Scott Merkin ‏@scottmerkin 15m15 minutes ago

Robin said team could break camp with 8 relievers

 

Dan Hayes ‏@CSNHayes 13m13 minutes ago

Robin Ventura sounds very open to starting season with eight relievers. Bench flexibility makes it possible. #WhiteSox

 

Scott Merkin ‏@scottmerkin 8m8 minutes ago

With versatility of Bonifacio and Beckham, assuming Johnson or Sanchez start at second, could go with 8 relievers at outset

 

 

Interesting. Thoughts?

Theoretically, they could get away with it. Bonifacio, Beckham, and Soto could probably cover it. Gillaspie can move over to first, when needed.

 

I kinda like it.

Scott Merkin ‏@scottmerkin 15m15 minutes ago

Robin said team could break camp with 8 relievers

 

Dan Hayes ‏@CSNHayes 13m13 minutes ago

Robin Ventura sounds very open to starting season with eight relievers. Bench flexibility makes it possible. #WhiteSox

 

Scott Merkin ‏@scottmerkin 8m8 minutes ago

With versatility of Bonifacio and Beckham, assuming Johnson or Sanchez start at second, could go with 8 relievers at outset

 

 

Interesting. Thoughts?

 

I don't like it in April. There are a couple of built in off days. The weather usually washes out another game or 2. Maybe later on in the season it makes some sense, but at the beginning, I would rather see at least some flexibility if you need pinch hitters and runners, especially when a couple of defensive players are pretty weak with the glove.

Edited February 23, 201511 yr by Dick Allen

I don't like it in April. There are a couple of built in off days. The weather usually washes out another game or 2. Maybe later on in the season it makes some sense, but at the beginning, I would rather see at least some flexibility if you need pinch hitters and runners, especially when a couple of defensive players are pretty weak with the glove.

 

Yeah and I've had the feeling that we've had some relievers over the years who struggled in large part due to how infrequently they were used. I felt that way about Dan Webb. Enough innings, but lots of days off in between appearances.

Not necessarily; there's no point in having a backup outfielder when we already have a superutility player who can handle that role.

Moving this over to the dedicated thread. I would agree if that super utility guy wasn't also potentially needed for an uncertain infield situation. I'm gonna stick to my guns and say that if our next best outfielder was better than JB Schuck this would never be considered. Even still I don't think it's a great idea.

Keep in mind the schedule is heavily weighted with division games the first 5 weeks of the season--for every team. It's really important not to suck the first month, so if it takes stacking your bullpen to win more games in the first 30, it could be a good strategy.

Moving this over to the dedicated thread. I would agree if that super utility guy wasn't also potentially needed for an uncertain infield situation. I'm gonna stick to my guns and say that if our next best outfielder was better than JB Schuck this would never be considered. Even still I don't think it's a great idea.

I don't know much about Shuck but if he has an average glove and can run a little bit, he probably helps out more than an 8th reliever when you have at least 3 days off the first 11 days. I do agree, if they had something better at the moment, this isn't even a story.

So our entire bench would potentially be Beckham, Bonafacio, and Soto? Yikes. Get a real defensive OF in there for late in the games if Avi still sucks on defense. Bonny is not bad in the OF, but on a day when he starts at 3B or 2B, you've got no bench OF'ers.

Any relievers on the Option bubble this year? Cleto and Surkamp free to go to AAA?

The problem is that Beckham isn't even versatile enough to make sense there. Shuck is at least left-handed, and Bonifacio can essentially play every position other than catcher.

 

If you're afraid Bonifacio can't play SS well enough, then Leury Garcia is a better option than Beckham.

Edited February 23, 201511 yr by Eminor3rd

Not a fan of this idea.

What is interesting to me is the Red Sox have so many options in the OF. Hanley is LF, Betts/Castillo in CF/RF, Jackie Bradley Jr., Allen Craig, Daniel Nava and Shane Victorino. Boston has writers saying Victorino is going to start but I don't buy that. At least a couple of these guys are going to be on the way out two months from now and if the Red Sox were pushed to DFAing or trading Victorino+cash I would be interested. Great makeup, great baserunner, RH bat to give LaRoche a break against lefties, etc. Obviously he has injury issues but he was awesome as recent as '13. If the Red Sox go with one of their younger guys and can't move him/DFA him the Sox would be the fourth team to get a crack at him.

 

I think they can still get a solid prospect for Victorino.

I think this will change if Saladino has a good camp.

What is interesting to me is the Red Sox have so many options in the OF. Hanley is LF, Betts/Castillo in CF/RF, Jackie Bradley Jr., Allen Craig, Daniel Nava and Shane Victorino. Boston has writers saying Victorino is going to start but I don't buy that. At least a couple of these guys are going to be on the way out two months from now and if the Red Sox were pushed to DFAing or trading Victorino+cash I would be interested. Great makeup, great baserunner, RH bat to give LaRoche a break against lefties, etc. Obviously he has injury issues but he was awesome as recent as '13. If the Red Sox go with one of their younger guys and can't move him/DFA him the Sox would be the fourth team to get a crack at him.

 

I agree here and there's also the Dodgers and Padres with too many outfielders. Perhaps other teams. I tend to think the Sox will wait it out and make a deal during spring training to pick up an outfielder who is squeezed out elsewhere that will be better than our internal options Shuck and Michael Taylor.

I have no doubt the Sox want one of Johnson or Sanchez to win the 2B job. Beckham is not an ideal scenario for the team either, or they wouldn't have let him walk away in the first place. Maybe some real competition will be the trick to waking him up.

Sure, and while writing that I felt as if I was underestimating Victorino's value a bit but he's got a hefty price tag and a long line of injuries. Something has to give there and unless Hamels is wearing a Red Sox jersey in April, it's going to be two or three of those veterans.

 

I think you're right, at least to some extent, and Victorino would be a wonderful addition as insurance for Eaton/Garcia too. I'm just not sure what the cost would be. Do the Red Sox gamble on some guys whose stocks are lower, like Davidson or Erik Johnson? Do they inquire about a lower level guy like Michalczewski? Maybe they want a few of the younger power arms too. It's hard to say exactly.

I think you're right, at least to some extent, and Victorino would be a wonderful addition as insurance for Eaton/Garcia too. I'm just not sure what the cost would be. Do the Red Sox gamble on some guys whose stocks are lower, like Davidson or Erik Johnson? Do they inquire about a lower level guy like Michalczewski? Maybe they want a few of the younger power arms too. It's hard to say exactly.

He's also a potential platoon partner for LaRoche.

Any relievers on the Option bubble this year? Cleto and Surkamp free to go to AAA?

 

Cleto is out of minor league options. I figured he was DFA territory anyways. Albers is better than him any day of the week IMO.

The problem is that Beckham isn't even versatile enough to make sense there. Shuck is at least left-handed, and Bonifacio can essentially play every position other than catcher.

 

If you're afraid Bonifacio can't play SS well enough, then Leury Garcia is a better option than Beckham.

 

If Johnson starts in Charlotte, Sanchez could swing over to SS in a pinch and Beckham would play 2B.

 

But I am against this idea overall.

Anyone know off the top of their heads who has done it before? I guess I never really noticed a team stacking relievers.

Any relievers on the Option bubble this year? Cleto and Surkamp free to go to AAA?

 

Surkamp I wouldn't mind keeping around for depth. Cleto can't catch a bus out of town fast enough.

Yuck. How often is the 8th man in the pen going to pitch in April? You're going to get rained out at least once, and the schedule is soft anyways with several off days. Makes zero sense IMO. Better to have a legit outfield defensive replacement rather than carry a extra reliever.

Anyone know off the top of their heads who has done it before? I guess I never really noticed a team stacking relievers.

 

The Royals (of course) have talked about carrying 13 pitchers this year.

 

http://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-colum...le10634720.html

Yuck. How often is the 8th man in the pen going to pitch in April? You're going to get rained out at least once, and the schedule is soft anyways with several off days. Makes zero sense IMO. Better to have a legit outfield defensive replacement rather than carry a extra reliever.

 

I don't get the move. Robin spoke about not over-exerting the starters early in the season. Thats all well and good, but why not then just keep Carroll as your long-man and 7th reliever? By doing so, you protect yourself in the event Noesi or Danks gets bombed, while also keeping the rest of the pen fresh for the other starters.

Edited February 23, 201511 yr by Butter Parque

Surkamp I wouldn't mind keeping around for depth. Cleto can't catch a bus out of town fast enough.

 

Just wondering if they have options left. Like Guerra...I could see him getting traded or DFA if he's out of options. Sox are in a position where they may have to add Johnson, Soto, and Crain and/or Albers to the 40-man, so a couple these guys may have to go. Maybe an 8-man bullpen buys a couple weeks to evaluate in-season.