Who should close going forward?

[MADSTORK]

Call Bello

[notin]

So what term should we use instead of Closer by Committee?

 

(Committee rhymes with s*****, so that was the first place my mind went...)

 

Task Force Closers!

 

Sounds like the title of an action moving. Starring John Cena…

[Bellhorn04]

As long as you have actual good pitchers, there’s no real issue with the whole “committee” approach to closing. Tampa has been using one all season…

 

The Rays have a Pitching Staff by Committee.

[Bellhorn04]

Task Force Closers!

 

Sounds like the title of an action moving. Starring John Cena…

 

Gotta be something a little better than that, I think...it has to properly convey the desperation fustercluck that's going on...

[iortiz]

The Rays have a Pitching Staff by Committee.

 

I think it is not by committee, it is by situation lol

 

Geez if a closer close a game well, he does not necessary close in the next opportunity. I think the KCR are applying the same philosophy at closing.

[notin]

Gotta be something a little better than that, I think...it has to properly convey the desperation fustercluck that's going on...

 

Closer By Short Straw?

[Bellhorn04]

Closer By Short Straw?

 

That's on the right track.

[notin]

I think it is not by committee, it is by situation lol

 

Geez if a closer close a game well, he does not necessary close in the next opportunity. I think the KCR are applying the same philosophy at closing.

 

However they deploy them, they use multiple people in the role. They have 5 pitchers with multiple saves this year.

 

Really it’s been “closer by hot streak”. They give a guy a few save opportunities for a while, then someone else gets a chance. Then it goes back to Diego Castillo.

 

It would probably have been a true committee if they ever had the departed Castillo along with Pete Fairbanks and Nick Anderson all healthy at once at any point this season…

[harmony]

I think it is not by committee, it is by situation lol

 

Geez if a closer close a game well, he does not necessary close in the next opportunity. I think the KCR are applying the same philosophy at closing.

Three different relievers have posted saves in the Seattle Mariners' last three wins ... and no saves came from presumptive closer Diego Castillo (who is on the IL):

 

https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/SEA/2021-schedule-scores.shtml

[iortiz]

However they deploy them, they use multiple people in the role. They have 5 pitchers with multiple saves this year.

 

Really it’s been “closer by hot streak”. They give a guy a few save opportunities for a while, then someone else gets a chance. Then it goes back to Diego Castillo.

 

It would probably have been a true committee if they ever had the departed Castillo along with Pete Fairbanks and Nick Anderson all healthy at once at any point this season…

 

closer by hot streak? That’s a new one.

 

I think TB created the concept of the BPning day thing as well, didn’t they? These guys are revolutionizing the game, that’s for sure.

[iortiz]

Three different relievers have posted saves in the Seattle Mariners' last three wins ... and no saves came from presumptive closer Diego Castillo (who is on the IL):

 

https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/SEA/2021-schedule-scores.shtml

Maybe the days of named closers as we know them are coming to an end.

[dgalehouse]

Maybe the days of named closers as we know them are coming to an end.

 

The owners would like that. It's cheaper.

[iortiz]

The owners would like that. It's cheaper.

 

Definitely. OTOH wonder whether they will keep it that way in POs. Will be interesting to see. Would you send your best reliever in a regular basis once there, or would you keep shuffling your staff in those instances game after game?

[notin]

closer by hot streak? That’s a new one.

 

I think TB created the concept of the BPning day thing as well, didn’t they? These guys are revolutionizing the game, that’s for sure.

 

Even before deploying the “opener” strategy, Tampa Bay was one of two teams (KC being the other) where the whole strategy was to get to the bullpen ASAP. Starters rarely went more than 5, and very often went less even when cruising…

[notin]

Definitely. OTOH wonder whether they will keep it that way in POs. Will be interesting to see. Would you send your best reliever in a regular basis once there, or would you keep shuffling your staff in those instances game after game?

 

While most teams use their best reliever as their closer, that’s also not always the case. Cleveland used to deploy Andrew Miller in the high leverage innings against the other teams best hitters. And unless the heart of the order wa due up in a one run game, they let Cody Allen get the easier saves.

 

TB has been using Andrew Kittredge similarly this year…

[mvp 78]

Even before deploying the “opener” strategy, Tampa Bay was one of two teams (KC being the other) where the whole strategy was to get to the bullpen ASAP. Starters rarely went more than 5, and very often went less even when cruising…

 

And that only works if you have a great bullpen. If you have a mediocre to poor bullpen, it may not be a good idea.

[Bellhorn04]

And that only works if you have a great bullpen. If you have a mediocre to poor bullpen, it may not be a good idea.

 

And when you have a bullpen that's falling apart, you might as well just have fun.

 

So Richards for closer.

[notin]

The owners would like that. It's cheaper.

 

It will catch up. Teams will still have the best relievers in some sort of high leverage role. So maybe instead of shelling out millions for the overblown save stat, owners will have to pay heavily for the underrated Hold stat. And some sabermetrician somewhere will create an even newer, better way to evaluate relievers. Maybe Nate Silver’s Goose Egg stat will finally catch on…

[mvp 78]

And when you have a bullpen that's falling apart, you might as well just have fun.

 

So Richards for closer.

 

Hell yeah!

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

While most teams use their best reliever as their closer, that’s also not always the case. Cleveland used to deploy Andrew Miller in the high leverage innings against the other teams best hitters. And unless the heart of the order wa due up in a one run game, they let Cody Allen get the easier saves.

 

TB has been using Andrew Kittredge similarly this year…

 

Francona remembered when he was coming up, before Automatic Eck in the 9th started a trend and then Rivera set a longevity standard that no one else could ever match -- but every team always had to try and contrive. Before the 1980s, the best relievers always threw multiple innings and came in a lot sooner rather later. Sparky Lyle, AL saves leader in '76, entered an elimination game the next year in the 4th inning and pitched the final 5.1 for the win.

 

Also, recall Cora tried this the first half of '19 - calling on Barnes in only high leverage match-ups, usually before the 9th. It worked for awhile, then Barnes got burnt out, possibly from overstressing his arm and his brain.

[dgalehouse]

Throw jabronis against the bullpen wall and see if one sticks as closer. Great plan.

[mvp 78]

Throw jabronis against the bullpen wall and see if one sticks as closer. Great plan.

 

Is there a better one at the moment?

[dgalehouse]

There is nothing more " high leverage" than trying to get the final outs to nail down a win.

[moonslav59]

There is nothing more " high leverage" than trying to get the final outs to nail down a win.

 

So, they should have an advanced high leverage stat?

[dgalehouse]

So, they should have an advanced high leverage stat?

 

Sure. We need many more stats to keep you busy.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

There is nothing more " high leverage" than trying to get the final outs to nail down a win.

 

But what's more high leverage: the "set-up" man retiring the 4-5-6 batters with the bases loaded in the 8th or the "closer" then facing 7-8-9 in a clean inning in the 9th?

 

If it's the latter, isn't that more mental than physical?

[Bellhorn04]

But what's more high leverage: the "set-up" man retiring the 4-5-6 batters with the bases loaded in the 8th or the "closer" then facing 7-8-9 in a clean inning in the 9th?

 

If it's the latter, isn't that more mental than physical?

 

Any time you have a slim lead or are tied in the late innings it's high leverage, but in your comparison, the 8th inning would definitely be the tougher job.

[iortiz]

And only works if you have a great bullpen. If you have a mediocre to poor bullpen, it may not be a good idea.

 

Should we rotate Taylor, Barnes, Whitlock and Ottavino?

[mvp 78]

Should we rotate Taylor, Barnes, Whitlock and Ottavino?

 

No, Garrett Richards will be playing the role of Dick Radatz.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Should we rotate Taylor, Barnes, Whitlock and Ottavino?

 

It may be better than using up someone's arm on back-to-back nights -- which we've seen backfire many times this season (except for Whitlock, who is already banned from mounds two days in a row). Using four different guys should give them all plenty of rest; with the way the Sox are currently playing, it should take at least a week or more to enter the 9th with leads in four different games...