Red Sox Agree to Terms with Justin Masterson
- Thread starter mloyko54
- Start date
Again, this should NOT stop them from acquiring an ace.
One more piece for the rotation, Red Sox.
One more piece for the rotation, Red Sox.
So many red flags.
Maybe they deal Buchholz. Not too enthralled to have both on the starting pitching staff, if true.
Maybe they deal Buchholz. Not too enthralled to have both on the starting pitching staff, if true.
Hoping for some Eckersley as color guy games this year!
Edit: Also was thinking that Kelly/Miley would hold some value in a potential Hamels move.
Edit: Also was thinking that Kelly/Miley would hold some value in a potential Hamels move.
Interesting thought:
Scott Lauber @ScottLauber 45s46 seconds ago
Remember all that talk about #RedSox collecting OF assets for a bigger deal? Wonder if they're doing same now with starting pitching?
Scott Lauber @ScottLauber 45s46 seconds ago
Remember all that talk about #RedSox collecting OF assets for a bigger deal? Wonder if they're doing same now with starting pitching?
Cross posting from the Jedi thread ..
Great - we have added a Number 8 starter/reclamation project .. there goes another 100 innings that should go to Owens or Rodriguez .. not impressed
Great - we have added a Number 8 starter/reclamation project .. there goes another 100 innings that should go to Owens or Rodriguez .. not impressed
Yeah, ideally this doesn't signal the end of the additions to the rotation--Masterson is a nice buy-low project, but not someone I'd want to be relying on too much.
Thinking this actually increases the chance one of the current rotation is going out in a bigger deal.
Thinking this actually increases the chance one of the current rotation is going out in a bigger deal.
I wouldn't be at all surprised if Kelly is a piece of a Hamels trade and Masterson slots in for him
Joe Kelly pitched out of the bullpen in 2012, 2013. Both him or Masterson could end up in the pen where their "stuff" plays up.
Luis Taint said:
I have to think the Sox have seen enough of Buchholz's engima. At least Masterson is a good bet to pitch 200 IP, results varying.
Pre-emptive: please do not judge the Red Sox pitching staff based on Dec 11 at 900 am PST. It will be as relevant as the analogous posts over the last two days.
Does Masterson make the team better than 5 minutes ago? Yes.
More moves to come.
Does Masterson make the team better than 5 minutes ago? Yes.
More moves to come.
BCsMightyJoeYoung said:
Yeah, we should really be projecting two guys who have pitched a combined 38 innings in AAA for 100+ in the majors in 2015. Jesus...
Pending the terms of the contract, I think this is another good move. Masterson either puts it together, or six weeks into the season he's our new long reliever and one of the kids gets a look until we are ready to add again at the trade deadline (if needed).
IIRC, Masterson was looking for a starting spot, so it doesn't seem likely he'd sign for a BP slot.RedOctober3829 said:
BCsMightyJoeYoung said:
Only 38 AAA innings between them (all Owens). There's no way they should or would be counting on significant MLB contributions from either of them in 2015.
RedOctober3829 said:
Earlier posts indicated he wanted to be in the rotation.
Oops, P'tucket got there first.
rodderick said:
The implication is the latter half of 2015 - both should be ready by then ..
But the idea of reserving meaningful roles for prospects / youngsters seem to be anathema for folks so I shall refrain from the continuing torture of this particular deceased equine.
Agreed that it's Buchholz insurance, and at worst a long reliever who is effective against righties.
Can't... resist... making this headline:
Return of the Jedi Masterson
Can't... resist... making this headline:
Return of the Jedi Masterson
[media]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5ZtDoToAz8[/media]
Giving prospects a chance to cut their teeth at the ML level is a naturally-occuring event over the course of a season due to injuries, fatigue, whatever. Teams serious about making a run at the playoffs do not "reserve meaningful roles" for untested starting prospects when they have five horses already doing the job well.BCsMightyJoeYoung said:
This is where I'm at as well. The arms the Sox have been acquiring have all been guys who generally pitch 200+ innings. Think they are moving toward solid and reliable as opposed to "above average but often hurt and need to be replaced by substandard players" types.foulkehampshire said:
Question is, who gives up anything of value for Buchholz right now? Selling low is an understatement.
Why do people - and this happens all the time - react with such dripping sarcasm when one minor deal is made: "Oh wow, great, the Sox just won themselves the World Series with this move! Line up the duck boats!"
I mean, improving a team sometimes involves major moves and sometimes involves minor moves. It's ok to improve *a little* at one spot. Not every spot need - or can possibly - be a major improvement. A lot of smaller improvements can add up.
Is Masterson a reclamation project? Perhaps. The optimist looks at the fact that in 2 of the last 4 years, he's been *terrific*. And thus it's possible that he returns to that level of success. He might not. It's well worth a gamble on him, I think.
And no, I don't think the Sox are done yet on the pitching front.
I mean, improving a team sometimes involves major moves and sometimes involves minor moves. It's ok to improve *a little* at one spot. Not every spot need - or can possibly - be a major improvement. A lot of smaller improvements can add up.
Is Masterson a reclamation project? Perhaps. The optimist looks at the fact that in 2 of the last 4 years, he's been *terrific*. And thus it's possible that he returns to that level of success. He might not. It's well worth a gamble on him, I think.
And no, I don't think the Sox are done yet on the pitching front.
Masterson had a knee injury which may well have been what wrecked his whole season. There's some merit to the idea that he should get a mulligan on 2014, in which case this could prove to be a steal.
He also has a pretty sizable platoon split, but Fenway should help mitigate the damage LHers do to him.
This is a very logical move if you put aside the urge to figure out today how all the pieces fit together.
He also has a pretty sizable platoon split, but Fenway should help mitigate the damage LHers do to him.
This is a very logical move if you put aside the urge to figure out today how all the pieces fit together.
BCsMightyJoeYoung said:
And if they are not?
If I recall, Porcello's a FA in 2016, Masterson will probably be on a one year deal, the team holds options on Buchholz - and let's not forget about the possibility for injuries. If one of Owens or Rodriguez is banging down the door, they will make room. If not, they've got proven major leaguers in their rotation. What's not to like?
BCsMightyJoeYoung said:
Okay, so if they're pitching 100 innings, you're assuming they'd have a spot in the rotation locked down from about July on. Who pitches in their stead until then? Ranaudo? We saw how that worked out last year. Owens and Rodriguez aren't De La Rosa or Webster, they are young, have yet to pitch at AAA and their development won't be stunted by spending another year in the minors. By 2016 there'll be a place for them if they continue on the right track. I think it's foolish to go into a season expecting guys who have pretty much never pitched above AA to make big contributions.
I don't like this signing at all. Masterson has severe platoon problems. He is a glorified reliever IMO. He has a real nice sinker and a real nice slider, but no third pitch. An obviously he was having some injury/velocity problems.
I think anyone willing to trade their number 1, is going to want prospects, not a guy with a pretty hefty contract.E5 Yaz said:
Bob Nightengale @BNightengale
Masterson will get about $9 million from #RedSox
Less than I thought. I was thinking 1/10
Masterson will get about $9 million from #RedSox
Less than I thought. I was thinking 1/10
I think these 3 moves mean that, in the worst case scenario, Cherington doesn't HAVE to make a deal. If nothing else, he has given himself the ability to walk away from the table. Maybe that helps a Hamels type deal.
Luis Taint said:
Well - lest consider the Reds for example. Their problem is that they have three starting pitchers on one year deals - without the financial resources to sign all three - or maybe even two - if Cueto is the one signed.
They have also said that any deal has to be revenue neutral.
So a Kelly+Grade C prospect for Latos swap makes all kinds of sense. They get a pretty good long term replacement for Latos and save lots of dough, If Cueto is the target you upgrade (in either quality or quantity) the prospect.
Obviously, we need to see the terms of the deal, but if it is reasonable dollars for one year, and bridges the gap to one of the high-end starters who will be available next year in the off-season, I am all for it. We filled in 3/5 of a rotation in 36 hours with decent pitchers that have some upside, without surrendering a whole lot from the farm or pieces that were expected to contribute next year for the big league club.
I am sad that Lester won't be back, but I am amazed with the BC pitching blitzkrieg of the last day.
edit: I now see that the price was reported while I had this window open, but I think that fits my definition of "reasonable" for the upside possibility.
I am sad that Lester won't be back, but I am amazed with the BC pitching blitzkrieg of the last day.
edit: I now see that the price was reported while I had this window open, but I think that fits my definition of "reasonable" for the upside possibility.
bosockboy said:
Its getting rather hard to keep up .. the point still stands though. Although it's unlikely they would deal Ceuto now.
Peter Gammons @pgammo 1m1 minute ago
Indian exec on Masterson:"His knee is ok. His mechanics got out of whack and could never recover his velocity"
Indian exec on Masterson:"His knee is ok. His mechanics got out of whack and could never recover his velocity"
I've be unwilling to give up X or Owens, but If that's what it takes to get Cueto, do it.BCsMightyJoeYoung said:
Eddie Jurak said:
It also gives him flexibility if he sooner or later finds a true Ace he can get in a favorable trade or if one of the young studs at Pawtucket proves ready. Both Kelly and Masterson have bullpen experience, so they have flexibility there too.
Masterson was cover-your-eyes bad for Cleveland. The Cardinals thought they could fix him, so they brought him in at the deadline and tried. He was even worse.
If his problems were health related or Farrell can fix his mechanics, we're looking at a very solid #2-#3 for a season who you feel confident about in the playoffs. He was very very good for the two years previous to 2014.
If he's the 2014 version, it's a sunk cost. You don't want walk-the-park Masterson in your bullpen - he was like a worse Carlos Marmol out there.
If his problems were health related or Farrell can fix his mechanics, we're looking at a very solid #2-#3 for a season who you feel confident about in the playoffs. He was very very good for the two years previous to 2014.
If he's the 2014 version, it's a sunk cost. You don't want walk-the-park Masterson in your bullpen - he was like a worse Carlos Marmol out there.