You have probably all read...

You have probably all read this:

http://joeposnanski.blogspot.com/2010/11/age-of-setup-man.html#more

I think it relates to the Rays' situation and to another discussion we have had recently. While the implied conclusion may be too heavy for the evidence to bear at this point, it is certainly provocative and worthy of consideration.

I have been hoping for a few years that the Rays forgo the rigid role bullpen, something they seem unwilling to consider. But perhaps they can take an intermediate step as suggested by Posnanski.

over 1 year ago bobr 5 comments 0 recs |

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I think they took that step in 2008, actually.

Amongst non-Percival relievers, Dan Wheeler had the most saves. Off the top of my head, Wheeler was (at highest) the third best reliever that season, behind Balfour and Howell. Those two were allowed to roam in the earlier innings while Wheeler (or whoever was left, really) picked up the ninth.

by R.J. Anderson on Nov 27, 2010 10:50 AM EST reply actions

I think that happened out of a perceived necessity.

They had signed Percival in the hope he could once again be a conventional closer. When he faltered, while I agree Wheeler was probably no better than the third best bullpen pitcher, he also had the panache of having served as a closer in Houston in 2006 and 2007 when Lidge had problems. As such, he probably had more career saves than all the other TB relievers combined.

In 2009 they started the year with Pecival, and despite Howell’s obvious ability, continued to seek out a “name” closer as evidenced by signing Isringhausen. Perhaps they do realize that it is best to use your best relievers more flexibly and assign the designated closer (stereotyped) role to a solid but lesser pitcher, but I am not sure they are thinking that way. Can you imagine the uproar should Maddon have ensconced Balfour as the 9th inning closer and used Soriano and Benoit anywhere from inning 6-8? (I would love to see a simulation of the Rays season with such a deployment of the bullpen.)

by bobr on Nov 28, 2010 3:51 PM EST up reply actions

JP Howell will be so so so crucial to the functionality/quality of the Rays bullpen this year

It’s almost certain the bullpen won’t be a strength barring an AF miracle but with JP it shouldn’t be too big of a blemish. Without him it has the potential to be a huge disaster for an otherwise excellent team.

by benderbrodriguez on Nov 27, 2010 11:05 PM EST reply actions

I read that yesterday and couldn't get it out of my head how he kept repeating "no-roles."

Guys will still have roles, it’s just that instead of your supposed best reliever being saved for the last inning, you’ll be using him the first time you’re faced with a jam after the start of the 6th, or something like that. You’d have a guy come in to start the 7th that would get yanked once he was in trouble so that then your next best reliever can put out the fire. I thought it was a really great read, but guys will still have roles, I get the impression that the Great Poz is thinking along this way, but for a guy with a magical pen, I keep coming back to that no-roles thing and shaking my head.

Maybe it’s just my idea, but I think a pen should be used in the reverse order that they seem to use it now. Perhaps it’s meant to protect the really good arms so that they don’t have to go everyday, but if it was my pen last year, Benoit is coming in after the starter allows 2 guys on after the 5th, then Sonnanstine can start an inning until he gets in trouble, then I’d probably go Soriano for the next jam, then Balfour, with Choate and Wheeler mixed in for guys with bad platoon splits. Going into next year (and assuming Pizzle is Rizzle) I’d have J.P. as our fireman for the first jam, McGee for the second, let Sonny start out an inning, and go from there.

Also, THE ABOSLUT BLOODY HOUR COUNTDOWN HAS ONLY 49 MINS LEFT WOOOOOT!

Hell yeah it is.
Any amount of points can be scored week to week. well, besides 1 point. Any number is as likely to be reached as another, since there’s only one of each number, each has the same chance to be hit. IT’s how the syetemof averages works.
by waltermercier on Sep 21, 2010 1:11 PM EDT up reply actions

by Andy Hellicksonstine on Nov 28, 2010 11:11 AM EST reply actions

No roles might be smart as of now

However, I think Niemann can make a good closer

Or…..Balfour, rumored to accept arby. Maybe him and Howell can make believe its 2008 or in Aussies case, just have a season like he did last season.

I am sure we will sign guys but right now I would have Hellickson in the rotation and a bullpen of Sonnanstine, Wade, Cormier (this is a question mark but like I said if the season started today this is my pen), McGee ( he will take Choate’s spot but be able to get righties out), Howell, Balfour, Niemann

Price, Garza, Shields, Davis, Hellickson is too awesome, Niemann for closer?

by joeybw on Nov 28, 2010 10:47 PM EST reply actions