There's so many ways they can go with this. It's not unrealistic to see all these guys deserving some role in it:

Taylor, Smith, Fedde, Kay, Burke, Martin, Sandlin, Shane Smith, Thorpe. I'd be thinking smart to sign a FA, of which there are a good number this year, and then trade from depth -- maybe even for prospects -- refresh the system a bit.

Fedde is a FA but I'd imagine he's keen to stay on. Newcomb I think they let walk as they can't really justify him if he's not starting. But I dunno, there's an argument at the right price. We'll see how it shakes out, certainly looks intriquing, if not proven. And if they add a nice FA arm, potentially a very good staff.

Feels like Taylor is too much of a multi inning weapon now pretty much anywhere from the sixth inning on.

Will see how his arm rebounds after these two lengthy appearances...hopefully they don't need him until WED, but would be awful tempting for Venable to use him again if they get another lead on Mon.

If this opener strategy works at least through CLE to reach the ALCS, it's likely going to become their niche, and just not certain if it stands up over 162 games with Hagen and Taylor throwing as much as they are...

Perhaps they follow the Padres' model and add the elite reliever and then work backwards from there to shorten the game.

Let's say signing Morejon, for example.

Wouldn't JR rather bring in 2-3 elite bullpen arms and pay them $30-35 million combined than one Skubal at $40+?

Is this also a place where Ishbia might get involved to put them over the top? No idea!

Edited 6 hours ago6 hr by caulfield12

Assuming there is a season the Sox need two dependable starting pitchers.

I can't see the continuing use of openers as a long term successful philosophy. It simply puts to much strain on a bullpen. And it doesn't work all the time.

Get two guys to go with Burke and Martin and have one of the kids check in at #5.

Edited 5 hours ago5 hr by Lip Man 1

Getz will still be hyping Castillo as being in the best shape of his lifetime coming into ST.

Gotta get 800 innings from 7 'starters.' Meaning the five opening starters and two other qho fill in for injuries. If they were in this situation and the pen was less burnt, it would be great. Would also like to have one real starter for playoffs.

Hopefully, a deep playoff run forces ownership to spend on a good starter, a good closer, and a good right handed bat.

3 hours ago, Lip Man 1 said:

Assuming there is a season the Sox need two dependable starting pitchers.

I can't see the continuing use of openers as a long term successful philosophy. It simply puts to much strain on a bullpen. And it doesn't work all the time.

Get two guys to go with Burke and Martin and have one of the kids check in at #5.

I think you have at least 3/5 or an acceptable rotation in Burke, Martin, and Kay. Maybe you get Fedde back next year to be the 5th starter, but you really can't count on Castillo next year so they need to at least spend some money on a middle of the rotation option in free agency.

3 minutes ago, chw42 said:

I think you have at least 3/5 or an acceptable rotation in Burke, Martin, and Kay. Maybe you get Fedde back next year to be the 5th starter, but you really can't count on Castillo next year so they need to at least spend some money on a middle of the rotation option in free agency.

I don't think Fedde will break the bank so I'd bring him back.

Not a starter, but I think Newcomb will cost too much to retain.

That money being spent on Castillo is annoying as hell

They’ll trade for a young starter from their infield depth in the minors and sign a FA. Probably hope Billy Carlson has a good first half and deal him this deadline.

4 hours ago, chitownsportsfan said:

There's so many ways they can go with this. It's not unrealistic to see all these guys deserving some role in it:

Taylor, Smith, Fedde, Kay, Burke, Martin, Sandlin, Shane Smith, Thorpe. I'd be thinking smart to sign a FA, of which there are a good number this year, and then trade from depth -- maybe even for prospects -- refresh the system a bit.

Fedde is a FA but I'd imagine he's keen to stay on. Newcomb I think they let walk as they can't really justify him if he's not starting. But I dunno, there's an argument at the right price. We'll see how it shakes out, certainly looks intriquing, if not proven. And if they add a nice FA arm, potentially a very good staff.

Schultz could be in the mix also.

You need guys that can go 6+ innings in the regular season. Can't rely on openers all year long (and the Sox didn't, but they used them when necessary). But when it comes to the playoffs even the best pitchers will get pulled early unless they are completely dominating. The opener works in a playoff series, but if the Sox had 2 guys (or 3) that could be relied to go 5 or 6 innings in a playoff series they'd take that. The playoffs are a much much smaller sample size of games and matchups can be played more in the playoffs. You still have to get through the grind of the season and you can't rely on openers and whatnot for 162 games.

1 hour ago, chw42 said:

Hopefully, a deep playoff run forces ownership to spend on a good starter, a good closer, and a good right handed bat.

Dream on.......

Dream away .....

46 minutes ago, SoxBlanco said:

Schultz could be in the mix also.

Pretty much has to be in the mix...

Schulz and Hagen have to be in the mix. Taylor will probably be a middle guy, but I don’t know if he sticks around for that.

Martin

Schulz

Smith

Kay

Castillo

5 minutes ago, nitetrain8601 said:

Schulz and Hagen have to be in the mix. Taylor will probably be a middle guy, but I don’t know if he sticks around for that.

Martin

Schulz

Smith

Kay

Castillo

Burke???

where else can Grant Taylor go except for the official closer's role?

Edited 35 minutes ago35 min by caulfield12