Red Sox Decline Options For Atchison And Wheeler

by Marc Normandin on Oct 31, 2011 3:01 PM EDT in News

Dan Wheeler of the Boston Red Sox delivers a pitch during MLB game action against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Brad White/Getty Images)

Well, so much for one portion of my hypothetical 2012 Red Sox bullpen, as Dan Wheeler had his option declined today by the Red Sox, according to the team's official Twitter feed. Scott Atchison, who bounced back-and-forth between Pawtucket and Boston, also had his option declined.

This doesn't mean that these two pitchers aren't eligible to be re-signed, but for now, it's up in the air. Wheeler struggled to start the 2011 season, posting an 11.32 ERA with four homers allowed in just 10-1/3 innings through May 4, but following a stint on the DL, returned to be one of Boston's very best relievers the rest of the way, with an ERA of 2.54, 7.1 strikeouts per nine against just 1.6 walks per nine, and just 0.7 homers allowed.

You wouldn't know it by when he was used, though, as Wheeler threw just 39 frames from May 21 through year's end, with many of those coming in low-leverage situations. Out of his 201 batters faced, 160 of those plate appearances came in situations categorized as "Low Leverage" according to Baseball Reference.

His inability to get lefties out consistently hurts his value, and if Boston chooses to rework Wheeler's deal in order to pay him less but retain him in 2012, then this makes sense, but letting him go completely (from a performance point-of-view) is... odd. Arbitration is still a possibility, though, and if someone else signed Wheeler should he refuse to accept arb, then Wheeler would be a Type B free agent, assuming compensation still works the same (or is allowed to continue for one last season) under the upcoming new collective bargaining agreement.

As for Atchison, part of his value was in his ability to move up and down between the minors and Boston as the team needed additional help in the bullpen. Now that he is out of options, though, the majors were just about the only place for him. Given the Red Sox already have a full bullpen in the majors without Atchison (Felix Doubront is also out of options, and when it's between the young, potentially solid prospect type and the fringe veteran, it's an easy decision) this isn't completely surprising news.

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Wheeler

I would think a supplemental pick is worth more than Wheeler, so arb him and either get the pick or a cheaper Wheel. Win win.

by Z3rogs on Oct 31, 2011 3:27 PM EDT reply actions

Two posts on this? Interesting.

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by Marisa Ingemi on Oct 31, 2011 3:46 PM EDT reply actions

Dueling site managers.

"We are not normal, We are Legends. People will tell their kids about us." - Deon Butler before Ohio State Game 2008.

by Rogue Nine on Oct 31, 2011 4:14 PM EDT up reply actions

We should pit them against each other

THERE CAN BE ONLY ONE

by Tarrsk on Oct 31, 2011 5:10 PM EDT up reply actions

BATTLE ROYALE!

"We are not normal, We are Legends. People will tell their kids about us." - Deon Butler before Ohio State Game 2008.

by Rogue Nine on Oct 31, 2011 5:51 PM EDT up reply actions

I will participate if needed

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by Marisa Ingemi on Nov 1, 2011 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions

I just find it funny

and yes, I know that site managers always have duels getting posts up. At least mine always do.

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by Marisa Ingemi on Nov 1, 2011 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions

Interesting choice. They could offer him arbitration now, which means getting him on a one-year deal for more than they would have paid him had they picked up his option, or getting a sandwich pick if someone else signs him.

For what it’s worth, he’s a very good pitcher… as long as you never pitch him against lefties. He’s a ROOGY, holding righties to a .208 BAA with great peripherals (3.49 FIP), while lefties hit .249 off him with a sub-2 K/BB (4.80 FIP). And while he allows homers aplenty to all hitters, lefties take him deep even more often.

Guess that situational usefulness makes your ‘pen a bit inflexible, so maybe the sandwich pick isn’t such a bad idea after all. But it seems like he’d be likely to accept, and get $4M or more in arbitration.

by abbreviatedman on Oct 31, 2011 4:45 PM EDT reply actions

Good points

Atchison at about $500+K is just too valuable to let go, and he needs to stay in Boston for his daughter’s medical condition. I enjoy watching him pitch more than most in the Pen. No nonsense, works fast, and invariably gets the job done, as versatile as Acevas. If Wake doesn’t pitch in 2012, Atch is a must keep for his versatility and his unflappable veteran presence. Agree that the sox win if they bring Wheeler back, or collect a draft pick. Nice if he could stay at home, and his pitching skills encourage this. The Pen in 2011 was not the problem. It was a Pen exhausted by too many 4’inning starts, and that’s not on them.

by GerryT on Oct 31, 2011 8:33 PM EDT reply actions