Craig Hansen

[Cryptic]

Will he be the Sox closer next year?

What's the word out of Sox Nation?

[BritSox]

I doubt it. If Foulke's healthy, he closes. If we sign another established reliever, he'll be ahead of Craig too. There's a possibility Hansen wins the job if Foulke never gets it back and no-one else steps up either. Hansens' good, but he's not quite Huston Street. He'll start the season in AAA in all probability.

[raiders_umpire]

foulke will and should be given every opportunity to get his stuff back together next year.... if for some reason foulke fails again, then i could see hansen given a shot come next summer sometime... but the sox by no means should throw foulke away for this year, as he has been great in the past and should be given a chance to return to his old self

[Music2004Man]

Foulke might actually be a good sleeper late in the draft since a lot of people seem to be doubting him. He's never been a power pitcher if I remember correctly because he has a great changeup. Hopefully he'll rebound and age similarly to Hoffman .

[BritSox]

Foulke might actually be a good sleeper late in the draft since a lot of people seem to be doubting him. He's never been a power pitcher if I remember correctly because he has a great changeup. Hopefully he'll rebound and age similarly to Hoffman .

True. Although the team he plays for is a factor, as with every injured BOS/NYY player.

[Music2004Man]

Very good point Brit and I don't think he has a long injury history so he probably won't be as undervalued as I would like him to be.

[Surfs up]

My guess is Hansen could stay in the bullpen and get some innings. Foulke probably starts the season but I think he is toast and the Red Sox sign a pitcher with some expirence to help Timlin until Hansen is ready. Scott Eyre maybe. Or possibly even Papelbon.

[Half Massed]

He may be worth an ending round pick in a deep league if you find yourself short on reliable closers. More than likely, he won't have any value this next year though. If the Sox are in a tight race I don't see them handing the job to Hansen if Foulke fails.

[Iconoclastic]

I hope Papelbon gets a shot. I haven't seen Hansen much, but Papelbon has impressed me.

[nsulham]

Just conjecture on my part but this is how I see it shaking out.

First of all, Papelbon won't be in the bullpen, he'll be a starter, and a surprisingly good one at that.

As for Hansen, I highly doubt he starts in AAA. He very well may but I just don't see it. Depending on what happens with Timlin or if they sign another set-up man, Hansen could be the set-up guy. The closer's role is Foulke's---he's reportedly excited about coming back next season healthy with an eye on becoming a solid closer again.

Now here's where it gets interesting. When they get to the trade deadline, if Hansen is looking like the closer-in-waiting everyone deems him to be, they could be looking at a Lidge-Dotel scenario where, if they can get a nice package in return, they trade off Foulke and promote Hansen to closer. But again, that would only be if they can get a very attractive deal for Foulke AND feel Hansen is ready.

I would say the safest bet is, depending on if Timlin comes back or they sign another set-up guy, to look for Hansen to be the 7th inning guy and cut his teeth there or possibly even the set-up to Foulke.