2009 Closers Thread (No Game Commentary Please)

[perlick29]

Yea it was a non save gave up HR and a double but got a few K's. Lou didnt look too happy though

It's enough already with Gregg. He was a fluke last year, a fluke in spring training, Lou should just make the switch we all expected from the beginning. Marmol is a dominant guy who should be closing out games not watching some guy make a mess after he's done. Reminds me of how Joe Borowksi was with the Indians. It's enough already.

[GiantsFan14]

Yea it was a non save gave up HR and a double but got a few K's. Lou didnt look too happy though

It's enough already with Gregg. He was a fluke last year, a fluke in spring training, Lou should just make the switch we all expected from the beginning. Marmol is a dominant guy who should be closing out games not watching some guy make a mess after he's done. Reminds me of how Joe Borowksi was with the Indians. It's enough already.

the thing is, i'm pretty sure lou has been using marmol correctly so far. what makes the 8th different than the 9th? he needs to be using marmol in the most high leverage situations whether that be in the 8th, 9th or even earlier. if the heart of the order comes up in the 8th then marmol should pitch in the 8th. if the bases are loaded in the 7th and lou needs someone to limit the damage, he should bring marmol in. by anointing marmol the lone closer, it makes it harder for lou to deal with fans and media when he needs to use him correctly. he says that there will be opportunities for both pitchers, and thats exactly what he should say because it's the correct way to handle a bullpen.

[Yanks_Baby]

Yea it was a non save gave up HR and a double but got a few K's. Lou didnt look too happy though

It's enough already with Gregg. He was a fluke last year, a fluke in spring training, Lou should just make the switch we all expected from the beginning. Marmol is a dominant guy who should be closing out games not watching some guy make a mess after he's done. Reminds me of how Joe Borowksi was with the Indians. It's enough already.

the thing is, i'm pretty sure lou has been using marmol correctly so far. what makes the 8th different than the 9th? he needs to be using marmol in the most high leverage situations whether that be in the 8th, 9th or even earlier. if the heart of the order comes up in the 8th then marmol should pitch in the 8th. if the bases are loaded in the 7th and lou needs someone to limit the damage, he should bring marmol in. by anointing marmol the lone closer, it makes it harder for lou to deal with fans and media when he needs to use him correctly. he says that there will be opportunities for both pitchers, and thats exactly what he should say because it's the correct way to handle a bullpen.

QFT doesn't even begin to describe how accurate this post is. Unfortunately, since saves became a stat this bull practice has fallen into disuse.

[Syfo-Dyas]

Yea it was a non save gave up HR and a double but got a few K's. Lou didnt look too happy though

It's enough already with Gregg. He was a fluke last year, a fluke in spring training, Lou should just make the switch we all expected from the beginning. Marmol is a dominant guy who should be closing out games not watching some guy make a mess after he's done. Reminds me of how Joe Borowksi was with the Indians. It's enough already.

Gregg doesnt pitch well right now. Too much solid contact for a closer. He has to pitch better to keep his job. Still, he had two clean outs before melted. But again Fukudome misjudged the Counsell liner, and pitching carefully to Braun is not a bad idea, if you can strike out Fielder.
All in all, I can see him removed temporarily, if he sucks next time. Colorado and St. Loius coming to town. Wont be easy.

Compairing him to Borowski, is exaggregation. Only Jorge Julio is that bad.

[chadlincoln]

Another place besides here to check closer status:

http://www.whosthecloser.com/

[metsfan12]

Another place besides here to check closer status:

http://www.whosthecloser.com/

Although your Atlanta, St. Louis and Seattle pecking order are most definitely off and some others could be argued are off as well. On top of that your info, including the save totals, is almost a week old. No competition for Havok's stuff and this thread.

[nolanwood]

the thing is, i'm pretty sure lou has been using marmol correctly so far. what makes the 8th different than the 9th? he needs to be using marmol in the most high leverage situations whether that be in the 8th, 9th or even earlier. if the heart of the order comes up in the 8th then marmol should pitch in the 8th. if the bases are loaded in the 7th and lou needs someone to limit the damage, he should bring marmol in. by anointing marmol the lone closer, it makes it harder for lou to deal with fans and media when he needs to use him correctly. he says that there will be opportunities for both pitchers, and thats exactly what he should say because it's the correct way to handle a bullpen.

Exactly! As a Cub fan, I'd rather see Heilman/Shark/etc replace Gregg if he gets pulled.

[Slow Pitch]

Could someone please update us on Chris Perez status? Is he worth stashing if you need saves? Is he getting healthy? Will he get a chance to close before July?

[metsfan12]

the thing is, i'm pretty sure lou has been using marmol correctly so far. what makes the 8th different than the 9th? he needs to be using marmol in the most high leverage situations whether that be in the 8th, 9th or even earlier. if the heart of the order comes up in the 8th then marmol should pitch in the 8th. if the bases are loaded in the 7th and lou needs someone to limit the damage, he should bring marmol in. by anointing marmol the lone closer, it makes it harder for lou to deal with fans and media when he needs to use him correctly. he says that there will be opportunities for both pitchers, and thats exactly what he should say because it's the correct way to handle a bullpen.

Exactly! As a Cub fan, I'd rather see Heilman/Shark/etc replace Gregg if he gets pulled.

From a Mets fan, you don't want Heilman doing anything important.

[RedHopeful]

the thing is, i'm pretty sure lou has been using marmol correctly so far. what makes the 8th different than the 9th? he needs to be using marmol in the most high leverage situations whether that be in the 8th, 9th or even earlier. if the heart of the order comes up in the 8th then marmol should pitch in the 8th. if the bases are loaded in the 7th and lou needs someone to limit the damage, he should bring marmol in. by anointing marmol the lone closer, it makes it harder for lou to deal with fans and media when he needs to use him correctly. he says that there will be opportunities for both pitchers, and thats exactly what he should say because it's the correct way to handle a bullpen.

While this is probably true, it doesn't work like this in baseball. The "best" relievers are given the closer role for a couple of reasons. One, they have proven themselves to be their team's most trusted finisher. While I agree one inning/situation is as important as another, you still need to anoint one person to be relied on to finish every game. It's as important for the team's psyche as it is for the game's outcome.

Two, there are rewards for being the team's bull. With the added pressure, the closer is given the most recognition plus monetary benefits. Most relief pitchers covet this and it's well known how Marmol feels about it.

I don't know the pulse of Chicago's fans/media, but I expect they'd prefer to see Marmol in the closer role rather than going with someone else who seems to struggle one too many times in the 9th.