Article: Is Next Year’s Closer Already in the Organization?

[notin]

1 hour ago, Old Red said:

 Dick The Monsta Radatz.

Radatz pitched some 550 IP in his 5 years as a “closer” for the Red Sox.  That’s not comparable to the role today.  Was his decline due to mental fatigue (aka burnout) or physical issues?  He was adamant after his career that modem relief pitchers (and closers) lacked the durability to pitch like he did.  He was probably right, since even the most active RP are at best just over 300 IP in that same timeframe…

[moonslav59]

I’m actually more worried about our bottom 4 pen guys and not the top 4 and how they are positioned into roles.

[notin]

8 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

I’m actually more worried about our bottom 4 pen guys and not the top 4 and how they are positioned into roles.

They do have too many fungible arms.  All the lefty relievers are, if I’m being kind, nothing special.  And a few RHRP like Weissert and Winkowski might find themselves traded, non-tendered, demoted, or simply released,.   

[moonslav59]

I’m higher on Weissert than some. He ended the season doing okay and has better overall numbers than most of the others

[notin]

1 minute ago, moonslav59 said:

I’m higher on Weissert than some. He ended the season doing okay and has better overall numbers than most of the others

If he’s the 8th man in the bullpen, I’m fine with it

[moonslav59]

That might mean adding 3 RPers!

[notin]

26 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

That might mean adding 3 RPers!

If they have Hendriks, Fulmer, Slaten, Whitlock, Penrod, Criswell, and Weissert in the bullpen, that leaves 1 spot for MLB. Plus a few like Guerrero, Campbell, and Kelly opined down to start the season.

 

The perfect solution for that one spot is Tanner Scott…

[moonslav59]

7 minutes ago, notin said:

If they have Hendriks, Fulmer, Slaten, Whitlock, Penrod, Criswell, and Weissert in the bullpen, that leaves 1 spot for MLB. Plus a few like Guerrero, Campbell, and Kelly opined down to start the season.

 

The perfect solution for that one spot is Tanner Scott…

I see Weissert as equal to anyone else after the top 4, and we are a bit unsure about how good Hendricks and Fulmer will be after so much time off.

i have very little trust in our 5-8 RPers. Taking the best 2 for the last 1-2 slots is okay but we need 2 more pitchers, IMO- minimum.

i doubt we use Fitts or Priester in tge pen.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

9 minutes ago, notin said:

If they have Hendriks, Fulmer, Slaten, Whitlock, Penrod, Criswell, and Weissert in the bullpen, that leaves 1 spot for MLB. Plus a few like Guerrero, Campbell, and Kelly opined down to start the season.

 

The perfect solution for that one spot is Tanner Scott…

Scott is so perfect for Boston, I'm convinced they'll pick up three other relievers I've never heard of instead -- for less money combined than what an actual big market contender will pay him. 

But at least one of the new guys will be a feel-good story, someone who once shined shoes for the mob, and had to work his way up to be a good earner as a member of a crew.