FBC Community Top 25 RP - Vote #4: Mariano Rivera

[WaCougMBS]

Lidge is losing a bunch of his love to Mo and Soria - can't say I saw that coming

[MasterX1918]

Lidge

[DaShiz23]

Mo

+1

[AquaMan2342]

So Lidge has one great year, while Rivera has had about 29878374928798734982349 of them. I'll take the 29878374928798734982349.

[bigh0rt]

So Lidge has one great year, while Rivera has had about 29878374928798734982349 of them. I'll take the 29878374928798734982349.

'07 was really his only terrible year. In '06 his ratios were bad, but he still managed to save 31 games. The bottom line on Lidge is there isn't a closer out there likely to match his K/9. The guy struck out 157 batters in 94.2 innings in 2004. Even when he's been God awful his K rate has been elite, and while he's not likely to go another season without blowing a save, I certainly like the prospect of him sniffing 40 again, with 100 K and a sub-2 ERA. He walks more guys than you like to see, but he's generally unhittable. Not that I don't think Mariano is a great choice here (goes for Soria, and even Valverde, too), but it's not like Lidge doesn't belong in the conversation, and arguably, the #4 spot, if not a higher one.

[AquaMan2342]

My point was that Rivera seems to be getting disrespected even though he had an excellent year last season and should be a top 3 option until his right arm falls off, disappears or is removed by force.

[garf112]

rivera had the second best WHIP ever for a pitcher throwing over 70 innings in 2009...

0.67

I know he is 39, but he actually had his best season last year.

[BitterDodgerFan]

isnt rivera coming off a surgery? i don't think he's 100% yet.

[bigh0rt]

isnt rivera coming off a surgery? i don't think he's 100% yet.

Yes, he is.

EDIT: coming off surgery, that is

[RedSoxNation04]

Rivera here. Followed closely by Soria.