2009 Closers Thread (No Game Commentary Please)

[Magnus_CA]

Well, Leyland said Zumaya's being called up this weekend. Whats everyones views on him?

Im definitely thinking hell start off getting the 7th/8th inning duties. At first hell prolly just come in whenever they need an inning to see where hes at and once he shows his velocity is back hell be put in an important spot to test his metal and if/when he proves hes healthy, hell takeover as the setup man and once Rodney falters, hell step into the closer role. Hes definitely the tigers closer of the future so i doubt they jerk him around or pile up meaningless innings on his already injury plagued arm. Zumaya was hitting about 95 MPH on Thurs and said he feels 100%... thats definitely a good sign!

I personally dumped Brandon Wood for him since wood is being misused terribly in LA.

What makes everyone think this is going to be Zumaya's year? He's had every chance to take job and can't stay healthy. I'd love to be wrong but IMO he's headed for early retirement.

[AussieDodger]

Well, Leyland said Zumaya's being called up this weekend. Whats everyones views on him?

Im definitely thinking hell start off getting the 7th/8th inning duties. At first hell prolly just come in whenever they need an inning to see where hes at and once he shows his velocity is back hell be put in an important spot to test his metal and if/when he proves hes healthy, hell takeover as the setup man and once Rodney falters, hell step into the closer role. Hes definitely the tigers closer of the future so i doubt they jerk him around or pile up meaningless innings on his already injury plagued arm. Zumaya was hitting about 95 MPH on Thurs and said he feels 100%... thats definitely a good sign!

I personally dumped Brandon Wood for him since wood is being misused terribly in LA.

It will be difficult for Leyland to take the job off Rodney if he keeps doing well.
Zumaya should eventually end up with it, but you never know.

[Dan Lambskin]

Well, Leyland said Zumaya's being called up this weekend. Whats everyones views on him?

Im definitely thinking hell start off getting the 7th/8th inning duties. At first hell prolly just come in whenever they need an inning to see where hes at and once he shows his velocity is back hell be put in an important spot to test his metal and if/when he proves hes healthy, hell takeover as the setup man and once Rodney falters, hell step into the closer role. Hes definitely the tigers closer of the future so i doubt they jerk him around or pile up meaningless innings on his already injury plagued arm. Zumaya was hitting about 95 MPH on Thurs and said he feels 100%... thats definitely a good sign!

I personally dumped Brandon Wood for him since wood is being misused terribly in LA.

It will be difficult for Leyland to take the job off Rodney if he keeps doing well.
Zumaya should eventually end up with it, but you never know.

QFT about Rodney...but i'm not even sure Zumaya will ever get a serious sniff at being the closer of the future...i think Ryan Perry is more likely at this point (they both need to get their walks down). how much stock are you going to put into a guy with his injury history, poor control and lack of mental fortitude

[daullaz]

New Closer Complex available on the front page, breaking down the new-look Washington Nationals bullpen.

[AussieDodger]

New Closer Complex available on the front page, breaking down the new-look Washington Nationals bullpen.

I knew that was Havok as soon as he said "Let's trade Street to Washington"

Interesting article for sure. Shows that Washington are sort of scraping the bottom of the barrel at the moment until something else comes up (probably not as ridiculous as the 2007 Tampa Bay bullpen though ).
Zinicola looks like garbage to me from his numbers, but you never know with relievers.

[davdav]

Why hasn't heath bell played since the 19th? Are they not using him?

[NYMetsIn2k4]

Well, Leyland said Zumaya's being called up this weekend. Whats everyones views on him?

Im definitely thinking hell start off getting the 7th/8th inning duties. At first hell prolly just come in whenever they need an inning to see where hes at and once he shows his velocity is back hell be put in an important spot to test his metal and if/when he proves hes healthy, hell takeover as the setup man and once Rodney falters, hell step into the closer role. Hes definitely the tigers closer of the future so i doubt they jerk him around or pile up meaningless innings on his already injury plagued arm. Zumaya was hitting about 95 MPH on Thurs and said he feels 100%... thats definitely a good sign!

I personally dumped Brandon Wood for him since wood is being misused terribly in LA.

It will be difficult for Leyland to take the job off Rodney if he keeps doing well.
Zumaya should eventually end up with it, but you never know.

Im not saying i think its the best move for Detroit but it seems to be the direction theyd like to go toward. And all of this speculation is health pending. My league counts k/9 so worst case, i hang onto him and hopefully he proves to be healthy. IMO, if he proves hes healthy and his velocity stays in the 95mph range, he moves up the ranks of that bullpen very quickly.

QFT about Rodney...but i'm not even sure Zumaya will ever get a serious sniff at being the closer of the future...i think Ryan Perry is more likely at this point (they both need to get their walks down). how much stock are you going to put into a guy with his injury history, poor control and lack of mental fortitude

[Niffoc4]

Why hasn't heath bell played since the 19th? Are they not using him?

I don't think they've had a save situation... start stressing when someone else gets saves. He'll probably pitch tonight anyway.

[bman]

I had asked a question about Chris Ray vs Joel Zumaya....but forgot to mention Rafael Soriano. Is he the best option of the 3?

[MotorCityKitties]

Well, Leyland said Zumaya's being called up this weekend. Whats everyones views on him?

Im definitely thinking hell start off getting the 7th/8th inning duties. At first hell prolly just come in whenever they need an inning to see where hes at and once he shows his velocity is back hell be put in an important spot to test his metal and if/when he proves hes healthy, hell takeover as the setup man and once Rodney falters, hell step into the closer role. Hes definitely the tigers closer of the future so i doubt they jerk him around or pile up meaningless innings on his already injury plagued arm. Zumaya was hitting about 95 MPH on Thurs and said he feels 100%... thats definitely a good sign!

I personally dumped Brandon Wood for him since wood is being misused terribly in LA.

It will be difficult for Leyland to take the job off Rodney if he keeps doing well.
Zumaya should eventually end up with it, but you never know.

QFT about Rodney...but i'm not even sure Zumaya will ever get a serious sniff at being the closer of the future...i think Ryan Perry is more likely at this point (they both need to get their walks down). how much stock are you going to put into a guy with his injury history, poor control and lack of mental fortitude

I agree. Leyland is very loyal, at times to a fault. I see him sticking with Rodney for quite a while. During Zumaya's best years he's been a set-up guy that gets the team out of tough spots. I see Leyland wanting to use him like that again. It's no sure thing that he's the closer this year or ever.