I guess it doesn't pay to be a relief pitcher in the Sox system and pitch well. First Joe Valentine, then Royce Ring. Valentine can be explained because we thought Koch was better than he is, plus we got Cotts. Royce Ring is another story. They are happy in Metville, I'm sure.

42 IP 35 H 28 BB 41 SO 4.71 ERA

 

Those are Valentine's numbers. What a difference Birmingham and the PCL make.

There aren't very many lefthanded closers in baseball. In fact, the only one I can think of off the top of my head would be Billy Wagner.

Eddie Guardado, Arthur Rhodes (for now)

Closers are the most overrated, overpaid players in baseball. You get an everyday player for a minor league closer, you've made a great deal every time. Outside of 2 or 3 guys, closers are all about the same, and none of them have that much effect on a team's overall performance. If you can't find a guy to come in and get 3 outs with a 3 or less run lead consistently, you have bigger problems than a lack of a closer. Boston doesn't have one, they're doing fine. Montreal's is a converted unproven starter. Atlanta's is an ex-starter(yeah, Smoltz is a unique case, no doubt). Oakland has a different closer every year. Guardado and Percival are good, but so what? Minny's on a huge slide, and Anaheim is going nowhere. St. Louis hasn't had a closer until a week ago. The Cubs closer was a journeyman reliever cut by 397 teams.

 

Closers = overrated, nice job KW

Eddie Guardado, Arthur Rhodes (for now)

Still, there's not a good chance he would have been our closer.

 

I like KW's aggressiveness on this trade, it shows we are going for it this season.

Cerb, there is no doubt that Valentine's ERA is a little high. But hits per inning and strikeouts per inning both indicate that he has pretty good stuff. He may or may not make the Oakland staff next year, I just don't know, but he wil be good enough to make some team's staff. That said, Royce is too good to give up for a three month player who the Mets wanted to get rid of.

 

Other posters can laud KW all you want for being "aggressive," and you can claim that closers are overrated, but every team needs relievers, and Ring will be a good one. Meanwhile Alomar will get playing time at second for 1-3 months, and Harris/Rowand will sit, and we'll see what happens.

 

Ten days ago the Rangers tried to trade Juan Gone for two low level prospects, no one close to Ring's potential. Now KW comes along, falling off the turnip truck again, giving up last year's number 1 pick. And Juan Gone can still hit.

Cerb, there is no doubt that Valentine's ERA is a little high.  But hits per inning and strikeouts per inning both indicate that he has pretty good stuff.  He may or may not make the Oakland staff next year, I just don't know, but he wil be good enough to make some team's staff.  That said, Royce is too good to give up for a three month player who the Mets wanted to get rid of.

 

Other posters can laud KW all you want for being "aggressive," and you can claim that closers are overrated, but every team needs relievers, and Ring will be a good one.  Meanwhile Alomar will get playing time at second for 1-3 months, and Harris/Rowand will sit, and we'll see what happens.

 

Ten days ago the Rangers tried to trade Juan Gone for two low level prospects, no one close to Ring's potential.  Now KW comes along, falling off the turnip truck again, giving up last year's number 1 pick.  And Juan Gone can still hit.

Jim, I think you are overthinking this a bit. Ring, while a 1st Round pick who has had success early on, is also a lefty that only throws 87-88 mph and isn't likely a future Major League closer. My guess is that he ends up being a solid lefty setup guy.

 

I stated my reasons for thinking this was a good trade in another thread so I won't rehash it here, but I definitely think losing Ring was better than losing Cotts, Honel or even Ryan Wing.

42 IP 35 H 28 BB 41 SO 4.71 ERA

 

Those are Valentine's numbers. What a difference Birmingham and the PCL make.

Valentine's numbers have worsened due to a tough stretch in the past 2 weeks or so. Yes, there is a difference between the PCL and the Hoover Met, but I think his numbers will come down from there. He is more likely a future setup guy as well, with the possibility of becoming a closer after he gets his feet wet in the bigs.

Jim, just to fuel your fire, the Sox have now traded a total of 91 saves in Birmingham from the past 2 1/2 years. LOL

Jim, just to fuel your fire, the Sox have now traded a total of 91 saves in Birmingham from the past 2 1/2 years.  LOL

We're pretty stocked full of reliever talent....... and to get Robbie Alomar(Free of Salary) is pretty f***ing tight.

Get over the closer thing, jeesh. Most good closers convert from starters, we are not going to miss Valentine or Ring, at least not enough to not go for it this year.