2K21 Closer thread

[madducks]

So, where do you think Trevor Rosenthal ends up?

[joncarlos]

So, where do you think Trevor Rosenthal ends up?

Oakland? Back with Matheny in KC?

Maybe the Dodgers cleared out Kolarek and Floro to make room?

[KnuckleBalls]

Any thoughts on best backup bets for Padres & Cubs?

I’m assuming the signing of Melancon in SD places him as the closer to start the season. Safe assumption? I know his FB velocity and SwSt% were down and his K’s & whip are not good but why else would they sign him if not to close? I know injuries played a big part last year but are we looking at a committee w/Pomeranz & Pagan? I invested a little in Pomeranz last year as the guy in waiting.

Kimbrell won’t hold on to this job, will he? Looking at the rest of the bullpen maybe he can. Wick is the only name I’m familiar with and he doesn’t excite.

[chancellor]

Kimbrell won’t hold on to this job, will he? Looking at the rest of the bullpen maybe he can. Wick is the only name I’m familiar with and he doesn’t excite.

I threw down on this last year, and will double down - Kimbrel will lose the closer role, and quickly. Wick's the CIW now, and unless there's a signing (Jeffress is still out there, for example), exciting or not, I'd get Wick. But monitor closely - I suspect the Cubs will re-sign Jeffress if they can get him at bargain basement pricing. Might be someone else out there, too, they might go for that would put Wick in a secondary role.

[harmon]

I threw down on this last year, and will double down - Kimbrel will lose the closer role, and quickly. Wick's the CIW now, and unless there's a signing (Jeffress is still out there, for example), exciting or not, I'd get Wick. But monitor closely - I suspect the Cubs will re-sign Jeffress if they can get him at bargain basement pricing. Might be someone else out there, too, they might go for that would put Wick in a secondary role.

Shane Green?

[chancellor]

Shane Green?

Another possibility, for sure. He's still unsigned, correct?

[harmon]

Another possibility, for sure. He's still unsigned, correct?

Yes. Or maybe back to the Braves.

[KnuckleBalls]

Forgot about both Greene and Jeffress. Appreciate the feedback.

[ThatRogue]

I threw down on this last year, and will double down - Kimbrel will lose the closer role, and quickly. Wick's the CIW now, and unless there's a signing (Jeffress is still out there, for example), exciting or not, I'd get Wick. But monitor closely - I suspect the Cubs will re-sign Jeffress if they can get him at bargain basement pricing. Might be someone else out there, too, they might go for that would put Wick in a secondary role.

I followed you down that path and, going into this season I'm sitting on a $3 Wick and a $8 Jeffress as possible keepers in my NL-only. There's still six weeks until roster freeze but I'm not optimistic we'll have real clarity before then.

[chancellor]

I followed you down that path and, going into this season I'm sitting on a $3 Wick and a $8 Jeffress as possible keepers in my NL-only. There's still six weeks until roster freeze but I'm not optimistic we'll have real clarity before then.

You could be right. I'm wondering if the Cubs will make a bullpen move just after pitchers and catchers report. But in any case, if the Cubs trot out Kimbrel to start the year, I will be avidly shopping at the Cubs Closer-In-Waiting store.

[whalewang]

You could be right. I'm wondering if the Cubs will make a bullpen move just after pitchers and catchers report. But in any case, if the Cubs trot out Kimbrel to start the year, I will be avidly shopping at the Cubs Closer-In-Waiting store.

I'm investing in Kimbrel this year as I trust him more than any other Cubs reliever at this point. Scary right?

[chancellor]

I'm investing in Kimbrel this year as I trust him more than any other Cubs reliever at this point. Scary right?

Yup. I would definitely invest in a handcuff. The velocity is there for Kimbrel; the command is not.

[ThatRogue]

You could be right. I'm wondering if the Cubs will make a bullpen move just after pitchers and catchers report. But in any case, if the Cubs trot out Kimbrel to start the year, I will be avidly shopping at the Cubs Closer-In-Waiting store.

Instead of a reliever, the Cubs spent $6 million on Arrieta. I wonder if they know they’ll be able to bring back Jeffries on a relatively cheap deal...especially since they’re locked into a relatively expensive salary for Kimbrell.

I'm investing in Kimbrel this year as I trust him more than any other Cubs reliever at this point. Scary right?

That’s a lot of trust. I hope you’re investing relatively cheaply!

[bryanbutler]

Does Hunter Harvey close for the O's? I don't see much competition. Then again, how many games are they going to win at all, much less close-able ones??? (Sigh; so sad to see my beloved O's in this state. At least their farm is finally decent.)

[chancellor]

Does Hunter Harvey close for the O's? I don't see much competition. Then again, how many games are they going to win at all, much less close-able ones??? (Sigh; so sad to see my beloved O's in this state. At least their farm is finally decent.)

Shawn Armstrong is the only other one I'd watch in Spring Training. He improved his cutter last year, which helped setup his fastball better, and he has a mediocre, but serviceable curve for a third pitch. But I agree Harvey is most likely to be the guy in the 9th.

Even though the O's will be bad, Harvey should still save 25-32 games if he lands the sole closer role.