Gagne in the sox plans?

[jacksonianmarch]

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/2006/12/talks_heat_up_o.html

 

interesting to say the least.

[MANNYHOF24]

I would definitly love this.... when healthy nobody is better

[jacksonianmarch]

I would definitly love this.... when healthy nobody is better

 

he wont be the same Gagne. Rumor has it that his FB is topping out in the low 90s now instead of 98-100 like it was in the past. He might be the best set-up option left around, but throwing him into the closers role is akin to the yankees waiting on Dotel last season.

[rician blast]

I would definitly love this.... when healthy nobody is better

 

At least one guy is. The Panamanian Electrocutor.

[jacksonianmarch]

At least one guy is. The Panamanian Electrocutor.

 

good to see a sox fan with his head on straight. Mo is the best bar none.

[MANNYHOF24]

When Gagne was at the top of his game its hard to say anyone was better than him for that short period when he was completely healthy... Im not talking about an entire body of work.

[AirPantapas]

Would the Sox have to give up a draft pick?

[jacksonianmarch]

When Gagne was at the top of his game its hard to say anyone was better than him for that short period when he was completely healthy... Im not talking about an entire body of work.

 

that is the point. Closers are short lasting beings who lose it as quickly as they got it. Mo's draw was not just his uncanny ability to be the best, but the fact that he has been the best forver it seems.

 

Also, there are rumors about Gagne, you know, the tainted B12. You figure it out. The guy went from a slightly pudgy pitcher to a beast in a season. I dont think that is natural.

[jacksonianmarch]

Would the Sox have to give up a draft pick?

 

nope. He wasnt offered arb.

[AirPantapas]

nope. He wasnt offered arb.

 

Damn then Theo get it done.

[MANNYHOF24]

that is the point. Closers are short lasting beings who lose it as quickly as they got it. Mo's draw was not just his uncanny ability to be the best, but the fact that he has been the best forver it seems.

 

Also, there are rumors about Gagne, you know, the tainted B12. You figure it out. The guy went from a slightly pudgy pitcher to a beast in a season. I dont think that is natural.

 

How can you bring that up... its clear that almost 50 of players did something, The entire New York Yankee lineup (slight exageration) when healthy this guy is lights out.

[jacksonianmarch]

How can you bring that up... its clear that almost 50 of players did something' date=' The entire New York Yankee lineup (slight exageration) when healthy this guy is lights out.[/quote']

 

but I am saying that this guy is not healthy and likely wont ever be back at the level he was at. 2 yrs off and still recovering from 2 surgeries is a long time. His arm is a time bomb as is his back. I mean seriously, how many 29 yr old guys need back surgery for regular wear and tear, not even an obvious traumatic injury.

[MANNYHOF24]

but I am saying that this guy is not healthy and likely wont ever be back at the level he was at. 2 yrs off and still recovering from 2 surgeries is a long time. His arm is a time bomb as is his back. I mean seriously' date=' how many 29 yr old guys need back surgery for regular wear and tear, not even an obvious traumatic injury.[/quote']

 

I'm not saying he will ever be 100% agian, but wouldn't 85% of Gagne be better than any other option the sox have?

[jacksonianmarch]

I'm not saying he will ever be 100% agian' date=' but wouldn't 85% of Gagne be better than any other option the sox have?[/quote']

 

better than what the sox have right now? Well I think I have a few innings left in the old arm, maybe I should give it a try. Yes, it is better than anything the sox have. But counting on him to close is a recipe for imminent disaster.

[Bosoxwest]

When Gagne was at the top of his game its hard to say anyone was better than him for that short period when he was completely healthy... Im not talking about an entire body of work.

 

This is almost a detractor from the signing in that the short stint of transcendant pitching has created a price tag that is in no way consistent with the injury laundry list. The numbers that have previously been thrown around for Gagne thus far are absurd. Foulke when healthy was one of the best closers in the game and we kicked him to the curb (maybe) no problem - and he actually threw last year.

 

If I had to pick one reliever to sign on an incentive-laden deal, assuming all things were equal, I'd prefer Foulke, Johhny Burger King aside. Gagne's injuries are just too scary.

[rician blast]

Foulke's fastball is pretty scary too.

[BSN07]

Ya i'm scared for the people walking down the street behind the monster, they might get hit by a Foulke fastball that just got hit 400ft.

 

When Foulke pitches they should put out signs back there that say "Watch for falling objects".

[ACL BoSox]

I love the idea of acquiring Gagne... at the very worst he's a viable setup man. He was just too good to write him off just yet.

[Beckett95]

As long as he's healthy he'd be better than:

 

Foulke

Tavarez

Seanez

Hansen

Delcarmen

Snyder

probably Timlin

anyone in the bullpen last year not named Papelbon

 

this offseason's the opposite of last years when the dodgers took the former red sox. Looks like we could end up with 3 former dodgers (Gagne, Lugo, Drew)

[Rdsxmbnt]

and possibly a lot more depending on a manny deal lol

[Cityofchampions33]

I don't know if I'd feel completely comfortable leaning on Gagne as the end all be all of our closer spot. I say do the thorough way, sign him, trade for Mike Gonzalez, and see how DC, Hansen, and Okajima do in ST and early on.

[Beckett95]

http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061129&content_id=1747221&vkey=hotstove2006&fext=.jsp

 

"I've never been in better shape. I'm excited to be able to pitch without pain. My arm feels better than it has in years."

-- Eric Gagne

[Rdsxmbnt]

get this man a Sox-Uni! ive wanted him from the beginning and I havent heard anything but encouraging about him.

[ORS]

http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061129&content_id=1747221&vkey=hotstove2006&fext=.jsp

You need to take that with a bowling ball sized grain of salt. Curt was in "great shape" and "feeling fine" heading into '05.

[Linda Peritore]

he wont be the same Gagne. Rumor has it that his FB is topping out in the low 90s now instead of 98-100 like it was in the past. He might be the best set-up option left around' date=' but throwing him into the closers role is akin to the yankees waiting on Dotel last season.[/quote']

His fastball is not what makes him so good. Gagne's curve and change up are what make him effective. Last year in the two games he played, he had a fastball at 95, and consistently threw changes at under 65. His curve ball had a near vertical drop over the plate. That 30 mph difference is what makes him better than Mo when healthy.

[Beckett95]

You need to take that with a bowling ball sized grain of salt. Curt was in "great shape" and "feeling fine" heading into '05.

 

very true, but i definitely think at this point Gagne is worth a shot. Unless they have a Manny deal up their sleeves where they acquire a closer, Gagne is the best option

[Linda Peritore]

http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061129&content_id=1747221&vkey=hotstove2006&fext=.jsp

Here's a note: He's said that every single time he returns from injury. Don't read into it too much.

[Fried Neckbones]

You need to take that with a bowling ball sized grain of salt. Curt was in "great shape" and "feeling fine" heading into '05.

 

No doubt. He's a free agent. What do you expect him to say, "My arm feel like hell and I can barely hit 90 on one of Fox's radar guns"?

 

That being said, of course, offer him a nice incentive-heavy deal and see if he bites. Even if he isn't closing, he could still be a nice piece of a, right now, crappy bullpen.

[Linda Peritore]

No doubt. He's a free agent. What do you expect him to say, "My arm feel like hell and I can barely hit 90 on one of Fox's radar guns"?

 

That being said, of course, offer him a nice incentive-heavy deal and see if he bites. Even if he isn't closing, he could still be a nice piece of a, right now, crappy bullpen.

 

He has also publicly stated that he wants to stay with LA, will give a hometown discount, and it will be his final decision, not Boras's. I highly doubt the Red Sox will get him for an incentive-laden contract. Good luck though.

[Fried Neckbones]

He has also publicly stated that he wants to stay with LA' date=' will give a hometown discount, and it will be his final decision, not Boras's. I highly doubt the Red Sox will get him for an incentive-laden contract. Good luck though.[/quote']

 

I said "offer" an incentive-laden contract. If he takes it, great. If he passes and tries to get the $5-6 million per that he wants, power to him. The Sox have too many other expensive irons in the fire right now to offer that kind of money to a guy who has thrown two innings since mid-2005 and can't even throw off a mound yet. On the flip side, they might as well offer something. The worst he can do is say no.