The Talented Mr. Wakefield

When I last wrote some thoughts on Tim Wakefield, he was sitting at 2-1, with a 1.86 ERA. Now, a month and a half later, his numbers stand at 9-3 with a 4.39 ERA. While the ERA has gone up a bit, its hard not to be impressed with the number of wins that he's accumulated so far.

With John Smoltz (and Clay Buchholz) looming in the shadows, its going to be really interesting to see what the Red Sox decide to do. Will they move Wakefield to the bullpen, as he's selflessly agreed to in the past? Can they afford to? Would that really be more justifiable than removing Dice-K from the rotation?

Here's how their numbers to this point in the season match-up:

Matsuzaka 1-4 7.55 32 Ks 2.10 WHIP

Wakefield 9-3 4.39 47 Ks 1.41 WHIP

I know that there is quite a bit of money, and PR, invested in Dice-K --- but could they really take Wake's numbers out of the mix at this point?

There's been rumblings recently about the Sox going to a 6-man rotation (at least temporarily), but that will only be a bandaid. Sooner or later, Buchholz is going to be brought up. What happens then? Here's hoping that Wake keeps it up, and forces them to keep him in the rotation.

For those keeping score at home, here's how the top three pitchers in Red Sox history currently stack up:

1. Roger Clemens, Cy Young: 192 wins each
2. Tim Wakefield: 173 wins (and counting)

Wouldn't it be great if he were in position to take the top spot by next June?