2009 Closers Thread (No Game Commentary Please)

[mikerobbjk]

Shields just got the save for the Angels...was Fuentes unavailable?

[norton17]

Shields just got the save for the Angels...was Fuentes unavailable?

Can't see why Fuentes would have been unavailable? Maybe they thought with a 3 run lead they could give Fuentes another day off???

[Havok1517]

He was fairly solid last season before he seemed to wear out. I have a feeling this job is going to be put in the hands of Perez as soon as he is ready. Anyone have any reasons he didnt go to Franklin tonight??

Chris Perez threw two scoreless innings in the Memphis Redbirds Triple-A season opener, according to the Post Dispatch.

Our View: Perez is still a highly regarded pitching prospect, but the shoulder injury this spring forced him back to the minors. Don't be surprised if he gets recalled this season and you start seeing him in some save situations. Tony LaRussa has yet to name an official closer, and if the guys on the big club aren't getting it done he'll likely look to Perez. rototimes.com

makes sense to me

[rookies and cream]

Mike Gonzalez not looking good. Doesn't look like he has any control of his pitches.

[Syfo-Dyas]

Update: kevin gregg still sucks

No he wasnt bad.

theriot made the right throw, just wasnt hard enough. gregg still shouldn't be giving up doubles to jerks like rickie weeks though

Agreed that Theriot made the right choice but his got no armstrength.
But Gregg did not give up a double to Weeks.
Piniella did.
Soriano did.
Soriano sucks. What he did looked like ballet and not baseball.
He is Jose Conseco jr, and the second coming of Jack Cust. He should be a DH.
But why on earth was he out there?
A good outfielder would've catched that Weeks hit.

The only thing Gregg was responsible, that he walked Duffy, and Hart. But he didnt have his curveball, still he pitched well enough to get the save.
Defense let him down.

I'm not saying Gregg is amazing or anything but keep it in perspective...the sad Cub defense has let him down so far.

The only comment with any insight.

[GiantsFan14]

aardsma just picked up a 2 inning save for the Ms

[Neato Torpedo]

The only thing Gregg was responsible, that he walked Duffy, and Hart. But he didnt have his curveball, still he pitched well enough to get the save.
Defense let him down.

Yes, the only thing he was responsible for was walking a speedy hitter ahead of a power hitter, and then doing it again. Almost every single pitch he missed low, low, low, and he bounced it twice. 4 hits, 3 walks, 3 ER in his first 2 innings as a Cub doesn't impress me much. Not absolving the Cubs defense but Gregg was far from good, or even solid; even if you assume that all four hits he allowed were because of poor defense, he still walked three guys.

[fitz0527]

Mike Gonzalez not looking good. Doesn't look like he has any control of his pitches.

He looked downright bad out there tonight. Granted, Diaz should have caught that ball to wipe away the lead off double but still...Nieves swinging at what would have been ball 4, no control, yuck. Hope he bounces back.

[Havok1517]

Mike Gonzalez not looking good. Doesn't look like he has any control of his pitches.

He looked downright bad out there tonight. Granted, Diaz should have caught that ball to wipe away the lead off double but still...Nieves swinging at what would have been ball 4, no control, yuck. Hope he bounces back.

I think he'll be fine. It looks like he's just starting slowly. His velocity and stuff is still there but his location is off and he seemed to be aiming the ball some when he got hit. A slight mechanical tweak might be needed.

[bigh0rt]

Shields just got the save for the Angels...was Fuentes unavailable?

Can't see why Fuentes would have been unavailable? Maybe they thought with a 3 run lead they could give Fuentes another day off???

Shields came in to finish the 8th when the Angels were in trouble, and faced I believe 3 righties in the 9th, so there was no real reason to have Fuentes out there.