Diamondbacks Bullpen

[shoewizard]

As I suspected, there is an emotional component for Josh Byrnes in the "Keith Foulke Sweepstakes"

From Boston.com

[levski]

IF Foulke is healthy, and IF he'll sign a very team friendly deal (say, 3m/year base plus incentives) for two years, then I don't mind having him. I think we could use the depth, and honestly, if we do not acquire another 200 IP starter (and even if we do), I can see the Dbacks going with 7 relievers next year. I can foresee far worse moves than having Foulke on the cheap...

I like this bullpen even better.

Foulke
Valverde
Viscaino
Medders
Cruz
Pena
Slaten


And yes, I agree we should be seeking to trade Lyon and Julio.

[shoewizard]

I think the optimism that Foulke can regain his former effectiveness is all based on his work in September. 11.1 scoreless innings, 1 walk and 9 K's

Prior to that, he was an absolute disaster for the better part of two seasons.

Personally, I don't think he can remain healthy at this point in his career. Too many injuries, too old, not the best body.

But, that September DOES leave hope....so Josh better get the video out and take a look at every AB and every pitch for the month of September, and make sure it was a REAL recovery and not lucky.

[levski]

Again, if he's dirt cheap, and seems healthy, the upside is there...

[McCray]

IF foulke is healthy AND he's cheap, then yeah, i'm cool with bringing him onboard.

but i'm curious why both lev and shoe think lyon should be traded. is he making too much money now? because the guy gave us 70 IP or so, 3.89 ERA, 1.298 WHIP, and a 122 ERA+. and it's not like this team is drowning in good bullpen relievers. so why ditch lyon?
_________________
Hank, you're dead to me.

[B. O. N. D.]

Perhaps durability issues. Especially if he presses his case to be a starter.
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Oops in the 2 hole!

[djmeatball23]

sign foulke if he is winning to have an inncentive based contract

[misterx]

only if its dirt cheap

[tmar]

Just a guess but it's probably that Lyon is about to get expensive <for a reliever>.

[baldmaga]

I'd take Foulke and give him a try, if he sucks, just send him to AAA or DFA him.

Only if he comes cheap.

[matt]

Personally, I don't get the Foulke situation at all. The dude just declined $3.75M and aside from a nice Sep 2006, he's sucked hairy donkey cock for the last two seasons (when he wasn't injured). BR says he's made about $32M, so in baseball terms, he hasn't made the FU money yet. I highly doubt he turned down the RS because he was butthurt that they didn't pick up his option.

Therefore, there are two possible conclusions:

1) He thinks he fine and should get more than $3.75M/yr, even if it is just a one-year deal.

2) He is unsure about his future status and wants a multi-year deal worth more than $5-6M

I don't buy the 'wants to stay close to home shit' at all. Foulke him, if we want an overpriced and injured but better than league average righty reliever we can just go to arbitration with Lyon.

[TAP]

[matt]

[McCray]

i think foulke will come cheaper than the 3.75M the red sox offered, and which he declined. from what i've read on other boards, foulke HATED boston. so i think he just wanted to get way. if that's the case, and he isn't looking for the FU money, then i'm jiggy with it.
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Hank, you're dead to me.

[shoewizard]

Rotoworld

[Espo]

http://www.boston.com/sports/basebal..._could_de.html

Former Sox closer Keith Foulke has a few offers to mull over and could make a decision on where he'll be playing next season as soon as Friday, according to his agent, Dan Horwits.

Horwits said Foulke has moved off his desire to pitch close to his Arizona home. He said four teams have made offers. One is thought to be the Cleveland Indians, who have pursued Foulke the longest.

Horwits said there is a situation or two where Foulke could be the closer. The Indians might fit. Horwits said Foulke would likely want a one-year deal with an option. He received a $1.5 million parting gift from the Red Sox.

While Horwits said he's had recent conversations with Theo Epstein, and said he didn't rule anything out with Boston, it does not appear the Red Sox will bring him back.

[shoewizard]

Thanks....usually Rotoworld does a pretty good job of summarizing articles, but I should have followed the link and readthe article.....obviously the article says the opposite of what Rotoworld implies.

[dirtygary]

Have we considered using our SP prospects out of the pen? Any reasons that would exclude them from breaking in in bullpen/long relief roles their first year?

Boston pulled a good move using Papelbon in the closer role. They got a closer for minimum, their prospect got experience, and now he has confidence and comfort in the rotation. Worked out on several levels.

Not saying one of our guys could be a closer, but what if Nippert/Owings/Enrique can get through an inning or two every other day as well as a free agent established reliever or somebody we have to trade for?
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The pen is mightier than the sword, if that pen is shot out of a gun

[tmar]

I would like to take 07 and try to find a closer in our system vs spending big money or quality prospects on getting one from outside the system.

[Tucson DBacks Fan]

Here's passing on a rumor of Foulke to the Indians ( last paragraph) : http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2006/12/22/patriots_day_game_to_start_even_earlier/

[levski]

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/6299316