What are the chances of Mike Gonzalez closing?

[AI8818]

I was just reading a yahoo arcticle and they were talking about how it's a possibility for Mike Gonzalez to close for Pittsburgh. I just picked him up off the free-agents and will hope that he will be the sleeper of the year. Any predictions on if he takes over this spring or sometime in the beginning of the baseball season?

[Cooner]

only if Mesa falters, which his history suggests he will at some point. Either way, Mike Gonzalez will get you good ERA/WHIP/etc and a few wins from a middle reliever, one of the top middle relievers with probably the best chance of being a closer at some point.

[NZF]

Don't get your hopes up. I'd say the possibility of him closing for the Pirates out of ST is very small. In fact at this stage he's still behind Torres in the pecking order.

The only chance Gonzalez gets a shot early is if Mesa gets injured and Torres isn't up to it. Now I know Mesa is old but he's a conditioning fanatic from way back and is always in great order, so it's unlikely he goes down any time soon.

[Mercer Boy]

only if Mesa falters, which his history suggests he will at some point. Either way, Mike Gonzalez will get you good ERA/WHIP/etc and a few wins from a middle reliever, one of the top middle relievers with probably the best chance of being a closer at some point.

Ditto...It's Mesa's to lose, and if he chokes it, they may try out Gonzalez. I would venture to guess they would since people think he is really good. Torres is McClendon's main setup guy, and I doubt he will move him to closer.

He's definitely a good sleeper closer candidate...as you probably know, the Pirates rarely win by more than 3 runs.

[LBJackal]

It's Mesa's job to lose but if he can't handle it I can see Gonzalez being next in line. He the team's best RP and only being a lefty is holding him back from being the closer. With Grabow and Johnston also being lefties, I don't think his handedness will be as big a problem for Gonzalez taking over the closer role eventually. For now though, you'll be "stuck" with an elite middle reliever.

[PSU4ever11]

I have Pirate Season ticketts and im gonna be honest. Theres a damn good chance of it. If Mesa scuks he'll close and if Mesas awsoem theyl trade Mesa and he'll close. It all depends when u pick him up. U have to watch

[Rico The Retard]

i thought Torres is second in line

[PSU4ever11]

Thats wut everyone says but the bucs are desperate and the fans love gonzalez and tehyll listen to the fans

[whitesox04champs]

Once Mesa fails(Yes, he will fail in april-His end of the season was so horrible in which he showed his true colors) Gonzalez will have a chance to close.

Now, you have to think of this almost as a math problem IMO.

What percent would u place that Mesa will stay the closer the whole season?

If he isnt closer the whole season, which time of the season is he most likely to be replaced(what percent of the season has been completed)?

If he is replaced, what are the odds that Gonzalez will become the closer?

If Gonzalez becomes the closer, what are the chances of him succeeding adequately?

What are the chances of him succeeding greatly?

What are the chances of him getting injured prior or during a stint as a closer?


The list goes on and on and on. It is up to the individual what they factor into being there expectations of gonzalez.

[HOOTIE]

Mesa will close to start, but Gonzalez has the best stuff in the pen. If Mesa falters, and he could seeing his lackluster K rate, and his more hits then innings. Mesa also could be traded at some point.