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If Andrew Bailey requires thumb surgery -- Melancon, Aceves?

You might think that Melancon is the obvious choice since he closed last year in HOU but local Boston media has been reporting that Valentine has become enamored with Alfredo Aceves. Supposedly Valentine wanted Aceves moved back into the 'pen despite his strong spring stats as an SP. FWIW.....Aceves actually has much better peripherals as a reliever than as a starter and may actually get some saves opps here. Don't go all in on Melancon automatically.

I drafted Aceves in 3 of my 6 leagues before all of this started. Aceves's stuff is solid as both a starter or a reliever and think he will be fine in the pressure cooker that is Boston if he gets the chance to close in the short term.
Melancon throws a lot of ground balls and did pretty good in the role for Houston last year. It will be interesting what Bobby V does, but I would bet on Aceves for what its worth.

I think Melancon makes the most sense as closer for 2 reasons....

1) Only a matter of time before Bard craps out as a SP OR Beckett gets hurt (already banged up), and Aceves is a starter.

2) Because of #1, Aceves will have to be ready to start. If you put him in as closer, Melancon (who has to jump in on the fly and has zero confidence due to picking Aceves to close) could be shaky, and then you have a real problem.

Melancon first, with Aceves on call.

Farnsworth down as well it's going to be an ugly first FAAB.

Bailey out 3-4 months. Ouch,

i'm guessing the player that's gonna lead the red sox in saves this year...isn't on the roster yet

Gekko wrote:i'm guessing the player that's gonna lead the red sox in saves this year...isn't on the roster yet

Your very clever.........

Daniel Bard.... pencil it in

Gekko wrote:i'm guessing the player that's gonna lead the red sox in saves this year...isn't on the roster yet

KRod will be available for the right package of prospects I bet!

Fire up the FAAB $$$$ Machine for Sunday Night!

Rotowire Update on TB Closer Kyle Farsworth
An MRI taken on Farsworth's injured elbow revealed only a strain, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
While Farnsworth and the team are still uncertain about how much time he will miss, the good news is the injury will not require season-ending Tommy John surgery. Farnsworth hopes to be able to return after resting his arm for a bit, so while he will start the season on the disabled list, hopefully he will be able to return sometime shortly after his 15-day stint expires.

Who's gonna provide those extra saves while Farsworth is on the DL????

meanwhile...

Aceves will open the season as the closer for the Red Sox, Scott Lauber of the Boston Herald reports.
Spin: With Andrew Bailey (thumb) on the disabled list, Aceves will get the first crack at pitching the ninth inning instead of Mark Melancon, who will serve as the setup man. Aceves' projected role varied throughout the spring, but in the wake of Bailey's injury, manager Bobby Valentine ultimately decided he would be best used as the closer. Aceves has just four career saves, but he is coming off a season in which he posted a 2.61 ERA. Go get him if he is still on the waiver wire in your league.

Winston's Empire wrote:Fire up the FAAB $$$$ Machine for Sunday Night!

Who's gonna provide those extra saves while Farsworth is on the DL????

Maddon likes to do a committee, so it's going to be divided by between Peralta, Rodney, and McGee. I would think Peralta gets the upper hand, but he does serve up a lot of flyballs, and he's 36.

mattjb wrote:meanwhile...

Aceves will open the season as the closer for the Red Sox, Scott Lauber of the Boston Herald reports.
Spin: With Andrew Bailey (thumb) on the disabled list, Aceves will get the first crack at pitching the ninth inning instead of Mark Melancon, who will serve as the setup man. Aceves' projected role varied throughout the spring, but in the wake of Bailey's injury, manager Bobby Valentine ultimately decided he would be best used as the closer. Aceves has just four career saves, but he is coming off a season in which he posted a 2.61 ERA. Go get him if he is still on the waiver wire in your league.