The bottom line with Tampa is it's entirely up in the air, so anybody you're picking up right now is essentially pure speculation. Unless Maddon comes out and says something candidly, all we can do is speculate. Tampa's got so many quality arms in the pen (imagine how hard we'd be laughing if we said that 3 years ago?), that it's a good problem for them to have; for fantasy owners, not so much. Either way, any of Wheeler, Howell, Balfour, Isringhausen, or Nelson could see looks in the 9th, and it wouldn't shock me to see more than 1 of them sent out for a Save Op.
All that said, my personal opinion is that Wheeler will likely get the first Save Op. Beyond that, who the hell knows. If Wheeler falters, they won't hesitate to throw Izzy or Howell or whomever out there next time. That holds true even if it's not Wheeler getting the first shot. Pick up the best arm available based on what you think and pray the cards fall that way. At this point right now, that's the best we can do because anybody claiming otherwise either works for the Rays or is BSing.
auclairkeithbc wrote:then add balfour, wheeler, howell, izzy, and nelson. problem solved!!!
Haha, exactly. Basically if you're picking one up right now it's probably Wheeler, but it's truly a guess. It's tough to drop someone with any value or use a valuable roster move (for those leauges with limits) when it's anyone's guess out of 5 people who it's going to be.
Even though I said Wheeler probably gets the first shot at it, Howell might be the best pitcher out of all the pen arms. I'm reading Wheeler's velocity is down a couple MPH (88-89).
18 and 1 wrote:Even though I said Wheeler probably gets the first shot at it, Howell might be the best pitcher out of all the pen arms. I'm reading Wheeler's velocity is down a couple MPH (88-89).
I think Howell might be the best pickup in most formats because he can still have some value just through his Ks and ratios (I already have him on a team for that reason). Wheeler and Nelson probably have better chances to get the job outright, but if that doesn't happen they're not doing much for you.
18 and 1 wrote:Even though I said Wheeler probably gets the first shot at it, Howell might be the best pitcher out of all the pen arms. I'm reading Wheeler's velocity is down a couple MPH (88-89).
I think Howell might be the best pickup in most formats because he can still have some value just through his Ks and ratios (I already have him on a team for that reason). Wheeler and Nelson probably have better chances to get the job outright, but if that doesn't happen they're not doing much for you.
Troy Percival (shoulder tendinitis) is contemplating retirement after his latest injury placed him on the 15-day disabled list. Percival has flown him to California to ponder his future, according to manager Joe Maddon. The 40-year-old closer hoped to return to form after an injury-riddled season in 2008, but he was a shadow of his former self. He is 0-1 with a 6.35 ERA to go along with a 1.68 WHIP and an opposition batting average of .305. He did have six saves this season with zero blown saves, but he could never shake the pain out of his shoulder. Should this be the end of the line, Percival will finish with 358 career saves.
would this change things with Maddon, meaning maybe instead of looking for someone to be the short term closer he looks more for the guy who could be the long term closer all season?
EDIT- i would not want to even pick up Nelson unless i was desperite for saves. yes he has 2 saves, but very ugly numbers. 5 HR and 14 BB in 17.1 IP. ouch. even if he became closer i dont think it would last.
Last edited by SpecialFNK on Fri May 22, 2009 6:40 pm, edited 1 time in total.
18 and 1 wrote:Even though I said Wheeler probably gets the first shot at it, Howell might be the best pitcher out of all the pen arms. I'm reading Wheeler's velocity is down a couple MPH (88-89).
I think Howell might be the best pickup in most formats because he can still have some value just through his Ks and ratios (I already have him on a team for that reason). Wheeler and Nelson probably have better chances to get the job outright, but if that doesn't happen they're not doing much for you.
isn't howell their only lefty though?
They've got Brian Shouse, who is much more of a true lefty specialist.
Shouse has thrown 9 IP against lefties and 5.1 against righties. Lefties are batting .188 against him, righties .391.
Howell has thrown 5.2 IP against lefties and 14.2 against righties. Oddly enough, lefties are hitting .306 off him and righties .194. Last year he held both lefties and righties under .200
IMO the Rays look at Shouse as their LOOGY and Howell as a good RP who just happens to be a lefty. But I'm just guessing, and I'm biased towards a player I own, so take it for what it's worth.
CBS is reporting committee for rays closers. Even though CBS sucks, I suspect this is accurate, unless of course someone takes the jobs and runs. FWIW I picked up Howell.
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by bigh0rt » Fri May 22, 2009 5:39 pm 
