Manny Delcarmen

[ImTheScientist]

For all you holds guys. Is this report right? Boston homers?

Manager Terry Francona indicated Friday that Manny Delcarmen is slated to the Red Sox's right-handed, eighth-inning setup man.
He'll split primary setup duties with left-hander Hideki Okajima, but the team has previously indicated that Delcarmen would be first in line for saves if Jonathan Papelbon suffers an injury. "That's where we want him," Francona said. "I think he's deserving and I think it's time to show us that because we’re wanting him to show us."

Is he the primary holds guy for the Sox's this year? If so shouldn't he be owned in all holds leagues?

[J35J]

Sshhhh!!!

I really like Delcarmen and think he can put up real good numbers from this point forward. He's got real good stuff. Just don't tell anyone!

[thedude]

I wouldn't be surprised if you still saw Okajima in the 8th more often than not, but Delcarmen still should be good for some holds.

[ImTheScientist]

Manny Delcarmen pitched two hitless innings in relief Tuesday in Boston's 4-3 win over the Mets.
Delcarmen has allowed one hit and walked none in six scoreless innings this spring. The Red Sox already wanted to make him their fallback in the closer's role, and it looks like he's ready to justify the assignment.

[MasterX1918]

<------big time Manny D fan. I got to meet him at a Sox Christmas event. Nice guy.

[RedSoxNation04]

For all you holds guys. Is this report right? Boston homers?

Manager Terry Francona indicated Friday that Manny Delcarmen is slated to the Red Sox's right-handed, eighth-inning setup man.
He'll split primary setup duties with left-hander Hideki Okajima, but the team has previously indicated that Delcarmen would be first in line for saves if Jonathan Papelbon suffers an injury. "That's where we want him," Francona said. "I think he's deserving and I think it's time to show us that because we’re wanting him to show us."

Is he the primary holds guy for the Sox's this year? If so shouldn't he be owned in all holds leagues?

I think its more of a case that if he can keep it together and get ahead of hitters on a consistent basis, then yes, he should be next in line if Papelbpn needs a rest (let's not say the "i" word here, folks...). He's a strike out pitcher and the only thing he's really lacked prior to this year is confidence in throwing a first pitch strike. Francona loves him, he's young and has a ton of potential. He could probably close right now for several teams. Okajima is more of a 7th/8th inning guy and really doesn't have any business being a stop-gap closer. If MDC can stay focused, I think he's in for a big year which is key for the Sox because the way our starters are going down right now, we're going to need a strong bullpen.

[Bloody Sox]

Delcarmen made a big leap forward from 2006 to 2007, based on what I saw from watching him. While Okajima did a great job as a setup guy and fill in closer for Papelbon early in the year, I think the fact that he tired late in the season will make the Sox be a lot more careful with him and manage his time much more carefully. I can easily see Delcarmen splitting setup duties with Okajima and being the primary backup closer.