Gagne redemption a little less likely now
December 13, 2007The Mitchell Report is more than just the list of names that tantalized everyone today. Most of the outings are supplemented by humorous anecdotes about the acquisition of HGH and photocopies of personal checks.
It’s humorous, of course, unless you were really believing that the pitcher your favorite team just signed really was only struggling from back problems and now should be right again and wouldn’t need some enhancements to get himself up for the ninth inning.
An excerpt on Eric Gagne:
When the Boston Red Sox were considering acquiring Gagné, a Red Sox official made specific inquiries about Gagné’s possible use of steroids. In a November 1, 2006 email to Red Sox scout, general manager Theo Epstein asked, “Have you done any digging on Gagne? I know the Dodgers think he was a steroid guy. Maybe so. What do you hear on his medical?”
The scout, Mark Delpiano, responded, “Some digging on Gagne and steroids IS the issue. Has had a checkered medical past throughout career including minor leagues. Lacks the poise and commitment to stay healthy, maintain body and reinvent self. What made him a tenacious closer was the max effort plus stuff . . . Mentality without the plus weapons and without steroid help probably creates a large risk in bounce back durability and ability to throw average while allowing the changeup to play as it once did . . . Personally, durability (or lack of) will follow Gagne . . .”
Oh, I’m ill.
So Theo knew this and still traded for him and still got burnt. No reason to think Doug Melvin didn’t have all of this same information before he signed him.
Boy, for $10 million, you ought to be pretty sure.