Troy Percival vs Todd Jones

by SeanDubbs on Jul 28, 2008 1:49 PM EDT

Todd Jones was just demoted from his role as closer in favor of Fernando Rodney by Jim Leyland. Jones is an old closer that is past his prime but is still effective at times. Rodney has been around a few seasons and missed much of the first half. Rodney relies primarily on his fastball to get hitters out.

Troy Percival is an old closer that is past his prime but is still effective at times. Grant Balfour has been around a few seasons and missed much of the first half. Balfour relies primarily on his fastball to get hitters out.

Something very similar here, the only difference is Joe should make the call and follow in Leyland's philosophy of taking talent over experience. Joe admitted that Percy is still trying to get his mechanics back after his two trips to the DL. Drop him down to a few low importance situations for a few weeks to see if he can get back to where he was.

This post was written by a member of the DRaysBay community and does not necessarily express the views or opinions of DRaysBay staff.

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Both are/were RBC

Results Based Closers.

by R.J. Anderson on Jul 28, 2008 1:54 PM EDT reply actions

I got two hours of sleep last night.

There is no way I could handle a RBC tonight. My blood pressure is already soaring I’m sure.

www.citadel-insurance.com

by SeanDubbs on Jul 28, 2008 1:56 PM EDT up reply actions

I choose not to watch Percy pitch if possible...

It seems to help a little, though I still stress out just thinking about him pitching, especially if he comes in with ONLY a 3-run lead.

by rayweaver on Jul 28, 2008 2:50 PM EDT up reply actions

I like when Percy pitches because it means we are in the lead...but it is turning me into an alcoholic

by td32 on Jul 28, 2008 3:08 PM EDT reply actions

I dont like the comparison at all

Todd JOnes is terrible, wheras Percival has troubles at times but is still the type of presence you want as your closer. He’s a veteran with WS experience who still gets the job done.

Todd JOnes- 4.99 ERA 1.54 WHIP .293 BAA 18/23 saves

Troy Percival- 3.69 ERA 1.01 WHIP .175 BAA 22/24 saves

Percival and Jones don’t compare at all. Jones is lousy with no plus pitches in his arsenal. Percival has 3 pitches that are plus pitches on any given night. Im not huge on Percival, but pulling him from the closers role is a bad idea. Espeically if he’s healthy

by blazinrayz on Jul 28, 2008 4:12 PM EDT reply actions

not saying Percy is just as bad as Jones

but I would Imagine if you take out the first few weeks or month were Percy was on fire his numbers wouldn’t be that great. Hopefully he is just in a slump but over the last couple months he hasn’t been that good at all.

by Dbullsfan on Jul 28, 2008 4:18 PM EDT up reply actions

percy's better than Jones

but then again Jones is basically replacement level.

percy’s not as good as his 3.69 ERA, though. look at the K/BB ratio. look how many flyballs he gives up. then look how lucky he’s been in BABIP and HR/FB. more runs are coming. let’s please make them happen in low-leverage situations.

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by Sky Kalkman on Jul 28, 2008 4:45 PM EDT up reply actions

This post isn't about stats.

This post is about similar situations.

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by SeanDubbs on Jul 28, 2008 8:12 PM EDT up reply actions

Percy should be pitching those situations when we're down 3-1 in the seventh

although, I’m fine with him also pitching when we’re up 3-0 in the ninth. basically just as important. just keep him away from one-run and tie games

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by Sky Kalkman on Jul 28, 2008 4:43 PM EDT reply actions

And then there were three

If we can’t trust Percy in one-run situations, we’ve already lost the war. That leaves Wheeler, Balfour, and Howell with a LOT of innings to pitch.

by GomesSweetGomes on Jul 28, 2008 4:52 PM EDT up reply actions

i'm not sure many other teams even have three pitchers they'd really trust with one-run leads

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by Sky Kalkman on Jul 28, 2008 7:15 PM EDT up reply actions

well, let's not forget Niemann and/or Price

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by Sky Kalkman on Jul 28, 2008 7:15 PM EDT up reply actions

The difference is the Percival is good andJones is terrible.

Revenge of '96: STOP THE CHOP

by JI on Jul 28, 2008 6:59 PM EDT reply actions

define what you mean by "good"

should be on a major league team? yes. is good as the third or fourth option out of the pen? yes. has the skill to give up fewer than 4.00 runs per game going forward? no.

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by Sky Kalkman on Jul 28, 2008 7:16 PM EDT up reply actions

Todd Jones is horrible

Troy Percival is a legitimate major league closer, if he’s healthy I don’t see any reason why you’d be worried about him going forward.

Revenge of '96: STOP THE CHOP

by JI on Jul 29, 2008 2:06 AM EDT up reply actions

I repect your points....

But I disagree to an extent. If Percival is healthy and has the control he had earlier in the season, I think he is a sub 4.00 ERA guy. His problem is that ever since his hammy injury, his location has been of, and he has been working behind in the count. Plus his control within the zone hasnt been as strong. ANd his offspeed really hasnt been that good.

WHat I am saying is that, if his hamstring is healthy, I think he is a very solid pitcher. Ever since his unjry, he has sucked ass.

by td32 on Jul 29, 2008 9:41 AM EDT up reply actions

do we think his hamstring will be healthy the rest of the way?

or will he still deal with…?

“His problem is that ever since his hammy injury, his location has been of, and he has been working behind in the count. Plus his control within the zone hasnt been as strong. ANd his offspeed really hasnt been that good.”

my blog

by Sky Kalkman on Jul 29, 2008 1:59 PM EDT up reply actions