Sox Bullpen - Page 2

Zen653 · 03-19-2007, 02:12 PM

Kason Gabbard and Kyle Snyder have both looked very impressive in spring training.

Gabbard's line: 10 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 7 K's, 4 BB.
Snyder's line: 8 1/3 IP, 8 H, 2 ER, 9 K's, 4 BB.

Why not carry Gabbard as the long reliever/spot starter out of the 'pen and use Snyder as the closer? Snyder has an outstanding K/9 ratio and seems to be very effective his first time through a lineup. He gets into trouble when he faces hitters for the second or third time. That won't be a problem if he's the closer.

I think that trading younger and cheaper pitchers with upside like Gabbard and Snyder for recycled veteran retreads (which seems to be how the Red Sox are leaning) would be a colossal blunder. These guys can thrive in Boston if given the right role. I thought Gabbard acquitted himself surprisingly well in limited big league action last year. He's one of those guys who pitches better in the majors than in the minor leagues. He feels more motivated against big league hitters.

steeplechase3k · 03-19-2007, 06:26 PM

I was at one of Gabbard's starts is Seattle last year, and it was really odd. His stuff look pretty good (not great) but almost everything that got hit dropped in. I don't remember any balls getting hit right at fielders. He was amazingly unlucky.

Zen653 · 03-19-2007, 07:00 PM

I went to Gabbard's start against the White Sox at Fenway Park. He pitched 7 shutout innings against one of the top offenses in baseball. I was duly impressed. He had a low pitch count too. He could have tossed a complete game. Francona pulled him because of an injury concern.

AutomatedTeller · 03-19-2007, 10:54 PM

I would say the Sox might be better off with Gabbard and Snyder if I had any faith in the Sox's ability to judge relief pitchers. I guess by that I mean that if they *do* choose those two, they pretty much have proven to me that they would suck....

I don't see Snyder being the closer - more likely a setup guy. Actually, i could see Snyder starting as the long guy and Gabbard in AAA, which might well be good.

AutomatedTeller · 03-22-2007, 04:39 PM

And the answer is:

JONATHAN PAPELBON!!!

What do doctors know, anyway?

Assuming he can stay healthy, and Schilling is sure he will (see schilling's blog), this makes sense. Tavarez had success in the rotation last fall, and it leaves a spot for Lester when he comes back, Gabbard looks ready to contribute, and Papelbon instantly makes the Sox pen much stronger. I'm still not convinced that they have a good 8th inning guy to set up paps, but...

bedir than average · 03-22-2007, 06:31 PM

Red Sox return Papelpon to closer's role | Breaking news | Guardian Unlimited Sport

This move might have rescued one of my fantasy teams

Who will get the starter role? Lester?

Zen653 · 03-22-2007, 10:06 PM

AT, I'm happy with this decision. How about you? Papelbon can dominate as closer, and we have plenty of starting pitching options. Tavarez will be fine as the No. 5 guy. I prefer him to Snyder. Snyder always seemed to break down in the 4th or 5th inning. We could also give Gabbard a shot, and eventually Lester. Maybe Clemens in June. This is great news.

Goose · 03-22-2007, 10:50 PM

Damn. I was so looking forward to watching Jo-el get shelled in the 9th.

AutomatedTeller · 03-23-2007, 06:28 PM

My only worry is paps health, but it sounds like no one else is worried about it, so it's good for me.

It reduces risk for the Sox, is better in line with their talent (their young pitchers are closer to being 5th starters than closers)...

Only downside is for Shaughnessy, who can't spend all summer running down the Sox...

steeplechase3k · 03-23-2007, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AutomatedTeller

Only downside is for Shaughnessy, who can't spend all summer running down the Sox...

He'll find a way.

ingagi · 03-25-2007, 07:15 AM

Papelbon's shoulder I would worry about only a little, be interested in seeing how he does as a starter lator on.

AutomatedTeller · 03-26-2007, 05:05 PM

He threw a shot today, writing an article that was a not terribly funny satire on schilling's blog.

I actually laughed a little when i thought it was schilling, then I read it more, then I stopped, cause it was just sad...

ingagi · 03-26-2007, 07:16 PM

Shaughnessy seems to really dislike Schilling, sure. That was a pretty stupid article.

AutomatedTeller · 03-27-2007, 07:48 PM

they take shots at each other.

Here's a question about the pen:

We know papelon will be good to great.

Who will surprise us with a better season than expected?
Who will disappoint us?

I'm going to guess that Piniero will be more effective than thought and that Timlin never really gets it going.

Drury77 · 03-27-2007, 07:55 PM

I think Snyder could be a real surprise, if he can be consistent.

03-19-2007, 06:26 PM	#17 (permalink)
steeplechase3k Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 125	I was at one of Gabbard's starts is Seattle last year, and it was really odd. His stuff look pretty good (not great) but almost everything that got hit dropped in. I don't remember any balls getting hit right at fielders. He was amazingly unlucky. __________________ --There are some who call me... Tim.--

03-22-2007, 06:31 PM	#21 (permalink)
bedir than average Administrator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Starbucks Posts: 8,256	Red Sox return Papelpon to closer's role \| Breaking news \| Guardian Unlimited Sport This move might have rescued one of my fantasy teams Who will get the starter role? Lester? __________________ US Men's National Team World Cup Qualifying \| Democracy in Sports Meets My First Campaign "You're only so sure you're right because they're so sure you're wrong." Orson Scott Card in Xenocide

03-22-2007, 10:50 PM	#23 (permalink)
Goose Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Aberdeen,Wa Posts: 1,190	Damn. I was so looking forward to watching Jo-el get shelled in the 9th. __________________

03-27-2007, 07:55 PM	#30 (permalink)
Drury77 Hockey Community Mod Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Clarksville, TN Posts: 861	I think Snyder could be a real surprise, if he can be consistent. __________________ Visit Traci's Card Place \| Stop by the Bruins Forum \| Stop by the Predators Forum

03-19-2007, 02:12 PM	#16 (permalink)
Zen653 Hall of Famer Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 6,199	Kason Gabbard and Kyle Snyder have both looked very impressive in spring training. Gabbard's line: 10 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 7 K's, 4 BB. Snyder's line: 8 1/3 IP, 8 H, 2 ER, 9 K's, 4 BB. Why not carry Gabbard as the long reliever/spot starter out of the 'pen and use Snyder as the closer? Snyder has an outstanding K/9 ratio and seems to be very effective his first time through a lineup. He gets into trouble when he faces hitters for the second or third time. That won't be a problem if he's the closer. I think that trading younger and cheaper pitchers with upside like Gabbard and Snyder for recycled veteran retreads (which seems to be how the Red Sox are leaning) would be a colossal blunder. These guys can thrive in Boston if given the right role. I thought Gabbard acquitted himself surprisingly well in limited big league action last year. He's one of those guys who pitches better in the majors than in the minor leagues. He feels more motivated against big league hitters.

03-19-2007, 07:00 PM	#18 (permalink)
Zen653 Hall of Famer Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 6,199	I went to Gabbard's start against the White Sox at Fenway Park. He pitched 7 shutout innings against one of the top offenses in baseball. I was duly impressed. He had a low pitch count too. He could have tossed a complete game. Francona pulled him because of an injury concern.

03-19-2007, 10:54 PM	#19 (permalink)
AutomatedTeller Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 544	I would say the Sox might be better off with Gabbard and Snyder if I had any faith in the Sox's ability to judge relief pitchers. I guess by that I mean that if they do choose those two, they pretty much have proven to me that they would suck.... I don't see Snyder being the closer - more likely a setup guy. Actually, i could see Snyder starting as the long guy and Gabbard in AAA, which might well be good.

03-22-2007, 04:39 PM	#20 (permalink)
AutomatedTeller Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 544	And the answer is: JONATHAN PAPELBON!!! What do doctors know, anyway? Assuming he can stay healthy, and Schilling is sure he will (see schilling's blog), this makes sense. Tavarez had success in the rotation last fall, and it leaves a spot for Lester when he comes back, Gabbard looks ready to contribute, and Papelbon instantly makes the Sox pen much stronger. I'm still not convinced that they have a good 8th inning guy to set up paps, but...

03-22-2007, 10:06 PM	#22 (permalink)
Zen653 Hall of Famer Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 6,199	AT, I'm happy with this decision. How about you? Papelbon can dominate as closer, and we have plenty of starting pitching options. Tavarez will be fine as the No. 5 guy. I prefer him to Snyder. Snyder always seemed to break down in the 4th or 5th inning. We could also give Gabbard a shot, and eventually Lester. Maybe Clemens in June. This is great news.

03-23-2007, 06:28 PM	#24 (permalink)
AutomatedTeller Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 544	My only worry is paps health, but it sounds like no one else is worried about it, so it's good for me. It reduces risk for the Sox, is better in line with their talent (their young pitchers are closer to being 5th starters than closers)... Only downside is for Shaughnessy, who can't spend all summer running down the Sox...

03-25-2007, 07:15 AM	#26 (permalink)
ingagi Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 30	Papelbon's shoulder I would worry about only a little, be interested in seeing how he does as a starter lator on.

03-26-2007, 05:05 PM	#27 (permalink)
AutomatedTeller Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 544	He threw a shot today, writing an article that was a not terribly funny satire on schilling's blog. I actually laughed a little when i thought it was schilling, then I read it more, then I stopped, cause it was just sad...

03-26-2007, 07:16 PM	#28 (permalink)
ingagi Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 30	Shaughnessy seems to really dislike Schilling, sure. That was a pretty stupid article.

03-27-2007, 07:48 PM	#29 (permalink)
AutomatedTeller Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 544	they take shots at each other. Here's a question about the pen: We know papelon will be good to great. Who will surprise us with a better season than expected? Who will disappoint us? I'm going to guess that Piniero will be more effective than thought and that Timlin never really gets it going.