With the news that Josh Beckett has been pushed back to Game 3 of the ALDS, perhaps longer, this changes the complexion of the series. No longer is The October Ace a definite to take the hill against the Angels, but the Red Sox will have to protect themselves and carry an additional pitcher, making 11 (especially with Dice-K questionable to go deep into the game).
Jon Lester will get the ball in Game 1, then Dice-K will follow. If Beckett can’t go in Game 3, I think the ball will head to Wakefield. Either way, Wakefield will definitely make the roster. Other certainties are Jonathan Papelbon, Hideki Okajima, Manny Delcarmen, Justin Masterson, Javier Lopez and Paul Byrd. That makes 10. Candidates for 11 include David Aardsma, Devern Hansack, David Pauley, Chris Smith and Mike Timlin.
Could the Red Sox bypass the 11th pitcher and go with 14 position players? Absolutely. But should they? I don’t think they should, so who should they take?
My vote is Hansack. He’s looked impressive in some outings and can go multiple innings. Aardsma lost any shot he had last night when he couldn’t nail down the save. Smith, Pauley and Timlin are gasoline this year.
On the position player side, you have Jason Varitek and Kevin Cash. Kevin Youkilis, Sean Casey, Dustin Pedroia, Jed Lowrie, Alex Cora, Mike Lowell, Jason Bay, Jacoby Ellsbury, Coco Crisp and J.D. Drew as locks.
That’s 12. Now, the rub: Lowell and Drew are not healthy. Thus, Mark Kotsay easily grabs spot number 13, as he can play first (Youk at third) or outfield (if Drew is out).
So now it’s between another position player or a pitcher. I’ve established that I think Devern Hansack should be the pitcher. But should the team announce they will move forward with 10 pitchers, who should get the job for the bench? I’m going with Jeff Bailey. He’s shown an ability to handle the stick. I would have hoped to say David Ross a month ago, but Tito hasn’t given him a fair shake at showing value. Bailey has that value and is a former catcher, so we are somewhat covered there.
Between Bailey and Hansack, which is a more pressing need?
Need to ask?
Hansack.
What do you think? Who’s your 25th guy on the roster?
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Pre-injury Aardsma would have been a lock here, but he has lost 5 mph off his fastball, as well as the command he was gaining, since his injury. He is still hurt. He will be a star for us in 2009 after full recovery.
I have always felt Hansack is a potential jewel, under-utilized. He is rebounding well after his injury, and a better option than Aardsma right now. As a starter turned reliever, he and Masterson could give us long innings if Daisuke or Wake need them. However, Tito will go with Mike Timlin here because of big-game experience plus equivalent talent when hot.
On the other hand, Bailey’s bat is starting to reflect his I.L. MVP #’s (.300,25, 81?) and he could easily be on the bench next year, and make a difference in a post-season lineup with less pop than usual (Manny, J.D., Mike!!).
It’s too early to choose. Bailey if both J.D. and Mike can’t play. Hansack if Beckett can’t pitch.
I’ve just got a sneaking feeling that they will include Drew but not Lowell for the ALDS. If they can get through that, they’ll hope that Lowell will be ready for the ALCS. At the end of the day, I wonder if they can justify two roster spots (now three with Beckett) for guys who *might* not be able to contribute at all.
Even with the Beckett issue the off days are sufficient that 10 pitchers is enough. I’d take Byrd and Wake and be more confident in either of them than in Hansack.
Starters: Youk, Pedroia, Lowrie, Casey, Bay, Drew, Ellsbury, Varitek, Ortiz
Bench: Cash, Crisp, Kotsay, Cora, Carter, Bailey
SP: Lester, Matsuzaka, Beckett
RP: Papelbon, Okajima, Masterson, Delcarmen, Lopez, Wakefield, Byrd