The Rays Really Need Francisco Rodriguez

by R.J. Anderson on Jun 6, 2009 10:02 PM EDT Comment 48 comments

We have nobody in the bullpen equal to him. Absolutely nobody.

Francisco Rodriguez: 25.2 IP,1.65 pLI ,2.75 FIP, 0.6 WAR

J.P. Howell: 27.2 IP, 1.41 pLI, 2.24 FIP, 0.9 WAR

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Imagine if we had both.

"Where we all wait in earnest with pudding in hand for the Upton comet to sail through the roofed skies, so that we may meet Him."

by kericr on Jun 6, 2009 10:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

From the information in this article it would seem we don't need him.

oh wait nm i see what you did there

Rays Win!

by Sandy Kazmir on Jun 6, 2009 10:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Sorry but we need someone with a closer mentality

someone who can just go in there and shut them down!!!!!!

Swav or Die
For the lulz

by SRQman on Jun 6, 2009 10:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Exactly. Someone with closer experience. And someone with a quality fist pump.

Beyond the Boxscore // Calling BJ Upton lazy is lazy.

by Sky Kalkman on Jun 7, 2009 11:05 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm truly sorry about how big this is but I figure it can't hurt

Rays Win!

by Sandy Kazmir on Jun 7, 2009 11:27 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Just imagine if JP set up for K-Rod

Yes, I am aware JP is better but no way K-Rod wouldnt be the closer

Rotation: 1. James Shields 2. Matt Garza 3. David Price 4. Jeff Niemann 5. Andy Sonnanstine...... Coming Soon: Wade Davis......Scott Kazmir?

by joeybw on Jun 6, 2009 10:18 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

If JP

ever developed the right mentality, he’d be probably a top 10 closer, he’s got the stuff, I dunno if he’s got the killer instinct to close every night

by Transplanted on Jun 6, 2009 10:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I don't really care if he has the "mentality" he's been better this season than a ton of guys with "it".

by R.J. Anderson on Jun 6, 2009 10:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

When I say the mentality

he just needs to have confidence in himself, he only struggles when he doesn’t do that. Otherwise he’s good, most of the other guys with it fail because they’re not as awesome

by Transplanted on Jun 6, 2009 10:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

How do you know what goes down in JP's head though?

and whether he’s “confident” in himself.

If JP were pitched exclusively in “save” situations (which he absolutely should not be), he’d be a top 10 “closer”

High leverage does not necessarily equal “save”. The highest leverage situations aren’t necessarily in the 9th inning and with a lead.

"You end up with a name like ‘Outman,’" he said last week. "What else are you going to do? You’re going to get people out, man." ~ Dallas Braden

by Blicks on Jun 6, 2009 10:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

@ Minnesota

When you bounce pitches in to Brendan Harris on an 0-2 count, that seems to be a confidence issue in what you’re doing, just my opinion and all.

by Transplanted on Jun 6, 2009 10:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Great point...

All elite closers dont throw 0-2 pitches in the dirt. They dont give up runs either. Just ask Mariano Rivera….

Hurf Durf

Go back and watch that Minnesota game, how many balls left the infield? One? There were some infield hits and one costly mistake by Aki if I remember correctly. Just like today… If Brignac doesnt butcher the DP ball on a crap toss, then JP doesnt give up the lead.

by td32 on Jun 6, 2009 11:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

"Closer mentality" is overrated.

"You end up with a name like ‘Outman,’" he said last week. "What else are you going to do? You’re going to get people out, man." ~ Dallas Braden

by Blicks on Jun 6, 2009 10:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm pretty sure it was invented by agents.

by R.J. Anderson on Jun 6, 2009 10:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

OT: The quote in your sig is amazing.

Swav or Die
For the lulz

by SRQman on Jun 6, 2009 10:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

BraWhen Bradford returns who goes?

Wheels or Izzy?

by Raymondo on Jun 6, 2009 10:29 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Izzy is never used anymore

and they still have the idea in their head Wheeler is good

I think Izzy will go or fake a injury to Nelson or someone

Rotation: 1. James Shields 2. Matt Garza 3. David Price 4. Jeff Niemann 5. Andy Sonnanstine...... Coming Soon: Wade Davis......Scott Kazmir?

by joeybw on Jun 6, 2009 10:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The DL is a nice tool

Can you believe E-Jack?

by Raymondo on Jun 6, 2009 10:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I saw his performance yet again today

No comment

Rotation: 1. James Shields 2. Matt Garza 3. David Price 4. Jeff Niemann 5. Andy Sonnanstine...... Coming Soon: Wade Davis......Scott Kazmir?

by joeybw on Jun 6, 2009 10:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Can we steal

Rick Knapp’s pitching brain, it seems to be filled with goodies

by Transplanted on Jun 6, 2009 10:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

If he can make Willis good, we should give him a blank check.

Rotation: 1. James Shields 2. Matt Garza 3. David Price 4. Jeff Niemann 5. Andy Sonnanstine...... Coming Soon: Wade Davis......Scott Kazmir?

by joeybw on Jun 6, 2009 10:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

8-13 gb/fb + 5k in 9 innings = Dominance

Brad Ziegler had a scoreless inning streak. Brad Ziegler had not met BJ Upton.

by P Brady on Jun 6, 2009 10:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Record for Detroit when Jax is involved: 7-5. Record for Tampa Bay when Sonny is involved: 7-5

I see no point in arguing this. The team has an equal record when they are involved.

RD over and out.

by ReasonableDoubt on Jun 7, 2009 8:53 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

/results-based analysis

RD over and out.

by ReasonableDoubt on Jun 7, 2009 8:53 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The Rays need to be financially responsible.

One way to assist is to avoid designating anyone a closer. Then you do not have to pay a closer’s salary. If Howell officially becomes a closer he becomes too expensive.

by bobr on Jun 6, 2009 10:48 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

is K-Rod available?

I wouldn’t mind going after Putz if we can get him for cheap

by Dbullsfan on Jun 6, 2009 10:52 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

if he even returns this year

as for K-Rod, if they want Kaz back, the money wont be THAT insane, especially with Chadford, Percy and maybe Aki coming off the books.

Rotation: 1. James Shields 2. Matt Garza 3. David Price 4. Jeff Niemann 5. Andy Sonnanstine...... Coming Soon: Wade Davis......Scott Kazmir?

by joeybw on Jun 6, 2009 10:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It would make more sense for the Rays to wait for Kazmir to rebuild trade value

before trading him, and not take back an expensive “closer” in return. Better allocation of funds.

And, if I’m right, a lot of the money coming off the books will go directly to contractual/arb raises to players already on the roster (might be wrong though)

"You end up with a name like ‘Outman,’" he said last week. "What else are you going to do? You’re going to get people out, man." ~ Dallas Braden

by Blicks on Jun 6, 2009 11:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs