Kimbrel to Boston

[The Q]

Definitely overrated, but you just have to have a good one to win a title. Those high-leverage situation in the playoffs is when they earn their money.

yes but you aren't throwing around 2 top prospects to get them.

For the price the sox gave up they should've made them take Panda off their hands.

 

[chappee11]

Yes, but he also has a K/9 over 9.5 and a HR/9 below 0.5. It tends to offset. He had a 2.98 FIP with 194 IP; good for a 4.4 fWAR season. I think you're selling him way short. Also, he's in his prime.

I'd prefer him to Rick Porcello, sure. But even you aren't seeing an ace with the numbers you presented. I do like that he's 28, though. I see some upside potential, but I never trust NL West pitchers. Jake Peavy went there and dominated a couple years ago, for crissakes.

 

[The Q]

an FIP of 2.98 is ace caliber.

 

[chappee11]

yes but you aren't throwing around 2 top prospects to get them.

For the price the sox gave up they should've made them take Panda off their hands.

I actually expected to see Shields in this deal when the pieces starting getting announced(and maybe Hanley). We all love prospects, but how many of them actually pan out? The Sox had a dreadful bullpen last year. They needed a stud closer. A CF and SS prospect weren't so important with Betts and Bogaerts around for several more years.

 

[The Q]

I actually expected to see Shields in this deal when the pieces starting getting announced(and maybe Hanley). We all love prospects, but how many of them actually pan out? The Sox had a dreadful bullpen last year. They needed a stud closer. A CF and SS prospect weren't so important with Betts and Bogaerts around for several more years.

But there is an opportunity cost to moving prospects.

 

[navamind]

What are @navamind thoughts?

Kinda mixed. Sox fill a need with Kimbrel and they didn't really give up any prospects they'll miss too much IMO. Margot and Guerra are legit top 100 prospects, though Guerra is blocked at SS by Bogaerts. Guerra's glove is highly touted and he flashed HR power in 2015, though it remains to be seen whether it's real or not. Betts wasn't known for his power and he suddenly started hitting for power.

It's a lot to give up for a relief pitcher.

 

[navamind]

I'd love to have Ross.

 

[navamind]

should have signed O'Day instead. Giving up prospects for the rights to pay Kimbrel $13M?

 

[chappee11]

an FIP of 2.98 is ace caliber.

Phil Hughes had a FIP that was better last year. Phil Hughes is an ace? He'll be so happy to hear that.

 

[chappee11]

But there is an opportunity cost to moving prospects.

Definitely. But they still have plenty of good pieces in the system. Nobody overrates their prospects like the Red Sox(and their fans). That's how we end up thinking guys like Lars Anderson and Anthony Ranaudo are the next superstars.

 

[chappee11]

I'd love to have Ross.

Of course. Everyone would. But he's no ace.

 

[navamind]

Of course. Everyone would. But he's no ace.

Doesn't have to be to improve the Sox rotation. Ross is easily better than any of the Sox starters IMO.

 

[navamind]

Hughes' FIP was 4.70 last season.

Phil Hughes had a FIP that was better last year. Phil Hughes is an ace? He'll be so happy to hear that.

He certainly pitched well in 2014. His peripherals declined pretty sharply in 2015 though. His K/9 went from 7.98 to just 5.45 (way below average). Not to mention he allowed nearly twice as many home runs (29) as he did in 2014 (16), despite pitching about 54 fewer innings. Twins were near the very bottom of the league in team UZR. Oddly enough, the Tigers, White Sox and Indians were also among the worst teams defensively. Meanwhile, the Royals were among the best teams in the league defensively.

 

[chappee11]

Doesn't have to be to improve the Sox rotation. Ross is easily better than any of the Sox starters IMO.

I don't even disagree. But that is more of an indictment of the Sox rotation than it is a credit to Ross. His BB/9 was 3.9 last year. That wouldn't play well in a league where guys like Justin Turner aren't batting cleanup.

 

[navamind]

I don't even disagree. But that is more of an indictment of the Sox rotation than it is a credit to Ross. His BB/9 was 3.9 last year. That wouldn't play well in a league where guys like Justin Turner aren't batting cleanup.

You mean the guy that somehow has batted .314/.384/.492 over the last two years?


(Seriously though, how the fuck did that happen?)

 

[navamind]

Ross does walk a lot of guys, but it's not really surprising given how low he pitches. He's one of the biggest ground ball pitchers in MLB and he's finished in the top 10 in K/9 over the last two seasons. I don't think his walk rate is that concerning.

 

[chappee11]

You mean the guy that somehow has batted .314/.384/.492 over the last two years?


(Seriously though, how the fuck did that happen?)

Lol. That is just incredible. He was considered little more than a spare part when they got him. That's all he ever really was.

 

[chappee11]

Ross does walk a lot of guys, but it's not really surprising given how low he pitches. He's one of the biggest ground ball pitchers in MLB and he's finished in the top 10 in K/9 over the last two seasons. I don't think his walk rate is that concerning.

I think he's good. He has the potential to be more than that, even. My only issue with him is that he was being called an ace.

 

[The Q]

You mean the guy that somehow has batted .314/.384/.492 over the last two years?


(Seriously though, how the fuck did that happen?)

Dude hit the weight room. he's huge now.

I remember when he was a scrappy projected utility type player at UC Fullerton.

 

[Bolts]

Ross is one guy I want the Padres to hold onto. Ross might not be an ace now, but I think he could be one down the line. He'll have to stop walking so many guys if he wants to get into ace conversation though. And he can hit!