2009 Closers Thread (No Game Commentary Please)

[Neato Torpedo]

Any news on WHEN Sherrill will be traded? I'm carrying both Ray and Johnson on my roster right now, and I get the feeling that it'll stay that way for a little while even after the trade. No way do I trust a 9.39 ERA/2.28 WHIP guy immediately, especially after the way he blew up before getting sent down. Admittedly, he was doing well in the minors (11 IP, 1.64 ERA, 0.73 WHIP), but being a AAA MRP is way different from being an MLB closer.

[eneric]

When and if Sherrill gets traded do you think he'll still be a closer? What would you say the likelyhood is of him actaully getting traded? How many people really think Ray will be the man again? I'm a Sherrill owner and this whole thing is making me want to pick up both Johnson and Ray until this all passes over. I hate doing that but that's what you have to do in order to protect your closers. Wouldn't it be more likely that Johnson steps in instead of Ray?

[Niffoc4]

When and if Sherrill gets traded do you think he'll still be a closer? What would you say the likelyhood is of him actaully getting traded? How many people really think Ray will be the man again? I'm a Sherrill owner and this whole thing is making me want to pick up both Johnson and Ray until this all passes over. I hate doing that but that's what you have to do in order to protect your closers. Wouldn't it be more likely that Johnson steps in instead of Ray?

I want to say no, b/c he's much better getting out lefties, but why would a team pay the Orioles price for a LOOGY?

[Nails86]

Who is next in line in Cleveland? Wood has been awful. The front page has Jensen Lewis but he has barely pitched. He has only been used 5 times in June and a few of them were in middle relief. Rafael Perez has also been utterly terrible.

[Syfo-Dyas]

Mike Gonzalez pitched in the 8th again, and Soriano got the save. There was two lefties comin up in the 8th, still its seems like every time the braves have the lead lefties comin up in the 8th..
Frustrating.

[Padsin05]

There was no double switch used...

a) Cito doesnt know about double switches or how to do them

This is ridiculous.
A Major League headcoach and a Major League benchcoach doesnt know how to do double switch? You gotta be kiddin me.

If you're an aggrieved owner of Jason Frasor(notes) who's wondering why, exactly, Jeremy Accardo(notes) picked up a save last Thursday in Philadelphia, Jays manager Cito Gaston has an explanation for you:

"I screwed it up."

Specifically, Gaston screwed up the double switch protocol.

In case you haven't read the details already, we'll recap. Toronto held a one-run lead over the Phillies in the eighth inning. There were two outs, a runner was on second base, and the Jays had the pitcher's spot due up in the ninth. Gaston's intention was to bring catcher Rod Barajas(notes) into the game, replacing Raul Chavez(notes), while also bringing in Frasor to relieve Brandon League(notes). That would have allowed Barajas to lead off the next inning while keeping Frasor on the mound.

But Gaston failed to share his plan with the proper authorities. This from MLB.com's Jordan Bastian:

Where Gaston messed up was in walking straight to the mound and not consulting with the home-plate umpire.

"I thought about it," Gaston said, "and then after I went to the mound, then you couldn't [double switch]. You have to approach the umpire first before you do that and I went to the mound."

... Once there, he turned back to the dugout and made a hand motion toward the dugout, pounding his fist in an open hand -- signaling for the catcher. Someone in the dugout alerted him that the double switch had to be called off, though.
-------------

seems i was right

[Maris09]

Who is next in line in Cleveland? Wood has been awful.

I said this a couple of pages ago.
Before Wood's two sub par outings @ Chicago.....he had gone 11 stright scoreless appearances, and the rest of the Cleveland bullpen has been among the worst in baseball. Regardless of the last 2 days, and outside of injury, he's got one of the safest jobs in baseball.

[racrzeke]

Matt Lindstrom pulled again after giving up 2 runs. Nunez is his backup?

[Another Blown Save]

Matt Lindstrom pulled again after giving up 2 runs. Nunez is his backup?

I'd say so if he's healthy
He left today's game with a sprained ankle.

[racrzeke]

Yea I saw he gave up a couple runs but that it is. Who is behind Nunez?

And do you think Lindstrom is out finally or even close to being out? He has a few of these in the past and the Marlins keep him in the role.