Red Sox to sign Joel Pineiro

[Stoud]

To an apparent $4 million deal

They're planning to use him in the bullpen and give him a chance to become a closer....

Yeah, have fun with Piniata, Red Sox fans. I can only imagine how happy this move makes the Yankees.

[Gary Armida]

Re: Red Sox to sign Joel Pineiro

To an apparent $4 million deal

They're planning to use him in the bullpen and give him a chance to become a closer....

Yeah, have fun with Piniata, Red Sox fans. I can only imagine how happy this move makes the Yankees.

As a Yankee fan this makes me happy on 2 fronts. 1--we didn't sign him. 2--I honestly don't think he has closer stuff or the mentality. I watched a decent amount of his starts over the years (MLB extra innings is awesome) and he looks soft to me. The Sox have too good of a club to go cheap on their closer. Maybe they are hoping Hansen steps up.

[Stu]

Re: Red Sox to sign Joel Pineiro

The Sox have too good of a club to go cheap on their closer. Maybe they are hoping Hansen steps up.

There really isnt much out there so I think they're going for the shotgun approach and hopes one of them pans out.

[Gary Armida]

Re: Red Sox to sign Joel Pineiro

There really isnt much out there so I think they're going for the shotgun approach and hopes one of them pans out.

True, but I think Gagne would have been a better risk--at least if he is healthy he is good. Maybe those faint rumors of dealing for Chad Cordero or Brad Lidge may come back, although I don't know if they will fair as well in Fenway or the AL.

IDK, I respect Theo Epstein (especially after admitting to the failure of the committe approach a few years back) enough to give him the benefit of the doubt that there is something more than Joel Piniero or Julian Tavarez as your closer.

[Sabercatsfan]

Re: Red Sox to sign Joel Pineiro

Poor poor Red Sox, what are they thinking? You don't want Pineiro anywhere near a Boston uniform. Maybe a Pawtucket Red Sox uniform, but not a Boston Red Sox uniform.

[keRplunK]

Re: Red Sox to sign Joel Pineiro

Pineiro was really good a few years ago...but his arm is thrashed. He is terrible. I've seen nearly every start of his career and he's done.

[ILLCHILL]

Re: Red Sox to sign Joel Pineiro

Its 4 million dollars. If it doesn't pan out, so what? The Sox won a championship on deals like this. Bill Mueller, Kevin Millar, David Ortiz etc.

[Gary Armida]

Re: Red Sox to sign Joel Pineiro

Its 4 million dollars. If it doesn't pan out, so what? The Sox won a championship on deals like this. Bill Mueller, Kevin Millar, David Ortiz etc.

True, but it is usually a safer gamble on a cheap hitter than a cheap closer, reliever, or pitcher in general.

[rsox]

Re: Red Sox to sign Joel Pineiro

We have seen Pitchers who struggle as Starters become dominant Closers (Eric Gagne, Jason Isringhausen) so who is to say that there is not a second life for Pineiro as a Closer. Besides, if he struggles they have Mike Timlin and they could always move Paplebon back to Closing if necessary.

[ILLCHILL]

Re: Red Sox to sign Joel Pineiro

True, but it is usually a safer gamble on a cheap hitter than a cheap closer, reliever, or pitcher in general.

I agree, however I'm saying it's only $4 million. Those numbers don't even qualify in the gamble section if you are the New Yank...Er, the Red Sox.

[chippered]

Re: Red Sox to sign Joel Pineiro

I dont mean to bring stats into this discussion, but he did have a 2.42 ERA in 26 innings over four games, three of which were starts against the Yankees over the last three years. Plus, over the same period, he's had an ERA nearly a full run lower as a reliever, and had a 2/1 k/bb ratio. For $4 mill, its worth a shot to catch lightning in a bottle.

[Misfit]

Re: Red Sox to sign Joel Pineiro

I don't expect much succes out of Pineiro, but it doesn't hurt to give him a look. Stranger things have happened.

[keRplunK]

Re: Red Sox to sign Joel Pineiro

He is going to be terrible. Sure, 4 million isn't much to the Reds but he's worth next to nothing. He used to throw 94 mph, even in relief last year he threw 87-90 at best. He can't locate any of his breaking pitches, and he'll have innings where he'll walk 2 guys in a row to start it off....sounds like a winning closer.

[Coug00]

Re: Red Sox to sign Joel Pineiro

He is going to be terrible. Sure, 4 million isn't much to the Reds but he's worth next to nothing. He used to throw 94 mph, even in relief last year he threw 87-90 at best. He can't locate any of his breaking pitches, and he'll have innings where he'll walk 2 guys in a row to start it off....sounds like a winning closer.

Piniero was a skinny, marginal at best prospect who topped out around 90 and had a good curveball. Then almost overnight he gained 4-5 mph on his fastball and was pretty thick. He was pretty damn good from '00 to '03. Then to start '05 he looked like his uniform was about 3 sizes too large and his fastball was topping out at 90 again. You do the math...and don't forget to consider how many Mariner minor league prospects have been nailed once drug testing started.

Pinata's done. Probably a spring training cut.

[GBrushTWood]

Re: Red Sox to sign Joel Pineiro

I like the move in theory, but the more I read about Pineiro, the less I like this. All the steroid rumors, loss of velocity, and also mental toughness to handle the closing job in Boston makes this shaky.

In addition, Allard Baird apparently was the scouting driver behind this move. I have no idea how Allard Baird should have any credible input on a decision like this. I just can't see this guy stepping into a hostile road environment and slamming the door, he seems too soft.