Staff Infection: Analyzing the Red Sox pitching staff - The Bullpen
The Jonathan Paplebon era is officially over. Whether that makes you happy, sad or indifferent it does mean that there is a huge question mark hanging over this team. Who are the Red Sox going to turn to when they need to close a game out?
Last year around this time the Sox bullpen seemed all set. The 8th and 9th innings were anchored down with Pap's and Bard. Hell, some people even thought Bobby Jenks might grab that set up role away from Bard. And don't forget Dan Wheeler who had been nothing if not steady his entire career. The main pieces all seemed to be there until, much like the rest of the team, the wheels just seemed to fall off. Jenks and Wheeler were complete non factors, Bard was either stellar or dismal and Paplebon was his usual self - if not better.
Sure some guys stepped up. A diamond in the rough was found in Alfredo Aceves and even "Fat" Matt Albers was steady. But if this team is going to go anywhere they will need to improve out of the pen. How else are the starters expected to eat all the chicken and drink the amount of beer they want if they can't count on these guys to close a game out?
Let's get into the pitchers who could prove to be big keys to what happens to this Red Sox team.
"Fat" Matt Albers- There is no reason to think that Albers can't repeat his succesfull stint as the middle relief guy. Sure your not going to feel "confident" when he comes in for Dice K with one out in the 5th with runners on 2nd and 3rd but Albers is a pro - he's going to show up everyday, put his head down and do what he does best - eat innings.
Andrew Bailey- He had a bit of a down year last year and certainly isn't inspiring confidence with his lat issues, but Bailey has been here before. He has consistently closed out games in the majors with undeniable success. The only question will be can he do it in the vaunted AL East.
Mark Melancon- The Red Sox may not have gone out and gotten a top-tier back-end guy but they made sure to go out and aquire some depth. Melancon was forced into closer duties for the Astros last season and he was a pleasant suprise. Going 8-4 with 74.1 IP, 26 BB, 66 SO, 2.78 ERA and most importantly - 20 saves. Melancon is a welcome addition to a staff that saw first hand how valuable depth can be.
Chris Carpenter- Really? This was the compensation? Well if we have to live with it we might as well try and look at the positives. Carpenter has a big arm and has yet to be shelved by injury since becoming a pro. It is true that his numbers have been trending down but that doesn't mean the potential isn't there. I've heard that his fastball is flat but so was Bard's when we first got him. Here's to hoping against hope that Theo doesn't spend all season sitting in his office in the gorilla suit silently smiling. *Sidenote- If you want to have an unibiased opinion on Chris Carpenter I warn you not to look at his bio picture. Talk about disheartening.
Bobby Jenks- Jenks came into camp so skinny it made Jennifer Hudson blush. What does this mean? Nothing. Back issues are very serious and Jenks has had some scary ones. Still, Bobby has been a stud in the past and if he can regain any of that form the Red Sox will have an invalubable asset. All of the reports out of camp have been that Jenks is exected to recover fully. He could prove to be the biggest addition simply by staying healthy and far, far away from fast food.
Michael Bowden- It's put up or shut up time for Bowden this year. The Sox would like to be able to use him as trade bait but no teams really know anything about him. It's clear that the Red Sox are high on him but I would like to see why - and not just at the double A level.
One of the biggest questions in the pen is who will make up the starting rotation? It is clear the Sox are going to try it with Bard and possibly Aceves although the results remain to be seen. I will get more into those guys, as well as Andrew Miller, in my starters piece.
