The Closer Closet

[Frayed Knot]

If you're looking for a closer to try on best thing to do is pick one out of the closet (NTTAWWT) and see how it fits.

These are the ones who have done at least some closing in their lives and are or were FAs this winter. There may be other so feel free to update/correct.

Closer	Age	2011 Team	Status for 2012
Jonathan Papelbon	31	Red Sox	Phillies - 4 yrs/$50mil + 2016 option
Ryan Madsen	31	Phillies	Have until Wed night to accept/reject arb
Francisco Rodriguez	30	Mets/Brewers	Have until Wed night to accept/reject arb
Heath Bell	34	Padres	Marlins - 3 yrs/$27mil
Francisco Cordero	37	Reds	---
Frank Francisco	32	Blue Jays	---
Joe Nathan	37	Twins	Rangers - 2 yrs/$14.5mil + 2014 option
Brad Lidge	35	Phillies	---
Matt Capps	28	Twins	Re-upped w/Twins - 1 yr/$4.75mil + 2013 option
David Aardsma	28	AAA (Mariners)	---
Mike Gonzalez	33	Balt/Texas	---
Jonathan Broxton	27	Dodgers	Royals - 1 yr/$4mil
Octavio Dotel	37	Jays/Cards	---
John Grabow	32	Cubs	---
Pat Neshek	30	Padres	---
Jon Rauch	32	Blue Jays	---
Kerry Wood	34	Cubs	---

[smg58]

The rumor mill is currently focusing on Rauch, who at this stage in his career is not an upgrade over what we currently have.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

Rauch, Francisco, and Ramirez. Hmmm. HMMM.

All of a sudden, this bullpen looks frisky. I mean, it's not going to hit 25 triples in a season, but still.

[Frayed Knot]

Looks like I concocted this table just in time.
Had no idea all this reliever shit was about to come down.

Closer	Age	2011 Team	Status for 2012
Jonathan Papelbon	31	Red Sox	Phillies - 4 yrs/$50mil + 2016 option
Ryan Madsen	31	Phillies	Has until Wed night to accept/reject arb
Francisco Rodriguez	30	Mets/Brewers	Has until Wed night to accept/reject arb
Heath Bell	34	Padres	Marlins - 3 yrs/$27mil
Francisco Cordero	37	Reds	---
Frank Francisco	32	Blue Jays	Mets - 2 yrs/$12mil
Joe Nathan	37	Twins	Rangers - 2 yrs/$14.5mil + 2014 option
Brad Lidge	35	Phillies	---
Matt Capps	28	Twins	Re-upped w/Twins - 1 yr/$4.75mil + 2013 option
David Aardsma	28	AAA (Mariners)	---
Mike Gonzalez	33	Balt/Texas	---
Jonathan Broxton	27	Dodgers	Royals - 1 yr/$4mil
Octavio Dotel	37	Jays/Cards	---
John Grabow	32	Cubs	---
Pat Neshek	30	Padres	---
Jon Rauch	32	Blue Jays	Mets - 1 yr/$3.5 + 'performance bonus'
Kerry Wood	34	Cubs	---

Edited December 6, 2011 by Guest

[Vic Sage]

now if we get Dotel, too, we can have the ENTIRE bluejays bullpen.
which is better than what we had last year, at any rate.

I'm ok with:
-Francisco / Rauch
-Ramirez
-Beato
-Acosta
-Byrdak
-[6th starter / long reliever]

now just get a backup catcher, backup IFer, 6th starter and lets get ready for another sub .500 season.

[MFS62]

Alderson is channeling Andy Rooney:
"Look at all the new releivers I've gathered on my desk".

Later

[batmagadanleadoff]

Did you know that Jon Rauch was once Baseball America's top minor league prospect, ahead of Albert Pujols?

Capsule reviews on the Mets new acquisitions, from ESPN:

Mets' flurry of relievers equals few wins

DALLAS -- Unable to secure Jose Reyes, lacking the money to pursue a big name free agent, perhaps unwilling to trade David Wright and commit fully to a rebuilding project, the New York Mets instead turned to Plan D, or maybe Plan E or F, at the winter meetings: Collect a bunch of right-handed relievers for the bullpen. In a flurry of moves over an hour or so, the Mets signed relievers Frank Francisco (2 years, $12 million) and Jon Rauch (1 year, $3.5 million), and reportedly traded center fielder Angel Pagan to the San Francisco Giants for reliever Ramon Ramirez and outfielder Andres Torres. Frank Francisco got a two-year, $12-million deal to be the Mets' new closer, one of several New York moves. Certainly, bolstering the bullpen without blowing K-Rod money makes sense: In 2011, Mets' relievers posted a 4.33 ERA, 28th in the majors. Their .267 batting average allowed ranked 28th, their 24 blown saves ranked tied for 23rd (18 more than NL East rival Philadelphia) and their .344 on-base percentage allowed ranked 28th. They fared a little better in categories like strikeout rate and strikeout-to-walk ratio, but no matter how you slice it the pen wasn't good. A quick capsule of the players they acquired: Francisco: He'll assume the closer duties, relying on his 93- to 96-mph fastball and split-finger. He's solid if unspectacular and earned the coveted "closer" label primarily by lucking into the job with the 2009 Rangers. He was a flyball pitcher early in his career, but has increased his ground-ball percentage the past two seasons. The biggest concern is that he usually lands on the disabled list once or twice a season and hasn't pitched more than 52 innings in any of the past three years. So even if you make him the closer, you'll likely need a backup closer for 15-20 innings or so. Rauch: Once named Baseball America's top prospect in the minor leagues (ahead of Albert Pujols), Rauch will be joining his fifth team in five seasons. He's a serviceable middle guy who has closed at times (58 career saves), but has been pretty hittable in recent seasons: 256 hits in 251 innings since 2008, with just 197 strikeouts. He's also been prone to the long ball at various times in his career, including allowing 11 with the Blue Jays in just 52 innings last season. Frankly, I don't see Rauch as any improvement over currents Mets relievers Bobby Parnell, Pedro Beato, Tim Byrdak or Manny Acosta. He's mediocre depth, which I guess isn't the worst thing but doesn't exactly have Mets forgetting Jose Reyes. Ramirez and Torres: Pagan and Torres is an exchange of center fielders who played well in 2010, but poorly in 2011. Both were in danger of being non-tendered, although on Monday Mets manager Terry Collins had been talking about using Pagan as his leadoff hitter. The biggest issue with Pagan was that his defense notably slipped from 2010. Torres' bat is a question mark, but he'll draw walks and is a more consistent defender. Still, in the end he's nearly 34 with a career .244/.318/.403 line. He's not going to get better. Ramirez is a fastball/slider/changeup type with a career ERA of 3.16 over five-plus seasons. He was terrific in his year-plus with the Giants and there's no reason to necessarily assume it was home-park effect -- he dominated on the road in 2011, with a .157 average allowed. So, yes, the Mets now have eight or nine relievers to choose from. The Mets were 67-6 when leading after eight innings and 60-10 when leading after seven innings. Those don't seem like high totals, but actually are worse than the league average, so even though there's nothing flashy in these three relievers, the bullpen should be a few wins better in 2012. Sorry, Mets fans: We mean 4-5 wins or so, not 10 or 12. That's an important improvement, sure, but only a small step if the Mets wish to contend in an NL East that could end up being much tougher in 2012. While blowing fewer late-innings leads will certainly be less frustrating, the big question remains: How many late-inning leads will they have?

http://espn.go.com/blog/sweetspot/post/_/id/19020/mets-flurry-of-relievers-equals-few-wins

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

I see Rauch especially as one of those guys who, if we're not contending in July, can get flipped for something marginally useful. Hopefully, anyway: He's never been that great.

Francisco seems OK to me, nothing special but effective enough, I'd guess and the committment isn't much. Same deal for him too.

Dopes like Madden & the Snooze busting on these moves kinda misses the point.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

"Well, they'll need more than that to contend. I mean, those guys aren't Reyes."

"Well, no fucking shit. Can you explain to me again how a run is scored in this 'base-game' you're talking about, Professor Kruk?"

[Frayed Knot]

Not one of the FA closers, but the Rox deal Huston Street and his $7.5mil price tag to the temporarily closer-less Padres for a PTBNL

[Frayed Knot]

Closer	Age	2011 Team	Status for 2012
Jonathan Papelbon	31	Red Sox	Phillies - 4 yrs/$50mil + 2016 option
Ryan Madson	31	Phillies	Rejected arbitration -- FA
Francisco Rodriguez	30	Mets/Brewers	Accepted arbitration
Heath Bell	34	Padres	Marlins - 3 yrs/$27mil
Francisco Cordero	37	Reds	---
Frank Francisco	32	Blue Jays	Mets - 2 yrs/$12mil
Joe Nathan	37	Twins	Rangers - 2 yrs/$14.5mil + 2014 option
Brad Lidge	35	Phillies	---
Matt Capps	28	Twins	Re-upped w/Twins - 1 yr/$4.75mil + 2013 option
David Aardsma	28	AAA (Mariners)	---
Mike Gonzalez	33	Balt/Texas	---
Jonathan Broxton	27	Dodgers	Royals - 1 yr/$4mil
Octavio Dotel	37	Jays/Cards	Tigers - 1 yr/$3.5mil + 2013 option
John Grabow	32	Cubs	---
Pat Neshek	30	Padres	---
Jon Rauch	32	Blue Jays	Mets - 1 yr/$3.5 + 'performance bonus'
Kerry Wood	34	Cubs	---

[Fman99]

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr wrote: "Well, they'll need more than that to contend. I mean, those guys aren't Reyes." "Well, no fucking shit. Can you explain to me again how a run is scored in this 'base-game' you're talking about, Professor Kruk?"

These guys would be more entertaining, perhaps, in a [crossout]cocksucking[/crossout] hot dog eating contest.

[RealityChuck]

MFS62 wrote: Alderson is channeling Andy Rooney: "Look at all the new releivers I've gathered on my desk". Later

More likely, Steve Phillips, who would sign or trade for any reliever available and hope that one or two of them would stick.

[Ceetar]

Vic Sage wrote: now if we get Dotel, too, we can have the ENTIRE bluejays bullpen. which is better than what we had last year, at any rate. I'm ok with: -Francisco / Rauch -Ramirez -Beato -Acosta -Byrdak -[6th starter / long reliever] now just get a backup catcher, backup IFer, 6th starter and lets get ready for another sub .500 season.

I'm thinking Parnell will be in there and Beato won't. Herrera maybe?
also, I'd probably release Carrasco but if not I imagine he's sorta a contracted and will be in there type guy.
Stinson kind of impressed in September last year. Perhaps he's a candidate.

[Frayed Knot]

Beato, having survived his Rule 5 season, can now safely be stored in Buffalo behind the 'Break Glass in Case of Emergency' window.
In fact I could see them putting him down there as a starter to see if/how that works.

[smg58]

I know they've talked about trying Beato out as a starter, but he had not been effective in that role in the Orioles system.

I have no problem with him earning his spot on the major league staff, but I do think he's better than Herrera or the other options.

Carrasco is worth less than his contract, which means he's close to undealable. You might as well hope he can return to his previous form. Otherwise, releasing him would depend on whether he'd accept a demotion and whether he's worth keeping as minor league depth.

[Frayed Knot]

Red Sox seem to have replaced Jonathan Papelbon by acquiring 2009 RoY Andrew Bailey -- 27 y/o, 75 career saves; sub-1.00 WHiP; 2.07 ERA -- in a five-player deal with Oakland.

To Boston: Bailey plus OF Ryan Sweeney

To Oakland: 20 y/o 3B/1B Miles Head; 19 y/o RHP Raul Alcantara; and 24 y/o OF Josh Reddick
Reddick has played with the big club. Head has reached high-A level; Alcantara just the short-season NY-Penn league


- Oakland continues to stock up on young'uns
- Looks like Boston was spooked enough by heir-apparent Daniel Bard's horrid September to not simply hand him the closer's job.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

Besides Bailey, they've got the ex-Astro Melancon-- from a trade a few weeks ago-- as closer stock.

At this point, they might give Bard a whirl in the rotation.

[ashie62]

They have talked about making the Bard the 5.

Josh Reddick would have been a real nice corner for the Mets via Niese and something.

[Benjamin Grimm]

Miles Head??

[ashie62]

Benjamin Grimm wrote: Miles Head??

kinda like Toe Nash.

[Frayed Knot]

Benjamin Grimm wrote: Miles Head??

Better him than his brother Pot.

[smg58]

Ashie62 wrote: They have talked about making the Bard the 5. Josh Reddick would have been a real nice corner for the Mets via Niese and something.

Reddick's a solid fielder at least at a corner spot, but his upside as a hitter is below Duda's by quite a bit. Given the current market for cost-controlled starting pitching (and our lack of resources to find a replacement for Niese who's at least competent), I couldn't justify the "and something."

[MFS62]

Frayed Knot wrote: Benjamin Grimm wrote: Miles Head?? Better him than his brother Pot.

(Beating Fman to the thread)
And he gives better Miles.

Later

[Frayed Knot]

If Miles Head makes it to the big leagues he can become a member of the all-time 'body parts' team, joining Barry Foote, Bill Hands, Rollie Fingers, and, of course, Bobby Cox.

[Frayed Knot]

Closer	Age	2011 Team	Status for 2012
Jonathan Papelbon	31	Red Sox	Phillies - 4 yrs/$50mil + 2016 option
Ryan Madson	31	Phillies	Rejected arb -- signed for 1 yr/$10mil w/Reds
Francisco Rodriguez	30	Mets/Brewers	Accepted arbitration
Heath Bell	34	Padres	Marlins - 3 yrs/$27mil
Francisco Cordero	37	Reds	---
Frank Francisco	32	Blue Jays	Mets - 2 yrs/$12mil
Joe Nathan	37	Twins	Rangers - 2 yrs/$14.5mil + 2014 option
Brad Lidge	35	Phillies	---
Matt Capps	28	Twins	Re-upped w/Twins - 1 yr/$4.75mil + 2013 option
David Aardsma	28	AAA (Mariners)	---
Mike Gonzalez	33	Balt/Texas	---
Jonathan Broxton	27	Dodgers	Royals - 1 yr/$4mil
Octavio Dotel	37	Jays/Cards	Tigers - 1 yr/$3.5mil + 2013 option
John Grabow	32	Cubs	---
Pat Neshek	30	Padres	---
Jon Rauch	32	Blue Jays	Mets - 1 yr/$3.5 + 'performance bonus'
Kerry Wood	34	Cubs	---

[TransMonk]

Brewers sign K-Rod to one-year, $8 million deal, avoiding arbitration

[Frayed Knot]

Closer	Age	2011 Team	Status for 2012
Jonathan Papelbon	31	Red Sox	Phillies - 4 yrs/$50mil + 2016 option
Ryan Madson	31	Phillies	Rejected arb -- signed for 1 yr/$10mil w/Reds
Francisco Rodriguez	30	Mets/Brewers	1 yr/$8mil avoiding arbitration
Heath Bell	34	Padres	Marlins - 3 yrs/$27mil
Francisco Cordero	37	Reds	---
Frank Francisco	32	Blue Jays	Mets - 2 yrs/$12mil
Joe Nathan	37	Twins	Rangers - 2 yrs/$14.5mil + 2014 option
Brad Lidge	35	Phillies	---
Matt Capps	28	Twins	Re-upped w/Twins - 1 yr/$4.75mil + 2013 option
David Aardsma	28	AAA (Mariners)	---
Mike Gonzalez	33	Balt/Texas	---
Jonathan Broxton	27	Dodgers	Royals - 1 yr/$4mil
Octavio Dotel	37	Jays/Cards	Tigers - 1 yr/$3.5mil + 2013 option
John Grabow	32	Cubs	---
Pat Neshek	30	Padres	---
Jon Rauch	32	Blue Jays	Mets - 1 yr/$3.5 + 'performance bonus'
Kerry Wood	34	Cubs	1 yr/$3mil + $3mil option for 2013

[Frayed Knot]

Closer	Age	2011 Team	Status for 2012
Jonathan Papelbon	31	Red Sox	Phillies - 4 yrs/$50mil + 2016 option
Ryan Madson	31	Phillies	Rejected arb -- signed for 1 yr/$10mil w/Reds
Francisco Rodriguez	30	Mets/Brewers	1 yr/$8mil avoiding arbitration
Heath Bell	34	Padres	Marlins - 3 yrs/$27mil
Francisco Cordero	37	Reds	Signed w/Blue Jays - 1 yr/$4.5mil
Frank Francisco	32	Blue Jays	Mets - 2 yrs/$12mil
Joe Nathan	37	Twins	Rangers - 2 yrs/$14.5mil + 2014 option
Brad Lidge	35	Phillies	---
Matt Capps	28	Twins	Re-upped w/Twins - 1 yr/$4.75mil + 2013 option
David Aardsma	28	AAA (Mariners)	---
Mike Gonzalez	33	Balt/Texas	---
Jonathan Broxton	27	Dodgers	Royals - 1 yr/$4mil
Octavio Dotel	37	Jays/Cards	Tigers - 1 yr/$3.5mil + 2013 option
John Grabow	32	Cubs	---
Pat Neshek	30	Padres	---
Jon Rauch	32	Blue Jays	Mets - 1 yr/$3.5 + 'performance bonus'
Kerry Wood	34	Cubs	1 yr/$3mil + $3mil option for 2013

[Frayed Knot]

The precarious life of closers continues its not-always merry path
* Ryan Madson - off his newly-signed 1-year $6mil (+option w/$2.5mil buyout) FA signing with Cincy -- out for season
* Jokim Soria - off having his $6mil option picked up by Royals -- out for season