Posted December 9, 200321 yr I know a lot of you guys aren't big fans of Looper, but there aren't any better closers on the market, except for Foulke who is out of our price range anyways. I say come in with Looper as closer same as last year, and maybe we'll be able to pick up a big name closer in July like we did last year. There is no need to waste money because we feel that we have to make the bullpen better if there aren't any quality relievers available.
December 9, 200321 yr our relievers will join the team through trades, i may not be a big looper freak BUT he is our best option at this time...
December 10, 200321 yr does any1 here remember that throw VLAD made against the marlins 2 seasons ago to throw out tim raines at the plate late in the game with a 1 run lead...... wow that was one heck of a throw.
December 10, 200321 yr I bet Vlad could pitch Okay, I get it, YOU WANT US TO GET VLADÂ I don't think we need every thread to turn into a Vlad thread. Seriously. I'm getting sick of reading the same thing in every thread.
December 10, 200321 yr i agree i like looper his talent has not yet developed but if he makes 4 million through arbitration some how is there any way we can renegotiate his contract? its not like anyone else really shows interest
December 10, 200321 yr i like looper his talent has not yet developed If his talent hasnt developed by age 30, than there is a problem.
December 10, 200321 yr We should keep looper. Farmerfran is right, their arent many closers out there on the Market. Â The only thing wrong with looper is his pitch selection. He can throw 98 MPH but if you consistantly throw it they will hit you hard. He needs to improve his breaking pitches. He cant live off his fastball....
December 10, 200321 yr for the money, Looper isn't worth keeping. Let us free up cash and get a real bullpen.
December 10, 200321 yr We should keep looper. Farmerfran is right, their arent many closers out there on the Market. Â The only thing wrong with looper is his pitch selection. He can throw 98 MPH but if you consistantly throw it they will hit you hard. He needs to improve his breaking pitches. He cant live off his fastball.... I think his problem is in his head, he has the mechanics and stuff to be a successful closer (damn he demonstrated just that, most of the season).
December 10, 200321 yr i like looper his talent has not yet developed If his talent hasnt developed by age 30, than there is a problem. hes only been closing for 2 seasons, and he really isn't that bad at it give him one more year
December 10, 200321 yr You know a guy we Should Bring up? Vlad Nunez. I think he has gotten his act together and can pitch like the old Vlady. I really used to like this guy, he had great pitches.
December 10, 200321 yr Send Loop to a team foolish enough to bank on potential in this case, and maybe reap some good stuff out of it. (Cubs, anyone?)
December 10, 200321 yr You know a guy we Should Bring up? Vlad Nunez. I think he has gotten his act together and can pitch like the old Vlady. I really used to like this guy, he had great pitches. For closer? No thanks
December 10, 200321 yr You know a guy we Should Bring up? Vlad Nunez. I think he has gotten his act together and can pitch like the old Vlady. I really used to like this guy, he had great pitches. is he even with us anymore? anyway, Id love to keep "The Joker"
December 10, 200321 yr You know a guy we Should Bring up? Vlad Nunez. I think he has gotten his act together and can pitch like the old Vlady. I really used to like this guy, he had great pitches. is he even with us anymore? No
December 10, 200321 yr Author for the money, Looper isn't worth keeping. Let us free up cash and get a real bullpen. Who do you suggest? because there aren't any relievers on the market right now that'll knock your socks off.
December 10, 200321 yr Benitez is an option, as is Al Levine who was with the D-Rays and traded to the Royals late in 2003. Al Levine in 2003 W 3 L 6 ERA 2.79  Pitching & Defense Levine worked hard on offseason conditioning and picked up a modest boost on his velocity, though he cannot live on a 90-MPH fastball alone. He gets better results with a sinking 85-MPH fastball than a straight 90-MPH fastball, but his slider is his best pitch. The Angels believe he is useful against all hitters, but his statistics were much better against righthanders (.229 opposing batting average, .299 opposing slugging percentage) than against lefthanders (.288, .470). He is adequate at holding runners on base and is below average as a fielder.  He made under $1 million in 2003 I believe. http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=5642
December 10, 200321 yr With Levine I ask you to look at his ERA. He is near his career best in that department and with proper support of coaching staff and defense can be a very good addition for little money. I smell spring training invite or minor league contract.
December 10, 200321 yr Author Benitez is an option, as is Al Levine who was with the D-Rays and traded to the Royals late in 2003. Al Levine in 2003 W 3 L 6 ERA 2.79  Pitching & Defense Levine worked hard on offseason conditioning and picked up a modest boost on his velocity, though he cannot live on a 90-MPH fastball alone. He gets better results with a sinking 85-MPH fastball than a straight 90-MPH fastball, but his slider is his best pitch. The Angels believe he is useful against all hitters, but his statistics were much better against righthanders (.229 opposing batting average, .299 opposing slugging percentage) than against lefthanders (.288, .470). He is adequate at holding runners on base and is below average as a fielder.  He made under $1 million in 2003 I believe. http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=5642 I figured you'd say Benitez. I tell you this if we make a playoff run, I don't want Benitez coming in, in the 9th. As for Levine, he's a good pitcher, but not exactly closer material.
December 10, 200321 yr I am not saying closer, you need to start with the seventh or sixth innings when you build a bullpen. Levine and Benitez could get the setup role done along with Fox. Then you could have who ever does best be the closer. Let them work for the job in Spring Training.
December 10, 200321 yr Benitez is an option, as is Al Levine who was with the D-Rays and traded to the Royals late in 2003. Al Levine in 2003 W 3 L 6 ERA 2.79  Pitching & Defense Levine worked hard on offseason conditioning and picked up a modest boost on his velocity, though he cannot live on a 90-MPH fastball alone. He gets better results with a sinking 85-MPH fastball than a straight 90-MPH fastball, but his slider is his best pitch. The Angels believe he is useful against all hitters, but his statistics were much better against righthanders (.229 opposing batting average, .299 opposing slugging percentage) than against lefthanders (.288, .470). He is adequate at holding runners on base and is below average as a fielder.  He made under $1 million in 2003 I believe. http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=5642 I figured you'd say Benitez. I tell you this if we make a playoff run, I don't want Benitez coming in, in the 9th. As for Levine, he's a good pitcher, but not exactly closer material. Well, we apparantly felt the same way about Looper this year (Urbina trade). I think we're trying to get solid guys for the pen, and if we're in it come June and our pen isn't holding it together, we'll be able to go out and get some guys like we did this year with Urbina and Fox. Remember, pitchers, especially relievers are among the most traded players during the season, if we need one it'll be easier to go out and get a reliever than say a right-fielder or a catcher. And I am a big proponent of Benitez becoming our closer if Looper doesn't stay...
December 10, 200321 yr Yes, we could go out and get a reliver in June. But do you remember what we gave up to get Urbina? I dont want to go out another year and give up top prospects to get a one year rental reliver. Or soon or farm will be like the one the Red Sox have.
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