You had me up until "concentrate and spend the resources on strengthening the bullpen." Actually, I can agree with that too, up to a point, but as I've said many times before, I don't like spending big on the bullpen. That's not to say that the bullpen is not important, I just don't want to spend big on it.
I think the concentration of resources should be on starting pitching.
We're seeing changes in how pitchers are used, though. Starters throwing fewer innings and relievers more. So that triple innings thing is going down.
Whitlock pitched 73.1 innings in 2021.
Top 3 starters by IP
Eovaldi 182.1 = 2.49 times as many
E-Rod 157.2 = 2.15
Pivetta 155.0 = 2.11
Championships since purchase by John Henry group: Red Sox 4 Yankees 1
The Red Sox are 8-1 in their last 9 postseason games against the Yankees.
Yes, but many RP'ers pitch 40-55 innings or 60, so 150-190 is close to quadruple most RP'ers.
I'd like to see Houck and Whitlock stay in the pen and get between 100-120 IP, each.
That would eat up the lost Ottavino and Richards pen innings.
Then, add another RP'er or two to take up the some other IP'd we'd like to see replaced and improved upon.
Trade for one really good pitcher and sign someone like Jon Gray.
When you say it's gonna happen now
When exactly do you mean?
I think the concentration of resources should be on starting pitching. Kimmi
I agree, and to some extent, starters are more known commodities.
We lost Ottavino, so I think keeping Houck & Whitlock in the pen makes a lot of sense. Moon
You are the biggest fence straddler when it comes to this.
I'd say give both chance to start. Houck & Whitlock may give us terrific starting pitching for two years at $1M.
Go find pen help.
Again, aren't you the biggest critiquer when it comes Sox not developing starting pitching? Yet you want to turn every one of them into a reliever. I don't get it.
I write fictional stories in my spare time. So don't fact check me. Better?
I think I’m pretty firm in wanting to acquire a top SPer so we can keep Houck in the pen. I’d rather add a Jon Gray type and keep Whitlock in the pen, too, but I’m okay with converting him to a starter.
If one goes to the rotation, we better add some pen help- quality and quantity.
When you say it's gonna happen now
When exactly do you mean?