Homecoming King

The Sox added another arm to the pen this weekend, signing
veteran righty Dan Wheeler to a one-year, $3 million deal.

In yet another move aimed at fortifying the once beleaguered bullpen, the Red Sox announced yesterday that they had come to terms with veteran reliever Dan Wheeler on a one-year, $3 million deal with a vesting option for a second year based on appearances. The signing comes just days after the Sox inked flamethrowing former White Sox closer Bobby Jenks to a two-year, $12 million deal. With Daniel Bard, Jonathan Papelbon, Jenks and now Wheeler in the fold, the Sox bullpen already looks a whole lot better in 2011 than it did it 2010.

Wheeler, 33, is one of the game's top set-up men. For the past three seasons he's been one of the key components of Joe Maddon's bullpen in Tampa Bay. Last season he went 2-4 with a 3.35 ERA, appearing in 64 games and throwing 48.1 innings. He has also pitched for the Mets and Astros and had his best year in 2005 for Houston when he went 2-3 with a 2.21 ERA in 71 games.

Wheeler is a Mike Timlin-type reliever, known for making a lot of appearances and pitching nearly every day, something a manager loves. Above all, he's reliable. From 2004-2008 he was one of only four relievers in baseball to appear in at least 70 games each year (the others were Scott Schoeneweis, Bob Howry and Chad Qualls). Wheeler also throws lots of strikes and doesn't walk many hitters (he has a 3:1 strikeout to walk ratio over the past three seasons). Seems like a bargain for $3 million a year.

While Wheeler's signing gives the Sox another reliable arm in the pen, it also marks a homecoming for the rubber-armed reliever. In fact, Wheeler was born in Warwick, Rhode Island and grew up dreaming to play for the Sox one day. He was selected by the Rays in 34th round of 1997 draft out of Pilgrim High School. Today Wheeler's dream comes true and the Sox' once gaping question mark in the bullpen suddenly went from a weakness to a possibly dominant strength.