Bullpen Discussion

[NorthSideSox72]

I am going to assume that Richard is a lock to make the pen at least, if not the rotation possibly. Here are the rest of the candidates (including a couple who are in rotation consideration), for the 2 to 3 open bullpen slots (in order of IP), through today’s game…

 

Carrasco (7 games): 11 IP, 8.18 ERA, 1.82 WHIP, 8/3 K/BB

Egbert (6 games): 11 IP, 1.64 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 10/3 K/BB

Poreda (3 games): 9 IP, 2.00 ERA, 0.67 WHIP, 6/1 K/BB

Marquez (3 games): 8.1 IP, 4.32 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 7/2 K/BB

Broadway (5 games): 7.2 IP, 5.87 ERA, 1.57 WHIP, 7/5 K/BB

MacDougal (7 games): 7 IP, 3.86 ERA, 1.57 WHIP, 11/5 K/BB

Russell (6 games): 6.1 IP, 11.37 ERA, 1.89 WHIP, 7/3 K/BB

German (6 games): 6 IP, 6.00 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 4/1 K/BB

Wassermann (6 games): 5 IP, 7.20 ERA, 1.80 WHIP, 5/1 K/BB

 

One thing that sticks out to me about the whole group – they are throwing strikes. Very solid K/BB ratio for most (except Broadway and MacDougal).

 

So who should stay, who should go, when should they go? Discuss.

 

EDIT: Added F German

 

[103 mph screwball]

I wish I knew who had options left. There might be someone who makes it just because they don't want to release him like Masset. I think Egbert has earned a shot.

[bigruss]

I would like to see Egbert and Marquez at the MLB level, atleast see what they can do. But they seem to be very similar in terms of stuff (mainly the sinkerball).

 

Carrasco was great for us last year, but I think it was just a hot streak sort of thing for him.

 

Wasserman needs to prove that he can get guys out again before he makes the team, and Russell has just been a disappointment (which sucks because he has my name )

 

MacD may be good in nonpressure situations again, but you never really know if hes gonna throw up walks or strikeouts.

[elrockinMT]

I think DJ Carrasco might be playing himself out of a job right now. Unless he is one of those that the whole ST is what he needs to finally come around, but he seems to be getting banged around pretty good almost every appearance.

Edited March 17, 2009 by elrockinMT

[Heads22]

I wish I knew who had options left. There might be someone who makes it just because they don't want to release him like Masset. I think Egbert has earned a shot.

 

Kalapse's delicious payroll resource lists option years remaining.

[NorthSideSox72]

While I don't think its time yet to make final decisions, I do think I'd make these two:

 

--give Poreda one more start, and then send him to minor league camp, and to AAA, to start there and work on those breakers

 

--Send Russell to minor league camp - its not just his numbers, his delivery is all over the place. He needs more seasoning in AAA.

 

That reduces the list from 8 to 6, and they can get more innings.

 

[jphat007]

Those numbers for DJ are incorrect btw. He has a 5.40 era but im too lazy to look up his whip

[Balta1701]

I note that you didn't include Nunez on your list. Did he get reassigned while I wasn't watching? As of the last stat update he hasn't given up a run in A games, although he got hit around a bit in a B game IIRC.

[Kenny Hates Prospects]

While I don't think its time yet to make final decisions, I do think I'd make these two:

 

--give Poreda one more start, and then send him to minor league camp, and to AAA, to start there and work on those breakers

 

--Send Russell to minor league camp - its not just his numbers, his delivery is all over the place. He needs more seasoning in AAA.

 

That reduces the list from 8 to 6, and they can get more innings.

I want Poreda starting in the minors too, but I'd keep him in MLB camp. I'd want him to go down confident in himself and believing he's close to making the team. I'd save him for the last round of cuts actually. The other guys are going to play themselves out of jobs well before the last few days of ST.

 

I'd send Russell down too. I'd send Broadway down as well, and I'd be close on Wassermann. I like Wassermann a lot and think he can be a good righty specialist in the Majors, but it doesn't appear Ozzie wants to groom him specifically for that role; he appears to want Ehren as a LR if he's going to make the team. So, I'd send him down and then try to trade him once he's posting an ERA under 2.00 with virtually no walks and a minuscule WHIP in Charlotte again.

 

MacDougal would be a guy I'd want to make the team. Hopefully he has a nice ST and a few good outings with the big club, then maybe some team will want him for a non-prospect if the Sox eat $1M this year and cover the buyout. Maybe it sounds strange to think of anyone wanting MacDougal for any price, and maybe it sounds strange to imagine anyone being deceived by a quality run from the guy, but the guy has the exact type of arm that makes general managers do stupid things.

 

 

[NorthSideSox72]

Those numbers for DJ are incorrect btw. He has a 5.40 era but im too lazy to look up his whip

Note that I included today's game. They are correct.

 

[SouthsideDon48]

I still think Franklyn German should be considered to be in the running for a bullpen spot. He should be ranked above Russell and Wassermann.

[NorthSideSox72]

I still think Franklyn German should be considered to be in the running for a bullpen spot. He should be ranked above Russell and Wassermann.

I figured German was AAA fodder from the get-go, but, I see your point. I'll add him to the initial post.

 

[NorthSideSox72]

Those numbers for DJ are incorrect btw. He has a 5.40 era but im too lazy to look up his whip

Wait - someone in the game thread said that even though Gameday showed Carrasco pitching, the box score now shows Braun. I'll wait until tomorrow to see which is correct. If it was Braun, then I'll update DJ's numbers.

 

[jphat007]

Wait - someone in the game thread said that even though Gameday showed Carrasco pitching, the box score now shows Braun. I'll wait until tomorrow to see which is correct. If it was Braun, then I'll update DJ's numbers.

 

White Sox on the mound: Lefty Clayton Richard solidified his position as an insurance policy for the starting rotation in case Bartolo Colon or Jose Contreras aren't ready when the season begins, tossing five innings and giving up two runs on three hits while striking out one, walking one and hitting a batter. He threw 69 pitches, 41 of them strikes. D.J. Carrasco relieved Richard with a scoreless frame, but White Sox pitcher Ryan Braun was touched for four runs on three hits in the seventh. Lance Broadway pitched a scoreless ninth, but then gave up the winning run in the 10th on a wild pitch.

[Balta1701]

I figured German was AAA fodder from the get-go, but, I see your point. I'll add him to the initial post.

Still no Nunez?

[NorthSideSox72]

Still no Nunez?

He's pitched a grand total of 27 innings above A ball. Does anyone think he's actually a candidate for the pen?

 

[NorthSideSox72]

White Sox on the mound: Lefty Clayton Richard solidified his position as an insurance policy for the starting rotation in case Bartolo Colon or Jose Contreras aren't ready when the season begins, tossing five innings and giving up two runs on three hits while striking out one, walking one and hitting a batter. He threw 69 pitches, 41 of them strikes. D.J. Carrasco relieved Richard with a scoreless frame, but White Sox pitcher Ryan Braun was touched for four runs on three hits in the seventh. Lance Broadway pitched a scoreless ninth, but then gave up the winning run in the 10th on a wild pitch.

Hm. Last time I trust Gameday.

 

I'll adjust tomorrow.

 

[CaliSoxFanViaSWside]

And what about Randy Williams ? Zero ERA so far veteran lefty. He hasn't eliminated himself from the competition yet.

[SouthsideDon48]

sorry if I'm veering a little of-topic in this thread, but... am I the only one who enjoy games more when the bullpens get involved? I dunno, maybe it's just me, but I always enjoyed the merry-go-round of relief pitchers being used in late innings than seeing the same pitcher during an entire game. It mixes things up and makes things interesting.

[NorthSideSox72]

OK, I corrected Carrasco's numbers, and added Roy Williams, so here is the new list:

 

Egbert (6 games): 11 IP, 1.64 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 10/3 K/BB

Carrasco (7 games): 10 IP, 5.40 ERA, 1.60 WHIP, 8/3 K/BB

Poreda (3 games): 9 IP, 2.00 ERA, 0.67 WHIP, 6/1 K/BB

Marquez (3 games): 8.1 IP, 4.32 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 7/2 K/BB

Williams (8 games): 8 IP, 0.00 ERA, 0.50 WHIP, 5/2 K/BB

Broadway (5 games): 7.2 IP, 5.87 ERA, 1.57 WHIP, 7/5 K/BB

MacDougal (7 games): 7 IP, 3.86 ERA, 1.57 WHIP, 11/5 K/BB

Russell (6 games): 6.1 IP, 11.37 ERA, 1.89 WHIP, 7/3 K/BB

German (6 games): 6 IP, 6.00 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 4/1 K/BB

Wassermann (6 games): 5 IP, 7.20 ERA, 1.80 WHIP, 5/1 K/BB

 

Though I doubt that Williams is under serious consideration. He hasn't seen the majors since 2005, has a career ERA of 6.68, and was signed to a minor league deal.

 

[Harry Chappas]

OK, I corrected Carrasco's numbers, and added Roy Williams, so here is the new list:

 

Egbert (6 games): 11 IP, 1.64 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 10/3 K/BB

Carrasco (7 games): 10 IP, 5.40 ERA, 1.60 WHIP, 8/3 K/BB

Poreda (3 games): 9 IP, 2.00 ERA, 0.67 WHIP, 6/1 K/BB

Marquez (3 games): 8.1 IP, 4.32 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 7/2 K/BB

Williams (8 games): 8 IP, 0.00 ERA, 0.50 WHIP, 5/2 K/BB

Broadway (5 games): 7.2 IP, 5.87 ERA, 1.57 WHIP, 7/5 K/BB

MacDougal (7 games): 7 IP, 3.86 ERA, 1.57 WHIP, 11/5 K/BB

Russell (6 games): 6.1 IP, 11.37 ERA, 1.89 WHIP, 7/3 K/BB

German (6 games): 6 IP, 6.00 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 4/1 K/BB

Wassermann (6 games): 5 IP, 7.20 ERA, 1.80 WHIP, 5/1 K/BB

 

Though I doubt that Williams is under serious consideration. He hasn't seen the majors since 2005, has a career ERA of 6.68, and was signed to a minor league deal.

 

But he is left handed which the Sox only have one of for sure. I think they take a flyer on him and hope for a career year type of thing. Richard and Poreda can be sent down to start.

[NorthSideSox72]

But he is left handed which the Sox only have one of for sure. I think they take a flyer on him and hope for a career year type of thing. Richard and Poreda can be sent down to start.

I think Richard is 99% sure to make the bullpen, where he appears to be very effective.

 

[DBAHO]

Not a good time for Adam Russell to be having a bad spring training ATM.

[southsider2k5]

So we are saying

 

Jenks

Thornton

Dotel

Linebrink are 100% in

 

With Clayton Richard in as long as he isn't a starter.

 

For my money, I want to see both Marquez and Poreda in Charlotte starting if Richard is in the pen. After that I would go with DJ Carrasco and Lance Broadway as the garbage man.

 

If the Sox think Poreda's future is in the pen, then go ahead and bring him north. If not, send him to Charlotte and let him work on his third pitch.

[scenario]

But Williams is left handed which the Sox only have one of for sure. I think they take a flyer on him and hope for a career year type of thing. Richard and Poreda can be sent down to start.

 

I think it's unlikely that Williams comes north with the Sox because of the 40-man roster issues involved.

 

We don't have alot of room for movement unless someone on the current 40-man is dealt.

 

 

So we are saying

 

Jenks

Thornton

Dotel

Linebrink are 100% in

 

With Clayton Richard in as long as he isn't a starter.

 

For my money, I want to see both Marquez and Poreda in Charlotte starting if Richard is in the pen. After that I would go with DJ Carrasco and Lance Broadway as the garbage man.

 

If the Sox think Poreda's future is in the pen, then go ahead and bring him north. If not, send him to Charlotte and let him work on his third pitch.

 

I think Egbert has as good of a chance as either Carrasco or Broadway because of his hard-sinker/changeup combo. His changeup is very good... a plus pitch that could get major league hitters out right now. And pitchers with good changeups and control are pretty valuable assets in a bullpen. That plus he does not give up many homeruns.

Edited March 18, 2009 by scenario