Re: Wakefield

by mlbnotebook on Jan 22, 2009 11:45 PM EST

After reading Allen's post about Tim Wakefield, I had some thoughts. First, from Allen's story:

I'll accept few arguments about Wakefield's status on the Sox.

If someone wants to say he shouldn't start in the playoffs, I'll say fine. We should have better options, on a game-by-game basis, among the combination of Lester, Becks, Daisuke, Smoltz, Penny, and perhaps Buchholz and Bowden. I'm not going to argue that his potential to dominate on a game-by-game basis is going to be better than any of those guys.

...

If someone wants to make the argument about wins and losses, I'll say STFU. Cause Hell no, I'm not listening to that punk-A bullS. If you don't know why that's the weakest argument about the way in which Wakefield himself contributes to this team, then we're as far apart as to be speaking different languages.

Yes, his career numbers are good, as are his season numbers. But, his start by start consistency could be a problem due to the knuckler. Here are the lines from his May starts last season:

5/1 - 7 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 0 K, 4 BB
5/6 - 8 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 6 K, 0 BB
5/11 - 2.2 IP, 7 H, 6 ER, 2 K, 2 BB
5/17 - 5.1 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 5 K, 3 BB
5/23 - 5 IP. 8 H, 8 ER, 4 K, 4 BB
5/28 - 8 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 8 K, 0 BB

These lines aren't horrible, but I think it shows the variability in Wake's numbers. Because of the inconsistency, yes, Wake should not be allowed to start in the playoffs. But can he even be trusted in relief? Don't relievers need to be more consistent and trustworthy than starters do (assuming they come in with a lead)?

So what do you do with Wake? He is probably only suited for a long relief or mop-up role in the postseason, or a guy you take your chances with in extra inning games.

In the regular season you can give up a few bad outings, but not in the postseason. Usually that would mean the pitcher has little or no value to a team, if he cannot pitch in the playoffs. However, he is very valuable to the Sox.

Because of the depth in the rotation and bullpen, Wake is not always needed in postseason play. He can simply eat innings in the regular season, win an average amount of games, and be a player you would love to have on your roster. Keeping the rest of the pitchers fresh, will be Wakefield's job next season.

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Batting practice!

He is good for batting practice so the big hitters can get good practice entertaining the fans with their home runs!

Is that what you also want to happen in the games???

by NG on Jan 23, 2009 8:02 AM EST reply actions

[shakes head]

For those children who claimed they’ve been a fan of their favorite team all their life, or even since they were about four or five years old: bullshit. There’s always that certain event or certain player that draws to the sport and draws you to a team. For me, Nomar Garciaparra was that reason. - Nick Coviello: I Try To See Rocco, But All I Think Is Nomar; 1/9/09

by bdalebs on Jan 23, 2009 10:02 PM EST up reply actions

Why are you assuming relievers come in with a lead?

I don’t think anybody is suggesting that Wake be used in relief in close games. If he comes out of the bullpen, he’s middle relief.

How often do middle relievers enter the game with a lead? If you’re bringing in a reliever before the fifth inning, chances are either that your starter is injured or he’s getting shelled. I don’t have hard statistics to back me up, but I would guess that under such circumstances any team’s winning percentage is going to be significantly lower than usual.

When you need middle relief, you usually just want someone to eat innings. I don’t think consistency is so important under those circumstances.

by RSNexile on Jan 23, 2009 11:25 PM EST reply actions

Well

A middle reliever comes in with the lead a good chunk of the time. Usually if a pitcher comes in before the sixth inning, it is a long reliever.

Like I said, he can pitch in those situations. Once the game is practically out of reach, he can come in and eat up the innings. If he pitches well and the offense brings the team back, good for him. If not, o well.

-Zach Sanders
http://www.mlbnotebook.com

by mlbnotebook on Jan 24, 2009 10:13 AM EST up reply actions

Define "a good chunk of the time"

Is it 99% of the time? 85? 50? 3%?

In any case, you’re just proving my point. If the game is out of reach, he can pitch. If you need to use the effective equivalent of two starters for one game, he can pitch. You just need him to eat innings, and it doesn’t really matter if he’s consistent or not as long as the overall performance is good enough because in those situations, you’re not looking for anything beyond “good enough.”

by RSNexile on Jan 24, 2009 11:09 AM EST up reply actions

Like you said don't have the numbers handy.

What you said in your comment:

You just need him to eat innings, and it doesn’t really matter if he’s consistent or not as long as the overall performance is good enough because in those situations, you’re not looking for anything beyond "good enough.

What I said in the post:

He can simply eat innings in the regular season, win an average amount of games, and be a player you would love to have on your roster. Keeping the rest of the pitchers fresh, will be Wakefield’s job next season

No need to argue with me when I already made the point. I’ll see if I can come up with some numbers for you.

-Zach Sanders
http://www.mlbnotebook.com

by mlbnotebook on Jan 24, 2009 3:17 PM EST up reply actions

As I said, you're proving my point

And you’re missing the point at the same time. You complained about Wake’s lack of consistency, but if the Sox use him as a middle reliever, it doesn’t matter if he’s inconsistent so long as his overall performance is good enough and eats innings when they need him to do so. That means he could go three innings without giving up a baserunner one outing and two innings giving up eight runs in the next and it’s not a big deal.

And it’s especially not a big deal because if you really need a long reliever, your biggest concern is covering innings, not winning one game out of 162.

by RSNexile on Jan 24, 2009 6:59 PM EST up reply actions

Relief

Wake in the bullpen would be pretty interesting. The Sox used him there a long time ago and I think he was pretty effective. If a batter has 2-3 ABs against Beckett’s fastball, and then faces Wake’s slow, floating knuckleball, their timing would be all off- not to mention the crazy movement.
It just might work!

by Schulz on Jan 24, 2009 12:22 PM EST reply actions