Filed under: Boston Red Sox
So if you have yet to hear, Red Sox pitcher David Wells have rescinded his request to be traded to another team this year. Wells originally stated that he would not play for the Red Sox this year and he practically demanded to be traded to a west coast team to be closer to his family. It appeared that despite Theo’s best efforts, a deal involving Wells would not take place until Spring Training and possibly even later. Epstein was probably waiting for some west coast team to lose a starting pitcher to try to negotiate since no possible trade as of yet yielded an equal value for the 15 win southpaw.
Wells said in a brief interview over the weekend that after catcher Jason Varitek asked him if he would like to stay, he reconsidered. Wells also cited the depth on this year’s Sox squad and thought that this would be his best chance to “go out on top”, since he 99.9% sure he will retire after this year. Supposedly when Wells told Theo he wanted to stay Theo had a smile “ear to ear.” Part of that might be because Theo can now concentrate on what this team does have rather than constantly dealing with the Wells trade monkey on his back by secretly hoping the Padres lose a starter before Opening Day.
It seemed to be tough for Theo to get any team to trade for Wells nevermind a deal of equal proportions. Despite Wells being a lefty and 15 game winner, he is coming off knee surgery in the offseason and stated publicly that this would be his final year playing baseball. Add in the fact that Wells is 43 years old and Theo didn’t exactly have suitors knocking down his door. With these things considered, the ideal spot for Wells would be a team contending for a title this year, one needing a lefty starter at the 3 or 4 spot so Wells doesn’t have to carry the load(like last year with the Sox), and a franchise with up and coming young talent that could fill in Wells’ spot after this year. So I ask, what’s wrong with the Sox?
It appears that Wells has asked the same question and has answered it by revoking his trade demand. The problem that arises now with Wells staying put is that the Sox are carrying a roster with 7 legit starting pitchers. Curt Schilling, Wells, Josh Beckett, and Matt Clement are definite starters while Tim Wakefield, Bronson Arroyo, and Jonathan Papelbon are also starters but have all spent extended time in the bullpen during their careers.
If the season started today, the rotation would probably look something like 1.Schilling 2. Wakefield 3.Beckett 4.Wells 5.Clement. Wake could possibly be plopped in the two spot to create a dynamic pitching alternation something to the tune of Heat-Knuckleball-Heat-Lefty-Control. Arroyo and Papelbon would start in the bullpen with either one of them coming in for long relief situations or either coming off if any of the starters hit the DL, which may be probable considering 4 of the 5 purposed starters landed on it at least once each last year and it looks like Wells will probably start on it.
Clement Red Sox jerseys probably plummeted this offseason considering he has been on the trading block since his disaster against the White Sox in the ALDS in October. The question now is whether Wells’ decision to stay now makes it more likely the Red Sox will deal Clement before the season begins. I think it is probably just as likely although you could definitely argue either way. I haven’t given up on Clement and I think it would be pretty solid having a 15 game winner as our fifth starter. On the other hand, the post-hit-in-the-head Clement looked more like Prince Adam’s pet tiger Cringer before he turned into He-Man than he did a battle tested starting pitcher.
The most deciding factor could actually lay in the comeback of Keith Foulke. If Foulke struggles and becomes an unreliable closer, Papelbon could step in as his replacement to anchor the bullpen. This would also assume that highly touted prospect Craig Hanson would not be ready to step up and be a full time closer in the show. In this case, Clement could stay at the 5th starter spot while Arroyo would begin in the ‘pen and play versatile pitcher extraordinaire by entering the starting rotation to fill in for anyone subjected to the DL.
Although he has been praised by just about every Sox management, coach, or fan, there really should be no rush to force Papelbon into the starting rotation too soon. If we were to groom him as a starter this year, having him as the fifth guy or a fill in for the injured might just be the ideal manner to do it. Another option, although partially deceptive, would be to have Clement start the beginning of the season and then deal him before the deadline for whatever we might need or simply leave him off the playoff roster in favor of a more versatile and hopefully superior pitching in the form of Arroyo or Papelbon.
Since Wells is staying he will most likely begin the season on the Disabled List due to his recovering knee, in which case Papelbon may see time as a starter anyways. More likely would be Arroyo until we can get a feel for how Foulke will bounce back. In any event, as the White Sox proved last year, it will be pitching and defense that wins it all, so if nothing personnel-wise happens between now and Opening Day, I really wouldn’t be upset at all. We’ll let Tito’n’Theo make the playoff roster if and when it calls for it. As of now, I am happy old Boomer will be in town for another year. Just no one bug him for any autograph or else he’ll fight you.
theaveragefan@bostonprosports.com
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