I haven’t exactly been quiet in my criticism of the Joel Pineiro deal. To demonstrate just how appalled I was with the pickup to this point, here were my thoughts on it on couple weeks ago. I claimed that “the low point of the offseason was [the Red Sox] acquisition of a “closer.” It always makes me happy when my team pays $4 million for another team’s garbage. I wonder if working garbage detail will work out any better this time than it did when we picked up Javy Lopez, Jason Johnson and Kyle Snyder last year. If by some miracle, Pineiro is anything more than passable in the role this will truly be our year.” I’d say that summarized my opinion on the deal more or less since the day the Red Sox acquired Joel Pineiro. I’m sure many of you still are of a similar opinion. After all, Pineiro did have a rather atrocious year in 2006. He had an ERA of 6.36 and a WHIP of 1.65 while making his home appearances in what many would consider to be a pitcher’s park.
So, being the responsible Red Sox fan that I am, I decided to watch video of Pineiro from last season. I went into the experience expecting to find what was wrong with him so I could point out just why it was that he wouldn’t cut it on the Red Sox. So I began with his only recorded save last year on September 8th. Pineiro pitched 2 innings while allowing 3 hits and 2 runs. The only problem was, in watching the video I didn’t see what I expected. Pineiro breezed through the first inning retiring the batters in order. It wasn’t until after a 26 minute wait, in which Seattle scored 4 runs, that Pineiro gave up a hit or a run. Even then, he was doing what he should have been doing. With a 7 run lead, he attacked the hitters making sure not to walk anyone and although he gave up 2 runs he appeared to keep his confidence and poise.
Unsatisfied, I decided to watch his September 23rd game in which he blew a save by giving up 3 hits, 4 earned runs and 3 BB in 1 inning. This outing more confirmed what I expected to find, but still I was surprised and a little disappointed. Although Pineiro gave up a home run and 2 walks to the first 3 batters of the game, he really shouldn’t have been charged with all those runs and hits. When the fourth batter of the inning laid down a sacrifice bunt, Seattle manager Mike Hargrove forced Pineiro to intentionally walk the next batter. Then, with the bases loaded, Pineiro induced a ground ball that should have been a double play but first baseman Richie Sexson misplayed it, only getting the out at home. On the next pitch, Pineiro induced another weak ground ball to first but Richie Sexson misplayed that one as well. This time he tripped over the umpire and never made the easy toss to first for the out. By now, I was legitimately disappointed. I had trouble finding another relief appearance in which Pineiro’s line looked bad and didn’t know what to watch. So, with a change of heart I decided to watch his September 5th appearance against the Tigers.
What a surprise I found. Pineiro looked great! In 3.2 innings against the Tigers, Pineiro retired all 11 batters in a row while not allowing a single walk. In doing so he protected just a 1 run lead. He looked like he truly belonged on the mound with a scowl and presence to match that of Mike Timlin. He kept almost all his pitches at knees of the batters while hitting the corners and getting good movement on his breaking pitches. Long story short, I watched many of the other appearances he made out of the pen and found more of the same. Given these findings, I’d say that Joel Pineiro most definitely deserves my apologies. Sure, he’s no Jonathan Papelbon, but he has a very good chance of being a legitimate closer.
For those of you not sure what to expect when Pineiro comes out of the pen in 2006, here’s a quick scouting report. Joel will be similar to Jonathan Papelbon of last year in that he has command of more pitches than your average closer. He features a 4-seam fastball, a 2-seam fastball, a slider, a curveball and a changeup. Pineiro in relief last year could routinely hit the lower corners of the plate with his 4-seamer which sits at about 92 mph. He also managed to throw a hard 4-seamer with good movement dropping down out of the zone. It routinely sits around 90 mph. Pineiro’s breaking pitches almost all clocked in at between 84-86 mph. His slider was especially impressive as he was able to get lots of weak ground balls with it. Pineiro had a real knack for keeping the ball low and on the corners of the plate. I was very impressed with his control as he didn’t walk many and rarely even got close to putting runners on. He had a great presence and confidence on the mound and was able to induce a shocking number of weak ground balls and shallow pop-ups. The only thing to be wary of is that he does occasionally leave a pitch up on the zone. It’s not that he did it routinely but in the games in which he had trouble it was because he would leave a pitch or two up. When he does, it can be hit a long ways.
QUICK NOTE: I like to make a quick little comment at the end of my posts. For those of you who don’t have time to read a whole column, it provides for you some quick content and for those of you who do read my columns in their entirety it provides for you a nice reward. I’m fully aware that I’m no Peter Gammons so you probably deserve one. For those of you who aren’t aware, tomorrow will be our first Spring Training game. Sure, by the 5th inning it will be all minor leaguers but it’s the symbolic meaning that counts. Curt Schilling will start against the Twins in a game scheduled for 7:05. Come on guys! The Mayor’s Cup is on the line. I can’t wait to finally see Red Sox players in action again. It’s almost as if it wasn’t 12 degrees outside right now. I look forward to my first Red Sox season here at MVN.
ANOTHER QUICK NOTE BY EVAN: Time’s running out to vote in the poll on the right! Haven’t voted? Do us a favor and throw your opinion in that poll – it’s a very legitimate question and I plan on writing about the results extensively.
