closing time

[sarasoxfan]

OKay, suppose foulke is just as lousy after he comes back.

I am a little nervous seeing the sox put all their eggs in foulke's basket. And (as I climb into my foxhole for saying this) I dont think schilling is a very good closer at all. Last night is obvious and I know some poindexter is going to toss around some conglomeration of stats to pant a rosy picture because its schilling, but in general I dont see the schilling blowing good teams away, and in fact I see some pretty mediocre hitters tagging him pretty good. Yes he has done better than foulke, but that doesnt put the bar very high.

I wonder what every thinks about this,and yes we are winning these days. but down the strech against teams like the f***ees---I dont know..we arent going to be scoring like this and having 3-5 run leads to lose int he nnth.

 

I heard papelbon got a save the other night, is he the insurance policy?

[yeszir]

If Foulke is just as lousy when he comes back, we're in trouble. We're all banking on him being either equal to or better than Schilling. We've been able to win even with Schill's rollercoaster rides, and the whole point of Foulke coming back is so Schilling can start again.

 

With Schilling giving us chances to win (hopefully), this team will be even better off than it has been for the past month or so. Or at least, that's the idea.

[Sox Fan on Cape]

If Foulke is just as lousy when he comes back, we're in trouble. We're all banking on him being either equal to or better than Schilling. We've been able to win even with Schill's rollercoaster rides, and the whole point of Foulke coming back is so Schilling can start again.

 

With Schilling giving us chances to win (hopefully), this team will be even better off than it has been for the past month or so. Or at least, that's the idea.

I agree. At this point, we're pretty much committed to either ( or both ) Schilling and Foulke. The kids may certaining help some, but I can't see asking and expecting any of them to step up to majors and be a lights out closer in a play-off race. That's way to much pressure to put on them.

[ORS]

There is a wildcard that may end up being played out of desperation if a couple of "ifs" play out. And his name is Craig Hansen. Bear with me here.

 

IF #1. Foulke comes back and is lousy.

 

IF #2. Hansen continues to dominate in Portland he moves up to Pawtuckett.

 

IF #3. Hansen performs just as well in Pawtuckett (think late August early September timeframe).

 

IF #4. The FO feels a real need for Schilling in the rotation going into October (which is the only thing that makes sense to me).

 

IF all those ifs happen we could see Hansen being called up as early as late September. It's a huge gamble to rush a prospect into the pressure of a pennant race, but if he's the real deal (I think he is) he could be a huge x-factor going into the playoffs.

[Sox Fan on Cape]

There is a wildcard that may end up being played out of desperation if a couple of "ifs" play out. And his name is Craig Hansen. Bear with me here.

 

IF #1. Foulke comes back and is lousy.

 

IF #2. Hansen continues to dominate in Portland he moves up to Pawtuckett.

 

IF #3. Hansen performs just as well in Pawtuckett (think late August early September timeframe).

 

IF #4. The FO feels a real need for Schilling in the rotation going into October (which is the only thing that makes sense to me).

 

IF all those ifs happen we could see Hansen being called up as early as late September. It's a huge gamble to rush a prospect into the pressure of a pennant race, but if he's the real deal (I think he is) he could be a huge x-factor going into the playoffs.

 

All plausible, but wow, that's alot to put on a kid right out of college.

[BigPapiEnFuego]

Any pressure is all pressure. He'll probably feel the same closing for us as he did in college. hopefully. He doesn't seem like a derek lowe type of guy.

[Sox Fan on Cape]

Any pressure is all pressure. He'll probably feel the same closing for us as he did in college. hopefully. He doesn't seem like a derek lowe type of guy.

Well, to a point. I don't think that he faced 35,000 intense fans or a blitz of media coverage while he was in college. That's turning it a few notches.

[ORS]

The pressure can and will be intense, that is without question. Talent is able to transcend that pressure every once in a while. Many NBA draft picks out of high school flounder, but then there is Lebron James who was a superstar in his rookie year. Most rookie quarterbacks struggle their first few years in the NFL, and some are ruined by the experience, but a talented quarterback on a good team can have success in his first year, look at Ben Roethlisberger. I'm not saying moving Hansen up is something that should definitely happen, but it could. He may be one of those rare people that can play on the highest level immediately.

[riverside sluggers]

true but what did Roethlisberger do when he ended up in the playoffs? He started playing very much so as a rookie and handed the ball over. Could Hansen or Papelbon take on the roles of closing games against the White Sox and A's in the playoffs after just a month or so playing in the big leagues?

[Sox Fan on Cape]

true but what did Roethlisberger do when he ended up in the playoffs? He started playing very much so as a rookie and handed the ball over. Could Hansen or Papelbon take on the roles of closing games against the White Sox and A's in the playoffs after just a month or so playing in the big leagues?

Good point, but I have to wonder, how much was Bill B's defensive scheme and how much was rookie nerves ( probably a combination of both ) Roethlisberger did play pretty good till then.

[Sizzlin22]

You can't compare Roethlisberger or Lebron to Hansen. Lebron is just a freak of nature, and Roethlisberger is playing football, where everyone on the field depends on everyone else. Baseball, and more specifically pitchers in baseball solely rely on thier own skill. If Hansen can't cut it, the team can't pick it up and help him as you can in other sports.

 

We also can't rely on Hansen to jsut tear it up in the minors, it would be the wiser move to rely on the hope that the troubles he had this year were because of the knee.

[noonanberg]

At one point in your career, every player is going to have to live up to hype and handle the pressure. I honestly don't think whether he's 23 or 28 is going to make a difference. Guys can either handle the pressure or they can't. I've seen rookies with more poise than 10 year vets, you either have it or you don't.

[riverside sluggers]

going from double A ball to the playoffs against hardened veterans

[riverside sluggers]

Gordon Edes on regarding if some of the minor league hot prospects were to help close games in the playoffs and world series games. "Dont get me wrong, these kids have some lethal stuff and will show it for the Red Sox down the road. But when it comes to October games and everything is on the line with every inning and every out, when it comes down to it, experience really is the key."

[See Red]

Good point, but I have to wonder, how much was Bill B's defensive scheme and how much was rookie nerves ( probably a combination of both ) Roethlisberger did play pretty good till then.

 

He struggled pretty badly against the Jets, too.

 

Roethlisberger, in my opinion, is a bad example of what rookies can do. Roethlisberger wasn't put into as much of a high pressure situation as you'd think. He didn't have to make plays -- he was just expected to not make big mistakes.

 

And Lebron, well, as it was said earlier, Lebron is just a freak. He's been handling the pressure since he's been a Sophomore in High School and played Nationally Televised games in High School.

[ORS]

You can't compare Roethlisberger or Lebron to Hansen. Lebron is just a freak of nature, and Roethlisberger is playing football, where everyone on the field depends on everyone else. Baseball, and more specifically pitchers in baseball solely rely on thier own skill. If Hansen can't cut it, the team can't pick it up and help him as you can in other sports.

 

Why not? The pressure differential from the lower level to the upper level still applies, and that is what was being discussed. I was trying to point out that some people can perform immediately. For a baseball example, look at Francisco Rodriguez in 2002.

 

We also can't rely on Hansen to jsut tear it up in the minors, it would be the wiser move to rely on the hope that the troubles he had this year were because of the knee.

 

I didn't say we are relying on that. I'm pointing out that if several variables fall into place, then we may see Hansen up this year. Please read and understand my post before ripping a point I never made.

[Sizzlin22]

I didn't "rip" anything. If I were ripping you I would call you a dumbass bitch like I do when I rip stupid people.

[BSL63087]

I didn't "rip" anything. If I were ripping you I would call you a dumbass bitch like I do when I rip stupid people.

[Ray10]

If Foulke does do lousy when he comes back and let's hope he doesn't. The Sox will need to try and trade him in the offseason. And go after another closer. Maybe Wagner off of Philly. But let's just hope the Foulke can prevent himself from struggling when he comes back.

[ORS]

I didn't "rip" anything. If I were ripping you I would call you a dumbass bitch like I do when I rip stupid people.

Tomato/tomahto.....my point still stands. If you are going to contest a point I make, at least make sure it's something I said.

[ORS]

If Foulke does do lousy when he comes back and let's hope he doesn't. The Sox will need to try and trade him in the offseason. And go after another closer. Maybe Wagner off of Philly. But let's just hope the Foulke can prevent himself from struggling when he comes back.

I doubt they will be spending huge dollars, which is exactly what it will take to get Wagner, on a closer with Hansen in the fold. That is, of course, unless something happens to Hansen (injury, performance issues).

[Sox Fan on Cape]

He struggled pretty badly against the Jets, too.

 

Roethlisberger, in my opinion, is a bad example of what rookies can do. Roethlisberger wasn't put into as much of a high pressure situation as you'd think. He didn't have to make plays -- he was just expected to not make big mistakes.

 

And Lebron, well, as it was said earlier, Lebron is just a freak. He's been handling the pressure since he's been a Sophomore in High School and played Nationally Televised games in High School.

I didn't cite the example. I agree that its a bad example in that football is more of a team sport.

[mosox]

I don't think Hansen is part of the FO's plans this fall as much as Papelbon. Tito said after his start against Minnesota that he and Theo talked earlier in the year about Papelbon going into the pen. The guy was an effective closer in college and while he's young he at least is mentally suited to come in and get outs. Back in '86 the Sox rushed up Calvin Schraldi out of Texas and he fell apart in the playoffs and was never the same again.

Foulke is the key, and if not, cross your fingers with Papelbon.