Herald: Brad Penny released on his request

by Randy Booth on Aug 27, 2009 1:03 AM EDT in News

In what might not be such a shocking move, Brad Penny asked and received his release from the Red Sox tonight:

Veteran right-hander Brad Penny requested and received his release tonight in a move that clears a roster spot for reliever Billy Wagner and gives Penny time to join a new team before postseason rosters are set.

"I asked for my release and I got it," Penny said.

Speaking after last night’s 3-2 victory over the White Sox, Penny thanked the Red Sox for taking a chance on him.

"I enjoyed playing with all of the guys," he said. "I played for a great manager on a great team. I had a great time. I enjoyed it. I wish things had worked out better, but that happens."

Penny will be placed on release waivers tomorrow and clear them on Monday. He can talk to other teams while on waivers, but he can’t formally enter into a contract until he clears. He would like the opportunity to start, which probably wasn’t going to happen in Boston.

Well, I guess that dilemma is solved.

The only real surprise is that Penny asked for his own release. Considering there were reports that he was pretty happy with the Sox, he probably saw the writing on the wall. Maybe if Wakefield had really struggled tonight he wouldn't have asked for the release, but all things considered, he might have seen there wasn't room for him. And if there was room, was he really going to pitch at all?

Good luck, Penny. I'm sure the Cards will pick you up and you'll receive at least a couple Cy Young votes when the season ends.

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I see the Mets taking him..

they are such a mess that they need any filler for the fissures on the team… They would also be in front of the Cards or other teams in contention.

I would probably grade Theo’s project of taking injured proven pitchers with $5 million contracts a bust. A couple good games by Penny, two okay games by Smoltz, but they didn’t work out…

by superferret on Aug 27, 2009 2:48 AM EDT reply actions

Theo's 2-1 with that strategy...

People seem to forget Takashi Saito, who’s worked out pretty well for the Sox. In 45 innings of relief he’s had a WHIP of 1.267; better than Papelbon who’s having a shocker by his standards.

by Lowrie on Aug 27, 2009 6:41 AM EDT up reply actions

Pardon me, I meant to write 1-2

by Lowrie on Aug 27, 2009 6:42 AM EDT up reply actions

Indeed

Saito’s been underrated for us.

by Ben Buchanan on Aug 27, 2009 6:56 AM EDT up reply actions

What about Rocco?

He’s a tie?

@bs_uf15bosox9be The Original Gameday; Learn to use SB Nation

by bdalebs on Aug 28, 2009 9:32 PM EDT up reply actions

Yes

He was signed to be a backup, nothing more. For him to be a win, he’d either have to be the best fourth outfielder in the league or become a serviceable everyday player for us.

He’s done fine, but his signing had less potential upside than the other three, so this is a tie.

by RSNexile on Aug 30, 2009 10:52 AM EDT up reply actions

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hallelujah, i have been lobbying for this for a long time. I won’t bash him but it just didn’t work. He gives up at least 4 runs by the 4th inning every game. Maybe i’m exaggerating but i do know we needed the holy grail of all run support whenever he was on the mound.
Thank you Theo, you wasted enough of our division lead between him and Smoltz.

by qthaballa on Aug 27, 2009 3:44 AM EDT reply actions

BYE BYE Not-Worth-A-Penny

Get the heck out of here!!! I’m not sure why the Sox even signed you or Smoltz to begin with but I am VERY glad that you are both gone. Both of you suck and screwed the Sox over this season and neither of you will be missed!!!!!!!

by ajs1279 on Aug 27, 2009 7:31 AM EDT reply actions

Penny's not a starter

…and was never meant to be. He’s got ‘middle relief’ written all over him. The Sox should have seen that and made it a condition of his signing. Things might have worked out better – or not worked out at all, had Penny refused the terms. (In which case, the Sox STILL would have been better off, and things turned out.)

by Mister Snitch on Aug 27, 2009 9:17 AM EDT reply actions

erratum

I meant “AS things turned out”. I should never write before AM coffee.

by Mister Snitch on Aug 27, 2009 9:19 AM EDT up reply actions

I think Penny signs with an NL team and does fine.

"You know you're having a bad day when the fifth inning rolls around and they drag the warning track." - Mike Flanagan, Baltimore Orioles pitcher, 1992.

by SoxDevil on Aug 27, 2009 9:29 AM EDT up reply actions

Penny was not as bad as you all seem to think.

In his first 17 games, he had a 4.71 ERA, and a -0.28 WPA. The last seven games have been worse, with only two good outings and five terrible ones.

Penny was not spectacular, but he gave us innings and opportunities to win. That was more than Smoltz or Matsuzaka ever did. His performance was disappointing – you’d expect a guy who consistently throws 95+ would get more swings and misses, and more success. But he provided value to the Sox and I’m surprised they just dumped him. It’s not like our rotation can’t still use some depth.

If Penny goes back to the NL, he’ll almost certainly enjoy success. Good luck to him.

"It's just a tiny little nick, but it hurts when I get champagne in there."
- Jason Bay, on getting spiked scoring the winning run in ALDS Game Four.

by 0157H7 on Aug 27, 2009 9:31 AM EDT reply actions

I agree

I am not that he is not pitching for us any more, but he had utility in the first half of the season, and threw some decent games (the game against the Yankees when he hit ARod and held them scoreless for 6). He has been poor since the AS break, as is usual for him. I wish him luck and let’s move on.

by Buzzy on Aug 27, 2009 9:36 AM EDT up reply actions

Penny dumped himself

OverTheMonster.com

by Randy Booth on Aug 27, 2009 10:09 AM EDT up reply actions

He gave us innings?

6 at most.

by Ben Buchanan on Aug 27, 2009 11:06 AM EDT up reply actions

yes

he did not go deep in games. Did not miss lots of bats.

by Buzzy on Aug 27, 2009 11:30 AM EDT up reply actions

6+ innings is good for a 5th starter.

It’s not Penny’s fault that his role became more important as Wake and Dice-K went down to injury. And 6 innings is fine when you consider the quality of our bullpen.

"It's just a tiny little nick, but it hurts when I get champagne in there."
- Jason Bay, on getting spiked scoring the winning run in ALDS Game Four.

by 0157H7 on Aug 27, 2009 2:10 PM EDT up reply actions

actually

6 innings on average from your rotation is close to normal. I think most BPs throw 30-35% of a team’s innings. The problem is guys like Penny top out at 6 innings and sometimes crap their pants in the early innings. He was left in a bunch of times as the game got away. But overall, I agree, 6 innings is fine from your 5.

by Buzzy on Aug 27, 2009 3:21 PM EDT up reply actions

Penny was average #5 starter

but we wanted more

he handled himself with dignity; I wish him well

frustrating because he was close to getting going several times, but he never could get the control to where he needed it. Some good pitches, then a straight one over the middle of the plate

good luck to him

Tarizwa is not the answer; he is bp pitcher
Buchholz has the stuff, but the head needs work

by Frank Malzone on Aug 27, 2009 9:52 AM EDT reply actions

Actually

Penny was signed to be a #5 starter, which is more or less what he was. The problem was Dice-K and Wake went down, then Penny needed to be a #3 starter, which is not even close to being…at least now in the AL.

by Buzzy on Aug 27, 2009 9:59 AM EDT up reply actions

Agreed.

Penny performed his role quite well in the early part of the season, I thought. His latest starts definitely haven’t been good, but like you said, he was thrust into a role that wasn’t supposed to be his.

And like Mr. Malzone said above…he handled himself with dignity and wish him well, also.

Man I love that tuna casserole.

by Bloggy on Aug 27, 2009 10:08 AM EDT up reply actions

If he gets in shape

lose the gut, he still has the potential of being a 1-2 slot in the pitching rotation. I just saw him just kind of worn out from the season, when he hit Yankee stadium this August

by superferret on Aug 27, 2009 3:45 PM EDT up reply actions