rockin500
03-27-2003, 11:27 AM
FORT MYERS, Fla. -- After several days of internal debate, the Red Sox decided to open the season with 12 pitchers instead of 11. Spots 11 and 12 have yet to be determined, but one name was crossed off the list.
The Sox placed veteran right-hander Frank Castillo on unconditional release waivers during Wednesday's exhibition game against the Reds.
Ironically, if the Sox had opted to take 11 pitchers, Castillo likely would have landed the final slot.
In that scenario, manager Grady Little would have been looking for an 11th pitcher who could pitch several innings in a game and bounce back quickly the next day. Castillo, who has made 267 Major League starts, and has shown the ability to work well in relief, would have been perfect for that spot.
But with 12 pitchers, Little said that the length an individual pitcher can go was no longer a factor.
"Yeah, that was tough," Little said. "What he had done for this club, it was a tough decision and he took it like a man and we wish him the best."
Castillo started 26 games for the Sox in 2001, posting a 10-9 record and a 4.21 ERA. He opened last season as a starter and finished in the bullpen, going 6-15 with a 5.07 ERA.
Eligible for free agency in the offseason, Castillo signed a one-year extension with the Red Sox worth $800,000.
By cutting Castillo loose Wednesday, the Red Sox are only responsible for 25 percent of his salary.
Sox GM Theo Epstein said that the decision was not financial.
"He was in a competition for one of the last spots in the pen and we have guys who just nudged him out and beat him out," Epstein said. "He pitched well this spring but some guys pitched a little better. It's also always nice to have guys at the back end of your bullpen who have some flexibility to go down to the minor leagues and come back. Frank, based on the nature of this contract, didn't have that flexibility."
Epstein did tell Castillo that if he couldn't land a Major League job, the Red Sox would give him an opportunity to pitch in the minors.
Castillo posted a 1.69 ERA for the Sox this spring in seven outings.
As many as four relievers are still in the hunt for the final two spots. Among the contenders are Steve Woodard, Brandon Lyon, Hector Almonte and Jason Shiell.
Two pitchers who figure in the Red Sox plans -- Robert Person and Matt White -- won't begin the season on the 25-man roster. Person is going to stay back for extended Spring Training while White (strained back) is all but certain to open on the disabled list.
Why did the Sox opt for 12 pitchers?
"Mostly because we've got concerns about some people in our bullpen who we don't want to rush here early in the season especially," Little said. "We don't have any off days the first week of the season so we're going to make sure we have enough [pitchers]."
Little doesn't expect to carry 12 pitchers for an extended period of time.
"Pedro [Martinez] may go out and throw five innings and 100 pitches on Opening Day. The same thing could happen to [Derek] Lowe or [Tim Wakefield]," said Little. "We just want protection for our staff here early. I don't know how long we'll stay with 12 pitchers. I don't suspect it will be real deep into the season. We feel like it's the best thing to do right now."
http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/bos/news/bos_news.jsp?ymd=20030326&content_id=243921&vkey=spt2003news&fext=.jsp
The Sox placed veteran right-hander Frank Castillo on unconditional release waivers during Wednesday's exhibition game against the Reds.
Ironically, if the Sox had opted to take 11 pitchers, Castillo likely would have landed the final slot.
In that scenario, manager Grady Little would have been looking for an 11th pitcher who could pitch several innings in a game and bounce back quickly the next day. Castillo, who has made 267 Major League starts, and has shown the ability to work well in relief, would have been perfect for that spot.
But with 12 pitchers, Little said that the length an individual pitcher can go was no longer a factor.
"Yeah, that was tough," Little said. "What he had done for this club, it was a tough decision and he took it like a man and we wish him the best."
Castillo started 26 games for the Sox in 2001, posting a 10-9 record and a 4.21 ERA. He opened last season as a starter and finished in the bullpen, going 6-15 with a 5.07 ERA.
Eligible for free agency in the offseason, Castillo signed a one-year extension with the Red Sox worth $800,000.
By cutting Castillo loose Wednesday, the Red Sox are only responsible for 25 percent of his salary.
Sox GM Theo Epstein said that the decision was not financial.
"He was in a competition for one of the last spots in the pen and we have guys who just nudged him out and beat him out," Epstein said. "He pitched well this spring but some guys pitched a little better. It's also always nice to have guys at the back end of your bullpen who have some flexibility to go down to the minor leagues and come back. Frank, based on the nature of this contract, didn't have that flexibility."
Epstein did tell Castillo that if he couldn't land a Major League job, the Red Sox would give him an opportunity to pitch in the minors.
Castillo posted a 1.69 ERA for the Sox this spring in seven outings.
As many as four relievers are still in the hunt for the final two spots. Among the contenders are Steve Woodard, Brandon Lyon, Hector Almonte and Jason Shiell.
Two pitchers who figure in the Red Sox plans -- Robert Person and Matt White -- won't begin the season on the 25-man roster. Person is going to stay back for extended Spring Training while White (strained back) is all but certain to open on the disabled list.
Why did the Sox opt for 12 pitchers?
"Mostly because we've got concerns about some people in our bullpen who we don't want to rush here early in the season especially," Little said. "We don't have any off days the first week of the season so we're going to make sure we have enough [pitchers]."
Little doesn't expect to carry 12 pitchers for an extended period of time.
"Pedro [Martinez] may go out and throw five innings and 100 pitches on Opening Day. The same thing could happen to [Derek] Lowe or [Tim Wakefield]," said Little. "We just want protection for our staff here early. I don't know how long we'll stay with 12 pitchers. I don't suspect it will be real deep into the season. We feel like it's the best thing to do right now."
http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/bos/news/bos_news.jsp?ymd=20030326&content_id=243921&vkey=spt2003news&fext=.jsp