2009 Closers Thread (No Game Commentary Please)

[Bloody Sox]

FYI - Bwanna has created a separate thread to pick up this closer value conversation...

[deerayfan072]

FYI on TB

Izzy just pitched in the 7th inning of a game the Rays are up 9-5

With that said, he looked nasty. He threw about 18 pitches because guys were fouling them off, but out of the 18, I think he threw 4 balls, and most were close calls. His stuff looked really good tonight.

[ChasingSaves]

If Francisco goes on the DL it will be CJ Wilson getting the saves. He got the saves when Francisco went on the DL the first time and pitched well, I don't see why it would be different this time.

[Havok1517]

morrow being converted to starter again. at AAA. this makes him droppable in all formats if you're chasing SVs.

Brandon Morrow will be optioned to Triple-A within the next week and will join Tacoma's starting rotation, reported Larry Larue of the Tacoma News Tribune.
According to the story, Morrow approached manager Don Wakamatsu and pitching coach Rick Adair a month ago after he had lost his closer job and told them that he'd changed his mind about being a reliever and now wanted to be a starter again. Larue writes: "Look for the team to bring up Roy Corcoran and assign Morrow to Tacoma, then feel free to watch Morrow start for the Rainiers over the several weeks, at least." The biggest winner is probably David Aardsma, who no longer has competition for the closer job.
Source: Tacoma News Tribune

[RedHopeful]

HERE is a nice article dissecting Jason Isringhausen's inning's pitched so far. His stuff seems pretty good so Maddon might use him in a closing situation in the near future.

[MotorCityKitties]

Beimel got the save today. Worth a pickup?

[Havok1517]

Beimel got the save today. Worth a pickup?

MacDougal has pitched on 3 innings in the last 2 days and was getting a rest from Acta. So, no.

[MotorCityKitties]

Beimel got the save today. Worth a pickup?

MacDougal has pitched on 3 innings in the last 2 days and was getting a rest from Acta. So, no.

Ah thanks. I forgot about the switch to MacDougal I looked at Hanrahan's game log.

[ABA316]

Valverde rumored to be activated tomorrow..anyone have a yay or nay on this? I'll have to drop someone to get him back in.

[MissingOakley]

On Valverde: doesn't seem to be anything definitive tonight about his return date.

From Astros/MLB site:

Following Arizona, the Astros will play consecutive road Interleague series against the Texas Rangers and Minnesota Twins. It's expected they will get a boost on the trip when closer Jose Valverde and starting second baseman Kaz Matsui return from the disabled list.

Valverde, who has been sidelined since April 27 with a strained right calf, could be activated in time for Friday's game.

http://houston.astros.mlb.com/news/arti ... p&c_id=hou

"Could be" doesn't quite cut it for those looking for certainty, but good news regardless.