the Sox got bad news on reliever J.J. Putz, who probably isn’t available for Friday’s series opener at Kansas City after taking himself out in the middle of the eighth because of right knee inflammation.

“I don’t think it’s a huge deal,” said Putz, who said he tweaked his knee while playing catch Wednesday. “It probably could have been had we not shut it down when we did.”

Bobby Jenks, who pitched a perfect ninth in his first appearance since suffering back spasms on Aug. 12, will regain his closer role, Guillen said.

 

What say you all on these developments as reported by the Chicago Tribune?

The tension will be high in KC if we hold a lead entering the ninth as Bobby returns to his closer role. Are you satisfied with this or do you wish Ozzie would give it to Thornton right now with Bobby visually appearing fatter than previous seasons and Thornton apparently healthy and available to close in this, his first season as an All-Star?

Edited August 20, 201015 yr by greg775

What say you all on these developments as reported by the Chicago Tribune?

The tension will be high in KC if we hold a lead entering the ninth as Bobby returns to his closer role. Are you satisfied with this or do you wish he'd give it to Thornton right now with Bobby visually appearing fatter than previous seasons and Thornton available?

Something irrationally tells me Jenks has one of his good streaks coming.

Oh boy, Ozzie must have been so giddy at the news that he could slip Jenks back in to the closer role with an excuse.

Not really. Thornton is a legitimate option. He still had to choose between Jenks and Thornton.

Not really. Thornton is a legitimate option. He still had to choose between Jenks and Thornton.

 

Not really. I think the closers job was always Jenks or Putz. I have heard that Thornton is not comfortable closing.

Too bad for Thornton, then. If they asked him to close, I think he'd close.

Uncomfortable? Then he needs to grow up n get comfortable. There's a lot more money for him to make as a closer.

Too bad for Thornton, then. If they asked him to close, I think he'd close.

Uncomfortable? Then he needs to grow up n get comfortable. There's a lot more money for him to make as a closer.

 

He needs to develop an off speed pitch.

 

I don't doubt that, but there was a time he had no flaws in the eyes of our fans. Is he human now?

I worship Bobby, but heck, they might as well give Thornton his shot now.

Bobby had his try and blew those 2 saves in a week; Putz had his try and was equally horrible. Why not give Matt a shot in KC?

Leave Thornton alone and let him thrive in his 8th inning role like he has for the past few years. While I think closing/saves is a bit overrated,because guys come into pressure situations in the 6th-8th innings as well, I have yet to see any basis for how this team is better off without Jenks closing out games.

What say you all on these developments as reported by the Chicago Tribune?

The tension will be high in KC if we hold a lead entering the ninth as Bobby returns to his closer role. Are you satisfied with this or do you wish Ozzie would give it to Thornton right now with Bobby visually appearing fatter than previous seasons and Thornton apparently healthy and available to close in this, his first season as an All-Star?

 

This is quality analysis greg. You really know how to break down the numbers when it comes to Jenks

This was Ozzie's speech to Bobby before the game last night:

 

We really need for Bobby to not suck. The team drops off so much when he does.

The Sox are 0-5 in one run games since the beginning of the O's series.

 

Putz has blown 3 games and Thorton 2 granted the Minnesota game was Guillen fault still Roberts and Thome did not get lucky against him.

 

Jenks is the only option and chance this team has right now even with Putz being available.

He needs to develop an off speed pitch.

 

I think he uses his curve or slider for that, but when you through as fast as he does and can LOCATE it right he is unhittable

I think he uses his curve or slider for that, but when you through as fast as he does and can LOCATE it right he is unhittable

Its a slider, which he only throws about 5% of the time last I saw. Multiple people have suggested he throw it a bit more, and I think I agree, if he can have some decent control with it.

 

Its a slider, which he only throws about 5% of the time last I saw. Multiple people have suggested he throw it a bit more, and I think I agree, if he can have some decent control with it.

I think the reality is, he doesn't have reliable control of it. We've seen a few games over the years where he's snapped it out and fooled hitters, but he doesn't ever seem to have confidence in throwing it for a strike.

 

You want a lefty coming from the side with a 96 mph fastball combined with solid offspeed stuff, you're going to have to go down the list to Sale.

This is quality analysis greg. You really know how to break down the numbers when it comes to Jenks

 

I go by the eye. If he truly is excessively fat compared to other years, then that is a problem. I'm not sure of this, I'm just pointing it out.

I like Jenks, but I think fair is fair and Bobby had his chance and failed that one week; Putz had his chance and was pathetic as well. Now Thornton deserves his shot at closing. We're four back. We have nothing to lose.

Edited August 20, 201015 yr by greg775

Bobby looked good. He was only hitting like 93 on the gun on the Twins radar, but I thought the gun was a bit slow in the later innings. The most important part of the outing, to me, was that he wasn't elevating any of his breaking stuff. He didn't throw much of it, but he had a couple of nice breaking pitches to end at bats. If he can do that, he'll be effective.

 

If he keeps his fastball way up, and his breaking balls low, he'll be fine.

In a perfect world Jenks would be a lockdown closer. At this point in time he is the girl we brought to the dance and we should dance with her. Juggling the pen around to experiment now is foolish. Leave the plan in place and go with it............of course there's always Linebrink.........

Only a Major League baseball player can tweak their knee playing catch. Jesus, get these guys their tampons and be done with it already.

Edited August 21, 201015 yr by CQMVP

THIS.

 

Way to go Bobby!!!! SWAGGER!