The Inside Pitch Closer Watch Report Archive |
Monday, December 17, 2007 Houston Astros Jose Valverde to Closer in place of opening Oscar Villarreal to 1st in line in place of Chad Qualls Doug Brocail to 2nd in line in place of Dennis Sarfate The Astros filled their closer vacancy trading for Valverde last week in exchange for Qualls, Chris Burke and Juan Gutierrez. The 28-year-old Valverde saved 47 games in 54 opportunties with Arizona this past season with a 1.12 WHIP in 64+ IP and 78 K. GM Ed Wade mentioned Villarreal and Brocail as top setup candidates when talking about the Valverde trade last week. The 26-year-old Villarreal had a 1.40 WHIP in 76+ IP with 58 K and 2 holds with the Braves in 2007. The 40-year-old Brocail is coming off a 1.17 WHIP in 76+ IP with 43 K and 10 holds season with the Padres. Arizona Diamondbacks Tony Pena to Closer in place of Jose Valverde Brandon Lyon to 1st in line in place of Tony Pena Chad Qualls to 2nd in line in place of Brandon Lyon Pena could get first crack at succeeding Valverde as the teams' closer. The 25-year-old hard thrower had a 1.10 WHIP in 85+ IP with 63 K and 30 holds this past season. Lyon and Qualls are coming off solid seasons as setup men giving the D'Backs depth in the late innings. The 28-year-old Lyon had a 1.24 WHIP in 74 IP with 40 K and 35 holds in 2007. The 29-year-old Qualls had a 1.32 WHIP in 82+ IP with 78 K and 21 holds. Texas Rangers Kaz Fukumori to Closer in place of Akinori Otsuka C.J. Wilson to 1st in line in place of Joaquin Benoit Joaquin Benoit to 2nd in line in place of C.J. Wilson The Rangers non tendered Otsuka last week after his season ended early this past season with an elbow injury. Texas may have replaced Otsuka in the closers' role with another former Japanese League pitcher in Fukumori, who was signed to a 2 year deal last week. The 31-year-old Fukumori had his season end early in 2007 with minor elbow surgery and had career high 21 saves in 2006. GM Jon Daniels mentioned Wilson as the teams' top closer candidate prior to the Fukumori signing. The 27-year-old Wilson had a 1.21 WHIP in 68+ IP with 63 K, 12 saves and 15 holds in 2007. Closer Watch Blog Archive: Dec 10, 2007 Dec 3, 2007 Nov 26, 2007 Nov 12, 2007 2007 2006 |
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Email: dwilliams@theinsidepitch.com |