Marte

[Trainer of Dolphins]

How valuable will he be? A closer but for the hapless white sox?

[EricF]

All indications are that Billy Koch will begin the season as closer, but if he disappoints as in 2003, closing games will be Marte and/or Takatsu. In my league, which counts holds, I like Marte, because he will be getting either holds or saves, as he is a quality pitcher needed at or near the end of the game.

[sinicalypse]

mark my words, tatasu will be that team's closer unless billy koch hops in a time machine and comes back without that ugly soulpatch and in the old blue jays uniforms.

tatasu has the pedigree and i see him getting a shot before marte. rumor has it he's been telling white sox batters what pitch is coming in BP and they cant hit it.

isnt he japan's all-time saves leader or something?

marte's a helluva pitcher, and a lefty at that, but tatasu will be closing in chicago. trust me. i live there too =P

[Spartans Rule]

Marte is a great lefty specialist. Lefties hit .168 against him last year and .149 in 2002. He's an ok closer, but he's best if kept in his leftykiller role.

For that reason, Koch and Takatsu will get the first cracks at the closer role. Marte only closes if they both tank.