Article: Red Sox Spring Training Storylines: Who Will Be the Fifth Starter?

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

The front office just called Pivetta to say the Qualifying Offer is still on the table... if he'll sign for the next two years. 

That way, it will still feel like only a one-year deal.

[moonslav59]

15 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

Criswell and Fitts are better 7 and 8 depth options than we've had in a LOOOOONG time. 

I agree, and Criswell was largely an unknown, last year at this time.

Priester could end up being the best in AAA or as a call-up.

I have my doubts on Dobbins, but he keeps doing better than I expect.

I've mentioned how we are the only team in MLB with 6 SP'ers with a projected 1.2 fWAR or better. Having a decent #7-9 or 10 is very nice, too.

[mvp 78]

28 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

I agree, and Criswell was largely an unknown, last year at this time.

Priester could end up being the best in AAA or as a call-up.

I have my doubts on Dobbins, but he keeps doing better than I expect.

I've mentioned how we are the only team in MLB with 6 SP'ers with a projected 1.2 fWAR or better. Having a decent #7-9 or 10 is very nice, too.

Dobbins came out of nowhere last season and has more to prove. We'll see what he can do this year now that there is more spotlight on him and he's only a call away from the show. 

[Larry Cook]

Crawford serves up more meatballs than the Olive Garden. 
he should be in the bullpen in 2025. Batters do not need to see him 3 times 

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

10 hours ago, Larry Cook said:

Crawford serves up more meatballs than the Olive Garden. 
he should be in the bullpen in 2025. Batters do not need to see him 3 times 

It's true Crawford gave up 34 home runs, the most in '24.

Just remember, Giolito gave up 41 to lead the AL in '23.

[Hitch]

17 hours ago, mvp 78 said:

Criswell and Fitts are better 7 and 8 depth options than we've had in a LOOOOONG time. 

100%.

[moonslav59]

10 hours ago, Larry Cook said:

Crawford serves up more meatballs than the Olive Garden. 
he should be in the bullpen in 2025. Batters do not need to see him 3 times 

In 2024:

15 HRs first PA against (5.1% of PAs)

15 HRs second PA (5.2%)

4 HRs 3rd and 4th PAs (2.3%)

Granted, he only went to 3 and 4 PAs against in games he was doing well, but it was still 177 PAs.

In 2023:

3 HRs in 207 PAs first PA

7 HRs in 190 PAs second

4 HRs in 49 PAs 3rd

 

[mvp 78]

1 hour ago, 5GoldGlovesOF,75 said:

It's true Crawford gave up 34 home runs, the most in '24.

Just remember, Giolito gave up 41 to lead the AL in '23.

Bello '23: 1.38 HR/9

Crawford '23: 1.18 HR/9

[moonslav59]

31 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

Bello '23: 1.38 HR/9

Crawford '23: 1.18 HR/9

These two are very close. Both are better than most teams' 5th starters, so having one as the 5th and the other as the 6th, is nice. (To me, Gio is 6th in projected value for '25, if 30 GS.)

I like Bello as the SP'er, because Crawford has shown he can be very good in relief.

[mvp 78]

13 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

These two are very close. Both are better than most teams' 5th starters, so having one as the 5th and the other as the 6th, is nice. (To me, Gio is 6th in projected value for '25, if 30 GS.)

I like Bello as the SP'er, because Crawford has shown he can be very good in relief.

Well, we haven't seen Bello as a reliever. Maybe he's a lights out closer!

[moonslav59]

20 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

Well, we haven't seen Bello as a reliever. Maybe he's a lights out closer!

Maybe, but we cannot afford giving him a look, at least to start the season.

If we start the year with a 5 man rotation, I'd go with Crawford as the mid to long man, capable of high leverage situations

[mvp 78]

5 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

Maybe, but we cannot afford giving him a look, at least to start the season.

If we start the year with a 5 man rotation, I'd go with Crawford as the mid to long man, capable of high leverage situations

Having a really bad closer like Hendriks throw off our playoff run, we can't afford NOT to try Bello in the 9th! 

[moonslav59]

10 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

Having a really bad closer like Hendriks throw off our playoff run, we can't afford NOT to try Bello in the 9th! 

I think Hendriks gets the first look and Chapman, second. Slaten or Whitlock might get the next looks.