Perhaps Johnny Damon is panicking (why are they still petrified of the Yankees?) at the news of Curt Schilling’s return to the Red Sox in a bullpen role. But, this latest move by Boston, in the wake of Keith Foulke’s injury and ineffectiveness (4 blown saves and a 6.23 ERA), makes a lot of sense. Granted, the Yankees will put together a run in Boston after the All-Star break, regardless of whether Schilling is in the bullpen, rotation or rehab. But, this bullpen is what keeps the Yankees in the race, and I’m rooting for Francona for wanting to do something about it.
Clearly Schilling’s ankle isn’t strong enough to throw 6 or 7 innings right now (see his last outing for Pawtucket), but he can be invaluable coming out of the corral and giving the team a strong inning or two. The fearless Schilling actually began his career as a reliever, before becoming one of the top starting pitchers in baseball in the last decade. John Smoltz is living proof that you can make a successful transformation from staff ace to closer. It doesn’t hurt that Schilling is a well-respected veteran and could provide a calming influence on a not-so-calm state of affairs.
Now, back to Damon’s comments before Wednesday’s game at Texas. “I don’t think he’s ready to be our closer, I think Bronson (Arroyo) would be our best option as a closer. That is if Mike Timlin isn’t.” Okay, Johnny, if Arroyo heads to the bullpen, who takes his place in the rotation? Certainly not Schilling, he would have to stay out of it. Unless Boston goes exclusively to a four-man rotation, they have to insert Jeremi Gonzalez (or another mediocre pitcher) back into the “starting” role. That would be my idea of ”panic”. If Timlin replaces Foulke as the team’s firefighter, the entire bullpen will be forced up a spot. As Rocket J Squirrel would say to Bullwinkle “Not again!! That trick never works!!!” Theo Epstein will most likely acquire an established middle reliever to help plug leaks in the bullpen pot.
Schilling, unlike many of today’s players, is the true definition of a “team player.” If the mental image of his bloody sock and decimated ankle last October in the American League Championship Series doesn’t confirm it, I feel sorry for you.’ He has agreed to take on this role, which gets him back in the rotation without putting too much wear and tear on the ankle. In other words, Johnny, he’s doing it “for the team.” He’ll be a lot fresher than most starters come September, and if he’s healthy, chances are he’s ready (see Schilling’s past record).
Obviously, the Red Sox manager doesn’t see this as a reason to dissent. “This is not permanent,” Francona said of Schilling’s closure. “Whether it’s two weeks, two months, not two years. We don’t know what’s going to happen. Two weeks ago, we weren’t having this conversation. We’re trying to do the best we can. I don’t know. I don’t think we have any margin not to win. Our job is to win. So we will do our best to win.” Exactly!! Francona is smart enough to realize that if it doesn’t work out, he’ll pull the plug on the experiment and go to plan B. Then maybe Johnny Damon can set up the pitching rotation and not be so panicky about a team that eliminated them from the playoffs. in 2004