southsider2k5 Posted September 22, 2014 Share Posted September 22, 2014 Just as a FWIW, this is what the Sox pen numbers look like from September this year... http://espn.go.com/mlb/team/stats/pitching...icago-white-sox Guys like Guerra and Surkamp are making nice cases for the pen next year. Cleto has been better, but he also still hasn't stopped walking guys, meaning he is usually one big hit away from a disaster. Lindstrom has been getting guys out better, but he isn't striking out or walking anyone. Same with Bellisario. Webb and Snodgress have been pretty bad. Pertrika and Putnam have been pretty meh. The reason I look at this is I wonder if guys like Guerra and Surkamp are winning roster spots for next year? I see no way they bring back Bellisario, and probably not Lindstrom either. Webb might be pitching himself back to Charlotte next year. Cleto probably doesn't have a job for next year either. I see Pertricka, Putnam, Guerra, and Surkamp back in 2015. I see Lindstrom and Bellisario out of the organization. I see Cleto and Snodgress getting ST invites, but being on the outside looking in to win jobs. Webb I see in competition for the last spot with other invitees. With that in mind, I would guess we see a righty and a lefty signed in the off-season to real contracts, along with a couple of other random invites to fight for a position in the pen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorthSideSox72 Posted September 22, 2014 Share Posted September 22, 2014 My personal view is that Snodgress is more likely than Surkamp to get a lefty roll in the 2015 bullpen. I think he's got a better upside for that role. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigruss Posted September 22, 2014 Share Posted September 22, 2014 How the front office treats the BP will tell a lot on what they expect from the upcoming season. If they go out and spend money on it (aka a few good pitchers) then they feel they can start really competing (.500 and above/shot at the 2nd wildcard) or they will continue to go young and use a variety of our pitching prospects and maybe bring in a few vets to compete but not on decent size contracts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fathom Posted September 22, 2014 Share Posted September 22, 2014 QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Sep 22, 2014 -> 09:31 PM) I see Pertricka, Putnam, Guerra, and Surkamp back in 2015. I see Lindstrom and Bellisario out of the organization. Good thread, and I agree with what you said here. However, I fully expect the Sox to spend a good amount of money on a closer and set-up man. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
witesoxfan Posted September 22, 2014 Share Posted September 22, 2014 Even with the cost being abnormally high for relievers, the Sox have shown in the past that's where they like to spend money in the offseason, likely due to the diminished cost of bringing those guys in. If you get a bust, it's not a Barry Zito type of bust, but more along the lines of Scott Linebrink on the really bad end and Downs/Belisario otherwise. It really makes me wonder who or how many relievers they'll be in on. I've speculated before that I think they'll show interest in Andrew Miller, but I also think he will ultimately price himself out of the Sox range. I personally like Surkamp over Snodgress too, but I think that's going to be pretty even going into Spring Training next year no matter what. Whoever is better wins the job outright. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kyyle23 Posted September 22, 2014 Share Posted September 22, 2014 my thoughts are: make it better. the end Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balta1701 Posted September 22, 2014 Share Posted September 22, 2014 QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Sep 22, 2014 -> 04:34 PM) My personal view is that Snodgress is more likely than Surkamp to get a lefty roll in the 2015 bullpen. I think he's got a better upside for that role. Guess based on previous team techniques? They bring in one veteran left hander and Surkamp and Snodgress compete for the 2nd lefty slot in ST. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted September 22, 2014 Author Share Posted September 22, 2014 QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Sep 22, 2014 -> 04:30 PM) Guess based on previous team techniques? They bring in one veteran left hander and Surkamp and Snodgress compete for the 2nd lefty slot in ST. That is how I feel. I think right now Surkamp has a clear edge as he is showing that he can get guys out, and Ventura is using him in higher and higher leverage situations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balta1701 Posted September 22, 2014 Share Posted September 22, 2014 QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Sep 22, 2014 -> 05:38 PM) That is how I feel. I think right now Surkamp has a clear edge as he is showing that he can get guys out, and Ventura is using him in higher and higher leverage situations. If they have some confidence in Snodgress, which they might as he does have a solid fastball at least, another move typical with their history would be a veteran lefty on a 1 year deal with Snodgress taking over the closer's role at Charlotte to start the year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caulfield12 Posted September 22, 2014 Share Posted September 22, 2014 (edited) Or they move Montas to the pen as a closing candidate, but that's far from an ideal scenario. Olacio's another name that could move fast if everything just clicks. Taylor Thompson, probably the last we've heard from him, fwiw. Somehow I have a feeling we'll end up bringing in the likes of Jim Johnson, Frieri, Grilli, etc. Reclamation project, versus someone we're going to pay $8-12 million per season. Edited September 22, 2014 by caulfield12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donny Lucy's Avocado Farm Posted September 22, 2014 Share Posted September 22, 2014 call John Hart and fleece the Braves into trading Luis Avilan to be a primary leftie in the bullpen. Walks bit him in the ass this season, which I am sure is an easy fix for the vastly superior Sox coaching staff. Robin'll fix 'em Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caulfield12 Posted September 22, 2014 Share Posted September 22, 2014 (edited) QUOTE (Charlie Haeger's Knuckles @ Sep 22, 2014 -> 05:10 PM) call John Hart and fleece the Braves into trading Luis Avilan to be a primary leftie in the bullpen. Walks bit him in the ass this season, which I am sure is an easy fix for the vastly superior Sox coaching staff. Robin'll fix 'em If it was THAT easy, Cleto and Webb would both be studs. Hart's not going to make any big moves until the new GM is in place and a strategy/vision for the future is in place. Bassitt's role as well will be interesting... Edited September 23, 2014 by caulfield12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greg775 Posted September 23, 2014 Share Posted September 23, 2014 Is Soria on a multi-year deal? Doesn't he still have closer stuff? Can Hahn get him? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caulfield12 Posted September 23, 2014 Share Posted September 23, 2014 (edited) QUOTE (greg775 @ Sep 22, 2014 -> 08:28 PM) Is Soria on a multi-year deal? Doesn't he still have closer stuff? Can Hahn get him? Someone like Soria is much more likely than paying for the top 5-6 guys wanting to get paid for this year's results and closing numbers. Those guys will all get $8-12 million per season. Someone like Soria should be available for $5-7ish million. 2 years/$8M (2013-14), plus 2015 option 2 years/$8M (2013-14), plus 2015 club option signed by Texas as a free agent 12/3/12 13:$2M, 14:$5.5M, 15:$7M club option ($0.5M buyout) If I was the Tigers, I would definitely keep Soria/AL AL and ditch Johnson/Joba. Edited September 23, 2014 by caulfield12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorthSideSox72 Posted September 23, 2014 Share Posted September 23, 2014 Bassitt has shown some flashes that are pretty darn good so far. Especially for a guy who hasn't even seen AAA and missed most of his AA season this year. That said, I think he's a reliever in the long run. His secondary stuff isn't great, his command gets iffy at times, his fastball is above average and can be plus in short play, and he's even said he's more comfortable from the bullpen. So he may very well be a 2015 bullpen candidate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Y2Jimmy0 Posted September 23, 2014 Share Posted September 23, 2014 QUOTE (greg775 @ Sep 22, 2014 -> 09:28 PM) Is Soria on a multi-year deal? Doesn't he still have closer stuff? Can Hahn get him? Good call, Greg. I've always loved Soria. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balta1701 Posted September 23, 2014 Share Posted September 23, 2014 QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Sep 23, 2014 -> 08:47 AM) Bassitt has shown some flashes that are pretty darn good so far. Especially for a guy who hasn't even seen AAA and missed most of his AA season this year. That said, I think he's a reliever in the long run. His secondary stuff isn't great, his command gets iffy at times, his fastball is above average and can be plus in short play, and he's even said he's more comfortable from the bullpen. So he may very well be a 2015 bullpen candidate. According to one of the articles I read about his performance last night he just added the slider in Spring Training and then didn't get to work with it much at all this year due to injury. Wondering if that extra pitch, long term, could be a key for him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted September 23, 2014 Author Share Posted September 23, 2014 QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Sep 23, 2014 -> 09:36 AM) According to one of the articles I read about his performance last night he just added the slider in Spring Training and then didn't get to work with it much at all this year due to injury. Wondering if that extra pitch, long term, could be a key for him. I wonder if the slider is what gave him this recent run of injury problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balta1701 Posted September 23, 2014 Share Posted September 23, 2014 QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Sep 23, 2014 -> 10:37 AM) I wonder if the slider is what gave him this recent run of injury problems. The injury this year has been described as a broken hand. Hard to see that as a result of throwing a slider? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caulfield12 Posted September 23, 2014 Share Posted September 23, 2014 QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Sep 23, 2014 -> 08:46 AM) The injury this year has been described as a broken hand. Hard to see that as a result of throwing a slider? Maybe he punched a wall after having an outing with no slider command, lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caulfield12 Posted September 24, 2014 Share Posted September 24, 2014 Forgot about Nolan Sanburn from the Dunn/A's trade for the bullpen...although it would be pushing it to go from the CAL League to the majors. Nolan Sanburn, rhp Age: 22 An Athletics second-round pick in 2012, Sanburn had the potential to be one of the organization’s best pitching prospects, but he wasn’t healthy enough to show much since turning pro. He moved back to the bullpen this season after working as a starter in 2012 and part of 2013. A reliever at Arkansas, Sanburn signed as a draft-eligible sophomore in 2012 and has pitched just 120 in three seasons. When healthy, he has an electric fastball at 93-94 mph and can touch 96 with riding life. His curveball also shows impressive depth while coming in hard in the high 70s. www.baseballamerica.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caulfield12 Posted September 24, 2014 Share Posted September 24, 2014 (edited) Forgot about Nolan Sanburn from the Dunn/A's trade for the bullpen...although it would be pushing it to go from the CAL League to the majors. Nolan Sanburn, rhp Age: 22 An Athletics second-round pick in 2012, Sanburn had the potential to be one of the organization’s best pitching prospects, but he wasn’t healthy enough to show much since turning pro. He moved back to the bullpen this season after working as a starter in 2012 and part of 2013. A reliever at Arkansas, Sanburn signed as a draft-eligible sophomore in 2012 and has pitched just 120 (innings) in three seasons. When healthy, he has an electric fastball at 93-94 mph and can touch 96 with riding life. His curveball also shows impressive depth while coming in hard in the high 70s. www.baseballamerica.com Edited September 24, 2014 by caulfield12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaliSoxFanViaSWside Posted September 25, 2014 Share Posted September 25, 2014 QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Sep 22, 2014 -> 02:30 PM) Guess based on previous team techniques? They bring in one veteran left hander and Surkamp and Snodgress compete for the 2nd lefty slot in ST. Zach Duke is a good possibility. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaliSoxFanViaSWside Posted September 25, 2014 Share Posted September 25, 2014 Gavin Floyd coming back from a fractured elbow could be converted to a reliever. Tom Gorzelanny will be available as will Luke Gregerson. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greg775 Posted September 25, 2014 Share Posted September 25, 2014 QUOTE (CaliSoxFanViaSWside @ Sep 25, 2014 -> 04:02 AM) Gavin Floyd coming back from a fractured elbow could be converted to a reliever. Tom Gorzelanny will be available as will Luke Gregerson. Another good post. All interesting possibilities IMO. Would Floyd and Gorzelanny agree to be relievers however? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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