April 13, 200719 yr Like I've said before, I bet the fish use a committee to ensure that Julio can reclaim the closer's role if he pitches well over the next few weeks. With an entire spring training and now 8 games into the season, Fredi has seen enough of these guys to simply pick a closer and go with him. But, he won't do that, because it would destroy team morale when that person is "removed" from the closer's role after Julio strings together adequate, consecutive pitching performances. An entire spring training and 8 games is hardly enough time for Fredi to pick a closer (hence why Beinfest spent all winter seeking a closer with years of experience) or designate the proper roles for the six other guys in the pen (many of whom who haven't pitched even in the majors) I disagree, but considering our current pitchers I have no problem with a committee. I think it could work. However, I think it will be "enforced" upon Fredi so that Julio can attempt to squeeze back into the role in a few weeks, rather than doing it for purposes of "going with the hot hand" and mixing things up to see who rises to the occassion. I'm telling you....after two or three adequate appearances, Julio will be put in another save situation - even if Owens (insert other reliever) performs well enough to be declared the closer. Beinfest cannot afford to simply relegate our 3rd highest paid player to mop up duty...he's going to try to give this thing another shot, and soon.
April 13, 200719 yr That MAY be so, but your premise lies exclusively on Beinfest being supportive of Julio, willing to force Fredi and Fredi following. That's a big assumption to make. But as a fan, I only wish Julio would prove to be adequate at the closer spot. It allows Owens, Lindstrom and all to pitch the 1 out RISP situations of the 6th, 7th and 8th innings.
April 13, 200719 yr That MAY be so, but your premise lies exclusively on Beinfest being supportive of Julio, willing to force Fredi and Fredi following. That's a big assumption to make.But as a fan, I only wish Julio would prove to be adequate at the closer spot. It allows Owens, Lindstrom and all to pitch the 1 out RISP situations of the 6th, 7th and 8th innings. Is it really that big? I think, my conspiracy theories aside, it is the logical way to keep the team happy and allow Julio another chance at earning the closer's role. Owens/Tank (off of last year) have performed well enough in their previous opportunitues to be given the opportunity to close on a regular basis until they falter. The reason that they won't, is because Beinfest cannot afford to miss this badly on Julio. This is not like in Houston, when Lidge fails and they named another reliever "closer." That's why Lidge is complaining so much. Unless the other guy fails, Lidge can never reclaim the spot - and he knows it. Here, Fredi can do the closer-by-committee and allow everyone to feel like they still are in it, when they really aren't. It's still Julio's spot to reclaim.
April 13, 200719 yr Doesn't help my fantasy team. neither did drafting Julio and Lidge to begin with :whistle
April 14, 200719 yr Doesn't help my fantasy team. neither did drafting Julio and Lidge to begin with :whistle That was low Ramp...BTW Happy Birthday again
April 14, 200719 yr closing is more of a mental thing, like i can step out on the mound and get any batter i face out you only want your closer closing, not pitching middle relieve on some days then closing others.
April 14, 200719 yr Looks like my thinking mimcs Fredi G., at least as was reported by flamarlins.com last evening. For the time being closing duties will be determined based on matchups game to game. It's a long season and it's early, it is the right thing to do. At the same time it gives Julio a psychological leg up that he has time to work on his stuff without someone else being annoited the team's new closer and closing the door on his chance to regain that role. (The above does not mean Julio should be the closer, it doesn't mean he will be the closer, etc. It means just what it says, he has a chance, but he has to earn it.)
April 15, 200719 yr closing is more of a mental thing, like i can step out on the mound and get any batter i face out you only want your closer closing, not pitching middle relieve on some days then closing others. I doubt there's much difference in the level of confidence these kids have.
April 16, 200719 yr Ramp did you notice Lindstrom striking out the side today in his inning of work? Does that raise his stock now in your mind now?
April 16, 200719 yr Ramp did you notice Lindstrom striking out the side today in his inning of work? Does that raise his stock now in your mind now? nope... then again, I thought him, Owens, Gregg and Tank could all close for us
April 16, 200719 yr Damn Ramp you are hard to please. earlier you expressed concern about Lindstrom for his lack of strikeouts and now that he shows the ability get Ks, it's not enough for you...lol
April 16, 200719 yr Damn Ramp you are hard to please. earlier you expressed concern about Lindstrom for his lack of strikeouts and now that he shows the ability get Ks, it's not enough for you...lol Striking out one side doesn't make you a strikeout pitcher.
April 17, 200719 yr I am a believer that the bullpen roles wil establish themselves so the committee is a transition period. On a different note Fredi sees these kids day in and day out...Don't be afraid to make a decision dude. Have some cojones!
April 17, 200719 yr fredi does not seem to be a good decision maker. He's constantly saying stuff and then contradicting himself. In spring, he felt strongly that closer by committee doesn?t work. Now look? Why not just name the guy who would have been the closer pre-julio.
April 17, 200719 yr fredi does not seem to be a good decision maker. He's constantly saying stuff and then contradicting himself. In spring, he felt strongly that closer by committee doesn?t work. Now look? Why not just name the guy who would have been the closer pre-julio. Because they very badly want to give the job back to Julio. If you name a new closer it makes it harder to displace him for Julio.
April 17, 200719 yr fredi does not seem to be a good decision maker. He's constantly saying stuff and then contradicting himself. In spring, he felt strongly that closer by committee doesn’t work. Now look… Why not just name the guy who would have been the closer pre-julio. It has become apparent that guy (Owens, Tank, whoever) may not have been the slam dunk choice. We have a lot of guys deserving of the role. There's room for competition. And that doesn't contradict his statements on closer committees. It merely says that in some situations, it may be useful to avoid rushing toward a decision on the closer spot.
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