I just wanted take a moment and introduce everyone to Amanda Bruno. Amanda has her own Boston Red Sox/Boston sports media blog “Batter-up with Bruno” and will be stopping by here from time to time to give us her thoughts on a variety of different topics. Be sure to stop by her blog and see the great stuff that she has to offer.
Way back in December of 2008, Boston Red Sox General Manager Theo Epstein was in the mood for pitcher shopping, but he wasn’t interested in pouring out boat loads of cash to acquire any big ticket guys like C.C. Sabathia and A.J. Burnett.
Instead, Epstein looked to Brad Penny, a free agent from the Los Angeles Dodgers who suffered a plague of injuries in his shoulder and was limited to 19 starts. He compiled a 6-9 record and a 6.27 ERA after coming off back-to-back 16 win seasons.
The deal? Penny got a one-year contract worth $5 million along with an added bonus if he performed well.
Who knew the former teammate of Josh Beckett and Mike Lowell would prove to be a steal?
Penny, who goes to the mound tonight for the Sox, has compiled a 6-2 record and 4.94 ERA, a statistic that has declined in every start but one since April 28. He is coming off his best start on June 17 against the New York Yankees, pitching five innings while giving up 3 hits, 4 walks, 3 strikeouts, and no runs to earn the win.
And now with Daisuke Matsuzaka having more pitching and shoulder issues (thanks again WBC) this only gives Penny more of a chance to shine and prove he belongs in the Boston rotation with Beckett, Jon Lester, Tim Wakefield, and soon to be John Smoltz.
Theo Epstein has almost proved his genius abilities once again.
Meanwhile in the Bronx, Sabathia has put up fair numbers (6-4, 3.71 ERA, 102 IP, 85 hits, 45 runs, 8 HR, 31 BB, 70 K), but Burnett (5-4, 4.24 ERA, 87 IP, 81 hits, 44 runs, 13 HR, 44 BB, 82 K) not so much.
Amanda Bruno is a freelance sportswriter for The Springfield Republican and also writes weekly features for the Plus Papers on Wednesdays. She also writes over at Batter-up with Bruno where she shares her thoughts about the Boston Red Sox and the Boston sports media. You can reach Amanda through email at brunosportshawk[at]gmail.com.
I know I questioned it when Theo signed him but given the results, I’ll take back whatever I said about him back then.
I think it’s nice that Penny shouldn’t being hearing his name mentioned in trade rumors either right now.
Theo’s buy low approach has definitely worked out this year. I think we might see more teams try this going forward as well.
Looking forward to more great posts from you as well.
Well thanks to Dice-K, Penny is safe with the trade rumors. The Sox used good judgement with him because it doesn’t always work out.
Glad you liked the post! I’m excited I get to contribute here.
Oh and forgot to mention…you can also follow me at Twitter: http://twitter.com/batterupbruno
Terry Francona as well as Joe Haggerty (Hacks With Haggs) kept saying that these things will work themselves out. And that’s exactly what happened.
I’ll add your twitter into the template for your posts.