I was speaking about the job of a closer in general. Speaking of merit what is yours? Is it just stats and a calculator? Is there any experience Doc?

I asked for evidence that Franky is more likely to be injured than Teix. Still waiting.

Why is it you continue to use other teams with no other possible closer in the pen as an example?

The argument is the Angels have someone in the pen that many believe can close games. Fact that you can replace a closer with a cheaper option is very true and been done. Not to mention it would not be the first time it was done by the Angels.

Lee Smith was being paid good money back in 1995 and 96, but the club traded L Smith and handed over the closers role to less expensive Percival in 96 with only 3 career saves and 74 inn under his belt. Remember he was a catcher, and had only 3 years of minor league pitching under his belt. It would go full circle years later when the club wasn’t willing to pay Percival, and went with a cheaper option F-Rod.

As for Street he has been battling injury for most of the year and last. Having neuritis is no easy thing to get past, and he has tried. Iz and Wainwright have been on the DL at times this year, and lets be honest Franklin isn’t a closer and is lucky to still be playing. There was not much reason to think that Iz was done. He saved 32 of 34 last year. Thats why they thought Wainright was available to be a SP.

When you talk about the Tigers they have also battled the injury bug when you talk about the pen. Fernando Rodney has been on the DL most of the year and of course you have Joel Zumaya who suffered injury in the off season and came back in late June only to find himself back on it again. Then you have Jones who is also on the DL right now. So hard to use those guys as an example about replacement.

With the NY Mets I don’t think they ever claimed to have a replacement for Wagner, but they should be looking for one. He has had to be slowed down because of arm problems, and now is on the DL. There has been serious issues with the pen, but thats not because they let the closer walk believing they had a replacement.

If you look at George Sherrill he had a total of less then a 130 inn pitched entering the season and had 4 saves in 8 save opportunities. He currently has 31 out of 37. Guy had not been a closer at any time in his career as a big leaguer yet made the All Star team. We are talking about a guy that wasn’t even drafted out of college, bad scouting I would say . ’ )

None of these teams have taken the approach, or spoke about having someone to replace the current closer. They had closers going into the season, and believed they were fine with the back of the pen.

If you want to argue what happens when Dondo goes down thats fine. I would trust that Shields would fill in nicely until his return. The club will have to do something with the pen should they let Frankie walk. I think Oliver would be a no brainer then. I think he is already, but it would become imperative if Frankie wasn’t signed. Of course a lot of good things going on with Jepsen this year.