Now I'm just piling on
Vazquez by a wide margin. Galarraga's numbers (as others have said) were very luck driven. His k-rate is mediocre, and looking at the downright horrific numbers he posted in aa in 07 it's likely he'll be borderline unownable next year. As for Ziegler, I find it highly unlikely he'll be the closer next year in Oakland. His K-rate is Dan Kolb esq (not a good thing), and his xera was 3.55 last year. Substitute his xera for his era last year and his numbers are very pedestrine to say the least. It's also important to note just how good Joey Devine's numbers were last year. Granted, his xera is also higher then his actual era, like Ziegler's, his K-rate was world's better. He was also dealt for, and has both minor league, and college closing experience. Pair his experience with his stuff and it's easy to see him as the front runner for the closer roll. A darkhorse closer candidate also lurks in the wings if he's ever able to post two solid halves or harness his control, Santiago Casilla.
All in all, there is little to know upside, and a great deal of downside to both Galarraga and Ziegler next year. On the flipside, there is a great deal of upside to Javier Vazquez. He's already a safe bet for 200 ish K's. His WHIP is almost always tolerable, or even very good in some seasons. He's moving back to the NL, and out of a very hitter friendly ballpark in Chicago. He's also only 1 year removed from posting a 15-8 season with 213 K's, a 3.74 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP. All the more reason to like Vazquez much better then Galarraga/Ziegler.
Cafe Home
Fantasy Football
Fantasy Basketball
Fantasy Hockey
by joenovan » Sat Jan 03, 2009 9:28 pm 
]
