The Sox acquire Wes Littleton from Texas

by Drugs Delaney on Nov 28, 2008 6:45 PM EST Comment 6 comments

According to a press release, the Sox got right-handed relief pitcher Wes Littleton from the Rangers for two players to be named later or cash considerations.

In 102.1 IP, the 26-year old Littleton is 5-3 (3 saves) 3.69 ERA 1.23 WHIP. His walk and strikeout numbers aren't great: 3.25 BB/9 4.84 K/9.

[Littleton] has limited righthanded opponents to a .236 batting average in his major league career. During his rookie campaign in 2006, the California native held righties to a .157 clip, fourth in the American League among pitchers with at least 30 appearances.

Littleton has also been successful in keeping the ball on the ground, allowing just 15 fly balls last year compared to 31 grounders. Among active hurlers with at least 100.0 innings, he ranks 14th with a career ground ball percentage of 71.5 (196 GB/78 FB).

It looks like the Sox are stockpiling bullpen arms. This might mean that Masterson will move to the rotation, which I think is a huge mistake. It might also be the prelude to a potential Masterson trade. We'll see ...

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I remember him

He got the save in that 30-3 game.

This is probably just Theo doing his annual “throw everything at the wall and see what sticks” strategy with relievers.

by Tippecanoe on Nov 28, 2008 9:55 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Let's just hope we didn't give up anyone...

like Buchholz, or someone similiar.

He kind of reminds me of a reliweving Dice-k, with all the walks, but it looks like he can get out of jams.

Well, I will appreciate for you to keep my zingers out of your mouth!

by BoSox415 on Nov 29, 2008 10:25 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Don’t worry — Buch will not be the PTBNL for Wes Littleton … WES LITTLETON.

OverTheMonster.com

by Randy Booth on Nov 30, 2008 3:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

It probably won’t be any big name prospect(s).

I gotta go 'cause I'm probably definitely gonna nod out again.

by Drugs Delaney on Nov 30, 2008 3:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

spaghetti?

Clutch: A measurement of how much better or worse a player does in high leverage situations than he would have done in a context neutral environment. http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/glossary/

by bs.uf15bosox9bears23 on Nov 30, 2008 4:19 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

A nice possible replacement for Lopez

Littleton isn’t going to be anything special, and more likely than not, he isn’t going to spend a hell of a lot of time in the majors this season, but I think he could be valuable in the right situation.

As a consistent ground ball pitcher, he could be used in specialty late-inning roles: what if we end up trading Javier Lopez in a larger deal? Littleton would perfectly fill his shoes. Perhaps the most revealing statistic that presents Littleton as a possible replacement for Lopez in the future? Their PECOTA projection for career GB% is exactly the same, steadily 55% (and only 4% lower than the man Lopez was brought in to duplicate, Chad Bradford).

It’s also possible he could turn out to be just another minor leaguer who sees limited major league time in spring training and September. But the kid’s 25 and cheap as hell, and given that predicting the value of low-level relievers from year to year is one of the most difficult jobs in the game, often you just have to take chances with young guys. Luckily, Epstein is smart enough to look for players who have the ability to blossom into role players while also fulfilling organizational needs if the situation arises.

Straight outta HP. Go MDC!!!
http://soxcentury.blogspot.com

by alfonzo on Dec 2, 2008 10:10 PM EST reply actions 0 recs