Bobby Jenks -> Red Sox -- 2 years, $12 million

[SammyBirdland]

Bobby Jenks signs with the Red Sox for 2 years, $12 million

http://sports.espn.go.com/boston/mlb/news/story?id=5926886

[Blizzard1090]

Bobby Jenks signs with the Red Sox for 2 years, $12 million

http://sports.espn.go.com/boston/mlb/news/story?id=5926886

Evil Empire Part II

[Dr. FLK]

I don't understand why they signed a worse setup man (Jenks) than the one they already have (Bard). They told him he'd have a chance to compete for the closer role after next season if Paps isn't there, but Bard clearly seems ahead of him in that race. So, I also don't see why Jenks went there when there are places he could close now. Odd move IMO.

[oh-wee-ohs]

They also signed Matt Albers...

[Stotle]

I don't understand why they signed a worse setup man (Jenks) than the one they already have (Bard). They told him he'd have a chance to compete for the closer role after next season if Paps isn't there, but Bard clearly seems ahead of him in that race. So, I also don't see why Jenks went there when there are places he could close now. Odd move IMO.

Get paid well to be a part of the bullpen on the team favored to win the World Series. Makes sense to me.

[Dr. FLK]

Get paid well to be a part of the bullpen on the team favored to win the World Series. Makes sense to me.

But couldn't he get paid better to be a closer somewhere else? It just seems like closers always like to stay "closers".

[Aglets]

He posted an ERA over 4 last year and was trending upward for the past 2 years. He likely knew he wasn't likely to get Soriano money.

My guess is he wants another ring and he wants the higher profile pitching in Boston before hitting the market again for a larger potential payday.

[Stotle]

But couldn't he get paid better to be a closer somewhere else? It just seems like closers always like to stay "closers".

I'm not sure he was looking at $6+ million for two years from anyone. His value would be better as a closer, but if he throws well his value will be there. He has already shown he has the "closer" club in his bag. He can swing it if another org asks him to.

BOS can also move him up to the 9th when Paps falls apart this year.

[TGO]

I think it makes sense for Jenks. Set up for a year on a WS contender and likely vulture some wins, and maybe close if Papelbon gets hurt or stinks. And then in 2012, while Bard may seem like the better choice, Boston is the kind of team that will go beyond just who is better. They may try to maximize the value of Jenks and his draft pick return while also keeping Bard's arb number lower for one more year. Then go to Bard in 2013. They may also realize, like a lot of posters here, that the setup man can often be more valuable than the closer.

They may well still go directly to Bard, but if any team is creative enough to do what I just described, it's Boston.

[Spy Fox]

The Red Sox also added Dan Wheeler:

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20101218&content_id=16343076&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb

Wheeler was good for the Rays the last few years...The Red Sox definitely seem to be going all in right now.

[byrdz]

Where's the 2/12 for a reliever is poor clan? His K rate is still good but the WHIP trending upwards the past three seasons.