This is why I don't get managers. They'll take an inconsistent closer who throws 98mph and has wicked stuff over a closer who doesn't have completely dominating stuff but is extremely consistent. Why are only Leo Nunez and Matt Lindstrom being considered for the closer roll and not a guy like Calero. I think having a great closer is a key ingredient in a championship team. And the whole point of a closer is a guy that can get you three outs on a consistent basis to help you win a game, not a guy that will get you three outs but will walk 2, give up 2 hits, but strikeout the side in the end. Fredi Gonzalez seems to be following the MLB history book on what kinda stuff a closer should have.

 

Point is Calero has been extremely consistent all season. Most of his innings are 1-2-3 and that's what we need. I think moving Lindstrom to a setup roll would be extremely beneficial for him just b/c he won't have to face the added pressure of closing. Lindstrom is an amazing pitcher when he's not in the spotlight. And Nunez has already proven he does well under less pressure. Calero is a veteran that seems he can handle the pressure well. Give him the opportunity and I swear I think I'll stop having heartattacks in the 9th inning.

Calero is too valuable as a middle-reliever, plus he may not have the "stuff" to pitch the ninth where games are won and lost period.

I'm probably in the minority here in that I want to see Lindstrom stay in the closer role for the time being. He has the ability to hold the job longterm he just needs to improve his command. Calero is doing a phenomenal job but he would end up being another Kevin Gregg for us. Fredi has done the right thing by keeping Lindstrom there but giving him a short leash. It's not ideal but I think it will better- or else a change is going to be inevitable.

Calero is too valuable as a middle-reliever, plus he may not have the "stuff" to pitch the ninth where games are won and lost period.

 

 

The first half is right, the second, not so much. Calero has the type of stuff to pitch wherever he's needed. However, that being said, it may serve him better coming back from an injury and as a means of testing if Lindstrom really does need to pitch more often to be effective.

The first half is right, the second, not so much. Calero has the type of stuff to pitch wherever he's needed. However, that being said, it may serve him better coming back from an injury and as a means of testing if Lindstrom really does need to pitch more often to be effective.

 

 

...and your proof for this is...? In his career Calero is 7 out of 18 in saves for the Redbirds and the A's. That's a paltry 39%. In 280ish career games with three clubs he's virtually always been used in middle relief. That tells me lots of coaches don't think he has the mental "stuff" to close games.

The role of a closer is quite overrated. I really can't be bothered going into it.

 

I will say this though - I have a man-crush on Kiko. He's having an outstanding season. That and he has a freakin' sweet name.

Calero should stay in the current role that he has, for the main reason that if he was to be closer, he wouldnt be used as much which doesnt make sense as he is currently our best reliever and the more he pitches, the better the outcome of the inning.

Keep him in his current role. Calero is more valuable to us in his current role then he would be closing games. People put too much emphasis on the 9th inning. More games are won or lost in the 6th, 7th, and 8th then the 9th. Do you want to bring Lindstrom in in a 1 run game with runners on 1st and 2nd and 1 out in the 7th? He is better off starting an inning, then coming in during a jam and needing to get key outs. If you made this switch, you would just be creating a bigger problem.

Calero or Nunez should be closing. It's dumb to have your 4th best reliever as the closer. Lindstrom should be pitching late in games when we're behind such as how Calero was used yesterday.

It's even dumber to use your best reliever as your closer.

It's dumb to use Lindstrom in the bottom of the 9th to protect a one run lead.

It's not dumb to use Lindstrom in the top of the 9th when behind by one run.

True. It's probably dumber to use calero to protect a 3 run lead in the 9th, and you know whoever closes for us is going to be a by the books closer. I'd rather lindstrom be used in that role than kiko, who can be an awesome fireman out of the pen.

It definitely is time for some changes. I wouldn't mind seeing a closer by committee between Calero/Nunez/Meyer/Lindstrom and calling out one of the quartet in the 9th based on the situation. But you know that isn't going to happen and whoever replaces Lindstrom will replace him as "our guy" closing out games.

Lindstrom can be the closer in games with 4+ runs leads.

The first half is right, the second, not so much. Calero has the type of stuff to pitch wherever he's needed. However, that being said, it may serve him better coming back from an injury and as a means of testing if Lindstrom really does need to pitch more often to be effective.

 

 

...and your proof for this is...? In his career Calero is 7 out of 18 in saves for the Redbirds and the A's. That's a paltry 39%. In 280ish career games with three clubs he's virtually always been used in middle relief. That tells me lots of coaches don't think he has the mental "stuff" to close games.

 

 

Just b/c he has 11 blown saves in 18 chances doesn't mean they've come closing. Are you sure those are his #'s in save situations? Remember that middle relievers do get blown saves for leads they blow, but do not get saves (rather, they get holds...a stat even more overrated than the save, to be honest) for the games they do hold.

 

I'm not sure what the exact stat, nor do I currently have the time to look it up, but I highly doubt those are Kiko's career #'s in save situations.

 

Regardless, Kiko Calero is the best reliever on this team. A terrific find by the organization.

The reason is because Calero isn't seen as a long term fixture with the team.

The first half is right, the second, not so much. Calero has the type of stuff to pitch wherever he's needed. However, that being said, it may serve him better coming back from an injury and as a means of testing if Lindstrom really does need to pitch more often to be effective.

 

 

...and your proof for this is...? In his career Calero is 7 out of 18 in saves for the Redbirds and the A's. That's a paltry 39%. In 280ish career games with three clubs he's virtually always been used in middle relief. That tells me lots of coaches don't think he has the mental "stuff" to close games.

 

Funny, it tells me that coaches believe he's more valuable being used day-to-day in "fireman" situations than to come into the 9th with a lead.

The reason is because Calero isn't seen as a long term fixture with the team.

 

 

 

And Lindstrom is?

And just because I know the intangible stuff about "mentally being able to close" will consistently be brought up some more...

 

Pitching in St Louis, Calero would have had to usurp Isringhausen, an established closer, as a rookie/sophomore... so, he DEFINITELY wasn't gonna closer there.

 

And in Oakland, they don't use the typical closer guidelines, in that, like I said, they'll use their best relievers as "firemen" and then take a good RP and have him accumulate a gaudy number of saves, increase his value and ship him off for something more valuable. So, basically, because Calero is a really good RP, he wasn't going to close when he could be used in more valuable situations.

Throw Kiko in there. Let's see what he's got.

The reason is because Calero isn't seen as a long term fixture with the team.

 

 

If anything that would be the reason Calero should be closing. He will not be here next year. Having Lindstrom or Nunez or whoever closing, well, that just raises their arbitration number. Calero? That just raises the amount whatever team signs him for, signs him for.

 

Plus if he picks up a ton of saves he might be able to hit type B FA status

 

actually after being EXTREMELY against it I'm now somewhat for it lol....

 

But then again we never offer MRs arbitration.

Actually, I would say that using your best reliever as a closer is about a dumb a move as a manager can make. Yet managers aren't chastized for it and I don't get it. Any guy with a 4.50 ERA will close 84% of his opportunities. That same guy can't be counted on with runners on in a tight spot earlier in the game to come in the middle of the inning and strand the runners.

The reason is because Calero isn't seen as a long term fixture with the team.

 

 

 

And Lindstrom is?

 

I think they were at least hoping he would be, yes. They've invested quite some time in him.