That Sinking Feeling

Let’s get one thing straight—any team that features James Shields, Mike Pelfrey and Derek Holland in its rotation is not in the rebuild stage.  It’s more a teardown, with the accent on “implosion.”

Shields started against the Royals in Kansas City Friday night and couldn’t hold a four-run lead.  He managed a mere 4.1 innings, giving six runs all earned on ten hits and three walks; his ERA is now up to 5.79.  What keeps him on the roster, let alone in the rotation?

Last night, it was Pelfrey’s turn.  Here’s two things to know about him, starting with opponents’ batting average.  The first time through the lineup, batters are hitting .271 against Pelfrey; .181 the second time through; and, if he hasn’t already been knocked out of the box, .425 the third time through.  Oh, and baserunners have been successful 15 times out of 16 stealing against the righty.

That said, Pelfrey only gave up one run in five-plus innings.  If only he hadn’t seen fit to walk six hitters, then maybe manager Rick Renteria wouldn’t have lifted him with a two-run lead (and a relatively stellar 4.46 ERA).  That was problematic given that we don’t have a bullpen anymore after trading away David Robertson and Tommy Kahnle.  Right now, it’s the equivalent of open-mic night at the Comedy Shack.  But five homeruns by our relievers wasn’t exactly funny, or a 7-2 loss, the Sox’ eighth in a row and eleventh in twelve games.  Oh, well.  Nobody said rebuilds were easy.

And nobody said the talent is anywhere near ready to replace Shields, Pelfrey or today’s retread starter, Derek Holland, who’s 5-9 with a 5.18 ERA.  As for replacements down on the farm, we traded Adam Eaton away for a package of prospects including starting pitcher Lucas Giolito, only he has a 3-9 record to go with a 5.38 ERA starting for Triple-A Charlotte.  There’s also our no.-1 draft pick from two years ago, Carson Fulmer.  He’s another Charlotte starter, with a 6-6 record and 5.42 ERA.

Rebuild?  No.  We’ll still in race-to-the-bottom mode.