The Eventually Expendable Julian Tavarez

Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe speculates that when Jon Lester finishes a satisfactory stint at Tripe A Pawtucket, it will be necessary to move a Red Sox pitcher either through waivers or a trade.  "The affected pitchers could be Julian Tavarez, Joel Piñeiro, J.C. Romero, or Kyle Snyder... Tavarez would have value to several teams, particularly National League clubs looking for a middle reliever or a starter. The Mets, Cardinals, Phillies, Rockies, Marlins, and Reds would all be candidates."

I am with Matthew Cerrone of MetsBlog.com, who cites December 2005 pieces from the New York Daily News and the New Jersey Star-Ledger that discussed the Mets' negotiations with Tavarez when he was a free agent.  Just because the Mets were once interested, does not mean they still are.

However, with Aaron Heilman struggling, it's likely that Omar Minaya (or some other GM) might dream of restoring the 34-year old Tavarez to his 1995, 2000 and 2003-2005 form.  His biggest problem right now is that he has been starting, a role he is definitely not suited for.

By John Peterson

Comments

[ArodSucksAtLife]

J.C. Romero has got to go. I cringe everytime I see him warming up, and the fact that he is eating a roster spot is just sickening. Tavarez will stay purely for entertainment purposes, that and he is the new version of Kevin Millar, being Manny's mouthpiece I mean.

[GoBoSox420]

I'd prefer to see Tavarez return to the bullpen. Romero would also be my guy to go. Pineiro had some clubs interested earlier in the year iirc. One of those two would be nice.

[snowmanny]

Got to agree regarding Romero and Piniero. I'm not sure the Sox would regard Taverez as simply expendable, unless they got some value back. Larry Lucchino was saying on the radio today that teams need to plan on having 20 pitchers available to get through the season. Unlike JC Romero, Julian Tavarez is one of the 20 best pitchers in the Red Sox organization.

[quintjs]

I gotta agree that Tavarez could stay.

I would think Snyder would go, he is the same spot starter/middle relief guy, is cheaper, and would have the same if not more interest.

Tavarez being friends with Manny is a factor.

[GoBoSox420]

Romero is a lefty though. With Tavarez back in the pen there is absolutely no need for Pineiro and since he CAN start as well and is signed for 4mil he is enticing to some clubs.

[matsuzakasan]

Tavarez will stay for many reasons...a few being the game he threw against the yanks...Manny...and the fact that he can start and relieve...Romero stays although he struggled last year...he has shown potential including his save tonight and he's a lefty specialist which would allow the sox to keep Javier lopez in AAA...and Quintjs you're crazy if you think snyder is going...he's they're best middle man and with a 2.25 ERA and no options left theres no way he'll clear waivers and the last thing we want is for him to go to the spankmees....So therefor joel piniero is a prime choice for a trade...the sox don't have a place for him and there are many teams in need of pitching and he can start or pitch in relief...My bet would be him...trade him to the NL for a couple minor leaguers...

[ennuipundit]

I had suggested to a Red Sox fan, that I would be happy to move Tavarez, as he has the most value going to an NL club. If the Mets were willing to Part with rightie Kevin Mulvey then they can have him.

[julephys]

Another factor is his relationship with Dice-k. Tavarez speaks some Japanese and NESN is always showing Tavarez talking Dice-K's ear off during the games. Not saying it's a deal breaker, but it's something to consider.

Timlin going back on the DL may make all of this moot though.

[nrmax88]

Not trying to say Im high on Mulvey, cause I dont know much about him, but Im pretty sure he was the Mets number 1 pick last year. I dont think their trading him for Julian Tavarez, who the mets have absolutely no need for.

[DentalPlan]

What's wrong with Tavarez starting? In the NL he could maybe be a 4.60 ERA grinder.