2009 Closers Thread (No Game Commentary Please)

[bigh0rt]

How is Qualls in any danger of losing his job? He is rock solid.

Agreed. He's really one of the most underrated bullpen arms there is. I don't see him scuffling at all and being in any danger. He's very good.

[Dan Lambskin]

The Red Sox knocked four straight home runs off Detroit's Brandon Lyon in the sixth inning of their Grapefruit League game Monday n Fort Myers, Fla.

Mike Lowell, Jason Bay, Chris Carter and Ivan Ochoa all went deep to left field, according to MLB play-by-play.

FWIW Rodney also gave up 3 ER

When's Zumaya coming back...

i think he's done...i just dont think he can shake the injury bug...i dont think he has the mental capacity to close either (nor do i think Rodney does)...they seem to get easily rattled

When will Ryan Perry get called up this year?

with the way the rest of the pen is pitching could be very soon

[Havok1517]

How is Qualls in any danger of losing his job? He is rock solid.

Considering he's tried to close in the past and failed at it and he has 2 better arms imo behind him (Rauch & Pena). He is not rock solid.

[AmazinMeTS86]

The closer page has Perez listed as relieved...

After reading about Motte I am not relieved. What does everyone think about this situation? Who should wind up with the closers gig to star the season?

[Yoda]

How is Qualls in any danger of losing his job? He is rock solid.

Considering he's tried to close in the past and failed at it and he has 2 better arms imo behind him (Rauch & Pena). He is not rock solid.

Yeah looks like he failed really badly in 08.

[bigh0rt]

Yeah I think that 'Safe' will probably be changed to a 'Shaky' or even 'Volatile'

You should keep this discussion in the closer thread, though. That's what it's there for.

[AussieDodger]

How is Qualls in any danger of losing his job? He is rock solid.

Considering he's tried to close in the past and failed at it and he has 2 better arms imo behind him (Rauch & Pena). He is not rock solid.

I think the change in coaching going from Houston to Arizona has helped him a lot.
On the surface it looks like the Houston coaches were bad for Wheeler, Qualls and Lidge as all 3 have improved after leaving Houston.

[Havok1517]

How is Qualls in any danger of losing his job? He is rock solid.

Considering he's tried to close in the past and failed at it and he has 2 better arms imo behind him (Rauch & Pena). He is not rock solid.

Yeah looks like he failed really badly in 08.

Yeah, just forget how bad he was closing when Lidge had his '07 hiccup.

[Havok1517]

How is Qualls in any danger of losing his job? He is rock solid.

Considering he's tried to close in the past and failed at it and he has 2 better arms imo behind him (Rauch & Pena). He is not rock solid.

I think the change in coaching going from Houston to Arizona has helped him a lot.
On the surface it looks like the Houston coaches were bad for Wheeler, Qualls and Lidge as all 3 have improved after leaving Houston.

Well, Wheeler proved once again that he wasn't a closer in TB last year too. (enter Grant Balfour)

[Yoda]

Considering he's tried to close in the past and failed at it and he has 2 better arms imo behind him (Rauch & Pena). He is not rock solid.

Yeah looks like he failed really badly in 08.

Yeah, just forget how bad he was closing when Lidge had his '07 hiccup.

How many BS are we talking about? 3? 4? Not sure the exact timing of his role in 07 but he only blew 5 saves total.

His numbers the last two years are as good as most 2nd tier closers but why let facts get in the way?