JOBO vs. Betancourt...who has better chance at saves?

[quicksilver8]

Anyone have any thoughts on who is more likely to move into the closer role soon: Joe Borowski or R. Betancourt?

[stumpak]

Borowski is a much better option--I am confident that Dusty will make him the man once he is healthy.

As for Bentcourt, the possible demise of Wickman is overrated. Sure he blew up his first game but the last two saves he had were on back to back days, which says a lot more about his health an ergo his long-term prospects for this year. He always looks shaky because he tends to let guys on base but he manages to convert his save opportunities at a pretty good rate anyway. In my opinion, the only way Wickman will lose his job is if he gets absolutely shelled over a prolonged period (Matt Herges 2004 style) or if health problems come up.

[TheYanks04]

Given Borowski's health concerns I hardly think he is going to get the closer's job right away unless Hawkins is just stinking up the place. If Hawkins is doing an OK job, Borowski may end up setting up for awhile. It is Baker though, so break out the Magic-8 ball.

[LBJackal]

They've been using Betancourt for a few innings at a time and he's still been very effective so maybe they want to leave it like that. They don't have a shortage of quality arms in the pen so I wouldn't bet too much than Betancourt gets the job. As for Borowski, he's out for a while still, and who knows if he'll be right when he gets back. He's barely pitched over the past couple years, and when he has pitched he's been horrible. Then he goes and breaks a bone in his pitching arm. If he can get back and healthy and throwing 91 MPH again, and Hawkins can't get it done, they'd probably hand it over to Borowski after a few outings to get back in shape. So between these two... pickup Betancourt for now. He'll help your team even if he isn't the closer. In a month see how Boro is progressing and maybe pick him up.