Will Wake Be Back?

Tim Wakefield had surgery on his ailing back last week. Wake says he should be ready for the start of Spring Training.

Given that Wakefield has broken down during parts of the last 3 seasons, the question is whether or not the Sox should bring him back at all. He is an inexpensive, innings-eater who goes through stretches where he is unhittable. There are also stretches of lots of walks & home runs, but Wake is usually good for 10+ wind a year. He is also very affordable in today's market at $4 million a year.

Maybe Wake becomes one of those half-year pitchers. Last year he had 11 wins & made the All-Star team with a great first half. Not so much success in the 2nd half due to injury. It was hard at times to see him out there limping around the mound.

If Wake is able to give the Sox 3 or 4 months of solid starts, I'd bring him back for 1 final year. One of the reasons is that the Sox do not have a #5 starter in Bowden or Tazawa yet. Another year of seasoning with a few spot starts might be what the doctor ordered for both young pitchers.

Bring the old guy back.