Did all of his additions with the Rays do well?
(I'm guessing more did, but do we have a breakdown?)
Also, Richards did well in the pen, although he was not acquired for that role.
What list do you place Ottavino on?
Agreed, and with his next appearance, he may move to 3rd in total IP'd by Sox pitchers.
(He's currently 5th- just 2/3 behind Wacha and 2 IP behind Houck.)
To me, the only "plan" is Sale and Paxton joining the staff and pushing others down by attrition.
I'm not sure how well the starters pushed into the pen will do, unless it's Whitlock and or Houck.
Maybe Bloom had better scouts and a better organization with the Rays.
Maybe it was just good luck with the Rays or bad luck with us.
Also, our pen has done pretty well with under the radar arms under Bloom with the Sox- certainly better than expected.
Yes, I expected Bloom to build a good pen, but the pen I saw on paper, this spring was not what I had hoped for. That was one reason I preferred having Houck at closer and Whitlock as the magic man.
When is the last time we've had 4 pitching prospects with good outlooks and another 4 that might turn out okay, if they can get over injuries and military service time?
Marcus Smart may be the key.
Beating the Bucks (my team) got easier as Middleton is out with a knee injury.
Brooklyn's Durant is starting to create whispers.
April has been Devers' worst or second worst month in his career. I'm not too worried about him, but this slump does seem to be contagious.
Maybe just having everyone healthy and in the line-up might be a good first step,
TOR
1. Springer CF
2. Bichette SS
3. Vlad 1B
4. Gurriel DH
5. Chapman 3B
6. Kirk C
7. Tapia LF
8. Espinal 2B
9. Zimmer RF
(I guess the bottom of our order is not the only weak hitting bottom in MLB.)