Fantasy Baseball Cafe Forums

by **Da Rook** » Fri Mar 28, 2003 2:30 pm

Does anyone have info on who will be the closer for the Sox. I am hearing "closer-by-commitee", with Embree, Mendoza, Timlin, Fox, and Howary (seems like their entire bullpen). Who is the favorite to close???

by **davegod2** » Fri Mar 28, 2003 2:57 pm

Embree is the favorite, if he does well, the job should be his to keep...

by **Chiggidy Chester** » Fri Mar 28, 2003 5:01 pm

Embree Embree Embree Embree Embree Embree Embree Embree Embree Embree Embree Embree No Howry Embree Embree Embree No Mendoza Embree Embree Embree Embree No Timlin No Fox Embree!

by **Chiggidy Chester** » Fri Mar 28, 2003 5:02 pm

Sorry about that I double posted my annoying Embree cornicopia

by **a Bostonian** » Fri Mar 28, 2003 5:09 pm

embree..? embree...? ahh..........nah

personnally i would take the deep sleeper pick on fox if you were going to pick any of the commitee

by **Amnorix** » Fri Mar 28, 2003 6:01 pm

In all seriousness, it remains to be seen what will happen in the Boston closer "debate". The GM and some of his stat-head associates (including, most notably, Bill James) are literally of the contention that the team should not have a designated closer at all. They suggest that the entire concept of having one anointed, usually highly paid, pitcher whose specific job it is to pitch the 9th inning of games where you have a close lead, is inherently and fundamentally flawed.

Whether the manager, Grady Little, doesn't succumb to baseball orthodoxy over the last 15 years remains to be seen. If he does what the GM appears to be hoping he'll do, however, then the Red Sox saves will probably be split between Mendoza, Fox, Timlin and Embree.

I wouldn't draft any Red Sox closer until very, very late in the draft. Two reasons: first, you're basically just going to have to guess which guy will be anointed closer (ya, Embree is the favorite, but I don't think it's even 50% likely that the ONLY lefty (95% sure of that) in the 'pen is going to be the closer), and second, whoever you pick might just blow up and fail as the "closer", if Boston even has one. Too risky to throw away any kind of decent pick on this "mess" (for fantasy baseball purposes, anyway).

by **Amnorix** » Fri Mar 28, 2003 6:02 pm

General statement: my posts are way, waaaay too long. Must learn to keep it short and simple. Must learn to keep it short and simple... :-o

by **BumpWills** » Fri Mar 28, 2003 7:14 pm

No closer. Boston is stepping outside the realm of contemperary baseball wisdom and will not have a closer. Embree is their best pitcher and will face the opposition's best hitters. If this means that Delgado comes to the plate in the 8th, then Embree will pitch the 8th and Fox or Timlin will face Woodward in the 9th. I like the idea but it is inconvenient for those of us in the fantasy baseball world. Count on Embree for 15-20 saves.