2013 CLOSERS THREAD

[AKhomebrewer]

And so it begins ...
Good to have you back in this space, Havok.

[daullaz]

FWIW, Bo Porter mentioned Rhiner Cruz and Hector Ambriz as other options to close in Houston when calling Jose Veras the front-runner yesterday.

I don't know that Bruce Rondon can be tabbed as safe yet. The Tigers hope he wins the job, but have said that they can "mix and match," I think it's still pretty open. He may well be the closer and end up as a "safe" by the start of the season, but if guys like Grilli and Cishek aren't getting that designation, Rondon may not deserve it.

[Ender]

I would downgrade Hanrahan one notch. They have 2 better RP than him, he was pretty putrid in the 2nd half last year and Boston tends to knee jerk faster than most teams in the early part of a season. I think if he comes out and blows the first 2 saves of the year he might not get the 3rd save opp.

[stevethumb]

Bryan Shaw is no longer a D'Back...he is an Indian

[Havok1517]

Bryan Shaw is no longer a D'Back...he is an Indian

Good catch

[Havok1517]

I would downgrade Hanrahan one notch. They have 2 better RP than him, he was pretty putrid in the 2nd half last year and Boston tends to knee jerk faster than most teams in the early part of a season. I think if he comes out and blows the first 2 saves of the year he might not get the 3rd save opp.

I agree that his smile could turn into a frown quite quickly but the Red Sox have been pretty clear that Hanrahan has the job since they acquired him.

[Skin Blues]

Fernando Rodney put up one of the best seasons of all time in 2012. Probably should be a notch or two higher on the job security list considering the group of guys he's lumped with under the category.

[AussieDodger]

First of all, Havok you are awesome.

Fernando Rodney put up one of the best seasons of all time in 2012. Probably should be a notch or two higher on the job security list considering the group of guys he's lumped with under the category.

Rodney was tremendous last year, but I can see how he's not a lock given that he has 10 years of suck behind that one great season.

Also J.McGee was phenomenal behind him, and J.Peralta's K/9 is exploding in the twilight of his career......TB like Peralta enough to give him $3mil/$3mil/ + team options.

It's not that Rodney is under threat because he stinks, it's that the guys behind are so good and/or liked by the team that he might be on the ejector seat fairly quickly if he starts walking people again.

[Skin Blues]

I'm not saying Rodney is 100% going to keep the job, but he's far more secure than the guys he's ranked alongside (League, Rondon, Holland, Perkins, Veras, Madson, Balfour, Francisco). Which isn't to say all of those guys are ranked incorrectly; they are safe at best, so it makes sense. Just that Rodney is far more secure than all of them. I can't see Madden demoting him very quickly for many different reasons. Not to mention Broxton/Hanrahan actually being a grade above. I know I'm being nitpicky and it probably doesn't really matter because everybody already knows how good the guy is, but it's just the one that stuck out like a sore thumb.

[Ender]

Balfour out 4-6 weeks with meniscus tear. May or may not be ready for opening day.

http://baseballnewssource.com/oakland-a ... eks/17091/