Either that, or they'll go back to 13 pitchers. Zach Buchanan writes for AZCentral, the Arizona Republic. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Player Dbacks are receiving has yet to be informed</p>— Zach Buchanan (@azc_zachb) <a href="https://twitter.com/azc_zachb/status/629873831394422785">August 8, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Return will be a minor leaguer</p>— Zach Buchanan (@azc_zachb) <a href="https://twitter.com/azc_zachb/status/629875456116822016">August 8, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
guess i either missed him pitch vs us last week, or it didn't hit me that it was the same guy. crazy. cool story that he was willing to continue his career as a lefty specialist
Want to take a chance on Utley? Any chance he clears the NL and we have a shot even? He's been down all year, but he was solid last year and had a good first few games off the DL after a long time off. If he's back to decent, could bring further stability to the order. He's played 30 games at 1B in his career, too.. he could push Carter off the roster maybe? (I wouldn't want him at the expense of Marwin given the risk/lack of need there)
Well, we have great arms in the minors, and few spots in the rotation in the Major Leagues. Maybe we can develop a VV or a Feliz to be our Champman or Kimbrel. Next year we have K, McHugh, Fier and Feldman. If we sign Kazmir, then we have 5. Probably they will try and trade Feldman. We still have Appel, VV and McCullers, also Feliz. One of those guys could be our closer, not this year, but next. Who is our best option out of that group? Mental toughness. Organization should know. We have done it in the past, Billy Wagner, Octavio Dotel, Brad Lidge. I think is time to do it again.
If Riley Ferrell can improve his control he can be the Astros closer of the future...His fastball/slider combo are plus pitches...Possibly both 70 grade pitches
Sipp is a good pitcher, his whip is under 1, which is very good, and ERA in the 2.40's. which is also very good. Righties hit .189 as he has a great change up and lefties hit .211, which still low. In the second half hitters are only hitting .156 which is phenomenal. Oliver Perez is a very good loogy but Sipp is a lefty that is able to dominate righties and lefties. I don't think Sipp's days are numbered, on the contrary, i think he is one of our best relievers.
He is a very good option, but still 3 years away i think, maybe 4. I would like one of our great arms to be the closer next year.
I'd like to see us call up McCullers, VV or Velasquez to see if they can help solidify the back end of the bullpen. It needs help. Maybe even Riley Ferrell like the Royals did with Finnegan
I like Riley but he needs work in the minors, right now he is walking way too many hitters while Finnegan walked few. I think we need to work VV or Feliz to become our closer next year, and a start would be to do what you are saying, bring them up to pitch the back end of the bullpen. McCullers could be a great closer, but he has the stuff of a number 2 starter, so we should continue with him as a starter.
Does nobody else agree that Fields should be given the opportunity to close games? ...IF we're going to make that kind of move w/ Luke? He's shown ever improving control this year. Continues to improve/progress as a K pitcher. Has allowed ONE mistake throw for a HR so far this season. Has had experience (albeit limited) in the 9th. Before some experiment converting a young/future starter as a stopgap, I'd say give Fields the ball for a while and shove Gregerson back to where he belongs in the 8th.
This might not be a popular opinion, but I'd rather close Gregerson when the lead is 2+ runs, and Fields when the lead is 1. If Fields walks a batter or two, pull him.
^^ So you're suggesting a closer by committee scenario? While I usually don't like the idea of that method (it's a worst case scenario for a team), if it gets Josh some chances to prove his worth in the role, bring it on. I don't, however, agree with the way you'd use each guy. If you're going to put Fields in for the 9th, there's no reason to only do so in intense, 1-run situations. We could ease him in with whatever chances come. I think it's important show confidence in whomever you put out there, can't let him think in the back of his mind that he's about to get pulled with a walk or two. He needs to be THE guy on any given night.