Devern Hansack? Huh? Peter Gammons stated on the Dan Patrick Radio Show that if the Red Sox were to enter spring training today, that Devern Hansack a 28 year old Nicaraguan would be the teams closer. You remember Devern, he started two games in september when the Red Sox were long out of it, and no hit the Orioles through 5 in the last game of the season, no you weren't watching the Red Sox on October 1st?So you want more on Devern Hansack, this is all I got according to the stats provided at sportsline as well as the link above, he appears to have taken a two year hiatus from American baseball during the 2004 and 2005 seasons, and has yet to throw a single pitch in Triple A. If I was a Red Sox fan I certainly would hope that Peter Gammons was just name dropping there, and that they have a better current option.
With that being said let's do a bit more focus on the Closer Situation in Boston.
On the Roster Options
Mike Timlin - Dude's about 800, I think he's been pitching since the stone age. Alright so he's only 40, and only has been in the Majors since 1991, but still his ERA jumped up 2 runs last season and with his age and mileage it would be difficult to foresee him having a successful season at closer.
Hideki Okajima - Hey did you know they signed another Japanese pitcher this week, this time a 30 year old left handed reliever. But don't expect anything from Okajima in the closer role, he only closed during one of his 12 seasons in Japan. Okajima is more likely to fill their Mike Myers like lefty specialist role.
Craig Hansen - The Red Sox first round selection out of Saint John's in 2005 has thrown 41 innings in the major leagues, but has had very limited success, as shown by his career 6.59 era. One would think that if he has a lights out spring training he will be handed the role, and given the opportunity. But with his small track record, it would be difficult to predict such great success coming in the Spring.Jonathan Papelbon - Thrust him in the starting rotation or keep him as the closer where he dominated while healthy last season. With all gears in the Red Sox organization set in motion to put Paps in the rotation, as an outsider it's easy to question this decision. In most cases sure, I would rather have a dominant starter than a closer, but in the case of Boston's where they just dropped big time loot on what they believe is an ace, and already have Schilling, Wakefield, and Beckett in the rotation with Lester and Clement possibly waiting in the looms, it would seem that Papelbon would be more valuable filling what is a clear weakness. I'm sure there are other forces at work, such as Paps probably wants to be a front line starter, but when you have a proven player at a needs position, is it smart to tinker with it. We'll see.
Keith Foulke's Full Circle Journey
Keith Foulke's blowup is complete. From 2004 World Series hero to fleeing from Boston and declining his offer of salary arbitration. It's honestly amazing how quickly everything went downhill for Foulke in Boston. For those of you who didn't have vivid nightmares of Foulke in the latter half of October, here's a recap he pitched a total of 14 innings and gave up a single run, and that was in the uncompetetive World Series. In 2005 he tried to pitch through apparent injury to the tune of a 5.91 ERA, and last year he didn't record a single save.
The Final Word
With all that money the Red Sox have been shipping out this offseason one would have thought they would have attempted to address their clear hole at the Closer spot. Maybe moneyball is prevailing and they believe they will be able to plug in anybody into that role, but would anyone truly believe that the Sox will be able to catch lightning in a bottle two consecutive seasons?
My guess is at some point either during the spring or in the early months of the season the Red Sox go out and trade for a proven commodity.
Comments