2009 Closers Thread (No Game Commentary Please)

[converge241]

rotoworld as well

According to MLB.com, the Marlins have "pretty much made it clear" that Matt Lindstrom will not pitch in another Grapefruit League game this spring.

It's not because of a setback, and shouldn't affect his status for Opening Day, but it will keep him pitching in a controlled environment for the next several days as he recovers from a strained rotator cuff. "I hope so," Lindstrom said when asked if he'll be ready to fire on April 6. "Like I said, I'm making all my scheduled [throw dates]. I don't have any setbacks." Leo Nunez might be worth grabbing just in case.

[mweir145]

Downs would be the closer for the Jays at the start of the season, IMO. He was the 8th inning guy last year, and the team's most dependable reliever.

Provided he's healthy of course (he had some issues earlier in ST and just started pitching in games again recently).

Yeah but Accardo was out injured and last time he was really health he was closing and doing a good job of it.

That was over 1.5 years ago. He hasn't proven himself to be the same pitcher yet.

We won't know who it will be, or even if it won't be Ryan, until the season starts most likely.

If you say so, but I think I have a pretty good read on this one. Cito used Downs several times for saves last year when BJ couldn't go (5 saves in total), and I expect him to go with his most dependable reliever just like he did last year. Pick up who you want, but I'll stick with Downs for now.

[BALCO All-Stars]

per Rotoworld:

Joey Devine allowed a run in an inning Friday in his return from a sore elbow.
Devine retired three of the four batters he faced, but he did give up a homer to Scott Hairston. Because he's missed so much time, he's not going to have much of a case for opening the season in the closer's role over Brad Ziegler.

Is Ziegler going to start as the closer?

[metsfan12]

Downs would be the closer for the Jays at the start of the season, IMO. He was the 8th inning guy last year, and the team's most dependable reliever.

Provided he's healthy of course (he had some issues earlier in ST and just started pitching in games again recently).

Yeah but Accardo was out injured and last time he was really health he was closing and doing a good job of it.

That was over 1.5 years ago. He hasn't proven himself to be the same pitcher yet.

We won't know who it will be, or even if it won't be Ryan, until the season starts most likely.

If you say so, but I think I have a pretty good read on this one. Cito used Downs several times for saves last year when BJ couldn't go (5 saves in total), and I expect him to go with his most dependable reliever just like he did last year. Pick up who you want, but I'll stick with Downs for now.

You can think you have some sort of good read on it all you want but you should atleast get some good info. Of those 5 saves he had last year they were all early in the year and only 2 of them were full inning saves. One of those 2 was in the 10th inning after BJ Ryan had pitched the 9th. So he had one time he was actually used as the closer and got the save. The 3 partial inning saves just show what he really is, a very good lefty specialist. My point was that what Cito did last year doesn't prove anything because Accardo was not available. I guess you felt the need to repeat that Downs was used in the 8th last year again for some reason though. So you have some proof that Downs MIGHT be the guy when Accardo isn't available. Great read.

[converge241]

Blue Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi said Friday that he is "not that concerned" with B.J. Ryan's dip in velocity.

Ryan's fastball has barely reached 89 mph this spring, but Ricciardi is sticking with his guy. "I'll be concerned if it's in the middle of the season and he's not doing his job," said the GM. "But right now you have to keep watching him. He's the closer until something changes." Manager Cito Gaston suggested that Scott Downs could fill in if Ryan isn't getting it done. He's worth a stash in deep leagues.

[CubsFan7724]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/ch ... 4107.story

Pinella is going to decide between Gregg/Marmol on Sunday. Pretty fantasy relevant.

MESA, Ariz. — Asked Friday about the Cubs' closer battle, White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen had a novel suggestion for counterpart Lou Piniella.

"They're going to score so many runs they won't even need a closer," Guillen said.

Nevertheless, the Cubs will have to choose between Carlos Marmol and Kevin Gregg. Marmol imploded Thursday night in Scottsdale, hitting his fifth batter of the spring and allowing two runs on two hits in one inning that raised his ERA to 4.50.

But Piniella said Marmol deserved a mulligan due to the 40 m.p.h. gusts, which eventually forced the game to end after 61/2 innings.

"It was a tough day to pitch," Piniella said. "They couldn't hold on to the ball well. They went to their mouth more than any time I've ever seen. " Sean Marshall has had very good control all spring, and [Thursday] he was totally off, so I'm not going to place too much importance on that game one way or another."

Marmol was scheduled to pitch Friday but was switched to a minor-league game, along with Neal Cotts and Aaron Heilman. Piniella said there was no reason for the switch and reiterated he'd make his decision Sunday.

Seems like he's already coming up with justifications to pick Marmol though.

[RotOAddicT]

RotoWorld:
Mariners manager Don Wakamatsu won't appoint a closer until next Friday or Saturday, when the team travels to Las Vegas for an exhibition game against the Rockies.
Tyler Walker, Mark Lowe, Randy Messenger, Roy Corcoran and Miguel Batista are in the running. Wakamatsu might be better off using a committee until Chad Cordero is healthy, but that won't satisfy fantasy owners. Walker and Lowe are probably the favorites, but any one of these guys could land the job. We'll keep you posted.

What about David Aardsma for the Closer role?!?!

[BitterDodgerFan]

my money is on lowe. although i'm surprised aardsma's name isn't even mentioned there.

[RotOAddicT]

Is it worth holding on to Aardsma now that his name was not brought up?

[tiggis]

Is it worth holding on to Aardsma now that his name was not brought up?

That is what I am wondering also.

I think by the way the article is quoted that the list was given by the writer and not by the coach... but I could be wrong.

But if AAR! is not closer he does not bring much value.