I would prefer Joe Kelly.They should let Kimbrel go and make Eovaldi the closer.
They should let Kimbrel go and make Eovaldi the closer.
I would prefer Joe Kelly.
Jim Bowden of the Athletic predicts Eovaldi will get a 3-year, $42M contract. I say do it!
Eovaldi as a closer is very intriguing. He's an above average SP. But his stuff and velocity as a closer (or Andrew Miller type RP) can be downright dominating.
As much as people want to go rp crazy, you need starters to get to October.
And the Sox cannot be content with Brian Johnson in the 5 spot and have almost zero to trade thanks to injuries, suspensions, and down years.
Definitely agree. SP is still important, no matter how many teams use an "Opener". I do think there is player by player analysis and seeing how each individual player's skill sets can be best used to succeed. Just like Andrew Miller, Eovaldi certainly has the stuff to be a dominating RP/CP. It will come down to where the Sox feel their biggest need is obviously. But from a player standpoint, I think Eovaldi is a much bigger weapon out of the pen than he is as a starter. 102mph at max effort with that breaking stuff is elite stuff.
In the playoffs, sure. The rest built in and lack of need for long term planning helps.
But for 162 games, you need more.
Not ready to give up on Kimbrel. He seems to pitch best when he pitches 1 inning a day. He loses control if he pitches more than 3 days in a row or has a long time between appearances. He still has excellent velocity even when he is walking the world.
Kimbrel just has the feel of a guy whose career trajectory is about to fall off of a cliff. I think they have to stay disciplined and let him walk.
Agree with you guys - they should let Kimbrel walk, take the QO comp, and use that money to re-sign Eovaldi and a few RPs. I think you can replace Kimbrel's stats with someone like Adam Ottavino for 1/3 of the price. Nasty slider. Ran out of gas late in the year but I think you can chalk that up to Mile High air. I can also see the Sox giving Britton some cheap 2 or 3 year deal and then all of a sudden, dude pitches like he did 3 years ago in Baltimore.