Quote:
Originally Posted by pwd72s
wondering why the Sox didn't use many of these guys earlier?
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Just part of the development process, really. The easy answer is that these guys weren't ready until they were ready, and the Red Sox didn't NEED to use these guys this year until now because they've had the best record in the majors since mid April. Now that the rosters are expanded for September, they can bring up these kids, give them playing time, get them ready for the future, and rest guys that are a little banged up like Manny and Wakefield, so THOSE guys might be ready for the playoffs.
The rosters shrink again once the playoffs start. I would be willing to bet that Ellsbury, Buchholtz, and Lester make the playoff roster with guys like Javy Lopez and Eric Hinske left off. They probably won't start Ellsbury much in the playoffs, but he gives outstanding speed off the bench, and covers a lot of ground in all three outfield positions. With a 4-man playoff rotation of Schilling, Beckett, Wakefield (if he is healthy), and Matsuzaka, Then you have Okajima (whom they need to start resting more often) Papelbon, Timlin, and Gagne from the bullpen in tight situations, Lester and Buchholtz represent OUTSTANDING long relief or spot-starting options. It just remains to be seen what other pitchers will make it onto the roster. Snyder, Lopez, Delcarmen, and Tavarez have all been good in spurts, but I'm not sure how much I would trust them in close games.
In any case, the Red Sox have been getting better while getting younger (and less expensive!). This bodes well for a team that is coming up on the termination of a few large contracts (Schilling, Manny, Lowell) - it gives them a lot of bargaining room with agents, and a lot of money to play with if they want to sign one of these guys or another big name.