2012 CLOSERS THREAD (1ST HALF)

[IndyPostman]

Great as always, thank you for posting!! Curious how this will evolve over the course of the spring.

Anyone think Axford might be even a little nervous with KRod behind him? I'm a little nervous that if Mr. Mustache has another opening day like he did last year (game up a walk-off to the Reds) that it won't be long for a call for a change comes. Yes, Ax was great last year (except where previously noted), but for some reason this still concerns me a bit.

Also what is going to happen in Oakland? You've got Balfour listed first, but with no icon I guess you're not exactly endorsing him as actual closer.

[ayebatter]

Nice work, as usual

[kab21]

Great stuff but I agree with the Perez comments. He's not sticking as closer if he pitches like last year. The same goes for Matt Capps. They = or and won't be on my teams unless I'm grabbing them in the 18th.

[GiantsFan14]

Great stuff but I agree with the Perez comments. He's not sticking as closer if he pitches like last year. The same goes for Matt Capps. They = or and won't be on my teams unless I'm grabbing them in the 18th.

I'll probably draft Pestano and Perkins before I draft those two. At least I won't have to worry about my ratios being destroyed. Also they actually strike guys out and I wouldn't be shocked to see either get more saves than the incumbents.

[J35J]

I think there are fifty million reasons that Papelbon is as rock solid as anyone. Hanrahan is also solid, if not rock solid. Betancourt is solid. Best relief pitcher in baseball the past 2 years (highest K/BB, lowest SIERA) and no competition now that Street is gone. Chris Perez is realllly shaky, like everyone has said. Pestano is much better and I imagine will take over at some point.

Yeah, I'm not sure anyone is as "rock solid" as Papelbon. Also agree that Betancourt is a beast, very under the radar of just how good he is.

[Padsin05]

I think there are fifty million reasons that Papelbon is as rock solid as anyone. Hanrahan is also solid, if not rock solid. Betancourt is solid. Best relief pitcher in baseball the past 2 years (highest K/BB, lowest SIERA) and no competition now that Street is gone. Chris Perez is realllly shaky, like everyone has said. Pestano is much better and I imagine will take over at some point.

Yeah, I'm not sure anyone is as "rock solid" as Papelbon. Also agree that Betancourt is a beast, very under the radar of just how good he is.

people still think of Betancourt as the guy who failed everytime he got a chance in Cleveland

Also, lets start the talk early, dont ask who should i grab, who should i start, I have this closer and hes like sucky should i trade him.

Please post useful information, game commentary (not rah-rah stuff)but like for example, with Capps struggling, who is likely next. Who pitched the 8th was it a pressure situation, how did he do.

[Mr. T]

Nice to see this thread back up. What are peoples thoughts on Kenley Jansen? I think he will be the closer in L A this year and I think he will be a good one. My opinion is that he will be a top 10 closer by the end of the year going into next season. His K/BB rate is unreal he has 137k's to 41BB's in only 80.2 inn's at the big league level that is a lot of K's in only 80 inn's. He is 24 years old and if he can win the job out of spring training he may be a real nice pick up.

[Garry26]

Finally! I was looking for this thread!

Why don't they like K Gregg? He's obviously proven he can close, and yet every year its the same thing. It's going to be someone else and only when they fail, do they go to Gregg. What's the deal?

The same thing for a few other relievers out there too. I think even Valverde was one of those for a while until he finally got his due.

[Skin Blues]

Kevin Gregg is absolutely horrible. He hasn't proven anything other than he's been on teams that don't have an actual closer. He was one of the worst relievers in baseball last year.

[Garry26]

Hes not great thats for sure, but hes gotten 20+ saves on teams so he can do it.
Ok I see now. Basically they'll try their "talent" at the position, even if its inexperienced. Only if it fails will they go to Gregg. They're looking for the prototypical closer type, which Gregg isnt I guess.

In the CBS Depth Charts, De Los Santos is listed as Closer over Balfour.

I dont know where they get their info though so maybe one place is good as another this early in the game.