Eric Gagne

Right now Eric Gagne is a squirt gun that shoots jelly. He's a cowboy who rides an ostrich. He's a misfit reliever.

Last night he cost the Red Sox yet another game. Opponents are hitting .356 against him since he joined Boston. Only Magglio Ordonez has a higher batting average than that number in all of the American League. Gagne is turning any batter he faces into a contender for the batting title.

Last night he had absolutely no control and yet Terry Francona left him in the game. No control whatsoever. Varitek would set up inside and the pitch would be two feet outside. Varitek sets up outside and the batter has to jump out of the way to avoid being hit. Everyone who watched the game saw that. Why was he left in the game?

Players keep saying that they will need Gagne for the playoffs. No you don't. Manny Delcarman is twice the pitcher Gagne is right now. You also have Mike Timlin, Hideki Okajima and Jonathan Papelbon. I don't even want Gagne on the postseason roster.

I am very frustrated with Eric Gagne and I'm not alone. If he needs to work out his control issues - let him do it in blow-out games or the bullpen.

EDIT: Lyford has great detail on the 4 games that Eric Gagne has cost the Red Sox since joining the team. In 4 games out of 14 Gagne has kept the Red Sox from closing the deal on a win. He is the baseball equivalent of the cockblocking buddy.