Closers: 2007 and Beyond

[_amon _ones]

I am not a fan of Joe Borowski, and think one of the main offseason priorities is finding a closer. Of course, that can be easier said than done. Don't forget about Betancourt in the bullpen mix. In fact, our next closer could very well be him.

Nor am I, but we must remember that the only reason we traded Wickman last year(not that he was much better) was that he said it was going to be his last season and retire. He second guessed himself, and re-signed with the Braves. In his absence, the Indians tried several very good pitchers in the closers role, including Fausto, Riske(while Wickman was hurt in 03 and 04), Betancourt (in 04, 05, and 06, saving only 10 games in 27 opportunities for his career) Fernando Cabrera(0-4 in SVO) and Tom Mastny (who was 5-7 in SVO, but had a higher ERA than Borowski). In 2006, the team only had 24 saves on the season, and 15 of those were from Wickman. None of the others panned out.

Luckily, Fausto was able to readjust to starting. The same cannot be said for Fernando Cabrera, who had a promising start to his career in 04 and 05, but was destroyed by the closers role. Now he is out of baseball.

The Indians also made a tremendous effort for Trevor Hoffman, only for him to re-sign with San Diego(which everyone knew he would).

But, who else was available? Gagne? He was coming off a major injury and surgery...a major risk. We went after the only 2 that were really available...Foulke and Borowski. It was supposed to be a competition, with Foulke having the upper hand. But, with his abrupt retirement, Borowski was forced into the role. And considering he has 39 saves in 45 chances, which is 15 more saves than all of last season, on a team that averaged less than 2.5 runs a game for 2 months, I think he has done a good job.

Don't get me wrong, he scares the hell out of me, and has probably cost me years off my life. But, he is the best option we have, and really the only option.

As for the 2008 season, there are several closers available, but only 2 we would want. The available candidates (assuming they don't re-sign with their current team) Mariano Rivera (2007 salary, $10 million), Armando Benitez (seriously...do we really want this guy?), Eric Gagne (an injury risk, shown nothing since his trade to the Red Sox), Jason Isringhausen (an injury risk, also has a team option), Todd Jones (will be 40 next year; effective, but at what cost, and do we really want to rely on a 40 year old closer?), Wickman (who is already available, and not endeared himself to management, plus...him again?), Joe Nathan (would be great, except he has a team option, and there is no way Minnesota lets him go). The only viable options I would want would be Rivera and Nathan. Rivera is out of our price range (as is Nathan, if he were a FA), and Nathan has a team option.

As for the Indians, on the active roster, or in the minors, the possibilities I see are Edward Mujica (14 saves, 5.02 ERA at Buffalo; 12.2 innings pitched, 8.53 ERA in majors), Jensen Lewis (3-0, 1.73 ERA, 2 saves for Akron and Buffalo; 3.31 ERA in 16.1 innings pitched in the majors, 19 SO), Rafael Perez (1-1 with a 1.61 ERA in the majors; 50.1 innings pitched, 54 SO) or Randy Newsom(3.12 ERA, 18 saves at Akron). I don't think Newsom is ready, but Lewis and Perez appear to be. But, both are unproven in the closer's role, so they are still risky...and we don't want another Fausto disaster, or worse, Fernando Cabrera.

 

[James]

I think your best option is just relying on your farm system for talent, i dont see Mariano playing anywhere but New York, sorta like Bernie Williams, just cant see him in anything else, Bentiez...i didnt even know he was still around

BUT if you want Gagne, you can have him for one of the light bulbs up on the light towers at Jacobs Field.