This isn't just a knock on Watson or what happened on Tuesday night, but I think the Pirates need a new closer for 2017.
I actually like Watson and think he is a very good bullpen pitcher. But my reasoning is that because he is left handed. There are more right handed hitters in the majors. Why not win that match up when the game is on the line?
I know Watson throws hard, but he isn't over powering like a A. Chapman. He would be better off facing lefties or being that set up man.
Is there a reason why most teams have that lefty specialist and a righty Closer? Is this even a thought? I have thought this for some time and that is why Chapman and his results are even more appreciated in my opinion.
Closer - need a new one?
Moderators: SammyKhalifa, Doc, Bobster
Closer - need a new one?
Chapman and Melancon will both be free agents this winter.
Closer - need a new one?
7D594D45402C0 wrote: Chapman and Melancon will both be free agents this winter.
That makes it easy. Just sign one of them to a three or four year contract.
That makes it easy. Just sign one of them to a three or four year contract.
Closer - need a new one?
Quail - Can I assume that you were being sarcastic?
Bucs clearly can't afford Chapman, and I strongly doubt that they would or even should consider paying Melancon the amount that he will command in a 3 or 4 year deal this off-season.
Pirates are going to need to do what they have successfully done in the past and grow a pitcher into the closer role.
Perhaps Watson can rebound in 2017. Maybe Rivero is the answer. Or perhaps it is one of the young starters who could be groomed as the closer. Then again, maybe its someone from outside the organization, as occurred with Grilli, Hanrahan and even Melancon.
Melancon, with a bit of the shakes this year, always had the control that you want in a closer. He also had an out pitch.
Hanrahan threw hard and also had a nasty slider.
Grilli threw relatively hard and also had a nice slider.
Don't know which of the young starters could be a candidate, but if this season is over, perhaps the Bucs experiment a bit with folks like Brault and Williams.
Bucs clearly can't afford Chapman, and I strongly doubt that they would or even should consider paying Melancon the amount that he will command in a 3 or 4 year deal this off-season.
Pirates are going to need to do what they have successfully done in the past and grow a pitcher into the closer role.
Perhaps Watson can rebound in 2017. Maybe Rivero is the answer. Or perhaps it is one of the young starters who could be groomed as the closer. Then again, maybe its someone from outside the organization, as occurred with Grilli, Hanrahan and even Melancon.
Melancon, with a bit of the shakes this year, always had the control that you want in a closer. He also had an out pitch.
Hanrahan threw hard and also had a nasty slider.
Grilli threw relatively hard and also had a nice slider.
Don't know which of the young starters could be a candidate, but if this season is over, perhaps the Bucs experiment a bit with folks like Brault and Williams.
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dogknot17@yahoo.co
Closer - need a new one?
I want a right handed Closer. It makes sense to me.
I can see Chapman getting a big pay raise. I don't know the market for Melancon. The Pirates did pay Melancon $10 million this year. Would they consider that again?
There are probably a bunch of set up men ready to move up too. Huntington likes hard throwers. I can see that route taken and have Watson and the new guy as the duel Closer to start the season.
Even though I think a righty makes sense, Chapman is special and would love to have him. He is probably the only lefty I would want in that role.
I can see Chapman getting a big pay raise. I don't know the market for Melancon. The Pirates did pay Melancon $10 million this year. Would they consider that again?
There are probably a bunch of set up men ready to move up too. Huntington likes hard throwers. I can see that route taken and have Watson and the new guy as the duel Closer to start the season.
Even though I think a righty makes sense, Chapman is special and would love to have him. He is probably the only lefty I would want in that role.
Closer - need a new one?
Quail - Can I assume that you were being sarcastic?
Bucs clearly can't afford Chapman, and I strongly doubt that they would or even should consider paying Melancon the amount that he will command in a 3 or 4 year deal this off-season.
Pirates are going to need to do what they have successfully done in the past and grow a pitcher into the closer role.
Perhaps Watson can rebound in 2017. Maybe Rivero is the answer. Or perhaps it is one of the young starters who could be groomed as the closer. Then again, maybe its someone from outside the organization, as occurred with Grilli, Hanrahan and even Melancon.
Melancon, with a bit of the shakes this year, always had the control that you want in a closer. He also had an out pitch.
Hanrahan threw hard and also had a nasty slider.
Grilli threw relatively hard and also had a nice slider.
Don't know which of the young starters could be a candidate, but if this season is over, perhaps the Bucs experiment a bit with folks like Brault and Williams.
Bucs clearly can't afford Chapman, and I strongly doubt that they would or even should consider paying Melancon the amount that he will command in a 3 or 4 year deal this off-season.
Pirates are going to need to do what they have successfully done in the past and grow a pitcher into the closer role.
Perhaps Watson can rebound in 2017. Maybe Rivero is the answer. Or perhaps it is one of the young starters who could be groomed as the closer. Then again, maybe its someone from outside the organization, as occurred with Grilli, Hanrahan and even Melancon.
Melancon, with a bit of the shakes this year, always had the control that you want in a closer. He also had an out pitch.
Hanrahan threw hard and also had a nasty slider.
Grilli threw relatively hard and also had a nice slider.
Don't know which of the young starters could be a candidate, but if this season is over, perhaps the Bucs experiment a bit with folks like Brault and Williams.
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CutchisaBoss
Closer - need a new one?
Our 2017 closer is already on the roster boys...
Felipe Rivero
Watson doesn't have the nerve for it, but Rivero seems to have thrived after being placed into a high leverage role after the trade.
Felipe Rivero
Watson doesn't have the nerve for it, but Rivero seems to have thrived after being placed into a high leverage role after the trade.
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ScottinMass
- Posts: 304
- Joined: Fri Jul 01, 2016 4:26 am
Closer - need a new one?
1224253239382230133E2222510 wrote: Our 2017 closer is already on the roster boys...
Felipe Rivero
Watson doesn't have the nerve for it, but Rivero seems to have thrived after being placed into a high leverage role after the trade.
He needs to work on more control though. I agree he could be the guy moving forward, but a WHIP of 1.4 with Pittsburgh and 1.2 overall, with 13 BB's in 18.1 IP with Pittsburgh is not what a decent closer should do. I like him and I think he could eventually be the closer, just not sure if it's next year.
Felipe Rivero
Watson doesn't have the nerve for it, but Rivero seems to have thrived after being placed into a high leverage role after the trade.
He needs to work on more control though. I agree he could be the guy moving forward, but a WHIP of 1.4 with Pittsburgh and 1.2 overall, with 13 BB's in 18.1 IP with Pittsburgh is not what a decent closer should do. I like him and I think he could eventually be the closer, just not sure if it's next year.
Closer - need a new one?
41717D66667B7C5F736161120 wrote: Our 2017 closer is already on the roster boys...
Felipe Rivero
Watson doesn't have the nerve for it, but Rivero seems to have thrived after being placed into a high leverage role after the trade.
He needs to work on more control though. I agree he could be the guy moving forward, but a WHIP of 1.4 with Pittsburgh and 1.2 overall, with 13 BB's in 18.1 IP with Pittsburgh is not what a decent closer should do. I like him and I think he could eventually be the closer, just not sure if it's next year.
He might be able to do it and he might not. If he is under consideration for next year he needs to get a few chances this year. Mike Williams (and Mitch Williams for that matter) are two relievers that had high whips. Although I wouldn't want either one closing next year.
Felipe Rivero
Watson doesn't have the nerve for it, but Rivero seems to have thrived after being placed into a high leverage role after the trade.
He needs to work on more control though. I agree he could be the guy moving forward, but a WHIP of 1.4 with Pittsburgh and 1.2 overall, with 13 BB's in 18.1 IP with Pittsburgh is not what a decent closer should do. I like him and I think he could eventually be the closer, just not sure if it's next year.
He might be able to do it and he might not. If he is under consideration for next year he needs to get a few chances this year. Mike Williams (and Mitch Williams for that matter) are two relievers that had high whips. Although I wouldn't want either one closing next year.