Big SoxandPhils addition, take two

Both the Red Sox and Phillies signed big names this offseason, but the Red Sox have officially signed the biggest. They landed the whopper that Ruben Amaro couldn't. Yes, Dennys Reyes, a SoxandPhils favorite since December, may be bringing his hotcakes to Fenway.

Pass the syrup.

Hotcakes to go and other bullpen matters

I didn't think that my favorite newly acquired SoxandPhil would be Cliff Lee, Adrian Gonzalez or Carl Crawford.

Nope, I thought it would be Dennys Reyes. But a funny thing happened on his way to becoming the next El Guapo in my eyes - his deal with the Phillies fell through:

"We hit a snag," said Oscar Suarez, who is Reyes' agent. "So we just decided to push back."

Asked if it was health related, Suarez said, "It just didn't work out. We're back on the market. I don't want to get into details why."

Oh well, I guess it's up to Bobby Jenks to fill the role of beloved rotund reliever this year.

Speaking of whom, Christine wondered if Jenks means the end of Jonathan Papelbon. I guessed no. I even suggested that Papelbon, Daniel Bard and Jenks would be the kinds of arms Theo Epstein wanted for a closer by committee. I hadn't seen Peter Abraham's piece that said Papelbon would have been gone if Mariano Rivera joined the good guys, but that our incumbent closer will remain for now:

Fast forward to yesterday when the Red Sox signed Bobby Jenks to a two-year deal worth $12 million. That's big money for a guy who might pitch a lot in the seventh inning. But it's reasonable money for a guy who could be the closer in July.

Happy holidays, Pap. The Red Sox are sending shots across your bow faster than any of your fastballs.

Team sources said yesterday and again this morning that the Red Sox plan to start the season with Papelbon, Jenks and Daniel Bard in the bullpen. The Phillies have four aces, the Sox will have three closers.

Sounds like an interesting World Series matchup to me.

Big SoxandPhils addition

Despite my lack of posting, this has been a huge week for the SoxandPhils. And I'm not talking about the blockbuster additions of Adrian Gonzalez and Carl Crawford.

Nope. Bigger. Massive, even.

The Phillies acquired reliever Dennys Reyes. Baseball-Reference generously lists him at 250 pounds, but I think that number misses some of the Grand Slam breakfasts* he's had.

He's a big boy. So big, in fact, that many times in recent years when the Cardinals have been playing the Phillies, I stop to watch him pitch. Actually, if I must confess, I'm staring at his butt. It's huge. He's a big boy, but his rear is a few sizes too big for his frame. It's a freak of nature that I'll enjoy watching all season long.

*If you're wondering why it's safe to assume Reyes has eaten some Grand Slams, check this out from Todd Zolecki:

Asked how he pronounces his name, Reyes once told Cardinals beat writers, "It's Dennys, like the restaurant."

Oh, and yes, Trent and I are excited about the new-look Red Sox, even though there's a tinge of Yankeeism about it.

Image credit: Riverfront Times