Making Masterson's Case

The Red Sox took two of three games in Cincinnati, which is more than they could say back in 1975. Still, as much as that could be considered a good sign -- the Reds are improved, though they're still the Reds -- there was a fascinating subplot playing itself in the first two games: When Daisuke Matsuzaka returns from the injured list, whose spot does he take in the rotation?


It's more of a legitimate question than it might appear. Sure, rookie sinkerball specialist Justin Masterson has options left, which makes him the most likely candidate for demotion. But Masterson has been nothing short of magnificent in his second call-up this season. When you consider that he's lasted six innings or more in every outing, and that he's allowed more than three runs only once, Masterson is cranking out quality starts at a faster rate than, gulp, Josh Beckett.

Sure, that probably won't continue, but you can't ignore the composure that the Arizona State grad has performed with.

So, if the Red Sox decide to keep Masterson in the rotation, who gets bumped? Do the checklist, and it becomes an astonishingly hard decision:

1) Josh Beckett -- He's the ace, there's no chance that ever changes
2) Jon Lester -- Already threw one no-hitter, and continues to look more consistent, albeit in small steps
3) Bartolo Colon -- He may not have his Cy Young form back, but he's hit as high as 97 on radar guns and has completely overpowered batters throughout much of his starting run
4) Tim Wakefield -- The knuckleballer has a losing record, but is eating up innings at a rate that would make Phil Niekro proud

Seriously, YOU try and tell one of those guys that they're getting the bump from the rotation. Among the quartet, there's only one logical possibility: Wakefield.

Yes, WMYM understands the irony of a blog named after a knuckleball specialist career backup catcher raising the possibility of sending the game's one true knuckleball starter to the bullpen. Regardless, there are reasons to think it could happen. Wakefield has pitched in every role possible, including stints as both a long man and closer in the bullpen. He's the consummate team player -- after all, he's the guy who took all the lumps in Game 3 of the 2004 ALCS that allowed the rest of the bullpen and rotation to recover -- and would probably be willing to take a step back if it was a big step forward for the team.

Of course, whenever a Red Sox fan might start to reconcile the concept of a bullpened Wakefield with the team's future, the veteran goes out and tosses a gem on par with his best. That was certainly the case across his seven innings of work on Saturday, when he baffled the Reds. Additionally, while Wake has often wilted as season's progress -- his typical terrific start was back in effect this year -- he's shown no signs of letting up this season. If anything, his outings have gotten better as the season has rolled along.

Clearly, it's a tough choice to make. Luckily -- for Terry Francona, Theo Epstein and all other Red Sox fans like WMYM who may be staying up at night postulating rotation permutations -- Dice-K is slated for at least one AAA start, a stint that could probably get pushed on to two or three if the team wants more time to deliberate over its options.

It's these decisions that justify the big money paid to Epstein and Francona, and we're glad that we're not making them. Actually we'd be happy to get paid their salaries to make them, but that's another story. And in this case, Francona, Epstein and co. have another thing going for them: With all these options, it'll be hard to make a bad decision.

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