Several closer jobs still up for grabs
By Todd Farino
Closerreport.com
It's only mid-December, but it's time to start covering the closer jobs that are not set. Several teams still don't have a set closer. Several teams like Tampa Bay and Atlanta have solidified their closer role with off-season moves.
Atlanta Braves- Billy Wagner is now the closer for the Braves. After an impressive comeback last season with the Red Sox, Wagner proved he still has great stuff. He 26 strikeouts in 15.2 innings. The Braves traded Rafeal Soriano and let Mike Gonzalez go, so the job is clearly belongs to Wagner.
Closer Jobs Still open
Washington Nationals - Mike MacDougal was let go by the Nats, and they have been shopping Matt Capps. There are a few teams looking to sign Capps, but even if he gets the job he will have to win it in spring training. Tyler Clippard, Garret Mock, and Marco Estrada are in the running especially without signing Capps. I think the job will go to Clippard, but who knows with the Nats.
Pittsburgh Pirates - With Capps departing, Joel Hanrahan is the front runner for the closer job in Pittsburgh. The Pirates will try to revitalize the closer talent of Harahan that he showed in 2008 when is notched nine saves in a short time. After Hanrahan there is not much talent, so it looks to be his job.
Houston Astros - With Valverde on the move, Brandon Lyon and Matt Lindstrom will compete for the job. Look for Lindstrom to get the job. He brings the heat and hopefully the change of scenery will help Lindstrom get control of his pitches. Valverde still can resign with with the Astros.
Closerreport.com
It's only mid-December, but it's time to start covering the closer jobs that are not set. Several teams still don't have a set closer. Several teams like Tampa Bay and Atlanta have solidified their closer role with off-season moves.
Closer Free Agents: Jose Valverde, Matt Capps, Mike MacDougal, Fernando Rodney
New Closers, New Teams
Atlanta Braves- Billy Wagner is now the closer for the Braves. After an impressive comeback last season with the Red Sox, Wagner proved he still has great stuff. He 26 strikeouts in 15.2 innings. The Braves traded Rafeal Soriano and let Mike Gonzalez go, so the job is clearly belongs to Wagner.Tampa Bay Rays- The Rays acquired Rafeal Soriano from the Braves. At 29, Soriano finally got the closer job last year and for the most part looked great. Despite a few bouts of inconsistency he gathered 27 saves, including 11 in a row and nine in the month of July. He also has 100+ strikeouts and only a few closers can accomplish that.
Baltimore Orioles - More Braves action. The Orioles signed Mike Gonzalez to close their games. He replaces George Sherrill who was traded to the Dodgers at the deadline in 2009. Gonzalez is highly erratic and very inconsistent, but when he is on he is nearly unhittable.
Toronto Blue Jays - After moving Halladay there is not much news coming out of Toronto for their vaunted bullpen that is filled with a bunch of wannabe closers. The list is long; Scott Downs, Jason Frasor, Jeremy Accardo, and Jesse Carlson. The odds on favorites are Downs and Carlson. It will certainly be a battle in spring training with 2008 top draft pick Chad Jenkins. Jenkins looks like a future closer, but there is no reason to assume he will be a closer or even pitch in the majors in 2010. I'll keep you posted, but Gaston may lineup a lefty (Downs/Carlson) and a righty (Frasor) with a matchup approach. However, the Blue Jays like Frasor in the setup role, so look for one of the lefties to close.
Detroit Tigers - The Tigers don't want to pay Fernando Rodney $30 million, so they are looking elsewhere for a closer. They tried to sign Mike Gonzalez, but no luck. That currently leaves them with burner Joel Zumaya and Ryan Perry. Keep a close eye on Perry. He had 60 strikeouts in 61.2 innings and he kept his ERA below 4.00. At 23, Perry is still green and doesn't have the closer mentality yet. He still needs work and he will get the chance in spring training. Detroit is looking at Jose Valverde and currently are the front runners to sign the stud closer.
Washington Nationals - Mike MacDougal was let go by the Nats, and they have been shopping Matt Capps. There are a few teams looking to sign Capps, but even if he gets the job he will have to win it in spring training. Tyler Clippard, Garret Mock, and Marco Estrada are in the running especially without signing Capps. I think the job will go to Clippard, but who knows with the Nats.Pittsburgh Pirates - With Capps departing, Joel Hanrahan is the front runner for the closer job in Pittsburgh. The Pirates will try to revitalize the closer talent of Harahan that he showed in 2008 when is notched nine saves in a short time. After Hanrahan there is not much talent, so it looks to be his job.
Houston Astros - With Valverde on the move, Brandon Lyon and Matt Lindstrom will compete for the job. Look for Lindstrom to get the job. He brings the heat and hopefully the change of scenery will help Lindstrom get control of his pitches. Valverde still can resign with with the Astros.
