Changeup from Foulke

Reliever is thinking about another option -- retirement

September 30, 2006|Globe Staff

With Jonathan Papelbon likely headed back to the starting rotation, with Mike Timlin showing his age over the last half of the season, with the youngsters yet to prove themselves as viable late-inning relievers, a vintage Keith Foulke would fill a gaping hole in the Red Sox bullpen in 2007.

Not hard to imagine, right? Foulke, circa 2004, when he could easily have been World Series MVP, coming out of the pen in the late going next season.

Except it's been two years. Two long years. And now, poised to audition for a back-end role in 2007, here is Foulke, contemplating leaving millions of dollars, leaving Boston, leaving baseball behind.

``My contract status, right now, I could care less about it," said Foulke hours before throwing a scoreless eighth inning in the Red Sox' 4-3 victory over the Orioles last night. ``I might retire. I don't know. It's a big option. If I can't have fun playing this game, if I don't have the motivation to prepare, you know, as far as strength and training and all that. I'm not going to be a middle bullpen, 5 ERA guy. Either I can come back and be a dominant pitcher, or I'll take it to the house."

Though it's hard to believe a player who has spent a lot of time talking about the first and 15th of every month would leave $3.75 million on the table, Foulke has maintained throughout the season that retirement hasn't just crossed his mind, it has grown roots. Foulke's contract contains both player and team options for next season. Should the team pick up his option -- all but guaranteed not to happen -- Foulke would make $7.5 million in 2007. If the team does not pick it up, Foulke would receive a $1.5 million buyout, and could exercise his option and be paid an additional $3.75 million, far more than any other team would be willing to pay in free agency.

So, what is in question is that $3.75 million -- and another season with the Sox. But would Foulke really retire? Would he really get out now, less than a month before his 34th birthday, just when his pitching has started to improve?

``Retirement shouldn't even be an option yet," said catcher Jason Varitek. ``But that's just because he can always locate, he can always get people out. I think he's dead serious about it. If somebody says that, it's not like they're just saying it to get a reaction. There's probably thought behind it. He still has great ability to pitch. Some people never learn that."

Now that the knee, back, and elbow troubles seem to have cleared, Foulke has had an impressive last few weeks. Since Sept. 1, a string of 11 appearances covering 11 1/3 innings, Foulke has not allowed a run. And, despite the 10 hits he has given up in that time, Foulke has walked just one batter while striking out nine. Not bad.