What to do with SP depth

Would be all for Cliff Lee on a minor league deal.

It would definitely be under the premise that he would have a shot to win a spot in the MLB rotation out of spring training. Under those circumstances, Lee could pick any number of teams with a lot more opportunity than the Red Sox, but I would still take a shot on him if I'm the Sox just on the chance he can come in and win a spot.

Miley the best option to be pitching in our rotation, or is he simply the most durable (we should be starting the pitcher that we think can be the most effective, not just give us the most innings)?





To many people here do not realize the importance of IP, it's not as if you can throw in any ol pitcher to fill in the gap or piggy back a start. Someone else categorically showed that Miley was indeed a # 3 on an average team. We don't want to be an average team, therefore Miley gets moved down the rotation. 
Fine, but lets not get carried away.


To many people are infatuated with the perception of a pitchers ceiling while dismissing that the floor of Miley is higher in every example provided (in relation to Kelly, Johnson, Owens and Wright). We have alot of pitchers whose floor is not clear, see Buchholz, Erod, Porcela, and anyone not named Price. Miley while not sexy is a know value whose extremely durable, and that is undervalued by to many here. Miley is way more valuable to this team because of that. 

Clay Buchholz is dependable in that you can depend on him not being around when needed. So why would you deal with that, because Owens (insert your player of choice here) can piggy back him?
So that's essentially wasting a roster spot for what? I've already shown that even expecting Clay to be good is akin to chasing fools gold. His last 2 seasons he's pitched more than 113 IP he's been a below average pitcher. Buchholz has tantilized everyone with glimpes of greatness from his second start (I saw his first 1) and that is why he'd be more valuable to another team. Package him with Kelly or one of Johnson/Owens and turn him into a #2-ish pitcher with 4+ years under his belt. We'd save money and have a better pitcher while maintaining depth with 3 of Kelly, Owens, Johnson and Wright still in tow. Or trade him for prospects and give one of Owens or Johnson a real chance.


In summary Buchholz floor is a burden we should not endure, his ceiling is teasing and should be used to lure others into believing maybe just maybe this is the year. Good luck with that.

EDIT: PS: I've stated the above as far back as the beginning of last season and was fooled myself into thinking maybe this year he does it, never again. I've made this point enough time that I'm done making it. 

Trade Owens before Fenway starts turning all those fly balls into extra base hits. I like him, but he's a poor fit for the park, and I worry that his value only goes down from here if he stays.

Now I would trade Miley, but the return would have to be really good. Would Cleveland do a Miley and JBJ for Carrasco or Salazar?

Nice, a lot of people are answering the "do we make a trade this offseason" part of the question. But my other question is, as of now, how would you assign the pitchers. I get that jobs can and should be won in ST, but humor me if you had to set the rotation/bullpen/AAA now.

He meant as the return in a deal, not returning to Boston for a second tour of duty.

Anyways, I would have no desire to do this deal. If healthy, (big caveat I know) Hanley should hit very well, and should be able to stay healthier as a very viable DH the following year. I'd move Sandoval before I ever move Hanley. Why would the Sox give up a part-time effective pitcher in Buchholz and include a guy like JBJ? What would Zunino give the Sox? They have Swihart behind the plate and Vazquez in AAA. I don't get it.

I'm not sure if this is the place to put it, but if the Sox can get a young #2 type pitcher and it costs them JBJ and Owens and a prospect not named Devers, Moncada, Espinoza, Benintendi or Kopech, I would think they could do it, but they would need to find an outfielder to replace JBJ (with Betts shifting to CF) and take a lot of ABs against righties. LH bats David Murphy or DeAza is the only name on the list that would make sense if the idea is to hang onto your draft pick (by not signing Gordon) and not get into another huge contract.

Perhaps Miley and or/ Kelly could fetch a LH corner OF that could at worst be a good platoon player?

You figure the rotation would be Price, young #2 pitcher acquisition - we'll call that guy Shelby Miller, Buchholz, Rodriguez, and Porcello with Wright, Johnson, and most likely Kelly the depth options.

I like Shelby Miller as a pitcher but I do wonder why the Cards didn't pitch him in the 2013 World Series, and I do wonder why they didn't make him untouchable in a deal for Heyward and why Atlanta now is dangling him. You think a 25 year old kid with his numbers would be a kid you'd want to hang onto. I'm just not sure what gives.

I do have to wonder, based on what BriSox is posting - if the Sox are to get the young pitcher he talks of, does that mean Devers is a goner? He mentioned giving up a prospect we'll scream bloody murder over. I can't imagine they deal Moncada, Benintendi, or Espinoza at this point, but I don't know that Devers is as "safe" as they are. So does this mean JBJ + Owens + Devers to get a guy like Shelby Miller?