The only problem is .. I'm just not sure if Howell is THE official Rays closer .... sure, he's been closing games now .... but what are the chances Maddon has a change of heart and decides to go with Wheeler or Balfour at some point? Is J.P. Howell just smoke and mirrors at this point, or is he legit? Legit enough to the Rays Full time closer??
Everything I have read is that he is closing. Not to say that ESPN's player rater is the end all but for the past 30 days he is the #2 RP. I would take the risk that he will be the closer for the rest of the year.
"In the beginning the Universe was created. This has made a lot of people very angry and has been widely regarded as a bad move."- Douglas Adams
Howell is legit; remember he put up good numbers last year as well so it's not just a three month joyride. Wheeler and Balfour tend to implode a little too often and I don't think either of them succeded real well when given the opportunity to close. Howell is the clear cut closer right now, not to say that one of the other members of the pen might not get the odd save.
Howell pretty easily for me. He's been pitching as well as Sherrill if not better. I wouldn't worry about it being a CBC in Tampa anymore as he's been doing his best to cement himself as the guy in the 9th inning. As far as long-term value with the trade deadline approaching you have to worry about Sherrill being traded and becoming a setup man.
Hal·la·day, n. 1. every fifth day in Philadelphia. 2. a day of rest for the bullpen. 3. innings eater. 4. doc. 5. ace.
i'd take sherrill. sure hes a risk to be traded, but i think its just as likely tb trades FOR a closer coming up. sherrill has proven he can handle the role, even if howell has been better recently, i'd still trust sherrill more than him.
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by Midnight_Toker » Thu Jul 02, 2009 4:52 pm 
