Who will be a closer soon?

[Secret Avatar]

Hermanson is the obvious choice, as he's half a closer already and has been pitching great. I'd be surprised if he's still available in your league. I'd also say Mike Gonzalez, as I continue to believe he's just too good not to close and the guy ahead of him (Mesa) is of questionable quality.

[KolbSaves]

Don't know how soon but I am willing to be that Chad Orvella will be closing for Rays sometime this Summer and be the closer going forward for a rapidly improving team.

Chad's has had obscenely good minor league numbers this year (and last) and he looks to me like a right handed version of Billy Wagner. Ex- shortstop can really bring it and he has very good control.

Put this guy on your watchlist and be ready to snag him next time you hear Danys Baez rumors...and they will come.

Are you sure they wouldn't turn to Colome (or even Carter) first?

[dkakridas]

They may give Colome a shot. With Pinella and Lamar, anything is possible. Carter- I don't think so. The Rays need to think about the future and the future is now for them. They need to give their young talent a shot to see what they can do. They have been grooming Orvella to be a closer from the start. He's 24 so he is not too young. He has a great arm. Colome has been given a chance in the past and he has crashed and burned. IMO, he does not have that bulldog, closer mentality. Orveall definitely has that and he wants the bull in pressure situations.

best case, I think Colome would make a great setup guy in the mold of Octavio Dotel and Orvella, a dominant stopper ala Billy Wagner. Throw in Carter, Harper, Fossum and Mclung and Tampa has itself a nice little bullpen.

[reznorsboy]

Dempster is your best bet now!!

[go_jays_go]

Dempster is your best bet now!!

Think he'll keep it, and run away with the job avoiding fuss with Jo-Bo?

[Honus]

Urbina.

[dkakridas]

you really went out on a limb there in urbina

actually he already _is_ a closer as of this afternoon PST.

also don't forget either David Riske or Betancourt as Wickman will not last for long. He will soon be following Percy on the path of broken down closers.

[Honus]

[quote="dkakridas"]you really went out on a limb there in urbina

[Dodger Blue]

I'm confused is Baez so bad? He did fine all last year and has only had 3 saves opps so far this year. Yea he blow one of them but find any closer that doens't blow a few.

[dkakridas]

no, he's not bad at all actually. That's why he is prime trade bait. He also makes 3 million per year and that's a lot for a team that's clearly rebuilding and will be for the next few years. It would be much smarter for the Rays to use that money to invest in a FA 1B, Catcher or Starter in the offseason and use a far cheaper and equally effective Chad Orvella at closer. Orvella will grow and gel as the rest of the team does.