2012 Fantasy Baseball Boston Red Sox Starting Rotation Preview
Jon Lester (credits below)
The 2012 Red Sox starting rotation is full of question marks and will most likely be undecided until late into spring training in March. If Clay Buchholz can remain healthy and the back end shapes up with Aaron Cook, Andrew Miller and a healthy Dice K, this staff could have plenty of sleeper potential. Keep an eye on the Red Sox situation this spring as they have been rumored to be interested in Edwin Jackson and Roy Oswalt.
JON LESTER – Lester's numbers declined across the board last year compared to his 19 win 3.25 ERA in 2010. He was plagued by a mid season lat muscle injury but the decline nontheless is troublesome for the left hander. Expect 16-18 wins, a 3.40 ERA and about 200 K's making him one of the top 15 pitchers off the board.
JOSH BECKETT- Beckett posted a career best 2.89 ERA last year as he made his third All-Star team for the Bosox. Beckett was aided by a .249 BABIP which is unlikely to remain. My thoughts are that he will most likely regress back into his normal ranges with a 3.80-4.00 ERA and right about 10-13 wins. Draft him in the middle rounds and hope for another solid year.
CLAY BUCHHOLZ – Clay is a solid option when healthy, possessing the stuff to be a number one pitcher. The problem therein is the fact that he rarely remains healthy. Last year he suffered back problems which cut into his velocity and caused control problems. Buckhholz has reportedly thrown some off the mound this year and has looked good spiking interest in him again as a top 25 talent. Buyer beware is my advice here, as you are taking a gamble on a pitcher with tremendous upside. He is worth a mid-round flyer.
DANIEL BARD – The Red Sox plan is to turn the flame throwing RP into a starter after acquiring A's closer Andrew Bailey to take over the closing role for departed Jonathan Papelbon. Bard who led the American League in holds has an excellent 1.06 career WHIP while striking out more batters than innings pitched. Bard could be an excellent late round sleeper if he proves he can handle the extra innings work load.
AARON COOK- After 10 years in Colorado Aaron signed a minor league deal with the Red Sox. Last year was terrible for Cook as he went 3-10 with a 6.03 ERA in an injured plagued season. If Cook does make the team he has no fantasy value and is not worth drafting.
ANDREW MILLER – The once highly touted college pitcher has never been able to make the transition successfully as a big league pitcher. In 2011 Miller finished 6-3 with a 5.54 ERA and a 1.82 WHIP. With the cloudy situation at the back of the Red Sox rotation still at hand, Miller has a chance to remain a starter and attempt once again to find the form he once possessed as a younger player. Miller is not worth drafting and should be available on waiver wires if he starts out hot.
DAISUKE MATSUZAKA – Dice K had Tommy John surgery last June and it is not known when he will be ready to have a chance to contribute to the Red Sox pitching situation. As of now he remains not worthy of a roster spot until we see positive results off the mound.
JON LESTER – Lester's numbers declined across the board last year compared to his 19 win 3.25 ERA in 2010. He was plagued by a mid season lat muscle injury but the decline nontheless is troublesome for the left hander. Expect 16-18 wins, a 3.40 ERA and about 200 K's making him one of the top 15 pitchers off the board.
JOSH BECKETT- Beckett posted a career best 2.89 ERA last year as he made his third All-Star team for the Bosox. Beckett was aided by a .249 BABIP which is unlikely to remain. My thoughts are that he will most likely regress back into his normal ranges with a 3.80-4.00 ERA and right about 10-13 wins. Draft him in the middle rounds and hope for another solid year.
CLAY BUCHHOLZ – Clay is a solid option when healthy, possessing the stuff to be a number one pitcher. The problem therein is the fact that he rarely remains healthy. Last year he suffered back problems which cut into his velocity and caused control problems. Buckhholz has reportedly thrown some off the mound this year and has looked good spiking interest in him again as a top 25 talent. Buyer beware is my advice here, as you are taking a gamble on a pitcher with tremendous upside. He is worth a mid-round flyer.
DANIEL BARD – The Red Sox plan is to turn the flame throwing RP into a starter after acquiring A's closer Andrew Bailey to take over the closing role for departed Jonathan Papelbon. Bard who led the American League in holds has an excellent 1.06 career WHIP while striking out more batters than innings pitched. Bard could be an excellent late round sleeper if he proves he can handle the extra innings work load.
AARON COOK- After 10 years in Colorado Aaron signed a minor league deal with the Red Sox. Last year was terrible for Cook as he went 3-10 with a 6.03 ERA in an injured plagued season. If Cook does make the team he has no fantasy value and is not worth drafting.
ANDREW MILLER – The once highly touted college pitcher has never been able to make the transition successfully as a big league pitcher. In 2011 Miller finished 6-3 with a 5.54 ERA and a 1.82 WHIP. With the cloudy situation at the back of the Red Sox rotation still at hand, Miller has a chance to remain a starter and attempt once again to find the form he once possessed as a younger player. Miller is not worth drafting and should be available on waiver wires if he starts out hot.
DAISUKE MATSUZAKA – Dice K had Tommy John surgery last June and it is not known when he will be ready to have a chance to contribute to the Red Sox pitching situation. As of now he remains not worthy of a roster spot until we see positive results off the mound.
Written by John Marino exclusively for www.thefantasyfix.com.
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(September 27, 2011 – Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images North America)
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