(Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)
After a mediocre 2006 season, Manny Delcarmen emerged as a great young relief pitcher for the Red Sox in 2007. As part of the bullpen that helped win Boston its second World Series in four years, Delcarmen was the owner of a 2.05 ERA and 1.02 WHIP in 44 innings.
In 2008, a season that saw the Red Sox fall just short of trying for a repeat, Delcarmen backtracked from his breakout campaign of the year before. Struggling some with control, Delcarmen's numbers jumped to a 3.27 ERA and 1.11 WHIP; still respectable numbers, but not as dominant.
To his credit, Delcarmen did pitch 30 more innings than in '07 while increasing his K/BB rate from 2.41 to 2.57.
With Delcarmen pitching lights out again (1.97 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, 1.64 K/BB), teams with bullpen woes have been looking to land him. Earlier in the season, the Washington Nationals offered Nick Johnson in exchange for Delcarmen, someone the Nats would attempt to build their bullpen around.
That deal was shot down as soon as it hit Theo's ears.
After the loss of closer Matt Lindstrom to the DL, the Florida Marlins are in the market for a relief pitcher. According to Ken Rosenthal, they Braves-to-move" target="_blank">offered the Red Sox Minor League first baseman Gaby Sanchez in return for the hard throwing Delcarmen.
Sanchez, one of Florida's best prospects, is hitting .300 with eight home runs at Triple-A New Orleans, coming off a .314, 17 home run, 17 steal, 92 RBI season last year at Double-A.
Given the depth of talent the Red Sox have available at first base in Kevin Youkilis, Carter, Anderson, and even Aaron Bates, it's understandable that talks didn't last long between these two teams.
Not to say it was a bad offer, but the last thing the Red Sox need right now is another power-hitting first baseman in the minors.
Sorry, Gabriel.
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