Just as a FWIW, this is what the Sox pen numbers look like from September this year...

 

http://espn.go.com/mlb/team/stats/pitching...icago-white-sox

 

Guys like Guerra and Surkamp are making nice cases for the pen next year.

 

Cleto has been better, but he also still hasn't stopped walking guys, meaning he is usually one big hit away from a disaster.

 

Lindstrom has been getting guys out better, but he isn't striking out or walking anyone. Same with Bellisario.

 

Webb and Snodgress have been pretty bad.

 

Pertrika and Putnam have been pretty meh.

 

The reason I look at this is I wonder if guys like Guerra and Surkamp are winning roster spots for next year? I see no way they bring back Bellisario, and probably not Lindstrom either. Webb might be pitching himself back to Charlotte next year. Cleto probably doesn't have a job for next year either.

 

I see Pertricka, Putnam, Guerra, and Surkamp back in 2015.

 

I see Lindstrom and Bellisario out of the organization.

 

I see Cleto and Snodgress getting ST invites, but being on the outside looking in to win jobs. Webb I see in competition for the last spot with other invitees.

 

With that in mind, I would guess we see a righty and a lefty signed in the off-season to real contracts, along with a couple of other random invites to fight for a position in the pen.

My personal view is that Snodgress is more likely than Surkamp to get a lefty roll in the 2015 bullpen. I think he's got a better upside for that role.

 

How the front office treats the BP will tell a lot on what they expect from the upcoming season. If they go out and spend money on it (aka a few good pitchers) then they feel they can start really competing (.500 and above/shot at the 2nd wildcard) or they will continue to go young and use a variety of our pitching prospects and maybe bring in a few vets to compete but not on decent size contracts.

I see Pertricka, Putnam, Guerra, and Surkamp back in 2015.

 

I see Lindstrom and Bellisario out of the organization.

 

Good thread, and I agree with what you said here. However, I fully expect the Sox to spend a good amount of money on a closer and set-up man.

Even with the cost being abnormally high for relievers, the Sox have shown in the past that's where they like to spend money in the offseason, likely due to the diminished cost of bringing those guys in. If you get a bust, it's not a Barry Zito type of bust, but more along the lines of Scott Linebrink on the really bad end and Downs/Belisario otherwise. It really makes me wonder who or how many relievers they'll be in on.

 

I've speculated before that I think they'll show interest in Andrew Miller, but I also think he will ultimately price himself out of the Sox range.

 

I personally like Surkamp over Snodgress too, but I think that's going to be pretty even going into Spring Training next year no matter what. Whoever is better wins the job outright.

my thoughts are: make it better.

 

the end

My personal view is that Snodgress is more likely than Surkamp to get a lefty roll in the 2015 bullpen. I think he's got a better upside for that role.

Guess based on previous team techniques? They bring in one veteran left hander and Surkamp and Snodgress compete for the 2nd lefty slot in ST.

Guess based on previous team techniques? They bring in one veteran left hander and Surkamp and Snodgress compete for the 2nd lefty slot in ST.

 

That is how I feel. I think right now Surkamp has a clear edge as he is showing that he can get guys out, and Ventura is using him in higher and higher leverage situations.

That is how I feel. I think right now Surkamp has a clear edge as he is showing that he can get guys out, and Ventura is using him in higher and higher leverage situations.

If they have some confidence in Snodgress, which they might as he does have a solid fastball at least, another move typical with their history would be a veteran lefty on a 1 year deal with Snodgress taking over the closer's role at Charlotte to start the year.

Or they move Montas to the pen as a closing candidate, but that's far from an ideal scenario.

 

Olacio's another name that could move fast if everything just clicks.

 

 

Taylor Thompson, probably the last we've heard from him, fwiw.

 

Somehow I have a feeling we'll end up bringing in the likes of Jim Johnson, Frieri, Grilli, etc. Reclamation project, versus someone we're going to pay $8-12 million per season.

Edited September 22, 201411 yr by caulfield12

call John Hart and fleece the Braves into trading Luis Avilan to be a primary leftie in the bullpen. Walks bit him in the ass this season, which I am sure is an easy fix for the vastly superior Sox coaching staff.

 

Robin'll fix 'em

call John Hart and fleece the Braves into trading Luis Avilan to be a primary leftie in the bullpen. Walks bit him in the ass this season, which I am sure is an easy fix for the vastly superior Sox coaching staff.

 

Robin'll fix 'em

 

If it was THAT easy, Cleto and Webb would both be studs.

 

Hart's not going to make any big moves until the new GM is in place and a strategy/vision for the future is in place.

 

 

Bassitt's role as well will be interesting...

Edited September 23, 201411 yr by caulfield12

Is Soria on a multi-year deal? Doesn't he still have closer stuff? Can Hahn get him?

Is Soria on a multi-year deal? Doesn't he still have closer stuff? Can Hahn get him?

 

Someone like Soria is much more likely than paying for the top 5-6 guys wanting to get paid for this year's results and closing numbers.

 

Those guys will all get $8-12 million per season.

 

Someone like Soria should be available for $5-7ish million.

 

 

 

 

2 years/$8M (2013-14), plus 2015 option

 

2 years/$8M (2013-14), plus 2015 club option

signed by Texas as a free agent 12/3/12

 

13:$2M, 14:$5.5M, 15:$7M club option ($0.5M buyout)

 

 

If I was the Tigers, I would definitely keep Soria/AL AL and ditch Johnson/Joba.

Edited September 23, 201411 yr by caulfield12

Bassitt has shown some flashes that are pretty darn good so far. Especially for a guy who hasn't even seen AAA and missed most of his AA season this year.

 

That said, I think he's a reliever in the long run. His secondary stuff isn't great, his command gets iffy at times, his fastball is above average and can be plus in short play, and he's even said he's more comfortable from the bullpen. So he may very well be a 2015 bullpen candidate.

 

Is Soria on a multi-year deal? Doesn't he still have closer stuff? Can Hahn get him?

 

 

Good call, Greg. I've always loved Soria.

Bassitt has shown some flashes that are pretty darn good so far. Especially for a guy who hasn't even seen AAA and missed most of his AA season this year.

 

That said, I think he's a reliever in the long run. His secondary stuff isn't great, his command gets iffy at times, his fastball is above average and can be plus in short play, and he's even said he's more comfortable from the bullpen. So he may very well be a 2015 bullpen candidate.

According to one of the articles I read about his performance last night he just added the slider in Spring Training and then didn't get to work with it much at all this year due to injury. Wondering if that extra pitch, long term, could be a key for him.

According to one of the articles I read about his performance last night he just added the slider in Spring Training and then didn't get to work with it much at all this year due to injury. Wondering if that extra pitch, long term, could be a key for him.

 

I wonder if the slider is what gave him this recent run of injury problems.

I wonder if the slider is what gave him this recent run of injury problems.

The injury this year has been described as a broken hand. Hard to see that as a result of throwing a slider?

The injury this year has been described as a broken hand. Hard to see that as a result of throwing a slider?

 

 

Maybe he punched a wall after having an outing with no slider command, lol.

Forgot about Nolan Sanburn from the Dunn/A's trade for the bullpen...although it would be pushing it to go from the CAL League to the majors.

 

Nolan Sanburn, rhp

Age: 22

 

An Athletics second-round pick in 2012, Sanburn had the potential to be one of the organization’s best pitching prospects, but he wasn’t healthy enough to show much since turning pro. He moved back to the bullpen this season after working as a starter in 2012 and part of 2013. A reliever at Arkansas, Sanburn signed as a draft-eligible sophomore in 2012 and has pitched just 120 in three seasons. When healthy, he has an electric fastball at 93-94 mph and can touch 96 with riding life. His curveball also shows impressive depth while coming in hard in the high 70s.

 

www.baseballamerica.com

Forgot about Nolan Sanburn from the Dunn/A's trade for the bullpen...although it would be pushing it to go from the CAL League to the majors.

 

Nolan Sanburn, rhp

Age: 22

 

An Athletics second-round pick in 2012, Sanburn had the potential to be one of the organization’s best pitching prospects, but he wasn’t healthy enough to show much since turning pro. He moved back to the bullpen this season after working as a starter in 2012 and part of 2013. A reliever at Arkansas, Sanburn signed as a draft-eligible sophomore in 2012 and has pitched just 120 (innings) in three seasons. When healthy, he has an electric fastball at 93-94 mph and can touch 96 with riding life. His curveball also shows impressive depth while coming in hard in the high 70s.

 

www.baseballamerica.com

Edited September 24, 201411 yr by caulfield12

Guess based on previous team techniques? They bring in one veteran left hander and Surkamp and Snodgress compete for the 2nd lefty slot in ST.

Zach Duke is a good possibility.

Gavin Floyd coming back from a fractured elbow could be converted to a reliever. Tom Gorzelanny will be available as will Luke Gregerson.

Gavin Floyd coming back from a fractured elbow could be converted to a reliever. Tom Gorzelanny will be available as will Luke Gregerson.

 

Another good post. All interesting possibilities IMO. Would Floyd and Gorzelanny agree to be relievers however?