2011 CLOSERS THREAD

[RedSoxNation04]

With the way teams are stockpiling late-inning relievers, it will be interesting to see if anyone has success using multiple guys to close out games.

[hot4tx]

If Feliz starts, who closes? Alexi Ogando?

Yes or with some possibility given to Lowe though if Feliz moves to the rotation I gotta think Scheppers could be considered.

Yeah I think you could look at Scheppers, Ogando, Rhodes in that order if Feliz moved to the rotation, but the quote from Daniels was that he would have to represent "a significant upgrade" to the rotation to be moved. Probably better for the Rangers in the long-haul if Feliz were a dominant starter than a dominant closer, but they have been clear they would rather have a dominant closer than a good starter. Personally I think chances are low for him to move.

[wrveres]

Chris Ray is an option to close out games while RP David Aardsma (hip) works his way back from hip surgery, according to AOL FanHouse's John Hickey. RP Brandon League will get the first crack at saving ball games with Aardsma sidelined.

[StlSluggers]

KANSAS CITY ROYALS – J. Soria RHP , J. Jeffress RHP, R. Tejada RHP, C. Rosa RHP

Royals should be tweaked. Carlos Rosa is no longer in organization. I'd list next in line as Tejeda and maybe Blake Wood. You could list either Jeffress, Tim Collins, or Aaron Crow as closer of future.

I agree. It needed some teaking. I wouldn't be surprised if Jeffress is the #2 mid-season this year, he's that talented. Also, I put Coleman as the COTF due to Jeffress likely to have a high work load at the beginning of the season. I personally think prospect Mike Montgomery could be forced to relief if he continues to have elbow problems.

Also, it's Tejeda.

Just pointing it out for search indexing purposes.

[GoodOl'Days]

I see no reason why Jordan Walden doesn't take over the closer role for the Angels quickly. Fernando Rodney is terrible as a closer and probably terrible as a pitcher in general. Basically he sucks, and the Angels have nothing else after him, Scott Downs is a possibility I suppose but he is a lefty and lefty closers are never a good idea. Walden is the one to watch this season, he throws 100mph and he's super cute.

Control and durability issues derived from mechanics. Career K-rate not matching with alleged quality of stuff and heat on his fastball. Probably just needs more time as a reliever. I don't know why thejusman1 gave you that weird response, maybe because you said 'quickly'. I'll have him on my watch list. Hopefully, for me and my holds leagues, he gets Scot Shields like numbers early on.

[Inukchuk]

I don't know why thejusman1 gave you that weird response, maybe because you said 'quickly'.

...but more likely because he called Walden 'super cute.'

[Syfo-Dyas]

Control and durability issues derived from mechanics.

Partly.

[Havok1517]

David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution suspects that Craig Kimbrel will open the 2011 season as the Braves' closer.
Kimbrel, 22, will battle fellow youngster Jonny Venters for the role this spring. "I’m ready to get things rolling," Kimbrel said Tuesday, during Braves pitching camp at Turner Field. "It’s going to be a fun year." The right-hander struck out 40 batters in just 20 2/3 innings last season while posting an ERA of 0.44 and a 1.21 WHIP. Venters, a lefty, also posted tremendous numbers. The Braves are likely to choose between the two by mid-March.
Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution

[CBMGreatOne]

I guess this could be characterized as more of a gut feeling than anything else, but Jon Rauch really fits the mold of a dominant closer and has more of a 9th inning pedigree compared to the Jays other options. I'd have to think that if they had any designs on using Frasor in the role, they wouldn't have acquired so many new options in the pen. I think I like Rauch to lead that bullpen in saves at season's end, even if he doesn't have the job straight out of spring training.

[RedSoxNation04]

I guess this could be characterized as more of a gut feeling than anything else, but Jon Rauch really fits the mold of a dominant closer and has more of a 9th inning pedigree compared to the Jays other options. I'd have to think that if they had any designs on using Frasor in the role, they wouldn't have acquired so many new options in the pen. I think I like Rauch to lead that bullpen in saves at season's end, even if he doesn't have the job straight out of spring training.

You also have Frank Francisco in the mix