I just don't see how they at least don't start out with Rauch here. Guerrier's numbers were greatly inflated due to a ridiculously low BABIP last year, his K/9 is garbage and he's never really been in the 9th inning before. I mean, I'm not a huge Rauch fan, but I gotta think he's better suited for the job at this point regardless of what Buster Olney or any other talking head says
I don't see why they don't give Liriano a shot. This could be the chance to resurrect his career and almost every time he went out last year he started good but had that one awful inning. I don't think they are ready to give up on him as a starter though, but I'm afraid if he doesn't start out good, his confidence will be past the point of no return so why not give him a shot with another role that isn't just garbage bullpen innings?
fantasysportshotspot wrote:Im hearing a lot of people scramble for his replacement. Why ? So many other closers out there just go to ESPNs depth chart.
Because this is how those of us who don't spend on closers in the drafts make up for it... by picking up the new closers as they become available through injury or job-loss. Works every season.
So many other closers out there? Where? In six-team leagues?
According to USA Today's Bob Nightengale, the Twins have been scouting Padres closer Heath Bell for a possible trade.
San Diego's demands were awfully high for the 32-year-old closer last season and it's doubtful they've come down. But if the Twins are willing to pay the price in prospects, they'll secure themselves one of the game's best ninth-inning men to fill in for the injured Joe Nathan. Bell compiled a 2.71 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 42 saves in 68 appearances last season. Mar. 19 - 10:23 am et
Might want to go pickup Adams. Also, Gregerson is pretty good too. I think Adams is the guy to get first however.
Heath Bell's Trade Value By Ben Nicholson-Smith [March 19 at 4:59pm CST] 4:59pm: Former Padres GM Kevin Towers told Jim Bowden of FOX Sports that he would ask for Aaron Hicks, Ben Revere or Angel Morales from the Twins in return for Bell if he were still running the Padres (Twitter link). Baseball America ranked the three outfielders first, fifth and eighth among Twins prospects heading into the season.
FRIDAY, 1:34pm: Whether it happens now or in July, the Padres are likely to entertain trade offers for their All-Star closer. Heath Bell has value and the Padres don't appear ready to contend for a playoff spot so GM Jed Hoyer will presumably consider trading the right-hander. The Twins are eyeing Bell, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today and more teams will want relievers by late July.
Bell compares favorably to the group of relievers that signed the biggest free agent contracts this offseason. He had a lower walk rate (3.1 BB/9) and more saves (42) than Jose Valverde, Brandon Lyon, Fernando Rodney and Mike Gonzalez and posted a higher strikeout rate than everyone except Gonzalez (Bell: 10.2 K/9, Gonzalez: 10.9 K/9).
Valverde, Lyon, Rodney and Gonzalez all signed multi-year deals worth $11MM or more, but Bell makes just $4MM this year. Next year, he's in line for a raise via arbitration if, as expected, his club tenders him a deal. Bell's ability and salary make him a valuable commodity on the trade market, but it's not clear what that translates into for the Padres.
When the Orioles traded George Sherrill last summer, they were working with a similar player. Sherrill was making less ($2.75MM) and the Dodgers acquired him midseason, but he was nonetheless effective, cheap and controllable through 2011, like Bell is now.
The Orioles acquired Josh Bell - now ranked by Baseball America as the organization's number two prospect - in the Sherrill trade. The third base prospect has "above-average power and a good approach" and projects to be Baltimore's third baseman before long, according to BA. Given their closer's contract status and ability, the Padres have every reason to ask for a top prospect in any trade.
Confirmed: Rauch to open as Twins' closer Twins manager Ron Gardenhire told Dave Schwartz of Minneapolis' KARE 11 that Jon Rauch will open the season as closer. LaVelle E. Neal III of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune has confirmed the report. It's not all that surprising that Gardenhire decided on Rauch for the gig. The 6-foot-11 right-hander has a closer-type presence and Matt Guerrier fits better in a setup role because the Twins sometimes like to use him in multiple-inning situations. Gardenhire told reporters last week that he would employ a "closer-by-committee" to cover for Joe Nathan's absence. Apr. 2 - 2:28 pm et
Confirmed: Rauch to open as Twins' closer Twins manager Ron Gardenhire told Dave Schwartz of Minneapolis' KARE 11 that Jon Rauch will open the season as closer. LaVelle E. Neal III of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune has confirmed the report. It's not all that surprising that Gardenhire decided on Rauch for the gig. The 6-foot-11 right-hander has a closer-type presence and Matt Guerrier fits better in a setup role because the Twins sometimes like to use him in multiple-inning situations. Gardenhire told reporters last week that he would employ a "closer-by-committee" to cover for Joe Nathan's absence. Apr. 2 - 2:28 pm et
After Rauch sucks this situation will change multiple times until they trade for Heath Bell.
yah im staying away from rausch. i dont believe he'll succeed on a contender. ive said it a thousand times, gardenhire made this decision based on experience, but he has 24 career saves...and 18 career blown saves. you think close to a 50% save conversion rate on a contender will last long in the 9th inning? i dont think so. im staying away from the situation.
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