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Post by awall on Oct 30, 2018 6:20:28 GMT -5
Please allow me to vent/rant on the ridiculous state of the MLB "closer". The postseason reinforced to me just what spoiled babies many closers are. They have become baseball's version of the prima donna WR in football; guys with a lot of talent who need to be coddled and handled with kid gloves. It has driven me crazy for years hearing about how impressive it is when a closer enters a game in and situation that isn't a clean start to the 9th inning with a 1-3 run lead. Also, I am driven mad by the whole "you can't expect a closer to to be on the top of his game if you bring him into a non-save situation". Dear lord have mercy! Watching starters do whatever was asked of them, being available any time, whenever needed reinforced how coddled the guys who get anointed "closer" really are. It really is all about the stats and money, it would seem. Going into a game with runners on base and trying to shut down a rally doesn't show up cleanly in the everyday fan's stat reading and doesn't lend itself to the higher contract.
TLDR, yea, I'm fine with not overpaying for Kimbrel or any other established closer this off-season.
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mobaz
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Post by mobaz on Oct 30, 2018 7:24:08 GMT -5
Agree in sentiment wholeheartedly. The flip side, however, is it starts to get demoralizing as a fan (and probably as a player) when there's not an anchor in the 9th and every end-game is a heart attack or matchup game or roll of the dice. Not even thinking of Kimbrel late this season, but plenty of other closer situations. Also becomes a hard mid-season place to upgrade.
I certainly wish there was a clearer path to regular season success than a prima donna closer. Someone like Evoldi would be awesome as 2 inning flamethrower/fireman, but he's more valuable and well-compensated as a 5-6 inning starter. Andrew Miller was supposed to spawn imitators, but not sure I've clearly see them. Maybe some of the DHernandez/Shawaryn/Houck guys will be brought up on that path.
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Post by patford on Oct 30, 2018 8:17:30 GMT -5
I'm old enough to remember when relievers were called "firemen." The award for relievers was originally called "The Fireman of the Year." That clearly implies a guy who comes in an puts out fires. Not a guy who needs a clean inning.
In the case of guys like Kimbrel I think it's less a case of babying him or Kimbrel being a prima donna than it is the club recognizing that with someone as likely to walk people as Kimbrel is it is unwise to bring him in with men on base.
The ideal closer would be someone who strikes batters out at a high rate without walking batters very often.
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gerry
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Post by gerry on Oct 30, 2018 12:20:53 GMT -5
I'm old enough to remember when relievers were called "firemen." The award for relievers was originally called "The Fireman of the Year." That clearly implies a guy who comes in an puts out fires. Not a guy who needs a clean inning. In the case of guys like Kimbrel I think it's less a case of babying him or Kimbrel being a prima donna than it is the club recognizing that with someone as likely to walk people as Kimbrel is it is unwise to bring him in with men on base. The ideal closer would be someone who strikes batters out at a high rate without walking batters very often. Can you see anyone in the system who does that consistently? Can playoff Kelly, Brasier, Barnes carry that over to a full season? That would be an answer. As would Smith or Thornburg regaining their pre-Sox magic. Wright could probably close, but every pitch would be an adventure. Pom has been nails in the Pen but can he get his mojo back? Can Feltman or Lakins bring carry it to the Majors, and if so, when? Can DDo fully trust Britton, Herrera, Familia or anyone else to be that person? There are so many good options but, because Bullpen, not much certainty. |
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Post by Guidas on Oct 30, 2018 12:39:26 GMT -5
I'm old enough to remember when relievers were called "firemen." The award for relievers was originally called "The Fireman of the Year." That clearly implies a guy who comes in an puts out fires. Not a guy who needs a clean inning. In the case of guys like Kimbrel I think it's less a case of babying him or Kimbrel being a prima donna than it is the club recognizing that with someone as likely to walk people as Kimbrel is it is unwise to bring him in with men on base. The ideal closer would be someone who strikes batters out at a high rate without walking batters very often. Andrew Miller was a "fireman" until he got injured this year. NYY used Britton like a "fireman," as well. Cora used Barnes as a "fireman" in the playoffs. There's opportunity, for sure. |
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