Bullpen Blues
There has been a rash of stories this week about the Red Sox bullpen and who their new closer will be now that Jonathan Papelbon is in the rotation.
Assuming, of course, that Papelbon stays in the rotation. The afore-mentioned rash of stories also outlined the circumstances that would lead Papelbon back to the bullpen (i.e., the team can’t find a closer, he can’t get his act together as a starter, and Red Sox Fan starts whining).
If you believe the pundits, having that Proven Closer™ is ultra-important, because that 27th out is the toughest one to get. But if you think about, how many closers come out of nowhere and get the job done on a yearly basis?
Look at the league saves leaders from last year. Sure, there were stalwarts like Francisco Rodriguez and Trevor Hoffman and Mariano Rivera. But you also saw guys like Bobby Jenks (6 career saves entering 2006). And B.J. Ryan – remember how the pundits guffawed when the Blue Jays gave him scads of money to be their closer? Did anyone think Akinori Otsuka would rack up the saves like he did last year?
Todd Jones and Joe Borowski both resurrected their careers last year. They both posted more saves than that unknown rookie the Red Sox pulled out to close because Keith Foulke was still hurt.
Making Papelbon the closer in 2006 makes perfect sense now. In real time, the decision wasn’t so clear.
In an ideal world, every team would like a no-brainer go-to closer. Everyone would love to have a Hoffman or Rivera. In the real world, things are a bit more complicated.
So what will the Red Sox do? The same thing every team does – they’ll go with their best option, and if that doesn’t work out, they’ll move on to Plan B. And hope they find this year’s Bobby Jenks.
Assuming, of course, that Papelbon stays in the rotation. The afore-mentioned rash of stories also outlined the circumstances that would lead Papelbon back to the bullpen (i.e., the team can’t find a closer, he can’t get his act together as a starter, and Red Sox Fan starts whining).
If you believe the pundits, having that Proven Closer™ is ultra-important, because that 27th out is the toughest one to get. But if you think about, how many closers come out of nowhere and get the job done on a yearly basis?
Look at the league saves leaders from last year. Sure, there were stalwarts like Francisco Rodriguez and Trevor Hoffman and Mariano Rivera. But you also saw guys like Bobby Jenks (6 career saves entering 2006). And B.J. Ryan – remember how the pundits guffawed when the Blue Jays gave him scads of money to be their closer? Did anyone think Akinori Otsuka would rack up the saves like he did last year?
Todd Jones and Joe Borowski both resurrected their careers last year. They both posted more saves than that unknown rookie the Red Sox pulled out to close because Keith Foulke was still hurt.
Making Papelbon the closer in 2006 makes perfect sense now. In real time, the decision wasn’t so clear.
In an ideal world, every team would like a no-brainer go-to closer. Everyone would love to have a Hoffman or Rivera. In the real world, things are a bit more complicated.
So what will the Red Sox do? The same thing every team does – they’ll go with their best option, and if that doesn’t work out, they’ll move on to Plan B. And hope they find this year’s Bobby Jenks.
posted by Bob at
12:58 PM
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