A look at each major league ready starting pitcher the Sox have at their disposal;
Josh Beckett is the ace of the staff. At 28 years old he was worth trading Hanley Ramirez for.
Jon Lester is one of the best young left handers in all of baseball. The most valuable guy on the team's 40 man roster.
Dice-K, regardless of current frustrations, is a pitcher that finds ways to win games. The strongest #3 pitcher in baseball?
Tim Wakefield is an ageless wonder. Eats up innings every year.
Brad Penny got bombed the other day and started his press conference by noting he felt really good out there. Interesting. He did win a combined 32 games in 2006 and 2007.
Justin Masterson is a versatile side winder that will get a start tomorrow.
Clay Buchholz has major league stuff but has struggled with the mental part of the game.
Michael Bowden along with Buchholz is always desired by other organizations when the Sox are exploring trades.
John Smoltz is a future hall of famer that should be ready by early June.
The Red Sox have nine guys that would start for every other major league team (Yes, the Yanks would gladly take Bowden, Buchholz or Wakefield over Chamberlain. Thus allowing Joba to go to the bull pen). Obviously, depth at any position is a great thing but there are drawbacks. There are just so many innings and starts available in a season. Guys like to be in a routine. Start, run, toss, throw long, bull pen / side session, toss and then get next start. This is why six man rotations have not worked. Guys want to throw every fifth day. Having guys (Buchholz, Bowden) in the minors that are major league ready helps the franchise but not necessarily the player. Players can grow frustrated "wasting away" in the minors. Often times, confidence counts for more than people realize. Knowing that you are being counted on by the organization goes a long way in one's progression as a player.
The idea of having so many arms available is due to the fact that team's rarely go through an entire season injury free. Also, team's are able to bring guys along slowly (remember the Mets' three studs of Paul Wilson, Jason Isringhausen and Bill Pulsipher?). Many players do not recover from being rushed to the majors. Craig Hanson is a great example. In the current day and age of pitch counts and limiting the number of innings for all pitchers, it makes sense to stock up on as many quality arms as possible.
I am going to agree with the idea of never having enough starting pitching. The Sox are able to rest Dice-K for a couple of weeks and start Masterson. I'm not sure the Sox lose too much with this exchange. Personally, I cannot wait to see Smoltz toe the rubber for the Sox. But, I can be patient because I know the Sox won't rush him back. The depth (bull pen too) the team has on the mound, should give Red Sox Nation much confidence over the course of the season.
2 comments:
Love the blog, glad I finally found it!!
This club does have one of the best staff's in the game, but I would have to say there is a certain Senior Circuit club (in the bay area) that is pretty content with their starting 5, so lets not get too crazy.
Smoltzie is a huge pick up. You have to think he is going to thrive pitching Boston. The idea of #29 taking the ball every 5th day is great, but what about this guy as the 8th inning man? It only makes their bullpen that much more dominant and the game that much shorter? Do you think this something that is even a possibility?
What’s up with #34? Is this dude still hurt or is he on the back 9; teeing up on 17?
afraus ... glad you enjoy it. The bull pen is stacked right now like the girls Vince pulls on Entrouage. We already have lost two starts due to an injury by a starter. So, Smoltz will get his opportunities.
Papi has shown signs (going the other way) of breaking out but is still missing a lot of mistakes. Also, notice how much his walks are down. I'll reserve judgment, it is still real early.
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