Phillies Closer in 2012

[fuhrdog]

They certainly will decline the Lidge option. Madson will be very expensive. Do they resign him, go after a free agent like Bell or give Bastardo a chance?

[willthethrill]

Good question. I think that they have to pay Rollins and Hamels first. Depending on if they are successful or not, they may not have much money left.

I think that Madson looks for money and finds it elsewhere (Boras client).

They have Contreras back, and before he got hurt, he was doing great in the closer's role. If he's totally healthy, I can see him in the role. In addition to Bastardo, Stutes and Schwimmer, they has Aumont and DeFratus in AAA. All very live arms, so I can see those guys filling key roles in the bullpen next year. Maybe add a former closer-type like Chad Qualls as another arm. But, I don't see them paying for a Heath Bell. They just don't have the money.

[Hammer]

I cant see Contreras back as closer but I do think Madson walks. Bastardo is an option and I think the Phils will try to save some money at the closer spot since they have other mouths to feed.

[Erik]

Trying to predict what the Phils do in the offseason is futile. Did anyone see Cliff Lee coming?

I agree that it won't be addressed until Hamels has a new deal and they decide what to do at SS. Then they will see how much money they have left and go from there. If Madson is willing to fit into the budget, he'll be back, if not, he won't.

[gcstomp]

What does A Bastardo have to do to gain some traction? If he cant get respect with his lights out 2011, then he never will. He is young, cheap contract, and putting up killer numbers.

[willthethrill]

What does A Bastardo have to do to gain some traction? If he cant get respect with his lights out 2011, then he never will. He is young, cheap contract, and putting up killer numbers.

He's right there. At worst, he's the 8th inning guy. If Contreras is you're closer, then Bastardo still gets 5+ saves and would definitely fill in if the closer went on the DL.

[The Dane]

What does A Bastardo have to do to gain some traction? If he cant get respect with his lights out 2011, then he never will. He is young, cheap contract, and putting up killer numbers.

First, he's a lefty. Now, that doesn't mean he's never going to be given a chance, but usually managers prefer to go with righties as closer, and save that nasty lefty for the big hitters.

Second, as a sometime lefty specialist, his stats are somewhat misleading. I don't mean to say that he isn't awesome, because he is, but if he were pitching the 9th where he could not be strategically placed to faced batters he is more likely to get out, his 1.42 ERA would likely be at least a run higher, which is still damn good, but not in the same superelite status.

Third, the Phillies have LOTS of options at this juncture. Assuming Madson leaves and Lidge is done with closing, there are still no fewer than six in-house possibilities. And who knows who they pick up the offseason. Bastardo is a golden arm, to be sure, but he's playing in the Taj Majal of team depth.

[fuhrdog]

Bastardo has been better this year and career wise against RH....if I'm the Phillies I go get a cheap lefty specialist and roll with Bastardo if he keeps this up.

[Hammer]

Bastardo has been sucking these days......He isnt strengthening his already weak case for 2k12 closer.

[Erik]

Bastardo has had no command whatsoever for the last few weeks. Fans are reacting to his entrance into a game like they did when Lidge would come in in 2009.

At this rate, either Madson will be re-signed, or a reasonably priced retread veteran will be brought in.

[heyelander]

you can't spell savery without save!

[Erik]

At a presser today, Amaro said that if they cannot re-sign Madson, they will bring in a veteran. He does not think anyone else on the current roster is ready to take over the role. He said there are "people in the organization" that believe DeFratus or Aumont can do it eventually, but he does not think either are ready now. VERY interesting that he did not mention Bastardo.

Now, he could be lying. He does that sometimes.

[popeye]

At a presser today, Amaro said that if they cannot re-sign Madson, they will bring in a veteran. He does not think anyone else on the current roster is ready to take over the role. He said there are "people in the organization" that believe DeFratus or Aumont can do it eventually, but he does not think either are ready now. VERY interesting that he did not mention Bastardo.

Now, he could be lying. He does that sometimes.

In this case, what would be the upside of lying?

[DMT]

In this case, what would be the upside of lying?

Make all the other teams in the closer market spend more to land one.

[willthethrill]

I think that the Phillies will go back to Madson. 3 years, $30M.