Boston's Foulke feels strong, ready to reclaim role as closer

[mtbykr]

I agree that we need a great and consistent closer to win the division this year. But I am not convinced that guy has to be Foulke. I think someone like Hansen or Papelbon, or maybe even Timlin would do fine.

 

 

Well I agree that we need a great closer, I also think that that guy has to be Foulke. We all saw how the Timlin experiment went last year, everyone expects Paps to break into the rotation soon (shill wants him now), and Hansen is still too young (although capable). So the best case scenerio for the sox is for Foulke to return to 04 form!

[The Monster is my Mom]

Well I agree that we need a great closer, I also think that that guy has to be Foulke. We all saw how the Timlin experiment went last year, everyone expects Paps to break into the rotation soon (shill wants him now), and Hansen is still too young (although capable). So the best case scenerio for the sox is for Foulke to return to 04 form!

 

I agree that is the best scenario, but it may be wishful thinking.

[yeszir]

He's getting a synthetic lubricant injected into his knee because they removed scarred cartilege when he had arthroscopic surgery. The removed cartilege can result in bone on bone friction which causes the player pain, and the lubricant reduces that pain. Randy Johnson had the same thing done in 2004 after his arthroscopic surgery. From what I've read/heard, this is pretty routine.

What's next? Luke Skywalker arms?

[Sox Fan on Cape]

What's next? Luke Skywalker arms?

James Earl Jones as catcher, he just needs a new mask.

[sarasoxfan]

what's next?

a new team.

[seabeachfred]

Monster Man, the one thing we must never do again, though, is this closer by committee crap. It cost us dearly in the early part of the 2003 season when he kept blowing lead after lead. If not Foulke, someone has to step up big time. Foulke is the best choice for me because of his past record. I just hope he is ready when the bell sounds.

[Sox Fan on Cape]

Monster Man, the one thing we must never do again, though, is this closer by committee crap. It cost us dearly in the early part of the 2003 season when he kept blowing lead after lead. If not Foulke, someone has to step up big time. Foulke is the best choice for me because of his past record. I just hope he is ready when the bell sounds.

Back to your original point. Foulke is the man, unless he can't come back. Timlin has shown in the past that he's not suited for the role, Hansen needs a little more tome, and Paps is also questionable ( ie. ruining a good starter ). If Foulke can't due the job then, its either try all the above or make a trade.

[The Monster is my Mom]

Just a thought, but how do people think that someone like Arroyo would be as a closer? He has some pretty nasty stuff, a rubber arm, and seems like he would have the right mentality. I dunno...

[YanksHater213]

Hey, did you guys know 'Youk Of The Nation' had sex with Keith Foulkes wife?

 

She couldnt walk right for weeks I heard.

[seabeachfred]

Cape Man, that is why I say Foulke is the key to the whole season. I don't want to put undue pressure on the guy but, face it, if he can't do it who can? You said yourself that Timlin isn't suited for the job, Hansen is too young and inexperienced, and Seanez has never had that job. It could fall on Taverez. I like that guy; he is a real competitor. My take? A healthy and effective Foulke, a rejuvinated Schilling, and a horse in Beckett? Keep them all healthy and we make it to the World Series.

[seabeachfred]

Monster Man, as stupid as your suggestion sounds today in lieu of another one of Arroyo's crappy performances in a starting role, I think you may have something there. Take out our anger at Bronson pitching lousy this afternoon and we have a guy with knockout stuff who for one or two innings could do the job. A lot of our friends on board may be laughing at us now, but while I have always believed that Arroyo was best suited for the bullpen, CLOSER never entered my mind. Fact is, your idea is not stupid at all; it might be something that was way ahead of the curve if it comes down to that.

[ORS]

Bronson is junk-baller that can't locate his FB who gets smacked around by LH batters. He is perfectly suited for the back of the rotation or as the long-man in the BP, but he doesn't have anything that can dominate hitters, which is what you typically want in a closer. I'm not saying a closer has to be overpowering, I mean, look at Foulke. When he's healthy, he's just touching 90 or a little above it. But he's got pinpoint control and a devastating change up that looks exactly like the FB when he releases it.

[ksushi]

agreed, a closer does not need an over powering FB, but a closer does have to have an aspect of his game that can dominate hitters. If you pitch for an inning, especially the ninth, you cannot nibble. Nibbling is something a starter will do, waste pitches, set guys up for their next AB etc. etc. its not a bad thing to do at all, but for a closer it is. A closer has to have a devastating pitch, be it a foolish change up at 79 mph, or a vicious Zito-like curve or a 97 mph cut fastball.

[seabeachfred]

Red, that is a good point you made, but if Arroyo was sent to the bullpen and had to close in a pinch he would not have to beat around the bush. He could just let loose with all he has, cracking curves and pitching high and tight. His problem is that he tries to pace himself and he hasn't the great stuff for that. For an inning or two he could be very effective. I remember two or three times last season how he would blow through the lineup for two or three innings and then get bombed. Relief pitching is where I think he belongs.

[seabeachfred]

And Ksushi, we all know that Arroyo gets himself into deep s*** when he starts his nibbling around the plate. His strength is giving us two or three good innings with his best stuff and that is why he is best suited to the bullpen. In a pinch he could close; I really believe he could.

[ORS]

Red, that is a good point you made, but if Arroyo was sent to the bullpen and had to close in a pinch he would not have to beat around the bush. He could just let loose with all he has, cracking curves and pitching high and tight. His problem is that he tries to pace himself and he hasn't the great stuff for that. For an inning or two he could be very effective. I remember two or three times last season how he would blow through the lineup for two or three innings and then get bombed. Relief pitching is where I think he belongs.

I agree, reliever is the best role for him. I just don't see him as a closer. Too hittable.

[The Monster is my Mom]

It is too bad Arroyo is so inconsistent. Last May I went to a Tigers/Red Sox game in Detroit, and Arroyo had a no hitter going until like the 7th inning, when Carlos Guillen squeaked a homer past the right field foul pole. But he pitched awesome that day.

[kreinbihl34]

Arroyo isn;t that inconsistent.... he just hasn't mastered they art of pacing himself early. This is a guy we must keep he has balls the size of grapefruits the way he steps up in big games.

[seabeachfred]

Red Seat, off of what he has done in his two starts in Spring Training you get a free ride from me on the Arroyo thing. He looks real hittable so far. Glad, though, we agree that he is better suited for the bullpen. At least we can spot him down there and use him where he is most effective.

[kreinbihl34]

Key word Spring Training... do you really think guys are reallt trying hard to win those games... no. They are just getting in shape for the upcoming season. Nothing in Spring Training really tells anyone how someone is gonna do in the regular season because by the 3rd or 4th inning AAA players are in.

[kreinbihl34]

Oh and btw I'm a huge Arroyo fan so I MIGHT be a little biased.

[Cityofchampions33]

Foulke was VERY hittable in ST 2004, but when the regular season came he went on a tear of like 20 straights aves or something.

[ORS]

I'm not saying Bronson is too hittable to be a closer because of his two ST appearances this year. I got that impression of Bronson quite some time ago. He's capable of some very good pitching performances, but he gets shelled just as often as he shuts teams down.

 

I like Bronson. He's good back end of the rotation type of pitcher who can give 200+ innings of league average pitching without arm problems, which has some value. He's even got the moxie to be a closer. I just don't think he has the stuff.

[seabeachfred]

Krien, we are all a little biased towards our favorites; nature of the beast. Still I think that Bronson would be much more effective coming out of the bullpen this season. I do admire the fact that he took a home town discount to stay with the Red Sox. As an old war horse, I still admire loyalty. I think it is a very honorable trait. Anyway, keep pitching in there for Bronson. I think when all is said and done he will again make a good contribution to our team's success.

[HeadOfSoxNation]

I like Arroyo, and think he's a solid pitcher who's only going to get more solid when he gains a couple of more years. However, with the plethora of starting pitchers that we have in Boston, he belongs in the 'Pen here. I don't doubt that he could be a solid #2 starter in some cities that lack a good rotation, but we don't have that problem here. He's not a closer, but he's a good middle or long man. I really don't think there's any question as to where Bronson is pitching this year, if he stays in Boston.

 

PS...I'm in favor of putting him on waivers if he brings back the cornrows again

[seabeachfred]

I'm beginning to believe that the Red Sox are really going to put Bronson in the pen this year---that is, unless, they trade one of their starters. I just think he would do better out of the bullpen. The guy, as you said HOSN can pitch middle or long relief and that's a plus for us.

[The Monster is my Mom]

I'm beginning to believe that the Red Sox are really going to put Bronson in the pen this year---that is, unless, they trade one of their starters. I just think he would do better out of the bullpen. The guy, as you said HOSN can pitch middle or long relief and that's a plus for us.

 

he could be in the pen even if clement or wells is traded.

[ksushi]

I'd rather have papelbon in the rotation than bronson.

[seabeachfred]

Monsterman, I think you are right on with that. Arroyo would also be better in the bullpen, I have said that repeatedly. I don't think either Wells or Clement will be traded and here's why. Wells is a money pitcher, good when the chips are down. The guy knows how to rise to the occasion. Clement has hellacious ability and stuff, but his problem is that he seems to have bad second halfs, and there is no excuse for that. If he puts together a good season he could win between 18-20 games. But like ksushi, I would like to see Papelbon in the rotation this year, but will have to settle for him starting first in the pen.

[riverside sluggers]

Foulke is planning on adding sliders and splitters to his arsenal