Astros Closer situation

[icp2]

As it stands right now, Chad Qualls is the closer for the Astros. The only viable free agent closer on the market, Francisco Cordero, has been signed by the Reds. Eric Gagne and Troy Percival are still available, but they both come with a lot of risk.

We all know this, so here's my question: can we trust Chad Qualls with the closer role? or are in desperate need of a solution?

Qualls numbers:
Career: 23-12 3.39 ERA .768 KO/IP, .296 BB/IP
2007: 6-5 3.05 ERA .929 KO/IP, .302 BB/IP.

[rsx_htown]

sarfante? he has the velocity, lets get some more starting pitching so we can actually get to the closer

[htownbball]

Well, we've got Sarfate who has good stuff, but almost no track record. All of the kids with live arms are candidates, but I think Qualls wins the job by seniority. I always believed Matt Albers had the bulldog demeanor needed to be a closer, along with the live arm.

If we do sign Tad Iguchi or Kaz Matsui, we could go after one of the two Japanese free agent closers. The Japanese relievers who have come over in recent years have had a good track record, so maybe we could take a chance on one. Signing Iguchi or Matsui would be a good move to try and influence one of them to sign with us.

[htownbball]

actually scratch that idea. the best Japanese relievers are set to sign with other clubs already and the best available Japanese closer, Hitoke Iwase, will stay in Japan.

[JayZ750]

i wouldn't be concerned. the team has other more pressing needs (starting pitching first and foremost). If they are in the race as the trade deadline approaches, they can just overpay for the hot closer on the bad team of the season.

looking back at the last 7 world series winners, yes they've all had competent closers more than capable of going multiple games without giving up a run, and very infrequently blowing saves, but we're not talking household names top top top closers...unless you go back to Rivera with the Yanks.

[Refman]

Gagne comes with a lot of risk, but he was very good last year with the Rangers prior to the trade. If you can sign him to a reasonable deal, it may be potential reward worth the risk.

[kaleidosky]

give me QUAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLSSSSSSSSSS!

[sccdct34]

Gagne comes with a lot of risk, but he was very good last year with the Rangers prior to the trade. If you can sign him to a reasonable deal, it may be potential reward worth the risk.

correct me if I'm wrong, but I think his agent is Scott Boras.
I know the Astros would rather not negotiate with him.

I think qualls could be an excellent closer, if only he was more consistant. I think half the time he doesnt even know where his fastball is going to go.

I also believe that Starting pitching is of a greater need , next year we could possibly have both Johan Santana and Jake Peavy both free agents.

[leroy420]

I'm fine with starting the season off with Qualls. If he can't handle it, give Sarfarte a chance or dig into the minors where there are some candidates. They just signed on to the 40-man roster (gervacio) who had fantastic numbers in A & AA last year. I doubt he's ready, but a few months to see what he does in AAA might be enough.

[RocketFan007]

I've heard that the Astros view Paulino as a future closer, I bet he's next in line after Qualls.

[T Rex]

I know I've said this before and everyone thinks I'm crazy, but I think we should shift Brandon Backe to the bullpen and think about him as the closer. Two main reasons: 1) Less strain on his arm coming off the surgery and 2) The guys absolutely thrives on the 'big-game' situations. Think about how average he's been in the regular season yet amps it up in the playoffs because of the increase intensity. I know he doesn't have 'closer' type stuff, but some guys just rise to the occasion and he's one.

[Refman]

correct me if I'm wrong, but I think his agent is Scott Boras.
I know the Astros would rather not negotiate with him.

I think qualls could be an excellent closer, if only he was more consistant. I think half the time he doesnt even know where his fastball is going to go.

I also believe that Starting pitching is of a greater need , next year we could possibly have both Johan Santana and Jake Peavy both free agents.
While starting pitching is a greater need, it would be foolish to ignore the closer situation. Also, Peavy and Santana will either get traded somewhere with a big extension (likely Santana), or will re-up with their current club (likely Peavy).

[Nick]

I know I've said this before and everyone thinks I'm crazy, but I think we should shift Brandon Backe to the bullpen and think about him as the closer. Two main reasons: 1) Less strain on his arm coming off the surgery and 2) The guys absolutely thrives on the 'big-game' situations. Think about how average he's been in the regular season yet amps it up in the playoffs because of the increase intensity. I know he doesn't have 'closer' type stuff, but some guys just rise to the occasion and he's one.

He may be more valuable as a reliever simply because his long-term results as a starter have been pretty mediocre (with the exception of 3 playoff games).

However, the whole "less strain on the arm" out of the bullpen argument is completely false... just see why John Smoltz couldn't wait to be a starter again after his 2 year closer stint.

[K mf G]

i'm down with qualls, i don't expect the atros to have a chance at contending since they lack the starting pitching, they should go with qualls, he has had decent years as a setup man and setup to the setup, and then we can see some of the younger arms

[MaxwellsTemper]

I doubt the Astros will put too much emphasis on finding a CL. We have other needs at the moment, and Qualls can be adequate.

Like sccdct34 said, Gagne is not an option.

[Big Shot Bob]

The closer next year will either be qualls, paulino, or sarfate next year or maybe the guy we got from the braves. The only way we are getting Gagne is if we throw crazy money at him, he's not gonna take some incentive deal from a bad team like the astros. Troy Percival has offers on the table from much better teams so he's out of the picture too unless we wanted to throw like 5 mil in his direction for a year. Backe hasnt proven that his arm is durable enough to be a closer.

[jopatmc]

There ain't nuth'n to close if we don't get some starting pitching.


Wade, make that trade for Dontrelle.

[Major]

While starting pitching is a greater need, it would be foolish to ignore the closer situation. Also, Peavy and Santana will either get traded somewhere with a big extension (likely Santana), or will re-up with their current club (likely Peavy).

Agreed - while its thought of as an overrated position since they only pitch 60-80 innings a year, having a disaster at the closer position is the quickest and easiest way to destroy a season. Far more so than one offensive player or one starting pitcher struggling.

[xiki]

However, the whole "less strain on the arm" out of the bullpen argument is completely false... just see why John Smoltz couldn't wait to be a starter again after his 2 year closer stint.

...or why the Red Sox were committed to making Papelbon a starter (after shoulder strain short circuited his '06 season) [they are probably smiling that the alternatives for the closer role stunk in spring training and back to the pen went Pap].

[trickywhiteguy]

I know I've said this before and everyone thinks I'm crazy, but I think we should shift Brandon Backe to the bullpen and think about him as the closer. Two main reasons: 1) Less strain on his arm coming off the surgery and 2) The guys absolutely thrives on the 'big-game' situations. Think about how average he's been in the regular season yet amps it up in the playoffs because of the increase intensity. I know he doesn't have 'closer' type stuff, but some guys just rise to the occasion and he's one.

i think there would be more stress on his arm having to warm up quickly etc. that closers have to do.... but i do think he has the right mentality

[MaxwellsTemper]

Agreed - while its thought of as an overrated position since they only pitch 60-80 innings a year, having a disaster at the closer position is the quickest and easiest way to destroy a season. Far more so than one offensive player or one starting pitcher struggling.
At the moment its a moot point though unless we get some arms for our rotation. There won't be any games to save except for Roy's starts.

[JunkyardDwg]

You know it seems the Astros have thrived in recent years by sticking to the idea of bringing up a closer through the farm system. There was Wagner, then Dotel (for a brief period) usurped him, then he was followed by Lidge. Those of course were no brainer decisions and Qualls hasn't or probably will ever be in the same class as them (well maybe Dotel's league, when he took over as closer)...but I think it would be a better decision by the club to give the closer's role to him or another one of the young arms they have (that would be better suited for a closer's role than a starting spot). That generally seems to be what 85 percent of clubs do anyways. And why? Because I doubt anyone can honestly justfiy spending over 10+ million dollars on a guy that pitches one inning every few games.

That's not to downplay the closer's role by any means...but the Astros money and time right now could be better spent elsewhere.

[Major]

At the moment its a moot point though unless we get some arms for our rotation. There won't be any games to save except for Roy's starts.

We won 70+ games last year with the same rotation, and needed saves in about half of them. If we have a "perfect" closer last year (a bit unrealistic, yes - but we had virtually that with Lidge a few years ago), we win between 7-10 more games.

[Major]

You know it seems the Astros have thrived in recent years by sticking to the idea of bringing up a closer through the farm system. There was Wagner, then Dotel (for a brief period) usurped him, then he was followed by Lidge. Those of course were no brainer decisions and Qualls hasn't or probably will ever be in the same class as them (well maybe Dotel's league, when he took over as closer)...but I think it would be a better decision by the club to give the closer's role to him or another one of the young arms they have (that would be better suited for a closer's role than a starting spot). That generally seems to be what 85 percent of clubs do anyways. And why? Because I doubt anyone can honestly justfiy spending over 10+ million dollars on a guy that pitches one inning every few games.


Certainly true - but those guys came up at a time when we were developing good-to-great pitchers out of our minor leagues (Hampton, Lima, Kyle, Oswalt, Miller, etc to along with Wagner/Lidge). That doesn't seem to be the case as much recently. I'm not sure what quality of closer prospects we have down there unless you can turn Nieve into one (what happened to him?).

[MaxwellsTemper]

We won 70+ games last year with the same rotation, and needed saves in about half of them. If we have a "perfect" closer last year (a bit unrealistic, yes - but we had virtually that with Lidge a few years ago), we win between 7-10 more games.
Yeah, but still look where we would have ended up even with those 7-10 wins.. barely scrapping for a playoff spot. And like you said, we aren't going to have a perfect closer.

I agree that we can upgrade from Qualls, no doubt. I'd prefer to see him as a setup guy rather than the CL. But at the moment, I just see the team spending money on the more pressing issues - particularly SP. Even if we had a Mariano Rivera in his prime on this team, would you consider us to be contenders? I wouldn't. We need a much better rotation. To me, rotation pitchers are much, much more important that who is closing out games for you.

[DOMINATOR]

I'm not sure what quality of closer prospects we have down there unless you can turn Nieve into one (what happened to him?).
Tommy John beginning of last season. should be back in like june i think.
along with nieve i would look at Paulino if Qualls has trouble.
bullpen is most important part of a team. i think the astros could have a solid pen. a lot of question marks though.
Qualls - C
Sarfate
McLemore - lefty
Villareal
Geary
sampson - long relief
paulino/albers - cleanup
Nieve - if returns to form could be very solid and reliable

better have alot of guys who can pitch multiple innings with Woody, wandy, Backe, and Patton slotted for the rotation.
if you really wanted to be crazy have Oswalt close on days he is supposed to throw bullpen sessions.

[kaleidosky]

if you really wanted to be crazy have Oswalt close on days he is supposed to throw bullpen sessions.

fun for us and would make for some insane fantasy value!