Keith Foulke shows his stuff: May sign with Arizona

Keith Foulke threw an exhibition for 20 MLB representatives last week.  Though his velocity has diminished after a year away from baseball, his stuff was good enough that the Diamondbacks are apparently prepared to make him an offer.

Foulke retired from baseball before Spring Training last year, but it’s hard to stay away from this game.

He played an instrumental role as the Red Sox’ closer during the 2004 World Series run. Foulke pitched in 11 of 14 games that postseason, and gave up only one earned run in 14 innings. He didn’t have a bloody sock, but he put his career on the line for that trophy. Unfortunately, his heroics were ultimately overshadowed by those of Ortiz, Ramirez, Schilling, Damon, Roberts and Lowe, and Red Sox fans had little patience for his later struggles.

While an overweight and largely ineffective Curt Schilling was given a free pass in 2005, Foulke was booed mercilessly at Fenway for his rapid drop in production. He developed mechanical problems from pain in his knee, and ultimately opted to undergo mid-season arthroscopic surgery. He missed more than two months of the season, including the playoffs.

He had hoped to make a comeback in 2006 after strengthening his knee, but he struggled out of the gate and couldn’t find his stride. He quickly lost his closer role to Jonathan Papelbon.

Hopefully Foulke will get signed and have a successful year somewhere. It would be good to see him on the mound again.