Bullpen Rescue - What to do?
What a difference a week can make for the World Champions. Foulke is going under the knife for arthroscopic surgery on his knee, Matt Mantei is reportedly leaning toward season-ending ankle surgery, and injured ace Curt Schilling will supposedly begin closing out games for the Red Sox after the all star break.
I’m skeptical about Schilling in the closer role, though he was heavily in favor of the move. It has been written that Schilling takes upwards of 60 pitches to warm up, perfectly acceptable for a starter but far too lengthy to come out of the bullpen. One has to wonder how frequent appearances, complete with these lengthy warm-ups and possible multiple-inning outings, will enable his ankle to heal any more than it has already? With an eye to the longer-term, one must also ask if the different warm-up routines will decrease his effectiveness when he is finally ready to rejoin the rotation? Schilling would help the team most by pitching 6 or 7 quality innings, rather than 1 or 2-inning relief appearances. Bullpen arms, though in high demand this deadline, are still more easily acquired than ace starting pitchers.
In any case, we have lost 2 bullpen arms for the possible long-term. Rather than simply filling these spots with warm bodies from Pawtucket, you can bet that Theo is on the phone in attempt to bring in outside help. If I am Theo, I’m on the phone with other GMs about the following players:
Guillermo Mota, RHP, Fla: 31-year old righty flamethrower, used to be Gagne’s setup man before being traded to the Marlins. Has been shaky in closer roll and was injured for part of this year, but has since put together 11 straight appearances without giving up an earned run. Fish might be willing to deal because veteran Todd Jones has served them well in the stopper roll. Owns solid peripherals: career .229 BAA, 7.1 K/9. Major achilles heel: control (2.69 BB/9 since 2003)
Jeremy Affeldt, LHP, KC: 26 year old hard-throwing left hander, scheduled to come off of the DL any day. Has been plagued injuries this year and in the past. KC might deal him because they are nearly always looking to deal their larger contracts for prospects. Has started in the past, but DIPS statistics are significantly better in relief.
Bob Howry, RHP, Cle: Bring him back to Boston! Howry is healthy and throwing heat. He’s cut down on his walk rate, and has struck out 63 batters in 77 innings since joining the Tribe in ’04, while walking only 21. Howry has helped the Indians become one of the best bullpens in baseball, but with the presence of Rhodes/Riske and Rafael Betancourt’s upcoming return they might be willing to deal him for help in other areas. Having a 7th/8th inning RHP like Howry to share Timlin’s workload would be ideal.
David Riske, RHP, Cle: An even better option than Howry. Though he’d certainly come at a higher price than Riske, he would merit giving up a B-level prospect if we could keep him for more than the rest of the year. Riske, a hard-throwing 28 year old, owns sterling career peripherals (.224 BAA, 2.38 K/BB, 9.47 K/9) other than his shaky walk rate. The high number of free passes (3.97 bb/9 career) probably does not represent his true skill set, as he has pitched in the majors since age 23 and is now entering his prime. His control has been much better this year. (only 7 walks in 43 IP), and he could certainly benefit from Varitek and Wallace’s tutelage.
I’m skeptical about Schilling in the closer role, though he was heavily in favor of the move. It has been written that Schilling takes upwards of 60 pitches to warm up, perfectly acceptable for a starter but far too lengthy to come out of the bullpen. One has to wonder how frequent appearances, complete with these lengthy warm-ups and possible multiple-inning outings, will enable his ankle to heal any more than it has already? With an eye to the longer-term, one must also ask if the different warm-up routines will decrease his effectiveness when he is finally ready to rejoin the rotation? Schilling would help the team most by pitching 6 or 7 quality innings, rather than 1 or 2-inning relief appearances. Bullpen arms, though in high demand this deadline, are still more easily acquired than ace starting pitchers.
In any case, we have lost 2 bullpen arms for the possible long-term. Rather than simply filling these spots with warm bodies from Pawtucket, you can bet that Theo is on the phone in attempt to bring in outside help. If I am Theo, I’m on the phone with other GMs about the following players:
Guillermo Mota, RHP, Fla: 31-year old righty flamethrower, used to be Gagne’s setup man before being traded to the Marlins. Has been shaky in closer roll and was injured for part of this year, but has since put together 11 straight appearances without giving up an earned run. Fish might be willing to deal because veteran Todd Jones has served them well in the stopper roll. Owns solid peripherals: career .229 BAA, 7.1 K/9. Major achilles heel: control (2.69 BB/9 since 2003)
Jeremy Affeldt, LHP, KC: 26 year old hard-throwing left hander, scheduled to come off of the DL any day. Has been plagued injuries this year and in the past. KC might deal him because they are nearly always looking to deal their larger contracts for prospects. Has started in the past, but DIPS statistics are significantly better in relief.
Bob Howry, RHP, Cle: Bring him back to Boston! Howry is healthy and throwing heat. He’s cut down on his walk rate, and has struck out 63 batters in 77 innings since joining the Tribe in ’04, while walking only 21. Howry has helped the Indians become one of the best bullpens in baseball, but with the presence of Rhodes/Riske and Rafael Betancourt’s upcoming return they might be willing to deal him for help in other areas. Having a 7th/8th inning RHP like Howry to share Timlin’s workload would be ideal.
David Riske, RHP, Cle: An even better option than Howry. Though he’d certainly come at a higher price than Riske, he would merit giving up a B-level prospect if we could keep him for more than the rest of the year. Riske, a hard-throwing 28 year old, owns sterling career peripherals (.224 BAA, 2.38 K/BB, 9.47 K/9) other than his shaky walk rate. The high number of free passes (3.97 bb/9 career) probably does not represent his true skill set, as he has pitched in the majors since age 23 and is now entering his prime. His control has been much better this year. (only 7 walks in 43 IP), and he could certainly benefit from Varitek and Wallace’s tutelage.
posted by Jason Paré at 1:59 PM
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