Red Sox: What if Heathcliff Slocumb wasn't traded?

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Apr 11, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox former players Pedro Martínez and Jason Varitek and Tim Wakefield take the field before the Red Sox home opener against the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /

Heathcliff Slocumb made his major league debut in 1991 and had only recorded two saves before the 1995 season. In 1995, Slocumb converted 32 saves out of 38 opportunities. He spent time in Chicago, Cleveland and Philadelphia before getting traded to the Boston Red Sox before the 1996 season began.

In 1996, Slocumb posted a 5-5 record with a 3.02 ERA and recorded 31 saves in 39 chances. He also recorded 88 strikeouts in 83 1/3rd innings. He also walked 55 batters. While those numbers won’t strike anyone as a lock down closer, the Mariners were willing to trade for him the following season.

In 1997, Slocumb converted 17 of 22 save chances and had a 0-5 record with a 5.79 ERA. He also walked 34 batters, struck out 36, and had allowed 30 earned runs in 46 2/3rd’s innings. Who in their right mind would jump at this guy thinking he’s the answer?

The Mariners needed a closer. Norm Charlton wasn’t getting the job done anymore and they needed a quick fix. He only converted 14 of 25 save opportunities. His last game coincidentally as the closer was against the Red Sox on July 30th when he allowed 3 runs, 2 earned on 3 hits in 1 1/3rd innings and walked 3.

The Trade: Slocumb for Lowe & Varitek

Slocumb would end up being a suitable solution for their ninth inning issues, converting 10 out of 11 save chances for Seattle. He also posted an 0-4 record with a 4.13 ERA. Wasn’t great but, he did his job and was able to get the Mariners into the postseason.

For Slocumb, the Sox received a then struggling Derek Lowe, who had a 6.96 ERA, and minor league catcher Jason Varitek.

Varitek displayed signs of power and looked like he could be good but he was already 25 years old. The Mariners thought that it was possible that he’d peaked and that his best years were now behind him.

We cannot forget that in 1996, just one year and one day prior, the Sox sent Jamie Moyer to Seattle for Darren Bragg. Everyone remembers how that turned out. No way could the Red Sox get nailed twice for making bad trades at the deadline right? Something had to give. The Mariners thought that they could go 2-for-2 in trades against the boys from Beantown. Let’s just say it wasn’t the same as the ’96 move. For multiple reasons. We’re going to take a deep look at why this trade was a huge mistake for one of these teams in 1997.

Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /

Slocumb in Boston

During the mid 90’s the Red Sox experienced both good and bad spells. In 1995 for example, the Sox came in 1st in the division only to get knocked out in three games in the divisional series against the Indians. In 1996 and 1997, the Red Sox were out of contention. In ’97 the Sox felt that if they could get a couple of young guys for Slocumb, it’d be worth it. Slocumb, who was 31 at the time of the trade, was in need of a change of scenery. It just wasn’t happening in Boston.

Career Numbers

Record: 5-10
Saves: 48 (48/61 78.7% of saves converted)
Innings Pitched: 130.0
Walks: 89
Strike Outs: 124
ERA: 4.02

Slocumb after 1997 spent only one more year in Seattle before becoming a free agent and signing with the Baltimore Orioles. After his stint the O’s he spent time with the Cardinals and Padres before retiring in 2000.

Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /

Derek Lowe in Boston

When Derek Lowe came to Boston from Seattle he had been a train wreck. He was 2-4 with a 6.96 ERA and had also allowed 11 home runs and 41 earned runs in 53 innings. Upon coming to Boston, they converted him into a strict reliever and the project panned out. Lowe, just 24 years old, had time and room to improve. After trying out the starting role the following season, the Red Sox and Lowe realized that he’d be best suited for the closing role.

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For three seasons, Lowe manned the 9th inning and recorded 81 saves between 1999 and 2001. In 2000, Lowe recorded 42 of 47 save chances and went on to his first of two All-Star appearances.

Lowe wasn’t recognized for his fastball but his sinker. It was because of this pitch and his ability to get ground ball outs that made him last into his 40’s. His status as closer came into question later on in the season as he became very inconsistent. With the Red Sox well out of playoff contention, manager Jimy Williams gave him a chance to start games in September of 2001.

In his three starts, Lowe allowed just two earned runs in 16 innings pitched. He also stuck out 15 batters. He recorded a 1-0 record in those three starts which opened the door for his becoming a starter the following season. Before the 2002 season began, Lowe made the transition from full time closer to starter becoming a leader in the clubhouse and on the field.

Lowe’s best year and No-Hitter

In 2002, Lowe posted a 21-7 record with a 2.58 ERA and struck out 127 batters in 219 2/3rd’s innings pitched. He only broke 219 innings once more in his career. Lowe again for the 2nd time in four seasons was an All-Star. His most memorable performance was his no-hitter against the Rays, the only shutout as a Sox. It was the first no hitter by a Red Sox in 37 years at Fenway Park. The last one was thrown by Dave Morehead in 1965. Who caught that no-no? Jason Varitek.

2004 Postseason

After a shaky end to his 2004 season, Lowe was carried into the post season as a reliever. Going into the ALCS, he regained his starting role where he dominated the competition. His most memorable game was his Game 7 performance against the Yankees where he pitched 6 innings, allowing one run on one hit, walking one and struck out three. Lowe helped in winning the clinching game defeating the Yankees 4-3 in the ALCS.

In Game 4 of the World Series, Lowe pitched 7 innings, allowing just three hits where he walked one and struck out four picking up the 4th win for the Sox. Lowe was one of the key cogs in helping the Red Sox both reach and win their first World Series title since 1918.

After spending seven plus years in Boston, Lowe was one of the many helping to break the curse that stood in Boston for 86 years. While he Boston he amassed great numbers.

Derek Lowe’s numbers in Boston

Record: 70-55
Saves: 85
Innings Pitched: 1,037.0
Walks: 312
Strike Outs: 673
ERA: 3.72

Apr 4, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox former players Pedro Martinez , Mike Lowell and Jason Varitek carry out World Series trophies during pre-game ceremonies before the game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /

Jason Varitek in Boston

Varitek was the second member of the Slocumb trade. With no MLB experience under his belt, the Red Sox took a chance with the young backstop. His first major league at-bat resulted in a single. So far, so good.

In 1997, with the Sox on top of the Tigers, a young Tek took a Kevin Jarvis offering to left field. This was just the beginning of what would blossom into a very fruitful relationship between Varitek and the Red Sox.

After eight years on the club, the Red Sox bestowed Tek with the Captain role denoted by the ‘C’ on his jersey. It was the first captain since Jim Rice held the title until his retirement in 1989. Tek held the position as captain until his retirement in 2011. There have only been five players selected to be Captain since 1925.

Varitek wasn’t known for being a huge power threat, although he did take part in many memorable games and held several records while being a member of the Sox. Below is a nice list of his accomplishments. Tek will also be remembered for two famous games against the rival Yankees.

There was the game when the Red Sox hit back-to-back-to-back-to-back home runs, ending perfectly so with their Captain swatting the last one deep over the Monster in left field. Lastly, who could forget the famous 2004 game in which Jason Varitek and Alex Rodriguez were going at it throwing punches. Many felt that it was that game that re-invigorated the spark in the longest rivalry in baseball.

Tek’s Accomplishments

Record for catching the most no-hitters in baseball
Holds the record for catching the most games for the Red Sox with 1,488 games
Has the most postseason home runs as a catcher with 11
Played in the most postseason games in Red Sox history
The 3rd Red Sox catcher to win the Gold Glove, joining Carlton Fisk and Tony Pena
First Red Sox catcher to receive the Gold Glove Award since Pena in 1991
Three-time All-Star (2003, 2005, & 2008)
Two-time World Series Champion (2004 & 2007)

As one can see, Tek meant everything to Red Sox baseball for over 10 years. Tek compiled above average numbers but it was his defense and play calling that made him vital to the team. He was a key piece in helping the Sox break the 86-year old curse in 2004 when they won the World Series. Three years later he helped them do it again. Tek’s best season came in 2003 when he hit 25 home runs, had 85 RBI’s hit .273 and had 123 hits.

Jason Varitek’s career numbers in Boston

Batting Average: .256
Home Runs: 193
Runs Batted In: 757
Hits: 1307
Runs Scored: 664

Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /

Slocumb for Varitek and Lowe arguably worst trade in Mariners history

There are simply no words to explain just how important one player, or in this case two players, meant to a team in 2004. This never would have happened if the Red Sox hadn’t made this trade. No one could have known what Tek or Lowe would have become. This is easily considered one of the worst trades in Mariners history. Had it not been for this trade, it’s possible the Sox wouldn’t have been able to break the curse until 2007 or 2013, if at all.

The Mariners had hopes of going 2-for-2 on trades with the Red Sox and the repercussion of this trade was enough to make them second guess their prospects. The Mariners traded away a future captain for just 1 1/2 seasons of a closer who never really ended up amounting to anything. It’s amazing what teams will do to get to the post season.

Next: Red Sox: What if Jamie Moyer never got traded to Seattle?

The Red Sox more than made up for the move the year before. They came out well on top in 1997 and the records and titles prove it.

Stay tuned for the next “What If” article coming out in a few weeks.

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Red Sox: What if Heathcliff Slocumb never got traded?

What if the Boston Red Sox never traded Heathcliff Slocumb to the Seattle Mariners for Jason Varitek and Derek Lowe in 1997?