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Sox sign Javier Lopez and Steven Randolph


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Randolph is a puzzle, since he has above-average pitches-an 88-92 MPH fastball with movement, a slider that is tough on lefthanded hitters and a changeup-but no command of them. Part of the problem is that his head does not remain still through his delivery.

 

Isn't this almost exactly what Neal Cotts problem was when he was walking 6 guys per 9 innings?

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QUOTE(SSH2005 @ Jan 10, 2006 -> 06:46 AM)
Haha, what do ya know...

 

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/news/030318lopez.html

KW probably really wanted Mike Myers so after he missed out on him he went and got a poor-man's version of him.  I think this guy will end up winning the LOOGY job after a good ST.

That article was written in March of 2003, so after the 2002 minor league season. He was decent for Col in 2003 and has been brutal ever since. Nothing should be expected of this guy except maybe to help the Sox get losses out of their system by the time the regular season rolls around.

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That article was written in March of 2003, so after the 2002 minor league season. He was decent for Col in 2003 and has been brutal ever since. Nothing should be expected of this guy except maybe to help the Sox get losses out of their system by the time the regular season rolls around.

Unless KW swings a trade for a lefty, one of the following guys is probably going to be in our bullpen...

 

Chad Bentz

Javier Lopez

Arnie Munoz

Stephen Randolph

Paulino Reynoso

David Sanders

various other non-roster invitee lefties

 

Unfortunately, you should probably get used to the idea. The Sox aren't just signing all of these guys for Charlotte.

Edited by SSH2005
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QUOTE(Dam8610 @ Jan 10, 2006 -> 06:51 AM)
The front is weak? Does "front" in this case mean 6th/7th inning guys? Because we still have, Jenks, Cotts, Politte, and (if healthy) Hermanson.

yes...........jennks cotts politte hermanson = back end of the bullpen

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Isn't this almost exactly what Neal Cotts problem was when he was walking 6 guys per 9 innings?

Sort of. Cotts was actually looking at the ground during his delivery instead of keeping his focus on his target. Cooper fixed it and Cotts went on to have a great season.

 

Randolph was a first baseman in college. Maybe he was just never able to hone his control as a pitcher.

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QUOTE(SSH2005 @ Jan 10, 2006 -> 07:21 AM)
Unless KW swings a trade for a lefty, one of the following guys is probably going to be in our bullpen...

 

Chad Bentz

Javier Lopez

Arnie Munoz

Stephen Randolph

Paulino Reynoso

David Sanders

various other non-roster invitee lefties

 

Unfortunately, you should probably get used to the idea.  The Sox aren't just signing all of these guys for Charlotte.

 

 

Sanders was outrighted last year, so that doesn't exactly help his chances. :D

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QUOTE(SSH2005 @ Jan 10, 2006 -> 07:21 AM)
Unless KW swings a trade for a lefty, one of the following guys is probably going to be in our bullpen...

 

Chad Bentz

Javier Lopez

Arnie Munoz

Stephen Randolph

Paulino Reynoso

David Sanders

various other non-roster invitee lefties

 

Unfortunately, you should probably get used to the idea.  The Sox aren't just signing all of these guys for Charlotte.

A few of them will probably be released. They are hoping the catch lightening in a bottle, if not send them to Charlotte or send them home. Of that list Munoz seems the best, and that's not saying much.

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QUOTE(SSH2005 @ Jan 10, 2006 -> 07:38 AM)
Couldn't Sanders just be a non-roster invitee to Spring Training?

 

I'm not sure how long he's been in the org, but he might have been an FA after last year.

 

Still having a spot on the 40 wouldn't hurt, that's for sure, but he could get invited, probably will if he's still in the org. I mean only a couple of these guys are on the 40, but I think if the Sox thought he still had a chance to help he probably would have stayed on.

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I'm not sure how long he's been in the org, but he might have been an FA after last year.

 

Still having a spot on the 40 wouldn't hurt, that's for sure, but he could get invited, probably will if he's still in the org. I mean only a couple of these guys are on the 40, but I think if the Sox thought he still had a chance to help he probably would have stayed on.

You're right...

 

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/teamTransacti...ategoryId=71590

10/12  David Sanders (P) Refused Minor League Assignment - Free Agent

10/6  David Sanders (P) Outrighted to Minors

HE GONE!!!

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McCarthy, as of right now, is Vizcaino's replacement. That is a step forward. The only open spot right now is Marte's replacement. Whoever it is will only be used as a lefty specialist and will undoubtedly be the last arm out of the pen. If there's one weakness in the pen, I much prefer it to be that spot.

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After looking at the stats for those 2, I am inclined to thnk that both will be a flop in our minor league system. As was mentioned earlier in the thread, Lopez had a pretty good year in 2003 I believe it was but seemed to have gone down hill ever since. Unless some good coaching at the minor league level might change things with them.

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QUOTE(robinventura23 @ Jan 10, 2006 -> 01:18 PM)
It probably doesn't mean anything considering he pitched in Arizona and had a 9.something ERA, but I wonder if Lopez's #'s were inflated due to pitching in Colorado?

 

His numbers were effected because he sucked...not because of thin air.

 

Personally...not a huge fan of Lopez...I just don't like him for some reason. And yet, for some reason, I do like Randolph. I am not sure why...probably the great stuff.

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His numbers were effected because he sucked...not because of thin air.

 

Personally...not a huge fan of Lopez...I just don't like him for some reason.  And yet, for some reason, I do like Randolph.  I am not sure why...probably the great stuff.

Great stuff means nothing when you have Rick Ankiel-like control.

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QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Jan 10, 2006 -> 07:13 AM)
Isn't this almost exactly what Neal Cotts problem was when he was walking 6 guys per 9 innings?

I'm no expert on mechanics but this gives me chance to note how well Ozzie handles his players. Even in '04, everytime he brought Cotts in it was for a mission and only a mission he could do. Get this guy and the next one and we'll get you out of here, so don't worry about nothing else. Cotts has grown tremendously and has been given more and more difficult missions, but always missions both he and Ozzie knows he can do.

 

Contrast that with JM and the famous Yankee stadium start, the wieght of team is on you boy, go get them.

 

I think Oz has shown a marveleous ability to use the best parts of the talent on his teams. So they might keep some obscure guy, to our amazement, only to be there for a mission the Ozzie wants done.

Edited by TLAK
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I really don't think this is that bad that the Sox are going to have to bring one of these guys into be the LOOGY. I mean, one of them has to have put up decent enough career splits vs. Lefties to be a sufficient number 2lefty out of the 'pen. As long as Ozzie realizes that to be a LOOGY, you have to be able to get lefties out (and to only come in in "one out" situations!), none of these guys will have any significant impact on the season even if they perform at replacement level.

 

The Bullpen might not be as good as last year, but than again the whole pitching staff figures to regress to the mean. But the offense is better, much better. That is the risk KW is taking, I figure it to be a good one.

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