I’m back
Mar 15th, 2007 by Rob Bradford
You know what happens when you spill iced tea on your laptop, try and find time to train for a marathon, and reunite myself with the wife and kids after being lost in the world of chain restaurants? You don’t blog.
All of that is changed. I’m back and ready to spout out a couple of entries today.
After listening to Theo Epstein yesterday, I believe the route to find an Opening Day closer (because we know chances are good that it will be different than the Closing Day closer) is starting to veer off more and more in the direction of a trade. There is a problem, however, when looking to fill that void via a trade. The pitcher coming back would probably have to have some history of closing or at least have enough of a history in final out scenarios that a tremendous leap of faith wouldn’t be an issue. And right now, those type of guys are costing more than the Red Sox either have or are willing to give up.
It would be ideal if the team could identify a potential end-of-the-gamer (like they did with Joel Pineiro) and watch to see if their hunch pays off (remember the 1 1/2-week Mike Gonzalez era?). But they already have a slew of those guys who are up against the clock. It would be difficult to justify trading away valuable commodities on a “maybe” when guys like Craig Hansen and Pineiro have already locked into that status while wearing a Red Sox uniform.
I also think that Joel Pineiro has been a pretty good case for himself of late, but the problem in that respect is that his is a case that has become a bit time sensitive in a way. With the team wanting to lock in its closer in the final week, the question becomes can Pineiro show them that he has figured out all the intricacies that goes with his new arm slot/delivery. I think that if he does continue to show that consistency and earns the right to end games we might be able to look back at a meeting the Red Sox had with the former Mariner in early March, reminding him to not be saddled with the weight of the world and that there was time to figure it all out.
So what will the bullpen look like? There are tough decisions to be made (obviously). Epstein had what appears to be a good point on WEEI yesterday (and no, it wasn’t comparing his hoop game to Magic Johnson. He did bring images of George Gervin back in the front office/media game with an effective finger-roll). Hideki Okajima could be a bargain at $1.25 million. A 35-year-old Jamie Walker signed for three years at $12 million with the Orioles, and while it is still early a guy (by the brief sample size I’ve seen and off of info from Japan) like Okajima could translate into a similar type of pitcher.
So right now, as we sit here, I’m going to go with Pineiro, Tavarez, Donnelly, Timlin, Okajima, Romero, and Snyder. Will this be the Opening Day group? Probably not. As Sean McAdam of the Providence Journal-Bulletin reported today, teams are heating up regarding their interest in Snyder and he could be dealt. (Potential starting pitchers are like gold these days.) There still has to be some certainty found in regards to Timlin’s health. And if Hansen and Delcarmen keep their upward mobility in the eyes of the Boston brass, it will be tough to watch their upside getting it done for Pawtucket.
Give me your thoughts and I’ll respond them after the Boston College hoop game (along with some questions I have been negligent in getting to). To answer one of the questions really quick … The last time the Red Sox made a trade with the Yankees was August 13, 1997 when Boston shipped Mike Stanley to the Yanks for Tony Armas and Jim Mecir. Technically the last transaction was when the Red Sox returned pitcher Colter Bean to New York on March 17, 2004 after taking him in the Rule 5 Draft. You know it pained the Sox to turn over the $25,000 to George Steinbrenner.
10 reader comments to “I’m back”
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1Shelly said:
Glad to have you back Rob!
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2griffin said:
I’d like to see Snyder in the Sox bullpen. Piniero’s looking good lately; it appears he’s getting used to the new arm slot. I think it’s a no-brainer for Hansen to start the season in Pawtucket; I wouldn’t mind seeing him blow away AAA batters for a month or two. Build his confidence up.
It’s difficult to judge from here whether Tavarez is getting knocked around because he’s “working on stuff” or whether he’s just getting knocked around. He isn’t exactly inspiring confidence at the moment.
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3Anonymous said:
Rob,
Thanks for taking the time to do this and consider questions. It really is a service.
Have the Sox given any thought to giving Murphy a 1st baseman’s glove? I’ve seen him a half dozen times this spring and can’t help but feel with 500+ at bats he’s got a chance to be a very effective (20hr/100rbi/370 OBA) kind of guy. I know he’s trade bait, but it’s also clear there aren’t a lot of corner infielders avail after the year and they will prob let Lowell walk like they did Loretta.
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4Anonymous said:
Any chance youd could see the Sox picking up a guy like Kevin Gregg from the Marlins for David Murphy and/or Snyder. As a guy who has been effective in the AL he would be a decent set-up man (especially with Timlin still hurt, abdominal injuries scare the bejeezus out of me)and add another to the closer hunt.
I also happened to catch you on FSN last night with Felger and Dickerson’s buddy there and couldn’t help but laugh as they tried to pin you into a corner on the Beckett/Burnett debate. It’s that brand of un-nuanced Bush-ian dialogue that drives us real fans up the wall. Your ability to cut through the spin is what makes this blog such a treat. Keep it up.
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5stephen o'grady said:
Great to have you back, Rob.
Isn’t the real problem with respect to a trade one of timing? Meaning that it’s likely that at some point this season we will have a viable internal candidate, be than Cox, Delcarmen, or Hansen, so giving up talent to block one of them is doubly problematic.
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6Anonymous said:
Hi Rob thanks for taking the time to write the blog entries, they are insightful and a good read.
Romero seems to be the guy throwing the best on a consistent basis. He’s keeping runners off base and striking guys out. I think that Romero will continue pitching well, and he would get my early vote for closer.
Hopefully the Sox FO hangs onto Kyle Snyder. He is a good insurance policy to have if a starter goes down. I think Snyder could spot start if needed.
Are the Red Sox beginning to sour on Crisp at all? Is the injured finger still a problem with his swing? Crisp has had a dreadful Spring and if he doesn’t improve soon can we assume that the Red Sox may look to move him for pitching, and give Dave Murphy a shot with the big club?
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7educatedcheese said:
Rob — tell me Tito isn’t as in love with Tavarez-as-closer as he seems to be. His comments on NESN last night gave me the willies — something along the lines of “He’s just working some things out,” as if his “A” game is fine and he’s just tinkering with his “B” stuff. That, coupled with Tito’s seeming love affair with Mike “we need more offense” Timlin are cause for concern if we’re heading into the season with a pen full of if’s and maybe’s. Not that you can read Tito’s mind, but he’s the one who ultimately decides who gets the call in the 9th…
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8Anonymous said:
You do NOT want Romero as closer. One look at his numbers vs. righties is all it will take to kill that idea.
It’s going to be Piniero or Donnelly. I’m willing to bet cash.
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9Anonymous said:
I agree with the above blogger if Tito is in earnest, but I tend to think that part of the positive spin is pimping Tavarez as trade bait - he could be a solid 4 or 5 starter in the NL - and has a manageable contract with a team opton for next year.
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10Anonymous said:
Rob,
You’re a great writer, just please stop going on the radio. You straddle the fence more than anyone and absolutely kill the Big Show by sounding like Donkey Lips from Salute Your Shorts.
Thanks and good night.
Chris M.
