Potential Closer Solution?

[Jimmy103]

Jon Lester?
I haven't heard it anywhere, I don't want Wakefield in the bullpen. So with Schill-Dice-Beckett-Papelbon-Wakefield, the pen could be a great place for a hard throwing K guy like Lester. I keep hearing Pineiro, Timlin, Tavarez, or Hansen, but never Lester.

Thoughts?

[teddy ballgame]

I don't see that happening. If he goes to the pen, he will most likely be a long reliever because I don't think they want to turn him in to an everyday guy. Not to mention he has problems with pitch counts and walks, so that's not a very good thing for a closer.

I wouldn't count out Clemens yet either, so Wakefield might be there right with him.

[sox 06]

The closer spot scares me this year. Foulke's head was messed up so I agree with letting him go and Paps should be a good starter. Timlin had an off year last year, Hanson wasn't great last year and Lester will probably be either a starter or long reliever as stated already. I didn't trust Tavarez as far as I could throw him last year so right now it looks like Pineiro is the guy for now. I think if they were going to trade for a guy that would have happened already. So I think it will be one of the guys that's on their team right now.

[mannypokey]

they would have to go with graig hansen or manny delcarmen
for the moment and they are lookin at peniero to be there close

[APAP]

From what I heard on MLB.com, Lester and Hansen may see a lot of time in Pawtucket this year, they'll probably start them there when the season begins.

[poppamidnight]

is lesters stamina going to be down this year???

[SPORTZILLA8]

I dunno....its gonna be interesting to see who ends up being the closer, my money is on Romero.

[bucksox]

to be honest, I love the cast of arms they have assembled for the overall bullpen. Donnelly, Okajima, Romero plus what we already had, but I am a little concerned with the closer slot. I almost feel like if you keep saying Hansen is the closer of the future over and over, then maybe it's time to see if he can hack it period. I know in a perfect world we would give him 1 or 2 more years, but we don't have that unless there is a trade made for Otsuka or Cordero pretty soon.

thoughts?

[sox 06]

I'm glad the Red Sox addressed their offensive issues and I'm also glad they got DMat. But it doesn't matter if their offense scores 10 runs a game and their starters only give up 3, none of that is any good if someone can't come in in the 9th and shut the door. I don't like "it's this guy, and if not him..." I would happily trade in someone like Wakefield or Pena with a young arm for a solid closer.

[Jimmy103]

Latest word is resident nut job Julian Tavarez is the leading candidate. I just really hope Papelbon can remain in the rotation, I'd love to see 220 IP out of that animal.