Francona: Tavarez would be closer if season started tomorow

[Beckett95]

rotoworld--

Red Sox manager Terry Francona told NESN's Jerry Remy that Julian Tavarez would likely be his closer if the season opened tomorrow.

 

Tavarez is our least favorite of the club's four stated possibilities, a group that also includes Joel Pineiro, Brendan Donnelly and Mike Timlin. We'd also trust Hideki Okajima first. Tavarez has walked five and hit two batters in 7 2/3 innings this spring, so he hasn't done anything at all to help his case during March. Also, he had a 4.71 ERA in 65 innings as a reliever last year. Don't go bidding him up just yet.

 

 

:o

[jacksonianmarch]

you thought the pen couldnt sink any lower. And you thought wrong.

[a700hitter]

That inspires confidence doesn't it?

[jacksonianmarch]

nothing like that combustible f*** closing games in the pressure cooker. He might punch a ball girl and spike a baby after he blows a save. But man does he care!

[MANNYHOF24]

I was watching the telecast tonight, and apparently Tito said it jokingly. I think its going to be Pinero, he is pitching better with 4 scoreless innings and hitting 91-92 mph consitantly.

[Beckett95]

i mean maybe but I dont think ive ever seen a manager jokingly name someone on the team a closer...or starter or watever. they usually dont joke about that stuff.

[Anuj09]

Bryan Corey all the way!

[schillingouttheks]

I'm praying that it's Donnelly.

[TedWilliams101]

I was watching the game and cought that. I laughed a little ":lol: hehe thats funny... thats a joke right... He can't be serious...

 

See tavarez close for a game would probably make me puke out my intestines. Then again, Piniero would probably do the same to me.

[seabeachfred]

Taverez could be a decent starter in a pinch; he proved that last year. He can he a decent middle relief pitcher if he has his head together. But he can never be the closer. Francona has said some stupid things and done some even dumber things but he cannot be serious about this. Please, someone tell me he was kidding.

[jacksonianmarch]

Tavares of last yr as a starter was very much like Chacon of 2 yrs ago. He got out of a ton of jams. His WHIP as a starter was 1.5 something. That is terrible. He puts way too many batters on the bases even as a reliever and that spells doom in the 9th. Welcome to your worst nightmare. He'd probably be the last guy I would have closing. After hearing this, I fully expect the sox to make a deal. Tavares as closer will make the sox the 2006 Guardians. Solid offense, solid starting pitching, horrible bullpen and even worse closers (after Wickman was dealt).

[Mr Crunchy]

well if he fails as the closer he can always get a gig as a model

[seabeachfred]

Crunch and Ted, I think I'm going to be sick if I hear anymore crap about Taverez being our closer. Bad enough Francona has been less than stellar in some of his moves from the dugout, but now he is sounding a little incoherent with some of his mutterings. There is no way he can be serious about making Taverez his closer and for that reason alone Theo should be running to the phones and try to finally trade for a closer. Short of that, he ought to give FrancoMa the word that Donnelly or someone else closes. Anyone but Taverez.

[a700hitter]

Maybe he is trying to shock and frighten the FO into getting him a closer.

[jacksonianmarch]

Maybe he is trying to shock and frighten the FO into getting him a closer.

 

when you are given s*** for choices, chances are your choice will be s***.

[seabeachfred]

Donnelly isn't s*** Jack; the guy has proven over the years he can handle pressure very well and pitch effectively in tight situations. He would be a helluva lot better choice than Taverez, though I do find your statement having a strong element of truth to it. We have some guys who ought to be looking for job stealing hubcaps instead of working in the Red Sox bullpen. Maybe 700 is right; maybe Francona is scaring the FO with his threat to use Taverez as closer so they will trade for one. Only problem with that is that Tito isn't astute enough to think along those terms.

[TedWilliams101]

I hate our FO. Thats all I have to say.

[adam123]

just trade willy mo pop up ..to get cordero willy mo is so overated .. hes horrable in the field and is a strike out king just get rid of him

[schillingouttheks]

just trade willy mo pop up ..to get cordero willy mo is so overated .. hes horrable in the field and is a strike out king just get rid of him

 

Anyone want to switch back from Thumper?

[adam123]

if willy mo is so good why has been through the yankees and cincinatti , and here if he was good why not just play him .but heres the catch ..oh he sucks and is a strikeout king .. i know he has potental ..but ome on we need a closer

[schillingouttheks]

Because the Nationals aren't interested in Wily Mo alone.

 

Let me ask you something, would you take Adam Dunn on your team? Also, Wily Mo is NOT a terrible outfielder. He has some work to do, yes, but his misplays aren't as common as everyone says they are. It's just that when he does misplay, it's f***ing awful.

[Beckett95]

sucks and is the strikeout king <_>

 

ya hes 25 years old, i guess he has no more time to improve...

 

you gotta be a little more patient

he only hit over .300 last year with a .490 slg% in 275 AB's. thats not to bad for your typical 25 year old in the MLB. Once he learns to hit an offspeed pitch he'll be a force.

 

and theres no way WAS trades Cordero

 

he got traded by the Yankees cause they always trade away there top prospects and the Reds moved him for a SP they desperetely needed.

[ORS]

if willy mo is so good why has been through the yankees and cincinatti ' date=' and here if he was good why not just play him .but heres the catch ..oh he sucks and is a strikeout king .. i know he has potental ..but ome on we need a closer[/quote']

Do you type with your feet?

[adam123]

Do you type with your feet?

 

what are you a english teacher ?

[ORS]

Why is that your question every time someone questions your ability to communicate? Whether or not I am one doesn't change the fact that your posts look like someone's keyboard threw up.

[adam123]

I really dont think he will ever be able to hit that pitch . Plus I am tierd of hearing he has potential . If he really had it the would have put him in right and not gone to jd drew . if your in majors you need to be able to catch

[adam123]

Why is that your question every time someone questions your ability to communicate? Whether or not I am one doesn't change the fact that your posts look like someone's keyboard threw up.

 

ok man i will work on it .

[Beckett95]

his defense in right field is maybe a little below average, ok but the guy is built like an ox can hit the ball further than almost anyone else in baseball. He K's alot, ok that is a problem, but he still manages to hit the ball hard when he does hit it and hit over .300 with an OBP of .350. Im not worried about his K rate.

 

And if he ever does learn to hit offspead pitches, which i'll assure he does at some point, he'll be a .300 avg, .360 obp, .525 slg, guy in this league

 

and even if he doesnt learn how to hit an offspeed pitch ever in his career, he still can hit .280-.300 with 20+ HR, if he plays everyday

[jacksonianmarch]

Do you type with your feet?

 

f***ing classic.

[jacksonianmarch]

Donnelly isn't s*** Jack; the guy has proven over the years he can handle pressure very well and pitch effectively in tight situations. He would be a helluva lot better choice than Taverez' date=' though I do find your statement having a strong element of truth to it. We have some guys who ought to be looking for job stealing hubcaps instead of working in the Red Sox bullpen. Maybe 700 is right; maybe Francona is scaring the FO with his threat to use Taverez as closer so they will trade for one. Only problem with that is that Tito isn't astute enough to think along those terms.[/quote']

 

Donnelly is a guy approaching 36 who has seen his stuff diminish and his stats start to slide. If he continues the slide, his ERA will fly into the 4's which takes him out of closer capability.