2009 Closers Thread (No Game Commentary Please)

[deerayfan072]

so is it safe to assume isringhausen is not the top 2 choices for the closer role now?

Izzy was good again, and got relieved by leftie Howell to create the best match up vs those Twin hitters.
It wasnt a save situation but he needed some work, cause havent pitched since Wed.
So its not safe to assume.

well put.

[StarsNPinstripes]

Jose Valverde Update:
From Rotoworld:

Jun. 1 - 8:57 pm et
Jose Valverde (calf) tossed 25 pitches from the mound prior to Monday's game.

It was his first such session from the mound since going on the disabled list in late April. His calf felt fine after, and he plans to have another bullpen session Wednesday. The closer is inching towards a return to the lineup, which may occur in mid June if all goes well.

[SpecialFNK]

once Valverde is back i guess its safe to assume he regains the closers role.
what happens then to Hawkins? i mean would the Astros look to trade either Valverde or Hawkins somewhere else to close? i guess if Valverde is traded Hawkins remains the closer, but if Hawkins is traded he could simply be a late inning guy rather than a closer.
its still weeks away, but once Valverde does return, what should one do with Hawkins? simply drop him and be happy you got what you did? or hold onto him hoping he can still be useful?

[da bears]

I was having the same thoughts about Hawkins, I was probably going to hold onto him for a little bit to see how the trade rumor mill sounds with Valverde.

What other current closers out there run the risk of getting shopped to a contender? Qualls? Street? Cordero? Sherrill? Figured it's not a bad idea to speculate ahead of time since lots of these guys value could swing greatly in the coming months.

[auclairkeithbc]

i think hawkins goes back to the 8th inning where he belongs.

[BALCO All-Stars]

Did I miss something, but why is Pena in the 9th tonight instead of Qualls? Qualls hasn't pitched since the 28th...

[BitterDodgerFan]

qualls has a sore forearm. not sure if it's serious though.

[swyck]

I was having the same thoughts about Hawkins, I was probably going to hold onto him for a little bit to see how the trade rumor mill sounds with Valverde.

Also not a bad idea to see how well Valverde does when he returns.

[krunchyfrogg]

I'm holding Hawkins until it's clear he's not the closer anymore and until something better is out there. No sense in dropping him just because he's not the closer if there's not a better guy on the WW.

[beagle]

i think hawkins goes back to the 8th inning where he belongs.

Why does he belong there? It's not like he hasn't been doing well in his current role. 21 K's in 21 innings all season (although some of that wasn't in the closer role). Blew 2 saves out of 9 opportunities (and 1 blown save he didn't even allow an earned run), and hasn't blown one in almost a month. His ERA/WHIP is low. I think he has filled in very well.


Month of may-
14 Ks in 10 innings, 4 saves, 1.69 ERA

His one appearence in June
1 k in 1 inning, 1 save, 0 ERA