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Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Finally- We Can Put the Theo Epstein Compensation to Rest

The Theo Epstein compensation talks are no more.  Four months ago today, Epstein quit on the Red Sox to join the Cubs in their newly added “President of Baseball Operations” position.  Epstein quickly seized up former assistant Jed Hoyer from the Padres to fill the void as General Manager of the Cubs.  Ben Cherington was named Red Sox GM, and the Sox waited… and waited… and waited for their compensation.  At long last, the waiting is over after Commissioner Bud Selig stepped in (in November).

The Red Sox will get RHP Chris Carpenter and a Player To Be Named Later.  Carpenter was on the Cubs 40-man roster and will be added to the Red Sox’s 40-man roster.  The Red Sox placed Bobby Jenks on the 60-day disabled list to make room.  The PTBNL is said the be a minor-level prospect.

From what I’ve heard and read about Carpenter, he will make a great impact on the Red Sox team.  He’s 26 and was drafted in the third-round of the 2008 First-Year Player Draft. He lead all Cubs minor leaguers with a 2.82 ERA in 2009 and was named the Arizona Fall League’s Rising Star in 2010.  He was also previously drafted in 2004 in the 7th round by the Tigers and in 2007 in the 18th round by the Yankees; he didn’t sign either time.

In the limited time he spent in the Majors in 2011, Carpenter had a 2.79 ERA in 10 games, all coming out of the bullpen.  Left-handers hit for a .143 average, and he left the opposing teams scoreless in 8 out of 10 innings.  In the AA and AAA last year, he had 32 relief appearances, going 3-4 with two saves and a 5.91 ERA.  Obviously, his limited Major League experience is more impressive than his total body of work.

There was also talk of the Red Sox getting AA RHP Trey McNutt, who had a 4.55 ERA in 23 games last year.  As much as I would’ve liked to see a McNutt on the Red Sox (after all, I am fan of Marvin McNutt on the Hawkeyes football team and would love to yell “McNutt!” during baseball season as well), I think getting a AAA level prospect is better for the Sox this year. 

The Sox’s main problem area is their pitching.  They have three, legitimate starters; two, dependable relievers who are being groomed for starters (Bard and Aceves); an assortment of relievers that haven’t really proven themselves besides the set-up man and closer (Melancon and Bailey), and a wide variety of other pitchers vying for a spot on the roster.  Carpenter now has a spot on the 40-man roster.  Hopefully, he makes the most of it.

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