Red Sox News

BOSTON (WBZ) ― Counting down the days until Spring Training, we will bring you a web exclusive series previewing the Red Sox as they make their way towards Fort Myers, Florida.

Part Two: The Bullpen

The Red Sox had arguably the best bullpen in all of baseball in 2007. With that said, the bullpen began, and more importantly ended, with All-Star closer Jonathan Papelbon.

Jonathan Papelbon

The right-hander had a remarkable year. He came to Spring Training as Boston's 4th starter. Midway through, he had a change of heart and asked to again be the team's closer. Theo Epstein and Terry Francona embraced his return.

What did Papelbon do? He appeared in 59 regular season games, throwing 58-1/3rd innings, giving up only 30 hits, while walking 15 and striking out 54. He notched 37 saves and only 3 blown saves, had a miniscule ERA of 1.85. Opponents hit just .146 against Papelbon

In the postseason, Papelbon was just as dominating. A good reason for that was how Manager Terry Francona and Pitching Coach John Farrell handled him throughout the regular campaign. He rarely pitched more than one inning the entire year. He appeared in 7 of the team's 14 playoff games, working 10-2/3rds innings, giving up 0 runs on just 5 hits, while walking only 4 and striking out 7. He went 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA, with 4 saves. Wow.

Can you expect the same in 2008? No reason not to as he's only 27 years-old. The only thing I can see maybe slowing him down is if Francona doesn't have the "lights out" set-up men he had in 2007 in front of them.

Hideki Okajima

Speaking of set-up men, right behind Papelbon last season was lefty phenom Hideki Okajima. Okie Dokie was just that - all season long. He got a bit tired in September, so the Sox shut him down for two weeks to gear up for the postseason. During the regular season Okajima appeared in 66 games, going 3-2 with 4 saves and a 2.22 ERA. He held opponents to a .202 batting average and ranked 3rd in the American League with 27 holds.

Can he do it again? I think that's one of the biggest questions surrounding the 2008 Sox. I just think it will be awfully hard for him to repeat the magical year of 2007. I still think he can be good, just not that good.

"The Rest"

The rest of the bullpen crew includes Mike Timlin, Manny Delcarmen, Bryan Corey, Devern Hansack, Craig Breslow, Craig Hansen, Javier Lopez, Julian Tavarez, and Kyle Snyder. Boston also signed veterans Dan Micelli and Dan Kolb as insurance.

Mike Timlin

Timlin will be 42 years-old in March and anything from him is a bonus. He's a guy that you want to rest until October because he's able to find another gear in the postseason. Before the All-Star break Timlin had an ERA of 4.38 while opponents hit .277 against him. After the All-Star break Timlin posted a 2.64 ERA with opponents hitting just .192. And in the postseason his ERA was a solid 3.18 with two holds.

Manny Delcarmen

The Sox are hoping that Manny Delcarmen can continue to progress. Delcarmen was outstanding in 2007. He appeared in 44 games, working 44 innings, giving up just 28 hits, 11 runs, with 17 walks and 41 punchouts. Delcarmen had a 2.05 ERA and held opponents to a .183 batting average -a pretty amazing season.

Javier Lopez, Craig Breslow

Javier Lopez was impressive for most of the season as the second lefty out of the bullpen. In 62 games he was 2-1 with a 3.10 ERA. In the postseason he struggled with an ERA over 15.00. He may have a bit of a fight to keep his job all year long. Craig Breslow may get a long look this spring as well.

Kyle Snyder, Bryan Corey, Julian Tavarez

Kyle Snyder filled the role of "long man" admirably a year ago (2-3, 3.81 ERA in 46 games) and is back again. Bryan Corey (1-0, 1.93 ERA in 9 games) could also emerge for the long haul while Julian Tavarez can help as well.

The Sox bullpen should be a strength once again in the 2008 season, however, it may be a bit unrealistic to see the same kind of numbers we saw in 2007 (19-14,3.10 ERA, 45 saves, 78 holds, 447 IP, 371 H, 172 BB, 377 K's). If they do put up those numbers, you can bet 2008 will be another special year for the team.


Part One: The Starting Pitchers

Coming Up: 

Infield
Outfield
Team Overview

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