Gagne not coming back

[TheKilo]

Boras said yesterday that Eric Gagne will pursue a role as a closer this off-season, meaning he will not return to the Red Sox.

 

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/2007/11/a_few_things_20.html

 

*Insert stupid comment or joke about Gagne here*

[YAZMAN]

*Insert stupid comment or joke about Gagne here*

 

I think Sunoco might be interested in signing him.

 

http://sunoco-bg.com/images/sunoco_racing_fuel.gif

[MANNYHOF24]

Was there ever any chance that Gange would be back next year?

[TheKilo]

Was there ever any chance that Gange would be back next year?

 

yes.

[ORS]

More Boras bulla-bulla. He's not closing anywhere, not with the way he closed the year here. I'd offer him arb now, though.

[TheKilo]

More Boras bulla-bulla. He's not closing anywhere' date=' not with the way he closed the year here. I'd offer him arb now, though.[/quote']

 

And that's why I think the door's still open for him to be back here.

[ORS]

Think it's a ploy? I'd considered that, but he's having a bad offseason in terms of PR. Boras may want to be a little more honest than usual this winter.

[TheKilo]

Think it's a ploy? I'd considered that' date=' but he's having a bad offseason in terms of PR. Boras may want to be a little more honest than usual this winter.[/quote']

 

Wouldn't be shocked.

 

Boras and Gagne say he wants to close.

Red Sox, knowing he won't close here, offer arb.

Gagne accepts.

 

Then again, there's openings for closers with teams like SF, DET, and Baltimore.

[Jayhawk Bill]

Does anybody else think that Gagne started having panic attacks in save situations after he was shelled for four runs in one-third of an inning on August 10, setting up a Boston loss?

 

After that he pitched 15.1 innings with a 4.70 ERA, but in four save situations he allowed 7 runs in 3.1 IP while in 12 non-save situations he allowed one run in 12 IP. He blew three out of four save opportunities, and Papelbon had to bail him out of the eighth in the other. In twelve other games he was lights-out.

[soxfan17881]

Is anyone upset that he might not be back? I'm not terribly concerned either way, except to say that he'd have to get himself back in order and that seems like a big issue.

[BoSox21]

get him as far away from Boston as possible

[MANNYHOF24]

Did Gange ever have a clean 1-2-3 inning with the Red Sox? If he did it wasnt many at all. Let's face it, he didn't pictch well here. Maybe it was his arm not being used to throwing so many innings or maybe its because he just isnt that good. It's probably a mix of the two, but I still don't want to see him on this team next year.

[Jayhawk Bill]

Did Gange ever have a clean 1-2-3 inning with the Red Sox? If he did it wasnt many at all.

 

Three: September 16, 21 and 30. He allowed no runs in 13 of 20 of his regular-season outings.

 

Let's face it, he didn't pictch well here. Maybe it was his arm not being used to throwing so many innings or maybe its because he just isnt that good. It's probably a mix of the two, but I still don't want to see him on this team next year.

 

Maybe he choked under pressure, and that's why he allowed runs in almost every save situation and didn't in almost every non-save situation. Toss in four-run leads with save situations and you've got every run he allowed except for one, that one coming in his first game back following "arm trouble."

[riverside sluggers]

As I said before, if Gagne accepts then the Sox could still try to swing him to a team that is in need of a closer

[jacksonianmarch]

I dont think they can until June 1.

[He Hate Me]

More Boras bulla-bulla. He's not closing anywhere' date=' not with the way he closed the year here. I'd offer him arb now, though.[/quote']

 

think theres any chance that Gagne would take that arb offer? I can't see how anyone would give him a raise after the way he performed for you guys.

[ORS]

There's a chance, but I think it's reduced for one reason. Boras just took a big hit in the PR department with the timing of ARod's opt out. I mean a huge hit. If he accepts arb to a situation where he undoubtedly won't be doing what he's stating his client wants to do, that's fuel on the fire. I think it's worth the risk now.

[ORS]

I dont think they can until June 1.

Depends on how arbitration rewards are considered? If it's considered an extension of the current contract, then they can trade him whenever they want. If it's considered a new contract, they can still trade him prior to that deadline, it would just require his approval. Since RS said trade him to a club "looking for a closer", and Bora$ has stated Gagne is looking to close, then there's no reason he wouldn't approve the move.

[Jayhawk Bill]

I dont think they can (trade Gagne) until June 1.

 

Tony Graffanino says "Hi."

 

There are three ways out of the no-trade protection offered via arbitration, IIRC:

 

1) The team and the player can settle rather than going through the actual arbitration process, creating a contract without no-trade protections;

 

2) The player can waive the no-trade protection; or

 

3) The team can release the player before the start of the season for a small fraction of his salary.

 

In Gagne's case, like Graffanino's, the third option might come into play. Conversely, if Gagne posted a 0.00 ERA through 10 Spring Training outings, I'd wager that Gagne would happily waive his no-trade protection to be the closer for any one of the half-dozen teams that would show interest at that point.

[elsrbueno]

There's a chance' date=' but I think it's reduced for one reason. Boras just took a big hit in the PR department with the timing of ARod's opt out. I mean a huge hit. If he accepts arb to a situation where he undoubtedly won't be doing what he's stating his client wants to do, that's fuel on the fire. I think it's worth the risk now.[/quote']

 

I think it's absolutely worth the risk.

 

Gagne and his pretty smart agent know that his value is low now. They also know that if he accepts arbitration that he comes back to Boston as a setup man AT BEST which kills his value going forward. I wouldn't be surprised if Gagne signs a 1 year deal with a crappy team that needs a closer (ala Texas last year, although they had Otsuka) with performance incentives and a chance at another big payout after he proves himself. He gets none of that in Boston. Not to mention the fact that he sucked here, which has to be weighing on his mind, and if he sucks as a setup man in Boston his value plummets even more.

 

If the Sox offer arbitration, they get a draft pick if he signs elsewhere (highly likely IMO). Worst case senario is he accepts (highly unlikely IMO) and they can either shop him or let him rot in the bullpen. Let's face it, as much as Red Sox fans like to bitch and moan about the Yankees' payroll, they aren't exactly the Marlins-- they can afford to take the risk that Gagne accepts arbritration and they've got to pay him for 1 year of service.... but I don't think it would get that far, I think Boras will wait for an opportunity to make Gagne a closer somewhere.

[Thumper]

get him as far away from Boston as possible

[Varitek33]

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/2007/11/a_few_things_20.html

 

*Insert stupid comment or joke about Gagne here*

 

Good for us!

[das11209]

Gagne won't be here next season? The Red Sox should start their first game with +5 in standing.

[TC33]

More Boras bulla-bulla. He's not closing anywhere' date=' not with the way he closed the year here. I'd offer him arb now, though.[/quote']

 

 

Then we get a supplemental draft. Is he still considered an A prospect?

[jacksonianmarch]

he's a B. You would get one supp pick

[a700hitter]

...or will he be coming back?

 

http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/baseball/red_sox/view.bg?articleid=1049328

[Thumper]

...or will he be coming back?

 

http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/baseball/red_sox/view.bg?articleid=1049328

 

If Gagne does elect to go to arbitration with the Sox, he would have to make no less than 20 percent below the $6 million salary he had last season. It would also mean the Sox would miss acquiring the draft pick they had coming if the reliever signed with another team.

 

Yeah he BETTER elect to go arbitration. Even if we lose a draft pick.

[riverside sluggers]

Id rather Gagne NOT accept arbitration so the Sox can get that supplemental 1st round pick

[rician blast]

He blew three out of four save opportunities' date=' and Papelbon had to bail him out of the eighth in the other. In twelve other games he was lights-out.[/quote']

 

IMO, that is cherry picking. Too many poor performances...and in some of those twelve "lights out" performances, as I recall, he looked shaky as well. Despite what the result was or what the numbers show in those 12 other performances, I can remember, while watching, him missing spots and getting lucky.

 

Was it the pressure of Boston? Late season fatigue? Varitek? Who knows, who cares, get him outta town.

[BoSox21]

get him the f*** out of here, pronto