Drew Pomeranz is ready to contribute in his first full season with the Boston Red Sox, but where should that contribution come from? The rotation or bullpen?
Pomeranz was the prize starting pitcher in last year’s weak pitching pool at the trade deadline. He was an all-star with one of the lowest ERAs in all of baseball during that time, so of course, it would have cost a lot to get him. The Red Sox gave up their best pitching prospect, Anderson Espinoza, for him and truthfully I think they are regretting it right about now.
Drew had the most innings pitched of his career last year with over 170 compared to his previous high of 96. The fatigue of being used so much started to show at the end of the season. He pitched five games in Sept/Oct and went 1-2 with a 6.11 era compared to his 2-1 with a 2.70 in August. By September, I think he should’ve been more comfortable with the Red Sox and his numbers hypothetically should have been better, but they weren’t. He was used too much and his body reacted to it. Because of that, they shut him down as a starter at the end of the season and moved him to the bullpen. He only pitched one and one-third innings out of the bullpen, but he did not give up any runs.
He pitched well in the very limited time he had in the bullpen and the bullpen roll is the way to go for this 2017 season. I know it is going to be hard for the Sox to realize they gave up their best pitching prospect for an eventual reliever, but it is the right job for him.
The giant workload did effect his arm and treatment was needed in the offseason. Pomeranz had a stem cell injection in his flexor tendon of his left forearm in October. He says he feels 100% now, but I just can’t believe that. He needed an injection for his overused arm after the biggest workload in his career and he’s totally fine? Something does not seem right. Because of this sketchy feeling I have, I don’t think he should be a starter.
I think the best role for him is to be a reliable bullpen arm with spot starts as needed. I think the team needs to limit his innings to protect his arm. To go from 96 to 170 is a huge jump and another jump, for this season, into the 180s-200s (like a reliable starter) would be too much. His health is a huge factor and the bullpen would be the best role to protect him and give backup for the team. The Sox don’t have a lot of quality lefties, so adding another one would be very beneficial. As projected, it looks like Robbie Ross Jr and Robby Scott would be the only lefties in relief.
Pitching depth always goes down during the season (or even before with questions about Price) and having a reliable arm, who has been a starter before, able to give spot starts when needed is a huge advantage. If he starts in the pen, they wouldn’t have to panic and worry about his innings if they need him to make three to four starts because of another injury in the rotation.
Next: Red Sox: Left-handed reliever Robby Scott is living the dream
The best plan and the safe plan is to have Pomeranz start in the bullpen. It will benefit the team more and give them more flexibility when they are going deep into October.