New Red Sox: Bartolo Colon

**Westlake** · 02-24-2008, 02:19 PM

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3262747

Well.... whatever.

**ChrisLDuncan** · 02-24-2008, 03:04 PM

Very little risk, purely there for depth.

**efin98** · 02-24-2008, 03:25 PM

Originally Posted by ChrisLDuncan

Very little risk, purely there for depth.

And exactly what they needed.

**ChrisLDuncan** · 02-24-2008, 03:26 PM

I would have rather given Masterson a chance if I were a Sox FO person.

**Dogdaze** · 02-24-2008, 03:28 PM

Originally Posted by ChrisLDuncan

Very little risk, purely there for depth.

Agreed, he'll add some depth and might be valuable if needed while Schilling is rehabilitating his shoulder. As you mentioned little risk for the Sox. Hopefully Colon, if he gets called up to the big show can pitch better then last year.

**Dogdaze** · 02-24-2008, 03:33 PM

Originally Posted by ChrisLDuncan

I would have rather given Masterson a chance if I were a Sox FO person.

On one hand I agree, though I'd rather they give Bucholz that shot, but on the other hand, I also don't want to rush the young pitchers too quickly.

My feeling is that midway through the year Bucholtz and probably Masterson will get some time with the Big club.

**Mike D.** · 02-24-2008, 03:46 PM

Originally Posted by Dogdaze

On one hand I agree, though I'd rather they give Bucholz that shot, but on the other hand, I also don't want to rush the young pitchers too quickly.

My feeling is that midway through the year Bucholtz and probably Masterson will get some time with the Big club.

I agree that Buchholz and Masterson will see time with the big club this year. I see Buchholz pitching in Boston quite a bit, with Masterson getting a short late-season cameo, kind of like Buchholz got this year.

What this deal does is, if Colon is healthy and effective, give Boston a chance to start Buchholz at AAA, limit his innings, and have him ready to be part of the rotation full-time from mid-season through the end of the season (including playoffs, we all hope).

By filling in with arms like Colon, Tavarez, and maybe David Pauley and Kyle Snyder early in the year, the Red Sox will hopefully be setting themselves up to have their best pitchers healthy, rested, and ready to go for the stretch run and the playoffs.

**Jager** · 02-24-2008, 03:53 PM

Everyone seems to be forgetting that Buchholz can pitch 190 innings this year. How many 5th starters get to that point anyways? ALMOST NONE! Buchholz will start in Boston. There's no way Colon was acquired for that reason. He's simply there for added depth in case someone goes down. With Wake injured the past couple years, and Lester in his first full season, as is Buchholz it's safe to assume that you'll need someone for at least a couple starts, and maybe an extended stint. Colon is just some added depth, and it's very possible that he doesn't even see the ML team this year, with Hansack, Masterson, Pauley, and some others all potentially making their way in for some appearances, unless we have some injuries for extended periods of time, I don't see Colon being on the ML team. With that said, it's low risk, and adds depth. Good enough for me.

**Westlake** · 02-24-2008, 03:56 PM

Originally Posted by Jager

Everyone seems to be forgetting that Buchholz can pitch 190 innings this year. How many 5th starters get to that point anyways? ALMOST NONE!

I was thinking this too, but it's not as sure-fire as you're thinking.

1. He is better than most 5th starters. Therefore he'll get more innings.

2. You don't want him to pitch 180-190 innings during the season and then NOT have him in the playoffs.

**ChrisLDuncan** · 02-24-2008, 04:02 PM

Originally Posted by Westlake

I was thinking this too, but it's not as sure-fire as you're thinking.

1. He is better than most 5th starters. Therefore he'll get more innings.

2. You don't want him to pitch 180-190 innings during the season and then NOT have him in the playoffs.

Boston's fifth starter last season pitched 130 innings, if they limit Buchholz to 150 he'll be fine.

**ChrisLDuncan** · 02-24-2008, 04:02 PM

Originally Posted by Dogdaze

On one hand I agree, though I'd rather they give Bucholz that shot, but on the other hand, I also don't want to rush the young pitchers too quickly.

My feeling is that midway through the year Bucholtz and probably Masterson will get some time with the Big club.

Oh, Buchholz should be the fifth starter, I was thinking Masterson for spot/long work.

**Westlake** · 02-24-2008, 04:09 PM

Originally Posted by ChrisLDuncan

Boston's fifth starter last season pitched 130 innings, if they limit Buchholz to 150 he'll be fine.

A very simplified way of looking at it if you completely ignore what I said. Again, Buchholz is better than your average 5th starter. This will cause him to get many more innings than a regular 5th starter.

**Dogdaze** · 02-24-2008, 04:10 PM

Originally Posted by Jager

Buchholz will start in Boston. There's no way Colon was acquired for that reason. He's simply there for added depth in case someone goes down. With Wake injured the past couple years, and Lester in his first full season, as is Buchholz it's safe to assume that you'll need someone for at least a couple starts, and maybe an extended stint. Colon is just some added depth.

You do have a point, I hope your right Jager.

**NJMetfan4life** · 02-24-2008, 04:15 PM

Boston just got better.

**Imgran** · 02-24-2008, 04:29 PM

Colon is Mark Loretta to Clay's Dustin Pedroia. We coulda plugged the rookie in in 2006 but instead we went with the average veteran until we were darn sure the kid was ready.

If Clay proves he doesn't need a Loretta then it's time for his version of Alex Cora, probably Tavarez, to take over and keep the pressure off the kid until he's ready in midseason.

**Evangelion** · 02-24-2008, 04:55 PM

A solid move, but I just hope Colon at least trying to get into game shape. His weight issues along with injury issues are hurt these past two seasons. It's funny that Colon won the CY Young award back in 2005 and he can manage a minor contract three seasons later. How fast one can fall when injuries strike their career.

**JerseySoxFan19** · 02-24-2008, 05:25 PM

if bartolo stays healthy he could be a very good end of the rotation starter. we know he's capable of 10-15 wins and an era in the 4s. personally i think we kick wake into the 'pen and use colon and buchholz in the rotation depending on the way the season starts

**ChrisLDuncan** · 02-24-2008, 08:08 PM

Originally Posted by Westlake

A very simplified way of looking at it if you completely ignore what I said. Again, Buchholz is better than your average 5th starter. This will cause him to get many more innings than a regular 5th starter.

If the front office isn't retarded, and Francona isn't as bad of a manager as Dusty Baker, they should be able to manage this. Although, I still see fans saying "TAKE TEH KID GLUVEZ OFF!!111!!!" Which is obviously dumb, the Yankees went through the same thing with Joba last season. However, I don't see this being that big of an issue. Although you are right he'll get more innings than your normal fifth starter. That said, I still don't see this being a huge issue.

**Jager** · 02-25-2008, 05:02 AM

Originally Posted by JerseySoxFan19

if bartolo stays healthy he could be a very good end of the rotation starter. we know he's capable of 10-15 wins and an era in the 4s. personally i think we kick wake into the 'pen and use colon and buchholz in the rotation depending on the way the season starts

You said that IF Colon stays healthy he can give you 10-15 wins, and and ERA in the 4's. SO WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO KICK WAKE OUT OF THE ROTATION!!! Say what you want, and I know Wake isn't flashy, but that's exactly what he'll give you. You know with great certainty that Wake will give you 10-15 wins, and a mid-4 ERA. So why the hell would you want to kick him out of the rotation for a fat slob like Colon that hasn't been healthy in 2 years, that may give you an ERA around 6?

**MadHatter** · 02-25-2008, 06:50 AM

There are definitely worse left-over starters out there. COuld fill in the back of the rotation very nicely!

**Imgran** · 02-25-2008, 06:51 AM

Maybe Schilling can give him some pointers about transitioning from a power pitcher to a finesse artiste. Colon's got the command to pull it off after all.

**MadHatter** · 02-25-2008, 08:14 AM

And maybe Bucholz can give him some tips on weight managment.

**FlashGordon** · 02-25-2008, 08:20 AM

What I'm seeing is some very shrewd negotiating. Schilling on a one-year, incentive-laden contract, Bartolo Colon three years removed from a Cy Young inked to a minor league contract--I'm thinking that the lessons of 2005 have sunk in deep and they don't want to see another sophomore slump because they don't have enough arms. More importantly, they seem very aware of all the question marks hovering over Schilling, Wakefield, Tavarez, and the rookie staff. If you can get someone with Colon's upside potential and be able to option him without releasing him, why not?