Red Sox exercise 2009 option on Wakefield
4:00 PM Fri, Oct 31, 2008 | Permalink
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By Joe McDonald The Red Sox have decided to bring Tim Wakefield back for a 15th season in Boston. This afternoon the Red Sox exercised the 2009 option on the right-handed knuckleball pitcher worth $4 million. The 42-year-old was 10-11 with a 4.13 ERA in 30 starts for the Red Sox in 2008. "What he's done the last couple of years, and the innings he provides, everybody realized during the season he was a .500 pitcher who could have easily been more wins if we had some things go our way," said Red Sox backup catcher, and Wakefield's personal batterymate, Kevin Cash. "What he provides for the entire pitching staff makes him pretty valuable." Because of Wakefield's age, and due to some of the health issues he's dealt with in recent seasons, some might think the seasoned veteran is close to the end. He doesn't feel that way, and Cash doesn't think so, either. "A lot of people think because he throws the knuckleball that he doesn't have to work as hard as the next guy or as a more conventional pitcher and, to an extent, I understand where people are coming from. But also you have to take the approach that he's 42 and to maintain that six-month grind of the season, he still has to put the work in. I know he works out hard during the offseason and last spring it looked like he came to camp in good shape as anybody. His work and effort level is still the same." Because he obviously doesn't throw the ball like a Josh Beckett, Wakefield's unique pitch, and his success with it, has given him longevity. Wakefield is second in club history with 1,797 strikeouts, 367 starts and 504 appearances. He's third with 164 wins and 2,581 2/3 innings. In fact, he's the only Red Sox pitcher with at least 500 games and 350 starts in his career. Also, his 14 seasons is the longest continuous stint as a pitcher in club history. Red Sox management has other players to deal with more immediately, but having Wakefield back in the mix is a good thing for Cash. Cash, 30, became Wakefield's personal catcher during spring training when he proved he could handle the role. As a result the club released Wakefield's longtime batterymate Doug Mirabelli. The Red Sox still own the rights to Cash, but he's arbitration eligible. According to Cash, he or his agent, have not had discussions with GM Theo Epstein. "They have some very important decisions to make with some other guys before they concern themselves with me," Cash said. Still, he feels very good that Wakefield is returning. "Without a doubt," Cash said. "Definitely. But at the same time I've played long enough to know that just because they did something for one guy means that it's going to pan out for you. My circumstance is different from everyone else's. I can't compare myself with Wake or another catcher. I just have to worry about my situation. I'm sure I'll hear from them soon. I'm definitely happy they picked up [Wakefield's option] because, if anything, it helps me." Cash caught all 30 of Wakefield's starts in 2008 and posted a career-high .225 batting average in 61 games, including three homers and 15 RBI. 
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Way to go RED SOX. Welcome back Tim Wakefield
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way to go red soxs welcome back tim wakefield
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How ironic that people in RI rant and rave about state salaries, yet somebody playing a little boy's game a few hours a month is congratulated on making $4,000,000
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