German,Aardsma,Rauch

[Mr Last Place]

All three guys got called up today


I know Aardsma and German are in line to be future closers and Rauch is a SP,but what does the future look like for these guys?

[d18Mike]

The Tigers are itching to put German into the closer role.

It's curious timimg for a call up. My guess is that they plan to see how his control is for the next few weeks. That has always been his achillies. If it's improved as reported, they may deal Urbina before the deadline. They do NOT want Urbina's contract (is anyone in Oakland listening?).

So he may be the closer of the present if all works out. I'm keeping my eye on him. If he throws well, I'll stah him opn my bench. The key issue for me will be his WHIP. Last year he was just a BB nightmare. They say one of the biggest differences between AAA and ML is that the batters are far more selective. This has always runied German's ML performance.

[thehat]

Agree that Urbina is likely to be dealt. German projects as the closer if that happens and he's pitched well to that point.

Aardsma won't be closing this season unless the Giants fall out of the race, then he could get a chance.

Rauch is of use only if your league counts height as a category.

[Mr Last Place]

Rauch is of use only if your league counts height as a category.

haha good line

[JamesBond007]

in a dynasty league, would you drop Kevin Gregg for Mr. German??? Gregg seems to be lost lately...era over 7.00 the last month but still averaging a K per inning....

[thehat]

in a dynasty league, would you drop Kevin Gregg for Mr. German??? Gregg seems to be lost lately...era over 7.00 the last month but still averaging a K per inning....

I'd rather have German, who seems sure to be a closer at some point. Gregg's role is uncertain...he might end up as a starer eventually, but I don't se him as a front of the rotation guy. In fact, I don't see him as much of anything out of the very ordinary. He's a pretty fringe guy who just came from out of nowhere with all these K's this season. There's just no history of that whatsoever (except at very low minor league levels) and he's been around since 1996. Think Gregg may have been somewhat of a fluke.

[DaQ]

Rauch is of use only if your league counts height as a category.

haha good line

I second that

[perlick29]

The Tigers are itching to put German into the closer role.

It's curious timimg for a call up. My guess is that they plan to see how his control is for the next few weeks. That has always been his achillies. If it's improved as reported, they may deal Urbina before the deadline. They do NOT want Urbina's contract (is anyone in Oakland listening?).

So he may be the closer of the present if all works out. I'm keeping my eye on him. If he throws well, I'll stah him opn my bench. The key issue for me will be his WHIP. Last year he was just a BB nightmare. They say one of the biggest differences between AAA and ML is that the batters are far more selective. This has always runied German's ML performance.

To your point Oakland wanting to get Urbina, it is unlikely because the Athletics know that you should never overpay major league contracts for sves especially with that budget, he might end up with a San Fransisco or Arizona if these guys are in contention.

[d18Mike]

True. But he only has a one year contract. So he would be a rental for a couple months. If there isn't a better option available, he may be their best bet. The question is would a playoff berth offset the cost of the rental?

[perlick29]

True. But he only has a one year contract. So he would be a rental for a couple months. If there isn't a better option available, he may be their best bet. The question is would a playoff berth offset the cost of the rental?

No and I'll tell you why. Last year the A's rented a spark from a hitter's standpoint in Jose Guillen and that is probably what they will do eventually because even though the stats wouldn'y lead you to believe it right now, the A's will need a big bat to spark off another big run come August- September. Arthur Rhodes has a history of being an excellent reliever and I think the A's may get some help at the deadline there for a better bargain, or make Harden the closer, bring up Blanton and end the discussion of who will close.