Theo should be bold

When Theo Epstein was named the Red Sox GM in November of 2002 his father advised him to be bold. If anything Theo has surpassed his father's advice by trading Boston icon Nomar Garciappara at the 2004 trade deadline. But even that wasn't Theo's boldest move. His boldest move was actually going into the 2003 season and planning on using a "bullpen by comittee". His detractors said that this "Moneyball" kid GM didn't know what he was doing because he never played baseball on the professional level, so how could he possibly know what it takes to close out the ninth inning in Yankee Stadium. Epstein said the basis of his idea was to use his best reliever in the most important situation of the game. Not save a "closer" to pitch the ninth inning with a three run lead when the game had been tied in the seventh with two runners on. Using your best reliever in the most important situation.......radical thinking.

Unforunately the Red Sox blew some early leads and the players quickly turned on the young GM's thinking. Particularly ace Pedro Martinez. So Theo brought in Byun Young Kim from the Arizona Diamondbacks to assume closing duties. When asked about his reversal Epstein said it wasn't the idea that was flawed but his bullpen. It didn't have good options to live up to his bold plan.




Cut to today.........the red Sox now have four legitmate closing options in Papelbon, Okajima, Declaremen and the recentaly acquired Eric Gagne. With Gagne willing to forgo ninth inning duty in favor of joining a winning team why not use him as an example to the rest of the pitching staff. Be bold. The save is essentially a meaningless statistic that Epstein and advisor Bill James don't care about. Alan Embree yesterday game into a game in the seventh inning with the bases loaded and one out and retired the side and didn't get a save. So know that you have the horses Epstein should turn baseball on it's ear and launch his bold plan once again. But unforunately it will never happen. Papelbon has performed to well as closer and trying this again would likely give Dan Shaughnessy a heart attack. But going against convention has served Epstein well so far in his career. If he took the chance the bullpen would be far more effiecent and the team would stand a better chance to advance to the World Series but I imagine it's too radicle.

The Yankees hit five more HRs yesterday and again A-Rod hit none of them. The New York Post asks "What does he think this is.......the playoffs?" Ouch.......please don't come to Boston next year. Johnny Damon is currently losing playing time to Shelly Duncan and is hearing trade rumors.