Sox close to signing ex-braves closer Farnsworth

[ksushi]

I just heard on EEI that the Red Sox are close to signing Kyle Farnsworth. I think this a big step for our bullpen granted Farnsworth doesn't revert back to his wild all over the place ways that he was known for when he was with the Cubs. He throws gas and has a good slider. I watched him on TBS with the Braves a lot this season after he got traded there and I liked how he approached batters. He would throw 92 and 93 mph for his first couple fastballs (probably a trick he learned with Mazzone, I dont remember him doing that before atlanta but I also hadn't seen much of him) then he would go to his slider for the out pitch, if he missed, he would blaze a 98 mph fastball down the pipe and he got two guys looking at that one, and got the 3rd out on the slider. I was impressed then, I didn't know why he had been shipped around so much.

[riverside sluggers]

ooh damn yeah this would be big for the Sox bullpen. This wont make the Yankees FO very happy since reports were last night that the Yankees are close to signing Farnsworth.

[ksushi]

Yeah, I know I heard that too but that makes sense then because if the yankees are close then the sox should probably swoop in. I don't think the yankees have given up on Gordon. I think that Mariano wants him back in the pen, hes said it publically and I think they're trying to get that done.

[MC Hammer]

I think this is a good move, if for no other reason, than the Yankees not getting him.

[ksushi]

2.19 ERA last year and only gave up 5 bombs. Thats useful. Why isn't he more expensive?

[elsrbueno]

I also read somewhere that Farnsworth allows hitters a less than .200 batting average against. Definately a decent power arm if this is indeed true.

 

Any printed sources that state this or still just WEEI?

 

Seems like the Sox are in no way counting on Keith Foulke to be the closer. They're instead adding guys with closer experience (albeit neither Mota or Farnsworth were all that successful)... they're adding power arms to the pen.

 

Also this is a big indication to me that the team feels that neither Delcarmen or Hansen will be ready to start the season.

 

If this is true, the Red Sox bullpen should be a strength-- especially if Foulke DOES come back strong. I have a feeling he'll be traded before opening day though.

[ksushi]

Nothing printed as of yet, I assume that by the time its FG block at school there will be something up somewhere if EEI had it right. So far I've heard it twice on EEI, so I think this is legit. I'd be happy at this addition.

 

And yeah, this does seem like it points to the Sox FO's lack of confidence in foulke and how high they are on these bullpen prospects.

[SchillingIsTheNatural]

I heard Tom Gordon wants to be a closer so if we took Farnsworth this could put the Yanks in a pickle. I would have no problem adding Farnsworth to go with Mota in the bullpen. Deffinitly stacking the bullpen with arms that have been successful in the past. I like the moves more than John Hallama and Blaine Neal.

[elsrbueno]

As recently as last night most reports are saying Farnsworth is close to signing with the Yankees. The Red Sox have interest, but I've yet to see anything that says they're close.

 

http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20051129&content_id=1273948&vkey=hotstove2005&fext=.jsp

 

Worth keeping an eye on. Certainly a nice addition to whatever team he signs with. Thanks to the Mets and Blue Jays though-- he won't come cheap.

[elsrbueno]

I heard Tom Gordon wants to be a closer so if we took Farnsworth this could put the Yanks in a pickle. I would have no problem adding Farnsworth to go with Mota in the bullpen. Deffinitly stacking the bullpen with arms that have been successful in the past. I like the moves more than John Hallama and Blaine Neal.

 

On that note the Herald is saying Gordon would come to Boston to set up for Foulke:

 

http://redsox.bostonherald.com/redSox/view.bg?articleid=114804&format=text

 

Which probably means he'd return to NY to set up for Rivera.....

[riverside sluggers]

yes but it also says Tom Gordon would know he'd have a shot of closing for the Red Sox surrounding the uncertainty of Foulke for 2006

[Sizzlin22]

I wouldn't wan't Gordon being the closer. Who knows how much that guy has left in his arm? I say go with Foulke unless he bombs it like last year. As far as Farnsworth goes if there is any truth to it than it is huge because it make our bull pen, which was BY FAR our greatest weakness last year very good.

[BoSox84]

Farnsworth is a beats, I saw him the Cubs and like everyone sys he thorws hard. Also he's nice to have in case of a fight, just ask Paul Wilson and the Royals Jeremy Affeldt, OWNED.

[riverside sluggers]

from Foxsports

 

Yanks looking for help for Rivera

Ken Rosenthal / FOXSports.com

Posted: 4 minutes ago

 

The Yankees, moving to bolster their bullpen in front of closer Mariano Rivera, are close to signing free-agent right-hander Kyle Farnsworth to a three-year contract for more than $17 million, FOXSports.com has learned. Farnsworth, 29, likely will be the replacement for free-agent right-hander Tom Gordon, 38. The Yankees remain in contact with Gordon, but Gordon also is being pursued by the Phillies, Orioles, Tigers and Guardians — teams that would use him, and pay him, as a closer.

 

The Orioles have requested medical records for both Gordon and another free-agent closer, Trevor Hoffman. The Tigers also are courting both Gordon and Hoffman. Guardians GM Mark Shapiro and manager Eric Wedge are expected to meet with Hoffman in San Diego this week. The Braves, who are not bidding for Hoffman, could patch up their late-inning relief by signing a lesser free agent, making a trade or both. For example, the Braves could sign free agent Todd Jones and trade for the Devil Rays' Danys Baez. Both were closers last season.

 

Farnsworth began last season with the Tigers before getting traded to the Braves, for whom he was 10-for-10 in save opportunities with a 1.98 ERA. His deal with the Yankees would be contingent on him passing a physical.

[MC Hammer]

FSN just reported that Farnsworth will sign a 3 year deal worth more than 17 million with the Sox.

[yeszir]

Yankees or Red Sox! Who is it!

[MC Hammer]

Yankees or Red Sox! Who is it!

I just posted the answer

 

FSN just reported that Farnsworth will sign a 3 year deal worth more than 17 million with the Sox.

[yeszir]

I'll trust FSN when me s*** turns purple and smells like rainbow sherbert.

[BoSox84]

Im getting a severe case of whiplash going from Sox to Yanks to Sox to Yanks, SIGN ALREADY.

[MANNYHOF24]

If this comes down to dollars the yankees will probally win, however i would love to see Farnsworth on this team next year

[ksushi]

I dont think it will come down to dollars considering farnsworth isn't exactly in command of a Scott Boras like contract. Besides I think when it comes to getting the pieces to the division title puzzle, the sox will want to match the yankees.

[stocker323]

The only article I found from foxsports.com

 

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/5122276

[pats55sox45]

ya it looks as though the yanks will get him

 

does the acquisition of mota keep us from gettin someone like farnsworth?

[yagmaster]

ya it looks as though the yanks will get him

 

does the acquisition of mota keep us from gettin someone like farnsworth?

 

The Red Sox are still in the hunt for one more reliever, be it Farnsworth or Gordon or someone else. I don't think Mota is holding us back from signing another guy, it's the money that these relievers are commanding after the huge contract signings by Ryan and Wagner that is holding us back.

[SchillingIsTheNatural]

I'd rather have Gordon than Farnsworth. I'm still not sold on him but I don't think Gordon has anything to prove. The guy can pitch and always has been able to. Farnsworth is younger where he gets the upper hand but we shall see. Both will get too much money one way or the other.

[elsrbueno]

I'd rather have Gordon than Farnsworth. I'm still not sold on him but I don't think Gordon has anything to prove. The guy can pitch and always has been able to. Farnsworth is younger where he gets the upper hand but we shall see. Both will get too much money one way or the other.

 

I disagree. Gordon has a ton of questions. He's older, he's been overworked in NY being one of Torre's few reliable relievers, and he has struggled to perform in the clutch. 2004 ALCS was a perfect example. He might have been worn out or he might just have not been able to handle the pressure-- either way Gordon worries me a bit.

 

Farnsworth has a great arm and is 9 years younger than Gordon. He too has had difficulties in the postseason, but he doesn't have the same risk (IMO) that Gordon presents.

 

Something about having the 2 major setup men both in their upper 30s worries me.

 

Seems like Philadelphia's got Gordon as their #1 plan B to Wagner and everything I've seen says the Yankees are getting Farnsworth.

[yankeessuck013]

I'd rather have Gordon than Farnsworth. I'm still not sold on him but I don't think Gordon has anything to prove. The guy can pitch and always has been able to. Farnsworth is younger where he gets the upper hand but we shall see. Both will get too much money one way or the other.

 

Tom Gordon would be willing to act as a setup man for the Red Sox, his agent indicated yesterday.

 

"He would be going to Boston to set up and close if Foulke went down (with an injury)," said Josh Goldberg of Beverly Hills Sports Council. Gordon would still likely want a three-year deal from the Red Sox. It's believed the Phillies are his strongest suitors at this time.

 

-Boston Herald

[ksushi]

Everything i am seeing is pointing to Farnsworth headed to the bronx. One name that i don't think is being kicked around enough is Julian Taveras. Maybe the sox chase him down if they lose out on farnsworth.

[Soxfan1]

Sp farnsworth to the yanks. This just inceases mydoubt of Gordon going back to them. Is Brandon looper still closer for the mets and is he FA?

[riverside sluggers]

Is Brandon looper still closer for the mets and is he FA?

 

Braden Looper's option was not picked up by the Mets, yes he is now a free agent.