Boston’s bullpen competition takes an interesting turn

The Red Sox’s bullpen search has taken on an interesting look these days.

With Tim Wakefield virtually certain to open the season as No. 5 starter and Dice-K on the shelf, there are two spots open. The favorites are Boof Bonser and Brian Shouse (the latter serving as LOOGY), but there are doubts about both, apparently.

The Red Sox are talking to Alan Embree about a return as they are reportedly unhappy with Shouse’s production.

As for Bonser, word is that the Diamondbacks and Cubs are both interested in acquiring him. Bonser is a starter, but Boston is trying him out as a reliever, where it is thought he will have more success. He would also function as a longman. There’s no indication the Red Sox are interested in dealing him, but it’s possible the Sox would do so given a nice return. They have Scott Atchinson pushing Bonser for a bullpen spot.

That said, pitching depth is a canard. It’s more likely that Bonser stays and Atchinson goes to Triple-A than it is the Boof being traded.

All-Aughts Team of the Decade RP3: Alan Embree

This morning, we learned that Mike Timlin won a spot on the All-Aughts team as the #1 reliever. This afternoon, we honor the #3 reliever and Timlin’s longtime lefty cohort, Alan Embree.

Embree may have only been around for two full seasons and parts of two others, but he made an impact. Embree was acquired from the San Diego Padres on June 26, 2002 at age 32 because of one very specific game. That game came on June 22, the last time he pitched in a Padres uniform. It was an interleague game at home against the Yankees, when he pitched three innings and struck out seven Yankees. (The picture is from this game.)

Embree wasn’t truly legendary during his time with Boston. Did he have to be, though? He was good enough to stick, good enough to rank third on the relief depth chart, and good enough to trust in close and late situations. We can’t have every relief pitcher throw up sub-2 ERAs. Embree may not have been lights-out, but obviously he was good enough to be an important relief pitcher on two straight excellent teams.

Could a Tex deal be drawing near?

Fox Sports Ken Rosenthal has reported a contract may have come closer on Wednesday.

2007 Saves per Inning Pitched

Every year, I run a feature here at Fire Brand called Saves per Inning Pitched (SIP). It’s a little statistic I made up that in the general scheme of things, [...]