needs to be in the conversation

I don’t consider Miller or Aceves to be legitimate long term options, neither have great control, putting them in the rotation is just asking for pain.

I’m fine with Wake for now, we know that his product is going to be remarkably Dice-K-esque, a couple amazing games when the knuckle is great, a couple terrible games when the knuckle is just a slow pitch over the middle and a couple games where he gets hit but mitigates damage.

Doubront I think will be pretty mediocre as a starter also, I think he could hold it down OK, but he’s going to need time to work back up to the pitch count we’re going to need from him.

But in house, our options are Dice-K like in terms of probable results and generally, the people haven’t been happy with those, eager to find a replacement. If TJ surgery is the outcome, it may very well be likely that Dice will never throw another pitch for Boston. In that case, we’re going to need a replacement for next year also, I think we might want to go out and get someone. The off-season’s free agent crop isn’t too awe inspiring, Buehrle tops the list of definite’s I think and Sabathia would be ‘the guy’ if he opted out, but even if he opts out, he’ll probably just end up back in New York for even more money than the amounts that I made fun of them for in the first place.

Looking at the bottom rung teams I see players like Brett Myers, Ryan Dempster, Carlos Zambrano, Kevin Correia, Paul Maholm, Jon Garland, Aaron Harang, Carl Pavano, Scott Baker (depending on just how frantic the Twins become), and Chris Capuano who could become available, if we take on salary they probably wouldn’t cost us a whole lot at all.

Aceves has had only had one bad game. He could be a legit starter if he’s healthy. To say he’s not enough of a control pitcher is ironic when you consider he’d be the replacement for Dice-K – the ultimate nibbler.

On the other hand, if his next start shows more wildness then Wake could be the better option. I don’t think we need to get anyone from outside right now. When the first one of those two breaks down (and he will) the other can stand in until he breaks down (and he will).

The Twins want to trade him and he’s in spring training right now, so maybe we could get him for almost nothing. I don’t know if he has an option, so if we called him up after rehab, we may not be able to send him down, that is if he ever makes it. This would give another option besides Millwood, Wake, and Aceves.

In 11 I go with the rotation of Wake and Aceves, since they can’t seem to pitch good games consecutively. Once the ASB comes around, judge whether or not it is working, if not, we plug in Doubront.

Once the deadline comes around, get Ryan Dempster, or someone else on a one or two year deal. If he only has 1 year, you need a 12 replacement however. Go with someone in free agency.

How about Charlie Morton over in Pittsburgh? He’s had an amazing season so far, and Pittsburgh is always looking to deal.

I vote Big Papi.