2015 Redsox starting lineup prediction

[bostonsportsforlife]

This rotation got redone in less than a day. Add a guy like Shields and we could make a real run next year.

[Nerf DPOY]

So the Sox apparently talked to Shields last night. Even if they don't sign him, they still need an opening day starter. Also, they currently have 5 SPs.

Does that mean that Buccholz is gone, or that Kelly is starting in the minors? Does he even have options?

I get the sense they're just gonna sling all these guys at the wall and see who sticks.  Seems like a staff full of 3s, 4s, & 5s right now.

I actually don't have a problem with that approach, and if I had to bet on who would have the best year between Lester or the 3 guys they've just gotten, I'd choose on it being one of the three. That said, this is going to be great for the talking heads. Even if they go 107-59, the media can stick with the narrative of 'wait until the playoffs'. If they are one of the 29 teams that don't win the WS, then they can say " Well there you go. Told you. You have to have an Ace."

[gpap]

So the Sox apparently talked to Shields last night. Even if they don't sign him, they still need an opening day starter. Also, they currently have 5 SPs.

Does that mean that Buccholz is gone, or that Kelly is starting in the minors? Does he even have options?

I get the sense they're just gonna sling all these guys at the wall and see who sticks.  Seems like a staff full of 3s, 4s, & 5s right now.

Recipe for a 70 win season.

[Donoghus]

So the Sox apparently talked to Shields last night. Even if they don't sign him, they still need an opening day starter. Also, they currently have 5 SPs.

Does that mean that Buccholz is gone, or that Kelly is starting in the minors? Does he even have options?

I get the sense they're just gonna sling all these guys at the wall and see who sticks.  Seems like a staff full of 3s, 4s, & 5s right now.

I actually don't have a problem with that approach, and if I had to bet on who would have the best year between Lester or the 3 guys they've just gotten, I'd choose on it being one of the three. That said, this is going to be great for the talking heads. Even if they go 107-59, the media can stick with the narrative of 'wait until the playoffs'. If they are one of the 29 teams that don't win the WS, then they can say " Well there you go. Told you. You have to have an Ace."

I'm fine with this approach for relievers and #4/5 starters but not for the entire rotation. 

So the Sox apparently talked to Shields last night. Even if they don't sign him, they still need an opening day starter. Also, they currently have 5 SPs.

Does that mean that Buccholz is gone, or that Kelly is starting in the minors? Does he even have options?

I get the sense they're just gonna sling all these guys at the wall and see who sticks.  Seems like a staff full of 3s, 4s, & 5s right now.

Recipe for a 70 win season.

I think they'll be a win uptick this season but it's gonna be tough to forsee them jumping up by 15-20 wins.   

This looks like around a .500 to possibly slightly above .500 ballclub right now.

[TwinTower14]

So the Sox apparently talked to Shields last night. Even if they don't sign him, they still need an opening day starter. Also, they currently have 5 SPs.

Does that mean that Buccholz is gone, or that Kelly is starting in the minors? Does he even have options?

I get the sense they're just gonna sling all these guys at the wall and see who sticks.  Seems like a staff full of 3s, 4s, & 5s right now.

I actually don't have a problem with that approach, and if I had to bet on who would have the best year between Lester or the 3 guys they've just gotten, I'd choose on it being one of the three. That said, this is going to be great for the talking heads. Even if they go 107-59, the media can stick with the narrative of 'wait until the playoffs'. If they are one of the 29 teams that don't win the WS, then they can say " Well there you go. Told you. You have to have an Ace."

I'm fine with this approach for relievers and #4/5 starters but not for the entire rotation. 

So the Sox apparently talked to Shields last night. Even if they don't sign him, they still need an opening day starter. Also, they currently have 5 SPs.

Does that mean that Buccholz is gone, or that Kelly is starting in the minors? Does he even have options?

I get the sense they're just gonna sling all these guys at the wall and see who sticks.  Seems like a staff full of 3s, 4s, & 5s right now.

Recipe for a 70 win season.

I think they'll be a win uptick this season but it's gonna be tough to forsee them jumping up by 15-20 wins.   

This looks like around a .500 to possibly slightly above .500 ballclub right now.

I think as of right now Frangraphs projects them to win 90 games??  A lot can change, I still think they deal for an ace.  Whether it's Zimmerman or Hamels??  I would be fine with Shields too.  The offense on this team is going to be A LOT better!  They will be a top 5 MLB offense next season is my guess. 

Betts RF
Pedey 2B
Ortiz DH
Ramirez LF
Napoli 1B
Panda 3B
Rusney CF ( who is tearing up winter ball )
Xander ( finished the year strong )
Vazquez - who cares what he does a the plate, he is that good behind it....

The sox are going to be a very good hitting and defensive team.  Don't think it's a coincidence that they added all ground ball pitchers, with what's going to be behind him. 

I also think they are going to take the Royals approach to the bull pen.  I bet you see Workman, Barnes etc starting the year out there...

[rocknrollforyoursoul]

I bet you see Workman, Barnes etc starting the year out there...

I don't want to see Workman in a Red Sox uniform, period.

[Cman]

This rotation got redone in less than a day. Add a guy like Shields and we could make a real run next year.

Yes, I like how quickly they moved on from Lester. I still think there is a big signing or trade coming down the Pike soon. Maybe Shields, maybe Hamels. The nice thing about moving quickly with the other three pitchers is that it improves the bargaining position in terms of trying to get Hamels.

[sofutomygaha]

Who is the shortstop target in this theory? This all would have made a lot of sense if Jose Iglesias was still on the team. Reports on Marrero don't make him out to an exceptional defender.

I'm not sure I agree that his defense isn't exceptional.  Here's his scouting report from sox prospects.com

Scouting Report and 2015 Outlook: Marrero is extremely athletic with great instincts. Defensively, he has an active lower half with agility, quick lateral movements, and soft hands. Marrero is a plus-plus defender with plus range and a plus arm. He makes playing the position look easy, getting to balls deep in the hole and possessing plenty of arm strength to make all the throws. He has great body control and is able to throw from all angles and on the run. Offensively, the right-handed hitter displays a line-drive stroke with quick hands through the zone and a gap-to-gap approach with solid knowledge of the strike zone. He has below-average raw power, which is fine for a shortstop. He is a solid baserunner with instincts and average speed that can steal a base. Given his approach at the plate, athleticism and ability to make adjustments, I believe Marrero can offer future average offensive output on par with other Major League shortstops. Marrero offers premium defense at a premium position with a chance to provide average offensive output from the shortstop position, and even though he has already reached Triple-A, he will not turn 25 until next August. He should begin 2015 back with Pawtucket and could make a push as early as 2016 for the everyday starting job at shortstop, potentially

Wow, I didn't realize he was projecting to be so good in the field in the majors. Thanks for the info

[gpap]

Maybe the Sox picked up Miley to package him in a deal for Hamels?

Also, couldn't the Sox play Castillo at SS if they had to include Bogearts?

I think right now Hamels is the most likely option.

I find it hard to believe the Sox will go into the season without a legit ace.

[TwinTower14]

Maybe the Sox picked up Miley to package him in a deal for Hamels?

Also, couldn't the Sox play Castillo at SS if they had to include Bogearts?

I think right now Hamels is the most likely option.

I find it hard to believe the Sox will go into the season without a legit ace.

Castillo can't play SS, he is an outfielder and a good one.  If Xander has to go I bet it would be a one year filler SS or Deven Marrero who is a defensive specialists.  I doubt they move Xander, they sent him to live with Pedey this off-season and workout at API in Arizona, they are invested in the kid.  It was rumored today that the Phills wants Joe Kelly, Owens, Marrero and Garin C.  Which is fine by me....

[kozlodoev]

Maybe the Sox picked up Miley to package him in a deal for Hamels?

Also, couldn't the Sox play Castillo at SS if they had to include Bogearts?

I think right now Hamels is the most likely option.

I find it hard to believe the Sox will go into the season without a legit ace.

Castillo can't play SS, he is an outfielder and a good one.  If Xander has to go I bet it would be a one year filler SS or Deven Marrero who is a defensive specialists.  I doubt they move Xander, they sent him to live with Pedey this off-season and workout at API in Arizona, they are invested in the kid.  It was rumored today that the Phills wants Joe Kelly, Owens, Marrero and Garin C.  Which is fine by me....

If they ship out Bogaerts, I'm sure they'll have Holt start at SS. As a matter of fact, I like him better defensively.

[TwinTower14]

Maybe the Sox picked up Miley to package him in a deal for Hamels?

Also, couldn't the Sox play Castillo at SS if they had to include Bogearts?

I think right now Hamels is the most likely option.

I find it hard to believe the Sox will go into the season without a legit ace.

Castillo can't play SS, he is an outfielder and a good one.  If Xander has to go I bet it would be a one year filler SS or Deven Marrero who is a defensive specialists.  I doubt they move Xander, they sent him to live with Pedey this off-season and workout at API in Arizona, they are invested in the kid.  It was rumored today that the Phills wants Joe Kelly, Owens, Marrero and Garin C.  Which is fine by me....

If they ship out Bogaerts, I'm sure they'll have Holt start at SS. As a matter of fact, I like him better defensively.

Holt can't play everyday at SS, he is a super utility guy.  However, I can't see them shipping Xander out, unless it's a for a sure fire ACE that is under control for a long time i.e Sale or Strasburg...and neither one of those guys are getting moved...

[kozlodoev]

Holt can't play everyday at SS, he is a super utility guy.  However, I can't see them shipping Xander out, unless it's a for a sure fire ACE that is under control for a long time i.e Sale or Strasburg...and neither one of those guys are getting moved...

I'm not sure why you think he's not an everyday SS. He's at least as good as Bogaerts defensively, and delivered everyday type hitting value last season.

[Tr1boy]

I can see what Cherington is trying to do after losing Lester and not having alot of options to replace him with another ace

Get guys like Porcello, Miley, Masterson who can eat alot of innings. Even if they give up 3-4 runs they can pitch at least to the 7th if not 8th inning, giving the Redsox powerhouse offense a chance to outscore opponents.

I got a feeling Shields will be added next. Another eating eater, more like a #2, #3 guy but dependable in big game situations. 

I don't think the redsox will trade for Hamels and give up the young prospects the phillies want

starting lineup imo

RF - Betts/Victorino
2b - Pedroia
DH - Ortiz
3B - Panda
LF  -Ramirez
1b - Napoli
CF - Castollo
SS - Bogaerts
C  - Vazquez

Starting pitching

- Shields (4 year , 70 million dollars)
- Porcello
- Bucholz
- Miley
- Kelly

- Owens (we will see him called up sometime this upcoming season)

Closer

Koji

[Roy H.]

Shields isn't signing for 4 years, $70m.  He will get at least $20 million per year for 4, and maybe 5, years.