Shaken and Stirred
By Brian Mason
Finally – if only temporarily – Red Sox fans can rejoice about Keith Foulke. In an announcement that warranted a collective "Duh!" from Boston fans, the team’s closer has finally been put on the disabled list. The same day Boston Globe columnist Bob Ryan proclaimed Foulke to be "transcendently horrible," Manager Terry Francona explained that the struggling pitcher will undergo arthroscopic surgery to correct a knee problem.
If the unveiling of Foulke’s injury was not enough cause for celebration, the Red Sox also announced that Curt Schilling will fill the void as the team’s temporary closer. His expectedly short stint out of the bullpen is intended to provide the necessary rehab for his full return as a starter. Mike Timlin, Boston’s only solid reliever this season, is also projected to help share the closing duties.
For a closer of his stature, Foulke has blown far too many save opportunities this season, and Red Sox fans have been calling for his demotion for many weeks now. Timlin, who currently holds a stellar E.R.A. of 1.73, was the other obvious choice for a replacement. There is also talk that Bronson Arroyo and Schilling may switch spots once the veteran power pitcher is ready to open a game.
As the July 31 trade deadline grows near, Sox fans have been waiting for General Manager Theo Epstein to patch up the team’s relief pitching. Theo’s shakeups started last week by trading backup infielder Ramon Vazquez for Cleveland infielder Alex Cora. Epstein also called up (the maybe overly anticipated) speedy outfielder Adam Stern, fresh off the disabled list. Both Cora and Stern started for Boston last night in Baltimore.
Unfortunately, in order to make way for the two new additions, the Red Sox designated outfielder Jay Payton for assignment. Although Payton was a great asset as a compliment to leftfielder Trot Nixon, he stated that he was unhappy serving the team as simply a backup. Epstein now has ten days to either trade or release the outfielder. We can only hope that Payton’s bat and glove will be enough incentive to acquire competent relievers.
With Epstein at the helm of the team’s personnel, it should not surprise anyone to see even more movement within the Red Sox roster. By trading Nomar Garciaparra midway through last season, the general manager proved he has the balls to do what is in the best interest of the team (and we all know where last season’s trades took us.)
Despite the team’s narrow first place stature, fans should be brimming with excitement over the possibilities of a Foulke-less bullpen anchored by Schilling. Do not fear the almost inevitable good-bye to a player or two (could Kevin Millar really be dealt?), for a trade by Theo is bound to turn out right in the end. In the meantime, send Keith Foulke some flowers and a card telling him to take his time recovering; arthroscopic knee surgery is no joke.
The first half of the season has been filled with flourishes by the Red Sox. It’s finally time to put it all together. So, sit back, revel in Boston’s All-Star game representatives, and get pumped for what should be a great ride into October.
{Facts from mlb.com and a Boston Globe article from July 6 were used in this article.}
