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Red
Sox relief man Rod Beck is very valuable to the team. The 31-year-old righty
has been extremely helpful and has given some good shut-down relief this
season. Beck’s ERA is just 2.43, an excellent one for a pitcher that has
already pitched thirty innings.
Beck
was acquired by the Red Sox for unknown reasons, after all, when he was traded
to the Sox, Tom “Flash” Gordon was already set in the closer’s role, and Derek
Lowe was waiting in the wings. Beck can pitch in basically any role, and
already has set up many games for closers Derek Lowe and Rolando Arrojo. Beck
has been excellent at one of the hardest things relievers face, allowing
inherited runners to score. He has allowed few runs, as well, showing with his
ERA of 2.43.
Beck
was acquired for a pretty low price, just third baseman Cole Liniak. But, many
people thought that his \\$4 million salary was out of line, especially since he
was used by Jimy Williams in only 40 and 2-3 innings last season. But, this
season, with the poor performance of other bullpen members, he has been used in
many different ways, recently as the setup man for Derek Lowe, and he was the closer,
recording three saves, and he also has been used in short and long relief. He
is already over three-quarters of his way to last year’s inning total.
Beck
can also be a good leader in the clubhouse. There are few or no leaders in the
Red Sox clubhouse right now, but Beck can be one. Beck was a great closer
before, recording many saves with San Francisco in his first few major league
seasons. He is one of the few on the team that has not complained to the press about
his role on the ballclub. There is no doubt that he would love to be the
closer, but he doesn’t really complain about it. Complaining is a factor on the
team, but the lack thereof created by Beck really helps the team. He is one of
the most valuable on the team.