't just straight out ask Cora why the f*** Horn hasn't pitched since July 5.

 

I think Cora would get a chuckle out of that and would give an honest answer.

 

Maybe because some of those hitters out there need the statistical boost one gets from facing Greg Weissert?

[notin]

Seems like a wasted 26 man roster slot, unless he's waiting for mop up duty.

 

We have a mop up guy. That’s Chase Anderson’s job…

[Bellhorn04]

We have a mop up guy. That’s Chase Anderson’s job…

 

Maybe Cora likes to have one of each hand...

[dgalehouse]

Can't forget about Hendriks. How's he doing?

 

Haven't heard anything different than the August timeline. If he is his old self, it would help a lot down the stretch. A big IF.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Like Trey Wingenter?

 

And Mike Baumann is available again!

 

 

I don't care if it's Mike Troutman, Mike Bassman or Mike Bluegill, the Sox need to restock the bullpen tank. It went swimmingly for awhile, but they're approaching creel limits.

[moonslav59]

CBS Injury Report claims these players will be out AT LEAST until ...

JUL 26 Slaten (doubtful, as he has yet to rehab.)

JUL 26 Martin (doubtful, as he is currently "shut down.")

AUG 2 Mata (out of options)

AUG 9 Grissom

AUG 15 Hendriks

SEP 1 Casas

[Maxbialystock]

I don't care if it's Mike Troutman, Mike Bassman or Mike Bluegill, the Sox need to restock the bullpen tank. It went swimmingly for awhile, but they're approaching creel limits.

 

Agree. The simple fact is that the Sox had the lead, 1-0, in the 8th inning Friday night when Bernardino came in and gave it at away and then some. Then Jansen blew the save in the 9th Saturday night. As it turned out, he also blew a possible win last night when he gave up 3 runs in the 8th and the Sox closed it to 9-6 in the 9th inning.

 

Meanwhile our brand new CBO did absolutely nothing to improve the bullpen last offseason. He did dump starter Sale, who now stars for the Braves and is paid by the Sox--go figure that one out because I sure can't--and did pick up Giolito, who will somehow have to earn the $38M he's getting for 2 seasons in 1 season.

[Dipre]

You do know the BP had been very good up to now, and it's missing two of its main pieces? BP issues weren't even in the radar as a clear need for this team in the offseason. You do love your revisionist history.

[notin]

You do know the BP had been very good up to now, and it's missing two of its main pieces? BP issues weren't even in the radar as a clear need for this team in the offseason. You do love your revisionist history.

 

The bullpen has been a pleasant surprise this year, but it’s false to say Breslow didn’t add to it. Slaten was added by Breslow. Also he prematurely added potential replacements for Jansen and Martin in Hendriks and Fulmer. He also added Chase Anderson, Weissert, Booser, and Uwasawa. And he’s been looking into arms all season, adding players like Horn, Wingenter, Speas, Keller, etc.

 

Of course now is the time to add another arm to a frail and tired bullpen…

[dgalehouse]

The fact that starters do not often go deep in games puts a strain on the bullpen. They do wear down. Just about every contender is looking for relievers at this time of year. And closing is always stressful. I was not too impressed with the Dodger's closer either. He had to be yanked before he blew a six run lead.

[Dipre]

Sox need pitching depth in general and a (maybe two) RHH, that's pretty clear, if they want to avoid their yearly August swoon.

[mvp 78]

August swoons

 

23: 14-15

22: 12-16

21: 12-16

19: 14-13

 

Not ideal!

[moonslav59]

Agree. The simple fact is that the Sox had the lead, 1-0, in the 8th inning Friday night when Bernardino came in and gave it at away and then some. Then Jansen blew the save in the 9th Saturday night. As it turned out, he also blew a possible win last night when he gave up 3 runs in the 8th and the Sox closed it to 9-6 in the 9th inning.

 

Meanwhile our brand new CBO did absolutely nothing to improve the bullpen last offseason. He did dump starter Sale, who now stars for the Braves and is paid by the Sox--go figure that one out because I sure can't--and did pick up Giolito, who will somehow have to earn the $38M he's getting for 2 seasons in 1 season.

 

Brez added Slaten, Weissert and I Campbell to the pen, last winter. IC was supposed to be good, but as with most RPers, they can be a hit one year and a miss the next one. Also Criswell and Anderson were added as pen depth, but with 2 SPers down, Criswell had to be used I. The rotation, mostly.

 

Our pen was not a weakness on opening day.

[moonslav59]

August swoons

 

23: 14-15

22: 12-16

21: 12-16

19: 14-13

 

Not ideal!

 

Also 20-43 in September the last2 years,combined.

[mvp 78]

Also 20-43 in September the last2 years,combined.

 

Oh God... they combine multiple year now?!?!?!? Sox will never get into the playoffs this way!!!

[mvp 78]

@ByRobertMurray

Sources: James Paxton is being designated for assignment by the Los Angeles Dodgers.

[notin]

@ByRobertMurray

Sources: James Paxton is being designated for assignment by the Los Angeles Dodgers.

 

Shocking.

 

 

He won’t clear waivers. Expect a trade in the next 3 days…

[Maxbialystock]

You do know the BP had been very good up to now, and it's missing two of its main pieces? BP issues weren't even in the radar as a clear need for this team in the offseason. You do love your revisionist history.

 

I'm probably guilty as charged on both points: what Breslow did and whether the bullpen was any good this season. Also, he can't be blamed (or applauded) for bringing in Jansen.

 

On the other hand, except for bringing in pitching coach Bailey, his handling of the rotation last offseason was terrible. He booted Sale and gave the Braves $17M, and he signed Giolito for $38M for 2 years.

 

He did bring in O'Neill, but that's about it for lineup players. Oh, wait. I forgot the Great Grissom kid who was pretty decent (OPS .792) in 41 games in 2022 but has stunk (OPS .520, WAR -1.2) in 46 games since.

[Maxbialystock]

Brez added Slaten, Weissert and I Campbell to the pen, last winter. IC was supposed to be good, but as with most RPers, they can be a hit one year and a miss the next one. Also Criswell and Anderson were added as pen depth, but with 2 SPers down, Criswell had to be used I. The rotation, mostly.

 

Our pen was not a weakness on opening day.

 

Agree on your last statement, but don't agree Breslow helped--except for bringing in Bailey to be the pitching coach. To date Weissert's WAR is -0.5, Slaten's is +0.5, and I. Campbell's is -1.2. So those three are a net negative for the Sox pitching staff.

 

And let's not forget that his big starter move was to dump Sale and pay the Braves $17M for taking him and to acquire Giolito, who has yet to pitch an inning for the Sox. So, when Criswell and Winck and Whitlock started this season, it was partly because of how Breslow botched Sale and Giolito.

 

About my whining about the bullpen. I think you provided a spreadsheet less than a month ago that showed the bullpen was pretty darn good. So I'm wrong to whine so much now.

[Old Red]

Agree on your last statement, but don't agree Breslow helped--except for bringing in Bailey to be the pitching coach. To date Weissert's WAR is -0.5, Slaten's is +0.5, and I. Campbell's is -1.2. So those three are a net negative for the Sox pitching staff.

 

And let's not forget that his big starter move was to dump Sale and pay the Braves $17M for taking him and to acquire Giolito, who has yet to pitch an inning for the Sox. So, when Criswell and Winck and Whitlock started this season, it was partly because of how Breslow botched Sale and Giolito.

 

About my whining about the bullpen. I think you provided a spreadsheet less than a month ago that showed the bullpen was pretty darn good. So I'm wrong to whine so much now.

What, and how the BP looked a month ago doesn’t matter now. BP even IF good can wear out from over use, and I don’t think this BP was as good as it looked early on just as the starting rotation isn’t either.

[moonslav59]

Agree on your last statement, but don't agree Breslow helped--except for bringing in Bailey to be the pitching coach. To date Weissert's WAR is -0.5, Slaten's is +0.5, and I. Campbell's is -1.2. So those three are a net negative for the Sox pitching staff.

 

And let's not forget that his big starter move was to dump Sale and pay the Braves $17M for taking him and to acquire Giolito, who has yet to pitch an inning for the Sox. So, when Criswell and Winck and Whitlock started this season, it was partly because of how Breslow botched Sale and Giolito.

 

About my whining about the bullpen. I think you provided a spreadsheet less than a month ago that showed the bullpen was pretty darn good. So I'm wrong to whine so much now.

 

1. You conflate "doing nothing" with moves that looked good not working out.

2. Slaten's 1.3 fWAR as a RP'ers places him 9th in MLB. I suppose Brez should be blamed for his injury, too.

3.Booser has a 0.5 fWAR (tied with Bernardino for 4th best on the 6th best pen in MLB.) and Weissert 0.1, which is tied for 7th best with Horn & Keller- two other Brez additions.

 

Find another position and reason, but we were fine with the pen, until 2 of our top 3 RP'ers went on the IL. Not many GMs provided enough depth for their teams to overcome that.

[Old Red]

1. You conflate "doing nothing" with moves that looked good not working out.

2. Slaten's 1.3 fWAR as a RP'ers places him 9th in MLB. I suppose Brez should be blamed for his injury, too.

3.Booser has a 0.5 fWAR (tied with Bernardino for 4th best on the 6th best pen in MLB.) and Weissert 0.1, which is tied for 7th best with Horn & Keller- two other Brez additions.

 

Find another position and reason, but we were fine with the pen, until 2 of our top 3 RP'ers went on the IL. Not many GMs provided enough depth for their teams to overcome that.

Yes, we agree Brez is to blame for everything.

[moonslav59]

Shocking.

 

 

He won’t clear waivers. Expect a trade in the next 3 days…

 

Agreed, and not to the Sox.