New Red Sox: Bartolo Colon

[Westlake]

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

Well.... whatever.

[ChrisLDuncan]

Very little risk, purely there for depth.

[efin98]

Very little risk, purely there for depth.

And exactly what they needed.

[ChrisLDuncan]

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

[Dogdaze]

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]

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.]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

Boston just got better.

[Imgran]

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.