Astros Closer situation

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

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

give me QUAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLSSSSSSSSSS!

 

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.

 

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.

 

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

 

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.

 

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).

 

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.

 

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

 

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.

 

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.

 

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


Wade, make that trade for Dontrelle.

 

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.

 

...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].

 

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