2007-02-14 10:15:41 · 17 answers · asked by John 5 in Sports ➔ Baseball
I'd say the speculation as of now is that Joel Piniero would probably get the role, although Tim Wakefield has closed out games...but he's set in the starter role quite well. I wouldn't put it past JC Romero, and don't think Tavarez or Donnelly are consistent enough..so I'd stick with Piniero
2007-02-14 10:24:18 · answer #1 · answered by goldeneye2131 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Piniero is the early favorite to win the job but Sox management has said it is an open competition so whoever performs best would get the job. That being said none of the candidates on the roster looks like they can be a legitiment closer so look for the Sox to trade for someone. Best bet (and currently rumored as a possibility) is Chad Cordero of the nationals. They are a ways from contending and have shown a willingness to trade proven commodities for young prospects plus Cordero is awaiting his arbitration results and if he wins (seems likely) he becomes an expensive reliever and becomes more available. Other names will surely surface but Cordero makes sense if the Sox can put together a package of prospects to the Nationals liking. Probably nothing will happen until after the first month of the regular season unless the nationals dont want to pay Cordero from the start.
2007-02-14 22:24:30 · answer #2 · answered by viphockey4 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Red Sox have one of the worst bullpens on paper. That said, Joel Pineiro will start as closer. He was solid in relief last year, albeit in a small sample. He stunk as a starter, and Mariners didn't even offer him salary arbitration. After him is Brendan Donnelly, MIke Timlin, and J.C. Romero. Craig Hansen might be closer around midseason, or, maybe, Francona will get frustrated with his bullpen, and just put Papelbon back at closer. It doesn't look very good for the BoSox, but great for the Yanks.
2007-02-14 20:35:02 · answer #3 · answered by Generalgao 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jonathan Papelbon is being moved to the starting position and is learning how to throw a curve. The Red Sox closer for 2007 will be Joel Pineiro. Pineiro was injury prone last year for Seattle but should rebound well.
2007-02-14 18:28:05 · answer #4 · answered by Jason G 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that former Seattle Mariners starter Joel Piniero will likely be the closer for the Red Sox.
2007-02-14 19:23:53 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Righthander Joel Pineiro, a former starter, is the favorite. Righties Julian Tavarez, Brendan Donnelly and Mike Timlin also are in the mix. The team believes depth will solve the problem.
2007-02-14 19:58:56 · answer #6 · answered by yeyeye 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Joel Pineiro is the favorite right now. This isn't good if you are a Red Sox Fan. He couldn't make it in Seattle as a starter.
2007-02-14 23:08:34 · answer #7 · answered by berta44 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's gotta be Papelbon again. There's no other choice. He doesn't want to do it but who else are they going to use? Pineiro? He has 1 save in his career. Tavarez? 22 saves in his whole career. Red Sox fans, who would you rather have closing for you? It's gotta be Papelbon but this will continue to drive him away from the team, come free agency.
2007-02-16 04:27:21 · answer #8 · answered by lupin_1375 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pineiro will start as the closer but faltering by mid year will force Papelbum to the closers role since he will struggle as a strter as well
2007-02-14 18:39:03 · answer #9 · answered by Lord Vader 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well since Papelbon is going to the rotation, it's Piniero, the other relievers aren't closer types. Maybe Hideki Okajima (the other Japanese pitcher they got) will close some.
2007-02-14 20:24:56 · answer #10 · answered by shortstufrrr 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋