The Gagne Effect

As I said before... I LOVED the Gagne trade when it happened. So I can't complain about it.

And it made so much sense... the Red Sox had an All Star closer and an All Star set up man... so they picked up the best reliever on the market to provide a 1-2-3 punch and allow Okajima and Papelbon to get a break from time to time.

And if Gagne was just mediocre, then it would have worked out brilliantly.

But now Francona is terrified (and rightfully so) to bring him into a game where the Sox have the lead.

And the effect was felt all through this weekend's frustrating series with the Yankees.

If Francona had any faith in Gagne, maybe he'd be pitching the 8th inning on Friday instead of the exhausted Okajima. Maybe Gagne could have protected a 5 run lead and helped preserve a much needed confidence boosting 15th win for Dice - K. Maybe when the brown stuff was hitting the fan in that inning, he could have turned to Gagne instead of asking Papelbon to get a 6 out save (which he didn't get.)

If Francona had any faith in Gagne, maybe he'd have come in the 8th inning yesterday when a few men got on instead of asking Schilling to do it himself.

But Francona had no faith in him either time... and do you blame him?

So instead of taking 2 of 3 (or possibly sweeping) the Sox dropped 2 of 3.
Not a big thing in the grand scheme for making the playoffs... but the Sox bullpen, once one of their great strengths is becoming a question mark at the worst possible time: a short playoff series.

The quicker the Sox can clinch a playoff berth, the quicker Francona should throw Gagne into pressure spots. Better find out if he can handle it. I have hopes for more than just a division title this year!