Player
|
fWAR
|
Byrdak
|
0.3
|
Parnell
|
0.3
|
Rauch
|
0.3
|
Ramirez
|
0.1
|
Carrasco
|
0
|
Hefner
|
0
|
Batista
|
-0.1
|
Francisco
|
-0.1
|
Acosta
|
-0.6
|
Does anyone else find this list totally unsurprising? Acosta has been awful and should not be appearing in pro baseball games until he has worked his issues out. Using this list the three candidates for closer would be the three guys tied for first: Byrdak, Parnell and Rauch. Let's take a look at some of their individual numbers.
Byrdak
|
IP
|
ERA
|
xFIP
|
SV
|
BS
|
K%
|
BB%
|
Career
|
341.2
|
4.26
|
4.38
|
4
|
7
|
21.5
|
13.1
|
2012
|
10.1
|
3.48
|
1.94
|
0
|
1
|
41
|
7.7
|
Byrdak makes the least compelling case. His numbers are perfectly acceptable for an average middle relief guy, which has been his role for years but not for our everyday closer. He has almost never been in a closer role and I see no need to put him there now. He is excelling as a set-up man this year and we need him to keep that up.
Rauch
|
IP
|
ERA
|
xFIP
|
SV
|
BS
|
K%
|
BB%
|
Career
|
536
|
3.79
|
4.37
|
59
|
29
|
18.9
|
7.3
|
2012
|
15.1
|
2.93
|
4.43
|
1
|
2
|
11.5
|
4.9
|
I would like to see a higher K% from a closer and he certainly has blown a ton of saves over the years. I have the same fears with him as I do with Frank Frank and that is history. Rauch has never been able to successfully hold down a closers job in the past so what evidence do I have he can do it now? He has pitched well this season and might deserve a shot at the role and might surprise us and excel, however I remain officially wary.
Parnell
|
IP
|
ERA
|
xFIP
|
SV
|
BS
|
K%
|
BB%
|
Career
|
203
|
4.15
|
3.79
|
7
|
12
|
20.7
|
9.4
|
2012
|
16
|
3.79
|
2.65
|
0
|
0
|
22.5
|
4.2
|
Finally we have young Bobby Parnell. He has a low ERA/xFIP this year and sub 4 career xFIP. I like his K% but his career BB% is far too high for a regular closer. He has also blown more saves than he has recorded (although he hasn't had many opportunities to draw from). Bobby probably has the most upside here. His numbers are all OK and he is the only one who hasn't been given a chance yet. My vote would be to give him the job and enough time to get good at it. It's the move that seems to make the most sense to the organization right now, who is going to need a competent closer for years to come, not just 2012.
No comments:
Post a Comment