Bullpen Concerns

[SchillingIsTheNatural]

Originally Posted by jacksonianmarch

I wouldnt be so sure...

Lets say DiceK is out for an extended period of time, which when making contingency plans, you must assume the worst.

That leaves you with...

Beckett
Colon
Wakefield
Lester
....

Right now, the sox are actually moving Mastersons start back to get him right in line with DiceK's start, essentially meaning that right now, Masterson is considered the favorite for DiceK's start. Now lets assume that Masterson isnt in the sox plans as a starter for a long time this yr. Lets say that Buchholz eventually takes the spot the second time around. That leaves you with...

Beckett
Colon
Wake
Lester
Buchholz

and Masterson in the minors. Schilling is throwing, but is so far from a sure bet to make it from the majors that he cannot even be on the radar screen right now. So therefore, its those 5 with Masterson as the 6th starter sitting in AAA and DiceK out for an extended period of time with arm issues. Looking at the recent history, Colon's shoulder holds out for around 10 or so starts before it goes to crap. Therefore, Masterson in the starter's role is necessary in the event that Colon goes down.

As the season goes along, these contingency plans can get modified. If Colon continues to throw well and doesnt tire, then you have a spot secure. If DiceK's arm is solid and he comes back and is dominant again, then you have another spot secure. If Schill beats the odds and comes back as a reliable 6th starter then the contingency spot is secure. THAT is when you move Masterson to the pen. But for right now, there is a chance that JMast sees a lot of time in your rotation, and that chance will keep him from getting transitioned for awhile.

Based on the Red Sox depth in the rotation and the amount of quality arms...I don't see the Red Sox abusing any of them. Clay Buchholz has a finger nail problem and he goes right on the DL. Dice K has a tired arm (which I promise he can still pitch if they asked him) is going to miss a start or two. Bartolo Colon was able to take off over a month before we decided to get him involved...any setbacks and they won't hestitate to give him a DL stint. Thats the beauty of depth...you don't need to push any of them.

[ksushi]

Originally Posted by jacksonianmarch

I wouldnt be so sure...

Lets say DiceK is out for an extended period of time, which when making contingency plans, you must assume the worst.

That leaves you with...

Beckett
Colon
Wakefield
Lester
....

If DiceK is out for an extended period of time right now that leaves us with : Beckett, Colon, Lester, Wakefield and Buchholz all at the major league level and I feel 100% comfortable with that rotation. All major league quality arms, all capable of giving us a chance to win night in and night out, and until we are told otherwise, all are healthy. If you're going to argue about Clays fingernail.... well, I'll just assume you won't and give you the benefit of the doubt.

Right now, the sox are actually moving Mastersons start back to get him right in line with DiceK's start, essentially meaning that right now, Masterson is considered the favorite for DiceK's start. Now lets assume that Masterson isnt in the sox plans as a starter for a long time this yr. Lets say that Buchholz eventually takes the spot the second time around. That leaves you with...

Beckett
Colon
Wake
Lester
Buchholz

and Masterson in the minors. Schilling is throwing, but is so far from a sure bet to make it from the majors that he cannot even be on the radar screen right now. So therefore, its those 5 with Masterson as the 6th starter sitting in AAA and DiceK out for an extended period of time with arm issues. Looking at the recent history, Colon's shoulder holds out for around 10 or so starts before it goes to crap. Therefore, Masterson in the starter's role is necessary in the event that Colon goes down.

As the season goes along, these contingency plans can get modified. If Colon continues to throw well and doesnt tire, then you have a spot secure. If DiceK's arm is solid and he comes back and is dominant again, then you have another spot secure. If Schill beats the odds and comes back as a reliable 6th starter then the contingency spot is secure. THAT is when you move Masterson to the pen. But for right now, there is a chance that JMast sees a lot of time in your rotation, and that chance will keep him from getting transitioned for awhile.

I guess I just don't see eye to eye with you here. I think given the depth of our farm system and that of our current roster, we can easily afford to put Masterson in the bullpen. All of your speculation is under the assumption that DiceK is out for a long time when we don't know that is the case, but even if he is we have 5 major league quality arms to fill the rotation not counting masterson and the potential return of schilling. It is a move we can afford to make and most likely will. I'll take you're skepticism as a sign of fear that the sox can right their bullpen.

My biggest concern about the sox as currently constituted is the offense.

[Sweet Chin Music33]

My concern is still the pen.

We have enough arms in the rotation, but the pen has sucked ass.

The lineup is going through a funk, they will pull out of it.....the pen however, just has too many question marks besides the 8th and 9th innings.

[rician blast]

SCM, I would tend to agree with the assessment regarding the offense. I think they're too good not to break out in the heat of June, July, and August...that's my gut talking anyway.

[Sweet Chin Music33]

Timlin slowly carving his ERA down to size.

In May:
10 appearances
3 ER
1-1-1 W-L-S
ERA has gone from 12.79 to 6.48.

[YAZMAN]

The pen looked pretty good last night.

[das11209]

Originally Posted by YAZMAN

The pen looked pretty good last night.

Absolutely. As much shit the bullpen takes ( sometimes quite justified) - they are servicable at this point IMO.

[das11209]

Originally Posted by rician blast

SCM, I would tend to agree with the assessment regarding the offense. I think they're too good not to break out in the heat of June, July, and August...that's my gut talking anyway.

I asked a question sometime back. At what point we say that the offense is not going through slump - they are not as good as advertised.

I am not saying that I am giving up on the offense. But if they keep sucking on the road - when it is OK to say that something is wrong? June end? ASB? September?

[jacksonianmarch]

He said he heard a pop when swinging. XRays were negative, but he says he will likely not play today. If this continues to bother him an MRI might be in his future.

[YAZMAN]

No prediction of shutting him down for the season or some sort of career threatening metacarpal catastrophe?

Clearly you're slipping.

[One Red Seat]

Is anyone quicker to report an injury for the Sox?

[yeszir]

We're doomed!

Hopefully he'll sit out a game or two then come back and raise his damn batting average.

[TheKilo]

Your question doesn't deserve to be answered because you throw a shit fit if the offense doesn't score 8 runs a game or is as good as the 2003 offense.

[TheKilo]

Originally Posted by One Red Seat

Is anyone quicker to report an injury for the Sox?

I was just going to say, Jacko couldn't wait to start this thread.

[bosoxnation07]

Originally Posted by jacksonianmarch

He said he heard a pop when swinging. XRays were negative, but he says he will likely not play today. If this continues to bother him an MRI might be in his future.

Jacko, I think I have those straws you where looking for