Seeing as how Foulke hasnt pitched in like a week and he wasnt available tonight (or he would have pitched to Giambi seeing as how Foulke is our lefty guy now) would it be better to just put him on the DL and retroactive it to last week and bring up someone that can pitch in the pen and let Foulke get fine. I just dont want to see him pitch once then say his back is still a problem then he has to go on the DL and we lose another 15 days instead of 8 or so more. This happened with the Yankees earlier in the season I believe when Sheff was hurt they pinch hit him once and they couldnt retroactive his DL date til earlier (not that it mattered since he ended up missing more than 15 days but I'm sure everyone understands the comparison). I know its a tough time with Timlin on the DL now but I'd rather have Foulke right for the longhall. Just a thought since I havent heard much on Foulke lately.

I'm on board with this. Foulke just clogs a roster spot if he can't pitch, and he's too fragile to rush back out there. Give him his fifteen day vacation and bring JVB back up.

It also happened to the Braves when they used their catcher Brian McCann as a pinch hitter after not playing for a week or so and then he was still hurt so they put him on the DL the next day and they lost 7 days or so.

Unfortunately, IIRC, you'll have to wait nine more days or so before JVB can return. But there are other worthwhile people you can put on the roster, rather than wasting a spot with a guy who can't pitch at the moment.

Actually, I think that if a guy goes on the DL, you can recall the player you sent down under the window. Am I wrong?

You're correct. The 10-day waiting period for recalling a player is waived if he's replacing someone that is put on the DL.

Sorry about that... I assumed that the 10 days applied in every instance. If true, this is good news, and Theo & Co. should be making this roster move post haste (unless, of course, Foulke is about ready to pitch again).

I disagree. With Timlin out also, they don't have anyone who can pitch the 8th. If Timlin were around, I'd agree, but without a decent setup guy, I'd take my chances on Timlin coming around in the next few days rather than lose him for a guaranteed 8. Though I'm not sure why they haven't tried Hansen there yet.

Me three. JVB pitched well for us. Better than his record indicated. I like his signing. If Foulke is hurt DL him.

RedSox.com

We are going to need him this weekend, no need to put him on the DL now if he is pitching well in bullpen sessions.

If he can't pitch this weekend he could be the roster move they make to bring Lester up.

After these last 2 performances I would say a trip to the DL would be quite fine with me. I guess it could just be the rust showing, but I also wonder if there are still some lingering health issues with him.

If this is how he will continue to pitch, lets free up the roster spot for a capable reliever.

Exactly why I said get him DL'd so we only waste 8 days. He should have been DL'd and made sure he was healthy. Now if they DL him they lose him for at least 15 days.

OK, there was 2004. But now it's 2006. How many times can you go back and forth with this guy? Is it going to become like a bad marriage with one letting the other back in over and over? Call it off now.

It's so hard to figure this guy out. He's had flashes of greatness coming out of the pen followed by horrific .1 or .2 appearances.
It's hard to imagine he could be this bad after 2004 and his past performance. But, if you look around the league he isn't the only closer this year to be so erratic.
I keep thinking he's going to snap out of this.
Still. Hoping.

It's just brutal watching foulke now and keeping him on this roster at the expense of someone like MDC will be a crime.

DL him and call JVB back up.

I think it was just rust. He's a guy who needs innings. Remember during the 2004 season how Francona used to run him out in non-save situations just to get him work. Then Foulke would get rocked and people would speculate whether it was because of rustiness (true) or because there was no pressure (also true).

I say all this assuming he's being honest with his manager and the training staff about his back and that he doesn't need to go on the DL.

I think he's still sore(as in injured back)... and rusty as well... he was indeed a guy, like DLowe, who thrived on a frequent and heavy workload.

Foulke isnt really that big a problem... IMHO. I would really love one more power arm to set up Paps...(Hansen?). Then if Foulke/Timlin are #3 and #4 out of the pen we're in great shape.... Foulke looks a heck of a lot better as the third option...

Everyone needs to calm down about Foulke... he's not lights out - SO what? If Foulke was on the Yankees he's probably the 2nd option, setting up MoRiv.

Don't we have the third or fourth lowest bullpen ERA? Albeit somewhat skewed thanks to two guys with sub-1.00 ERAs...

Going to make his rehab start on Friday for the Lowell Spinners and if that goes well Pawtucket the following Sunday. Seems like forever since he's been with the team.

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/reds...as/extra_bases/

Who is this guy?

Hah! I'll give you a hint. Likes hockey more than baseball, cause baseball's a job, does radio appearances in exchange for vehicles, and he doesn't care much for Burger King employees.

I don't get your question... He's saying that Keith Foulke will make a rehab start for the "Mike Lowell" Spinners and then the Pawtucket Red Sox...

I would LOVE it if he returned - in his '04 form - soon. We'd have an amazing bullpen.

I would imagine bigbilly is not just referencing in good fun my leaving out Foulke's name in my post, but that its been a very long time since we've seen Foulkey take the hill. Heres hoping he returns to good form.

If he can pitch he can maybe help this team but thats only if he can stay healthy and pitch.

Either way, I think that he has as good a chance of playing for the Bruins as he does having his team-option after this year picked up.

It's probably more likely that he picks up the player option on his contract, unless he has a stellar rest of the season. Thankfully, heading into FA may just serve as the motivation that he needs to light it up the rest of the way. If he does.....watch out. The '04 playoffs were just about as dominating a performance as relievers have.

His option is $4,000,000.00 less than the club option, though, which is a nice bit of savings.

Exactly, and at $3.75, I'd take him back in a heartbeat. Paps, Hansen, Foulke, Lopez, MDC, JVB, Tavarez. If all are pitching like they should that's a damn nice 'pen.

He will definitely pick up the player option unless the guy really wants out of boston. thats the only way I think he would not come back.

I think the chances of Foulke being healthy and effective the rest of this year are very close to zero. He's talking about making major mechanical adjustments to avoid injury, which IMO, is a bad sign and is extremely unlikely to work at this stage of his career.

Hate to be Debbie Downer, but I'm just not optimistic here.



RedSox.com

Foulke has never been shy about his reason for playing the game: money. If he can't pitch effectively enough to get a good contract, I wouldn't be the least bit surprised to see him retire at a relatively young age.

For carrying that bullpen in '04, I'm rooting for him to make it back, this year and next.

We'll know a lot more after he makes his rehab starts. I'm a big fan of his, but even if your not you've got to love the thought of replacing Seanez with a healthy, effective Foulke.

I never understood all the animosity towards him. He was phenominal in '04, his postseason alone should have given him immunity from EEIdiots last year. He's seems to be a genuinely funny guy who the media decided to give a hard time. Fans should have been better to him.

First of all, I love the thought of replacing Seanez or Tavarez with a half-eaten pizza crust, the old box it still sits in and that little white table-thingy they include to keep the cheese from sticking to the top.

It's all about his control and his ability to consistently repeat his mechanics. He can survive with an 86mph Fastball, as long as he can throw his Change with confidence.

I hope his arm is fresh, because even a contribution of 4 solid innings a week would help the club.

They do expect to be paid. That's why they call them professional athletes.

A different take on Foulke in this morning's Hartford Courant:

David Heuschkel - Foulke Considers Calling It Quits; Injuries Frustrating Former Closer


OAKLAND, Calif. -- Keith Foulke is trying to salvage more than this season. Hampered by injuries the past 18 months, his career has taken such a drastic downturn that the former closer isn't sure he wants to pitch beyond this year.

"I'll let you know when the season is over," said Foulke, who has been out since June 12 with a sore right elbow that the team has said is tendinitis. "I'm not going to continue like this. It's not worth my time. It's not worth anybody's time."

...


"It's been trying," Foulke said. "You come into spring training and the legs still aren't ready to go. We made some things happen there. By the time my legs started to come around, I started dealing with other things. It's just tough. This year, I've pretty much taken it one day at a time. I can only do so much. I need to get healthy this year and see if it works or go home."

Asked whether he was healthy enough to start the season, Foulke directed the question to a member of the medical staff. Do the trainers know his body better than he does?

"They tell me how I feel," Foulke said.

Foulke said he was told that the recovery period for his legs would be 2-3 months, at which time he would be able to fully drive off the mound.

"That's a crock. That's what that was," Foulke said.

Boston Globe

That's good news about Foulke's rehab start. Should he be able to come back as a servicable right hander, it can only help the club.

Encouraging news... certainly gives us reason to be cautiously optimistic as he's obviously hitting his spots. Man, if he can pitch like he did at times early in the season, he'll be a great middle relief option for us. Good luck Keith.

The good:
-The 1.13 BB/9 is the best of his career
-Even with the K/9 drop, he still has a 5.75 K/BB, his best since '99 and 2nd best of his career

The bad:
-His knees have killed his ability to be the high-K pitcher he once was, as his 6.47 K/9 is the lowest of his career (he was at 8.57 in '04)

The frightening:
-He has a 0.29 G/F. Among qualified pitchers, Chris Young is last at 0.46. For a Red Sox comparision, Schilling is at 0.85. You know the 6 HR he's given up in 32 IP? Well, his 9.9 HR/FB% is below league average - he should be giving up even more HR.

With the elbow issue and the fact that he's a gopher-ball machine to begin with, I can't see him being a real contributor down the stretch. Hopefully he doesn't choose to come back at half price next year.

Any word on velocity?

RedSox.com

Sounds like Francona is real interested!

I don't think they're counting on Foulke for anything the rest of the way.

Sure doesn't sound like it.

Of course, it's kind of hard to blame Tito for all but giving up on the guy.

Boston Globe

he has been a MAJOR disappointment since the begining of last season...

I was out in Oakland last week and saw Foulke throw on the side, not much to report on his throwing, however he came over and talked to fans for about 15 minutes and signed some autographs. The guy seem to be in a great mood and very friendly, very different from what has been written about him. Maybe because he was in Oakland, but then again it was all Red Sox fans around him.