Forget Riske

[Vikes24]

Having both Jimenez and Urbina on the squad puts TOO much pressure on Riske to be pefect, one mistake and hes replaced.

Maybe if he opens up any book or website, and actually LOOKS at Jimenez's carreer stats- that will settle him down a bit!

If the guy is going to "feel too much pressure" with those two clowns behind him- he should not be closing in a PRESSURE situation to begin with- "stud" or no "stud". It did not seem to bother Wagner, Gagne, Rivera, etc. having better than average set-up men.

[mcqfesijiba]

Cleveland signing Urbina is not a done deal just yet. So until then Riske is the closer.
Also, can you say this situation is worse than some other closer situations? Here are some situations where I would currently prefer Riske (unless the possible Urbina signing becomes more than that):
Tigers' closers
Justin Speier/Aquilino Lopez
Rocky Biddle
Billy Koch
Nen/Herges (owners watch every Nen pitch with a microscope)
Hoffman (going out on a limb here, but he goes relatively early among closers and reportedly has a partially torn rotator cuff. Hmm)

[jonnyblack]

I don't think the Urbina to Cleveland deal gets done. If it does, it is only a matter of time before Urbina takes over as the closer. How much time? depends on David Riske. At the very, very least, Riske will be good for a couple of early save opps, as they ease U2 (<----I like that) into the role. Best case scenario for Riske is that they will not sign U2, and he will be the closer anyway. Jiminez is behind Riske, IMO.

But what if they do sign Urbina? He certainly wouldn't be ready to pitch by opening day. So let's say Riske goes on a Fassero-like 2001 tear, reals off 12 consecutive saves in the first month, and looks dominant. Then what do you do? Not likely to happen, but....

For my money, I'm betting they don't get U2 signed, Riske is the closer, and has a serviceable season.