Red Sox Bullpen Takes Another Hit With Takashi Saito's Departure

by Randy Booth on Dec 3, 2009 7:02 PM EST in News Comment 15 comments

Another bullpen arm going from Boston to Atlanta.

It didn't take long for the Braves to snap up Billy Wagner. Now they've gone out and signed Red Sox backup closer Takashi Saito to a one-year, $3 million deal.

But what should the Braves expect out of the soon-to-be 40 year old?

As Theo Epstein's only "low risk, high reward" victory last season, Saito was pretty solid for the Red Sox in 2009. Maybe a little bit lucky, but a good bullpen arm nonetheless:

	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2009 - Takashi Saito	3-3	56	0	0	0	2	2	55.2	50	16	15	6	25	52	2.43	1.35

As Red Sox fans, we've certainly seen worse out of old middle relievers. He wasn't the first arm Terry Francona would call out of the bullpen if things got sticky, but he was at least a reliable one. In my opinion, Francona did a fantastic job using Saito. He never overused him and he always pitched him in smart situations (unlike Ramon Ramirez, who seemed to be the redheaded stepchild of the bullpen).

But now he's the Braves' property. It looks like he'll be a setup man of sorts to, who else, but Billy Wagner. Saito will also see time as the team's closer, if need be. (Does it sound familiar at all? Hmm. Maybe. Should.) The folks at Talking Chop seem to like the deal, although the money may be a little pricey in their minds. According to Ken Rosenthal:

Saito terms: $3.2 million base plus $2.3 million incentives - all but $500,000 of those based on games finished - Wagner's department!

I don't think $3M is too bad of a deal considering he was set to make $6M if the Sox exercised his option. Not a bad deal for a reliever with a 2+ ERA pitching in the American League East.

A solid pickup for the Braves, but the question is how much longer can the 40-year-old Saito pitch? The age is the real question. Will he be able to rack up the hard outs?

For the Sox, it's just another puzzle piece to replace. I don't think Saito could have replicated his '09 performance. While it may have been close, Theo may not have wanted to give up $3M for it. The Sox will most certainly have to look for another bullpen arm or two to fill the vacancies of Wagner and Saito.

Your turn: did the Sox miss the boat by not re-signing Saito?

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Comments

No, he wouldn't have repeated his '09 performance here

and that’s the only way to justify the likely close to 5 million he’ll get from ATL.

We have our work to do rebuilding the bullpen, but he’s replaceable.

by dsharp on Dec 3, 2009 7:15 PM EST reply actions

not close to 5 million

almost all the incentives are based on finishing games, which means that unless Wagner gets injured, he’s making about $3 million

by wolf9309 on Dec 3, 2009 7:24 PM EST up reply actions

He's very replaceable

Richardson is on deck, plus there’s a lot of arms out there: Calero, Escobar…
Plus you can always convert Bowden into a reliever.

To zobrist; verb – to overlook the superiority of a person or object based on misleading sensory or conversational factors. e.g. "My teacher totally zobristed me on that paper – I’d included all the points he asked for but I didn’t drone on about Grover Cleveland enough. He’s totally biased towards Cleveland. What’s worse is that Danny Dukowski got an A, and his prose style is terrible. He’s a total Victorino." deadspy3 - Amazin' Avenue

by bloodysock04 on Dec 3, 2009 7:26 PM EST reply actions

Is Theo asleep?

Release Jason Varitek before ST is over !
Do not pay Jason Bay !!
Trade Buchholz !!!

by gizmosandy on Dec 3, 2009 7:48 PM EST reply actions

Because he didn't resign a 40 year old relief pitcher whose best days are behind him and who is likely not to perform as well this year?

Saito was far from an essential player. Losing him isn’t a big deal at all.

by RSNexile on Dec 3, 2009 8:57 PM EST up reply actions

ok, well I want to see some action

Release Jason Varitek before ST is over !
Do not pay Jason Bay !!
Trade Buchholz !!!

by gizmosandy on Dec 3, 2009 9:08 PM EST up reply actions

No he is Awake

While I am bummed to see Wagner not resign we do get a compensation since we offered him salary Arbitration. As for Saito, he was good for us, but he is turning 40 and there are ton of options out there. The Braves needed to sign a closer and setup man since both Soriano and Gonzalez are free agents.

by cthunder on Dec 3, 2009 8:59 PM EST up reply actions

by this time tom. Bay and Figgins both Mariners ?

Can the M’s pull off

Lackey/Bay/Figgins ??

Release Jason Varitek before ST is over !
Do not pay Jason Bay !!
Trade Buchholz !!!

by gizmosandy on Dec 3, 2009 9:37 PM EST reply actions

If they do

I think Theo’s gonna turn it up on Holliday.

USG

by Ben Buchanan on Dec 3, 2009 9:46 PM EST up reply actions

I like how he pitched for us

But at 40, he can go now. Thanks for the memories, Saito!

Galactus does as he pleases. Because Galactus is drunk.

by Bloggy on Dec 3, 2009 10:04 PM EST reply actions

I'm split..

Saito did a good job in 2009, and MDC was the headache for the bullpen. However in long term, and his injury history, it was probably the right decision. It would had been nice to have Wagner, but if going younger can either help, or find a bunch of attack poodles in the bullpen.

So Theo’ s 2009 project of using injured veteran pitchers was 1 out of 3 success.

by superferret on Dec 3, 2009 10:42 PM EST reply actions