Line up

[wolf82]

vs RHP
CF Ellsbury
2B Pedroia
DH Ortiz
1B Napoli
C Saltalamacchia
3B Middlebrooks
RF Victorino
LF Sweeney
SS Drew


vs. LHP
CF Ellsbury
2B Pedroia
DH Ortiz
1B Napoli
3B Middlebrooks
RF Victorino
C Ross
LF Gomes
SS Ciriaco

Bench players; C platoon, SS platoon, LF platoon, Nava(assuming he can play 1B in a pinch along with corner OF)
AAA depth; Lavarnway, Kalish(when healthy), Iglesias, Gomez

Lester
Buccholz
Doubront
Dempster
Lackey

Hanrahan
Morales
Bailey
Uehara
Breslow
Aceves
Miller

AAA Depth; Bard, Tazawa, Mortensen, Carpenter, Rubby de la Rosa

I agree with everything you say. But, I think it depends how Bard is during ST if he starts in AAA. I still think Aceves/Morales/Salty are trade bait.

[Polish Post]

I agree with everything you say. But, I think it depends how Bard is during ST if he starts in AAA. I still think Aceves/Morales/Salty are trade bait.

I think if they decide in ST that Bard is back they will move Aceves or Morales. Maybe even Miller because I don't think he can be sent down to AAA again. I'd like to keep Salty though, at least until the trade deadline to make sure Lavarnway is going to be ready to step up.

[Nomar]

I doubt Morales gets dealt

[RedSoxtober]

I agree with everything you say. But, I think it depends how Bard is during ST if he starts in AAA. I still think Aceves/Morales/Salty are trade bait.

Bard and Tazawa have options so they're the candidates to go to AAA. I agree that deals are pretty likely, though.

• Morales is a decent target given his versatility and power arm; I won't be surprised to see him dealt now that Breslow is signed through 2014 (plus option).
• Aceves will hang around until he goes AWOL again; in the proper role (a la 2011) he's a great asset.
• Salty should be gone. Forget his 25HRs. He doesn't do enough with the bat to makeup for his poor game calling.

Oh, yeah, I won't be surprised to see the Sox carry an extra RP over an extra bench guy so only one move might set things right.

[AI4]

I agree with RST, I've been thinking that we'll go with an 8 man bullpen.

[Polish Post]

I agree with RST, I've been thinking that we'll go with an 8 man bullpen.

No way that happens. Why do it? You'd have 3 guys, presumably Ciriaco, Ross and Sweeney, coming off the bench. Those 3 will get playing time anyway in platoons, but I'd like to have another guy to have in reserve in case of injury. I see Lyle Overbay or Daniel Nava making the club coming out of Spring Training. The pitching will be fully rested at full strength to start the year. No dead arms and therefore no need for an 8 man pen. If Big Papi is not ready to start the year(he hasn't even started running yet), I see us trading a pitcher for 1B/DH depth.

[AI4]

No way that happens. Why do it? You'd have 3 guys, presumably Ciriaco, Ross and Sweeney, coming off the bench. Those 3 will get playing time anyway in platoons, but I'd like to have another guy to have in reserve in case of injury. I see Lyle Overbay or Daniel Nava making the club coming out of Spring Training. The pitching will be fully rested at full strength to start the year. No dead arms and therefore no need for an 8 man pen. If Big Papi is not ready to start the year(he hasn't even started running yet), I see us trading a pitcher for 1B/DH depth.

Ciriaco won't be platooning, Sweeney signed a minor league deal and it's very likely that Salty or one of the excess out of option relievers gets traded. Regardless if you agree with me or not, I could definitely see us going with an 8 man bullpen.

[bagwell368]

Well, pens end up being two numbers during the year, like 6 and 7 or 7 and 8. At least in April it seems unlikely we'll carry extra arms.

Then there is the whole issue on how many more options players have. If the Sox can't get something they want in a deal, they'll carry a guy in some cases rather then cutting him loose.

We still have about 50+ days before we'll have a good idea...

[Nomar]

Yeah with Nava, Ciriaco, Ross, Sweeney, Overbay, and Iglesias vying for bench spots, it would be a tough task to go with a 3 man bench... especially in April when arms should be "fresh".

[RedSoxtober]

No way that happens. Why do it? You'd have 3 guys, presumably Ciriaco, Ross and Sweeney, coming off the bench. Those 3 will get playing time anyway in platoons, but I'd like to have another guy to have in reserve in case of injury. I see Lyle Overbay or Daniel Nava making the club coming out of Spring Training. The pitching will be fully rested at full strength to start the year. No dead arms and therefore no need for an 8 man pen. If Big Papi is not ready to start the year(he hasn't even started running yet), I see us trading a pitcher for 1B/DH depth.

The Sox have a VERY long list of relievers under contract... beyond simple depth signings. I believe they're pursuing a strategy similar to the Orioles who bolstered an okay lineup with a unusually strong BP. Additionally, if you consider where the Sox dropped the ball (literally!) from 9/11 onward it makes sense that they'd build a strong pen and dub Farrell "Captain Hook."

[Polish Post]

The Sox have a VERY long list of relievers under contract... beyond simple depth signings. I believe they're pursuing a strategy similar to the Orioles who bolstered an okay lineup with a unusually strong BP. Additionally, if you consider where the Sox dropped the ball (literally!) from 9/11 onward it makes sense that they'd build a strong pen and dub Farrell "Captain Hook."

the roster will work itself out via trades and injuries. Never manage or make organizational philosophy decisions based on who you have. Get players and mold your roster based on who you want to be, not who you happen to be right now.

[RedSoxtober]

the roster will work itself out via trades and injuries. Never manage or make organizational philosophy decisions based on who you have. Get players and mold your roster based on who you want to be, not who you happen to be right now.

What part of my post suggests that they have done anything but that? Clearly they targeted Hanrahan and Uehera so the intention of building the BP was very deliberate.