Dotel - how many saves?

[RynMan]

how many saves do ya'll see this guy getting this year with the decent starters they have, solid bullpen, and great offense. i think he could potentially get 40 saves this year....anyone agree?

[tlef316]

i think 40 is a possibility, but i wouldnt count on it. i think around 35 is a little more likely, but he should have very good ERA, whip and K's. he is a top 6-7 closer in my book.

[NZF]

He should get plenty of opportunities but his record to date as a closer is not that flash. I would have him ranked just outside of the Top 10 at this stage but he may well be Top 5 or 6 come seasons end. Having said that he could just as easily go the other way.

Until he is proven he sits just outside the Top 10 IMO.

[RynMan]

The guy is one of the leagues premier setup men, now he has turned to closer i dont see him doing anything else but being a premier closer. but im of that mind frame "if a guy can get three outs in the 8th, why cant he get them out in the 9th?"...

[NZF]

The guy is one of the leagues premier setup men, now he has turned to closer i dont see him doing anything else but being a premier closer. but im of that mind frame "if a guy can get three outs in the 8th, why cant he get them out in the 9th?"...

Yes you would think it would be just as easy but history tells us it isn't. As I said Dotel should be fine and will get plenty of save opps but his carrer saves 28 to blown saves 14 is not a good conversion rate. There are many examples of great set up men not making good closers. Latroy Hawkins and Felix Rodriguez are recent examples that come to mind. I personally think Arthur Rhodes is in this category as well but I'm in the minority. We shall see both with him and Dotel.

[RynMan]

well i hope not cuz i jus traded matt morris away to get dotel today

[RynMan]

however, i would also say dotel is a better setup man than all 3 of the guys you mentioned....

[NZF]

however, i would also say dotel is a better setup man than all 3 of the guys you mentioned....

He closed for awhile back in 2000 (16 saves 7 blown saves) and his ERA and WHIP were not good.

He was young then and I am reasonably confident he will make a good closer now in his prime.

[prodpaul]

I am guessing from 35-40 saves.

[Transmogrifier]

i think 40 is a possibility, but i wouldnt count on it. i think around 35 is a little more likely, but he should have very good ERA, whip and K's. he is a top 6-7 closer in my book.

I agree.