Sox Closer in 06

[MANNYHOF24]

Who do you think should close games for the Sox next year. I personally think Keith Foulke will be back to himself, but if not i think it should be Hansen

[yagmaster]

Who do you think should close games for the Sox next year. I personally think Keith Foulke will be back to himself, but if not i think it should be Hansen

 

Foulke struggled with injuries last year, but did have one of the better seasons and postseasons as a reliever of all time the previous year. I expect him to come back this season healthy and with a lot to prove, and I think he will. While he may never again be a 3 inning lights out super reliever like he was in the 2004 playoffs (especially in the ALCS), he will have a great comeback season.

 

My pick for closer in the near future, which is no big surprise, is Hansen. From what I've heard about him from articles I have read and also from friends, Hansen has the stuff to be a Mariano Rivera or Brad Lidge type closer; he will be the best in the game. I think it's important not to rush him, or any of our other promising prospects.

[ACL BoSox]

Foulke in 06

Hansen in 07

 

our bullpen for 06 ideally

 

6 IP for Starters

7th Hansen

8th Mota

9th Foulke

[Soxfan1]

2 of our ideal vets's. This is great. Well anyways I wouldn't jump the gun on Foulke yet. He has proven himself to be a dominate closer in the past.

[example1]

If Foulke can come back and be effective then there is no reason he can't still be the three-inning superstar that he was two years ago. What happened last year was not about getting older or tired, it was about somehow losing his "stuff". He threw the same way, he studied video after video, he kept throwing the same pitches, but somehow people were hitting him. He didn't fool anyone with anything. Personally, I think he was tipping his pitches (or teams had figured out how to tell the difference between his 2 pitches). Teams were just sitting on both pitches.

 

So I'm not sure what the fix is. I don't think Foulke was on the 'roids (although a friend of mine has credible sources telling him Foulke likes to dabble in the cocaine and that the Sox brass and players knew about it). Ultimately I think Foulke imploded because teams figured out how to hit him (perhaps because everyone saw him so much in 04) and because he lost his composure because of the oft-cited but poorly explained "personal reasons". I think his injuries were minor things that the team found when examining the physical reasons for his decline, but the harsh manner with which the sox dismissed him to minor leagues and sports clinics makes me think they felt that he owed them a lot and could treat him like s***.

 

If foulke worked out the personal stuff (I believe there was a divorce as well) and is able to figure out why he got hit so hard, then he will probably do pretty well. He seriously could not do ANY WORSE next year. It is seemingly impossible.

[MANNYHOF24]

The fact that he was pitching on two bad knees might have had something to do with it

[ksushi]

My vote goes to Hansen. Hansen if kept in the closer role will be the best closer in baseball two or three years down the road. He is that good. He has an intimidating build and throws very hard. He has pin point control and a nasty slider, his sinker will turn him into a quality two inning guy down the road because it is filthy. filthy.

 

So yeah, I think Hansen will begin the year at the major league leven because I am sure he will impress in spring training. I think he will begin the year in a setup role and might be around to slam the door in the ninth inning after the all star break or sooner depending on how beastly he decides to be this year.

[ahhchon]

My vote goes to Hansen. Hansen if kept in the closer role will be the best closer in baseball two or three years down the road. He is that good. He has an intimidating build and throws very hard. He has pin point control and a nasty slider, his sinker will turn him into a quality two inning guy down the road because it is filthy. filthy.

 

So yeah, I think Hansen will begin the year at the major league leven because I am sure he will impress in spring training. I think he will begin the year in a setup role and might be around to slam the door in the ninth inning after the all star break or sooner depending on how beastly he decides to be this year.

 

that's a grand statement.. especially when there are guys out there like lidge, gagne, street who are still very young and have proven to be dominant closers....

 

john

[elsrbueno]

I voted Foulke because I think Terry Francona will give him every opportunity to win his job back in Spring Training and in the regular season. If he falters, the Sox have a few options, highlighted most likely by Hansen and Mota. If Foulke's knees were as bad as the Red Sox say they were, that's most likely a big part why he lost some MPH on his fastball, thus taking the deception factor away from the changeup. Remember, pitching isn't just about the arms, the legs play a huge factor too-- ask Roger Clemens.

 

I'd like to see Hansen get his feet wet as a setup guy before we hand him the closer's role. I understand that Street and Lidge were able to close at a young age, but keep in mind that BOTH of these guys still broke in as setup men (both for Octavio Dotel, coincidentally enough). Lidge was thrust into the role when Houston traded Dotel to Oakland in 2004, and Street was given the job when Dotel got injured. Lidge was even a 7th inning man before the Astros traded Wagner to Philly.

 

Is Hansen the closer of the future? No doubt. But if he eases into the majors as a setup man I say the probability of instant success is much higher.

[Beckett95]

ESPN currently has Timlin as the sox Closer

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2279057

[ksushi]

Yeah but ESPN doesn't have insight into every sports organization. They don't know the opening day roster any more than we do. They speculate just like us. Whats on ESPN is not written in stone.

 

Not to say Timlin isn't capable. I liked Timlin as the 9th inning guy, except that he was allergic to inherited runners but I think that is just something that comes into play whatever role he has in the bullpen. If there is really something to it, it may even be more significant in the set up role, because the set up role isn't as clearly defined as the closer. He may come in after the starter goes 6 2/3 with runners on second and third more often then he would come into a game with runners on as a closer. It happens, obviously, we all remember that mini-fiasco in tampa, but yeah, enough babble, timlin is the man.

[Ray10]

I say they bring up Hansen have him in the pen so he get's some experience then have him close in 07. As for 06 they are most likely going to go with Keith Foulke again.

[riverside sluggers]

Keith Foulke, regardless of his shoddy 2005 performance, he should be given a chance to regain his 2004 form. If that high ERA and blown saves creep up again. Try and deal him off mid-season and have a handful of selecions of Timlin, Mota, Seanez, and even Hansen to take over closing duties.

[guapo34]

Yeah, its definately Foulke's job to lose. If he struggles then it goes to whoever is pitching the best. That could be a lot of guys as riverside listed.

[riverside sluggers]

Papelbon, as noted by Gordon Edes, could also be a distinct possibility to become the closer

[jsinger121]

foulke should get the first opportunity to close. with so many solid arms in the pen papelbon needs to focus on starting because that is where his future is.

[gosox613]

Im very doubtful about Foulke...i think he will start out the season, but after a while, Timlin will probably step in. I dont think they will bring up Hansen so soon yet, i think they should give him more time to develop. Im pretty sure he only has two good pitches and hes working on more which would be another reason for him not to be rushed.

[ksushi]

Hansen will start in the majors. I will eat my hand if he doesn't. This kid is a monster. I stand by my bold prediction, I am not underminding gagne or lidge or whomever, hansen, 2 years from now will be an all star, and the best closer in the game.

 

Hansen has three "hall of fame" pitches as gammons put it last summer. A fastball in the high ninties with pin point location, a power sinker in the mid ninties and a vicious slider. He'll be up.

[Beckett95]

Hansen will start in the majors. I will eat my hand if he doesn't. This kid is a monster. I stand by my bold prediction, I am not underminding gagne or lidge or whomever, hansen, 2 years from now will be an all star, and the best closer in the game.

 

Hansen has three "hall of fame" pitches as gammons put it last summer. A fastball in the high ninties with pin point location, a power sinker in the mid ninties and a vicious slider. He'll be up.

 

over K-rod and Huston street?? I dont know if hell be the best, but he should be very good

[ksushi]

I think so. K-rod had his fare share of melt downs last year and flirted wit ha 3 era. A 3 ERA is nothing to brag about as a closer. I mean, yeah its solid, but its not boast worthy. And yes, he will be better than huston street.

[riverside sluggers]

foulke should get the first opportunity to close. with so many solid arms in the pen papelbon needs to focus on starting because that is where his future is.

 

Theres no doubt about that, trust me I feel the same way. But its not up to Papelbon what role he will have for the 2006 season, its up to his coaches and organization. Keep in mind, a possibility of him opening the year in the pen. Either way for this season, he can strengthen the staff from both sides.

[Cityofchampions33]

I'd much rather see him in the rotation than in the pen even though he has the right closer mentality. Foulke IMO will re-gain 2004 form or something better than last year. He had 2 bad knees, and bad mechanics, now with the surgically repaired knees, and time to work on his mechanics, he could do much better.

[guapo34]

I think so. K-rod had his fare share of melt downs last year and flirted wit ha 3 era. A 3 ERA is nothing to brag about as a closer. I mean, yeah its solid, but its not boast worthy. And yes, he will be better than huston street.

 

when krod blew those leads against the yankees he was severly overworked. If hansen turns out better than krod the red sox will be very lucky.

[MANNYHOF24]

Theres no doubt about that, trust me I feel the same way. But its not up to Papelbon what role he will have for the 2006 season, its up to his coaches and organization. Keep in mind, a possibility of him opening the year in the pen. Either way for this season, he can strengthen the staff from both sides.

 

From what ive heard the Organization wants Paps to start. Lets be real he is 25 and the time is right to throw him out there every 5 days and see what he can do. When there is a potential for 200 innings and over 200 Ks, why would you only want that for only 65-80 innings. Paps starting is a no Brainer

[riverside sluggers]

When there is a potential for 200 innings and over 200 Ks, why would you only want that for only 65-80 innings.

 

dude whoa calm down, I know how things work. Like I said before, I want to see him start.

 

"Lets be real here", there is still a possibility that they might have him start the season off in the pen. Gordon Edes, Tito, Dave Wallace, and Tony Masarotti have all brought that up once or twice. I'm not denying the sick stuff this kid has to start games.

[SCM33]

Hansen wont start. Simple as that. Never has, never will. Its not like he is a SP now changing to be a RP/Closer. The change is much more difficult. Its not going to happen and unrealistic to think about with the arms the team already has. Our concerns should be whether or not Papelbon starts, or what to do with Clement/Arroyo/Wells. Papelbon made the switch, but made the switch in the minor leagues, in Lowell 4 years ago. Unless they plan on burning a season in Pawtucket with the kid I dont see the point. A middle Reliever/ closer is just as important as a SP, it doesnt matter how many innings they pitch. If you dont have middle relivers to get guys out, you will lose, just the same as if you dont have a SP to get hitters out. What would you rather have, 200 s***** IP, 200 mediocre IP or 60-80 quality relief innings? Who is to say Hansen would dominate for 6 IP having never done so? Mariano Rivera says hello, Rivera of course came up as a starter, but has dominated as a closer.

 

 

PS. Hansens Soph season, the year before he was drafted he started a few games, and his ERA for his SOPH season was 7.03. He was made a reliever and dominated last season. He is only a year and a half removed from getting shelled in college games, and we are to assume he can dominate big league hitters? Thats quite an assumption based on a 7.03 ERA as a starter at St. Johns University.

[ksushi]

I think with the holes the red sox currently have, they can fill them by dealing away pitchers like clement arroyo and wells. They will fill them that way and papelbon will have to be in the rotation. By necessity, he will be a starter.

[SCM33]

I would rather them give Lenny Dinardo a shot at starting.

 

http://thebaseballcube.com/players/D/lenny-dinardo.shtml

 

He was very impressive in Pawtucket as a starter, hes had a very good minor league career as a starter and hes done nothing but get hitters out in MLB, AAA, AA, A or wherever hes been. That way Hansen stays in the bullpen which is more natural. This is of course if we expect Clement, Arroyo, and Wells to be dealt.

 

3.29 Career Minor league ERA in 349 career innings.

[riverside sluggers]

well of course Hansen is going to stay in the bullpen... i havent heard anything of the Sox evenconsidering him as a starter, or anyone on here suggest he should be.

 

As for DiNardo, there's a chance he will be with the team on opening day as the long innings reliever/spot starter

[ksushi]

First off I just want to say thank you for mentioning lenny dinardo. I love lenny dinardo, in a strictly pleutonic kind of way, but a love none the less. I would love to see him be a starter on this club. Actually wow, imagine if the red sox dealt all three Clement Arroyo and Wells and gave the job to dinardo? I've just had an epiphany. The sun has just peaked out from behind the clouds. I am happy. SOLUTION!

 

Deal Wells for BP Help, Arroyo for reed, and include clement in a package that will bring us back a lugo or such. The price on lugo is out of hand right now, but I think that even the rays know they are a veteran pitcher or two away from being a competitive team. Clement and Shoppach or Clement and Moss, something like that, could get it done. I'm not interested in donating them Marte or Lester or Papelbon just because they aren't a good team, but a deal with some fairness like that? Absolutley. Hell, I just became way happier about the whole tejada situation than I was, provided none of the untouchables get involved.

 

Schilling

Beckett

Wakefield

Papelbon

Dinardo

 

Thats a rotation with some promise.