If there is one thing this season has proven time and time again, is that the game of baseball as unpredictable as a good knuckleball and the never say never attitude applies, but Tuesday night, Tim Wakefield may be toeing the rubber as a starting pitcher for the last time in 2010 and potentially in his career. I hesitate to say that, because given the way the Sox have fallen this year, you never know, but if Wakefield makes the move to the bullpen on Wednesday, does this team get better or is Wake still a risk in the ‘pen?
The obvious part of the answer is that the starting rotation drastically improves with the addition of Clay Buchholz on Wednesday and Josh Beckett on Friday. It’s a no-brainer, but the more difficult piece of the puzzle is the bullpen. Does Tim Wakefield provide a long-relief arm only in the ‘pen, or can he legitimately contribute as a match-up guy late in games if necessary? My gut says Wakefield will be solely relegated to long-relief duty, because having the risk of a wild pitch late in a game is enough to scare me half to death, forget his tough 2010 numbers.
I respect Tim Wakefield, but he has done nothing to prove his worth in the starting rotation this season, even if he had a chance at clinging to the 5th spot. In 15 starts this season, Wake is just 3-8 with a 5.59 era, allowing 58 earned runs and 13 home runs in 93.1 innings. For those who would like to justify Wake as a viable reliever, unfortunately his numbers out of the ‘pen are actually worse, as he has a 6.23 era in 4 appearances, allowing 6 earned runs and 3 home runs in 8.2 innings. Despite the small sample size, those numbers certainly don’t give me any confidence in Wake’s ability in either role this season.
The most difficult piece of the Tim Wakefield story in 2010, is what to do with him while trying not to be outright disrespectful. Even though Wake will take up a spot in the bullpen that could otherwise go to another reliever, it is only fair for the Sox to give him another look. They can use Wake as a mop-up, long reliever that can come in to eat innings only without the risk of giving up a home run or two and blowing the game. It’s not Wake’s ideal role, obviously, but if his only 2 choices are long-man or being waived, I think he will settle for his new role.
I am certainly no predictor of the future or GM of the Red Sox, but I firmly believe that Sox owe it to Wake to put him in the ‘pen and use him with caution. There will be plenty of blowouts the remainder of the season, whether good or bad, Wake will hopefully be able to come in and just hold the game steady for the Sox. I don’t think he adds much value to the ‘pen, but stranger things have happened…
If Wake hangs up his cleats after this season, he will have no regrets. He has been playing major league baseball since 1992 (with the exception of 1994) and has amassed some incredible numbers, breaking Red Sox pitching records left and right. Now just days short of his 44th birthday, Wake has collected a career record of 192-170 and struck out an impressive 2,035 in 3,033.2 innings and has started 436 games, 403 with the Boston Red Sox. Wake has been a respectable guy, but there comes a time when the club and player need to part ways and this may be the juncture of a split.
Either way, I hope to see a stellar performance from the knuckleballer tonight. I am not confident Wake is truly done starting for the Sox, but if he is, this will be a historic night.
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