Closer candidates

by Longo4MVP on Sep 7, 2008 9:19 AM EDT

We obviously need a new closer after what happened yesterday. That was terrible. Where we are right now we cannot afford to lose games like that. My candidates? JP Howell, Dan Wheeler, Grant Balfour, and Chad Bradford. What do there stats look like against Percy's?

ERA SV SVO G IP ER

Howell: 2.54 2 3 56 78 22

Balfour: 1.70 4 5 42 47.2 9

Wheeler: 2.54 11 14 62 60.1 17

Bradford: 2.06 0 2 61 52.1 12

Percival: 4.91 27 31 43 40.1 22

All of the pitchers listed before Percy have better stats and are better options. Of those 27 saves, a few have given all of us close heart attacks. I would stick either Howell or Balfour in the closers role for a while to see how they do. Percy has lost his 300+ save material. I wouldn't mind seeing him in the 7th or 8th inning, just not the ninth. I think it is time for Joe to forget about his friendship and move him out of the closer role.

Thoughts?

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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I know most of the ppl on here like Maddons situational approach

but I for one would rather see consistent roles
7-JP
8-Balfour/Wheeler
9-Wheeler/Balfour ( I really think both guys would do a good job in either role)

by Dbullsfan on Sep 7, 2008 9:23 AM EDT reply actions

why do situations have to be defined by innings, though?

and even if i yield to the point that being a closer takes a certain mindset, can’t the other pitches be moved around between the 7th and 8th innings? for example, Howell and Wheeler should be used to maximize Wheeler against righties and Howell against lefties.

by Sky Kalkman on Sep 7, 2008 10:25 AM EDT up reply actions

Relief ace.

by R.J. Anderson on Sep 7, 2008 9:36 AM EDT reply actions

my thoughts are that I'd rather see these things in your table:

K/9
BB/9
GB%
Lefty or Righty
tRA or something like it

Balfour’s the best reliever and should see the one- and two-run ninth inning leads, plus any situations in the 7th or 8th that are critical (a few runners on base with one or none out). Howell, Bradford, and Wheeler are next (Bradford’s a bit worse) and can be mixed based on matchups — Howell against more lefties, Wheeler against more righties, and Bradford when there’s a double-play possibility or when a homerun would really hurt. In fact, I would use Wheeler early and have Bradford ready if Wheeler let’s runners on base. Percival probably wouldn’t pitch in close games, although he could be a ROOGY to complement Miller as a LOOGY.

by Sky Kalkman on Sep 7, 2008 10:31 AM EDT reply actions