Baseball Musings
Baseball Musings
November 07, 2006
Foulke Farewell

The Red Sox decided not to exercise their option on Keith Foulke. Foulke can still exercise his option or agree to a buy out. Either way, the Red Sox are looking for a new closer:

Epstein also said he would try to pick up a closer through a trade or free agency and could lay the groundwork for a deal at the general managers' meetings in Naples, Fla., next Monday through Friday.

There doesn't seem to be much available in the free agent market, unless you're willing to take a chance on Gagne or Dotel.


Posted by David Pinto at 10:30 PM | Pitchers | TrackBack (0)
Comments

Foulke definately wasn't worth 7.5, but I do hope Boston can resign him for 4ish. Though I'm almost 100% sure he wants to get the hell out.

Posted by: the other josh at November 7, 2006 10:41 PM

With the stupid comments he made about "Johnny Burgerking" and all, he has really alienated himself from the fans in Boston.

Posted by: emains at November 7, 2006 11:36 PM

Foulke has not been the same pitcher in 2005/2006 that he was the 5 years prior. Best I can tell by looking at splits and trends and my own recollection, he has been much more hittable than before due to a loss of velocity on his fastball and the impact that has on the change of speed to his change up.

Looking at trends, he is giving up more fly balls, and his BABIP against is rising. His performance when ahead of hitters is pretty consistent with "good Foulke", but his performance on the first pitch of an at bat or when he is behind is dramatically worse.

So....not exercising the team option is a no brainer. But, are they hoping he comes back at the $3.75 mm player option ($1.5 mm buyout of the team option is a sunk cost now either way)?

To me...that all depends on how much they think health factors caused that dip in velocity of his fastball and mislocation of his change up. And is he healthy this season after two shortened seasons of work. If healthy, I think they could find Foulke to be a valuable set up guy and fill in closer. If they have any reservations about his health however, they may be hoping someone else matches or tops that $3.75 mm or adds more years to the deal.

Posted by: Tim at November 8, 2006 12:39 PM
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