Koch traded to Marlins

[warrick95]

My opinion is reflected in my "Location."

Anyway, it's a good deal for the Marlins. Anybody remember what the problem was with Armando? Control and guts. Well, Rothschild did well (at least thus far people) at getting that settled down. Perhaps he can do the same with Koch. They definitely need a solid set-up man for Benitez and Koch can be that guy.

so what would rothschild be able to do, with, say, rocker...

Oh, I'm not saying that he's a God or anything, but who knows...

Rocker is screwed up mentally and psychologically, seriously.

Koch isn't a screwball. He's unnerved and wild, but certainly not Rocker. He was always a thrower who had near 100 MPH gas. Now that he has lost that gas, he must learn how to pitch. It was different with Armando, as he still gets up into the higher mid 90s, but Koch tops out at 94 now. We'll see if the Koch Experiment succeeds.

[thetongueofire]

this def pretty much is a sign that Takatsu's in there for the long run.. i guess i was wrong about the sell high on Takatsu stuff .. .. i still dont trust him tho.

anyways.. what i dont get is what use the White Sox have for Valdes.. they already have an overcrowding of IF's.. did they just wanna get rid of Koch and his contract blindly ???

[warrick95]

this def pretty much is a sign that Takatsu's in there for the long run.. i guess i was wrong about the sell high on Takatsu stuff .. .. i still dont trust him tho.

anyways.. what i dont get is what use the White Sox have for Valdes.. they already have an overcrowding of IF's.. did they just wanna get rid of Koch and his contract blindly ???

Yes.

Takatsu may close this year, but who's the closer of the future???

THAT'S RIGHT!!!

[thetongueofire]

this def pretty much is a sign that Takatsu's in there for the long run.. i guess i was wrong about the sell high on Takatsu stuff .. .. i still dont trust him tho.

anyways.. what i dont get is what use the White Sox have for Valdes.. they already have an overcrowding of IF's.. did they just wanna get rid of Koch and his contract blindly ???

Yes.

Takatsu may close this year, but who's the closer of the future???

THAT'S RIGHT!!!

you sure you're not Marte's agent or something ???

[jbones733]

right now this makes Takatsu a stud Closer, based on history (in japan & his imoressive showing in majors so far) 7 now has been handed the job all year.

Koch will do well in Marlins in setup role, i think

but i tell ya some Sept, Oct u gotta be scared if your Florida having Koch/Benitez control 8th & 9th innings, not exactly Rivera/Wetteland

[Xtreemes]

Good move by the Marlins if not due any large financial obligation.

Weren't the same people saying Armando is awful?? Pro Player is a spacious ballpark (like Oakland). I'd expect similar statistics (minus the saves of course) as his 2002 season.

Koch will be a nice setup man for them. I need a decent holds guy

no one was saying armando was awful. he saved a great percentage of games for the mets, but his problem was saving the important games. and if the marlins are playing meaningful games down the stretch then i fully believe that he will do the same with them.

[Madison]

Link:

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=1824190

MIAMI -- The Florida Marlins acquired reliever Billy Koch from the Chicago White Sox for minor league infielder Wilson Valdez late Thursday night.


Billy Koch
Relief Pitcher
Chicago White Sox
Profile


2004 SEASON STATISTICS
GM W L Sv K ERA
24 1 1 8 25 5.40





The deal was announced shortly after the Marlins beat the White Sox 2-1 in 12 innings.



The Marlins acquired Koch and cash from the White Sox, who had recently replaced the right-hander with Shingo Takatsu -- Japan's all-time saves leader -- as the team's closer.



"I was sort of expecting it a little bit, but I didn't think (Florida)," Koch said. "Through the grapevine, I hear things. I never heard the Marlins, but it'll be good. I like the heat, I like the sun."



Koch, 29, never quite fit in with the White Sox after joining them last season. He appeared in 24 games this season with eight saves in 11 opportunities and a 1-1 record -- but had a 5.40 ERA. Koch allowed 24 hits and 15 runs in 23 innings.



"That will be the best scenario for him," White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said. "It's a shame it didn't work out for him here because he was a class act."



The Marlins were in need of bullpen help in the middle innings to complement a solid starting rotation and closer Armando Benitez. Before trading for Koch, the Marlins' latest acquisition was 36-year-old Josias Manzanillo, who was called up from Triple-Albuquerque on Wednesday.



"He's a proven closer who knows how to handle games late," Marlins general manager Larry Beinfest said of Koch. "We'll put him right in that spot, in front of Benitez.



"Maybe a change of scenery will be good for him."



Koch is 28-23 with 163 career saves in six major league seasons with Toronto, Oakland and Chicago.



The 25-year-old Valdez was hitting .319 in 66 games at Albuquerque. Florida claimed him off waivers from Montreal in March 2002

[JRM4833]

Thanks Madison. Sucks to be a Koch owner (glad Im not one of them).

[Madison]

With Pro Player being a pitcher's park, Koch just might be ok for home starts in leagues that count holds. Just something to toss out there.

[Cornbread Maxwell]

I think thats a great trade!
This has nothing to do with the fact that Im a Takatsu owner - really.