2013 Detroit Tigers Closer

**will the thrill** · 11-02-2012, 05:56 PM

Originally Posted by junkballer

I agree with you - it doesn't seem like it takes a special pitcher to do it. I am curious to see a breakdown of the most common outcomes of one half of the ninth inning... I think that one of the reasons that Todd Jones was an effective closer was the fact that he just didn't seem to freak out about anything - it seemed to me that he understood the numbers and realized that as long as he didn't do anything stupid, he was likely to come out on top just by playing percentages. I prefer closers that get it done as quickly as possible, but there is a whole lot to be said for someone that doesn't crack under pressure and goes about his business the same way regardless of the situation.

This.

Teams win at an amazing rate when leading by 1 run heading to the 9th.

I have to be honest I'm surprised there's no "closer by committee" talk coming from Jim and DD. If this team had won the world series, I think that would be 100% their plan going into 2013. They showed against the Yankees how much more sense it makes to not be locked into one guy to finish the game off. We had close games where we got to face Cano and Ibanez with a lefty instead of Valverde because we weren't locked into one guy for the job. You'd take the pressure off of everyone in the bullpen to not have a "closer". Jim would never make that walk when Coke has a 1-2-3 8th and a lefty is leading off the 9th just because he has to put his closer in to start the 9th. It still really surprises me that such "Great baseball minds" would limit their decision making process like that

**ballmich** · 11-02-2012, 06:19 PM

Originally Posted by Nastradamus

I'd much rather grab up a JP Howell type.

Interesting you say that. Howell was a much hyped LHP who struggled to make in the majors as a SP and failed in several auditions before breaking through and becoming a very good RP at the age of 25.

Oliver will be 25 next season, and has been moved to the bullpen now. Howell is pretty much the exact comp one would cite as an ideal outcome for Oliver now.

**Nastradamus** · 11-03-2012, 01:15 AM

Originally Posted by ballmich

Interesting you say that. Howell was a much hyped LHP who struggled to make in the majors as a SP and failed in several auditions before breaking through and becoming a very good RP at the age of 25.

Oliver will be 25 next season, and has been moved to the bullpen now. Howell is pretty much the exact comp one would cite as an ideal outcome for Oliver now.

Could be, but like I said, I see more Schlereth. If Oliver impresses in the bullpen, great,I'll be thrilled. I'm not saying its 100% impossible either. I'm just saying I think depending on it is pretty risky. I think this team needs to look for more of a sure thing given the position they're in. If we were the Twins or Royals, I'd go with Oliver and see what happened. Also, for what its worth, Howell did not have near the type of struggles in the minors Oliver has. The worst part is Oliver gets worse every year.

**alwaysthrowheat** · 11-03-2012, 03:49 AM

Originally Posted by ballmich

Interesting you say that. Howell was a much hyped LHP who struggled to make in the majors as a SP and failed in several auditions before breaking through and becoming a very good RP at the age of 25.

Oliver will be 25 next season, and has been moved to the bullpen now. Howell is pretty much the exact comp one would cite as an ideal outcome for Oliver now.

Don't really remember Howell being that hyped. I know he was a high pick, first round IIRC, but he's always thrown around 85, right?