2009 Closers Thread (No Game Commentary Please)

[AussieDodger]

I predicted Gregg would close for the Cubs over Marmol in mid- February.

Link?

yee of little faith

viewtopic.php?f=7&t=368814&p=2956438#p2956438

Gregg will close to start the season but I see him struggling in Chicago in that role. Marmol will take over at some point but both Gregg and Marmol will be over valued come draft day. I would stay away from both in standard leagues unless you get them in the later rounds.

Totally agree.

[Dan Lambskin]

How secure is Lyons' grasp on the Detroit job? And how certain is it that Rodney is next in line?

Not Very and Probably, especially with Zumaya on the DL. Perry is the only other candidate and it's not even a given he breaks camp with the team.

[Geek]

How secure is Lyons' grasp on the Detroit job? And how certain is it that Rodney is next in line?

Not Very and Probably, especially with Zumaya on the DL. Perry is the only other candidate and it's not even a given he breaks camp with the team.

Detroit sounds like a prime candidate to trade for a closer.

[Slow Pitch]

Any updates on the Lindstrom/Nunez situation.

Is Lind going to be ready to start the season? Is it even worth holding on to Nunez at this point anymore?

[West]

Any updates on the Lindstrom/Nunez situation.

Is Lind going to be ready to start the season? Is it even worth holding on to Nunez at this point anymore?

I think you're looking at a week on the DL if Marlins want to be on the safe side with Lindstrom. The Marlins have kept him out of major league st games in case they have to make a retroactive DL date. If he's ready for the season then Nunez has little value.

That said, I'm holding onto Nunez in deeper leagues - he's been good for 3 saves this spring and will get the better share of the ops in the time being. I'm leary of Lindstrom, you never know about a pitcher with any kind of shoulder or elbow problems. Hopefully you can vulture 2 or 3 saves out of Nunez in early April, then see how the whole situation plays out.

[tiggis]

morrow lacks the control to have a 1.19 whip. i say 1.30+ whip is more likely.

Last year he had a 1.15 whip.

Last years line:

64ip/3wins/10saves/3.36era/1.15whip

Did he lose his control this winter? Or doth we speak from amongst our rear?

it's basically impossible to have a 4.73 BB/9 and sustain a WHIP anywhere near that low. He had an unsustainably low 5.56 H/9 due to an .218 BABIP. Once that regresses he'll end up with a whip around 1.35 IMO. It'd take some pretty big leaps in control for him to return to last years level.

BABIP is not as valuable a stat for predicting closers performance.
I think the stats show he lacks control as he tires, not control for 1 inning (He has had trouble in games last year with low blood sugar - Type 1 diabetes which they now say he has better control of).

His line when he was just closing is more like 1.78era/.78whip with 23ks and 8 walks over 16.8 innings.

Even factoring in a return to 3.0 babip if his other stats stay steady he would not jump up to 1.30+

You might end up being right by the end of the year, but we also might be seeing a very special pitcher who was made to be a closer finally find his nitch.

[BitterDodgerFan]

How secure is Lyons' grasp on the Detroit job? And how certain is it that Rodney is next in line?

Not Very and Probably, especially with Zumaya on the DL. Perry is the only other candidate and it's not even a given he breaks camp with the team.

Detroit sounds like a prime candidate to trade for a closer.

i don't think so, they went out and got a free agent closer in lyon so i doubt they'll go get another closer. yes lyon is horrible but i think they'll stick with him and back him up with rodney until zumaya returns. as long as he gets the job done, they'll put up with him like they did with todd jones.

[tiggis]

Not Very and Probably, especially with Zumaya on the DL. Perry is the only other candidate and it's not even a given he breaks camp with the team.

Detroit sounds like a prime candidate to trade for a closer.

i don't think so, they went out and got a free agent closer in lyon so i doubt they'll go get another closer. yes lyon is horrible but i think they'll stick with him and back him up with rodney until zumaya returns. as long as he gets the job done, they'll put up with him like they did with todd jones.

Agreed.

As long as he keeps getting saves Lyon has a job as closer.

Ghetto saves are saves..Until you see some high profile failtures from Brandon he is in like cement.

[rotoquest]

Last year he had a 1.15 whip.

Last years line:

64ip/3wins/10saves/3.36era/1.15whip

Did he lose his control this winter? Or doth we speak from amongst our rear?

it's basically impossible to have a 4.73 BB/9 and sustain a WHIP anywhere near that low. He had an unsustainably low 5.56 H/9 due to an .218 BABIP. Once that regresses he'll end up with a whip around 1.35 IMO. It'd take some pretty big leaps in control for him to return to last years level.

BABIP is not as valuable a stat for predicting closers performance.
I think the stats show he lacks control as he tires, not control for 1 inning (He has had trouble in games last year with low blood sugar - Type 1 diabetes which they now say he has better control of).

His line when he was just closing is more like 1.78era/.78whip with 23ks and 8 walks over 16.8 innings.

Even factoring in a return to 3.0 babip if his other stats stay steady he would not jump up to 1.30+

You might end up being right by the end of the year, but we also might be seeing a very special pitcher who was made to be a closer finally find his nitch.

I like the analysis, and I also think he will be a stud closer if given the opportunity, but has anyone from the mariner's front office confirmed morrow's claim yet?

[BitterDodgerFan]

what do you guys think happens to chad cordero when he's fully healed and ready to join the team? if morrow is less than stellar, could they go to cordero?