Which begs the question as to whether they had any real interest in any of the bullpen arms who've signed elsewhere that they'd been rumored to have expressed interest in.2.5M to a rebuilding team. Our interest must have been greatly exaggerated.
In what world did you think that was ever going to happen? I’m honestly not trying to be a dick but come on man. I’d love Bryce Harper ona 1/10$M deal while we’re at it.I would have really liked Kelley on a 1/2.5 deal.
As stated. Its blatantly clear they aren't adding payroll.
The world we're living in?In what world did you think that was ever going to happen? I’m honestly not trying to be a dick but come on man. I’d love Bryce Harper ona 1/10$M deal while we’re at it.
I’m thinking he thought you were talking about Joe Kelly, not Shawn Kelley.The world we're living in?
What are you talking about?
Ryan Madson come on down.I’m thinking he thought you were talking about Joe Kelly, not Shawn Kelley.
Pretty disappointing that they think they’ve got better internal options than Kelley on a 1 year, $2.5 million contract. I realize, based on what some others have posted, that’s actually probably trading Workman, Hembree, or Johnson for Kelley.
They must see Workman and Brasier as “the real deal.” God, I hope they’re right.
I also suppose that they could just be waiting to see how little they can get Kimbrel for. But he’s a big risk too coming off that October meltdown.
Or a trade? What’s left?
Yes. Second time offenders have the initial tax rate increase from 20 to 30%, and the surtax for exceeding 40M over the cap increases from 42.5 to 45%. So instead of paying a 62.5% tax as they did in 2018, the Sox would be paying 75% in 2019 should they exceed the highest cap.Is there an additional repeater penalty if you go over the top tax line for the second straight year or is it just the 1st round pick drops ten spots again?
This is maddening to me too, I don't agree with DD's strategy of not having a proven closer on a team that will have a dogfight for the division this year with the Yanks. I understand the issue with the luxury tax and he will have to be creative to stay under the LT number to add bullpen pieces prior to the end of Spring Training. Cora's brilliance of using the starters for key outs in the playoffs is not a 162 game model. Clearly DD is a bigger proponent of quality starters than bullpen pieces but that model blew up in the 2013 ALCS with the Tigers.If we assume that they are done, and not adding payroll, which seems right to me, then:
1. Who's the first closer? Brasier or Barners? Someone else. Would they even consider Sale as a way to preserve him and solve that problem? I think the chances are less than 1 percent. Are there other candidates?
2. Who eats up the Kimbrel and Kelly innings? Who is as effective as they were? Now yeah, Kelly wasn't very good for long stretches in the regular season but he did have two sustained periods of being quite good.
I find this whole thing to be quite maddening. That is, the notion that they are done. If they add guys between now and ST, then fine. But as pointed out by many, this is a very good team with some real red flags in the pen, and at closer, which remains important. Blowing games in the 9th is a good way to hurt the team in the standings and sucks for morale.
Has DD forgotten that the Sox won the WS (or advanced in each round) largely because Cora brilliantly used starters as relievers in key spots throughout the playoffs? Unless I'm missing it, that's not a 162-game strategy.
Every proven closer was once a good young reliever that a team decided was ready to step into that role. Barnes has had closer-ish numbers for a couple of seasons now, and I think giving him that shot makes perfect sense. I don't think that's the issue. I think the issue is just that the depth is too shallow. As P91 has pointed out, we have a #3 guy (Brasier) as our #2, a #4-5 guy (Hembree) as our number 3, and #5-6 guys (Workman/Velazquez/Johnson/Poyner) fighting for the #4 slot. It's not that huge a shortfall, unless one insists we need to match the Yankees' pen on paper, which is neither possible at this point nor necessary. But we badly need at least one more quality guy to fill out that 2-4 range, and two would be nice. I agree that it looks like DD has decided to gamble that those reinforcements will emerge from some combination of Thornburg/Brewer/Lakins/Feltman. I don't think that's an altogether stupid gamble, given the alternatives. But it's definitely a gamble.This is maddening to me too, I don't agree with DD's strategy of not having a proven closer on a team that will have a dogfight for the division this year with the Yanks.
My first thought about the 2013 Tigers model was "yeah but they didn't have the dogfight in the division the Sox are going to have with MFY this year." Not the case. The Tigers only finished one game ahead of Cleveland, who went on to lose the WC game to Tampa. I was surprised to learn that the 2013 Tigers with that lineup and rotation didn't run away with the division. I wonder how much that suck-ass bullpen cost them in the standings and I further wonder if the 2019 Sox have that much of a margin of error when it comes to the Yankees and Tampa. I tend to think not.This is maddening to me too, I don't agree with DD's strategy of not having a proven closer on a team that will have a dogfight for the division this year with the Yanks. I understand the issue with the luxury tax and he will have to be creative to stay under the LT number to add bullpen pieces prior to the end of Spring Training. Cora's brilliance of using the starters for key outs in the playoffs is not a 162 game model. Clearly DD is a bigger proponent of quality starters than bullpen pieces but that model blew up in the 2013 ALCS with the Tigers.
If the price is right, I could be happy with any of the following names:Ryan Madson come on down.
Just a shame that DD isn’t capitalizing on getting some relief help at clearance rack pricing.
Detroit's bullpen faltered in Game 2 of the ALCS that year, but by and large they had a very good pen in 2013. Second best in the AL in runs allowed, fifth best in inherited run percentage, third fewest blown saves. Middle of the pack in bullpen losses, which is the only one of these stats for which they were worse than the 2013 Red Sox (25 to 23).My first thought about the 2013 Tigers model was "yeah but they didn't have the dogfight in the division the Sox are going to have with MFY this year." Not the case. The Tigers only finished one game ahead of Cleveland, who went on to lose the WC game to Tampa. I was surprised to learn that the 2013 Tigers with that lineup and rotation didn't run away with the division. I wonder how much that suck-ass bullpen cost them in the standings and I further wonder if the 2019 Sox have that much of a margin of error when it comes to the Yankees and Tampa. I tend to think not.
Sipp has been discussed before, and is clearly worth a shot if we think his 2018 was a genuine turnaround from the previous two seasons. Some of the other names are mildly intriguing (Cedeno, Hudson, Vincent, maybe Diekman, maybe Ramos if his shoulder is fully healed, which might be a long shot). But would any of those guys be a clear upgrade over our current depth? They seem like adding quantity rather than quality. A minor-league deal for any of them would be a no-brainer, but signing any of them to a ML deal would feel a bit like airlifting extra deck chairs to the Titanic.If the price is right, I could be happy with any of the following names:
Matt Belisle
Xavier Cedeno
Tim Collins
Jake Diekman
Daniel Hudson
Brandon Maurer
AJ Ramos
Tony Sipp
Nick VIncent
None of them are great, and some of them are broken but maybe our pitcher whisperer can fix someone. A Bannister always pays his debts.
So you had an adequate or better regular season bullpen that proved to be the fatal flaw in the postseason. I don't seem to remember Leyland using starters in the ALCS in bullpen situations ala Cora this last time around. I wonder how the 2018 Sox bullpen would have fared on its own if tasked the same way as the 2013 Tigers bullpen in the postseason?Detroit's bullpen faltered in Game 2 of the ALCS that year, but by and large they had a very good pen in 2013. Second best in the AL in runs allowed, fifth best in inherited run percentage, third fewest blown saves. Middle of the pack in bullpen losses, which is the only one of these stats for which they were worse than the 2013 Red Sox (25 to 23).
You're basing the argument that the Tigers' bullpen was a "fatal flaw" on ONE GAME. Look at the series again. The Sox beat the Tigers' rotation as much as they beat their pen. They beat Verlander 1-0. They tagged Sanchez for all 4 runs to win Game 5 (4-3). They got Scherzer for 3 of their 5 runs in Game 6 (5-2). The perception that the Tigers bullpen was bad is all down to the eighth inning of Game 2. Ironically enough, the game winning run in the ninth was scored off a starter pitching in relief (Porcello).So you had an adequate or better regular season bullpen that proved to be the fatal flaw in the postseason. I don't seem to remember Leyland using starters in the ALCS in bullpen situations ala Cora this last time around. I wonder how the 2018 Sox bullpen would have fared on its own if tasked the same way as the 2013 Tigers bullpen in the postseason?
Get as much cheap quantity as you can, throw it at a wall and see what sticks.Sipp has been discussed before, and is clearly worth a shot if we think his 2018 was a genuine turnaround from the previous two seasons. Some of the other names are mildly intriguing (Cedeno, Hudson, Vincent, maybe Diekman, maybe Ramos if his shoulder is fully healed, which might be a long shot). But would any of those guys be a clear upgrade over our current depth? They seem like adding quantity rather than quality. A minor-league deal for any of them would be a no-brainer, but signing any of them to a ML deal would feel a bit like airlifting extra deck chairs to the Titanic.
Maurer is maybe the most interesting "pitcher whisperer" candidate. But he, particularly, I wouldn't go near on anything but a minor league deal. He looks like a mess who needs a major reboot.
Not sure I see even that much potential in Belisle or Collins. Belisle's 38 and has been declining sharply for two straight years, Collins is basically Workman's stuff with Kimbrel's control. What am I missing with those guys?
What is the point of having a lifetime ban if you're going to let people back in after they're banned?Here's a cheap quantity.
Jon HeymanVerified account @JonHeyman 2m2 minutes ago
Jenrry Mejia signs minors deal with Red Sox
From wiki:What is the point of having a lifetime ban if you're going to let people back in after they're banned?
Well if the precedent is Fergie Jenkins, I'm cool with it.From wiki:
"Over the course of his 17-year career, Howe would be suspended seven times. ... However, in 1992, Howe became the second player to be banned from baseball for life because of substance abuse (the first was Ferguson Jenkins, who was also reinstated)."
So there's precedent, I guess!
This is the one position where you can get useful players at almost any time outside of September/October. I would guess they think they can start by seeing what they have and looking around for options once teams start losing.I’m thinking he thought you were talking about Joe Kelly, not Shawn Kelley.
Pretty disappointing that they think they’ve got better internal options than Kelley on a 1 year, $2.5 million contract. I realize, based on what some others have posted, that’s actually probably trading Workman, Hembree, or Johnson for Kelley.
They must see Workman and Brasier as “the real deal.” God, I hope they’re right.
I also suppose that they could just be waiting to see how little they can get Kimbrel for. But he’s a big risk too coming off that October meltdown.
Or a trade? What’s left?
Veras caved in game 6, allowing Victorino's grand slam, after Scherzer held the Sox to one run. That's two of the four Sox wins you could arguably pin on the bullpen.You're basing the argument that the Tigers' bullpen was a "fatal flaw" on ONE GAME. Look at the series again. The Sox beat the Tigers' rotation as much as they beat their pen. They beat Verlander 1-0. They tagged Sanchez for all 4 runs to win Game 5 (4-3). They got Scherzer for 3 of their 5 runs in Game 6 (5-2). The perception that the Tigers bullpen was bad is all down to the eighth inning of Game 2. Ironically enough, the game winning run in the ninth was scored off a starter pitching in relief (Porcello).
Who knows if it means anything but in Mejia's rookie year, 2010 with the Mets, he and Cora were teammates.Here's a cheap quantity.
Jon HeymanVerified account @JonHeyman 2m2 minutes ago
Jenrry Mejia signs minors deal with Red Sox
On a similar note, Cora has history with the still unsigned Tony Sipp while they were in HoustonWho knows if it means anything but in Mejia's rookie year, 2010 with the Mets, he and Cora were teammates.
I think this is correct. It’s a flexibility issue right now.Pretty disappointing that they think they’ve got better internal options than Kelley on a 1 year, $2.5 million contract. I realize, based on what some others have posted, that’s actually probably trading Workman, Hembree, or Johnson for Kelley.
They must see Workman and Brasier as “the real deal.” God, I hope they’re right.
I also suppose that they could just be waiting to see how little they can get Kimbrel for. But he’s a big risk too coming off that October meltdown.
Or a trade? What’s left?
During the regular season last year, one could argue Workman and Hembree were more productive than Joe Kelly. Bobby Poyner too, for that matter. Of course, they wouldn't be replacing Joe Kelly because they were on the team last year. They'd be replacing themselves. It's possible Workman and Poyner could get more innings this year.I think this is correct. It’s a flexibility issue right now.
Not only do the Sox “trade” one of Workman/Hembree/Johnson/Wright/Thornburg the minute they sign a guy like Kelley or Kimbrel, they also do so as soon as they tap into their interesting minor league depth (Brewer, Putnam, Smith, Mejia, Weber).
I don’t know if any of those guys will replace Kelly’s 2018 production, but I’m reasonably certain one or more of them will see the majors. Unless one of those five are on the DL, the Sox can’t promote one of them without losing someone else.
So which of the those five seems most fungible? Tradable? I think Wright is a lock. They’re prepared to see if Thornburg gets it back, but he’s gone mid-May if he doesn’t. Plenty of Workman types available on minor league deals right now and with two arb years left he’s not super valuable. Johnson’s five years of team control and may make him interesting to a cheap team as a league average arm. Hembree’s a decent 7th inning guy but with his peripherals it’s conceivable a small-market team gives him a shot at a closer role to see if they can sell him for prospects.
Sure. But also Workman, Hembree and Poyner are *differently productive* than Kelly. The Sox probably have a whole database of opposing hitters who particularly struggle against 95+ mph fastballs paired with certain secondaries. Kelly held Judge to a .545 OPS in 11 PAs (three singles). Poyner, however, should never be allowed to face him.During the regular season last year, one could argue Workman and Hembree were more productive than Joe Kelly. Bobby Poyner too, for that matter. Of course, they wouldn't be replacing Joe Kelly because they were on the team last year. They'd be replacing themselves. It's possible Workman and Poyner could get more innings this year.
Kelly has a big arm though so there's always the hope everything clicks and he had the huge playoff performance. I just don't see how signing him would make the bullpen any less of a question mark. He's a question mark.
Why?If Wright is healthy, would they consider him as the #5 starter and Edro in the relief ace role?
If you don’t like the idea of a knuckleball relief ace. Or because Edro has never pitched anything close to a full season of innings and may wear down with a full starters workload.Why?
I think they learned Wright’s injuries are exacerbated by starting, while I don’t think the same is true for Edro’s knee thing. Besides it’s not like hitters fare any better against Edro the second time through the lineup.
Wright has 78 innings with an ERA around 3 as a reliever. Edro has thrown about 7 innings. Edro as a relief ace is pure speculation at this point.If you don’t like the idea of a knuckleball relief ace. Or because Edro has never pitched anything close to a full season of innings and may wear down with a full starters workload.
And I just don’t think that in this day and age, a fifth starter is as important as a bullpen ace anyway. Remember, they’re not going to be putting Sale out there for 8 innings a start. I’d actually consider rotating Johnson and Velazquez through the 5th starter spot and putting both Wright and Edro at the back of the pen.
It's starting to look like this really is the strategy, and maybe it works. I keep forgetting how important a potential piece of this puzzle Brewer is. A 93 mph cutter is a serious weapon. And his K/BB ratios and GB rates in the high minors are impressive. Of course those won't translate directly to MLB, at least not right away, but they're encouraging.I'm very confident they think they have something of real substance with Brewer too. I was very bullish on him when they acquired. You just don't see pitchers with his cutter movements and velocity who don't produce outs.
It's pretty clear they think there is something there. Between Brewer, Thornburg, Wright, Lakins, Feltman maybe you hit on 2/5 and end up in decent shape. It's absolutely a gamble, but all of those arms have legitimate arm talent. We'll see. It's not without risk, but given the payroll and the roster, this is the place where they can try and save money with the least amount of potential impact.
40 year old FA Peter Moylan, whines about this moveHere's a cheap quantity.
Jon HeymanVerified account @JonHeyman 2m2 minutes ago
Jenrry Mejia signs minors deal with Red Sox
They brought Moylan's tweet up on MLB Now yesterday. Before they gave it context with their discussion, I assumed it was some writer or blogger or fan tweeting, not a player. I'd never heard of him and was shocked to discover he's been in the majors for 13 years.40 year old FA Peter Moylan, whines about this move
https://www.sportingnews.com/ca/amp/mlb/news/peter-moylan-rips-red-sox-jenrry-mejia-minor-league-deal-suspension-steroids-stats-mlb-news/4v30amynsbhp1n3now7q7jm5q
Who the hell is Peter Moylan? I honestly don't recall ever hearing his name or remember seeing it on a baseball card.
His stats last year were horrendous. I'm shocked he's not signed by now