Mike Gonzalez: Closer Extraordinaire?

[whoson1st0]

OK Buc fans, I know Gonzo is being listed as the closer this year but there are also a few other guys in the mix...

What are the chances Gonzo starts the year as closer? And how short will his leash be?

[JROCK2008]

You don't think he will be traded? It sounds to me like it is just a matter of time. Imagine that, get an above average player and move him. Dumb.

[Mercer Boy]

You don't think he will be traded? It sounds to me like it is just a matter of time. Imagine that, get an above average player and move him. Dumb.

It's not dumb at all...it would be smart if DL wasn't such a buffoon.

This "above average guy" is only being used 35 times out of 162 games. Meanwhile, the Pirates have a guy (Torres) who can do almost as good a job.

Guess what...I would take a hitter for Gonzalez RIGHT NOW. That hitter can help my team score runs 155 times a year and give another decent reliever more chance to save games. Let's face it - the Pirates have no offensive ability outside of Bay. Gonzo's trade value may never be higher since he was perfect in saves last year, and in a few years he'll demand so much money in free agency that the Bucs won't be able to keep him. Thus is the plight of a small market team.

Yes, he's a good pitcher and he's fun to watch, but given the sorry state of the Pirates' offense, I would have traded him for LaRoche in a heartbeat.

[Pogotheostrich]

You don't think he will be traded? It sounds to me like it is just a matter of time. Imagine that, get an above average player and move him. Dumb.

It's not dumb at all...it would be smart if DL wasn't such a buffoon.

This "above average guy" is only being used 35 times out of 162 games. Meanwhile, the Pirates have a guy (Torres) who can do almost as good a job.

Guess what...I would take a hitter for Gonzalez RIGHT NOW. That hitter can help my team score runs 155 times a year and give another decent reliever more chance to save games. Let's face it - the Pirates have no offensive ability outside of Bay. Gonzo's trade value may never be higher since he was perfect in saves last year, and in a few years he'll demand so much money in free agency that the Bucs won't be able to keep him. Thus is the plight of a small market team.

Yes, he's a good pitcher and he's fun to watch, but given the sorry state of the Pirates' offense, I would have traded him for LaRoche in a heartbeat.

Plus isn't he about to hit arbitration and get a huge bump in salary.

[RC21]

Finally the Pirates got this deal done, pending physicals. Mike Gonzalez did a fine job last year but it was time to sell high on him. Closers are generally overrated anyway. I believe Oakland has proven that you can trade a proven closer and make a capable closer out of a setup guy. LaRoche will give us a little punch in the lineup and provide some protection for Bay.

Does this mean Capps will get a shot at closing?