Boston Bullpen...The Magnificent Seven

Well, it's finally the weekend. Hooray! I wanted to discuss the 2009 Boston Red Sox bullpen, which is deeper than it ever has been in many, many years. Starting with closer Jonathon Papelbon and moving on to the lefty Darkman Hideki Okajima, Manny Delcarmen, lefty Javy Lopez, Justin Masterson and newcomers Ramon Ramirez (in place of Aardsma) and Takashi Saito (replacing Timlin), they make a formidible group of guys who can and will save and/or win a ton of ballgames. Using last year's numbers, the staff combined for an ERA of 2.75 while striking out near nine men per nine innings. Those numbers are the best in all of major league baseball. And that's exactly what makes the Sox different from the pinstriped fools from the Bronx. Sure, they have a helluva rotation, but what happens in the sixth or seventh inning and Mo Rivera is saved for the ninth, IF the Yankees are ahead or tied while playing at home. I'll tell you what...plenty of nuttin, honey.

In other Boston news, there has been little change in the intensity of the Red Sox talks with Jason Varitek and his agent, Scott Borass. Little movement has been reported. BorASS said this...

“Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein and I are talking and we are exchanging offers,” said Varitek’s agent, Scott Boras.

BorASS declined to further elaborate and Theo Epstein had an official "no comment." I would be surprised, no, shocked, if the Sox go to Fort Myers with just Bard and a couple minor leagers. I hope they spring the deal and obtain the services of Taylor Teagarden. He would be a Boston Red Sox star for many years to come. See the previous post for more on him, and click on this post's title for more Red Sox sights and sounds from SI dot com. Have a terrific Saturday and a wonderful weekend, and as always, BE WELL. I'll see you tomorrow and your comments are always welcome and always answered. See ya. Have some fun today!