neoforce wrote:I guess it is getting close to "Havok Time" I love Havok's closer thread and look forward to his insights. But as jlm53089 said in this thread:
You cant really start this talk until most FAs have signed
So probably makes sense to let a few more FA signings fall out before starting this in detail.
Unless there are people that had drafts starting soon. Personally it's too early for me to be drafting, but there are some (and there are mocks). I just gave up on closers in the mock auction since I didn't want to put in the work and speculate.
I really think that the O's are going to try to trade Sherrill at some point. And then bring Ray in full-time (if he's effective). Even if they are rebuilding it doesn't make sense to use Hoey as a closer. It's better to increase Ray's trade value for a rebuilding team and then go to Hoey in 2010+.
1 - How will Tex impact Arredondo? One would suppose that with the Angels out of the Tex competition, there is more money to throw at an FA closer. In other words, I will believe Arredondo is the actual solution only when all the FAs have signed.
2 - I would not get too excited about Hanrahan for the same reason. Once Tex signs elsewhere, I can see the Nats overpaying for an FA closer just to demonstrate to the fan base that they are making improvements. Trevor Hoffman would help put fannies in the seats.
3 - Seattle wins the 2009 award for "Closer situation that I would not touch with a 10 foot pole".
4 - I had thought that Devine was considered the likely guy in Oakland, not Ziegler. Is this wrong?
18 and 1 wrote: Mil - Villanueva or McClung, both ugly choices. I bet they sign someone.
Well, I fail to see how Villy is an ugly choice, but I agree that I think they'll bring someone new in.
Career as a reliever: 155.2 IP, 3.58 ERA, 149 K / 52 BB 2008 as a reliever: 59.1 IP, 2.12 ERA, 62 K / 14 BB
He's been darn good as a reliever. That said, I think they will bring someone in and use Villy in set-up, 7th/8th inning type of stuff. I would be all over Hoffmann on a 1 year deal, but I don't know that Melvin's interested or not. They've expressed interest in Fuentes, but Milwaukee doesn't appear to be on his priorities list.
Phillies - Lidge (best closer in baseball last year he's back as I predicted) Mets - Rodriguez (newly signed KRod) Marlins - Lindstrom (Marlins are loaded with power relief arms) Nationals - Street (A Bowden-like get) Braves - Gonzalez (Soriano isn't getting the gig)
Brewers - Fuentes (A lot of money to spend on a contending team) Reds - F. Cordero (no doubt here) Pirates - Capps (not much behind him) Cubs - Marmol (best reliever finally closing) Astros - Valverde (potentially a great pen if young arms begin to g=devlop and heal)
Diamondbacks - Pena (Rauch imposing but maybe better suited for SU and Qualls is not a closer, period) Rockies - Corpas (I say Street gets dealt before the season) Dodgers - Broxton (Age finally caught up with Saito but Broxton closes) Padres - Bell (Hoffman isn't coming back, but a young arms like Wynn Peltzer or Cesar Carrillo possible)
Orioles - Ray (if healthy) Rays - Percival (I could envision the Rays signing Hoffman) Blue Jays - Ryan (seems to be 100% again) Red Sox - Papelbon (nuff said) Yankees - Rivera (Yankees really need to find an heir apparent)
Indians - Wood (if healthy, he's closing) Tigers - Zumaya (if healthy, Tigers want Rodney in SU) Royals - Soria (A potential Japanese import could improve pen) Twins - Nathan (nuff said) White Sox - Jenks (will close as long as he's there)
Angels - Arredondo (Sheidls maybe in the beginning but Arredeondo soon after) Mariners - Fields (best arm in the pen if he signs) Athletics - Devine (was brought over for a reason) Rangers - Francisco (was stellar after being named closer)
The closer situation in Baltimore is very hazy. I'm hoping Sherrill gets dealt before the season, but that is unlikely to happen. Ray is said to be ready by Spring Training, but it'll be hard to just thrust him right into the roll. There is talk that Albers might also get some opps, even though he ended the season last june with a shoulder injury himself.
I think that Sherrill definitely gets the first crack, especially if they're trying to showcase him. No way Jim Johnson gets the opportunity, because they love him in the 8th inning or whenever they need a big out.
When Hoffman & Fuentes sign, thats still only 13-14 sure things as to who's got the job. as sure of a thing as you can have with closers anyway. Could this be the wildest year yet as far as closers go? Many teams have several decent options while other teams have options but not good 1's. even after all the dust has settled and all the FA have signed this promises to be a volatile year in the closer game methinks. if you are 1 of those fantasy managers who never is able to be online in the closer of the day sweepstakes this might be a good year to grab 1 of the "nuff said" guys this year
fast dogs wrote:When Hoffman & Fuentes sign, thats still only 13-14 sure things as to who's got the job. as sure of a thing as you can have with closers anyway. Could this be the wildest year yet as far as closers go? Many teams have several decent options while other teams have options but not good 1's. even after all the dust has settled and all the FA have signed this promises to be a volatile year in the closer game methinks. if you are 1 of those fantasy managers who never is able to be online in the closer of the day sweepstakes this might be a good year to grab 1 of the "nuff said" guys this year
He couldn't close games in Houston when Lidge went through his hiccup and he's the same pitcher now than he was then except older and his stuff is far behind Rauch and Pena. Both Rauch and Pena struggled down the stretch so all he had to do was be better than Lyon which isn't that hard. He may start the year as the closer but expect bad things if he stays there.
Inukchuk wrote:
Havok1517 wrote:...Qualls is not a closer, period...
I'm not so sure of that. He certainly looked like one in September:
13IP 0ER 5H 1BB 13K 7SV
I would be surprised if he didn't start the season as the Dbacks closer (although I do agree Rauch is probably the best choice).
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by kab21 » Sun Dec 21, 2008 1:06 pm 
