Joel Pineiro to be closer???

[ANiMAL]

BOSTON -- Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein has never been afraid to think outside the box. In what could be a textbook example of just that, longtime starting pitcher Joel Pineiro might serve as Boston's closer in 2007.

Multiple media outlets reported Wednesday that the Red Sox have agreed to terms with the free-agent hurler on a one-year contract worth $4 million. The deal is contingent on a physical, which would explain why the Red Sox have yet to comment on the signing.

 

Of Pineiro's 185 career appearances, 148 of them have been starts. But the Boston Herald reported that Pineiro "will most likely replace Jonathan Papelbon as closer."

 

The signing of Pineiro as a closer would make far more sense, considering that the Red Sox already have an overload of starting pitchers and setup relievers.

 

The Herald's report also stated that Pineiro could make up to $6 million in 2007, based on how many games he finishes, and that if he finishes 35 games, it would trigger an option for 2008.

 

Replacing Papelbon, who is moving to the starting rotation for health reasons, has been by far the most challenging aspect of this offseason for the Red Sox.

 

Pineiro, 28, has spent his entire career, which started in 2000, with the Seattle Mariners. He is coming off perhaps his worst season, as he went 8-13 with a 6.36 ERA in 40 appearances.

 

 

 

Complete coverage >

The pitcher displayed his upside in 2003, going 16-11 with a 3.78 ERA. In his career, Pineiro is 58-55 with a 4.48 ERA.

 

Former Mariners pitching coach Bryan Price told The Boston Globe that the Mariners considered making Pineiro their closer back in 2001.

 

"Back then, he would have been a prototypical closer," Price told the Globe. "His confidence was at a very high level. He could go out there and be throwing anywhere from 92-97 [mph], with a good slider, curve and changeup. He had great arm strength and he was deadly on right-handed hitters."

 

Ian Browne is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

 

I dont think that him being the closer wont be too bad because he's was a great pitcher and he has potential to become a great pitcher again. His Splits show that in his first 30 pitches, he is solid. In 1090 AB's, hes only given up 111 runs which is about 1 run per 10 ABs, which comes out to be about an 3.50 ERA, which is decent for a closer. Dont forget that he has to pace himself when he starts, so when he closes he will be throwing all out.

I dont think he will be the best, but i think he'll do okay if he is given the job

[jacksonianmarch]

Piniero did have his struggles though. In the pen last yr he had a very respectable .213 BAA in 24.1IP But he walked 10 in that time as well and gave up 3 HR. There was a reason why his ERA was 4.81 in relief. But if he works on command and lowers the walk rate, then he could be a good option. Thinking outside of the box, interesting.

[TGov]

I think he will be a good closer, that is if he pitching with what he's got, I know he struggled last year but the kid does have great stuff, and he is only 28, why give up hope on a 28 year old, and the Red Sox staff can definatley turn his struggling ways around... I have faith!

[Cocos Disciples]

I actually don't hate this.

[jacksonianmarch]

I think he will be a good closer' date=' that is if he pitching with what he's got, I know he struggled last year but the kid does have great stuff, and he is only 28, why give up hope on a 28 year old, and the Red Sox staff can definatley turn his struggling ways around... I have faith![/quote']

 

TGov, that is the question. He strained his forearm flexors 2 yrs ago and hasnt been the same, stuff or stats wise. If they can regain his stuff, then he could be great. If they cannot find his stuff, then he'll be dropped like a bad habit. BTW, I smell a Matt Mantei-esque situation here. I still remember when he was billed as the GUY who was about to be the next big reliever. A few months and a 6ERA later, he was gone.

[Bosoxwest]

Take it with a grain of salt, but he had an OPS-against of .748 for his first 30 pitches thrown last year. My take on the FO's thinking is that he has decent stuff, but doesn't have the stamina to be a starter, so he a) doesn't let it rip when he starts and still gets tired and gets absolutely killed in innings 4-9. I'm as dubious about this as anyone but I'll paste in Schill's take (copied from SOSH at http://sonsofsamhorn.net/index.php?showtopic=13833&st=20) which gives me some hope:

 

"The only thing I know is that two years ago I thought this guy had as lively stuff as anyone I had seen in a long time.

He certainly did seem to tail off last year but during some of his games he showed the mid 90s electric stuff he had all the time a few years back.

I thought, from the first day I saw him, that he was built to be a reliever with an incredible arm on a Gordon sized body.

He'll gain a decent amount of velocity heading to the pen, if he can make the mental transition this guys a serious power arm on the back end.

His curveball, when he's fresh, is a strikeout pitch, his fastball certainly is as well, but it was his changeup that wow'd everyone. Tremendous arm action, ball died without looking like it was slowing down.

This, to me anyway, is a no lose signing. This kid gets in the right mix and environment and he ends up being that kid a few years from now people say "How the hell did we let him go?"

I know he tailed off the last two years but I see no downside to adding someone with this good of an arm and some experience under his belt.

I'm still pissed we didn't sign Rollie Fingers....Oh wait, he's not available. Market was sickeningly think for the top shelf stopper this winter, I think we'll find someone to save 42 out of 52 chances this year. We do that and I like our chances."

[jacksonianmarch]

If he wowed everyone with a changeup, had a plus curve and electric heat, why did he get lit up like a Christman tree. Also, an OPS against of .748 is pretty poor. That is right around the league average for hitters. So he is a league average pitcher early then gets tattooed late? Like I said, if he gets that stuff and command back from 3 yrs ago, then he will be great. But I wouldnt hold my breath. Like I said, he sounds like Matt Mantei to me.

[Bosoxwest]

I think what is implied is that he has the stuff, but when he starts he tries to "save himself" for the longer road, so throws at say 85% in the first couple innings, then of course with decreasing returns as he goes through the game. The expectation is that one inning at 100% would by definition be better. Like you, I'll believe it when I see it.

 

That said, who the f*** knows anything about relievers. 90% of them are a crap shoot from year to year, and as Schill points out, what were the options?

[jacksonianmarch]

I think what is implied is that he has the stuff, but when he starts he tries to "save himself" for the longer road, so throws at say 85% in the first couple innings, then of course with decreasing returns as he goes through the game. The expectation is that one inning at 100% would by definition be better. Like you, I'll believe it when I see it.

 

That said, who the f*** knows anything about relievers. 90% of them are a crap shoot from year to year, and as Schill points out, what were the options?

 

no, it is not implied that he has the stuff. It is implied that he HAD the stuff. He has not consistently been the 95mph plus curve throwing machine he was in the past. The fastball was inconsistent start to start, the curve he couldnt locate. The problem is that he doesnt have the stuff. If he finds it, then watch out.

[Gom]

Piniero sucks. Period. Nothing to get excited about. It's like if us Yankee fans got all excited about Chris Britton.

[adam123]

Piniero sucks. Period. Nothing to get excited about. It's like if us Yankee fans got all excited about Chris Britton.

 

come on man and your telling me jared wrong stuff wright was good ..please .. plus you have the alltime scrub farnsworth ..that guys a scrub

[a700hitter]

Piniero sucks. Period. Nothing to get excited about. It's like if us Yankee fans got all excited about Chris Britton.

Getting excited about Chris Britton is like us getting excited by Chad Harville.

[CrespoBlows]

This guy has been in a sharp decline the last three years, this signing will likely be a complete waste of money.

[BoSox21]

you can't really look at stats in trying to determine how successful this guy would be as a closer. being a closer is a completely different mindset and routine than being a starter, which he's been his entire career

[SuperManny]

Pineiro will most likely be given a shot at the closers role but I don't see him lasting a full season. He has always had the potential to be a great pitcher but for some reason has never put it together and is in decline by 28. In Gammo's latest chat he said the Sox wanted Pineiro to close early and have one of the young guns as the closer by the end of the season like the Cards did this year.

[Gom]

Getting excited about Chris Britton is like us getting excited by Chad Harville.

 

Exactly. Just like Joel Piniero. At least Britton is fat. Everyone loves fat baseball players.

[jacksonianmarch]

I dont get why you bag on Britton, Gom. If we were getting a fat single A pitcher who put up a 3.5 era in 51 innings in single A then I'd agree. But the kid is 24 and put up good numbers with good stuff in the ALE. How is that anything to rag on. And to equate it to a guy whose stats have fallen precipitously 3 yrs in a row to the point of being one of the worst pitchers in baseball is interesting.

 

I dont mean to keep drinking the yankee kool-aid, but for once, Cashman and the Yankees are pointed in the direction of sustained excellence rather than a vortex of spending on over the hill players.

[a700hitter]

I dont mean to keep drinking the yankee kool-aid' date=' but for once, Cashman and the Yankees are pointed in the direction of sustained excellence rather than a vortex of spending on over the hill players.[/quote']If you drink any more Kool Aid you will become diabetic.

[jacksonianmarch]

If you drink any more Kool Aid you will become diabetic.

 

that I may 700, that I may. How do you know that I am not one already HOHO.

 

But can you seriously tell me what you expected out of RJ for 2007 to warrant us to pass on this deal?

[a700hitter]

that I may 700, that I may. How do you know that I am not one already HOHO.

 

But can you seriously tell me what you expected out of RJ for 2007 to warrant us to pass on this deal?

I know he has had the back surgery once and come back from it. I think Wells came back from it twice. If healthy, I think that despite his reduced velocity he would still be good enough to win 15-18 games with a low 4's ERA.

[example1]

Pineiro fellas, pineiro.

 

I think Pineiro is worth giving a shot. I seem to remember him having pretty good stuff but not great pinpoint control. It's a crapshoot but I could see him providing MLB average closing over the first 3 months until someone else has shown that they can take over.

 

(Getting rid of RJ was a good thing for the Yankees and not a bad thing for the Red Sox, if that's possible. I won't miss seeing him on the mound but he was pretty bad for the Yanks.)

[ksushi]

Getting excited about Chris Britton is like us getting excited by Chad Harville.

 

Chad Harville? Getting excited watching him take the mound is like getting excited about a colonoscopy.

[a700hitter]

Chad Harville? Getting excited watching him take the mound is like getting excited about a colonoscopy.

Exactly.

[jacksonianmarch]

I know he has had the back surgery once and come back from it. I think Wells came back from it twice. If healthy' date=' I think that despite his reduced velocity he would still be good enough to win 15-18 games with a low 4's ERA.[/quote']

 

the last time he had back surgery in the offseason, he missed half the next season, and that was in his prime. How do you think a 43 yr old would react now? Plus one that is essentially minus cartilage in his knees? I was ok with his knees when they were his only problem. Not ok with them when he has a bad back too.

[a700hitter]

the last time he had back surgery in the offseason' date=' he missed half the next season, and that was in his prime. How do you think a 43 yr old would react now? Plus one that is essentially minus cartilage in his knees? I was ok with his knees when they were his only problem. Not ok with them when he has a bad back too.[/quote']I would hope that AZ consulted their medical staff before inking him to an extension.

[jacksonianmarch]

I would hope that AZ consulted their medical staff before inking him to an extension.

 

Yeah, the witch doctors on the reservation are checking the spirits wondering if Randy has enough spirit force for the yr.

[Manny Goes Boom]

Yeah' date=' the witch doctors on the reservation are checking the spirits wondering if Randy has enough spirit force for the yr.[/quote']

 

Watch the Arizona jokes... :stop:

[Gom]

I dont get why you bag on Britton, Gom. If we were getting a fat single A pitcher who put up a 3.5 era in 51 innings in single A then I'd agree. But the kid is 24 and put up good numbers with good stuff in the ALE. How is that anything to rag on. And to equate it to a guy whose stats have fallen precipitously 3 yrs in a row to the point of being one of the worst pitchers in baseball is interesting.

 

I dont mean to keep drinking the yankee kool-aid, but for once, Cashman and the Yankees are pointed in the direction of sustained excellence rather than a vortex of spending on over the hill players.

 

Jackson, Britton sucks. We just got a warm body for the guy. ERA for relievers especially is one of the most misleading statistics.

 

I'm just glad we got rid of Wright. A lot of the people here can't remember, the Yankees used to suck in the early 90's. Steinbrenner was banned, and Gene Michael took the team over. He built it from within. The Yankees won by creating homegrown players, making good trades, and supplanting them with needed pieces. As a franchise, we got away from it. It's good to see them go forward.

 

Say what you want RSN. You put Jackson, Sanchez, and Ohlendorf in a package come July, and you can pretty much get any player available at the trade deadline. Dontrelle, Miguel Cabrera, Sheets, Peavy, Oswalt...etc., etc. Once teams fall out of the race, the Yankees are going to have some serious poker chips to use.

[TPetey]

Say what you want RSN. You put Jackson, Sanchez, and Ohlendorf in a package come July, and you can pretty much get any player available at the trade deadline. Dontrelle, Miguel Cabrera, Sheets, Peavy, Oswalt...etc., etc. Once teams fall out of the race, the Yankees are going to have some serious poker chips to use.

 

Jackson, Sanchez, and Ohlendorf for Cabrera?

 

Maybe if the package also includes Hughes. Otherwise, that's crazy talk.

[example1]

Guys, seriously, the sox signed a player who may very well be the Sox closer, a number of people have actually said they're comfortable with the move (a view I can understand) and yet here we are discussing a trade for an old Yankee? No offense, you guys know I love this stuff and this is a nice conversation but there are other places to discuss this. :dunno:

 

Pineiro reminds me a lot of Manny Delcarmen. Discuss.