Clay Buchholz or Tim Wakefield for the #5 starter?

[cupofjoe1962]

I have always been a big fan of Wakefield, but it is time to give Buchholz a
shot.

If he struggles, send him back to AAA & then move Wakefield back into the
rotation.

After last season, Buchholz should get a shot at the rotation.

 

[Real World]

It'll depend on Spring Training. I think Wakefield will have the benefit of the doubt though, meaning, if it's close they give him the nod. You never know what's going to happen in ST, but assuming everyone is healthy coming out, you'd have to think that Beckett, Schilling, and DiceK would be 1,2,3, with Lester, Wake, & Buckholz duking it out for the last two spots. I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if one of the youngsters doesn't make the rotation. If the have innings limits, then that might make sense anyway.

 

[groundgame]

Wakefield: Please retire. From game to game, I have not a clue as to whether Wakefield will throw a 9 inning 1 hitter or get shellacked for 7 runs in the first inning.

 

[patsfanofNC12]

I think Wake starts the season as #5, because he got 17 wins last season, so it isn't like he sucks. Also if Buchholz has an innings count then we would rather have him later if someone gets hurt, and he will be the first one to start if someone gets hurt or needs a rest.

 

[TomBrady'sGoat]

If Schilling really is hurt this is now a moot point, obviously.

Wakefield obviously starts over Buchholz if there is only one spot for the two of them. This team is still managed by Terry Francona in case no one else has noticed. He's the guy who relegated Youk to the bench all of '05 in favor of the corpse of Kevin Millar. He's the one who was still giving Cora starts last year after Pedroia started crushing the ball. He still uses Timlin when he should be using Delcarmen. Anyone who thinks Francona would slight Wakefield in favor of Buchholz is fooling himself.

 

[VOODOOZF]

If Schilling is gone for the season won't they both be needed in the rotation?

1/ Beckett
2/ Dice K
3/ Lester
4/ Wakefield
5/ Buckholtz

Did I forget someone?

 

[patsfanofNC12]

No you didn't forget anyone, they BOTH will be needed.

 

[CMcCartney]

I"m thinking Fat Bartolo can give the Sox 3-4 innings every 12 days.. if he puts down the Twinkies... I keed, I keed..

 

[patsfanofNC12]

I think Colon could be like a Tavarez for us. Speaking of Tavarez we can't forget that they might also pitch him some.

 

[VJCPatriot]

I think Colon could be like a Tavarez for us. Speaking of Tavarez we can't forget that they might also pitch him some.

Trial by fire I say! Though of course they need to limit the kid's IP (nobody wants another Kerry Wood). With Schilling's rehab scheduled to not have him back until AFTER the all-star break, everyone is going to have a shot at starting pitcher. And who knows, someone unknown might emerge.

 

[brdmaverick]

in the words of the South Park character "TIMMEYH!"

 

[Bigdogx]

Very clear that buchholz needs to start the season down in the minors, he has struggled again in his start today.

 

[TomBrady'sGoat]

Very clear that buchholz needs to start the season down in the minors, he has struggled again in his start today.

spring training means nothing. these guys aren't supposed to be ready yet. If they are ready it means you're wasting their innings before the season starts. And we've already established that Buchholz's innings limit will be an issue this year.

 

[Foley]

This is 100% speculation on my part, but I think the major issue with Buchholz this spring is that he hasn't warmed up enough before he goes into the games. In both of his appearances he's given up a lot of runs in the first inning of work, but has been perfect every inning after.

But TBG is right; ST numbers mean nothing. And I'm pretty sure that the plan for Buchholz is to have him start the season in the minors anyway, regardless of how he does in March. It makes a whole lot more sense for him to do that, even if he would be ready from day 1.