This has been a big topic on WEEI lately. You can’t help but wonder whether or not our starting rotation is going to change with all the extra pitching we have. Right now we have a decent rotation of Becket, Lester, Matsuzaka, Wakefield, and Penny. Meanwhile, redsox.com reports that Smoltz says he’ll be ready to pitch for Boston in just three more starts. Then you have Clay Buchholz in Pawtuckett with a 3-0 record who nearly threw a perfect game on Monday.
I suppose this is a good situation to have too much food on your plate – and it is. It’s very excited to see what’s going to happen in the next few weeks or so. I am a little worried, however, that we are going to do somethings that perhaps we shouldn’t do:
Trade Clay Buchholz. I’ve already heard his name in trade rumors and I don’t like it one bit. The guy is 24 years old and clearly has a lot of potential. The fact that we might be getting rid of him when pitchers like Wakefield and Penny probably won’t be on the team a couple years from now isn’t very comforting. The only good thing I can see of this is that we get a Victor Martinez or Joe Mauer type to relplace Tek once he’s gone, but I don’t see that happening. Even if it does, then we have two starting catchers that are both going to want playing time, as well as having Kottaras catch for Wakefield.
Bump Penny out of the rotation. The fact that Penny has gone 5-1 on the season, not to mention showing quality pitching in his last two starts, makes me believe that the Red Sox aren’t even considering this anymore. I thought it might be a good idea earlier in the season, but he’s improved and right now I want him in the rotation.
It’ll be interesting to see what happens to say the least. I’m sure there’s a little anxiety for all the pitchers mentioned above as they all want to be starters. We’ll see how it goes.
Keep the Faith.
Keywords: Boston Red Sox, Brad Penny, Clay Buchholz, John Smoltz, pitching
