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2018 Red Sox postseason roster
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Post by rjp313jr on Aug 24, 2018 6:56:23 GMT -5
I figured I would start a 2018 post season thread so people could discuss these things in one spot. Like who’s going to be on the roster, what’s the roster look like, who’s likely to start vs come off the bench, etc.
Last year the Red Sox (different manager) went with 11 pitchers and 14 position players so I figured, I’d take a look at that.
The interesting part is, in a lot of years they’ve kind of had a pinch running specialist, but that won’t be the case this year.
Pitchers (11):
Locks (8): Sale, Price, Porcello, Eovaldi, Kimbrel, Barnes, Brasier, Hembree
If healthy(1): Rodriguez
Bubble (pick 2): Kelley, Wright, Johnson, Velazquez, Workman, Pomeranz, Thornburg
*** subject to change, I would pick Workman and Johnson and Velazquez would be my toughest omission.
Catchers (3): Leon, Swithart, Vazquez
Infielders (7): Moreland, Bogaerts, Kinsler, Devers, Nunez, Holt, Pearce
Outfielders (4): Betts, Martinez, Benintendi, Bradley,
This is a bit misleading as Holt and Pearce can both play the outfield and Swithart can play in the field as well. I am not sure if they carry Vazquez or another pitcher. If Leon is going to start a lot of the games, then carrying Vazquez so you’re more comfortable pinch hitting for Leon makes a lot of sense.
In a surprise turn, one of the bigger questions September may have to answer is who starts at third base come playoff time? Devers is the easy answer, but theres a case to be made it should be Nunez.
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Post by Chris Hatfield on Aug 24, 2018 7:25:21 GMT -5
Let's keep this one to the Red Sox postseason roster since that's where you're going with it. If other topics come up worthy of discussion they can get threads.
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Post by FenwayFanatic on Aug 24, 2018 8:01:29 GMT -5
Wright and Kelly, I don’t think Johnson’s stuff plays as well in the pen, he’s more of an innings eater.
I don’t think we need 3 catcher, I’d rather they bring on a pinch running specialist like they did with Berry back in 2013.
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Post by soxfansince67 on Aug 24, 2018 8:03:49 GMT -5
My estimation of the roster
With no trades and all reasonable guesses on healthy bodies, here is my 25 the postseason
Sale Porcello Price ERod starters (4) Eovaldi Johnson Kimbrel Barnes Brasier Kelly Workman pen (7)
Leon Moreland Kinsler Bogaerts Devers Benintendi Betts Bradley JDM starters (9) Pearce Vazquez Holt Nunez Swihart bench (5)
If it is 12 pitchers, Hembree jumps back on, Vazquez comes off
Left off - Velazquez (tough call), Thornburg (unless he gets hot), Pomeranz (ditto), and Hembree - if Wright gets healthy, could bump Johnson or Brasier or Hembree (if he gets added).
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Post by patford on Aug 24, 2018 8:08:10 GMT -5
Wright and Kelly, I don’t think Johnson’s stuff plays as well in the pen, he’s more of an innings eater. I don’t think we need 3 catcher, I’d rather they bring on a pinch running specialist like they did with Berry back in 2013. If the thought was to add a pinch runner, what would be the downside of adding Jarren Duran ?
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Post by manfred on Aug 24, 2018 8:17:52 GMT -5
My estimation of the roster With no trades and all reasonable guesses on healthy bodies, here is my 25 the postseason Sale Porcello Price ERod starters (4) Eovaldi Johnson Kimbrel Barnes Brasier Kelly Workman pen (7) Leon Moreland Kinsler Bogaerts Devers Benintendi Betts Bradley JDM starters (9) Pearce Vazquez Holt Nunez Swihart bench (5) If it is 12 pitchers, Hembree jumps back on, Vazquez comes off Left off - Velazquez (tough call), Thornburg (unless he gets hot), Pomeranz (ditto), and Hembree - if Wright gets healthy, could bump Johnson or Brasier or Hembree (if he gets added). I’m not saying I disagree with you ideally — Workman has been good. But as controversial as Hembree is on these boards, he is 2nd in appearances on the team: Cora seems to like him. I’d be surprised if he doesn’t nake the roster, and I’d be stunned if he doesn’t make it in lieu of someone who has appeared far less.
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Post by awall on Aug 24, 2018 8:22:23 GMT -5
I really don't want to see Joe Kelly in any post-season games, my heart is not strong enough. I'd rather have a guy like Johnson or Velazquez who can eat innings if needed.
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Post by James Dunne on Aug 24, 2018 8:31:11 GMT -5
Wright and Kelly, I don’t think Johnson’s stuff plays as well in the pen, he’s more of an innings eater. I don’t think we need 3 catcher, I’d rather they bring on a pinch running specialist like they did with Berry back in 2013. If the thought was to add a pinch runner, what would be the downside of adding Jarren Duran ? You'd start using his options next year when he might not be close to a regular major league contributor until like 2022. Or you'd have to designate him for assignment to get him off the 40-man, exposing him to any team that wanted him.
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Post by rjp313jr on Aug 24, 2018 8:33:57 GMT -5
I’d like to see Workman in more high leverage spots in the coming weeks.
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Post by James Dunne on Aug 24, 2018 8:39:55 GMT -5
Tzu-Wei Lin has a profile that makes sense for a playoff roster, despite not really being a Dave Roberts-esque stolen base threat. He also provides the added benefit of being better at baseball than Eduardo Nunez.
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Post by mattpicard on Aug 24, 2018 10:41:02 GMT -5
Starters (4) Sale Price Porcello Rodriguez
Bullpen (8) Kimbrel Barnes Brasier Hembree Poyner Eovaldi Workman Johnson
Catchers (2) Leon Swihart
Infielders (7) Moreland Kinsler Devers Bogaerts Nunez or Holt Lin Pearce
Outfielders (4) Benintendi Bradley Betts Martinez
An open question is who do you want starting vs LHP at third base? Given Devers struggles vs them and his defensive inconsistency, I'd consider giving those starts to a more sure handed, RHH. The only problem is the only options we'll have for that are Nunez, unless we get Phillips on the roster soon. Holt has hit lefties fine (relative to his production vs RHP), but I'm not sure he's any better of a glove than Nunez at third.
I like the idea of Lin on the roster, although his defense all around the infield hasn't been quite as good as expected, at the major league level. SSS, though.
Give me Poyner as an option over Pomeranz and Kelly - would trust him a lot more. Went with Workman too, for similar reasons. No way Thornberg should be on the roster.
RE: the lineup: Platoon Moreland and Pearce at 1B; consider starting Nunez/Holt/Lin over Devers vs. a LHP; split Leon/Swihart evenly; keep Martinez at DH every game unless there's no DH.
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Post by redsox04071318champs on Aug 24, 2018 11:00:51 GMT -5
I would anticipate the post-season roster to look like this:
11 pitchers:
Sale, Price, Porcello, and E-Rod as the starters
Kimbrel, Barnes, Eovaldi, Brasier, Hembree, Kelly, Johnson in the bullpen
Leon, Moreland, Kinsler, Bogaerts, Devers, Benintendi, Bradley, Betts, and JDM as the starting 9
Swihart, Vazquez, Holt, Nunez, and Pearce as the bench brigade.
I think that ultimately Cora will go with Kelly, hoping that he's at his best come October, that his stuff plays up. I'm guessing that Cora puts Johnson on the roster because I think he has a lot of trust in him.
I think that Cora will use Eovaldi out of the pen and E-Rod will swing between the rotation and the pen later in a 7 game series if they get that far.
Wouldn't be shocked to see Sale in relief in a winner take all game.
The point I'm trying to make is that I'd anticipate seeing a lot of relief innings in the post-season taken up by starters.
Depending upon how Brasier, Kelly, Hembree look, if they struggle, I could very easily see Cora just going with Johnson for two or three innings or Eovaldi for two or three innings as an alternative.
One wildcard for the pen could be Wright, but it's hard to predict that he'll be able to make that roster. Maybe Lakins even gets a look. I'm guessing Thornburg, Velazquez, Workman, and Poyner get passed over.
I think Swihart will be the "pinch-runner", and his presence, along with Vazquez allows for Leon to be PH for when necessary.
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Post by manfred on Aug 24, 2018 11:08:02 GMT -5
I would anticipate the post-season roster to look like this: 11 pitchers: Sale, Price, Porcello, and E-Rod as the starters Kimbrel, Barnes, Eovaldi, Brasier, Hembree, Kelly, Johnson in the bullpen Leon, Moreland, Kinsler, Bogaerts, Devers, Benintendi, Bradley, Betts, and JDM as the starting 9 Swihart, Vazquez, Holt, Nunez, and Pearce as the bench brigade. I think that ultimately Cora will go with Kelly, hoping that he's at his best come October, that his stuff plays up. I'm guessing that Cora puts Johnson on the roster because I think he has a lot of trust in him. I think that Cora will use Eovaldi out of the pen and E-Rod will swing between the rotation and the pen later in a 7 game series if they get that far. Wouldn't be shocked to see Sale in relief in a winner take all game. The point I'm trying to make is that I'd anticipate seeing a lot of relief innings in the post-season taken up by starters. Depending upon how Brasier, Kelly, Hembree look, if they struggle, I could very easily see Cora just going with Johnson for two or three innings or Eovaldi for two or three innings as an alternative. One wildcard for the pen could be Wright, but it's hard to predict that he'll be able to make that roster. Maybe Lakins even gets a look. I'm guessing Thornburg, Velazquez, Workman, and Poyner get passed over. I think Swihart will be the "pinch-runner", and his presence, along with Vazquez allows for Leon to be PH for when necessary. I second this roster. You ride the horses what brung you here.
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Post by scottysmalls on Aug 24, 2018 13:07:43 GMT -5
My preferred roster:
Starters (4): Sale, Price, Porcello, Rodriguez
Bullpen (7): Kimbrel, Barnes, Brasier, Eovaldi, Wright, Hembree, Poyner
Catchers (3): Leon, Swihart, Vazquez
Infield (7): Moreland, Pearce, Kinsler, Holt, Bogaerts, Lin, Devers
Outfield (4): Betts, Bradley, Benintendi, Martinez
My prediction for the actual roster:
Johnson and Kelly instead of Wright and Poyner, Nunez instead of Lin.
Of course the outlook on the bullpen could certainly change through the end of the season, a lot depends on how Brasier, Thornburg, Kelly, Workman and Hembree perform. I don't know if Poyner will be given a shot but I'd like him to, it would be nice to have a strong lefty and I think he's around the same caliber of pitcher as a lot of those guys. Wright and Rodriguez would have to come back and show they are healthy enough and performing well, and of course Rodriguez looks closer to doing that than Wright, but I do think they will want to keep one of Johnson or Velazquez if he doesn't. Barring injury I don't see really any way the Sox take Lin over Nunez, and I do think there is something to be said for maintaining the chemistry of the guys who have played together all year, but I am of the camp that Lin is a better player in essentially every facet at this point. Vazquez also depends on health, but I like the flexibility having him there gives them with regards to pinch hitting or running with Sandy late in games. If he's out my preferred replacement at this point would probably be Workman, although I'd expect them to take another fielder (whichever of Nunez/Holt/Lin would otherwise be left out).
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Post by umassgrad2005 on Aug 24, 2018 14:19:25 GMT -5
It's crazy interesting for such a dominate team it sure does seem that September could very well determine a rather large percentage of our postseason roster. Bullpen of 7 or 8 guys, in a lot of ways depends on how Vazquez looks. Which brings us to the other great question of 2 or 3 catchers. The idea of Lin is also a really interesting, he's been great in AAA. For me its going to be about how this guys look in September. The way Thornburg, Hembree and Kelly are pitching right now I don't want any of them pitching in the postseason. Right now I'd have Kimbrel, Barnes, Braiser, Eovaldi/ERod, and Workman. Not sure if in the playoffs with a starter in the pen you need Velazquez, Johnson, or Pomeranz. Wright could also be an option, as could Lakin, Poyner, Shawaryn, or heck even Maddox now that he is on rehab(seems highly unlikely though).
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Post by jerrygarciaparra on Aug 24, 2018 15:30:08 GMT -5
Is having 3 catchers normal ? I don't see the reason. I wouldn't give Vasquez a shot unless injury. I also don't see that as being a tough call.
I mean, Nunez or another pitcher deserves the spot. What does Vasquez add ? I don't see it.....at all.
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Post by orion09 on Aug 24, 2018 15:57:04 GMT -5
Is having 3 catchers normal ? I don't see the reason. I wouldn't give Vasquez a shot unless injury. I also don't see that as being a tough call. I mean, Nunez or another pitcher deserves the spot. What does Vasquez add ? I don't see it.....at all. Yeah, unless he’s on one of his offensive tears come late September, I’m not sure I want to see Vasquez take a spot. Swihart has higher offensive upside, and I’m not sure that Vasquez’s defense/gamecalling this year has been anywhere near good enough this year to justify carrying a 3rd catcher.
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Post by rjp313jr on Aug 24, 2018 16:10:00 GMT -5
Is having 3 catchers normal ? I don't see the reason. I wouldn't give Vasquez a shot unless injury. I also don't see that as being a tough call. I mean, Nunez or another pitcher deserves the spot. What does Vasquez add ? I don't see it.....at all. Teams hate pinch hitting for a and catcher not having a backup available. Say it’s a big AB in the 5th or 6th inning and Leon is starting. You want to pinch hit for him, but you only have Swithart on the bench. Would they do it or resist because there’s too much game left to role without a backup catcher? If Vasquez is there they can pinch it without hesitation. Is that more or less valuable than having Lin? I don’t know the answer. Also a factor, does Erod or someone else throw a lot better to Vazquez? Swithart can really be looked at as a super utility guy who catches so it’s not like you just have 3 catchers.
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Post by rjp313jr on Aug 24, 2018 16:11:14 GMT -5
Starters (4)Sale Price Porcello Rodriguez Bullpen (8)Kimbrel Barnes Brasier Hembree Poyner Eovaldi Workman Johnson Catchers (2)Leon Swihart Infielders (7)Moreland Kinsler Devers Bogaerts Nunez or Holt Lin Pearce Outfielders (4)Benintendi Bradley Betts Martinez An open question is who do you want starting vs LHP at third base? Given Devers struggles vs them and his defensive inconsistency, I'd consider giving those starts to a more sure handed, RHH. The only problem is the only options we'll have for that are Nunez, unless we get Phillips on the roster soon. Holt has hit lefties fine (relative to his production vs RHP), but I'm not sure he's any better of a glove than Nunez at third. I like the idea of Lin on the roster, although his defense all around the infield hasn't been quite as good as expected, at the major league level. SSS, though. Give me Poyner as an option over Pomeranz and Kelly - would trust him a lot more. Went with Workman too, for similar reasons. No way Thornberg should be on the roster. RE: the lineup: Platoon Moreland and Pearce at 1B; consider starting Nunez/Holt/Lin over Devers vs. a LHP; split Leon/Swihart evenly; keep Martinez at DH every game unless there's no DH. Poyner? Are you sitting with Pedro? Right now, Nunez is playing well. He looks healthy and has been better than people are making him out to be. He’s the guy who starts versus a lefty in my opinion.
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Post by scottysmalls on Aug 24, 2018 16:22:19 GMT -5
Is having 3 catchers normal ? I don't see the reason. I wouldn't give Vasquez a shot unless injury. I also don't see that as being a tough call. I mean, Nunez or another pitcher deserves the spot. What does Vasquez add ? I don't see it.....at all. My thought is carrying a third catcher lets you say pinch run (or hit) for Moreland and Leon in the same game and have a catcher still available. It also allows them to deploy Swihart more creatively, and if he's hitting well in September and the Sox believe he's more productive than Leon or some of the pitchers prefer working with him he would be a good candidate to start some games. Nunez I think could be a decent pinch runner or right handed hitting option, but would be worse at those things than Lin, and an extra pitcher would be unnecessary unless they had a long extra inning game or something.
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Post by jerrygarciaparra on Aug 24, 2018 16:32:27 GMT -5
Thanks for the responses, guys. I just have a hard time giving a guy a spot who is such an empty at bat. I hate saying that, but he's -.9 bWAR this year. You guys know all the stats, but I think he was one of the worst offensive players in all of MLB this year.
We are gonna need some offense against good staffs.
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Post by scottysmalls on Aug 24, 2018 16:36:46 GMT -5
Thanks for the responses, guys. I just have a hard time giving a guy a spot who is such an empty at bat. I hate saying that, but he's -.9 bWAR this year. You guys know all the stats, but I think he was one of the worst offensive players in all of MLB this year. We are gonna need some offense against good staffs. The point is not for him to hit, it's that him being there allows you to pinch hit for Leon in high leverage situations. Or he can start and then Leon being there let's you pinch hit for Vazquez (they're essentially equally miserable hitters this year and historically). I would argue it helps the offense more, whereas having Nunez (or Lin) on the bench in addition to the other of the pair would give you basically a redundant pinch hitter/runner that doesn't add real value over the guys you already have.
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Post by dmaineah on Aug 24, 2018 16:45:30 GMT -5
My Playoff Roster would be;
Sale, Porcello, Price, E. Rod
Kimbrel, Barnes, Hembree, Brasier, Kelly, Johnson, Workman, Velázquez
Leon, Moreland, Kinsler, Bogaerts, Devers, Benintendi, JBJ, Betts, JD
Swihart, Pearce, Nunez, Holt
I want a 12th pitcher & Vazquez is my pick. And I love the 4 players on the bench especially Pearce & Nunez to start or pinch hit vs a Lefty.
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danr
Veteran
Posts: 1,871
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Post by danr on Aug 24, 2018 18:22:30 GMT -5
What if Chavis keeps raking at Pawtucket, might he be a dark horse candidate for the post-season roster?
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Post by dmaineah on Aug 24, 2018 18:32:39 GMT -5
What if Chavis keeps raking at Pawtucket, might he be a dark horse candidate for the post-season roster? They only have 39 on the 40 man with a week to go. How about Austin Maddox? He was on last years post season roster.
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