Results tagged ‘ Daniel Bard ’
Thumbs down on Red Sox closing selection
The Boston Red Sox closer situation took a disastrous turn this week. Presumed new closer Andrew Bailey flew toBostonto have his thumb examined and then to Cleveland for second opinion. He had ligament reconstruction surgery on his right thumb on Wednesday and was placed on the 60-day disabled list.
Selecting a closer was one of the first player choices Ben Cherington had to make as the Red Sox new general manager. The organization has held the belief that relief pitchers should not be given long term contracts like the one needed to keep Jonathan Papelbon. Cherington needed to find a replacement for the four-time All-Star, who ranks asBoston’s all-time save leader with 219 saves.
Cherington avoided the temptation of going for a slightly cheaper version of Papelbon, such as Heath Bell or Ryan Madson. The new GM stuck to the organizational philosophy. The Red Sox acquired Andrew Bailey from the Oakland Athletics. They will pay him $3.9 million. They also traded with the Houston Astros for Mark Melancon, who will make $521,000.Boston’s new closers will have a combined salary of just over 1/3 of Papelbon’s salary for 2012..
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- Posted on April 5, 2012 at 10:52 pm
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- Filed in: Uncategorized
- Tags: alfred aceves, andrew bailey, Daniel Bard, Red Sox
Red Sox starting rotation is set and ready
Its been a while since the Boston Red Sox had spring training competition in the starting rotation. This spring has been different. Injuries to John Lackey and Daisuke Matsuzaka, along with the retirement of Tim Wakefield, left only three starters returning from last season. Rotation spots needed to be filled and the opening day starter honors awarded. Jon Lester, Josh Beckett and Clay Buchholz are locked in as the top three starters. Daniel Bard, Felix Doubront, Alfredo Aceves, Aaron Cook and Vicente Padilla were the contenders for the final two spots.
Lester was named the opening day starter over Beckett for the second straight year. Despite a poor month of September and an overall decrease in production in 2011, Lester lead the team with 15 wins and continued to be the team’s most consistent pitcher. His four straight seasons with double-digit wins and over 190 innings pitched have cemented the 28-year-old as the ace of the staff. Lester should notch about 18 wins and 200 strikeouts in 200 innings pitched this year. With a little luck, he has a chance to record his first 20 win season.
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- Posted on April 3, 2012 at 3:55 am
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- Filed in: Uncategorized
- Tags: Daniel Bard, Felix Doubront, Jon Lester, Josh Beckett, Red Sox
Bard can’t fill Papelbon’s role as Red Sox Closer
By Brian Rabuffetti
Daniel Bard has yet to prove worthy or capable of the Boston Red Sox future closer mantle, which many would like to thrust upon him. The 25-year-old reliever has been unable to completely develop the ability or confidence to get crucial outs with anything other than his fastball. His speed is usually over powering, but good hitters eventually get around on it, especially if he drops it out of the upper 90s.
Last year Bard had rough outings early in the season, but they were all forgotten by his performance from May till the end of the season. Bard led the American League in holds in 2010, but that doesn’t tell us how he would do as a closer. I don’t think there is a more irrelevant statistic in baseball than the hold. What stands out to me is his conversion of only three saves out of 10 save opportunities last year and four of 16 since breaking in with the Red Sox in 2009.
- Posted on May 26, 2011 at 4:48 pm
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- Filed in: Uncategorized
- Tags: Daniel Bard, Jonathan Papelbon, Red Sox
Red Sox reloaded bullpen is strong and flexible
- Posted on January 12, 2011 at 6:52 pm
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- Filed in: Dailies
- Tags: Bobby Jenks, Dan Wheeler, Daniel Bard, Jonathan Papelbon, Red Sox
