Early season bullpen thread

[Red(s)HawksFan]

Monday morning QB'ing is fun and all, but I'm more interested in understanding the reasons why Uehara pitched so poorly yesterday. I'm not in the media market so if anyone has heard insight I'd appreciate it.

Possibilities include:
- Muscle fatigue
- Nagging (minor) injury
- Shit happens

Understanding what happened is infinitely more important than picking on the manager. From what we saw, he had none of the control he's famous for. Is this a preview of what's to come? A long range problem? Or just one of those days. He certainly had been pitching well up to yesterday and it's presumptuous to assume everything that happened was a function of over-work. For all we know he had a leg cramp that he was too proud to mention...

Wake on the post-game suggested that weather conditions made the ball slicker than usual, which would affect a splitter and presumably a knuckler too, which is probably why when Wake said it he got a WTF look from Eck.

I'm prepared to put it down to shit happens. Koji lost the feel of the splitter and it wasn't as effective as usual...it's going to happen. Schilling used to talk about it happening to him. He could get it back in his next outing without adjusting a thing or he could tinker with it in the bullpen until he finds it again. It was ONE bad outing out his eight so far. Nothing to panic over.

 

[joe dokes]

I don't think bringing in Koji was terrible, but was there anybody watching who thought leaving him in to face Bautista was a good move? His velocity was down to 85 and his command was atrocious, he was afraid of his splitter and couldn't throw it for a strike, and he was shaking his hand/wrist as if it hurt.

Leaving him in was malpractice.

I was listening on radio...when did Kimbrel get up? That's really where the manager has some control (as opposed to how long it takes to warm up). When's the right time to tell him to get ready? Probably not after Pillar's grounder/ error. Smoak walked on a full count. Maybe then? Then there's only 3 batters/7 pitches before Bautista comes up. They've got the 30 second clock on pitching coaches' visits. It's possible that through nobody's fault Kimbrel wasn't ready to go in time for the Bautista AB

 

[Plympton91]

With Koji shaking his wrist and looking down at his hand repeatedly, though, they easily could have said, "he's hurt" and gotten all the time Kimbrel needed.

 

[Adrian's Dome]

I was listening on radio...when did Kimbrel get up? That's really where the manager has some control (as opposed to how long it takes to warm up). When's the right time to tell him to get ready? Probably not after Pillar's grounder/ error. Smoak walked on a full count. Maybe then? Then there's only 3 batters/7 pitches before Bautista comes up.

I was sitting right on the bullpen fence. Kimbrel initially got up early and started warming as he would've for a normal save situation and threw a bit, then sat back down. When Koji started to implode he immediately jumped up and started throwing fast. Not knowing his routines it's tough to tell.

 

[grimshaw]

The rotation picking itself off the mat will help with this.

Game scores: 62, 31, 18, 48, 58, 43, 39, 46, 64, 66, 58, 62.

Looks to me like the rotation needed another week of Spring Training.

Facing crappy lineups will go a long way towards improving that. They've had it rough to start the season.
But ya, a few starts into the 8th would really help ease the load on the top 3 options

 

[Savin Hillbilly]

As expected, Hembree up, Ramirez down per redsox.com:

http://m.redsox.mlb.com/news/article/173215748/red-sox-bring-up-heath-hembree-from-triple-a

I can't say I'm expecting this to be an improvement, but surprises are always nice.

 

[reggiecleveland]

http://www.boston.com/sports/boston-red-sox/2016/04/19/john-farrell-managing-give-red-sox-no-choice

Wilborn blames the manger.
On Monday, Farrell managed to waste what was the rare, solid outing by starting pitcher Clay Buchholz (6 2/3 shutout innings) when he lifted him one out shy of a seven-inning stint. After Russell Martin singled with two outs, Farrell went to the bullpen for Junichi Tazawa, who needed all of two pitches to get Ryan Goins to ground out.

Two pitches.

Koji Uehara, who, along with Noe Ramirez, has pitched more innings this season (7 1/3) than any other Red Sox reliever got the call after Tazawa’s taxing workload, and the unraveling began. The 41-year-old Uehara has already made eight appearances in 12 games over 15 days.

 

[RedOctober3829]

Farrell's comments today regarding Koji.
Scott Lauber ‏@ScottLauber 11s11 seconds ago
Farrell would prefer not to use Koji for day or two. "I've leaned on him, no doubt about it. I've pushed him early." 8 apps in 12 games

So why wouldn't you give him the day off yesterday when you've got a rested Tazawa ready to go? Makes no sense.

 

[geoduck no quahog]

My guess? Uehara had Sunday off (planned). The game situation said to Farrell:

Buchholz is tiring, he's at nearly 100 pitches - I don't want him to lose this game - Tazawa's good for one lousy hitter...
I'm going to need to do the standard: Uehara for 3 outs in the 8th and Kimbrel to close it out. Don't want to, but need to in a 1 run game.

Right or wrong, I think it's a plausible explanation.

Maybe if (a) the team had managed more than one lousy run against the Blue Jays or, (b) Buchholz hadn't lucked out with so many double plays (otherwise he'd have been out earlier, down 3 or 4 runs) things would have turned out differently. Maybe if some of those Red Sox hard hit at'em balls had fallen in. Maybe if Bradley hadn't made that shoestring catch. Maybe they would have won, maybe they would have gotten trounced. Maybe it's just another baseball game and the critical thing is the current State of Koji and not the pronouncements of Wilborn Wilbur.

Sorry for the holier-than-thou approach, but I give less credence to critics that have the benefit of history in their comments versus those who may have said "Do This" without hindsight. Thing is, you never know who's basing their critique on what.

What would your theoretical bullpen process be today? No Koji. Say close and late...7th inning. Let's get some of this down prior to game time or during the thread.

 

[Harry Hooper]

Wilborn? That's Wilbur, and pretty much nothing he writes should ever be treated seriously at this site.

Based on earlier usage this season, it seems clear that Farrell is not against using Koji in the 7th, but he does look at the matchups. Yesterday, Farrell likely wanted to avoid Tazawa facing the part of the Jays lineup expected in the 8th. It did not work out, as we know.

 

[barbed wire Bob]

Farrell's comments today regarding Koji.
Scott Lauber ‏@ScottLauber 11s11 seconds ago
Farrell would prefer not to use Koji for day or two. "I've leaned on him, no doubt about it. I've pushed him early." 8 apps in 12 games

So why wouldn't you give him the day off yesterday when you've got a rested Tazawa ready to go? Makes no sense.

Tarawa has fared poorly against the Blue Jays. The Jays have a batting average of .308 with a .357 on-base percentage, .523 slugging percentage and and .880 OPS. My guess is that Farrell wanted to limit Tazawa's exposure to that line up.

Edited to update the stats.

 

[Al Zarilla]

Tarawa has fared poorly against the Blue Jays. The Jays have a batting average of .308 with a .357 on-base percentage, .523 slugging percentage and and .880 OPS. My guess is that Farrell wanted to limit Tazawa's exposure to that line up.

Edited to update the stats.

Taz has pitched in three games against the Jays this year, faced six batters and has given up nothing. No hits, no walks, nothing. SSS for sure, and who knows why, but if you never react to new evidence, you are probably going to miss the opportunity to reap some profit from something new that's happening. Tazawa in the 7th, Koji in the 8th, Kimbrel in the 9th and damn the torpedoes. Chris Young vs. all lefties. Too regimented.

 

[Darnell's Son]

After Hembree's impressive performance last night, iayork wrote up this piece on the young reliever.

Hembree has a closer’s simplified repertoire: fastballs and sliders. He located his pitches very well, mainly keeping his mid-90s fastball on the edges of the strike zone and drawing called strikes, especially to left-handed batters, with his deceptive slider, which (at least on Tuesday) has a wide range of speeds.

 

[Cesar Crespo]

When does the Matt Barnes experience end and why is this guy so hittable? He's a launching pad waiting to happen.

 

[Lose Remerswaal]

Spoken like someone who didn't see what he did when he was called back up last September or in ST this year.

 

[Rasputin]

Spoken like someone who didn't see what he did when he was called back up last September or in ST this year.

Yeah, it's pretty clear that Barnes isn't ready to be a linchpin of the bullpen, but it's not all that clear that pitching at AAA is much of a help. Ideally, he's with the big club and used in low leverage situations--which is mostly how he's been used.

Three appearances in the 6th inning.
One in the 7th down one.
One in the ninth down three
One in the tenth in a tie game where the bullpen had already thrown 8.1 innings.

Matt Barnes is not the problem.

 

[Plympton91]

Barnes reminds me of John Wasdin. So much raw material to work with. So little ability to hold it all together.

 

[tims4wins]

Barnes reminds me of John Wasdin. So much raw material to work with. So little ability to hold it all together.

Funny I actually compared Joe Kelly to Wasdin the other day. 97 in, 105 out.

Edit: it's probably not a good thing when you are comparing multiple members of your pitching staff to John Wasdin

 

[Rasputin]

Funny I actually compared Joe Kelly to Wasdin the other day. 97 in, 105 out.

Edit: it's probably not a good thing when you are comparing multiple members of your pitching staff to John Wasdin

John Wasdin was a guy who would have benefited tremendously from the current tendency to try to give relievers clean innings.

 

[RedOctober3829]

I'm shocked that when Tazawa entered in the 8th inning last night that Farrell's head did not spontaneously combust due to not following "The Book". If he had made that move on Monday they might be sitting at 8-6 today. I hope he is willing to let Tazawa pitch the 8th more often and rest Koji more to keep him fresh during the latter part of the season.

 

[DeadlySplitter]

This is probably more of a roster issue than anything, but Noe Ramirez should not be Farrell's binkie.

 

[Sprowl]

So how bad was Cuevas? I was gobsmacked when I saw his name among the callups while Escobar was DFA. At Pawtucket in 11.2 innings he gave up 9 runs (8 earned), and 2 home runs. If anybody on the Pawtucket roster screams AAAA louder than O'Sullivan, it is Cuevas.

 

[effectivelywild]

Does anyone think that Price's stuff might play up in the bullpen? Obviously, its not a real option until ERod comes back, but if he doesn't have t worry about getting through the lineup multiple times...

 

[Harry Hooper]

So how bad was Cuevas? I was gobsmacked when I saw his name among the callups while Escobar was DFA. At Pawtucket in 11.2 innings he gave up 9 runs (8 earned), and 2 home runs. If anybody on the Pawtucket roster screams AAAA louder than O'Sullivan, it is Cuevas.

Does it matter? He'll be headed back down on the shuttle tomorrow morning, if not sooner.

 

[grimshaw]

So how bad was Cuevas? I was gobsmacked when I saw his name among the callups while Escobar was DFA. At Pawtucket in 11.2 innings he gave up 9 runs (8 earned), and 2 home runs. If anybody on the Pawtucket roster screams AAAA louder than O'Sullivan, it is Cuevas.

I think he was the only available guy to give them 4+ innings if Porcello got shelled yesterday, since it was his turn in the rotation.
Though I was a bit surprised they didn't consider Brian Johnson for Cuevas today.
Oh probably because David Price was pitching.

 

[Pilgrim]

So how bad was Cuevas? I was gobsmacked when I saw his name among the callups while Escobar was DFA. At Pawtucket in 11.2 innings he gave up 9 runs (8 earned), and 2 home runs. If anybody on the Pawtucket roster screams AAAA louder than O'Sullivan, it is Cuevas.

Its irritating that they DFA'd someone and Varvaro still wasn't called up. I know they are probably concerned about the right time to put him on the roster while hes out of options, but they are going to have to use him or waste him eventually and they might as well find out what hes got while the bullpen is in complete disarray.

 

[Sprowl]

Does it matter? He'll be headed back down on the shuttle tomorrow morning, if not sooner.

Yes, if he has been added to the 40-man roster, then we're likely to see him again and again and again.

Besides, I'm into nitpickery for every conceivable Red Sox reliever, and his PitchFx makes him look like a Lake Nogebow reliever: his location sucks and all his pitches are below average. For this we DFA'd Escobar?

 

[Red(s)HawksFan]

I think he was the only available guy to give them 4+ innings if Porcello got shelled yesterday, since it was his turn in the rotation.
Though I was a bit surprised they didn't consider Brian Johnson for Cuevas today.
Oh probably because David Price was pitching.

Might also have something to do with Johnson starting for Pawtucket last night. Doubt he would have had much to offer.

 

[grimshaw]

Might also have something to do with Johnson starting for Pawtucket last night. Doubt he would have had much to offer.

He pitched this afternoon.
And not too well.
http://www.milb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?gid=2016_04_21_pawaaa_rocaaa_1&t=g_box&sid=milb

 

[Pilgrim]

Should they be carrying Tommy Layne on the roster? With all the bullpen usage and tight games, he has still only pitched 2.1 innings. That is taking up a valuable roster spot.

The guy is nails against lefties but it seems like hes never been used in a helpful way. The only period he has been used consistently in his time here was when the team was a wreck, and they used him as a traditional one inning reliever.

 

[Bob Montgomerys Helmet Hat]

Should they be carrying Tommy Layne on the roster? With all the bullpen usage and tight games, he has still only pitched 2.1 innings. That is taking up a valuable roster spot.

The guy is nails against lefties but it seems like hes never been used in a helpful way. The only period he has been used consistently in his time here was when the team was a wreck, and they used him as a traditional one inning reliever.

It's hard to keep a LOOGY around if the starters aren't giving you consistent length. Ross is good enough against lefties and okay against righties. I'd like to see Layne replaced by someone more versatile.

 

[Adrian's Dome]

It's hard to keep a LOOGY around if the starters aren't giving you consistent length. Ross is good enough against lefties and okay against righties. I'd like to see Layne replaced by someone more versatile.

I'd like to see Farrell utilize Layne more effectively. You don't just throw away someone who can neutralize all lefties at the major league level. He should be considered as an option every time there's a L-R-L scenario in any kind of relief setting, he shouldn't automatically go to Taz or Koji if it's a late inning. Layne is the kind of pitcher that can't be thrown out there any time, but if he's set up to succeed, he can be extremely effective.

Unless you have an idea who you'd rather have in Layne's roster spot, it's worthless to say you'd "rather have someone more versatile." Who's that guy? Ross and Barnes are your long men. If the real LOOGY isn't utilized, that's on the manager. With how many innings the BP has been responsible for to this point, it's silly that Layne's only been in for 2...that's not his fault, that's the fault of the guy calling the shots.

 

[Sandy Leon Trotsky]

Despite the bullpen's early season W/L record, I still think this pen is going to be a serious strength. Kimbrell will come around I have no doubt.
Meanwhile, Hembree is turning into a monster. Barnes is becoming an asset. Once Carson Smith returns, we'll have good pitching from the back end on up.

 

[luckysox]

Despite the bullpen's early season W/L record, I still think this pen is going to be a serious strength. Kimbrell will come around I have no doubt.
Meanwhile, Hembree is turning into a monster. Barnes is becoming an asset. Once Carson Smith returns, we'll have good pitching from the back end on up.

The Sox have the horses - but they have not been consistent. Sometimes bullpens figure that part out, get confident and consistent, and roll. Sometimes it's a whole season of nail biting.

 

[Plympton91]

This bullpen is becoming very deep with hard throwers finally. It will be as good as the starting pitching allows. They can't be averting 5 innings a start like this week or any pen will burn out and slip.

 

[grimshaw]

Gotta give some credit on Hembree and Barnes' recent development (Hembree in particular - though his arm may fall off at any time) from fringe shuttle guys to useful contributors. It may just be lightning in a bottle, but they have stepped up and saved even further pen depletion.

If Pat Light can reach some of his upside that's another potential arm they can bring up and down as needed.

 

[Maximus]

This bullpen is becoming very deep with hard throwers finally. It will be as good as the starting pitching allows. They can't be averting 5 innings a start like this week or any pen will burn out and slip.

Hembree and Barnes can miss bats and if utilized properly will significantly deepen the BP, especially when Carson Smith returns.

 

[soxhop411]

“@IanMBrowne: Carson Smith should be activated for the start of the next road trip, one week from today, at Chicago.”

 

[JBJ_HOF]

Hembree and Barnes can miss bats and if utilized properly will significantly deepen the BP, especially when Carson Smith returns.

When has Barnes shown the ability to do that? The only thing he has ever show in the ability to give up loud air contact.

Hambree isn't known for that either, even in his impress run right now he's below average in that area.

 

[RIrooter09]

When has Barnes shown the ability to do that? The only thing he has ever show in the ability to give up loud air contact.

Hambree isn't known for that either, even in his impress run right now he's below average in that area.

12.91 K/9 is below average?

 

[iayork]

Pat Light made his major-league debut last night, pitching the 9th of the blowout against the Braves. I don't have much to say about it; he showed some nerves for the first three batters he faced (two hits and a walk) but then settled down after a quick chat with Hanley, and got three quick groundouts to finish the game. He showed three pitches with what look like good to excellent quality (fastball in the high 90s, slider, splitter), some wildness (some of which was probably nerves), but also hitting the edges of the zone well. He's 25, so it's kind of time for him to show some major-league cred. I doubt he'll stay up for long this time but he might be an interesting guy on the Pawtucket shuttle.

 

[whatittakes]

He showed enough to interest me, after he settled down. This kid could mature into something, there's a bit of Manny Delcarmen there, IMHO.

 

[HomeRunBaker]

“@IanMBrowne: Carson Smith should be activated for the start of the next road trip, one week from today, at Chicago.”

Carson is slated to pitch on Friday and Saturday for Pawtucket (in Syracuse) and assuming all goes well be up Tuesday. Fridays game is a 6:35pm start while Saturday is a 1:05pm start which leaves little recuperation time in between outings. Interesting considering this is a pitcher coming off an arm injury.

 

[JBJ_HOF]

12.91 K/9 is below average?

He asked about missing bats

 

[Harry Hooper]

He asked about missing bats

So they're all called K's then?

 

[chrisfont9]

So they're all called K's then?

His swinging strike % is 17.4% (of his total strikes). ML Avg is 16.6%. Interpret that how you will. I'd say being average or better this early on is a reason for optimism, but, for reference, Aroldis Chapman is up around 29%, so we certainly aren't seeing that guy in Barnes.

 

[Harry Hooper]

His swinging strike % is 17.4% (of his total strikes). ML Avg is 16.6%. Interpret that how you will. I'd say being average or better this early on is a reason for optimism, but, for reference, Aroldis Chapman is up around 29%, so we certainly aren't seeing that guy in Barnes.

Thanks for that. It would help if he got ahead in the count more often.

 

[phenweigh]

So if I followed this correctly, Barnes is slightly above average in swinging strike percentage, falls behind in the count too often, but has somehow managed an excellent K/9 of 12.91. That doesn't logically add up for me, and I suspect the reason is due to small sample size weirdness.

 

[BaseballJones]

According to b-ref, Barnes' k/9 is 10.5 (12 k in 10.1 ip). Hembree's is 12.9.

Barnes' numbers so far are pretty good, surprisingly: 2.61 era, 10.5 k/9, but he's doing it a little with smoke and mirrors (despite the high K rate). I mean, his whip is 1.742, which is crazy high, and his fip is 3.78.

 

[Pilgrim]

K/9 also isn't a great way to measure guys with high WHIPs. If you face a lot of guys every inning, you can have a high k/9 while having a mediocre k%.