I hope both Gregerson and Giles have such good years that its really difficult to determine who the long term closer is. Like having Octavio Dotal, Brad Lidge, and Billy Wagner.
Sure... but that's induced by giving you an assigned role that you may not have thought was warranted... or you were asked to prove it. The thought here was that Hinch could cherry-pick when to use Giles (some days he's the closer, some days' he's the setup man, etc), and I'm saying that's the exact opposite of what is going to happen. These creatures-of-habit want to know exactly when they're coming in and covet the defined role.... I suppose I'd want consistency in any job I perform too.
Not sure when Giles was supposed to earn it... unless you feel there was no way he could go into the season as a closer no matter what. I think the Gregerson-Hinch relationship is a special one. They signed him last year with the common knowledge of both parties that he'd be the closer, and he didn't disappoint (and for a segment, was the only consistent producer in the bullpen). On the flip-side, Hinch does not have that relationship (yet) with Giles... so he's far more comfortable with going with what he knows.... which I can't really argue too much against it. This is the hybrid part of what makes this team very intriguing... they're not 100% analytics... there's still room for traditional baseball thinking and gut instincts.
It's a long season. Having two guys who can close can come in handy. Just because they're starting with Luke doesn't mean he'll be the guy the entire yr. It will work itself out.
Having Giles set up may also have the added (and unintended) benefit of holding his future arbitration costs down. Saves are rewarded in arbitration much more than any relief stat. On the other hand, Gregerson will get paid the same (through this contract) regardless of how many saves he gets. On the field, it may also be more useful to deploy your best reliever in the highest leveraged situations. Save opportunity or not. This may allow the team to do that with Giles.
I'll say it again. If that's the case, do you think they'll deploy Giles when the highest leverage situation comes up in the 9th? i.e. 4 run lead entering the 9th, Sipp gives up 2 runs and leaves with 2 men on base. Think Hinch will go to Giles over Gregerson to close it out? I'd expect they'd go to the "closer" there.
[rquoter]Giles admitted he was somewhat surprised by closer decision but is ready to do anything to help team win. Giles was surprised with Hinch's decision. Says he'll just have to stay on his toes during games, prep a little differently. Giles said several times he'll be ready to help the team win any way he can.[/rquoter]
Astros have a good problem to have for a change with multiple closers..pitching rotation lookin DEEEEEP. Astros look more confident this year already..as if they know what they're doing versus last year flying at the seat of their pants successfully
Giles' slider doesn't have much movement, but it improved somewhat as the inning went on. Seems most of its effectiveness will be because of his fastball. First game I've actually watched from him though.
Going by last years numbers http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/splits/_/id/30276/luke-gregerson http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/splits/_/id/32762/ken-giles You might could go with Luke vs Righties and Giles vs Lefties. While they are both better vs Righties, Giles, arguably, handled Lefties better. Its close though. But on the whole, I am fine with Luke in the 9th and Giles in the 8th if thats the plan. A sample of one hardly means much though. But today did indicate which three guys Hinch wanted battle tested and tried first. Keuchel, Gregerson and Giles. Not bad choices. Harris and Sipp up next probably if McHugh goes deep enough. Add Fields as an additional reliever as needed. But I like the idea of Gregerson holding serve on his position title from last year (closer), and making Giles take it from him. Knowing they interchangeable parts in most situations, it gives Hinch flexibility to swap their roles from time to time. Not become regimented to the same approach and solution in every case. But it will be interesting when the day comes that Giles closes in a save opportunity in the 9th, and Gregerson is rested and ready, but sitting on the bench.
Let me tell you, it is nice to not have to rely on Neshek in the 8th. Can use Sipp, Harris, Giles all situationally leading up to Gregerson.
Neshek was really good till he started pitching hurt late last year. At the time of signing both him and Luke, there was legitimate debate as to who would close more often. He's still going to be one of the main options before Giles/Greg... I'd still use him above Sipp/Harris (who are both more effective against lefties, while Neshek will be mostly a ROOGY).
[rQUOTEr]Hinch on Gregerson "I used the word 'primary' because there's gonna be a time when I don't use him in a non-conventional closer role" Hinch "having a 7th inning guy, an 8th inning guy and a 9th inning guy that's not most efficient way to run a the bullpen to get a win" Hinch "my job is to put players in a place to win games, the roles are in pencil and are for preparation but the end results matter most"[/rQUOTEr]
Or course its not the most efficient way... and yet once these guys settle into their roles, it gets harder and harder to ask them to do something else. Whether its primary on the players, or the managers, roles end up defined. They're also creatures of habit/routine... who wouldn't want some consistency in a job that is largely inconsistent in every other aspect (life of a bullpen pitcher).
