After throwing five innings in his last appearance of 2010 in a loss to the New York Yankees on Saturday, Wakefield said that he will "probably" not pitch beyond the final year of his contract in 2011.
It is not a shocking announcement from the 44-year-old, but the vigor with which he looked back on this past season was truly notable. Never pleased with his role as a sometimes starter, sometimes reliever, he was able to finally reflect on the difficult nature of 2010.
"It's been very frustrating, hard to swallow at times," Wakefield said. "I've done whatever they've asked me to do without really complaining too much, but it is what it is and it was what it was.
"All I can do is prepare myself for next year and whatever role it might be. I haven't been told or know what's gonna happen next year, so we'll see what happens."
Wakefield finished last season with some physical issues and had back surgery in the offseason. Still, he entered spring training feeling great, had a very solid exhibition slate and was given every indication he would be in the rotation for the foreseeable future.
But when Daisuke Matsuzaka returned from the disabled list early in the year, Wakefield, the man who is third in franchise history in wins, was the odd man out. He was visibly upset at the time but soldiered on, throwing 140 innings in various duties for the remainder of the year.
"It would've been a lot easier going into the season knowing what I was up against," he said. "Obviously, it wasn't done that way and that was a little bit of the frustration that I felt, considering what I had done in '09, proving that I was going to be healthy for the 2010 season. And I threw 140 innings this year. They weren't expecting me to do that, for sure. I know that for sure. I'm proud of that."
Wakefield added that if his role is more defined heading into 2011 he will be much more prepared to succeed and should enjoy the season. Just getting through the tug-of-war that was 2010 proved to himself, and he hopes to the club, that he is physically as strong or stronger than he was in the past.
"I'm very pleased at how I've handled the physical aspects," he said. "Going from starter to bullpen, back to starter, back to bullpen, back to stater, spot starts. The 140 innings that I gave the club this year hasn't been the easiest 140 innings. The routine, every five days, where I'm used to being on, it hasn't been that way.
"It's been tough but I'm proud of the fact that I actually got to the innings pitched that I got to this year, considering what happened last year and considering what was expected out of me this year."
When he was removed just before the sixth inning began Wakefield was given a nice ovation, one of many on a day that saw Mike Lowell get a tribute.
Even on his day, Lowell was able to pause and reflect on what Wakefield has meant to the organization, despite a rocky 2010.
"I think Wake's stamp in Red Sox history is much greater than anyone I've been around," Lowell said.
That stamp should get stronger next season. Wakefield just hopes it is on different terms.
