Despite the absence of formal guarantees, I have begun to again think this stock will pay off when final cuts are made.
http://www.masslive.com/sports/index.ssf/2011/03/the_tim_wakefield_stock_watch.html
The Tim Wakefield Red Sox stock watch: Be ready for its ups and down
Published: Tuesday, March 22, 2011, 7:00 AM Updated: Tuesday, March 22, 2011, 8:00 AM
By
Ron Chimelis, The Republican
APDon't cash in your stock on Boston Red Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield just yet. It's up since last week's bottoming-out period.
I have owned Tim Wakefield stock since 1995.
I bought in low, like the
Red Sox did, when it was rock-bottom. It's been a rollercoaster ever since.
Oh, I've been tempted to cash it in many times. Like in 1999, when he was left off the playoff roster.
But doggone it,
over all these years, it's been a surprisingly proven, well-performing stock. It rose in the 2004 ALCS, when he helped his team win a World Series, and
soared with an All-Star selection in 2009.
The dividends far outweigh the losses for this, one of the best of the Red Stocks for long-term gain.
Remember all those folks who went in big on Craig Hansen stock when he came up in 2005 - just like they had with Juan Pena mutual funds in 1999, after he'd gone 2-0 in his first two (and only two) starts?
Their dads probably went all in on Bill Rohr stock in 1967, too. Those were the folks who called my Wakefield stock a junk bond, but who's laughing now?
But the last week has been especially volatile. Wakefield stock nearly crashed Friday, when his manager refused to publicly commit a place for him on the Opening Day roster.
But it's been rising ever since Saturday. For those of you who don't follow the Ball Market, let's recap:
9:30 a.m., March 18:
Asked point-blank if Wakefield is on the team, Terry Francona says he would never add to the stress of "those guys'' who face a stressful couple of weeks as it is. It sounds very much as if
Wakefield is on the bubble. The floor of the Sox Exchange is in chaos; the stock plummets.
Down 400 points.
7 p.m., March 18: Wakefield allows a leadoff double to the Rays in the first, then retires the side, including Manny Ramirez.
Up 40 points.
8 p.m., March 18: In the second and third innings, Ramirez and three other Rays hit home runs. Wakefield allows six extra base hits in three innings.
Down 150 points.
9:30 p.m., March 18: Sitting at his locker,
Wakefield calmly says he is just working into shape for another long season. It sounds like he knows he has a spot, and shouldn't he know?
Up 130 points.
10 p.m., March 18: It is pointed out in the press box that last year, Wakefield was equally sure his spot in the rotation was safe.
Down 30 points.
10:15 p.m., March 18: Francona says yes, it's right for Wake to be preparing patiently and winding into shape as he has in the past. Why would he say that if this season is different because he might get cut?
Up 85 points.
3 p.m., March 19: Alfredo Aceves, a similar starter/reliever type - a Wakefield who does need his own personal catcher - serves up a home run to the Pirates. So he's not perfect, either.
Up 40 points.
9:45 a.m., March 20: Asked about Darnell McDonald, Francona says nice things about the outfielder and adds, "he's part of our team.'' For sure? If so, he's a fifth outfielder, which means the outside shot of keeping a 13th pitcher (and giving more wiggle room for Wake) is gone.
Down 35 points.
2:50 p.m., March 20: Scott Atchison relieves Andrew Miler, who gave up six runs in the sixth, and gives up two more. Fairly reliable last year, Atchison may be pitching himself out of the picture.
Up 100 points.
1 p.m., March 21: Inside sources are saying Wakefield's spot was safe all along. You never know about inside sources, especially in such a fluid industry. But it could be true.
Up 70 points.
2:55 p.m., March 21: Matt Albers is done. Five batters, five outs, three strikeouts against the Phillies. Albers, like Atchison, is a righty looking for a spot. He has no minor league options, but then again, Wakefield has a contract. Still, Albers' 1.80 ERA can't be ignored.
Down 35 points.
I'll save you the math. Wakefield stock is still down since last Thursday, by 185 points. But it's gained back most of its losses from Black Friday, March 18, when at one point it was down 510.
So I'm holding.
Despite the absence of formal guarantees, I have begun to again think this stock will pay off when final cuts are made.
With each passing day, something happens to improve Wakefield's stock. It hasn't really plummeted since the last time he pitched, and he's not expected to make more starts this spring.
So I am optimistic, because I have always liked my Wakefield stock and would like to keep it one more year. We'll have to keep checking the ticker.
Not the stock tape, my heart. Watching Wakefield has never been easy on it.
Andy Pettitte is announcing his retirement tomorrow and Jamie Moyer’s chances for a comeback are looking very shaky following Tommy John elbow surgery at age 48, which means no active pitchers have 200 career wins.
