So far it's been an active spring for closers and injuries. Several jobs are still undecided and some top closers are out and will not be ready for the start of the season. Here are the top ten closer stories this spring.
1. Twins Closer - At this point the Twins are claiming they will go with a closer by committee by using anyone of their late inning relievers like Matt Guerrier, Jon Rauch, Jesse Crain, etc... I'm not buying it. Gardenhire has never been that kind of manager. Going back to Eddie Guardado, he has preferred to go to one guy in the ninth inning and stick with him. Knowing that, I'd consider the first two weeks an interviewing process for Jon Rauch and Matt Guerrier. Jesse Crain is completely out coming back from arm surgery and Jose Mirares is a bit young, though he could be a dark horse closer. He hasn't proved much this spring either.
If Rauch or Guerrier come out of the gate dominant then that is who will get the job. My money is on Matt Guerrier. Rauch is a far better setup man and Gardenhire has far more confidence in his 31-year old pitcher who has been with the Twins since Nathan took over as the closer (2004). Setting up his bullpen, Gardenhire would prefer Crain in the seventh, Rauch and Pat Neshek in the 8th, Guerrier in the ninth, and Mirares as his left-handed specialist. My money is on and has been on Matt Guerrier even with Rauch getting the first look.
2. Colorado Rockies - Huston Street will start the season on the DL with inflammation in his elbow. It's no big deal, but it will sideline him till at least late April. Franklin Morales will take over the duties to start the season. He took care of the job last season while Street was hurt and he should have no problem in 2010. He is a hard throwing lefty with some good movement and forces strikeouts or ground balls most of the time.
3. Philadelphia Phillies - Brad Lidge is still recovering from elbow and knee surgery in the off-season. He has only thrown one inning this season and looked ok, but it was against minor leaguers. Ryan Madson will be the Phillies opening day closer and should be the closer for at least two weeks. However, if Lidge doesn't show significant progress they could ease him back into the role delaying him till May or mid-May. Now the konudrum. What if Madson has been lights out closing? Does Charlie Manuel remove him or keep him in the role? Do you allow your recently surgically repaired closer with confidence issues back into the role or your closer of the future who is doing a great job? We will see...
4. Cleveland Indians - With Kerry Wood out 6-8 weeks with back issues, Chris Perez with take over the closer role. Not only will he close for at least 6 weeks, but if he is dominant he won't give the job back. Wood is getting old and in the last year of a two year deal. The Indians traded for Perez for this exact reason, so expect Chris Perez to be the closer all season. Perez is coming off a great spring with a 1.00 ERA in 9 innings and logged 10 strikeouts.
5. Oakland Athletics - Andrew Bailey was shut down for a week with a minor case of tennis elbow. Since then he has done some long toss and had a successful bullpen session. He should pitch Monday to test the elbow and if all goes well he will be ready to start the season. If not, expect Brad Ziegler to open the season for a week or so as the A's closer.
6. San Francisco Giants - Brian Wilson signed a two year extension today for a total of $15 million and he's locked up through 2012. That should stop any worries or rumors that Wilson could be trade bait at the trade deadline this season.
7. Chicago Cubs - Let me be the first to say, what is all the worrying about Marmol? Sure he loses control once and awhile, but overall he is an outstanding pitcher with some of the best stuff amongst closers. His spring ERA was 5.00, but if you remove the one three-run appearance he's looking at a ERA below 2.00. He also recorded 16 strikeouts in nine innings, but the 5 walks are a cause for concern. However, minor concern.
8. Houston Astros - In the off-season, the Astros traded for Matt Lindstrom and signed Brandon Lyon. Lyon has been shelved most of spring training with a cyst and Matt Lindstrom has been lights out with a 0.00 ERA in 7.2 innings and six strikeouts. Without a doubt the job belongs to Lindstrom and the only is risk is if he can hold onto the job.
9. Chicago White Sox - Bobby Jenks had a rough spring and also suffered from a sore calf. Over his past two appearances he has struck out two and surrendered no runs. Everything looks to be ok for now, but if you own Jenks then you need to own Matt Thornton as well.
10. New York Mets - Francisco Rodriguez had a great spring and he did while developing a new pitch for his arsenal. Over the years, we've gotten use to seeing KROD throw a nasty curveball and a hard fastball. Now he has worked in a changeup that is clocked around 79-80. I watched him use it frequently in a two inning stint against the Nationals and he struck out the side using it. With the additional pitch it makes KROD allot better, and a dominant closer again for 2010.
Bonus: Matt Capps has had two straight scoreless innings. Right now he has the closer job in Washington, but he will be on a short lease. Drew Storen WILL NOT be the closer for the Nationals if Capps fails. Storen is at best a September call up as he still needs to work on his changeup and develop all his pitches for major league hitters. He isn't even part of their 40-man roster. If Capps fails, expect Brian Bruney to get a chance at the job.
Labels: Andrew Bailey, Bobby Jenks, Brian Wilson, carlos marmol, Chris Perez, Francisco Rodriguez, Huston Street, Jon Rauch, Kerry Wood, matt guerrier, Matt Lindstrom, Matt thornton
