Wakefield and the 2010 season.

[Dojji]

I think Wake's body is finally betraying him for good. I wouldn't count on anything from him from here on out.

[The_Destroyah]

I know but its that emotional side of me that even though you know it would be a bad idea you want to see a favorite back with the team no matter how bad and decrepid (see Garciaparra, Nomaaaaah)

[jacksonianmarch]

He's done IMO. The fact that the sox are in a heated playoff chase and Timmay hasnt been able to be useful since July due to a chronic back condition makes me think he hangs em up.

[Dipre]

He's done IMO. The fact that the sox are in a heated playoff chase and Timmay hasnt been able to be useful since July due to a chronic back condition makes me think he hangs em up.

 

He could be effective in a half-year role.

 

The past couple of years have been indication enough that his body can't handle a full season of pitching, but he's been able to take about a half-season of consecutive turns in the rotation before wearing down.

 

I think logic dictates that's a trend that could be taken advantage of.

[jacksonianmarch]

Dipre, I am thinking that this back injury is something that is gonna linger. He had nerve impingement that left a leg weak. He's had something like 4 cortisone shots and he still looks like he's got a pole up his ass. I don't think its an effectiveness thing. I think this is an injury thing, and back injuries in the over 40 crowd tend to be chronic

[The_Destroyah]

He could be effective in a half-year role.

 

The past couple of years have been indication enough that his body can't handle a full season of pitching, but he's been able to take about a half-season of consecutive turns in the rotation before wearing down.

 

I think logic dictates that's a trend that could be taken advantage of.

 

true as well, he was at the first half of the season on a pace to win 20 games, while that might have been some luck it definitely shows he has somethin left in the tank, and if he is a 6th starter in a 5 man rotation he has value, and he can eat some innings in the BP if we need him to.

[Dipre]

Dipre' date=' I am thinking that this back injury is something that is gonna linger. He had nerve impingement that left a leg weak. He's had something like 4 cortisone shots and he still looks like he's got a pole up his ass. I don't think its an effectiveness thing. I think this is an injury thing, and back injuries in the over 40 crowd tend to be chronic[/quote']

 

Still, with nearly a year to rest it's sensible to believe he could withstand a half-year of pitching. Specially with his pitching style.

[Dojji]

Sorry, I think I have to side with Dr. Doomengloom there. I just don't think we can count on Wake as a regular starting pitcher anymore.

[Dipre]

Since when does a Paul Byrd-type second half entrance constitute being a regular Starting Pitcher?

[jacksonianmarch]

Still' date=' with nearly a year to rest it's sensible to believe he could withstand a half-year of pitching. Specially with his pitching style.[/quote']

 

Its possible. I wont rule it out.

[Dipre]

Its possible. I wont rule it out.

 

But that's what i've been saying all along. What the f***?

[jacksonianmarch]

I am saying your viewpoint isnt entirely unrealistic. I dont think thats what is going to happen, but it could. I think that a 40+ yr old guy with a nagging back issue that left him useless in a playoff run might be the last straw for this guy. What does he have left to prove? He's the longest tenured sock during their most prolific run in a century. He's made a boatload of cash. And, he has two rings. Does he really need to pitch through pain for a half a season at his age to potentially be the 6th man for Boston down the stretch of 2010? I think that from Wake's perspective, it might be time to hang it up and become a coach.

[Dipre]

I am saying your viewpoint isnt entirely unrealistic. I dont think thats what is going to happen' date=' but it could. I think that a 40+ yr old guy with a nagging back issue that left him useless in a playoff run might be the last straw for this guy. What does he have left to prove? He's the longest tenured sock during their most prolific run in a century. He's made a boatload of cash. And, he has two rings. Does he really need to pitch through pain for a half a season at his age to potentially be the 6th man for Boston down the stretch of 2010? I think that from Wake's perspective, it might be time to hang it up and become a coach.[/quote']

 

He wants to break the Sox's win record, for one, he also wants to help the team.

 

The only realistic thing here is your doomsday point of view.

 

And you wonder why we think the table is so accurate, when this is a perfect example of when to use it.

[jacksonianmarch]

Rosy red glasses...Take them off

[Dipre]

Rosy red glasses...Take them off

 

Your doomsday predictions really don't matter, man.

 

In fact, since you predicted his retiring, Wake probably comes back and wins 14 games in the 2nd half next year.

[PWNdroia]

If Theo were smart' date=' he'd exercise the option and have him come back at the 2nd half to provide pitching depth.[/quote']

 

I guess I can manage with that... so long as he doesn't pitch all year for us.

[RWTP24]

Ok, so I really thought the Sox were smarter than this. Everyone saw how bad Wake looked, but I guess the Red Sox missed it. He could hardly run to home plate to cover for a passed ball.

 

According to ESPN Boston, Wake is going to start on Tuesday against Toronto.

[RedSox2737]

I hope wakefield realizes it's time for him to hang them up

[The_Destroyah]

chill out guys, you've seen one start, not exactly a good sample size for a pitcher who can be as unpredictable as Wake.

[PWNdroia]

chill out guys' date=' you've seen one start, not exactly a good sample size for a pitcher who can be as unpredictable as Wake.[/quote']

 

I've been saying Wake is mediocre loooooooooooooooooooooooong before one start. I've been saying it the past two or three seasons. He is nothing more than a mediocre pitcher that always gets his ERA in the 4 to 4.50 range. He is either lights out or he gets blown away, and everyone runs off of him.

[The_Destroyah]

he is exactly what you could ask for from a 4-5 starter, He gives your team a chance to win much of the time and doesnt tax the bullpen, unless we have better options I like him as our number 5 next year or our number 6 in case someone goes down, and he can man the long reliever positions while he waits.

[TheKilo]

I've been saying Wake is mediocre loooooooooooooooooooooooong before one start. I've been saying it the past two or three seasons. He is nothing more than a mediocre pitcher that always gets his ERA in the 4 to 4.50 range. He is either lights out or he gets blown away' date=' and everyone runs off of him.[/quote']

 

Post better.

 

Wakefield provides the Sox with league average pitching from anywhere from 125-150 innings for four million dollars.

 

You can never have enough pitching depth and you could make the case his deal is the best in baseball.

[redsoxrules]

Post better.

 

Wakefield provides the Sox with league average pitching from anywhere from 125-150 innings for four million dollars.

 

You can never have enough pitching depth and you could make the case his deal is the best in baseball.

 

as long as he dosent pitch in the post season this is fine by me

[Dipre]

Post better.

 

Wakefield provides the Sox with league average pitching from anywhere from 125-150 innings for four million dollars.

 

You can never have enough pitching depth and you could make the case his deal is the best in baseball.

 

As a 2nd-half pitcher, Wakefield becomes a real weapon.

[italstallianion]

Also don't forget the effect he has on the Sox bullpen. Not only does he generally eat up innings (per start, and often throughout a season) but his velocity (or lack thereof) really help fast-pitch relievers such as Bard/Delcarmen. I remember a stastistic that showed Bard's performance after Wakefield starts vs. after others and his numbers were significantly better while pitching after Wakefield. Small sample size I know, but the logic is there. His lack of velocity messes up hitters timing which is great for fast-pitch relievers.

[PWNdroia]

he is exactly what you could ask for from a 4-5 starter' date=' He gives your team a chance to win much of the time and doesnt tax the bullpen, unless we have better options I like him as our number 5 next year or our number 6 in case someone goes down, and he can man the long reliever positions while he waits.[/quote']

 

I'd only take him as a #5, nothing higher than that. I forgot the injuries too... But if we did sign him for only a minimal amount of time and not for the post season (or as a mop up man in the post season) I'd take him. You're right, I did over-exaggerate. As a #5, he's not bad.

[a700hitter]

I'm really hoping that Wakefield hangs it up. His body is falling apart. They may be fixing his back, but he still has a torn labrum. His durability is a big issue. We can't have him pitch through July and then crap out in the second half of August.

[Dojji]

We can't have him pitch through July and then crap out in the second half of August.

 

Why not? We've been making the playoffs with exactly that arrangement.

[bsox0407]

Why not? We've been making the playoffs with exactly that arrangement.

 

if he waits and pitches just in the mid summer to the end then add more wins. gom is right about helping the bullpen by slowing down the swing and then having to catch up whne bard comes in.

[example1]

Why not? We've been making the playoffs with exactly that arrangement.

 

You're right that it is suitable for getting to the playoffs so far. My problem is that it doesn't really give them wiggle room if any of their other pitchers struggle. When we expect slightly above average that's probably what we will get, with little chance that his stuff will be useable (predictable) in the playoffs.