Closer Watch: 2011

[Bodhizefa]

Anyone getting worried about Salas? I knew it wouldn't last, but I was hoping for a few more weeks, at least until Broxton is ready to go.

Who would take Salas' place? There isn't anyone in that pen who has run with the role except him. He just nailed one down tonight, and you have to think he's about as safe as any mid-tier closer at this point considering how well he's done coupled with the fact that everyone behind him has had a chance and has failed in the role.

[Judge Jude]

"everyone behind him has had a chance and has failed in the role."

Sanchez has one blown SV, I believe, but he did struggle a couple of times and then had a great stretch as the 8th inning guy while Salas was doing well in the 9th. Nobody else really got much of a chance, either, including Boggs and not including Franklin of course.

But I still agree that Salas is in a good spot right now.

[Bodhizefa]

"everyone behind him has had a chance and has failed in the role."

Sanchez has one blown SV, I believe, but he did struggle a couple of times and then had a great stretch as the 8th inning guy while Salas was doing well in the 9th. Nobody else really got much of a chance, either, including Boggs and not including Franklin of course.

But I still agree that Salas is in a good spot right now.

Failed was perhaps too strong a word, but the fact of the matter is that Sanchez was removed from the role after he had been anointed. And publicly so, too. And Boggs was obviously removed from the role, too (although it was never public, to my knowledge, that he had been given the role).

I will gladly admit that I think Sanchez has great stuff and certainly seems like a closer-to-be. But at some point (and I think you and I are both in agreement on this), one has to admire what Salas has done and concede he's probably going to keep the role for a good while.

[Judge Jude]

Yeah, I think we're close to the point of needing to get a room.

[Mithrandir]

Axford is awesome!

[Msaint]

With more and more talk of K-Rod being all but gone, time to jump on Isringhausen if you need potential 2nd half closer addition? Methinks yes.

ROTOWORLD: Francisco Rodriguez would accept a trade to a team where he would not be closing. K-Rod has a limited no-trade clause that allows him to reject deals to 10 different teams, but sounds willing to waive it. "If I am going to be traded, obviously I want the opportunity to close out games, but if it's going to be good teams like the Yankees or the Rays, and it's going to be for two months, I can go out there and help them out," he said. Rodriguez's vesting $17.5 million option for next season will only kick in if he finishes 55 games, something that would obviously not happen if he's acquired to be a setup man. The Yankees represent one of the only teams that would be looking to acquire K-Rod as a setup man as opposed to a closer.

[primetime]

With more and more talk of K-Rod being all but gone, time to jump on Isringhausen if you need potential 2nd half closer addition? Methinks yes.

ROTOWORLD: Francisco Rodriguez would accept a trade to a team where he would not be closing. K-Rod has a limited no-trade clause that allows him to reject deals to 10 different teams, but sounds willing to waive it. "If I am going to be traded, obviously I want the opportunity to close out games, but if it's going to be good teams like the Yankees or the Rays, and it's going to be for two months, I can go out there and help them out," he said. Rodriguez's vesting $17.5 million option for next season will only kick in if he finishes 55 games, something that would obviously not happen if he's acquired to be a setup man. The Yankees represent one of the only teams that would be looking to acquire K-Rod as a setup man as opposed to a closer.

As a yankee fan all i have to say to this is:

[Hammer]

Izzy might get the first shot but I think he implodes shortly thereafter.

[cardboardbox]

With more and more talk of K-Rod being all but gone, time to jump on Isringhausen if you need potential 2nd half closer addition? Methinks yes.

Parnell has looked great lately and given another 3 weeks to prove himself before a potential krod trade, wouldnt he be the new closer? Izzy has been good but his xFip shows that he's not nearly as good as his ERA looks and given his age, small salary, and no contract commitment for next year, I'd think he would be a trade candidate himself.

[Msaint]

Izzy might get the first shot but I think he implodes shortly thereafter.

I dunno. Seems like one of those surprising reclamation projects that, just a gut, could easily last. 3.09 ERA/1.11 WHIP/20-10 K/BB in 23 1/3 IP. Pretty good, esp for a 40-yr-old or whatever he is.

[Trautdiggity]

Parnell has looked great lately and given another 3 weeks to prove himself before a potential krod trade, wouldnt he be the new closer? Izzy has been good but his xFip shows that he's not nearly as good as his ERA looks and given his age, small salary, and no contract commitment for next year, I'd think he would be a trade candidate himself.

I gotta think you have the idea. It would make little sense for the Mets to hold onto Izzy while rebuilding for the future. That said, the Mets specialize in doing things that make little sense so there's always a chance.

[cardboardbox]

That said, the Mets specialize in doing things that make little sense so there's always a chance.

lol, yes, thats why I cannot say with certitude that Parnell will be closing by Aug 1.

[popeye]

lol, yes, thats why I cannot say with certitude that Parnell will be closing by Aug 1.

Assuming he comes off the DL relatively soon, what about Buchholz? He had been pitching quite nicely this season.

[cardboardbox]

Assuming he comes off the DL relatively soon, what about Buchholz? He had been pitching quite nicely this season.

another legit candidate but I think he'd be behind Parnell. Parnell when healthy has the best skills after k-rod in that pen. I'm a little concerned about that finger problem he had and in his short MLB career his BABIP has consistently been much higher than normal so he isnt a sure thing at this point.

[Judge Jude]

Buchholz now out indefinitely, treated for depression, fyi

meanwhile
Diamondbacks GM Kevin Towers is "hopeful" J.J. Putz (elbow) will be able to return following the All-Star break.
That would seem to be the best-case scenario for somebody with Putz's injury history, so don't be surprised if he ends up returning closer to the end of the month. David Hernandez is the early favorite for saves in Putz's absence, but it wouldn't be stunning if the Diamondbacks ended up going with a closer-by-committee approach. Source: Nick Piecoro on Twitter Jul. 1 - 7:09 pm et

Ok, 10 days ago I did not own a RP with a prayer of a SV in the next week. Now I own K-Rod, Street, and DHernandez (and Kuo and Parnell and still EduSanchez down the road).

funny game...