Redsground.com | Cincinnati Reds News, reds Scores, Game Recaps & Commentary - <div>Thanks to a spotty first half, the Red Sox finished 2008 with a bullpen ERA (4.00) only slightly better than the average (4.10) for American League teams. With the addition of two veterans this offseason, the Sox hope for a more consistent year from their relief corps. </div>The 'pen is anchored, of course, by closer Jonathan Papelbon, who has clearly established himself as one of the game's best, capable of dominating hitters. Since questions arose late in 2006 about his shoulder, Papelbon has made 125 relief appearances, quelling any doubts about his durability. Clearly, the shoulder program the staff devised is working. Beyond a top-notch closer, bullpen depth is a key, and here, the Sox appear well-stocked. Hideki Okajima, whose first-half stumbles last year reflected the bullpen's early-season downturn, bounced back nicely in the second half. In the long term, overwork could be an issue, as Okajima has made 130 appearances in his first two seasons with the Sox. Two newcomers could help lighten his workload in the eighth inning. Ramon Ramirez is young and powerful, though it remains to be seen how he handles pitching in a pressurized environment. Even more intriguing is the arrival of Takashi Saito, who signed for a modest base salary but has a high upside. Saito has closing experience with the Los Angeles Dodgers and could be called upon on nights when Papelbon is unavailable. That's assuming, of course, that he holds up physically. He turns 39 on Saturday and his health is no given, since elbow concerns limited him to just 45 appearances last year. Saito eschewed Tommy John surgery and opted for an experimental rehab method this past offseason. If he's healthy, he could be a huge contributor; if he isn't, the Sox may need to look around for more set-up help. Manny Delcarmen, who's pitched some in that role, was something of a disappointment last year, failing to follow up what seemed like a breakthrough 2007 season. He started poorly, allowing runs in eight of his first 16 appearances before settling down. He endured another rough patch in midseason, then finished strong, posting a 2.03 ERA over the final 35 games. The arrival of Saito and Ramirez may mean Delcarmen will see more duty in the sixth and seventh innings rather than the eighth. Either way, he needs to be more consistent. Javier Lopez returns for his fourth season with the Sox, having enjoyed his best season last year. Lopez finally conquered some command issues and made his side-arming delivery work for him. In the process, he became one of the league's toughest lefty matchup relievers. He held lefty hitters to a paltry .183 batting average, fifth best among qualifying AL relievers. Justin Masterson went from emergency starter to trusted reliever in the span of just a few months, and by the time the postseason arrived, he had the full confidence of manager Terry Francona and pitching coach John Farrell. In the final two months, he sported a 2.37 ERA. Should injuries or ineffectiveness impact the rotation, Masterson could always return to a starter's role. For now, however, his value is in his durability and ability to keep the ball on the ground - no small issue in a ballpark like Fenway. If the Sox need to look to their system for help, Daniel Bard may be ready to contribute by midseason. His fastball is clocked in the high 90s, and now that he's learned to command the strike zone, he could soon contribute. THE RELIEVERS: Name: Jonathan Papelbon Position: Right-handed reliever Years with Sox: 5th season 2008 Key Stats: 5-4, 41 saves, 2.34 ERA Contractual status: Signed one-year, $6.25 million deal last month, avoiding arbitration. The Skinny: One of the game's elite closers, Papelbon is third in saves in the majors over the last three seasons with 113. Equally important, the shoulder issues that clouded his future in 2006 have not resurfaced. Agreeing on a one-year deal last month also means that, unlike last year, he'll have no spring training distractions. Name: Hideki Okajima Position: Left-handed reliever Years with Sox: 3rd season 2008 Key Stats: 3-2, 64 games, 2.61 ERA Contractual Status: $1.75 million option was vested by number of appearances in first two seasons with Sox. The Skinny: Inherited runners have been an issue - he allowed 52 percent to score last year, the worst figure in the league among relievers with a minimum of 50 appearances - but in two seasons, Okajima has proven himself to be a reliable, durable reliever with 130 appearances in that span. He's particularly tough on lefties, holding them to a .184 batting average last season. Name: Manny Delcarmen Position: Right-handed reliever Years with Sox: 5th season 2008 Key Stats: 1-2, 73 games, 3.27 ERA Contractual Status: Not eligible for arbitration, Delcarmen's salary has yet to be determined. The Skinny: Took a step backward last year and was inconsistent at times. Given the quality of his stuff, that's puzzling. Though he'll be 27 this month, Delcarmen is still learning. He may find himself pushed by the acquisition of Ramon Ramirez, whose profile is similar. Name: Ramon Ramirez Position: Right-handed reliever Years with Sox: 1st season 2008 Key Stats: 3-2, 71 games, 2.64 ERA Contractual Status: Not eligible for arbitration, Ramirez' salary has yet to be determined. The Skinny: Obtained from the Kansas City Royals in exchange for outfielder Coco Crisp, Ramirez gives the Sox another righthanded power arm in the seventh and eighth innings. Ramirez averaged nearly a strikeout per inning last year, but it will be interesting how he handles the transition from pitching for a non-contender to the cauldron of Fenway. Name: Justin Masterson Position: Right-handed reliever Years with Sox: 2nd season 2008 Key Stats: 6-5, 36 games (nine starts), 3.16 ERA Contractual Status: Not eligible for arbitration, Masterson's salary has yet to be determined. The Skinny: Masterson began last season as a starter, then moved to the bullpen in mid-season. In relief, he showed himself to be resilient and competitive, adept at getting ground balls and particularly tough against right-handers (.196 batting average against). His flexibility is a plus, but for now, his future is in the bullpen. Name: Javier Lopez Position: Left-handed reliever Years with Sox: 4th season 2008 Key Stats: 2-0, 70 games, 2.43 ERA Contractual Status: Signed a one-year, $1.35 million deal with Sox last month, avoiding arbitration. The Skinny: Enjoyed his best season to date, setting career highs in innings pitched. After April 25, he pitched to a 1.98 ERA. Established himself as a top matchup lefty, limiting lefthanded hitters to a .183 average, fifth best among qualifying relievers in the American League. Name: Takashi Saito Position: Right-handed reliever Years with Sox: 1st season 2008 Key Stats: 4-4, 18 saves, 2.49 ERA Contractual Status: Signed a one-year, $1.5 million deal last month, with an option for 2010. The Skinny: Along with starters Brad Penny and John Smoltz, Saito, who turns 39 on Saturday, was part of a winter-long trend toward signing rehabbing veterans with little risk and high reward. Saito was sidelined with elbow issues last year, limiting him to 45 games. His durability is unknown, but if he recovers, the Sox have someone who has struck out a stunning 245 hitters in 189 2/3 innings in the majors. KEEP AN EYE ON: Wes Littleton: Some major league experience and a good groundball pitcher. Right-hander looks like a longshot to make team, but because he's out of options, Sox may find a spot for him. Daniel Bard: Having conquered his command problems, the right-hander could contribute by midseason. - COMPILED BY SEAN McADAM <div class="spacer10"></div><div class="gray_dots"></div><div id="body_footer_link">Play FOX Fantasy Baseball today </div><div class="gray

Thanks to a spotty first half, the Red Sox finished 2008 with a bullpen ERA (4.00) only slightly better than the average (4.10) for American League teams. With the addition of two veterans this offseason, the Sox hope for a more consistent year from their relief corps.

The 'pen is anchored, of course, by closer Jonathan Papelbon, who has clearly established himself as one of the game's best, capable of dominating hitters. Since questions arose late in 2006 about his shoulder, Papelbon has made 125 relief appearances, quelling any doubts about his durability. Clearly, the shoulder program the staff devised is working.

Beyond a top-notch closer, bullpen depth is a key, and here, the Sox appear well-stocked.

Hideki Okajima, whose first-half stumbles last year reflected the bullpen's early-season downturn, bounced back nicely in the second half. In the long term, overwork could be an issue, as Okajima has made 130 appearances in his first two seasons with the Sox.

Two newcomers could help lighten his workload in the eighth inning. Ramon Ramirez is young and powerful, though it remains to be seen how he handles pitching in a pressurized environment.

Even more intriguing is the arrival of Takashi Saito, who signed for a modest base salary but has a high upside. Saito has closing experience with the Los Angeles Dodgers and could be called upon on nights when Papelbon is unavailable. That's assuming, of course, that he holds up physically. He turns 39 on Saturday and his health is no given, since elbow concerns limited him to just 45 appearances last year.

Saito eschewed Tommy John surgery and opted for an experimental rehab method this past offseason. If he's healthy, he could be a huge contributor; if he isn't, the Sox may need to look around for more set-up help.

Manny Delcarmen, who's pitched some in that role, was something of a disappointment last year, failing to follow up what seemed like a breakthrough 2007 season. He started poorly, allowing runs in eight of his first 16 appearances before settling down. He endured another rough patch in midseason, then finished strong, posting a 2.03 ERA over the final 35 games.

The arrival of Saito and Ramirez may mean Delcarmen will see more duty in the sixth and seventh innings rather than the eighth. Either way, he needs to be more consistent.

Javier Lopez returns for his fourth season with the Sox, having enjoyed his best season last year. Lopez finally conquered some command issues and made his side-arming delivery work for him. In the process, he became one of the league's toughest lefty matchup relievers. He held lefty hitters to a paltry .183 batting average, fifth best among qualifying AL relievers.

Justin Masterson went from emergency starter to trusted reliever in the span of just a few months, and by the time the postseason arrived, he had the full confidence of manager Terry Francona and pitching coach John Farrell. In the final two months, he sported a 2.37 ERA.

Should injuries or ineffectiveness impact the rotation, Masterson could always return to a starter's role. For now, however, his value is in his durability and ability to keep the ball on the ground - no small issue in a ballpark like Fenway.

If the Sox need to look to their system for help, Daniel Bard may be ready to contribute by midseason. His fastball is clocked in the high 90s, and now that he's learned to command the strike zone, he could soon contribute.

THE RELIEVERS:

Name: Jonathan Papelbon

Position: Right-handed reliever

Years with Sox: 5th season

2008 Key Stats: 5-4, 41 saves, 2.34 ERA

Contractual status: Signed one-year, $6.25 million deal last month, avoiding arbitration.

The Skinny: One of the game's elite closers, Papelbon is third in saves in the majors over the last three seasons with 113. Equally important, the shoulder issues that clouded his future in 2006 have not resurfaced. Agreeing on a one-year deal last month also means that, unlike last year, he'll have no spring training distractions.

Name: Hideki Okajima

Position: Left-handed reliever

Years with Sox: 3rd season

2008 Key Stats: 3-2, 64 games, 2.61 ERA

Contractual Status: $1.75 million option was vested by number of appearances in first two seasons with Sox.

The Skinny: Inherited runners have been an issue - he allowed 52 percent to score last year, the worst figure in the league among relievers with a minimum of 50 appearances - but in two seasons, Okajima has proven himself to be a reliable, durable reliever with 130 appearances in that span. He's particularly tough on lefties, holding them to a .184 batting average last season.

Name: Manny Delcarmen

Position: Right-handed reliever

Years with Sox: 5th season

2008 Key Stats: 1-2, 73 games, 3.27 ERA

Contractual Status: Not eligible for arbitration, Delcarmen's salary has yet to be determined.

The Skinny: Took a step backward last year and was inconsistent at times. Given the quality of his stuff, that's puzzling. Though he'll be 27 this month, Delcarmen is still learning. He may find himself pushed by the acquisition of Ramon Ramirez, whose profile is similar.

Name: Ramon Ramirez

Position: Right-handed reliever

Years with Sox: 1st season

2008 Key Stats: 3-2, 71 games, 2.64 ERA

Contractual Status: Not eligible for arbitration, Ramirez' salary has yet to be determined.

The Skinny: Obtained from the Kansas City Royals in exchange for outfielder Coco Crisp, Ramirez gives the Sox another righthanded power arm in the seventh and eighth innings. Ramirez averaged nearly a strikeout per inning last year, but it will be interesting how he handles the transition from pitching for a non-contender to the cauldron of Fenway.

Name: Justin Masterson

Position: Right-handed reliever

Years with Sox: 2nd season

2008 Key Stats: 6-5, 36 games (nine starts), 3.16 ERA

Contractual Status: Not eligible for arbitration, Masterson's salary has yet to be determined.

The Skinny: Masterson began last season as a starter, then moved to the bullpen in mid-season. In relief, he showed himself to be resilient and competitive, adept at getting ground balls and particularly tough against right-handers (.196 batting average against). His flexibility is a plus, but for now, his future is in the bullpen.

Name: Javier Lopez

Position: Left-handed reliever

Years with Sox: 4th season

2008 Key Stats: 2-0, 70 games, 2.43 ERA

Contractual Status: Signed a one-year, $1.35 million deal with Sox last month, avoiding arbitration.

The Skinny: Enjoyed his best season to date, setting career highs in innings pitched. After April 25, he pitched to a 1.98 ERA. Established himself as a top matchup lefty, limiting lefthanded hitters to a .183 average, fifth best among qualifying relievers in the American League.

Name: Takashi Saito

Position: Right-handed reliever

Years with Sox: 1st season

2008 Key Stats: 4-4, 18 saves, 2.49 ERA

Contractual Status: Signed a one-year, $1.5 million deal last month, with an option for 2010.

The Skinny: Along with starters Brad Penny and John Smoltz, Saito, who turns 39 on Saturday, was part of a winter-long trend toward signing rehabbing veterans with little risk and high reward. Saito was sidelined with elbow issues last year, limiting him to 45 games. His durability is unknown, but if he recovers, the Sox have someone who has struck out a stunning 245 hitters in 189 2/3 innings in the majors.

KEEP AN EYE ON:

Wes Littleton: Some major league experience and a good groundball pitcher. Right-hander looks like a longshot to make team, but because he's out of options, Sox may find a spot for him.

Daniel Bard: Having conquered his command problems, the right-hander could contribute by midseason.

- COMPILED BY SEAN McADAM

Play FOX Fantasy Baseball today