Closer for Pittsburgh

[mak1277]

If Torres is ahead of Marte it is simply because of the loyalty factor. Marte dominates Torres in the makeup of a closer department IMO and should geta crack if Gonzalez falters. Roberto Hernandez over Marte???

Marte is, for me, far too wild to rely on as a closer. I may be wrong, but I think it's more likely that he gets traded in spring training than it is for him to end up closing games for the Pirates.

[Ender]

My guess is 50/50 that torres is closer by mid season. Gonzalez will be too wild and Marte ineffective as the lefty setup guy.

[Zito is God]

You mean to say Marte will be effective and not ineffective as a lefty set up guy right? Otherwise if you're saying hes ineffective as the set up guy you mean you think he'll close or what?

Marte is murder to left handed hitters. I think he was fantastic as a situational pitcher but has too much talent to be considered one. he should set up.

[hoopitup21212]

gonzo then marte

I think Marte is fourth on the list.

Gonzo

Torres
Roberto Hernandez
Marte

This is what I have heard as well, but I don't expect Gonzalez to lose the job to any of these guys. At the end of the year Torres may have 5-7 saves, but they will be of the two inning type.

Marte should move up that list and be right behind Gonzo. Should be interesting if gonzo was to loose the job, marte wouldnt be bad and could have better stats since he is making the switch to the NL.

[beatlehead84]

Speaking of Gonzalez how high is he going? From what I've seen he averages out around the 14th round. Has he been going higher since he's everybodys favorite sleeper closer?

[Ender]

You mean to say Marte will be effective and not ineffective as a lefty set up guy right? Otherwise if you're saying hes ineffective as the set up guy you mean you think he'll close or what?

Marte is murder to left handed hitters. I think he was fantastic as a situational pitcher but has too much talent to be considered one. he should set up.

Marte's skills have regressed two years in a row. Last year he was very hittable by lefties and his control was terrible. He's 31 years old now and unlikely to regain his form fully. I just think he's going to be a very marginal pitcher this year.

[J_Cuz]

I would recommend laying off Gonzalez for now. He went through a real rough dead arm period last season as a set up guy and now has the pressure of closing for a team that actully has some expectations. Marte has been unravelling for a year and a half so he is a wild card in that mix.

The best value here is Torres in a wait-and-monitor situation. Unless he is named the closer he will not be drafted but could be a valuable ww selection as the season pogresses.

For all of these pichers Spring Training will be important. The best way to analyze ST stats is to look at walks and total pitches. Everything lse is of little conseuence as they are likely to be working on locating certain pitches and not really focusing on getting batters out. But if they are walking batters that means that they are not locating the pitches they are working on and therefore are riskier than other pitchers. This line of valuation should be followed for most pithers in March.