Closer Watch Blog ST II

Friday, March 30, 2007

Texas Rangers
Akinori Otsuka to Closer in place of Eric Gagne
Eric Gagne DL to 1st in line in place of Akinori Otsuka
Joaquin Benoit still 2nd in line

Gagne has been placed on the DL after the Rangers determined he wasn't physically ready to start the season, (elbow surgery '05 and back surgery '06). Manager Ron Washington mentioned yesterday that Gagne will be inserted in to the closers' role later in April when he comes of the DL; as GM Josh Daniels called this an "overcautious" move. However, there has to be real concern here that Gagne may not be able to close this year for the Rangers. The 31-year-old was bad in 3 Spring outings (5 R and 7 H in 3 IP) as his velocity has been down.

Otsuka saved 32 games last year for the Rangers with a 1.07 WHIP in 59+ IP with 47 K. The 35-year-old former Japanese Leaguer dominated right hand hitters in 2006 with a .460 opposition OPS with a .717 mark verus left hander hitters.

Tuesday, March 27, 2007

Florida Marlins
Jorge Julio to Closer in place of Matt Lindstrom
Matt Lindstrom to 1st in line in place of Henry Owens
Taylor Tankersley still 2nd in line

The Marlins filled their vacant closer spot acquiring Julio from the Diamondbacks for starting pitching prospect Yusmeiro Petit. The 28-year-old Julio lost closer jobs in 2 out of 3 previous seasons, (2006 in Arizona and 2004 in Baltimore). However, the hard thrower gives the Marlins the experience they were looking for that Lindstrom and Owens lacked. Julio had a 1.32 WHIP in 66 IP with 88 K last year split with the Mets and Diamondbacks.

Lindstrom and Owens will get a chance to prove themselves in the majors as set up man as we'll see if either warrants serious future closer value.

The left handed Tankersley is coming back for an early Spring Training shoulder injury and could move up to 1st in line if he picks up were he left off last year; 46 K and 22 holds in 41 major league IP.

Arizona Diamondbacks
Jose Valverde still Closer
Tony Pena to 1st in line in place of Jorge Julio
Brandon Lyon to 2nd in line in place of Tony Pena

Pena is having a strong Spring building on his future closer value. The D'Backs have tested the 25-year-old in save situations and he has responded with 4 in Cactus League action. The hard throwing Pena showed flashes of being an effective reliever last year in the majors with a .592 opposition OPS against right hand batters over 56 AB.

St. Louis Cardinals
Jason Isringhausen still Closer
Brad Thompson to 1st in line in place of Adam Wainwright
Josh Hancock to 2nd in line in place of Brad Thompson

Wainwright is having a successful Spring in his conversion to the starting rotation, making it unlikely he would be moved back to the bullpen if Isringhausen is injured once again. The 25-year-old Thompson isn't a typical late inning hard thrower, but the former starting pitcher finished the 2006 season strong with a post all-star break ERA of 0.98 over 18+ IP. Thompson most likely will start the season as Isringhausen's primary set up man.

Friday, March 23, 2007

Boston Red Sox
Jonathan Papelbon to Closer in place of Julian Tavarez
Joel Pineiro still 1st in line
Mike Timlin still 2nd in line

In a somewhat surprising move the Red Sox officially moved Papelbon back in to the closers' role after insisting he would pitch in the starting rotation this year. The move was prompted after 26-year old expressed his desire to be the teams' closer with manager Terry Francona. Papelbon was a lights out closer last year with a 0.78 WHIP in 68+ IP with 35 saves in 41 chances. However, he is an injury concern after ending last season early with a shoulder ailment.

Closer Watch Blog Archive:
Spring Training 2007
December 2006
October 2006
2006 Season