What Would Happen if Bard Became the Closer?

I’m not saying this is a possibility at all, since it’s been pretty well documented that Bard wants to start and the Red Sox are willing to give him that chance. While Valentine has said he’s not ready to commit to who will be the 4th and 5th starters (is this a sign that something is in the works by the Front Office?), it’s pretty obvious that Bard will be the number four starter. I also think he will do well with this role- more on that later.

However, the Red Sox bullpen is still full of question marks. Does Bailey have what it takes to be effective in the AL East? Will he remain healthy throughout the season? Will Melancon crumble or flourish? Who will fill in Aceves’ role if he becomes the 5th starter? Will Rich Hill make it back soon enough to have a dramatic (hopefully positive) impact on the team as a lefty specialist?

I could continue, but I will get to the point. There are more questions than answers with the bullpen right now. There are essentially three candidates to take over the fourth and fifth starter roles at this point- Bard, Aceves, and Doubront. You can argue that Padilla is there as well, but he just strained his right hamstring in the weight room two days ago. Aaron Cook could also be in the mix, but he still seems to be behind the other starters.

My thought was what if Bard became the closer, Bailey was the set-up man, and Melancon fill in for that vital relief spot? This would be much like Bobby Jenks was supposed to last year for Bard and Papelbon. Aceves and Doubront would become the starters then, and the bullpen would look much better, cleaner, and crisper.

Feelings aside, since Bard, Bailey, and Melancon have made their choice of roles on the team very apparent, this may be what’s best for the Red Sox. Bard was the “closer-in- waiting,” if you will, for years, being groomed by the Red Sox, and apprenticing behind Papelbon. Bard has been pretty much the most reliable reliever for the last two years for the Sox, minus his September troubles last year. There’s been questions raised about Bailey’s mentality and health, and Melancon has been a bit scary to watch in Spring Training. If all three took a step back from their desired roles, wouldn’t the Red Sox bullpen look more put together?

I’m not saying that these five pitchers can’t succeed in the roles I’m sure they’ll take over this year. Bard really has only had one bad outing this Spring Training, last Friday, when he gave up seven earned runs. I’m not holding that against him either because in a regular season game, there’s no way he would’ve gone out there after a rain delay. I’m trying to have confidence in Meloncon and Bailey in their roles; the truth is, I don’t really know too much about them other than what’s been said about them. I haven’t seen them play in a regular season game… maybe Bailey once or twice. Aceves and Doubront are essentially battling each other for the 5th starter spot as well.

I just wanted to throw out this “crazy” proposal about what I was thinking about while watching Bard pitch last night. Bard had one bad inning where he gave up three runs and worked very well in the other innings he pitched. I do think he will make a good starter, but I also think he would’ve been a great closer.