2009 Closers Thread (No Game Commentary Please)

[buffalobillsrul2002]

One less arm in the TB closer mix..ESPN.com

The Rays have placed Isringhausen on the 60-day DL with a strained right elbow, the team's official site reports.
Spin:
Isringhausen will have an MRI on Monday, which should provide more clarity on his injury. Either way, it looks like the veteran reliever will be out for some time.

60-day? with a strained right elbow? That means it's got to be more than that, and the injury must be serious. 60 days usually= end of season. For a guy like Izzy it most likely means retirement....

[fitz0527]

Howell struck out the side to pick up the save.

[lbbaseball14]

Looks like Howells the guy Im glad I grabbed him a couple weeks ago 3 k's in the 9th should earn him some more confidence from Maddon

[pepperoncino]

now that's how you claim the closer's job.

[Spartans Rule]

Tampa Bay was and still is a committee. Today things just happened to shake out right for Howell to get the save.

In Howell's last four appearances prior to today, he came in 3 times in the 8th and once in the 9th with the Rays trailing. Maddon seems to like to use him to bail out his other RPs when they get in trouble. If no one gets in trouble like today, then maybe he closes. But I'd hardly annoint him a full-time closer just based on this game.

[auclairkeithbc]

Tampa Bay was and still is a committee. Today things just happened to shake out right for Howell to get the save.

In Howell's last four appearances prior to today, he came in 3 times in the 8th and once in the 9th with the Rays trailing. Maddon seems to like to use him to bail out his other RPs when they get in trouble. If no one gets in trouble like today, then maybe he closes. But I'd hardly annoint him a full-time closer just based on this game.

I basically agree with this, although he is clearly the most desirable RP in Tampa's pen right now. And I think saying he'll only get save opps when everyone else struggles is a bit extreme. On the days he does not get save opportunities, he can still provide a lot of value because of his high K/9 and his nice ERA/WHIP. Plus he started into the 9th inning to protect a 1 run lead twice in a row now. Granted, the previous game, he entered with 2 outs in the 8th in a tie game, but when a save opp presented itself after the Rays scored, Maddon stuck with Howell.

To me, it would not be surprising to see him get 90% of the save opps from here on out, but it would also not be too surprising to see him get around 50% of the save opps. Either way, he is a great add.

[StarsNPinstripes]

The same way the Cafe knew before Maddon that Zobrist should be getting everyday PT the Cafe is once again giving Maddon the heads up that Howell should be closing until further notice.

Seriously, Izzy is no longer in the picture( I think this was who Maddon wanted), Choate is a nice story but he is not a closer and seems better suited for match ups.Wheeler seems to be better suited as set up man. It might still be CBC for a little bit but Howell has been the best reliever this season & if he keeps killing it like he did today he should run away with this job IMO.

[Crippler]

Tampa Bay was and still is a committee.

Umm...no.

What very little chance their was of this remaining closer-by-committee just went out the window with Izzy's injury.

To think at this point that Choate and Wheeler are legitimate threats to close for the rays, they must occupy the RP slots on your roster.

Or maybe you were holding out hope for a glorious Percival return next week?

[Mortician]

Tampa Bay was and still is a committee.

Umm...no.

What very little chance their was of this remaining closer-by-committee just went out the window with Izzy's injury.

To think at this point that Choate and Wheeler are legitimate threats to close for the rays, they must occupy the RP slots on your roster.

Or maybe you were holding out hope for a glorious Percival return next week?

umm....yes

[fsuwharf]

guys, this may have been already discussed, but would you say it's safe to drop latroy hawkins now and activate valverde to my roster? thx !