It has been stated or alluded to in various threads (2015 prediction, Vasquez, etc.) that 2015 is not "the year".
If that's the case, and also assumed to be the case by the front office (although they would never acknowledge it officially), then what's the plan for the next few years?
We all know the Red Sox spent heavily at the end of last season and in the offseason for offense/positional players (Rusney, Hanley, Pablo). They opted to not give out large contracts to free agent starting pitchers, and instead decided to take chances on several young, cost-controlled starters (Miley, Kelly) and one-year rentals (Porcello, Masterson). There are several young farm system players that we hope will succeed. The bullpen... well, we'll see but I'm not optimistic.
Assuming that the unstated goal of 2015 is to return to playoff contention, what should the Red Sox plan be for 2016, 2017? Porcello and Masterson will be free agents. Guys like Price and Zimmermann may become free agents if they are not extended, but Price will be 30 and Jordan Zimmermann almost 30 by the start of the 16 season. And we've seen that the Red Sox are now hesitant about offering big free agent contracts to pitchers around this age.
I'm not really sure. They need top-flight starting pitchers, but I find it hard to imagine they'll go after a Price or Zimmermann after seeing what transpired with Lester. Porcello is young enough that the Sox may decide he's worthy of a big contract. A good bullpen could be cobbled together somehow.
I guess I'm asking, what would you do?
If that's the case, and also assumed to be the case by the front office (although they would never acknowledge it officially), then what's the plan for the next few years?
We all know the Red Sox spent heavily at the end of last season and in the offseason for offense/positional players (Rusney, Hanley, Pablo). They opted to not give out large contracts to free agent starting pitchers, and instead decided to take chances on several young, cost-controlled starters (Miley, Kelly) and one-year rentals (Porcello, Masterson). There are several young farm system players that we hope will succeed. The bullpen... well, we'll see but I'm not optimistic.
Assuming that the unstated goal of 2015 is to return to playoff contention, what should the Red Sox plan be for 2016, 2017? Porcello and Masterson will be free agents. Guys like Price and Zimmermann may become free agents if they are not extended, but Price will be 30 and Jordan Zimmermann almost 30 by the start of the 16 season. And we've seen that the Red Sox are now hesitant about offering big free agent contracts to pitchers around this age.
I'm not really sure. They need top-flight starting pitchers, but I find it hard to imagine they'll go after a Price or Zimmermann after seeing what transpired with Lester. Porcello is young enough that the Sox may decide he's worthy of a big contract. A good bullpen could be cobbled together somehow.
I guess I'm asking, what would you do?