Red Sox acquire Ugueth Urbina in '01 to become team's closer - Part two
Red Sox send Tomo Ohka and a prospect to the Expos for stud closer Urbina
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The Red Sox only having to give up Tomo Ohka and Rich Rundles wasn’t an exactly a huge haul for the Expos. At the time of the deal Ohka, who was 25, was 2-5 with a 6.19 ERA and was sent to Triple-A Pawtucket for his lackluster season.
When the Red Sox acquired Ohka back in 1998, he became the first player from Japan to play for the team. Ohka threw a nine-inning perfect game for the PawSox back in 2000. Ohka retired all 27 Charlotte Knights batters he faced.
During his stint in Boston, Ohka was 6-13 with a 4.61 ERA in 33 starts. He would have better stats during his time with the Expos/Nationals in five years with that organization.
The Ugueth Urbina deal was a good deal for the Red Sox and ultimately did not give up a lot to acquire his services. If that deal was made in present day, Urbina would have gotten a haul back for Montreal.
Urbina himself had a decent short career in Boston.
He saved 49 games for the Red Sox while pitching to a 2.81 ERA. He left Boston in 2003 as a free agent and signed with the Texas Rangers. The Red Sox decided to let Urbina walk because they felt there was no budget for a closer in Urbina.
General manager Theo Epstein decided to take the “Closer by Committee” approach. This approach was a disaster in 2003 if Red Sox fans remember correctly. This isn’t the time or place to talk about that.
Urbina’s career would see him play a half-season in Texas. He was traded again mid-season, this time to the surging Florida Marlins.
In the deal that sent Urbina to Miami, the Rangers acquired familiar face Adrian Gonzalez in the swap. The right-handed hurler served as a setup man for closer Braden Looper. He posted a combined record of 3-4 with 32 saves and a 2.81 ERA in 54 appearances during the 2003 season.
The Marlins would win the 2003 World Series that year, defeating the New York Yankees in six games.
In 11 years in the majors, including seven seasons with the Montreal Expos, Urbina compiled a 3.45 earned run average in 6971/3 innings. He led the National League with 41 saves in 1999.
In his short time with Boston, Urbina gave the Red Sox a legit closer. Epstein and his front office decided to take the money they would have spent on Urbina and invest that into their offense.
When Urbina left, the Red Sox signed Mike Timlin for their bullpen and brought back Alan Embree. Both of those players had memorable times with the Red Sox, including that 2004 World Series championship.
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