2K12: Closers

[Fresno Bob]

This just in, Im punting saves on sunday

[Silentmist]

He's the best RH alternative right now, but that doesn't mean much, at least to anyone with a rational mind. IMO he's well behind Marshall or Chapman.

Congrats DQ, you're the first person I've ever heard of giving Dusty Baker credit for having a rational mind.....

[Don Quixote]

Congrats DQ, you're the first person I've ever heard of giving Dusty Baker credit for having a rational mind.....

No, I was leaving that part unsaid--"not that Dusty Baker is rational".

Since I own Marshall in at least one league, I'll predict that he'll name Chapman as closer, with Marshall pitching the eighth.

[Silentmist]

No, I was leaving that part unsaid--"not that Dusty Baker is rational".

Since I own Marshall in at least one league, I'll predict that he'll name Chapman as closer, with Marshall pitching the eighth.

I know, I was just being sarcastic lol.

With this in mind though, I did take a flier on the righty in the bullpen just because I know how stupid Baker is.

[virgonomic]

I read (possibly here) that Valverde could be the first closer to lose his job this year. I offered Benoit to the Valverde owner for Nova as insurance. He had bought Dotel and told me that's who he felt was first in line, and quoted 100 career saves to 8. Dotel is 38 and I think Benoit is still first in line. Thoughts?

[Mithrandir]

I read (possibly here) that Valverde could be the first closer to lose his job this year. I offered Benoit to the Valverde owner for Nova as insurance. He had bought Dotel and told me that's who he felt was first in line, and quoted 100 career saves to 8. Dotel is 38 and I think Benoit is still first in line. Thoughts?

Valverde? He was absolutely dominating last year, why would he lose the job?

[Porcello]

Valverde? He was absolutely dominating last year, why would he lose the job?

He's due for regression and that defense behind him won't help, but Papa Grande will need an injury to lose his job. As a Tigers fan watching him pitch at times is ulcer enducing but his results speak for themselves and Leyland is probably the last manager to get an itchy trigger finger with his set in stone closer.

[onejayhawk]

I posted this in another thread, but it probably belongs here.

RHP Henry Rodriguez is going to move to the closer's role while RHP Drew Storen is out. The Nationals placed Storen on the disabled list late in spring training due to elbow inflammation. The team's not sure when he'll be back, but Rodriguez's fastballs are pushing 100 mph. He's also got a back-breaking curve.
Yahoo

J

[Erik]

I've not seen that reported anywhere else, and there's no attribution in the article. It's tossed off matter-of-factly and sounds like speculation.

[onejayhawk]

I still picked Hot Rod on speculation in my 16 team league. Its worth it just for the knickname.

Therehas been talk of him wheeve replacing Storen came up.

The now-25-year-old Rodriguez has continued to impress this Spring, giving up just two hits and two walks while striking out six and holding opponents to a .095 BAA in 7 games and 7.0 IP. When Nats' skipper Davey Johnson today talked about possible alternatives should closer Drew Storen (bicep/tricep issues) not be ready to start the season, Rodriguez was one of two pitchers mentioned along with 35-year-old former Astros and Phillies' closer Brad Lidge. "'Those are the only two I'm willing to throw out there at this time,'" Johnson was quoted stating in NatsInsider.com's Mark Zuckerman's article this afternoon entitled, "Who closes if Storen isn't ready?"

http://www.federalbaseball.com/2012/3/25/2900599/washington-nationals-replacement-closers-can-henry-rodriguez-or-brad?ref=fangraphs

HRod's improved control--2011 BB/9=6.17, ST BB/9=1.8--could easily get him the nod. This is a carry over from how he finished the season, 2.7 BB/9 over the last month. Everyone knows that Lidge has had success as a set up man.

Of course HotRod's ST rate of12.3 K/9 totally blows, but you cannot get everything.

J

[Hornsby]

I'm with Eric...I don't believe that report for a second. While Rodriguez might have some value in K's and ERA, it's doubtful that he gets saves unless Lidge really sucks.

[Judge Jude]

Seems like Davey Johnson is the type of manager to do unconventional things. If he buys into H-Rod, I doubt he just "goes by the book" and uses Lidge.
Now, if he prefers Lidge, he'll use Lidge, of course.
It's just less automatic than with managers who afraid of their own shadows.

[Hornsby]

Seems like Davey Johnson is the type of manager to do unconventional things. If he buys into H-Rod, I doubt he just "goes by the book" and uses Lidge.
Now, if he prefers Lidge, he'll use Lidge, of course.
It's just less automatic than with managers who afraid of their own shadows.

Frankly, I can't recall what type of manager Davey was...he hasn't held the job for damn near a decade. But no matter, I really don't think that we have a clue yet as to who he prefers...maybe he's been blowing smoke and Clippard has been his guy all along.

[virgonomic]

He's due for regression and that defense behind him won't help, but Papa Grande will need an injury to lose his job. As a Tigers fan watching him pitch at times is ulcer enducing but his results speak for themselves and Leyland is probably the last manager to get an itchy trigger finger with his set in stone closer.

All that aside, who is first in line?

[Grinch]

According to Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe, Andrew Bailey was told Monday that he will need thumb surgery.


Paging Daniel Bard........