I'm not ready to cut bait on Jenks yet. I'm not convinced this is a deterioration, I think its equally possible its just a bad year. Remember that most of his bad results came from a really bad July stretch (8.59 ERA, 2.32 WHIP, 4/6 on saves), which he followed up with a very good August (1.74 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 5/5 on saves), and he had far more innings in that good August than the bad July. That doesn't look like deterioration to me.

 

I believe the same thing.

 

But I still want to trade him. If a team offers up something good I jump all over it. He's about to become expensive, I'm not convinced he's not on a decline (I don't think he is, but you never know) and remember, he does have a metal thingamajig in his arm. If we don't get an adequate offer I'm content in hanging on to him. But if the offer is right, I'd pull the trigger and shift Thornton into the closer's role or attempt to sign a FA.

I believe the same thing.

 

But I still want to trade him. If a team offers up something good I jump all over it. He's about to become expensive, I'm not convinced he's not on a decline (I don't think he is, but you never know) and remember, he does have a metal thingamajig in his arm. If we don't get an adequate offer I'm content in hanging on to him. But if the offer is right, I'd pull the trigger and shift Thornton into the closer's role or attempt to sign a FA.

I wouldn't be opposed to trading him, but I don't think we'll get much, so I'd rather not. If I am wrong and we can get something good, then great.

 

But I am one of those people that believes that not just any reliever, even a very good one like Thornton, can necessarily be a good closer. It take a certain mentality to be effective at it. I've seen the Sox experiment with moving setup guys to closer, and watched it fail. And there really aren't any guys in AAA or AA for the Sox that look like big time closers either. So you are left with either trying to convert Thornton to a closer, which I put a 50/50 chance on succeeding, or going to find one elsewhere who is just as expensive (if not more) than Jenks.

 

Basically, unless we can get a whole lot for Jenks, I ride him as our closer until he breaks down, and in the meantime try to groom some closers in the system or acquire some serious closing prospects via trade. Thornton can be Plan B.

 

the correct answer to this question is Dewayne Wise

the correct answer to this question is Dewayne Wise

 

No that would be acceptable answer option 2. The correct answer is still Willie Harris

I feel realy really strongly both ways about this issue

Come on Timo...COME ON TIMO...COME ON TIMO!!!...YES

 

Wrong thread?

I wouldn't be opposed to trading him, but I don't think we'll get much, so I'd rather not. If I am wrong and we can get something good, then great.

 

But I am one of those people that believes that not just any reliever, even a very good one like Thornton, can necessarily be a good closer. It take a certain mentality to be effective at it. I've seen the Sox experiment with moving setup guys to closer, and watched it fail. And there really aren't any guys in AAA or AA for the Sox that look like big time closers either. So you are left with either trying to convert Thornton to a closer, which I put a 50/50 chance on succeeding, or going to find one elsewhere who is just as expensive (if not more) than Jenks.

 

Basically, unless we can get a whole lot for Jenks, I ride him as our closer until he breaks down, and in the meantime try to groom some closers in the system or acquire some serious closing prospects via trade. Thornton can be Plan B.

 

I agree with this. The logic that we could get more in return for him this winter than we'd be able to next winter is solid, but incorrectly applied. This is a baseball team, not the stock market. Getting maximum value in return for Jenks comes in a distant second to putting together the best team possible and winning. Right now, I don't see any trade scenario involving Jenks that wouldn't weaken our bullpen.

 

The Sox bullpen is in bad shape right now, and will quite possibly be in even worse shape next year with Dotel gone. Thornton and Jenks are the only semi-reliable relief options right now and if you deal Bobby this winter, you're setting yourself back even further. I'm hopeful that Linebrink and Pena improve substantially next year, but dealing Bobby would be tantamount to relying heavily on those two. No thanks.

 

JD...seriously no one remembers closers unless their names are Smith, Gossage, Rivera, or Hoffman

 

If you can't remember the name Jenks, you'd be one sad sad sad sad excuse for a Sox fan

I'm hopeful that Linebrink and Pena improve substantially next year, but dealing Bobby would be tantamount to relying heavily on those two. No thanks.

 

I agree.

And I love Bobby!