Report: Julian Tavarez will be the No. 5

Zen653 · 03-23-2007, 01:32 AM

I like this decision. Tavarez pitches at his best when he has a set role. He flourished as a starting pitcher late last season. He should be a good stopgap to Lester or Clemens. As a groundball pitcher with a rubber arm, I predict that he'll be an innings-eater too. I could envision a scenario where the Red Sox decide that they'd rather pull Wakefield out of the rotation, if they eventually make a move for another starter.

Quote:

Tavarez opened eyes late last season, when he was thrust into a starting role due to injuries and Jon Lester [stats]’s illness, and he responded by going undefeated in six starts (3-0, 4.01 ERA). The 33-year-old was 1-0 with a 3.55 ERA in seven relief appearances this spring but immediately shifted focus yesterday and began to build up arm strength by starting in a minor league game. Tavarez pitched for Single-A Lancaster against Lynchburg and tossed 3 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing four hits and one walk, while striking out four batters. He threw 63 pitches, including 40 strikes.

“I thought he did a great job in September,” manager Terry Francona said. “He has the ability to give us five, six, seven innings, so I don’t think (endurance) will be a problem. He has a knack for having some quick innings, wiggling out of the nasty innings, and when we get to the sixth, he’s out there with a pretty good chance to win.”

Tavarez, who will make his regular-season debut on April 7 at Texas, pitched the Sox’ only victorious, nine-inning complete game with a 7-1 win at Toronto on Sept. 22. It was the Sox’ first one since Tim Wakefield [stats] defeated the Angels, 3-2, on Sept. 6, 2005.

A starter at heart: Tavarez happy in new role - Boston Red Sox - BostonHerald.com

steeplechase3k · 03-23-2007, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zen653

they'd rather pull Wakefield out of the rotation, if they eventually make a move for another starter.

The problem is Wakefield has been at his best the he has a set role too.

Also the idea of a knuckle baller comming in with men on scares the crap out of me.

AutomatedTeller · 03-23-2007, 06:30 PM

I think we shouldn't bank on Roger coming back. Tavarez->Lester, or Gabbard or Snyder or someone, but probably not Roger.

Zen653 · 03-24-2007, 02:49 PM

Even without Clemens, I think we'll be surprised by the production we get from our No. 5 starter this year. I'm comfortable with Tavarez as a starter, and I'm very high on both Kason Gabbard and Devern Hansack. Lester should be solid too, though his high walk rates and propensity to pitch into jams concerns me. He was a lucky 7-2 last year. I also wouldn't count out Dave Pauley or Abe Alvarez. Or even Runleavys Hernandez. Pauley features a superb 12 to 6 curveball. With a little more seasoning at AAA, I think he can be a decent fourth or fifth starter. We saw him pitch well against the Yankees. Alvarez is more of a finesse guy who I think will eventually move to the Pawtucket bullpen, where he'll compete with Breslow and Lopez as a lefthanded specialist. As for Hernandez, he had his good moments in Kansas City. If he can find what made him successful in the past, he could be every bit as good, if not better, now. Allan Baird, the former Kansas City GM and current Red Sox front office assistant, heavily recruited Hernandez to the Boston organization.

Drury77 · 03-25-2007, 07:18 AM

If Tavarez can give us 5 to 6 decent innings and keep us in the game on his starts, I would think with our lineup, we should be able to get the runs to win more times than not.

ingagi · 03-25-2007, 03:40 PM

Sure why not give him a shot? as said, he was quite effective late in the year as a starter.

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

If our 5th starter can put up an ERA below 5.00, it will be a huge improvement over last year. Course, if our #2 can do that, it will be an improvement over last year....

I doubt Tavarez will end up being effective over the full season - while it's nice that the Sox have a lot of options, there is a worry that they will use all those options and none of them get a chance to get themselves established.

But it's better to have options than to have to sign Kevin Jarvis in June...

03-25-2007, 07:18 AM	#5 (permalink)
Drury77 Hockey Community Mod Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Clarksville, TN Posts: 894	If Tavarez can give us 5 to 6 decent innings and keep us in the game on his starts, I would think with our lineup, we should be able to get the runs to win more times than not. __________________ Visit Traci's Card Place \| Stop by the Bruins Forum \| Stop by the Predators Forum

03-23-2007, 06:30 PM	#3 (permalink)
AutomatedTeller Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 545	I think we shouldn't bank on Roger coming back. Tavarez->Lester, or Gabbard or Snyder or someone, but probably not Roger.

03-24-2007, 02:49 PM	#4 (permalink)
Zen653 Hall of Famer Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 6,902	Even without Clemens, I think we'll be surprised by the production we get from our No. 5 starter this year. I'm comfortable with Tavarez as a starter, and I'm very high on both Kason Gabbard and Devern Hansack. Lester should be solid too, though his high walk rates and propensity to pitch into jams concerns me. He was a lucky 7-2 last year. I also wouldn't count out Dave Pauley or Abe Alvarez. Or even Runleavys Hernandez. Pauley features a superb 12 to 6 curveball. With a little more seasoning at AAA, I think he can be a decent fourth or fifth starter. We saw him pitch well against the Yankees. Alvarez is more of a finesse guy who I think will eventually move to the Pawtucket bullpen, where he'll compete with Breslow and Lopez as a lefthanded specialist. As for Hernandez, he had his good moments in Kansas City. If he can find what made him successful in the past, he could be every bit as good, if not better, now. Allan Baird, the former Kansas City GM and current Red Sox front office assistant, heavily recruited Hernandez to the Boston organization.

03-25-2007, 03:40 PM	#6 (permalink)
ingagi Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 32	Sure why not give him a shot? as said, he was quite effective late in the year as a starter.

03-26-2007, 05:03 PM	#7 (permalink)
AutomatedTeller Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 545	If our 5th starter can put up an ERA below 5.00, it will be a huge improvement over last year. Course, if our #2 can do that, it will be an improvement over last year.... I doubt Tavarez will end up being effective over the full season - while it's nice that the Sox have a lot of options, there is a worry that they will use all those options and none of them get a chance to get themselves established. But it's better to have options than to have to sign Kevin Jarvis in June...