2009 Closers Thread (No Game Commentary Please)

[RunReyesRun]

I don't see Pedro as an effective closer either. Just doesn't have the required skill set anymore...

[hot4tx]

Havoc,

Is there a definite reason why you have R Perez in front of J Lewis in Cleveland, or do you think of this more as a toss-up? While Perez may have a bit better numbers and skill, he is a lefty and late last year it was the younger Lewis who got most of the saves. Just curious if there was something else you knew or if its one of those dynamic situations.

[smoovethug]

Seattle update:

Miguel Batista was roughed up by Team Australia on Wednesday, surrendering four runs in two-thirds of an inning.

All three of the Mariners' primary closer candidates had nights they'd prefer to forget. Roy Corcoran also gave up four runs, while Mark Lowe allowed two runs in his inning of work. The most impressive reliever to come out of Seattle's pen tonight was clearly David Aardsma, who fanned two in a perfect inning.

[AussieDodger]

Seattle update:

Miguel Batista was roughed up by Team Australia on Wednesday, surrendering four runs in two-thirds of an inning.

All three of the Mariners' primary closer candidates had nights they'd prefer to forget. Roy Corcoran also gave up four runs, while Mark Lowe allowed two runs in his inning of work. The most impressive reliever to come out of Seattle's pen tonight was clearly David Aardsma, who fanned two in a perfect inning.

YEAH!

[YerInUrine]

Saw this on Yahoo this morning:

Thu, Mar 5 According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Jason Motte has moved ahead of Perez for the Cardinals' closer role.
Recommendation: Perez has had a hard time commanding his fastball this spring and is also working on a slider. The Cardinals might not want him working out his kinks in the ninth inning. Still, there is a long way to go in this battle and Perez could still win it.
(RotoWire.com)

[RedHopeful]

Just some Cordero news:

While Baker correctly points out that one week into the exhibition season is too early to make rash judgements, it is true that closer Francisco Cordero's three one-inning appearances have been laced with ugly pills — six runs, nine hits, one walk, five strikeouts.

"It's too early to worry," Baker said. "No need to worry about something that doesn't need worried about yet. If this is the last week of the preseason, then you're a little bit concerned."

Cordero finished last season with a sore ankle and Baker said, "It's better than it was at the end of the year. He's still hobbling a little bit, but he doesn't have any pain."

Ankle thing makes me raise an eyebrow. Finished with a sore anke back at the start of October and he's supposedly still hobbling on it?

[Pogotheostrich]

Saw this on Yahoo this morning:

Thu, Mar 5 According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Jason Motte has moved ahead of Perez for the Cardinals' closer role.
Recommendation: Perez has had a hard time commanding his fastball this spring and is also working on a slider. The Cardinals might not want him working out his kinks in the ninth inning. Still, there is a long way to go in this battle and Perez could still win it.
(RotoWire.com)

I would be downright shocked if Motte is the closer. He has a high speed fastball with no movement and no other pitches
Perez has been hit pretty hard so far but he has to still be the favorite. My darkhorse canidate is Josh Kinney.

[Yoda]

I don't see Pedro as an effective closer either. Just doesn't have the required skill set anymore...

Uh what makes you say that? If guys like Borowski or Julio or Todd Jones can close then Pedro absolutely can as long as he is healthy.

[Havok1517]

Havoc,

Is there a definite reason why you have R Perez in front of J Lewis in Cleveland, or do you think of this more as a toss-up? While Perez may have a bit better numbers and skill, he is a lefty and late last year it was the younger Lewis who got most of the saves. Just curious if there was something else you knew or if its one of those dynamic situations.

Well, I think if a save chance doesn't go to Wood it might be a situational reason that could require a lefty and Perez's numbers were better than that of Lewis last year to boot. Still, I think if Kobayashi rebounds this year he'll be the main backup as CLE GM Mark Shapiro still really likes him.

[Neato Torpedo]

Saw this on Yahoo this morning:

Thu, Mar 5 According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Jason Motte has moved ahead of Perez for the Cardinals' closer role.
Recommendation: Perez has had a hard time commanding his fastball this spring and is also working on a slider. The Cardinals might not want him working out his kinks in the ninth inning. Still, there is a long way to go in this battle and Perez could still win it.
(RotoWire.com)

I would be downright shocked if Motte is the closer. He has a high speed fastball with no movement and no other pitches
Perez has been hit pretty hard so far but he has to still be the favorite. My darkhorse canidate is Josh Kinney.

Agreed. One Pitch Motte won't be closing barring the miraculous emergence of a second pitch, though Franklin the forgotten man is still in the mix right behind Perez.