Taylor as closer?

by maris61 on Jul 3, 2008 11:50 AM MDT

I've seen that suggested several times in game threads. I've been doing home renovation stuff in the evenings lately (getting the house ready to sell in anticipation of a move to Colo. in a few years) & haven't been able to join in those threads, so I thought I'd throw the Taylor-as-closer issue out in a separate fan post.

Using him as closer is tempting. He's obviously the best relief pitcher the Rockies have this year. He's got a good fastball & a better curve. Corpas & Fuentes have multiple fails on their track records. (Whoever ends up with Fuentes next year should just give him a 20-day paid vacation prior to the All Star break. He's fallen apart at that point the last 2 years.)

But I don't think so. Great set-up relievers do not always make good closers. Watching TB-Bos last night & seeing Dan Wheeler (an excellent set-up guy for the Astros & now Rays) struggle to close a game in Troy Percival's absence -- Wheeler was bailed out by a Willie Mays-like catch by B.J. Upton & a stupid caught stealing by Mike Lowell -- reminded me of that. The Astros tried the same thing last year when Brad Lidge hit a Fuentes-like fail streak. It didn't work. Wheeler just isn't a closer.

My view is that Buchholz has found his niche as an 8th-inning setup specialist, after years as an inconsitent starter. Don't mess with success. It's not his fault if Corpas and Fuentes haven't done their jobs.

But I guess the best counter-argument is: why not try him as closer this year, when the results don't really matter as far as a pennant is concerned? Of course with JDLR and Redman in the rotation, the closing opportunities may be few and far between. Being closer behind those 2 is kind of like being backup SS on the Orioles in the '90s -- don't expect many opportunities.

Eat. Drink. Be Merry. But the above FanPost does not necessarily reflect the attitudes, opinions, or views of Purple Row's staff (unless, of course, it's written by the staff [and even then, it still might not]).

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by Russ Oates on Jul 3, 2008 1:39 PM MDT reply actions

I suppose that's true in many areas

like Redman being back in the rotation.

There is a bright side to the '08 season.
Barry Bonds & Roger Clemens are out of baseball.

by maris61 on Jul 3, 2008 1:50 PM MDT up reply actions

You know who I think would be a good closer

Weathers.

I’m with you on Bucky. He’s got great stuff, but let him get some traction in the set up roll first.

I miss baseball. Can we fire Clint Hurdle and Dan O'Dowd now?

by Redhawk on Jul 3, 2008 2:07 PM MDT reply actions

I disagree with this...

I think he’s had enough time to get the traction he needs, and he’s shown it – he hasn’t been shaky or nervous in that role, and he just keeps getting better and better. I think he deserves a shot at the role if Fuentes remains shaky or is traded. If it doesn’t work out, it doesn’t, but I think he’s earned the chance. I personally don’t have any questions about his mental makeup for that role, either.

by Squeaky on Jul 3, 2008 3:22 PM MDT up reply actions

There's one big issue

It takes a different mentality to get 3 outs and to get the LAST 3 outs. I play a simulated game (OOTP for those curious), and I noticed one guy had his best RPs in the middle relief, not setup or closing. I asked why, and he suggested “Because I want my best pitchers pitching the most innings.”

I thought about this, and wondered why more MLB teams don’t do the same thing. Well, not literally, but like this for example:

8th inning leads off with the 2-3-4 hitters of a good offensive team. Manager puts in his closer. Gives up a hit but retires 3 with no damage. 6-7-8 hitters up in the 9th, manager then goes with his setup man.

I still think it’s a decent idea, but my friend brought up the point: It takes a certain mentality to close the 9th.

If it came down to it, in an emergency, I’d almost rather have Speier close a game. Not because he’s the best, but because he was the fulltime closer in the Springs.

Just a thought.

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by Andrew Martin on Jul 5, 2008 12:38 AM MDT reply actions

Bill James

Bill James suggested using the best reliever at the point where the game is on the line. The 7th inning, up by one, with the 3-4-5 batters coming up, for example.

by kosmo99 on Jul 7, 2008 8:46 AM MDT reply actions