Farewell to Arms (and a Leg)

I’m as happy as the next Sox fan to have Theo Epstein, who helped bring the World Series trophy to Boston for the first time in 86 years, back in the leading role as GM of the team.

But today, for perhaps the first time since the Garciaparra trade, I’m questioning Mr. Epstein’s decision and am saddened by the news of his latest acquisition. And even more saddened by the price that acquisition carries.

Sox management, which always seems to tiptoe the line between Genius and Goat, perceived it’s best interests to lie in the camp of Cincinnati Reds part-time right fielder Wily Mo Pena. Besides bringing a cool nickname to the Sox, this overweight light-hitting Dominican has little upside. He’s setting more records for strikeouts than stolen bases, and a lifetime average under his 250lb weight class is hardly reason to race out for his jersey.

Regardless, the deal was made. Even though scouting reports hail Wily Mo as a speedster with a cannon arm, he’ll be platooning in right field with fan favorite Trot Nixon. Unless the Sox are planning on phasing out the injury-plagued Nixon, how much value can Pena bring over the likes of, say, Tony Graffanino or Gabe Kapler?

So who’s on their way out with this trade? Which prospect did the Sox part ways with to make room for our part-time player? Who was deemed less valuable than a platooning right fielder?

Bronson Arroyo.

A king of versatility, the master of humility, the beanpole with the gravity-defying leg kick. A kid on the rise, a sponge surrounded by masters of their game, limitless future ahead. A solid lock for 12-15 wins a season, if not more as his career progresses. A consistent pitcher, his awful outings were few and far between, with losing efforts usually plagued by horrific defense behind him. Just a few old vets away from being staff Ace.

Gone.

Haven’t the Sox learned about their Pirates acquisitions yet? Didn’t they remember the lesson taught by their other pitching prospect from Pittsburgh that became a city sensation over the course of an amazing career? Mr. Tim Wakefield, please stand up and say hello.

Wakefield was a Pirates throw-away back in 1993, after only two years with the club. No one had faith in knuckleballers back then, their erratic money-pitch bringing just as much pain as joy, especially to a player who “developed” one after learning they were about to be cut as regular fielder.

But the Sox took him on anyway. And they stuck by him through some rough times. And were rewarded with some great ones.

Timmy did it all in Boston. He bounced around between the starting rotation, to numerous bullpen assignments, even a closing role for a while. He sacrifices himself for the team, telling manager Francona to put him in during that 19-8 ALCS Game 3 romp against the Yankees, just so the team could save its pitchers for the rest of the series.

Now why couldn’t Arroyo, who also came to Boston via Pittsburgh, benefit from the success that Wakefield brought to our city? They’re following the same career path: the aforementioned Pittsburgh connection, they have both seen some rough times throughout their careers, and both even took a hometown discount to stay in the city that reveres them so.

In his short time here, Arroyo has become as much an icon as some of the seasoned veterans he shares the field with. His definitive high-straight-leg kick, insistence on coming inside to even to the biggest and meanest of players, the A-Rod Slappy debacle in the playoffs, even a crazy white-boy cornrow/dreadlock hairstyle that ranks in the top 5 in recent years. He’s known. He’s loved. He’s the future of Boston.

Or, WAS the future. While no official statement has been released by the Sox brass, one can only deduce that Arroyo was sent packing due to the overstocked pitching rotation. With starters Schilling, Wakefield, Clement, Beckett, Wells and Paplebon geared up for the 2006 season, Arroyo was the odd man out.

More specifically, he was RUN out by Wells. After whining for a trade all off-season, Wells recanted his request after all trade attempts came up empty. Suddenly Wells enjoys Boston’s atmosphere and team, and wants to stay on board. Sure.

Wells is a master at public relations. It may not seem like it the way he runs his mouth, calls out managers and higher-ups, and claims he is intoxicated while pitching from time to time. But that’s precisely the reason he’s so good at PR: he HAS to be. He gets himself into so much trouble with that filterless gullet of his, he needs all the savvy and political wordspeak to bail himself out. So excuse me if I don’t take his at his word when he suddenly changes his mind and decides to stay in Boston. I’m sure the fact that we couldn’t GIVE him away to a west-coast team had nothing to do with his change of heart.

THIS is the reason the Sox are now shy one great young pitcher. This is why Arroyo won’t be taking the hill for Boston every fifth day, bringing in 15+ wins for us in upcoming seasons. This is why we’ve mortgaged our future on Wily Mo “Part-time” Pena.

So long Arroyo, and thanks for everything. Next time you bring that leg kick to Boston, I hope you cram it up Theo’s ass.