Signing Brad Penny represents a worthwhile gamble for the Red Sox. If he doesn’t return to the form that made him a 16-game winner in both 2006 and 2007, the Red Sox still have Clay Buchholz, Michael Bowden, and even Justin Masterson waiting in the wings. Presuming Penny is healthy at the start of the 2009 season, Buchholz and Bowden will be getting more seasoning at Pawtucket that can only help them when their times come to rejoin the Red Sox.
If Penny stays healthy and pitches well, he gives the Red Sox another starting pitcher with post-season success. Penny pitched for the Marlins when they won the World Series in 2003.
Other than his health — Penny appeared in only 19 games last season because of persistent shoulder problems that saw his record fall to 6-9 with a 6.27 ERA — the only other concern about Penny is that he’s a hittable pitcher. He’s posted a 94-75 record in the NL with a 4.06 ERA, and he’s allowed more hits than innings pitched over his career. In the AL with its designated hitters, that’s one more bat in the lineup Penny will have to contend with than he’s accustomed to.
Leave a comment