Wheeler struggled to start the 2011 season, posting an 11.32 ERA with four homers allowed in just...

Wheeler struggled to start the 2011 season, posting an 11.32 ERA with four homers allowed in just 10-1/3 innings through May 4, but following a stint on the DL, returned to be one of Boston's very best relievers the rest of the way, with an ERA of 2.54, 7.1 strikeouts per nine against just 1.6 walks per nine, and just 0.7 homers allowed.

Marc Normandin, of Over the Monster, on Wheeler. Much more through the link—Indians might've stolen one here.

Normandin also reminded me, via Twitter, that Boston can petition for comp pick if Wheeler makes the Opening Day roster.

4 months ago afh4 6 comments 0 recs |

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I think it comes down to his health. Wheeler ended the season hurt (forearm stiffness). If he can show he is healthy, I think he has a spot in the pen.

by APV on Jan 27, 2012 12:30 PM EST reply actions

Wheeler is, apparently, basically a ROOGY at this point. From the OTM comments:

He’s a ROOGY, holding righties to a .208 BAA with great peripherals (3.49 FIP), while lefties hit .249 off him with a sub-2 K/BB (4.80 FIP). And while he allows homers aplenty to all hitters, lefties take him deep even more often.

The Indians already had a ROOGY of sorts, in Joe Smith, but Smith evolved last season to actually be better against LHB than RHB, and it’s now my impression that Acta views him as an either way guy entering 2012.

by afh4 on Jan 27, 2012 12:30 PM EST reply actions

Well Wheeler has always been tough on righties with a career .636 OPS against vs. lefties at a career .827 OPS. So I don’t think it is necessarily a recent phenomenon.

Here’s a link to how he’s done overall combining his last four seasons. He’s been giving up homeruns at a poor 1.4 HR/G as mentioned above. But with an excellent 3.33 SO/BB and a 122 ERA+. I’m liking this signing alot.

by hans on Jan 27, 2012 11:48 PM EST up reply actions

Didn’t mean to imply it’s a recent phenomenon (although I wouldn’t have been able to tell you either way).

by afh4 on Jan 28, 2012 8:38 AM EST up reply actions

I don’t understand Normandin’s comment about Boston petitioning for a comp pick. Is this something new in the CBA? Comp picks for NRIs seems odd to me.

by jds16 on Jan 29, 2012 8:31 PM EST reply actions