The Red Sox would like to see more consistent production from their bullpen, but they aren’t about to give good prospects up to acquire relievers, GM Theo Epstein told Alex Speier of WEEI.com. Red Sox relievers not named Daniel Bard have had ups and downs this year, so Epstein is open to adding arms.
“It’s no condemnation of our current bullpen, but to be realistic about it, you add a really good reliever it always makes our team better,” Epstein said.
The Red Sox thought they were adding a really good reliever in 2007 when they acquired Eric Gagne for Engel Beltre, Kason Gabbard and David Murphy. As any Red Sox fan will tell you, Gagne’s stint in Boston (6.75 ERA) was not a successful one. Last year, the Red Sox traded Chris Carter for Billy Wagner and even obtained a top pick in this year’s draft. The Red Sox may need help behind the plate, in the infield or in the outfield, but if they decide to prioritize relief help, don’t expect them to hand over highly-valued prospects.
that gagne trade wasn’t as bad as people were saying at the time, yes gagne sucked, but so has murphy, kabbard is back in our system and beltre is MIA, they did win the series that year so, oh well it worked out
Beltre is hitting quite well at HiA as a 20-year old. That’s not MIA. It still hasn’t turned out terribly, but let’s not over sell.
I think it was a terrific trade by the Red Sox.
The fact Gagne suckes is more his problem than the rs management. It was a sound deal on paper, he was pitching ok (some warning signs, but he should have managed to get some outs), and gave up Murphy and Gabbard who were of no use to the Red Sox (those red sox fans who at the time said we should have traded Lester and not Gabbard – and there were plenty should be feeling really really really stupid), and also traded a young kid who may or may not turn into anything (and there are plenty).
Gagne left, and drafted a guy who helped us get V-mart. Sounds good to me. And Murphy has actually been good for the rangers.
I think it was a terrific trade by the Red Sox.
The fact Gagne suckes is more his problem than the rs management. It was a sound deal on paper, he was pitching ok (some warning signs, but he should have managed to get some outs), and gave up Murphy and Gabbard who were of no use to the Red Sox (those red sox fans who at the time said we should have traded Lester and not Gabbard – and there were plenty should be feeling really really really stupid), and also traded a young kid who may or may not turn into anything (and there are plenty).
Gagne left, and drafted a guy who helped us get V-mart. Sounds good to me. And Murphy has actually been good for the rangers.
Right, they didn’t give away much and there was reason to think Gagne could be useful. But oh my god was he painful to watch in Boston.
Atchinson has been fairly useful as long guy. Delcarmen iffy in 6th inning, Bard dominant in 8th inning. Papelbon decent in closer and everyone else (Oki-J, Ramirez etc..) from last year have been a disaster. the dominant BP has been a pretty much shambles. Saito has been sorely missed. Richardson might help eventually, as could Manuel, or possibly Coello if given a call from AAA. other than that, no immediate help coming from the farm this year.
About time to stop letting Okajima have chance after chance to hang in there when he allows so many baserunners in games and has nothing and it seems Francona is heading that way now. Might as well give the guys in AAA getting people out a chance, since the BP is allowing opponents back into games on a nightly basis and with the offense missing so many key players, they just cannot afford it at all right now.
I agree about giving some of the AAA guys like Manuel and Coello a shot. Manuel was up for day or two but never got in a game. Oki is a far cry from his 2007 self and has an ERA north of 5 and climbing after the 2-run homer tonight. Ramirez is hit or miss. With all the injuries, they need a strong bullpen now more than ever, just as they need long outings from their starters. AAA call-ups don’t cost prospects and have a potentially high reward.
yes, Ramirez is hit or miss. As in he either gets hit, or misses the strike zone.
😀 That made me laugh.
yes, Ramirez is hit or miss. As in he either gets hit, or misses the strike zone.
“Papelbon decent in closer and everyone else (Oki-J, Ramirez etc..) from last year have been a disaster.”
Which proves the point of why you shouldn’t give up anything of value for a reliever, ever. Some guys, like Rivera, are always going to be good, but MOST relievers can change quality at the flip of a switch.
Look at the Gagne and Marte trades. When they happened, everyone considered them slam dunks for the Sox and Yanks. Neither team seemed to give up that much at the time, but both guys pretty much fell off the table.
Yep. Don’t give up decent prospects for sure, much too volatile are the middle guys. does not matter same year, or year to year. Like the sox system of using so called “failed starters” as relievers better anyway, just would like to have seen another couple ready this year.
Still as shaky as Ramirez and Okajima have been and pretty poor overall the tail end has been, would think the guys like Richardson (finally given a chance) and Manual, maybe Coello later on will get a chance with the complete failure of the middle corps thus far. Can’t see Epstein bringing back Okajima next year making 2.75M and maybe not even Ramon S. Ramirez at 1.1M (both arbitration guys also) as inconsistent and overall poorly as they have performed in 2010 unless they can both turn it around.
Trade prospects for relievers? They got prospects out of trading for Wagner! Stupid Minaya…
That one i never understood, i was begging that trade to go through just for the draft pick, i didn’t really care if wagner pitched well or not for the Sox.
especially since if they wanted Carter so badly, they could easily have traded a spare piece or two for him, the Sox were not going to keep him forever, and they were definently not going to play him in the majors.
It’s easy to understand: The Mets front office is not very good. Simple, yes?
That one i never understood, i was begging that trade to go through just for the draft pick, i didn’t really care if wagner pitched well or not for the Sox.
especially since if they wanted Carter so badly, they could easily have traded a spare piece or two for him, the Sox were not going to keep him forever, and they were definently not going to play him in the majors.
what could the cardinals get for Bryan Anderson?
[stats] firstinning.com/players/Bryan-Anderson-a/
what could the cardinals get for Bryan Anderson?
[stats] firstinning.com/players/Bryan-Anderson-a/
I have no problem with trading prospects for RP’s. As long as they are the right prospects and not Larry Anderson for Jeff Bagwell .
I’m confident that Epstein will get RH,LH relievers.
I have no problem with trading prospects for RP’s. As long as they are the right prospects and not Larry Anderson for Jeff Bagwell .
I’m confident that Epstein will get RH,LH relievers.
The Sox don’t have any good prospects. Based on the latest minor league stats(Boston Herald, July 2), their much touted, minor leaguers aren’t doing squat. Bates and Andersen couldn’t hit water if they fell out of the boat, Bowden is the only “oh boy” pitcher left and he’s off the mark. Iglesias is the only one even close and he’s a year or two off. Maybe Theo could run their “super duper” farm system by me again, cause I sure as hell don’t see anything there.