We Need A Closer

[SchillingIsTheNatural]

Miguel Batista

Danys Baez

Billy Wagner

Brian Fuentes

Eddie Guardado

 

There are some names out there lets get one but I dont think we dump Foulke....he is too good to be this bad I think we need to switch his role and give him a less important one to get his head out of the clouds and not have the stress of being the closer.

[YanksHater213]

First thing I thought when I saw the thread title: "No s***."

 

Anyways, I would love to have Guardado or Wagner, but the talent their teams will command would be more than I'm willing to pay. Baez and Fuentes seem like good options, either team wont really command studly prospects, but it will still be very very difficult to get ourselves a good reliever on this market.

[elsrbueno]

Seattle seems to be in a dumping mode, so Guardado seems like he'd be available. He'd be a great addition to the bullpen, but the problem is a TON of teams are looking for bullpen help, and you pretty much named the entire list of reliable relievers on the market right now. Last I heard the Blue Jays weren't interested in selling off (so I'm not sure Batista will be traded), and the asking price for Baez, Fuentes, or Guardado would seem to be through the roof right now.

 

I don't see Billy Wagner getting traded this season. Philly's too close to the playoffs to go into selling mode.

[schillingouttheks]

Batista won't be traded off. They've finally found solid talent in that bullpen and if I remember correctly, before the previous series in Toronto I saw on the pregame show the Jays' manager. He said he doubted Batista would be moved.

[riverside sluggers]

is anyone else tired of seein in articles about possible trades for sox to get bullpen relief, it mentions these deals would be "pricey" for the sox. im thinking hey if sox got the money (like each game this season is already sold out), so whhhatt if you have to throw several million at them, itll get done of the blown saves and bullpen crumblings--go for a billy wagner, guardado, even brien fuentes of the rockies

[ORS]

is anyone else tired of seein in articles about possible trades for sox to get bullpen relief, it mentions these deals would be "pricey" for the sox. im thinking hey if sox got the money (like each game this season is already sold out), so whhhatt if you have to throw several million at them, itll get done of the blown saves and bullpen crumblings--go for a billy wagner, guardado, even brien fuentes of the rockies

"Pricey" usually isn't referring to money. It usually is referring to the amount/quality of the prospects in the minor leagues that the team would have to give up in the trade. Right now the Sox have several good prospects, and if they trade them, they are selling the future for the present.

[soxie thefangirl]

If it were money, it wouldn't be an issue. It's prospects. And that's tough. But if they need to, I think they should.

[riverside sluggers]

Report: Lucchino wants bullpen help ... now

 

With Keith Foulke likely sidelined for a spell as well as Matt mantei, the need for the Sox to trade for a reliever seems even more pressing. And that pressure apparently is being applied by Larry Lucchino. According to the Herald's Howard Bryant, the Red Sox CEO told GM Theo Epstein on Monday to make a deal for a reliever. According to Bryant's sources, Lucchino ordered reinforcements by this weekend (when the Red Sox face the Orioles). Bryant also reported that Epstein has contacted the Padres about relief help, but has come up empty. His sources say the Sox have now turned to trying to lure either Eddie Guardado (closer) or Ron Villone (reliever, averaging more than nine strikeouts per nine innings) from the Mariners. Epstein has asserted all along that upgrading the bullpen is his top priority, and he said yesterday on the Red Sox pregame show on WEEI that he might now have to make a deal that he wouldn't necessarily have wanted to make. Possibilities also include Ricky Bottalico and Shigetoshi Hasegawa. There's also the possibility that prized prospect Jon Papelbon could be called up from Pawtucket.

[SchillingIsTheNatural]

I hear about all the talk with giving up prospects but....Hanley, Papelbon, Pedroia, Lester, Moss, Sanchez, Shoppach....don't you think we can move one of them...not like they are all going to make this team. The Sox have money and will always be a force when it comes to free agents and such.....every year we are going to get a Renteria, Schilling, or Clement.....I mean don't trade away all of them or something stupid.

 

I would suggest giving Papelbon a try and see what he can do. If that doesn't work out then make a move...although I think Papelbon can hold his own at this point.

[riverside sluggers]

what i just posted wasnt an opinion of mine i wrote up quickly, that came from Boston.com

[riverside sluggers]

if anyone wants to see daily updates on trade news, just go to

 

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/thebuzz/#sox

 

id say dont go for the eddie guardado deal, besides the fact he is injury prone, and also seattle would like in turn pitcher jon lester or hanley ramirez thanks any way seattle :thumbdown

[elsrbueno]

The mandate from Lucchino kinda pisses me off.... because it sounds very Steinbrenner-esque.

 

If the other 29 teams know Theo's required to come up with another arm, they can simply sit back and wait for him to get desperate and overpay. Although, I don't think Theo will do that.

 

Seems to me like the real possibilites right now are both in Mariner uniforms, and they are Hasegawa and Villone. Neither one are capable of being the closer probably, but the team just needs more reliable arms out in the bullpen. Guardado seems like he'd be way to expensive, requiring Hanley Ramirez/Jon Lester type talent. These guys aren't exactly Freddy Sanchez-- I don't see Theo unloading them for a reliever.

 

I've said before that Papelbon may get a shot, and he still might. HOWEVER, the guy hasn't pitched above AA yet, and he may be more like a late August addition if at all this year.

[element1151]

Villone may be some help, Hasegawa not really.

[YanksHater213]

Face it, anyone would be help at this point pretty much.

[SchillingIsTheNatural]

how about Curt Schilling?? according to a report on ESPN Curt will join the bullpen until he regains his form.....i think im ok with that for now

[elsrbueno]

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2005/07/06/francona_schilling_headed_to_bullpen/

 

This is for real it seems. Both the Boston Herald and Boston Globe are reporting that Schilling will pitch in the bullpen for Pawtucket on Thursday, and is slated to join the Red Sox bullpen after the All Star Break.

 

The only question with Curt becoming the team's closer would be how he'd pitch on short rest, and if he can go multiple days in a row-- it's an intreaguing possibility....

 

Terry mentioned this is the best way to get him contributing quickly. I'm sure it's also a result of the market for closers being so slim, and that they'd like to see Arroyo/Miller log some more starts.

[soxie thefangirl]

I think it's just getting him into a reliever role and getting used to pitching again in the majors.

[YanksHater213]

I read this morning in the Globe that we have also looked at the Braves' Danny Kolb.

[soxie thefangirl]

I doubt we'll be getting a new closer now.

[SchillingIsTheNatural]

The Sox have been promoting and buying contracts from unknown pitchers....I almost think that is the smart move because these other relievers are too much....I'm sick of seeing Hanley Ramirez name pop up becuase Theo is not that stupid. Guardado for Ramirez is just rediculous. I say screw it and keep looking at unknown players because some of these guys could suprise if given the chance.

[SchillingIsTheNatural]

I can't believe I am going to say this but.....

 

I heard the smallest of rumors about Manny Delcarmen our future closer? Its early and hard to jump to conclusions but its possible. Meaning, if he shows more good outings (maybe 8-10 more innings) he could get thrown into a possible closer role. He does throw hard which is important but this is what I gather....

 

Closers are really not being dealt. A few days left and we will see but if the Sox don't get another closer and Foulke isn't ready, expect either Timlin or Delcarmen to get a shot as the closer when Schilling goes back to the rotation. That may come soon since Clement is hurt but there is the possibility Papelbon gets brought up too.

 

other notes:

 

Youkilis is killing the ball in AAA and is probably ready to take over for Mueller if dealt for a lefty reliever. What does everyone think about Petagine?? Shouldn't he at least get a shot??

[riverside sluggers]

Im thinking it will be more of Craig Hansen as the future closer for the Red Sox, Manny this season I dont knw ot could be possible to see him in couple games as a closer. I think he has the stuff to be a setup man maybe replace Timlin in role when he does leave in next couple seasons, or a long man. Craig Hansen, an all star closer as they come will be givin Foulke a run for his money to be our dominat closer if Foulke can not return to what he was in 2004

[bigpapi349]

delcarmen looked very good last night. baseball america says that delcarmen has the best curveball in the redsox farm system and he has a 93 mph fastball to go with it