Baez vs. my other relievers

[jumpman8288]

Do I start Baez over Riske, Dotel, Nathan, Cordero, or Hasegawa? None of those guys are playing great teams like the Yankees, but I tihnk that Baez is better than Nathan and MAYBE Riske. Who would you start?

[canibus]

I might start Baez over Shiggy, just because I think Guardado still has the job.

I'm not starting Baez against NY though, seems silly to sart Rivera and Baez.

I would say that all of the closers you listed are better than Baez, but I have him on my bench too and will be keeping an eye on his progression... or lack thereof.

[thetruth]

id say baez is probably the least capable of all those guys but i would probably play him over shiggy

[Rirruto]

Are you kidding me? Hasegawa is money and has the closer job for at least a week or so with Guardado out. Shiggy does not get as many K's as other closers but he gets the outs and thats all that matters. I picked him up last year when Sasaki went down and he picked up 16 saves with a 1.48 ERA!

[Rirruto]

Also, Baez is unproven and plays for the D-Rays for chrissakes. How many save opps do you think he will get on a last place team ? At least Dotel has proven himself as a dominant set-up man the last couple of seasons on a playoff contending team.

I would use any of those other closers before starting Baez.

[thetruth]

i don't think anyone was advising to sit dotel

[jumpman8288]

ok thanks guys

[Cornbread Maxwell]

Also, Baez is unproven and plays for the D-Rays for chrissakes. How many save opps do you think he will get on a last place team ? At least Dotel has proven himself as a dominant set-up man the last couple of seasons on a playoff contending team.

I would use any of those other closers before starting Baez.

misconception: closers on bad teams do not get save opps.

truth: save opps is not dependent upon a teams w-l record.

Also - Baez is young, but I wouldnt consider him unproven. He has more games as a closer under his belt than Dotel. Baez had a solid yr last yr. I think the real concern is if Lance Careter steals saves from him.

An honest answer to your question is flip a coin. As someone mentioned, you have to play Dotel, but as for the other 5, your guess is as good as anyone elses here. All of them are their teams respective closers at the moment, you just have to decide which games might be close. Good luck.