I know people continually say this, but why? Because Williams traded for him? Because he doesn't throw a knuckleball?

 

If the spring statistics obviously favor Haeger, there should be no reason to take Floyd. What has he proven? Atleast Haeger has respectable minor league statistics to fall back on. Floyd has nothing but a high draft and Cooper's magic pixy dust.

 

 

Because he has the most big league experience, and you may not want to start the clock on the other guys yet unless they are overwhelmingly better. Floyd had more success once he settled down after getting knocked around when he was first brought up.

Because he has the most big league experience, and you may not want to start the clock on the other guys yet unless they are overwhelmingly better. Floyd had more success once he settled down after getting knocked around when he was first brought up.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but Haeger's clock was already started last year.

Edited March 5, 200719 yr by Felix

Knuckleballers scare me. When it's not moving, it's like the ball is on a tee for the hitters.

what about bring haegar in for a bull pen role this year? our bull pen is filled with power pitchers and we need someone to throw off hitters. he could be a solid set up man for jenks.

You talk about him like he has no talent whatsoever.Vasquez does have potential to have a good season and its not like hes our ace.He has movement on his fastball,better than most on the curve ball,and is unhittable for the first 5 innings.I will take my chances with him as our #4.

 

Agreed. It would be pretty resonable to expect something like a 4.65 ERA from Vazquez this year. Name the minor league pitcher on the Sox that can be expected to do that. Realistically, the guys in line for the 5th starter slot would be likely to post something around 5.30 if they successfully adapt to the big leagues. Floyd's ERA with PHI was around 7, and PECOTA projects him to be around 6 this year. Haeger and Danks both project to be around the 5.30 IIRC.

 

Dumping Vazquez would be a bad idea right now. It would free up money, but there aren't any good FAs left at this point. Even if the Sox get major league talent for Vazquez, it's doubtful that it would improve the team overall considering the hit the rotation would take. Considering what the Sox gave up for Vazquez, I'd rather gamble on him putting together a decent season than cut bait now.

what about bring haegar in for a bull pen role this year? our bull pen is filled with power pitchers and we need someone to throw off hitters. he could be a solid set up man for jenks.

It would give a different look, but the knuckler is a feel pitch and by getting innings here and there won't let him lock-in with the pitch. He needs to be a starter, IMO.

Even if the Sox get major league talent for Vazquez, it's doubtful that it would improve the team overall considering the hit the rotation would take. Considering what the Sox gave up for Vazquez, I'd rather gamble on him putting together a decent season than cut bait now.

I can only assume if we trade Vazquez we'll receive a player of Chris Young's caliber, right?

 

.....right?

I can only assume if we trade Vazquez we'll receive a player of Chris Young's caliber, right?

 

.....right?

 

Well, I think we need to let that go. Boston traded Bagwell for Larry Anderson. The Red Sox franchise managed to survive. The Sox won't get a prospect like Young back for Vazquez, but he still has some value.

 

Optimistically, if Vazquez were to post a ERA of around 4 this year I think the final year of his contract (2008) could fetch a decent player. In fact, if he's pitching well at the break and the Mets need a starter, it's possible he could bring Lastings Milledge in return. Minaya may only want to trade him for something like Haren or Harden, but I think that's delusional given the price of pitching.

 

On a different note, mlbtraderumors mentioned that Sox scouts watched Carl Pavano pitch yesterday. Sort of interesting if true....

I've seen a few pretty damn good knuckballers pitch out of the Sox pen over the years. A good knucklball pitcher can be a very valuable asset in the bullpen. You guys that say it can't work because of this or because of that, you're wrong. I've seen it work and work quite well.

If Floyd and Haeger are close, Floyd gets the 5th spot. Mostly because Haeger has pitched out of the bullpen before. Floyd hasn't.

 

Catchers would have the same problem with Haeger whether he's starting or coming into a game w/ runners on. I don't think the passed balls will be an issue. The biggest question is whether he can get major league hitters out with his stuff. And he probably can.