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2007 With a cheekful of chaw and the disdainful sneer of a well-traveled relief pitcher, the straight-from-central-casting Timlin averaged 76 appearances and 80 innings of 3.88 ERA ball from 2003 to 2005, while striking out 6.7 per nine innings. That ended in 2006. His effectiveness took a sharp downturn after a late-May shoulder strain; Timlin posted a 1.40 ERA and 5.6 K/9 before, but a 5.64 ERA and 3.6 K/9 afterwards. For a 41-year-old, that isn`t a sign of good things to come. Still, the Sox inked him to a $2.8-million deal with incentives that could escalate it to $3.3 million with 70 appearances. 2006 There was a lot of hand-wringing in Boston when the team had to turn to Timlin to close games, since he supposedly did not have the "closer`s mentality." Predictably, he pitched as well in the 9th inning as he previously had pitched in the 8th. Timlin has never been a great pitcher, but he has been one of the more dependable hurlers in the game for 14 years. Had he been used differently he might have saved 300 or more games, which would have landed him on a few All-Star teams without making him any more valuable than he already is. His 893 games are 17th on the all-time list, and he`s going to pass several more pitchers this year. 2005 One of the few relievers not voted off the island in 2003, Timlin managed to follow up that solid campaign with a good 2004 season as one of the three decent pitchers in the Boston pen. At 39, he's pitching as well as he has in his career, but obviously his age dramatically increases the risk of collapse at any time. His performance last year kicked in his option for 2005, where the Sox hope he'll again combine with Foulke and Embree to pick up the bulk of the relief innings, after which they'll wish him happy trails. 2003 The most inexplicable part of the Scott Rolen trade, Timlin had one of his periodic solid seasons. Even so, he wasn’t worth what he was paid and he was never likely to re-sign with the team. Ed Wade’s fetish with veteran relievers badly burned the team here; even with a farm system as thin as the Cardinals, the Phillies would have been better off trying to get another young player instead of Timlin. The Red Sox signed him to a one-year deal, hoping Timlin can duplicate his 2002 success. 2002 Timlin has good stuff, knows how to use it, and will likely be in a role in 2002 similar to the one he's filled for years. One thing that's worrisome is his strikeout rate, which took a pretty notable drop. He gave up nearly a third of his runs for the entire season in a one-week stretch against the Cubs and Padres at the end of August. 2001 He's a solid reliever who was miscast in the role of closer. Mike Timlin has respectable stuff but suffers from a somewhat straight fastball and has been raked over the coals by fans who seem to think he always gives up the big hit at the wrong time. There's no reason he won't continue to be productive as a setup man. He's under contract for two more years. I'd make him a setup guy and leave him there. 2000 Timlin was a big part of the Orioles' disappointing season, as he took until the All-Star break to find a decent pitching rhythm. He claims the problems started when at times he was asked to pitch in the eighth inning. After the break, he never pitched more than one inning, converted 18 of 19 save opportunities and had a 1.40 ERA. Perhaps the Orioles should listen to what he says. 1999 Had a great second half, which he parlayed into a new deal with Baltimore for four years. Rob Neyer pointed out to me this summer that Timlin falls apart with men on, which is not a desirable trait in an expensive "closer." 1998 Woodward and Piniella were hungry for a reliable, effective reliever last year, and Timlin wasn’t a bad acquisition. He’ll continue to be effective in whatever bullpen role he spends time in. Fastball looks as good as ever. The problem is that he’ll eventually want closer money. 1997 The ultimate ersatz closer, or proof that the job doesn’t take the “heart of a lion” or whatever bilge you’ll hear about makeup. Jeff Reardon had makeup. He could lather it on from the compact he kept in his hip pocket instead of an emery board. It still didn’t matter, because when push came to shove, he’s paid to pitch, not be Tammy Faye Bakker. Timlin isn’t that bad, but he’s being generously rewarded for mediocrity and a rare bout of extended health. 1996 Look under the Blue Jays dictionary for "enigma" and you'll see Mike Timlin's face. After a solid rookie year in 1991 where he demonstrated power stuff, he got hurt and has struggled to regain the form. The great thing about Timlin is that he's still striking out people by the bushel and gives a glimmer of hope that he's turned the corner. After 1994 and 1995 you'd think he'd be primed to close out games for the Jays, but he seems to blow every opportunity when the game is on the line. This is just subjective of course, but it seems like every time Mike Timlin looks like he's gonna do it, he breaks your heart. Give the closer job to Risley and see if Timlin can set him up. He's tough on right handers (.175 OBA allowed last year).
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