[ginahunt3]

Mike Timlin & Eric Gagne were offered arbitration. I've heard Timlin is close to signing & that he did sign, I'm not sure if either are true. It's not likely Gagne will re-sign (I hope that is true). We still have Mirabelli, Kielty, Clement, Clayton & Hinske out there. I think we need Mirabelli unless they have someone up their sleeve to catch Wake. I'd like to see Kielty back. Drew is always hurt so we need a backup. Kielty is a good fit in Boston as long as they don't wear their green uniforms when he's in the game.

[LSC9901]

I hope they flat out unload Gagne. He may have been good at one point but he didn't show me anything at all during his stay with us.

[ginahunt3]

I agree totally. Normally he is an excellent pitcher. Maybe he tried too hard. Fans are fans but there are none like Boston fans. Either you endear yourself or they will make you wish you never heard of Fenway. He is a good pitcher he just wasn't a good fit in Boston. I kind of felt bad for him, the fans gave him time to adjust but after a few outings they were really hard on him. You have to remember, he did have Tommy John surgery not too long ago. The one I really want to see gone is Clement. He's doing to us what Pavano did to the Yankees. Other than that I like the club as it is. Remember after the 04 series we lost alot of the team & you see where that got us in 05. My theory is "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

[LSC9901]

I agree Gina, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. I've never been a subscriber to the "wasn't a good fit" theory. Either you've got the ability or you don't. I'm sure Boston knew what they were looking for when they went after Gagne which would tell me he should have been a "good fit". I suppose if his personality didn't jive with the rest of the team his whole game might be off.

Either way I hope he can find a better "fit" for himself. I'd guess that by having a very poor year his value to top rated teams would be down. I have to believe that we could do better just based on his numbers.

[ginahunt3]

When I said "fit", I meant personality & comfort level. A pitcher is only as good as the men backing him, unless every game he pitches is a no hitter, and I don't see that happening. So I think it's necessary to be in sync with the rest of the team. Gagne just didn't click with the rest of the team.