Since Foulke was my favorite Sox pitcher until he was traded, I'm still kinda bitter about this deal. Look at his numbers this year, kinda makes me sick to my stomach that we gave him up for Billy Botch.

 

3-0 record, 15 saves, 30.2 innings pitched, 33 strikeouts, 2.64 era, 6 BB, 0.91 WHIP

 

Based on my calculations, statistically there are only two better closers in baseball than Keith right now and they'd be Gagne and Smoltz. I still cheer for Keith, even though he is no longer with us. Glad to see him dominating once again.

I knew he could do this for Oakland. I just hoped Koch would do the same for us.

I agree with you that Foulke is the real deal. I always liked him and was sorry to see him leave the Sox. Keith Foulke always rated up there with the best closers in the game.

Foulke is not a guy you want closing important games. Just like in the past, he will prove this in the future. Oakland needs a real closer.

Foulke is not a guy you want closing important games.  Just like in the past, he will prove this in the future. Oakland needs a real closer.

And Billy Koch is someone you want closing important games? I know Foulke blew some big games for us, but name five closers you'd rather have than him and I'll buy you a fish sandwich

And Billy Koch is someone you want closing important games?  I know Foulke blew some big games for us, but name five closers you'd rather have than him and I'll buy you a fish sandwich 

In an imporatant game? I could name 20.

In an imporatant game?  I could name 20.

You can name 20 current closers you'd rather have in an important game, I find that hard to believe.

You can name 20 current closers you'd rather have in an important game, I find that hard to believe.

Why? Just watch and see. I just dont understand why people need proof when its already been proven. Its freakin june. This guy doesnt have CLOSER stuff, and it will burn him, as always, in big games.

Why? Just watch and see.  I just dont understand why people need proof when its already been proven. Its freakin june.  This guy doesnt have CLOSER stuff, and it will burn him, as always, in big games.

Who are some of the 20? MacDougal, Jose Mesa, Lance Carter, Jorge Julio? Yea right.

Who are some of the 20? MacDougal, Jose Mesa, Lance Carter, Jorge Julio?  Yea right.

Don't forget Alfonsea or Borowski, DeJean and Biddle. (Bmr says Biddle sucks so he can't be one of the 20)

Don't forget Alfonsea or Borowski, DeJean and Biddle.  (Bmr says Biddle sucks so he can't be one of the 20)

Don't forget, there's plenty more. Franklyn German, Cliff Politte, Jose Jimenez and Danys Baez

Who are some of the 20? MacDougal, Jose Mesa, Lance Carter, Jorge Julio?  Yea right.

I could name 10 or 20 set up guys id rather have closing a big game, too.

I could name 10 or 20 set up guys id rather have closing a big game, too.

Let's see your list then of 20 closers and 10-20 set up men.

Let's see your list then of 20 closers and 10-20 set up men.

Why? I am not going to waste my time proving something obvious to someone who is clueless. Just watch and see.

Let me guess, you also annointed the royals central champs in April right?

Let me guess, you also annointed the royals central champs in April right?

Sure didn't. Wasn't born yesterday my friend.

have you guys forgotten what Foulke did with us? he did the same thing, had a really great stretch of games.

 

eventually, or at least history may show, he will lose the feel on his changeup and will get buried for it.

 

as BMR said, Foulke didn't exactly show the ability to close out big games for us over his time here.

 

either way, he's still a great reliever and will put up big numbers, as will Koch over his career.