Is the plan for Papelbon to stay at closer, or is there still talk of moving him back to starter? It's a great move if they have plans to use Gagne as their future closer and sign an extension, but if it's just for bullpen help for the rest of the year it wasn't worth it considering the bullpen is already pretty good.
I think they could have trade Willie Mo for Juan Rincon or Dennis Reyes (which would have given them a loogy). Just a guess, I have no sources on that whatsoever, but most people around here were saying they were shopping at least Rincon. Yeah, he's not Gagne, but they wouldn't have had to give as much either.
he cant hurt them. now they have 3 unbelievably great relievers which is going to take loads of pressure of their already pretty solid starting pitching.
ps. brenden donnelly is having season ending surgery...
I dont think the Sox gave up anything of importance. The 16 yr old may be the best piece of the package. I dont think Gabbard is anything more than a 5th starter.
By Gordon Edes, Globe Staff The Red Sox aren't expecting that Eric Gagne, who wants to close, will stay beyond this year, but he'll still have value going forward that should help ease what they've given up in Kason Gabbard, David Murphy and rookie-level outfielder Engel Beltre.
Gagne projects as a Type A free agent, which means the Sox will get draft picks as compensation if Gagne signs elsewhere. They will get a first rounder and a sandwich pick if the signing club picks in the second half of the draft order, or a sandwich pick and a second rounder if it picks on the first half (which is determined by reverse order of finish in the standings.
Gabbard pitched extremely well while Curt Schilling was on the disabled list, but his value will probably never be higher, and the Sox had six starters for five roles when Schill returns. Murphy had nowhere to go, especially with the emergence of Jacoby Ellsbury, and while the Sox liked Engel Beltre, an 18 year old outfielder from the Dominican Republic who they signed for $700,000, they're confident they can find suitable value for one of the compensatory draft picks.
The Sox are expecting Eric Gagne to be here in time for tomorrow's game against the Orioles. Theo Epstein mentioned in the press conference that ended just a short time ago that Gagne touched 94 miles an hour in a recent outing; he's been mostly at 92 this season.
The increase in velocity makes his changeup even more devastating.
As part of the deal, the Rangers are paying the performance bonuses that Gagne already has achieved. They also are contributing some cash to the payout the Sox must make for performance bonuses for games finished. Since Gagne will be setting up for the Sox, he will not be finishing games, so the Sox struck an agreement in which Gagne will be paid for games finished at the same rate he was finishing games for the Rangers.
The Sox were told by the Rangers that Gagne was not interested in going to a team in which he would be setting up not closing, but elected to make the deal anyway, trusting that they could persuade Gagne that this would be a good situation for him here.
Gagne will get save opportunities on days that the Sox don't want to use Papelbon in back to back situations, but otherwise will set up. Theo noted that Okajima is rapidly approaching his career high in innings pitched, so obviously Gagne will act as a hedge against Okajima being overused.
Still holds the MLB record for Grand Slams with 23
Not that anyone really cares, but who will the Red Sox have to release as a result of this?
Okajima Papelbon Gagne Delcarmen Those 4 are definitely staying
Timlin Snyder Lopez Tavarez One of these guys has to go (5 SP, plus 9 batters, plus 4 bench guys, leaves 7 bullpen spots)
Personally, I say we DFA/option(if we can) Snyder (this has been his only good year, and his BB/K and WHIP aren't too exciting....)Tavarez would fill the role of long man in the Sox pen...
buffalobillsrul2002 wrote:Not that anyone really cares, but who will the Red Sox have to release as a result of this?
Okajima Papelbon Gagne Delcarmen Those 4 are definitely staying
Timlin Snyder Lopez Tavarez One of these guys has to go (5 SP, plus 9 batters, plus 4 bench guys, leaves 7 bullpen spots)
Personally, I say we DFA/option(if we can) Snyder (this has been his only good year, and his BB/K and WHIP aren't too exciting....)Tavarez would fill the role of long man in the Sox pen...
Lopez maybe, he is about the only guy that has options. Maybe Timlin goes on the DL.
"I do not think baseball of today is any better than it was 30 years ago... I still think Radbourne is the greatest of the pitchers." John Sullivan 1914-Old athletes never change.
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by jfg » Tue Jul 31, 2007 6:06 pm 
