The Closer Report: April 8th, 2010 7 Saves, 1 Blown Save

There was another heavy day of closers.  Most of the appearances were uneventful, but there were a few surprises.

SAVES:
Jason Frasor (2) - Frasor locked down his second save in as many days.  Again he looked in mod-season form and has made that first terrible appearance a thing of the past.  He struck out two and walked one on 18 pitches.

Matt Capps (1) - He got hit hard, but his sinker was sharp.  Recorded his first save of the season, giving up one hit and intentionally walking Ryan Howard.  At least he is smart, but that's not closer mentality.

Carlos Marmol (1) - Marmol got his first save and looked very good.  He struck out two while giving up a hit and a walk.  He did work 1.1 innings and your arm tends to stiffen up after waiting an inning, so the hit and walk don't bother me as much.

Leo Nunez - (1) - After a brutal outing, Nunez came out and recorded a perfect save.  He even struck out Gary Matthew Jr on a nasty breaking ball.  It wasn't without some drama.  Fernando Tatis hita deep fly ball on Nunez's first pitch that went to the wall.

Mike Gonzalez (1) - Recorded his first save, but loaded the bases on two walks and a hit before he got the final out.  This will likely be what to expect from Gonzalez all year.  Keep an eye on Jim Johnson.  If things get bad, Johnson will replace Gonzo.

Chris Perez (2) - Recorded his second save in as many days.  He looked very good and his closer poise.  He needed 14 pitches to dispose of the White Sox.  He did not record a strikeout.


BLOWN SAVES:
Frank Francisco (BS 1) - Francisco looked terrible tonight.  In his second appearance of the season he gave up three runs on four hits including a solo home run to

APPEARANCES: 
Francisco Cordero (1-0) - Cordero made his second appearance of the season and looked sharp.  He entered a tie game and struck out two in a perfect inning of work.  He ended up with a win.

Jonathan Broxton - We finally got to see Broxton in 2010.  He gave up a walk and recorded a strikeout in a non-save situation.

Jose Valverde - Pitched a perfect inning with one strikeout.

Andrew Bailey - Made his third appearance in of the season.  .2 innings with a walk and a hit.  He is not looking in form yet, but is at least pitching.

Bobby Jenks - Let's face facts.  Jenks was a bit wild today and got some help from the umpire.  Overall, a perfect inning on 16 pitches and two strikeouts.


Listen to Todd "The True Guru" Farino breakdown all the closer activity three times a week on Blog Talk Radio. Every Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday at 11pm PST. www.blogtalkradio.com/the-closer-report or download the podcast on ITunes!

Top 10 Closer Stories Of Spring Training 2010

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.

Drift Wood

Kerry Wood is up to his old tricks again, he has a strained right latissimus dorsi muscle and will start the year on the DL.

Wood has been given a timetable of 6-8 weeks, but we all know he is prone to setbacks so it could be even longer. All this does is force former Cardinals closing hopeful Chris Perez into the ninth inning role.

Chris Perez was acquired from the Cardinals in the Mark DeRosa trade last year. Perez has always had great stuff and no one has questioned his talent. Last year between STL and CLE Perez pitched 61 innings striking out 68 with a 4.26 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP.

Perez did struggle early last year but once he was comfortable in Cleveland after the all star break he posted strong numbers. he pitched 29 innings striking out 34 with a 3.10 ERA and giving up and opponents batting average against of .184.

Cleveland will be a terrible team but Perez could keep the job all year and possibly give you a cheap 30 saves.

The Bay State Scout

(bay_state_scout@comcast.net)

Time To Pick-Up Perez

The preseason favorite for the St. Louis Cardinals closer job was 23-year-old right-hander Chris Perez, and though he didn't get the opening day job, his time should be coming. Chris Perez is the long awaited anointed closer since being drafted in the first round out of the University of Miami. He went on to dominate the minor leagues as a closer posting 61 saves and 2.71 ERA while blowing away 151 batters in 113.1 innings.

Perez's rookie year wasn't as dominating, but it was an overall success when you consider he was just 22-years-old. He had 7 saves, 6 holds, a 3.46 ERA and 42 strikeouts in 41.2 innings. Those are very solid numbers. He did blow 4 saves and was still a bit green, and thus some questions coming into Spring Training 2009.

Enter the sore shoulder of Chris Perez and then the sudden ascension of Jason Motte and suddenly Perez fell of the fantasy radar. Motte come onto the scene, coming back after Tommy John Surgery, and lit it up in Spring Training. Perez was subsequently sent down to AAA to rest and rehab while Motte was given his shot to close. The only problem was, it was Spring Training! SPLAT! Who is to blame? Manager Tony La Russa? Maybe. Overzealous fantasy mangers and writers? Probably. What is the result of all this other than a wasted late draft pick? Ryan Franklin. Aye Carumba.

In every disaster there is an opportunity. The time to pick-up Chris Perez is now. If you are in any need of saves, this could be your chance of getting a player who is considered the top closing prospect in baseball. If he can stay healthy he could be one of the better in baseball for awhile.

Sin City Scout

Cardinals Closer Role Undecided

The fight continues in St. Louis for who will be named opening day closer. If the winner holds the job and has a good season he could have very nice fantasy value at a bargain price. Jason Motte, Josh Kinney, Chris Perez and Ryan Franklin are all in the battle. Perez was the early favorite, but has dropped back due to a shoulder injury while Jason Motte, on the other hand, is having an excellent Spring Training: 8+ IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 13 K with 4 saves. At 26 Motte may need some more experience, but he has been dominant….in Spring Training. Perez will be out for a few days to undergo tests on his right shoulder. Long shot Josh Kinney has been very solid: 7 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 4 BB, 9 K with 2 saves, but the 29-year-old is returning from Tommy John surgery and closing may be a year away. Ryan Franklin is the fall-back guy and is a better set-up pitcher, though he does have value in a league that gives points for hold. Jason Motte’s value now surpasses that of Perez, but Perez may still has better long-term value as Motte is unproven. Sin City Scout