CLOSER CAROUSEL

[Todd Zola]

Yeah, I know, everyone has a pinned thread for closers, this is not original, but enough people have "borrowed" ideas from me over the years that I can borrow one too...

THIS THREAD IS FOR DISCUSSING THE EVER-PRESENT CLOSER CAROUSEL.

Please post any news you hear regarding changing closer situations.

Thanks.

[Todd Zola]

BALTIMORE -- committee with D Baez, C Ray and J Johnson all possible with a pissed off Sherrill who obviously doesn't realize he isn't that good

OAKLAND - Ziegler back from the flu but stash Andrew Bailey if possible

SEATTLE - Aardsma filling in for Morrow but check out Shawn Kelley's peripherals

[jkadagio]

Any new thoughts here?

OAK - Ziegler didn't last too long last night. Bailey came in to get the final 2 outs. Good stash call on him earlier in the week Todd.

WAS - What a mess. I had hope Beimel could come off the DL and claim a job nobody seems to want in WAS. Did anyone see him pitch? Looks like it took him 40 pitches to get through the 8th. Ugh. Maybe Hanrahan doesn't so much as step forward, more like everyone else steps back?

NYY - Who would be next in line if any vulture SV's come up here? I didn't see Rivera pitch but he gave up 2 HR's last night. Read this blurb over on RW:
"During Thursday's post-game show on the YES Network, Yankees manager Joe Girardi revealed that Mariano Rivera's surgically repaired shoulder has been bothering him."

[Todd Zola]

With respect to Ziegler, he got lit up in a non-save situation. His job is still safe in that this isolated outing won't be an issue, but it is in some long-term jeopardy as he profiles as the type that could have more of these rocky efforts down the road, at which point his closer gig could be in trouble.

Beimel is not a good pitcher. They were using the line that they wanted some veteran stability at the back end of the bullpen while the youngsters mature. As we have discussed elsewhere, it is likely a matter of when, not if Hanrahan returns to the role of blowing saves for the Nats.

Yankees, who knows? Long-term you KNOW the Joba cries will be rampant. Short-term it islikely a matchup committee with Phil Coke currently throwing the best. Aceves could be a dark-horse, even though he is a starter and is filling the long-relief role presently.

[somerandomguy]

riveria looked great getting the 2 outs and had 2 strikes on crawford before the hr-riveria looked a little shocked when it was hit- after 2 strikes- crawford managed to foul 3 balls off before the hr however - the ball for that one was right down the middel- the announcers thought he seemed a little shaken up- which might have contributed to the 2nd hr-

[CubFan]

KC - watched Soria on TV last night. He didn't "look" right. Gave up 2 hits, 2 walks and a run in an inning. Hillman attributed it to rust. 13 of 29 pitches were strikes. Lowest percentage of his career, just the second time in the last 2 years that he has thrown more balls than strikes. He said he felt good. We'll see. KC covered up his sore shoulder he had in April and Hillman said in the paper he will be challenged in protecting his shoulder vs keeping him from being rusty. As most everyone knows Cruz is the backup. Sorry to the 3 Farnsworth owners out there.

[Todd Zola]

riveria looked great getting the 2 outs and had 2 strikes on crawford before the hr-riveria looked a little shocked when it was hit- after 2 strikes- crawford managed to foul 3 balls off before the hr however - the ball for that one was right down the middel- the announcers thought he seemed a little shaken up- which might have contributed to the 2nd hr-

There is concern over a drop in velocity and it is reported his shoulder is sore.

Last night was the first time EVER he has given up back-to-back jacks.

And he has already allowed 4 homers this season after allowing only 4 all of last year.

Call it a yellow cuation as opposed to a red alert.

[da_big_kid_94]

riveria looked great getting the 2 outs and had 2 strikes on crawford before the hr-riveria looked a little shocked when it was hit- after 2 strikes- crawford managed to foul 3 balls off before the hr however - the ball for that one was right down the middel- the announcers thought he seemed a little shaken up- which might have contributed to the 2nd hr-

There is concern over a drop in velocity and it is reported his shoulder is sore.

Last night was the first time EVER he has given up back-to-back jacks.

And he has already allowed 4 homers this season after allowing only 4 all of last year.

Call it a yellow cuation as opposed to a red alert.

Gorilla in the room time. If not Mariano, then who? Interesting, eh wot?

[Todd Zola]

riveria looked great getting the 2 outs and had 2 strikes on crawford before the hr-riveria looked a little shocked when it was hit- after 2 strikes- crawford managed to foul 3 balls off before the hr however - the ball for that one was right down the middel- the announcers thought he seemed a little shaken up- which might have contributed to the 2nd hr-

There is concern over a drop in velocity and it is reported his shoulder is sore.

Last night was the first time EVER he has given up back-to-back jacks.

And he has already allowed 4 homers this season after allowing only 4 all of last year.

Call it a yellow cuation as opposed to a red alert.

Gorilla in the room time. If not Mariano, then who? Interesting, eh wot?

That's where this all stemmed from, we talked about the "who" above. For now, just discussion, there has been no word that Mo will be missing any time.

Aside from Joba and the "committee", I am surmising help may come in the form of a trade such as Capps or Street.

[da_big_kid_94]

Believe me, I'm not suggesting about talking days here. I'm talking a 39 year old off shoulder surgery turning into the Yankee version of B.J. Ryan. If Mariano's down for a period of a month or longer, is it going to take Austin Jackson to get their closer or will they kill the Joba starter thing once and for all?

[Todd Zola]

I'd see what the Red want for Paul Janish

If Hughes and Kennedy can do anything, one would have to think Joba heads back to the bullpen.

The irony is that last game against Boston, Joba unveiled a changeup that has some potential to be his 3rd pitch, necessary for long-term success in the rotation.

[CubFan]

I'd see what the Red want for Paul Janish

If Hughes and Kennedy can do anything, one would have to think Joba heads back to the bullpen.

The irony is that last game against Boston, Joba unveiled a changeup that has some potential to be his 3rd pitch, necessary for long-term success in the rotation.

NYY - Hughes was lit up today and Kennedy has an aneurysm under his arm. Looks like Joba will stay put in the rotation for awhile longer. And Rivera continues to have shoulder discomfort.

KC - Soria still has a sore shoulder and Hillman is unveiling the dreaded "closer by committee" with at least one roto site mentioning Farnsworth as being in the mix. Nah, that has to be a joke............right?

Balt - both Johnson and Ray's last appearance was 1 inning in the 9th while Sherrill got a save in his last appearance. Their auditioning with Sherrill is still in the lead as we round the first turn. Baez does not appear to be in the mix despite being their best relief pitcher. Looks like I'll throw him back into the pond and go fishing elsewhere.

Oak - Zielgler still in control. But Bailey gets a 2 inning save and just about guarantees a few more chances.

[Todd Zola]

Morrow off the DL for Seattle

Hanrahan cleaned up Kip Wells mess tonight, it's when not if he gets another shot to blow more saves

[Todd Zola]

Soria on the DL.

[Hambowen]

Hawkins did a pretty good job in the role. Most sources are saying Valverde will be handed the role back.

Is there any chance Hawkins will stay the closer?

If not will Valverde be on a short leash?

[da_big_kid_94]

Hawkins did a pretty good job in the role. Most sources are saying Valverde will be handed the role back.

Is there any chance Hawkins will stay the closer?

If not will Valverde be on a short leash?

Can't see it. 47 and 44 saves the past two years versus a guy who's never been able to win an keep a closing job? Unless Valverde gets hurt again, La Troy goes back to set up, by far the best role for him.