3 Man Bench?
by mg050369 on Jan 7, 2010 10:29 PM EST
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What was unthinkable to me a week ago, now doesn't seem so unreasonable. Can the Sox still trade Lowell during Spring Training and possibly go with a 3 man bench? Let's examine the bench:
Varitek - Varitek picks up a few extra starts if they needed to slide VMart to 1B to give Youkilis a day off or two. If Varitek or VMart go on the DL, Wagner figures to get the call.
Hall - If he can back up 2B, SS, 3B and both corner outfield positions, he can get into a fair amount of games. If he or a starting infielder goes down, I would assume that Lowrie gets the first call.
Hermida - Backs up each corner outfield spot and Ortiz. Can he play some 1B? His ability to serve as the 2nd or 3rd 1B could prove to be the key to a 3 man bench. If Hermida or an outfielder goes on the DL, Reddick gets the call.
The good - a shallow bench gives more opportunities to Hall and Hermida. It also allows you to carry 13 pitchers.
The bad and ugly - A thin bench doesn't provide a great deal of wiggle room. If a couple of players need a few days off, you could be in trouble. Is a 13 man staff a good thing? Three (Beckett, Lester, Lackey) starters should get you deep into games. A healthy Wakefield could give you multiple innings out of the pen leaving you 7 other relievers fighting for innings.
Could a three man bench work?
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I think you hit it with the last part
Players will need days off, and if they happen to coincide then you’re in trouble; shift and the guy gets tired, don’t change anything and then you have to hope nobody goes down. I wouldn’t mind putting Aaron Bates on the bench so we have a legitimate back up at first.
Teams also had 3 man rotations
Just because most teams go with a 5 man bench doesn’t mean it couldn’t work. I’m not saying they will or should, only that I think it merits consideration and discussion.
Possible in AL
NL couldnt do it. Still dont like it
I think we can and will trade Lowell in the spring
I doubt you’ll see a 3 man bench, though. Hall, Hermida, Tek and Hulett is most likely. They might even carry an extra position player in April since there are lots of off days and we may not need a fifth starter (as well as Wake out of the pen). Perhaps Reddick or Kalish… or someone surprising on the 40 man who they want avoid cold weather in Portland.
I think that's a more likely scenario
Hulett gives them more infield flexibility but they leaves them a bit thin at 1B. Bates is a possibility as Youk and Hall could back up Beltre. I don’t see burning an option on Reddick or Kalish in April if they are looking to get Hermida ABs. If they opted to go with a 5th bench spot in April, I think Bates would be the best fit.
That wouldnt burn an option for Reddick since he's already on the 40 man.
Remember that when a player starts spring training on the 40 man, he burns an option year even if he is sent down at the end of spring and never appears in the majors.
I did think Kalish was on the 40 man, though and apparently he isnt. So he’s not really an option for that scenario. Reddick certainly is. Bates, as you mention, would be a decent candidate.
Also, Atchinson, Tazawa, The other Ramon Ramirez, Bowden, and I believe Hulett all have options remaining, so they could be April casualties if we end up with a strange roster squeeze or slight injuries (perhaps Wake will be stiff or somebody else has a strain and can’t go back to back days, something like that…).
Hermida also has options left, so although I would be surprised, it is certainly possible they have another fourth OF target in mind still. There are a lot of those guys left in free agency dying for jobs. We could, in theory, even see Baldelli return, too.
3 man bench?
I agree, it’s not deep enough to get the rest required for the long haul. Abbott and Costello may have had it right when it comes to the Red Sox current situation, who’s on 1st (Pappi-why) no, thats the outfield and he went to left. (and don’t get me going on the Bay trade) 2nd baseman (DP and Hall). SS, I dont know….yup 3rd base. (Youk and Beltre). I guess the question is power vs. speed vs. depth. Ok back to 1st..leave Pappi as DH and thats all…he needs to step it up and he’s not, get him in shape and get aggressive or trade him…) Hermida can fill in the gap..what? no he;s on 2nd. (do we even have him yet?) Mike Cameron will definitely bring it….he needed a change and he has the power but who’s gonna fill the gap on rest days, Hermida, who? nope he’s on 1st, why, no he’s in left….Hmm I dont know….yup third base! Maybe theres a method to the madness but I would be hard pressed to believe that they will keep Lowell….maybe we can trade for a Really reliable 1st baseman….oh thats right we just got rid of Kotchman, why, he went to left field, reason, I dont know (3rd base). Hermida may be the glue given the current situation…that leaves Youk/Pappi for 1st with Beltre’s gun from 3rd, Hermida at SS with DP and Hall at 2nd and tomorrow is catching…somehow I can only belive that this will lead to a winning team. Such is a Red Sox fans life. I cant wait for Spring Training!
The good - a shallow bench gives more opportunities to Hall and Hermida.
How can you possibly view this as a ‘good’ thing? And, we have no speed or defense off the bench. Where would we be in the 2004 playoffs if we didn’t have speed of the bench? You (should) know who I’m talking about…
Hall, Hermida, Defense and Speed
Hermida is still a young player and, IMHO, could still benefit by playing time. By no means am I advocating 600 PAs for Hermida but a shallow bench could allow 50 starts (10 games for each outfielder, Papi and 1B, if he could play there).
Regarding defense, where would you use a defensive specialist? With the exception of Scutaro and behind the plate, I can’t think of any starter you would pull for defensive purposes.
Regarding speed, I can definately see the value but is there is a fit out there? I would want to use the final bench spot on someone who brings additional value other than a designated runner. Ideally that would be a defensive middle infielder with speed but I don’t know if that fit is out there.
Having Hermida is stupd
He needs at bats to develop, and he is not going to get those here.
Trade Beckett !!!
I just don't like Hermida in any position other than LF and DH
Maybe if he can learn 1B we’ll be in business, but I’d still like to see someone who can back-up more OF positions. How good is Hall in the outfield?
DFA Beckett
by South Coast Ghost on Jan 8, 2010 10:18 PM EST up reply actions
I desparately want a pinch runner on the bench.
Defensive/pitching-oriented teams tend to get into more close games than other teams. They also tend to have an advantage in said games. But it’d be a huge help to be able to replace, say, Ortiz at first with a speedster.
USG
More minor league contracts please
Endy Chavez is looking for a minor league contract. Maybe Noah Lowry too. Nothing wrong with an MiLB contract with an invite to ST.
DFA Beckett
by South Coast Ghost on Jan 8, 2010 10:16 PM EST reply actions
A 3 man bench
would be a terrible idea, in my opinion.
12 man pitching staffs are egregious enough. 13 man staffs would be that much worse. And that’s because of the woeful “specialization” we’ve seen in this sport over the years. Rosters which carry pitchers who literally are used for one batter a game. I hate it.
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