Hansen playing this year?

[SchillingIsTheNatural]

There has been talk about this kid joining the team this year. I don't know a lot about him but I guess he has good stuff and was an excellent closer for St. Johns.

 

Anybody who knows him well; can we actually anticipate big things from him this year??

 

I was reading the Sox would be interested in making him a starter in the end which to me...is garbage. The kid is a closer and I think they should bring him up like that. I would love to have a Mariano Rivera on the Sox that sticks around forever and can be the shut down man for years.

[elsrbueno]

There has been talk about this kid joining the team this year. I don't know a lot about him but I guess he has good stuff and was an excellent closer for St. Johns.

 

Anybody who knows him well; can we actually anticipate big things from him this year??

 

I was reading the Sox would be interested in making him a starter in the end which to me...is garbage. The kid is a closer and I think they should bring him up like that. I would love to have a Mariano Rivera on the Sox that sticks around forever and can be the shut down man for years.

 

This probably doesn't help, but all I know is that every scout seems to think he's ready. A la Huston Street, they think he can contribute to a major league team immediately. In fact, he was widely considered the closest pitcher in the draft to being in the bigs. Now, having never seen the man pitch, it's hard to derive my own opinion.

 

The problem is that his agent is Scott Boras. This not only means he'll drive a hard bargain signing right away, but it may also make it damn-near impossible to convince him to stay with the Red Sox IF he establishes himself as an elite closer in the game. That being said, the Red Sox were able to hold on to Varitek.... but he's in a league of his own as far as loyalty and accountability are concerned. Just look at Johnny Damon-- he's flip-flopped from saying he'd NEVER sign with the Yankees earlier this season, to going so far as to imply that he'd give the Sox a hometown discount. Since, he's not only dropped the hometown discount talk, but he's also said he'd "consider every team," and "abide by his (George Steinbrenner's) rules" if he signed with the Yankees. Don't think for a second Scott Boras didn't talk him into changing his tune. The best way to get the Red Sox to buckle is to threaten signing with New York.

 

This will probably drag out a bit, and given that the Sox will probably at least START him in the minors, I don't see him contributing before September. We may see him as a late-season callup, but it's unrealistic at this point to expect him sooner in my opinion.

[soxie thefangirl]

Oh that'd be great if they brought him up, see what he can do as a closer.

[CrespoBlows]

Oh that'd be great if they brought him up, see what he can do as a closer.

 

WHAT?!!!! You want a kid who has never thrown one big league pitch, to close? He'd explode into flames because of the pressure. This kid is in for a piece of humble pie when he gets in.

 

Let's take this slowly, start him at Wilmington let him throw a few innings there, then to Portland, and then the Pawtucket.

[SchillingIsTheNatural]

I've heard the Sox are close to signing him now to a 4 year deal in the range of 4-4.5 million. I think if he went to Wilmington and dominated the way some think he might, I wouldn't mind seeing him skip ahead as opposed to hitting every level. However, there is NO WAY possible he would be the closer this season (none what so ever). He could be a K-Rod or Santana type reliever who shows up at a young age and contributes heavily to the bullpen. I'd also be real interested to see what Papelbon can do if called up.

 

With these two young arms we may not need to sign a veteran reliever. More risk going in this direction but consider the Sox bullpen can't really get any worse.

[ARod2212]

The kid has great stuff, and it pisses me off that the Yankees skipped over him. He's going to be good for you guys, and don't be shocked to see him come in like K-Rod and run you guys through the playoffs.

[Soxalltheway30]

you have a gay name

[riverside sluggers]

just saw this on the red sox buzz news section on boston.com and im happy for this news

 

 

Craig Hansen

Red Sox

pitching prospect Last updated: 7/12

Light at the end of the tunnel

The Boston Globe reported Tuesday that negotiations between the Sox and first round draft pick Craig Hanson are proceeding, and that “a deal could be struck in the next couple of weeks.” Hanson, touted as one of the most major league-ready players in the 2005 draft, was the closer at St. John’s University. He could potentially provide the Sox bullpen a power arm in September.

[example1]

WHAT?!!!! You want a kid who has never thrown one big league pitch, to close? He'd explode into flames because of the pressure. This kid is in for a piece of humble pie when he gets in.

 

Let's take this slowly, start him at Wilmington let him throw a few innings there, then to Portland, and then the Pawtucket.

 

No. The whole point of drafting college players is that they have been in bigger situations and have experienced more pressure BECAUSE of college. High school players? Yes, send them to single A. College guys, I say Portland to Boston. Maybe he doesn't close, but rather pitches as the setup man. Who knows.

[SchillingIsTheNatural]

Chances are the Sox would give Papelbon and Delcarman a shot before Hanson (if they give him one at all). I think the idea was to send him to Wilmington but let him move up quickly. If he excels right away he might have a shot to get up by September....I think its a long shot especially with Theo who likes to move his young guys slowly.

[elsrbueno]

Chances are the Sox would give Papelbon and Delcarman a shot before Hanson (if they give him one at all). I think the idea was to send him to Wilmington but let him move up quickly. If he excels right away he might have a shot to get up by September....I think its a long shot especially with Theo who likes to move his young guys slowly.

 

I think you're right. Papalbon and Declarman are both already in AAA and pitching well. These two guys seem very close and from all the rumors I've heard Theo would rather throw these guys into the fire than trade them away.

 

Another intreaguing arm is Lenny DiNardo, who seems to be holding his own as a starter in AAA. With the Sox lefties struggling mightily (Embree and Halama), he may be able to add to the mix. Although the Sox had him up for a few days but didn't use him.

 

I think any of these three should be given a shot before Hansen.