Red Sox: Worst pitchers in franchise history
By Rick McNair
A new century – same results
The Red Sox thought they had great starters in 2008 and 2009 and both seasons saw the desperation when a nothing left in the tank Paul Byrd was summoned to stop the bleeding. Unfortunately, the patient bled out – 14 starts, 5-5, 5.20.
The Red Sox championship team in 2007 featured one of the great relief specialist of all time – Eric Gagne. Gagne’s ERA ballooned to 6.75 with the Red Sox and in 18 innings allowed 26 hits. I know Gagne must have retired a batter somewhere, but I don’t recall it.
Surely Julian Tavarez makes the cut thanks to the dual talent of being a questionable pitching talent and even more questionable personality. Righty Tavarez signed a two-year deal for $6.7 Million and was promptly suspended for a spring training altercation. What did $6.7 Million get you? 12-16, 4.94. Wonder why Tavarez was with 11 teams in 17 seasons?
John Smoltz was just about done, but Boston gave him a shot. In 40 innings Smoltz allowed 59 hits that contributed to his disastrous 2-5, 8.33 ERA record.
Brad Penny – like Smoltz – never made it through his first Boston season. For Penny, the stat line was horrific – 24 starts, 7-8, 5.61. Another once very good pitcher who had little in the tank – at least for Boston.
Next: Red Sox: Top-5 shortstops in franchise history
Excellent before and after Boston, but while with the Red Sox Mark Melancon did little to impress. In 41 games the finally tally was 0-2, 6.20.
Sources: Fangraphs/baseball-reference