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Acquired in December of 2003, Keith Foulke was the answer to the Red Sox closer problems, or so Theo Epstein thought. The Sox signed Foulke to a three year deal that would pay him up to $26.5 million if he is the regular Red Sox closer for the next four years. If both sides decline the 2007 option, Foulke would get a total of about $20.75 million and become a free agent for '07.
“We're thrilled to have added one of the elite pitchers in baseball," Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein said after signing Foulke. “We acquired Keith Foulke because we think he's one of the best pitchers in baseball. It's certainly better to have one of those than not to have one of those."
In his first season with the Sox, Foulke produced almost as hoped and recorded 32 saves in 39 opportunities. He appeared in 72 contests pitching 83 innings and recorded an ERA of 2.17. The Red Sox also accomplished the unthinkable, they won the 2004 World Series and Foulke played an important role posting multiple saves throughout the postseason. He allowed just one run and seven hits in 14 innings en route to Boston's World Series crown.
After an off-season of pleasure and a World Series hangover, we fast forward to the 2005 season. After 24 games, the Sox are (13-11) and in second place of the American League East. However, with injuries hurting Boston’s pitching staff they can ill afford to have bad performances out of the bullpen. So far, Foulke has been anything but impressive in his 11 appearances.
Foulke has pitched 12 innings, given up four dingers, and has posted an ERA of 7.50. Four saves have been recorded this season for Foulke and he has only blown one save opportunity. However, he has pitched in a couple of really close games which Boston hoped he would be able to keep the game close. He has not. Foulke’s record is (1-3). Today, Foulke was brought into a perfect save situation where the score was 6-3 and he only needed to record three outs in order to get the save. Foulke gave up a single to Texas Rangers outfielder David Delluci before Mark Teixeira took him yard to bring the game to 6-5.
Luckily, Boston built a three run lead prior to bringing Foulke in. He was able to get three outs before giving up three runs, but barely. The 32-year old right handed closer has apparently lost his stuff this season. He isn't overly tall and doesn't overpower, but he used to be very effective. His fastball creeps into the low 90s, and he couples it with a great slow change, also tossing in an occasional slider. Foulke likes to work on the outside part of the plate, and generally does so with excellent control. It used to be that the rare times when Foulke would get hit occurred when he had trouble locating his fastball.
If the 2005 season for Foulke does nothing else in a Boston uniform, Red Sox Nation will remember him fondly for recording the final out in the World Series. But it was expected for Foulke, one of the top closers in the game, to get plenty of save opportunities. His ability to throw more than one inning at a time, and on minimal rest, only enhanced his value. But his lack of success this season has seen that ability dwindle away. Boston is trying to give him one inning save opportunities. Foulke’s is not locating his pitches where he is aiming and is not helping the team. His performances, thus far, have hurt Boston more than helped.
On April 26th, Foulke was brought into the game against Baltimore in the ninth inning in order to record the save. However, he gave up four hits, two homeruns and four earned runs en route to his third lose of the season. Foulke has been hit or miss this season for the Red Sox and has recorded a couple of lucky saves. In order for him to turn this season around, he has to start getting control of his pitches and buckle down. If Foulke keeps at this pace, projections show he will end the season (6-19) with 26 saves. Those numbers will just not cut it in the city of Boston.
The Red Sox hope he will turn it around this season and do it soon. They need a healthy reliable closer if they hope to keep pace in the AL East with teams like the Orioles and Yankees, not to mention, if he wants to keep his job as Boston’s closer. For Boston’s sake, he will hopefully remember how to be a closer and start getting the job done, or the Red Sox bullpen might look reminiscent of the 2003 bullpen that was responsible for blowing many late inning leads.
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