Craig Hansen

[ACL BoSox]

Since Papelbon has nailed down the closer role. Could they make Hansen a starter? Didn't he used to be a starter?

[KeepTheFaith1229]

Uh, nah.

[SchillingIsTheNatural]

Since Papelbon has nailed down the closer role. Could they make Hansen a starter? Didn't he used to be a starter?

 

I was suprised to see Papelbon and Hansen being extremely similar pitchers. Both hit the radar gun mid 90s (Hansen may have a little more strength but I'm not positive). Both have a good slider but I don't see either have much off-speed pitches. Neither throws a real good curveball (even though the scouting report says Papelbon throws one).

 

Papelbon does have a splitter which is starting to become unhittable. Meanwhile I hear Hansen is developing a changeup. Which ever direction the Red Sox go I think both can be successful in either role. You do have to admit that Papelbon has been more successful in the bullpen rather than the rotation. It would be interesting to see how Hansen takes to that possible role.

 

The one issue I would have with Hansen is his arm strength. He had the "dead-arm" issue so I'm not sure he can last 200 innings. Another possibilitiy is that both of them end up in the rotation along with Lester while Delcarmen becomes the closer down the road. As far as I know he is throwing shut out baseball everytime he goes into a AAA game.

[ksushi]

Hansen will close, he has the potential to be down right lights out. As good as Papelbon is, he has the off speed stuff - splitter slider change - to last the innings to be a starter and Hansen might be better than him in one inning based on pure stuff.

[mtbykr]

Hansen is a closer and will assume that role when he is ready. He has already been tabbed as "having big league stuff" however needing time in the minor's to work on his game. Paps will be a starter, and i think is better suited for that. If Foulke can pull it together this year (and i have faith he will) we may see paps stretched out to be our #5 guy if we don't get clemens!

[Goalstopper]

i am not so sure paps has earned the closer role. i think it's more if hansen and foulke are injured or aren't up to level. paps will be a starter after hansen is called up.

[ksushi]

When Hansen is called up, hes not going to assume the closer role. Its not inconcievable to have them both pitching out of the same bullpen. It all depends on Foulke. Foulke right now is setting up Papelbon, but likely, soon it will be reversed so that Papelbon can be stretched out. Then Hansen would likely take Papelbons bullpen spot, and set up for Foulke. If they go that route, i assume thats how it would go.

[Sizzlin22]

Hansen consistently hits 98 on the gun. He's going to be the closer when his time comes, Papelbon in the future has the stuff to be a great starter, but for this year by the looks of it things are going to stay the way they are untill either hansen is ready or Foulke stops sucking.

 

EDIT: Hansens doesn't have enough pitches to be a really good starter.

[mtbykr]

When Hansen is called up, hes not going to assume the closer role. Its not inconcievable to have them both pitching out of the same bullpen. It all depends on Foulke. Foulke right now is setting up Papelbon, but likely, soon it will be reversed so that Papelbon can be stretched out. Then Hansen would likely take Papelbons bullpen spot, and set up for Foulke. If they go that route, i assume thats how it would go.

 

 

I think that if hansen comes up this year you hit the nail on the head! Hansen won't ever be a starter--he was made to be a closer but the sox don't want to rush him. And as i have stated the past I think our best chance is to have Foulke as the starter and whoever setting it up for him. We may see paps in the rotation and then when playoffs come he will go back and set up for foulke (provided foulke has regained his form). The whole key though is foulke regaining his form!

[a700hitter]

Hansen consistently hits 98 on the gun. He's going to be the closer when his time comes, Papelbon in the future has the stuff to be a great starter, but for this year by the looks of it things are going to stay the way they are untill either hansen is ready or Foulke stops sucking.

 

EDIT: Hansens doesn't have enough pitches to be a really good starter.

With a 1.02 WHIP at this point in the season, Foulke hardly sucks.

[Sizzlin22]

With a 1.02 WHIP at this point in the season, Foulke hardly sucks.

You bring otu stats liek that this early in the season. Yes he has a low walks/hits per IP's problem is he's only got 8 innings pitched. We need him to prove he can pitch in the closer situation before we can consider taking Papelbon out.

[a700hitter]

You bring otu stats liek that this early in the season. Yes he has a low walks/hits per IP's problem is he's only got 8 innings pitched. We need him to prove he can pitch in the closer situation before we can consider taking Papelbon out.

My only point is that the criticisms that Foulke is "sucking" this year are just not valid.

[Cityofchampions33]

Yeah, it should be considered a good sign he's somewhat effective and his knees are STILL hurting. Also don't forget to nock off 2 runs from Wily Mo's error.