Baseball has become a game of specialized players, especially when it comes to the bullpen. The bullpen is so specialized that each “position” is actually defined. You have long relievers, middle relievers, a setup man and a closer…and, of course, the left-handed specialist (LOOGY!).
As of today, the Sox don’t exactly have a pitcher that can be counted on as their lefty specialist. Rich Hill and Andrew Miller were both notable prospects at one point, but both are no more than projects currently with years of disappointment on their track records. Felix Doubront pitched well for the Sox last season in limited action, posting a 2.3 K/BB rate and 4.12 FIP. However, using him as a left-handed specialist would stunt his progression as a future starter.
The remaining free agent options are somewhat uninspiring. Former closer Brian Fuentes is hell on lefties, but he is reportedly seeking a Scott Downs type contract, which would be in the three-year range. The Sox extended themselves on Jenks by even going to a second year.
All that being said, the Sox don’t need to find a left-handed specialist for 2011.
In the ninth inning, teams want a closer that can get the job done regardless of the handedness of their opponents. Jonathan Papelbon does just that. Last season, he actually had better numbers against lefties, posting a 3.13 K/BB rate and 3.16 FIP. His career FIP against lefties is 2.72.
Bobby Jenks posted a 4.75 K/BB rate and 1.79 FIP against lefties in 2010 and has a 2.72 career FIP against lefties.
Both Dan Wheeler and Daniel Bard have had their share of issues against lefties. Wheeler in particular has never faired well having posted a career 4.86 FIP against left-handed batters. Bard, despite posting excellent numbers overall in 2010, struggled somewhat against lefties. He struck out only 6.58 per nine innings while walking 4.31 per nine*. However, if he can make a significant stride forward with his changeup, those struggles could go away very quickly. If that changeup becomes a true weapon against lefties, the three biggest pieces of the Sox bullpen — as well as the seventh, eighth and ninth innings — won’t need to be platooned.
*Bard did strike out 28 lefties in 20.1 innings in 2009
Most lefty specialists are saved for a high leverage situation in the game. When Robinson Cano comes up with the tying run at second base in the seventh inning, most teams would look to their lefty specialist to try and get the out. Who would you rather see in the game in that situation? Andrew Miller or Bobby Jenks? Miller might have the left-handedness, but Jenks has much better pure stuff as well as a track record of success.
Having the luxury of three closer-worthy options makes overpaying for a left-handed specialist unnecessary. Would it be great if Brian Fuentes wanted to sign a one-year deal and knock out lefties for the Sox? Absolutely, but that doesn’t seem like a reality at this point. There are some other free agents like Will Ohman and Dennys Reyes still out there, but both were pretty much replacement-level pitchers in 2010. At this point, the Sox best left-handed option will be whichever spring training project works out between Rich Hill and Andrew Miller. If both perform well in the spring, there is a chance that both do indeed make the big league roster. Even in that scenario, however, they would both need to prove themselves in-season before being trusted in late-inning situations.
When Robinson Cano comes up in a late inning situation Terry Francona has options, albeit right-handed ones, and none of them will need to be limited to only one batter.
If the Sox enter 2011 with no lock-down lefty specialist, it shouldn’t be a problem.