ptatc

That's more the stats department than anything.

It's all to do with the emphasis on velocity and strikeouts. I don't think the 6 man rotation is coming but the emphasis on the bullpen and minor league depth is going to increase in importance.

It does matter. Previous muscle capacity makes it easier. Granted you still wouldn't go from 30 innings to 200 but it makes the transition easier.

The 2009 and 2010 make a difference fir how fast you can build up innings. If there was a previous base it's easier to build upon. This is why Crochet was different than Sale. Sale started for years in college and built up innings. Crochet was never a starter in college and never had the innings base.

Again. We agree they didn't upgrade the pitching like they should have. I know you would take the possibility an oft injured player who could possibly be an ace over a bottom of the rotation starter. I just go the other way and use the extra resources elsewhere as I don't think they need another TOR guy. Of course you would always take the best player everywhere with unlimited resources. Bit we know that's not the case here.

They are babied too much once they get to a full workload. But they need to get there first. Kopech couldn't handle the workload they gave him last year without going on the injured list.

You have to baby him as you put it because you will increase his injury likelihood tremendously if you increase his innings too much. He pitched 70 last year they can't double it and not expect issues to arise.

Hiw about any if the 80 or pitchers who pitched 150 innings or more? Doesn't have to be specific. Nobody with an significant injury history last year. If you really have have a name to blame someone, I'll take Manaea because he was avaliable and pitched 150 innings. I'm not sure why you are dragging this out. We basically agree on everything except that Rodon should be the additional pitchers on this team. I would not have taken the chance on his injury history with that contract. I would literally take nearly anyone with the qualifications I described.

From what they said he is throwing all his pitched and not having issues.

Correct. But Rodon was also a flier on a 3mil contract not an important prospect. Also look at Rodon's performance at the end of the year. He was gassed and not effective. This while playing for a big payday.

Someone posted it on here. Can't remember who.

Those are all possibilities. Like I said there were probably many others who could have been had in trades as well. They didn't need a TOR type of guy just an innings eater.

If you believe the reports, the deal was in the works before the Lynn injury, he was just waiting to see if he could get an MLB deal not a minor league one.

I agree. They should have made pitching more of the priority. Lengthening the bullpen was a good start. As many said once the CBA was agreed to, the shortened spring training would place an emphasis on pitching and if you look around the league, not just with the Sox, pitchers are dropping.

Yep. They were using him for depth originally. Unfortunately they may need to depend on him.

That's fine you can do that. Again I wouldn't take the chance on someone like Rodon and his injury history.

Any pitcher that pitched 150 innings or more last year. I don't know who was available for traded, Manea was obviously.

They all have access to the information. The problem is the records only show much. Imaging shows structure but not necessarily function. For example, they've done studies of people wit no history of back pain and did MRI on them. Depending on the study 40-60% we're diagnosed with an disc herniation. Working with someone on a daily basis tells you more than medical records.

They didn't need top of the rotations guys though. They couldn't really afford the large multi-year deals and with Giolito, Lynn, Cease and Kopech that isn't the best use of resources. They just needed a dependable 3-4 or 4-5 guy to give them innings to not stress everyone else.

You aren't talking FO here though. It's the medical team.

The problem with a 6 man rotation is that it throws all of the pitchers off for their between start workouts. Pitchers need to work more to maintain between starts because of the way they throw with maximum effort now. They really can't afford that time between. A better solution would probably to skip a start while continuing the work between or just shorten the innings per start and make the bullpen longer.

Should have acquired another pitcher or 2 instead of an RF. Use the resources where the greater need was. A longer bullpen will help as well. They don't have many trade pieces without subtracting from the MLB club. Kimbrel was one of them.

I agree with the overall premise except for the 135 innings. His limit will probably be closer to 120 due to his lack of innings over the past few years. If he pitches 135 he will be useless at the end of those. They need him for the playoffs.

I understand it. And it could very well be true. I just wouldn't take that chance. History us not on his side.

Some of this depends on defense vs. offense. Do they sit Grandal for poor defense. Same with Jimenez. That's losing a ton of offense. Can they afford to pull a pitcher early with who is available? I think it's more important for good coaching decisions during the season to make sure the pitchers are ready for the postseason. The pitchers ready for the postseason may dictate if someone can be pulled early in the postseason game.