Closer Watch Blog ST I

Friday, March 16, 2007

Tampa Bay Devil Rays
Brian Stokes to Closer in place of Seth McClung
Juan Salas to 1st in line in place of Ruddy Lugo
Seth McClung to 2nd in line in place of Dan Miceli

McClung continues to have a shaky Spring Training coming off a 5 run inning last night and now has a 15.75 ERA over 4 IP.

The D'Rays' closer position remains open but it appears McClung may have pitched himself out of consideration after entering Spring Training as the favorite.

Stokes was officially moved to the bullpen this week and manager Joe Maddon talked about the 27-year-old right hander as a closer candidate on Thursday. Stokes followed McClung's bad outing last night with a scoreless, 2 strike out inning and has not allowed a run over 7+ IP this Spring. Stokes has a plus curve with a decent sinking fastball and made 5 appearances in the majors last year (4 starts) with a 1.67 WHIP over 24 IP.

Salas is a 28-year-old rookie with a mid 90's fastball and plus slider. The right hander was dominant in 63+ AA/AAA innings last year with a 0.84 WHIP and 85 K. Salas has allowed 1 run in 4 Spring appearances.

Wednesday, February 21, 2007

Cleveland Indians
Joe Borowski to Closer from Co-Closer
Rafael Betancourt to 1st in line in place of Keith Foulke
Fernando Cabrera to 2nd in line in place of Rafael Betancourt

Foulke surprisingly retired earlier this week due to recurring arm problems. Borowski emerges from the projected co-closer tandem to be the primary closer.

The 35-year-old Borowski had 36 saves for the Marlins last year with a 1.38 WHIP and 3.75 ERA in 69+ IP.

Florida Marlins
Taylor Tankersley still Closer
Ricky Nolasco to 1st in line in place of Henry Owens
Henry Owens to 2nd in line in place of Sergio Mitre

This remains a wide open closer spot. Manager Fredi Gonzalez mentioned earlier this week that Nolasco would enter Spring Training as a starting pitcher but could switch to relief at any time. Gonzalez implied Nolasco would move to the bullpen to close as the organization thinks highly of him as a potential closer.

If Nolasco remains in the rotation the remaining closer candiates are Tankersley, Owens, Matt Lindstrom and Kevin Gregg. I like the left handed Tankersley to emerge from that group; the 23-year-old had a 2.85 ERA and 1.44 WHIP in 41 rookie IP last year with 46 K and 22 holds.

It appears the Marlins would like Nolasco to be their closer but may have to keep him in a starting role with Josh Johnson and Anibal Sanchez experiencing pre-Spring Training injuries.

Monday, January 22, 2007

Atlanta Braves
Bob Wickman still Closer
Mike Gonzalez to 1st in line in place of Rafael Soriano
Rafael Soriano to 2nd in line in place of Joey Devine

Gonzalez went a perfect 24 for 24 in save chances with the Pirates last year but will be relegated to a set up role in Atlanta after the trade involving Adam LaRoche. The Braves potentially could have a very good bullpen with the two hard throwers in Gonzalez and Soriano setting up the veteran Wickman. However, Gonzalez and Soriano both have injury questions. Gonzalez missed the final 5 weeks of the 2006 season with an elbow injury. Soriano missed time with a shoulder injury and ended his 2006 season on the DL with a concussion.

Pittsburgh Pirates
Salomon Torres to Closer in place of Mike Gonzalez
Matt Capps to 1st in line in place of Salomon Torres
Damaso Marte to 2nd in line in place of Matt Capps

GM Dave Littlefield indicated that Torres would succeed Gonzalez as the Pirates' closer following the LaRoche deal. The 34-year-old Torres was 11 for 12 in save chances last September while Gonzalez was on the DL. Torres had a 1.46 WHIP in 93+ IP with 72 K on the season.

Capps had a strong rookie campaign last year before tailing off in the second half. The 23-year-old Capps had a 1.15 WHIP in 80+ IP with 56 K and 13 holds on the year.

Saturday, January 6, 2007

Cleveland Indians
Joe Borowski to Co-Closer from Closer
Keith Foulke to Co-Closer
Rafael Betancourt to 2nd in line

The Indians signed Foulke to a 1 year deal with an option for a second. GM Mark Shapiro indicated the closers' role will be determined during Spring Training between Foulke and Borowski.

Foulke is coming off 2 injury plagued seasons and did not record a save last year after losing the closers' role to Jonathan Papelbon the first series of the year. The 34-year-old did have a strong September, finishing the season with 11 consecutive scoreless appearances and had a 1.19 WHIP in 49+ IP on the year.

The 35-year-old Borowski is coming off a 36 save, 1.38 WHIP in 69+ IP season with the Marlins.

Boston Red Sox
Joel Pineiro to Closer in place of Mike Timlin
Mike Timlin to 1st in line in place of Manny Delcarmen
Julian Tavarez to 2nd in line in place of Craig Hansen

The Red Sox signed Pineiro to a 1 year deal with an option for a second. Assistant GM Jed Hoyer indicated Pineiro would be used in relief and that the Sox' closer role would be determined by manager Terry Francona during Spring Training. Pineiro talked about closing in his post-signing comments.

The 28-year-old was a disaster as a starting pitcher last year with an ERA over 6 in 25 starts. After moving to the bullpen in September, Pineiro posted a 0.89 WHIP in 15+ IP with 13 K and 4 holds.

Seattle Mariners
J.J. Putz still Closer
Chris Reitsma to 1st in line in place of open
George Sherrill to 2nd in line in place of open

The Mariners signed Reitsma to a 1 year deal with an option for a second. The 29-year-old is coming off elbow surgery, but is expected to be ready for Spring Training. Reitsma opened last year as the Braves' closer but ended up with ugly numbers, 8+ ERA in 28 IP, before hitting the DL with the elbow.

Florida Marlins
Taylor Tankersley to Closer in place of Open
Henry Owens to 1st in line in place of Taylor Tankersley
Sergio Mitre to 2nd in line in place of Henry Owens

The Marlins have been rumored to potentially acquire Armando Benitez from SF to be their closer. However, if no veteran closer is brought in, Tankersley should get the job by default. The 23-year-old left hander had a solid rookie showing last year with a 1.44 WHIP and 2.85 ERA in 41 IP with 46 K, 22 holds and 3 saves. Tankersley was equally effective on right hand hitters as left with a sub .700 OPS against each.

The hard throwing Owens struggled in 4 IP with the Mets last year but had this impressive line in AA: 40 IP, 19 H, 7 ER, 10 BB, 74 K.

Closer Watch Blog Archive:
December 2006
October 2006
2006 Season