Tim Wakefield To Take Bullpen Spot, Clay Buchholz Stays In Rotation

by Randy Booth on Apr 22, 2010 7:29 PM EDT in News

The debate is over: Tim Wakefield is heading to the Red Sox bullpen, not Clay Buchholz:

BOSTON -- When Daisuke Matsuzaka returns to the Red Sox starting rotation next week, it will be Tim Wakefield - and not, as widely speculated, Clay Buchholz -- who will be bumped to accommodate him.

The Red Sox announced Thursday afternoon that Matsuzaka, who completed his rehab assignment for Pawtucket Wednesday night, would rejoin the rotation sometime next week.

[...]

The move is unlikely to be well-received by Wakefield, who signed a new two-year deal with the Sox with the goal is becoming the franchise's all-time winningest pitcher by the time the 2011 season ends.

Francona also dismissed a suggestion that the team might opt for a six-man rotation, saying that would only work in mid-season when workload and innings begin to accumulate for the pitchers involved.

I think this is the best thing for the Red Sox. Wakefield will probably serve as a long-reliever, a mop-up guy, which is really a slap in the face for him, but this is best for the team. Wakefield is not going to like this decision and we'll hear about it after the game.

What are your thoughts? Should Buchholz have moved to the bullpen?

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think he would retire before accepting?

by gizmosandy on Apr 22, 2010 7:43 PM EDT reply actions

Should Buckholz have moved to the bullpen?

No.

by upCHUCK on Apr 22, 2010 7:44 PM EDT reply actions

heck no you don't move buch to the pen

by gizmosandy on Apr 22, 2010 8:37 PM EDT reply actions

Im sure Wakefield won’t be overly upset. The second a pitcher gets hurt or needs a day off, Wakefield will be right there to step back in.

by Justin_Bobo on Apr 22, 2010 11:40 PM EDT reply actions

OTM filter?

it will be Tim Wakefield – and not, as widely speculated, Clay Buchholz — who will be bumped to accommodate him.

It was widely speculated that Buchholz would be in the pen? I live in Nova Scotia. I don’t get Boston media…but I hadn’t been under the impression that there was some assumption that it was probably Clay to the ’pen.

Galactus does as he pleases. Because Galactus is drunk.

I have a five-tool player in my pants.

ACTUALLY, advanced metrics show that that wasn't "premature".

@#$%ing Twit: @blogtard

by Bloggy on Apr 22, 2010 11:57 PM EDT reply actions

I think it was generally thought that Wake would be in the pen

but that link’s from CSNNE, where fools go to shout their opinions over the airwaves

by wolf9309 on Apr 23, 2010 9:13 AM EDT up reply actions

I strongly disapprove

But at the same time, I really can’t convince myself that moving Buch to the pen would be a better call for the team. Nor can I convince myself that Dice-K would serve us better there. There’s a large part of me that says "But Wake has earned the right to start

by Maeamian on Apr 23, 2010 3:28 PM EDT reply actions

Dice -K to the Pen.

I understand that the Sox have paid ridiculous money for Dice- K, but he hasn’t been really effective over the past couple of years. He has been on the DL more than he has pitched. For the good of the team, and because Wake actually worked to get the starting job, Dice-k should be required to rehab in the pen for awhile to acclimate to major league hitters. A 1 inning outing to start, then 2, then 3 until he reaches his his regular max of 5 2/3 innings. Let him be window clan for a while. Besides Wake will be back in the rotation anyway once Dice -K strains a hammy walking onto the mound.

by NJ Native on Apr 24, 2010 4:34 AM EDT reply actions

that's not the last couple of years

that’s just last year you’re talking about. An injured year doesn’t make him Nick Johnson injury-wise, that’s just ridiculous. We can feel bad for Wake, but nostalgia can’t make these decisions. The fact is Matsuzaka is a better pitcher than Wake, period, plus Wake has bullpen experience.

a couple years… tell me exactly what was ineffective about his 2008 18 wins and 2.90 ERA.

by wolf9309 on Apr 24, 2010 2:57 PM EDT up reply actions