Red Sox claim RHP Jean Machi

The Gray Eagle

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Aug 1, 2001
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Machi had been DFA'd by the Giants. Claimed by Boston this afternoon.
 
Machi Man had been solid in 2013 and 2014 but not this year, hence the DFA: "Machi struggled for San Francisco this season, but in 2013 and 2014 he logged 119 innings with a 2.49 ERA and 102/30 K/BB ratio as a middle reliever for the Giants.
At age 33 he lacks upside, but Machi is a solid low-cost flier for the Red Sox and should be inexpensive enough to potentially stick around for next season if he pitches well down the stretch."
 
Giants fans reaction.
 
Machi is old but he has been good in the recent past. Should hopefully be better than the likes of Aro, Breslow or No Way Ramirez, who've been in the bullpen recently. 
 

jscola85

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Doesn't look like his velocity has tailed off this year - right at 92.4, in line with the last few years.  His swinging strike rate has taken a nosedive though from ~12% over his career to 8% this year.  Guys seem to just be laying off his pitches better, as his O-Swing% is down from ~31% to 23%, and his overall Contact% is way up as well.  Perhaps he is tipping something or there's a mechanical issue?  Either way, appears to be a low-risk pickup.
 

jimc

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He has an unusual forkball that was downright filthy in 2013 and 2014 that was the biggest key to his success, and a curve that was quite effective too. His swinging strike percentages are down a little on those in 2015 and by the eye test he never really had the same feel for them this year. But the stuff is most definitely there for him to get back to something like what he was. I always enjoyed rooting for him as a Giant so I'm hoping to see him do well in Boston.
 

AB in DC

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Does that mean we finally, finally get to see Breslow designated for assignment?  There's no room in the bullpen for two has-beens.
 

Humphrey

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AB in DC said:
Does that mean we finally, finally get to see Breslow designated for assignment?  There's no room in the bullpen for two has-beens.
If you're into replacing a righty with a righty, then maybe Justin goes?
 
Only reason I can see for keeping him is that he is capable of throwing a lot of innings (albeit horrible ones), which at least saves some of the more valuable guys from having their arms fall off.
 

HomeRunBaker

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Humphrey said:
If you're into replacing a righty with a righty, then maybe Justin goes?
 
Only reason I can see for keeping him is that he is capable of throwing a lot of innings (albeit horrible ones), which at least saves some of the more valuable guys from having their arms fall off.
There is a very good chance further moves are made to where Justin AND Breslow aren't here past July 31. From this point on it is about preparing to put together the 25 for April '16 and neither of them figure in our plans. I like this pickup......quality bullpen depth is often derived from throwing as much (reasonable) shit against the wall and see what sticks.
 

jimc

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Lose Remerswaal said:
I need to know if his name is pronounced Jawn like Beliveau or Jean like blue before I can make up my mind
#habssuck 
 
Good news: he's Jeen Ma-chee.
 

Al Zarilla

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jimc said:
 
Good news: he's Jeen Ma-chee.
Yeah, Giants announcers, including Jon Miller, who is sort of a pronunciation perfectionist, said it like that. One exception is Angel Pagan, who says he prefers his first name pronounced like an angel, and Miller says Anhell instead, as I recall.  I guess Machi wasn't available yet last night?
 
So, maybe the Sox got Machi in part to take some of the pressure off Pablo in the avoirdupois department?