Schilling to closer role?

[CrespoBlows]

Terry Francona on WEEI's Dale and Holley announced that Schilling will pitch out of the bullpen after the all star break. Schilling also volunteered to close if the team needed him to do that.

 

http://www.rotoworld.com/includes/topblurbs.asp?sport=MLB

 

Thoughts?

[SchillingIsTheNatural]

yea just read that too....works for now but he needs to be a starter once he regains his form

[soxie thefangirl]

He's going to be a great starter when he's back in good health. For now, outta the bullpen works for me.

[yankees228]

Just wondering if Schilling would be able to warm up quick enough to come out of the bullpen. I was remember Torre had the idea of El Duque setting up for Mariano a few years ago and he wasnt able to because he couldn't get lost quick enough.

[Tek4pres]

Don't that warming up would be too much of a problem. Even as a starter El Duque was the kind of guy who needed a few innings to really get going. Schilling hasn't had that problem. Though, I would prefer not to bring him in during the middle of innings with runner's on-base. I think coming in and pitching from the stretch to start off with is a harder adjustment.

 

This talk could also be a shrewd on the part of the Red Sox. Right now other teams know we are hurting in the bullpen. This gives us the flexibility to at least go out and pursue other cheaper avenues like getting an additional starter.

[YanksHater213]

Wells was quoted in the Globe today as saying that he would close if needed.

[soxie thefangirl]

Wells now? Interesting.

[YanksHater213]

I dont think he will, but I just think its a matter of him letting Francona know that he is willing to do it should he be needed. I doubt we will need him though.

[soxie thefangirl]

I think that's classy of him to step up and say that, though.

[YanksHater213]

Yeah... something I thought someone like Wake would do. I would have never thought Wells would.

 

But regardless it was the right thing to do.

[SchillingIsTheNatural]

I dont think Wake needs to say anything...its automatic he would go to the bullpen if asked. I agree wtih Wells though....didn't see that coming...makes sense that he could be the "anchor of the team"

[soxie thefangirl]

Wake didn't do so well as a closer in the past.

[Soxfan1]

Ok, say that to yourself except slowerrrrrrrr. Dddavvvid welllllls clooooosing or curttt shcillilling.

 

This is the stupidest thing i've ever hear. If he's going to pitch out of the bullpen its going t be long relief.

[Sizzlin22]

No no no no no no no no no no. I hate this idea, get the man back to the top of the rotation put another starter in the closer role we need Schilling starting to fend off the rest of the East.

[YanksHater213]

I agree, I dont really like this idea of putting starters in the pen. Wells has been fairly decent recently, and I wouldnt want to mess that up. Wake has been very good in his last 4 starts. Schill is just amazing, I woudlnt want him relieving. The only starter who I think would go well in the pen would be Arroyo, because hes done it before.

[riverside sluggers]

yahoo sports... it has been confirmed that schilling is goin to the bullpen as early as tonight. i really dont see this as a bad idea for now. especially if we have a big lead by the ninth, hell ya know sure put him in there. he can better work his mechanics on actual majors instead of kids who just got out of college and high school. the man, Dennis Eckersley went from starter to closer, as well as Jon Smoltz had done.

[YanksHater213]

Nothing will make me like this idea. Schill is not a reliever and doesnt belong there. I am excited that he may get some major league action, but its just not right having you best and most gutsiest pitcher coming out of the bullpen.

[example1]

mostly, I just care if they win, schilling in the pen, on the starter mound, it doesn't matter HOW they win, just THAT they win. that's all that should matter at this point. this is a creative option and certainly one that NOBODY was talking about... yet again theo outthinks the rest of us!

[schillingouttheks]

It's probably so he can work on getting back to the starting role faster. As soon as he's 100% better he'll get back to the starting role. I'm sure it wouldn't be a permanent move.

[YanksHater213]

No doubt it wont be permanent, but still, pitching out of the bullpen wont help at all. He needs to get his stamina up. Pitching 20-30 pitches will not do that. The guy needs rehab STARTS not relief appearances.

[RedSoxRooter]

Wow. I really didn't believe this thread when I first read it.

 

It's interesting enough and having Schilling back in any way, shape or form is good. But damn, it better not be permanent. My guess is that he'll take us up to the trade deadline in the role (or until the closer spot is filled). Absolutely no later.

 

My only question is: If he's having trouble with the velocity of his fastball, how does this help? Will he start warming up in the 6th inning every night??? :dunno:

[RedSoxRooter]

Just looking at the splits...

 

This year, even though he's been hit pretty well, he's done a great job in innings 1-3.

 

In the first inning this year, he's given up 1 hit to 10 batters, struck out 6 and walked none.

 

In innings 1-3 this year, he's given up 8 hits in 34 AB (.235), 10k, and 1 walk.

 

Last year's stats:

First inning: 29 hits in 121 AB (.240), 9 runs, 25K and 5 walks.

Innings 1-3: 75 hits in 354 AB (.212), 19 runs, 83K and 13 walks.

 

I'm liking the idea right now.

 

According to the EEI pregame, Foulke will have arthroscopic surgery on his left knee and should be back in 4-6 weeks.

[elsrbueno]

I like the idea. Looks like I'm in the minority here, but that's normal. As Theo was saying, Curt is at his best right now when he needs to step it up a notch in crucial spots. If his entire inning is a crucial spot (like in a save situation) he could be very dominant.

 

Curt WILL return to the rotation. This is not a Dennis Eckersley type move here. Basically Keith's out 4-6 weeks, and the Red Sox desperately need a closer. Curt's mechanics are a bit funky and he's not able to pitch deep in games as a starter right now. If he can work at straightening himself out, AND get the Red Sox some crucial late-inning outs at the same time, I'm all for it.

 

Curt's got dominant starter stuff and endurance when he's 100%. However, he's about 80% right now, which is good enough to be a dominant closer UNTIL he's back to 100%.

[VARITEK4PRESIDENT]

I was talking to my dad last night and he said that he heard Tito on the radio say something about Schilling making a comment about assuming the closer role for a little bit :thumbsup: . Is this true!!!!! If it is true I think that he would just come in and dominate that position.

[YanksHater213]

Haha, this is like, the 5483209098th thread about this.

[soxie thefangirl]

Yes it's true. I think he'll be good at it.

[soxie thefangirl]

The idea has grown on me. He could be such a dominant closer. Can you imagine?

[SchillingIsTheNatural]

No I can't.......and I dont think this is going to happen. Johnny Damon voiced his opinion about the situation and I agree with him. Curt Schilling is the ace of the Boston Red Sox and needs to be once he has fully recovered. I don't see this lasting too long and Damon mentioned the same thing I did about Arroyo as a potential closer. Either Timlin or Arroyo should close once Schilling is healthy and until that happens Schilling should simply be a set up man. Schilling and Clement need to be our 1-2 punch the second half of the season and in the playoffs. I think Arroyo should set up for Timlin or vice versa when Schilling is fully recovered.

[elsrbueno]

The more I think about this potential move, the more I move towards the middle of the fence on this one. I could go either way. I loved the move at first, but really Curt's role should be as the ace of this staff.

 

In the end, what we've got to think about (and what I haven't decided on yet) is what's best for the TEAM. Is it better to have Curt in mid-July as a reliever, or let him make a few more rehab starts in AAA, get himself RIGHT, and have him as an ace in say, early August?

 

I guess if we could have it both ways that would be ideal, but I'm starting to lean towards Johnny Damon's school of thought-- let Timlin close until Foulke gets right OR we acquire a closer, and let Schilling get himself right in AAA and be the ace in August.

 

The fact that Schilling is even willing to give up his rotation spot for a chance to help the team is a great thing. Imagine if Brian Cashman asked Randy Johnson to set up for Mariano Rivera? He'd probably throw him through a second story window.

[SchillingIsTheNatural]

HAHA that is very true. I don't like the way Damon came off saying the comments but in a way he is right. I truely feel Timlin has earned the right to be our anchor at this point. I think we may find that our expectation of Schilling may be a little high because he is still not completely right. I have no problem going to the bullpen to help out but he is still rusty which will come around eventually....when it does he needs to lead this team from the front which gives us the advantage to win every 5 days no matter the pitching match up.