Comments on: Javier Lopez optioned for Curt Schilling

By: Patrick MacKenzie

Patrick MacKenzie — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 15:59:22 +0000

Snyder is more valuable than Lopez is right now as he is the best option for coming out of the bullpen and eating innings in a game that the Sox are not yet conceding. In the playoffs, clearly, Lopez will have more value (Snyder won’t even make the postseason roster), but for now, that one batter Lopez COULD get out can be shut down by Delcarmen or Gagne instead.

By: mark

mark — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 11:23:41 +0000

Also, with Schilling coming back, Lester still running up his pitch count, and Wakefield’s potential to suddenly stop throwing strikes at any time, there is the potential for a lot of bullpen innings in the near future. Lopez usually doesn’t pitch a full inning in high-leverage situations, anyway, so Delcarmen stays because 3 high-quality righty relievers are better than 2. Snyder can give a lot more innings than Lopez, and Lopez doesn’t need to be cut in order to make room. Plus, there is still a lefty in the pen in Oki. Lopez will probably make the playoff roster as the LOOGY, but is a waste of a roster spot until then.

By: s1c

s1c — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 09:48:22 +0000

Snyder – no options
Lopez – options left
Theo loves Snyder – so Lopez’s option is used.

By: jvwalt

jvwalt — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 05:03:37 +0000

Snyder has one significant edge over Lopez: he’s a reasonably effective long reliever. This isn’t something we need very often, but it’s quite a handy thing to have around at times. Like, for instance, extra-inning games.
Evan, your post implies that Snyder has no options, and would have to be DFA’d. I wouldn’t do that, because he is a useful component in the bullpen. And if the choice then effectively boils down to Lopez vs. Delcarmen, then obviously Delcarmen is a more valuable performer — even after the addition of Gagne.
Lopez has done nothing to deserve demotion, but the Sox have a really nice problem: too many good pitchers. He’ll be back.

By: Evan Brunell

Evan Brunell — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 02:14:06 +0000

Lopez has been outperforming Snyder lately…

By: Dave B

Dave B — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 01:14:57 +0000

Why keep Lopez? The only thing he has is him being a lefty, but that doesn’t matter here. Lopez is not all that great against lefties. He is in no way a LOOGY. I would much rather last a month with no lefties than have to dump Snyder. It makes zero sense to get rid of a good arm because we need a weaker lefty in the pen.