Could the Sox actually do this?

BS007 · Post #1 » by **BS007** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 3:33 am

I've heard rumblings from callers on WEEI that if Tavarez is still pitching well when Lester returns to the Red Sox, Tim Wakefield would be sent down to the bullpen. Thoughts on this? IMO its crazy. Wake's been around here forever and this maybe his last year. Give the guy some credit and a little professional courtesey. Anyway, he's better than Julian to begin with.

celtsloyalty · Post #2 » by **celtsloyalty** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 4:52 am

If Papelbon was in the rotation and I would have to choose between Wake or Tavarez as the setup man/closer then I would choose Wake. I think he would be more reliable then Tavarez and it's the same with his starting pitching. Since Papelbon is the closer I would rather rely on Wake as a starter and have Tavarez be a bit of a question mark in the pen.

Post #3 » by **sunshinekids99** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 11:18 am

Wakefield stays in the rotation. I don't even see how anybody could question that.

BS007 · Post #4 » by **BS007** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 3:15 pm

I some how think Tavarez could actually get better. I mean before his arm wasn't used to throwing 100 pitches and throwing six inninngs. i think his arm is getting stretched out.

For a month span Tavarez will be the better pitcher when Wake goes on his losing streaks, but for three months Wake will be better

Post #5 » by **sunshinekids99** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 3:42 pm

Wake has always had his ups and downs. But regardless he's better than Tavarez and should be in the rotation. I'm not trying to put down Tavarez, but he's the 5th guy and should be replaced by Lester.

Post #6 » by **Chach** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 5:14 pm

Tavarez has been a nice surprise at how well he's pitching but he is what he is, an innings eating groundballer. When Lester is ready, Tavarez goes to the pen and may be that 7th inning guy who gets ground ball outs. He would do a better job of strengthening the bullpen than Wake would and Wake's been around forever, he will be out #4-5 starter until he retires. mahalo
~Chach~

CeltsfaninDC · Post #7 » by **CeltsfaninDC** » Thu Jun 21, 2007 3:50 pm

Tavarez looked great last night and over the weekend. Taking him out of the lineup would be a mistake. With Shil on the DL the decision is easier in the shortterm. What happens though if Lester pitches well enough to warrant staying in the starting lineup? What happens if clement comes back this summer?
Wake is an innings eater and saves the bullpen from excessive wear and tear. he stays in the lineup.
These are very nice problems to have.

Post #8 » by **Chach** » Thu Jun 21, 2007 4:03 pm

First off, Clement's not walking through that door. Best case scenario, he's back in September and they give him a start here and there to test out his arm if we've got a big lead (or make-up days we missed). Plus he's going to pitch like crap because players rarely bounce back from surgery like that.

I agree that Tavarez is looking very good right now and I would definitely not bump him. Reports coming back from Pawtucket are saying that Lester is not even close to coming back. He's barely pitching higher than 90 pitches and his stuff has been inconsistent. He was not terribly good in his last start and it's not an isolated incident. For someone who routinely struck out 8-9 guys per 9 innings, he's down to 5.8, which is worse than he was at last year when he got rushed to the big leagues.

Lester wasn't ready last year and isn't ready now. He still needs a bit more time to work on his command and making his pitches. I can live with less strikeouts if he's pitching for poor contact more and trying to balance out those two goals but I want to see more games like his CG where he threw like 82 pitches to prove that to me. Plus the occasional game where he has like 8-9 Ks in 6 innings would alleviate my fears. He still needs a little more time and Schilling's DL stint seems like it will be a 15 day type so Gabbard or Pauley would make fine choices to bring up for a few starts and just let Lester continue to work his way back in Pawtucket. mahalo
~Chach~

evan8888 · Post #9 » by **evan8888** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 9:17 pm

Tavarez as a reliever isn't nearly as good as the Tavarez as a starter. He can't handle pressure situations. He's a headcase. He's having success because there is little pressure on him early on games. He's also doing better lately because there he feels comfortable in his role, and feels accepted. He is a fragile man.

Wakefield has had success as a reliever (save the 2003 ALCS). He can warm up quick, and his stuff is such a change of style, that it throws batters off. I think Wakes would have more success in the pen than JT.

JT's true calling is as a starter.

Wakefield is hit or miss. He's either good, or bad...and it's 50/50 these days. When JT keeps it down, he's a lot better than 50/50.

Boston's Future · Post #10 » by **Boston's Future** » Thu Jun 28, 2007 12:31 am

Tavarez has been a reliever most of his career... I think the season and the American league hitters are gonna catch on to Julian and the Sox will be in trouble. Wakefield is hit or miss, but i'm terrified of him coming out of the Bullpen with a runner on third in a tied game in the 7th innning. We need another starter, but who?