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Ryan Klesko Sox’s solution to bench?

By Evan Brunell | December 19th, 2007

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Ryan Klesko - erikthenorsk (Flickr)

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San Francisco’s KNBR reports that the Red Sox have made a “financially acceptable one-year offer” to Ryan Klesko, recently of the San Francisco Giants.

Klesko, who plays first base and left field (with some minimal time seen in right) would presumably slot in as the replacement for Eric Hinske, and I believe is a great choice for that position.

He will enter his age-37 season in 2008 with a career line of .279/.370/.500 and his average season over his career as a starter saw him bash 26 HR a year with 92 RBI.

This past year as a starter for the Giants in 116 games and 362 AB, he hit .260/.344/.401. His power dip is concerning because he hit for a .390 slugging percentage away from AT&T Park (is that what it’s called these days?) and a .314 slugging percentage after the All-Star Break. Klesko had issues with sore hips, abdominal strains and his chronically sore lower back — a back that may be alleviated to some degree by being a bench player.

Since the Red Sox are interested in a first-baseman who can also play left-field and get on base at a good clip, Ryan Klesko at a financially sensible price makes a lot of sense. As stated before, he would replace Eric Hinske in that role on the bench and would more than likely be a more effective hitter given his long history for being able to hit for contact.

However, this would be Klesko’s first full year as a bench player, and there is no telling the impact that would have on his abilities. Can he stay focused? Can he give quality at-bats without the day-in, day-out grind of doing so? Can he stay mentally sharp? How will he approach his position? Will he be a problem like Jay Payton was?

As far as moves go, signing Ryan Klekso is a cost-effective solution at filling the hole of 1B/LF with someone who can provide offense. It would also put pressure on Brandon Moss to win a job out of spring training as the CF/RF backup or be sent to Triple-A (or… to Minnesota?). In the overall scheme of things, the move is minimal…

But no one needs to know the kind of impact bench players can have on games. Bobby Kielty won a World Series game, Alex Cora alleviated Dustin Pedroia’s struggles at the beginning of the year. Even Eric Hinske is famous around these circles for his stunning dive that will be played on highlight reels over and over again.

Can Ryan Klesko make that kind of an impact?

This entry was posted on Wednesday, December 19th, 2007 at 3:16 pm and is filed under Ryan Klesko, Eric Hinske, Evan Brunell. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

21 Responses to “Ryan Klesko Sox’s solution to bench?”

Daniel Rathman says:

December 19th, 2007 at 3:45 pm

I would love to get Klesko on the Sox, partly because he’s also a great clubhouse guy — VERY funny. He’s not quite Kevin Millar, but I think he fits well. He’s also one of my baseball coach’s best friends from his days with the AA-Braves (rooming with Vinny Castilla next door to Klesko).

Unfortunately, the two-year deal thing is a turn off for me…if he takes one year, I’m all for it.

The Rangers, Yankees, Diamondbacks, and Tigers have all been tied to Klesko recently, and I’m not really sure if the Sox are in the lead. He’d probably settle for one year only if nobody gives him two…
Shane says:

December 19th, 2007 at 4:04 pm

I’ll remember Hinske for how well he played right after he was aquired from the Jays. While the Yanks were working us over I remember Hinske being on fire. It might not have lasted, but it’s what I associate him with.
Michael Edelman says:

December 19th, 2007 at 5:37 pm

Is it just me, or does the Red Sox schedule look pretty rough to start out? After traveling back from Japan, the Red Sox will finish up their series with Oakland and then fact the Jays (both Halladay and Burnet will start), the revamped Tigers, the Yankees, Cleveland, and then the Yankees again.

I sure hope we have Santana for that run!
Daniel Rathman says:

December 19th, 2007 at 5:53 pm

Yea, that’s rough, but the Yankees schedule isn’t much easier. They’ve got 18 games without an off-day in the first month — a chance to either go WAY up there, or WAY down there depending on how healthy they are.

Plus, the more top teams we get out of the way early, the easier our schedule down the stretch.

Why am I being optimistic again? Ugh, must be the overdose of Sudafed.
Daniel Rathman says:

December 19th, 2007 at 5:58 pm

One other side note (possibly a product of the Sudafed haze I’m in right now)…

What are the odds that Ken Williams would agree to trade O-Cab back to the Sox for Coco, Lugo, and about a bunch of cash?
Michael Edelman says:

December 19th, 2007 at 6:00 pm

I doubt the Red Sox would entertain the idea until Santana is dealt. If the Red Sox include Ellsbury they’ll need Crisp for a CF. If the Red Sox dont’ include Ellsbury, they’d likely have to include Crisp.
Daniel Rathman says:

December 19th, 2007 at 6:38 pm

“about a bunch of cash.” God I’m incoherent today. But that idea would allow Theo to completely turn the table on his biggest mistake as the Sox GM!

I’m on Sudafed — which makes me feel light-headed — some weird antibiotic called Zythromax — which makes me feel drowsy, even more light-headed, and very nauseated — and extra-strength Advil, which is doing absolutely nothing to get rid of my 101.7* fever.

You know Winter Break is bad when you want to go back to school on your first day of it!

Now back to refreshing RotoWorld and playing Madden. I’m 16-1 since this morning!
Schulz says:

December 19th, 2007 at 6:55 pm

Klesko is a perfect fit. I want him on our team and I’d give him a two year deal to land him- or at least one year with an option or buyout attached. What kind of money are we talking about in this deal anyway?

In response to the schedule difficulty, I noticed the same thing. However, our August/September stretch is remarkably easy. I’d rather go on a big run at the end of the year and carry that momentum into the playoffs, rather than wear out our lineup against high-caliber pitching and our pitching staff against those heavy-hitting lineups.

Also, I don’t think those O.Cab rumors have any merit, and if they do, I don’t see the deal getting done. If it does, yahoo! Then our biggest problem becomes who to bat second behind Jacoby (Pedroia? O.Cabrera? Youk?)
Daniel Rathman says:

December 19th, 2007 at 7:59 pm

Schulz:

No clue what the money is; KNBR just said “financially acceptable” (which I’m guessing means that it’s enough per year but he wants one more year).

Also, the O-Cab idea hasn’t been rumored, it’s just something my Sudafed-affected brain conjured up this afternoon. Pipe dream, I’m sure.
Daniel Rathman says:

December 19th, 2007 at 8:03 pm

BTW, the Royals have inked Ron Mahay to a 2-year, $8 million deal. Way to keep him out of NY!
Dan Order says:

December 19th, 2007 at 9:53 pm

Actually Daniel, Phil Rogers, speculated that it is possible for a trade of Coco and Lugo for Cabrera to occur.
Michael Edelman says:

December 19th, 2007 at 10:00 pm

Mahay just signed with the Royals. He’s another guy the Yankees were looking into for their pen. So what’s the Yankees bullpen going to end up looking like?

Rivera
Hawkins
Farnsworth
Bruney
Ramirez
Britton
Igawa?

That’s so awesome! Can’t wait to face them.
Daniel Rathman says:

December 19th, 2007 at 10:06 pm

Whoa…thanks for the heads-up, Dan. Uhm…this is odd, because I don’t remember reading that piece, but here’s the link if anyone else wants to check it out:
http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports_hardball/2007/12/fast-food-for-1.html

I don’t think Ken Williams is quite that stupid though. It’ll probably require some additional shuffling, possibly including a pitching prospect on our end for something else on theirs, etc. Probably a pipe dream.

Schilling also ran his mouth…er, keyboard with a little rant on Clemens today:
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3162329

I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I’m off to bed…at 7pm here on the WC. (Feeling AWFUL.)
Troy says:

December 19th, 2007 at 10:43 pm

Hey Theo get Santana will ya…
Evan Brunell says:

December 19th, 2007 at 11:16 pm

Edelman:

I actually like that bullpen sans Farns and Igawa. Bruney won’t make it over Albaladejo.
Ethan Michaels says:

December 20th, 2007 at 12:08 am

You like Hawkins as a set up guy? And who other than him do you expect to be an above average reliever?
Daniel Rathman says:

December 20th, 2007 at 2:19 am

I think Rivera will be a league-average closer next year; he started regressing this year, and the Yanks will regret caving in and giving him 3/45, especially if it makes them feel weird about chasing K-Rod or Nathan next winter.

Farnsworth and Hawkins are both major question marks. I don’t trust either one of them.

Bruney/Britton/Albaladejo are all hit-or-miss, but one of them could emerge as a very solid middle-man. Albaladejo would be my guess as he has pretty decent stuff and was a nice grab for Clippard.

Edwar Ramirez has a changeup and nothing else, but his change is FILTHY. He was rocked this year, but he should improve into a decent MR.

Igawa’s no more than an expensive LOOGY. (I’m ecstatic that they lost out on Mahay, by the way.)

Overall: no more than “meh” at this point, but with the potential to be passable.

(For those of you wondering why I’m still up after going to bed at 7, well…apparently one of Sudafed’s side effects is insomnia.)
Daniel Rathman says:

December 20th, 2007 at 2:27 am

Lavelle E. Neal III, seemingly our most reliable source for Santana updates, says that it’s entirely possible that nothing significant has happened since the Winter Meetings.

Source: http://nc.startribune.com/blogs/neal/?p=298

I saw this rumored elsewhere also, but one of the commenters mentions that the Twins could throw-in center-field prospect Ben Revere, in hopes that the Sox would then part with both Ellsbury and Lester.

Revere is certainly not a sure thing at this point (he’s only 19 years-old and raw in many ways), but he hit .325/.388/.461 in the GCL last year, with 6 doubles, 10 triples, and a 13/20 BB/K ratio in 191 at-bats. He also stole 21 bases in 50 games, while getting caught nine times.

Revere, if all goes well, could reach the majors in a couple of years, and take over for Coco then, should we decide to part with Ellsbury and Lester to get Johan.

I actually kind of like this idea, though again, Revere is not proven.

Thoughts?
JaredK says:

December 20th, 2007 at 9:17 am

We have some good CF options already in our pipeline that are 2-3 years out like Revere…although it never hurts to have more as you don’t know who will work out. The Korean kid Lin that we signed has been timed with Ichiro like speed from home to first and he is only 19. He has a lot of work to do but he has a good body to fill out and outstanding athleticism. Also Ryan Kalish may stick in center…he is probably not as fast as his SB’s would indicate (18 sb in 83 at bats) but he is a very good athlete as well. Also our top short stop prospect Oscar Tejeda has struggled at short-stop and there is talk he may eventually be moved to CF…although they will likely give him every chance to stick at short. Also Revere was drafted last year so he could not be traded for one year (I believe from the date that he signed his contract…although I believe he was the first pick to sign from the 1st round).

Not sure if that Coco to Chi swap makes any sense for Chicago…Chicago desperately needs some OBP guys and that is not Crisps strong suit.
Evan Brunell says:

December 20th, 2007 at 10:56 am

#16 No, I hate Hawkins as a set-up guy. If they make him a 6/7th inning pitcher, I like it.

Basically, I like the Yankees bullpen for any role other than set up and closer (excluding Mo).

This is because they’re assembling a bunch of average relievers at low cost (volatility of effectiveness of reliever) and throwing them at the wall. What sticks will help, what doesn’t isn’t much trouble to discard.
Eric Schultz says:

December 20th, 2007 at 3:17 pm

In addition, the Yankees are planning on giving some of their minor league starters a look out of the bullpen, including Alan Horne, Steven White, Chase Wright and Jeff Marquez. These guys have the potential to be better the overpriced mediocrity on the market this season, and I’m happy Cashman is exploring internal options. I also wouldn’t be surprised to see a bounce-back year from Farnsworth. While inconsistent, he has great stuff, and Girardi seems to have a lot of confidence in him.