Pitching Surplus

by drabidea on Jun 19, 2009 12:50 PM EDT

With Smoltz ready to join the Red Sox this week, there is a serious log jam in our Starting pitching. I agree that this is a good problem to have, but I still think it's a problem. Many writers are saying the Red Sox do not need to trade a pitcher away, quoting the past seasons (such as the Bronson Arroyo Trade) as reasons not to trade away pitching. I disagree. This year is much different then past years. Currently we have 8 or 9 players who could be starting pitchers for the Red Sox. All of them would most likely perform at an above average performance.

This just isn't fair to the 3 or 4 pitchers that will not get to start because of it. Those 3 or 4 would be starters on any other MLB team and top of the rotation guys on some teams. Theo currently says he is not looking to trade Brad Penny because he enjoys having a surplus. I think this is a just a way to bring more demand for him. It will make the Sox seem not as eager to trade away a player.

I think right now there are many teams in limbo of whether or not to buy or sell. Once these teams determine their status, the demand for Penny will be even more. More and More teams will need starting pitching. Especially this year, there is not much on the market for starting pitching. Theo knows that Penny is pitching well and will keep raising his stock, maybe even to the level of Type B for free agency.

I think someone will be traded by the deadline. It just seems to stupid not to get something in return.

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I am expecting

Dice-K to get one more start, if he does not improve then he will go on the DL and Smoltz will fill that spot.

Only a guess. Buchholz will sit in AAA and spot start replace Beckett, Lester, Wake and Penny when they need a start off, but this only happens after we see what Smoltz can do.

by SoxAcumen on Jun 19, 2009 2:21 PM EDT reply actions

I think a deal will happen

and I agree that Theo et al’s noises about not needing to trade can increase demand. Most likely we’ll see Penny elsewhere by the end of July.

Manny ain't the only bad man.

by tommy.otm on Jun 19, 2009 3:06 PM EDT reply actions

Theo is likely posturing

But really, if things continue on as they have, what do you want out of a Penny trade other than maybe a prospect?

We have defensive replacements in the outfield for Bay.
Ortiz’ resurgence means spending more for a big bat would be foolish right now.
Lowrie’s return should eliminate the need for MI defensive help.
Kotsay’s ability to fill in at first defensively also eliminates the need for 3B defense thanks to Youk’s ability to shift.
The bullpen is STACKED
Obviously not a starter
A catcher-of-the-future will likely cost more.

Really, that last one is the best idea. The Rangers will absolutely be buyers, and Brad Penny is looking like the best guy really on the market. I mean, you get rid of that awful start against the Orioles and he’s hovering around an ERA of 4 in one of America’s most hitter-friendly parks. We package him with another prospect and we may have enough for Teagarden.

As for Daisuke…yeah, he needs to be on a short leash. Buchholz is getting restless, and for good reason. Let’s get him the starts we all think he deserves. Bowden is willing to sit tight for a little while longer.

by Ben Buchanan on Jun 19, 2009 5:18 PM EDT reply actions

The best hope is that the Rangers stay in first and need another starter

If they’d take Penny for Teagarden, with a prospect or two in the deal as well, I think Theo would have to pull the trigger. The Sox just don’t have a replacement for Tek anywhere in the organization, and while he’s been better this year than last year, he’s just not good enough anymore to play a full season as our starter.

Of course, that assumes that Smoltz is healthy enough to be effective and Dice-K figures out that the goal of the game is actually to get batters out; the reason for the former is obvious, the reason for the latter being that Dice-K isn’t going anywhere unless it’s to the DL for a very long time.

by RSNexile on Jun 19, 2009 7:28 PM EDT up reply actions

We have some interesting catching prospects with Wagner and Federowicz playing so well this year. They might be a little way off, but Teagarden has not proven that he can hit in the majors, and we would have to give them a helluva prospect to get him anyway.

"Ninety percent [of my salary] I'll spend on good times, women, and Irish whiskey. The other ten percent I'll probably waste."
-Tug McGraw

by BTLove on Jun 20, 2009 2:21 AM EDT up reply actions