Tim Wakefield may decide whether to pitch in 2012 by the weekend, Scott Lauber of the Boston Herald reports. Red Sox GM Ben Cherington has said he expects to know soon whether there's a fit between his club and the 45-year-old knuckleballer.
“We’re discussing the options — and he has some options — and over the next few days, we’re going to try to figure it out,” agent Barry Meister told Lauber.
Wakefield posted a 5.12 ERA with 5.4 K/9 and 2.7 BB/9 in 154 2/3 innings as a swingman for the 2011 Red Sox. 186 of his 200 career wins have been with the Red Sox, which means he's six victories away from tying Cy Young and Roger Clemens on Boston's all-time wins list.
Waaaake, I know being so close to the milestone is frustrating (and seriously, I love you as much as anyone in Red Sox nation), but you need to retire and latch on with the club in a new capacity 😀
Has options…. of the ‘minor league’ and ‘relief candidate’ variety.
I can’t see him pitching at Pawtucket in a “break glass” emergency call up, though every one knows he would get a few starts that way for the team as every one has a few starts that year for that reason and then.. When the emergency was over and the inevitable removal from the 40 man roster 9if he even would sign as a retread) what if some team claimed him.. What then?? Would he retire then? The same thing all over again for him.
IMO, he just hangs them up now and forgoes the grief right now. Surely some team has offered him a deal, especially with the useless Millwood getting a guaranteed 1m from Colorado somehow and everyone knows that Wake at least would give a team 150-180IP of fair innings and Millwood is 100% rubbish.
Millwood signed a minor league deal with the Mariners.
Thx. I thought he got another MLB deal with Colorado.
No…. I believe he (and Boras) turned down their offer of $3 million guaranteed. Pretty epic misread of his market
Red Sox left in “Wake” if Tim Retires….…
More Breaking News from NESN’s Heidi Watney @ 11PM
Be There!
Mariners need to sign him as a #5 in a knuckleball park with dead air and a huge stadium.
Wake has generally fared better in domes.. Like the way he used to “own” the Rays, especially at the Dumpster dome.. Also known as Thunderdome and various other names over the years as they have tried to put a new face on a horrible stadium.. But anyway.. Wake has generally thrown much better in domed stadiums and at one time, places like Toronto would do their best to open the roof and nullify his knuckleball’s effectiveness.
If Wake WOULD be willing to pitch outside of Boston, a huge pitchers park (plus dome) like Safeco would be perfect for him.
as a Red Sox fan I can’t imagine seeing ‘Wakefield’ written on the back of a major league jersey that doesn’t say ‘Boston’ or ‘Red Sox’ on the front. Please Wake, retire and take a job coaching in the minors tutoring the next great Red Sox Knuckleballer
I agree, i thought the same thing with posada. was hoping he would retire instead of signing with another team.
Since late in September 2011, the conversations surrounding and emanating from Mr. Wakefield, concern “his” W/L record. The fact his win totals stand at 194 rather than 200, is totally irrelevant to the team’s 2012 goal of winning enough games to get into the playoffs. And that is what counts! Team records, not personal records, are what the fans, yours truly included, pay top ticket prices for. Timmy, you just do not get it that after 3 years of mostly sub-par performances you have worn out your welcome. Retire Tim. Go fishing! Start up a school of instruction for aspiring knuckleball hurlers! Or, sign on a a coach with a team that has knuckleballers in its farm system. At nearly 46 years of age, you are only fooling yourself, if you think you can still cut the mustard on the mound at Fenway Park. You cannot. Your record speaks clearly for itself.
So he can tie the rocket on career wins a pitcher with the sox maybe they should let someone pitch for 4 innings bring him in in the 5th let him pitch 2 innings then pull him out and let him tie it up or take the lead in that category. then he will retire lol
Cmon wakefield you cant retire now. You have to play your last year in Oakland like all the other washups do.
I agree, next to retire is going to be rivera after the season and then jeter in 2 years. Jeter will prob be the last one of the big 3 to be elected in the hall of fame but should get it his first time ballot
guess another sox fan didnt like you saying that lol
Nomar was a good player, but at times he made me want to bash my head against the wall. Jeter risked life and limb for the game. Nomar had an ouchie and sat himself down.
I compare Pedroia to Jeter. Not really in terms of raw talent, but in terms of intensity, drive, desire to win, compete level, and all that good stuff.
Nomar was more like JD Drew at times… you realize Drew’s career was essentially derailed at the end by a FINGER injury? he sprained his middle finger and his rehab was derailed.
I think Nomar was too tall to play the game the right way
I have a lot of respect for Jeter, but he was never the player Pedroia is. Pedroia has incredible patience, better fielding, the same amount of power, and same base stealing abilities. So fielding and plate discipline has Pedroia ahead.
Yeah, but Rivera and Jeter will KNOW when to retire and not hang on like some punch-drunk prizefighter. Wakefield needs to retire.
No….MO probably will but Jeter has already proven he won’t. He is in steep decline and just held the Yanks over a barrell for three more years.
Suppose…just suppose Wake plays in 2012 and goes, say, 5-2 with an ERA of, oh, 4.20. Does that mean he’ll want to come back in 2013, too? He’s like a vampire….just end it!
If he puts up a 5-2 with that era he will have more than earned a shot at one more win. If there is a role for a useful vet you sign him.
Just retire Timmy, you have 2 rings and who cares about being top on their wins list? I mean honestly even if you have the most wins you will never get the respect of Cy Young and you already have more respect than Clemens by most people, just retire with two rings and enjoy relaxing.
I obviously respect CY Youngs track record and history ect. I still can’t think of a better way to end Wakefield’s story then to get those wins though. He came back from the verge of calling it a career to spend the rest of his career being a dependable player on and off the field for one of the greatest sports franchises in the world. His story is already an inspirational and amazing American story. I can not think of a more classy guy to have at the head our list. I think the organization owes it to baseball to see this through. If we sign him for two more years and use him when its not damaging to the team he can get this done, and if he finishes early I expect he will retire at the end of that season. Just my opinion though. I just don’t see why he should be denied history just cause he won’t be the best player on that list. He is still a legend.
I just dont wanat to see him embarassing himself on there and hobble to 6 wins in 2 years. Right now as you have illustrated he has already achieved so much is being top on the list that important?
IMO it is very important. I think its very important to him too. They will always be able to discount his dominance but at the end of the day what better career accolades are left when you’ll never see the HOF. For him this is the only thing left he can achieve and he has shown he can still be a useful player. As long as he is used the right way I think he should get this.
If we are healthy we are making the playoffs.
I have to admire your optimism.
And I admire yours.
Who’s your shortstop again?
A guy named Mike Aviles. He has a higher career BA than Scut with the same power and slightly better D. So I am not worried. Its basically like we got Derek Jeter out there.
I think it’s time for Tim Wakefield to hang up the cleats. He had a heck of a career but clearly he’s declining as each season comes and goes. Much respect on his decision and regardless, he will always be remembered for his insanely ridiculous knuckle ball success
I would like to see Detroit try out wake if he would sign a reasonable contract. Comerica is freaking huge and Ajax can run down anything.
He’d be a perfect fit to compete for the 5thspot, would eat innings, and with (d)Elmon now out of the outfield and DHing, the Tigers outfield defense will be strong enough to help him out.
I’d like to see Wake continue pitching. All he has to do is wait for 2 months and the Red Sox will see how much they need him. Or he can latch on with some other team. He has his 200 W though, the only record worth going after is the Red Sox W record.
I think the Red Sox fear him going to another team and making them look bad when their pitching needs are exposed during the season. Probably trying to convince him to retire and take a job with the Red Sox in some capacity, and give him a day at Fenway to remember his career.
I really think some of his problems last year were due to the awful job Salty did catching him that led to Wake having a career high WP to go along with Saltys league leading PB.