Posted May 25, 200717 yr Sun Sentinel Percival's comeback intriguing to Marlins By Juan C. Rodriguez MIAMI GARDENS ? The Marlins' search for a closer has shifted back outside the organization. A source who has spoken with the club said Wednesday the Marlins are closely monitoring Troy Percival's comeback bid. A long-time member of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Percival has not pitched in the big leagues since July 2005 with the Tigers. A forearm problem drove Percival, 37, to retirement, but he's bidding to pitch in the majors again. "Obviously, he's one of the best," said Marlins right-hander Kevin Gregg, a former Percival teammate. "He didn't rank up there in saves not knowing what he's doing. He's a good guy to have around the clubhouse to learn from." With 324 saves, Percival ranks 12th on the all-time list. This season, Percival signed a one-day contract with the Angels and announced his retirement. He remained in the organization as a special assignment instructor, but the Angels this week released him from that commitment so he could pursue a comeback. A resident of Riverside, Calif., Percival told the Riverside Press Enterprise the Angels were his top choice. He could end up elsewhere considering the Angels' back-end bullpen depth. Several teams, including the Tigers and Phillies, have expressed interest. "I'm not looking for the highest bidder," Percival told the Press Enterprise. "I'm looking for a good situation where I can get a role, where I'm not just throwing innings to throw innings. I want to get the opportunity to go back and close. I've been a closer my whole life. I enjoy helping young pitchers, and I can bring more to the table than just throwing." The Marlins would seem like a good fit, if for no other reason than their ability to install him as the closer immediately. No word yet on when Percival will start showcasing his arm. Percival's agent, Paul Cohen, could not be reached. Percival signed a two-year, $12 million free-agent deal with the Tigers before the 2005 season. The forearm injury limited him to 26 games (25 innings) and eight saves in 2005. Stop worrying about finding a closer and work on center field.
May 25, 200717 yr We don't really need a closer from outside the organization. We have a nice bullpen as is and either Owens, Lindstrom, or Gregg could make for a solid closer.
May 25, 200717 yr If all it costs to add a bullpen arm at this time is money, you do it, especially if you figure to be competitive. When Owens comes back and Tank straightens himself out to go with Lindstrom and (potentially) Percival, you've got a real nice pen. Plus, indirectly, it'll let us be overly cautious with Kensing and Martinez. I have no reason to believe we'll go get a center-fielder anyway, so anything to help the team improve is a real good idea.
May 25, 200717 yr Would be nice to add a veteran presence like him to the bullpen to really bolster things up. IF everything were to ffall into place, then I would welcome him with open arms.
May 25, 200717 yr Closer Percival Su Owens Su Tankersley MR Lindstrom MR Kensing/Martinez LHR Pinto LR Gregg That might be one of the better bullpens in the league if Kensings and Percival are effective....
May 25, 200717 yr You can NEVER, I mean NEVER, have to much bullpen help... If the price is right you do it! Regarless if the bullpen if performing well right now.. There are always injuries, bad slumps, etc... If its cheap, BOOK IT!!
May 25, 200717 yr You can NEVER, I mean NEVER, have to much bullpen help... If the price is right you do it! Regarless if the bullpen if performing well right now.. There are always injuries, bad slumps, etc... If its cheap, BOOK IT!! Agreed. If all we are doing is giving him money (no need to give any player up) then I dont know how anyone could be against it.
May 25, 200717 yr He hasn't pitched in two years. Clemens hasn't pitched since the end of last season and his rust is showing and he was not injured like Percival. When do you think he would be ready to effectively close? I don't see it as an real option.
May 25, 200717 yr Sign him, put him in a non-crucial role to begin, hope he does well, and if need be you can dump him on 7/31 for a spect.
May 25, 200717 yr He hasn't pitched in two years. Clemens hasn't pitched since the end of last season and his rust is showing and he was not injured like Percival. When do you think he would be ready to effectively close? I don't see it as an real option. For cheap, anyones an option...
May 25, 200717 yr Frankly in this case I'm willing to be open-mided and to see what develops. My only concern is how it might play out regarding Gregg who setup Percival and what the dynamic might be between them if the latter winds up pushing Gregg back into being an eighth inning guy.
May 25, 200717 yr Percival would be a nice addition to the Marlins. But they should be focused on finding a center fielder. Amezaga and Abercrombie both stink! Worst two CF's in the major leagues right now.
May 25, 200717 yr Sign him, put him in a non-crucial role to begin, hope he does well, and if need be you can dump him on 7/31 for a spect. He probably won't sign with Florida unless he's guarenteed the closer role, so a non-crucial role just won't work.
May 25, 200717 yr I've always thought that you can't have enough pitching, but, our bullpen has been pretty good this year, except for You'll EEEE No. I don't know about messing with what's going on out there in the bullpen. And we will hopefully get some innings from Kensing and Martinez. I'm against it.
May 25, 200717 yr Sign him, put him in a non-crucial role to begin, hope he does well, and if need be you can dump him on 7/31 for a spect. He probably won't sign with Florida unless he's guarenteed the closer role, so a non-crucial role just won't work. He also already has ties with Detroid and the Angels. I don't know the Angel's situation, so I don't know where he'd fit in. But with Zumaya injured, he'd likely be the setup man for Detroit. If we're really an option, we'd be a far third behind the Angels and Tigers.
May 25, 200717 yr If the price is right, do it, if not, don't. I'm happy with the way the bullpen is now, but the key word in this sentence is now.
May 25, 200717 yr still has a ways to go with his breaking stuff, but he's already pumping the fastball mid to high 90s
May 25, 200717 yr still has a ways to go with his breaking stuff, but he's already pumping the fastball mid to high 90s link?
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