Quote:
Originally Posted by dmvincent
First update of the off-season.
CIN- Broxton taking over as Chapman moves to the rotation.
MIL- Axford settled down at the end of the season, the job is currently his to lose.
NYY- Rivera re-signed, job is his. Soriano is a free agent right now.
CHC- Cubs just signed Fujikawa, he's likely the new closer based on his spectacular numbers in Japan and Marmol's inconsistency.
SF- Brian Wilson is now a free agent and Romo is their closer.
LAD- League is the new closer, Jansen and Belisario will be the setup guys.
LAA- Madson likely the new closer, expect Frieri and Downs to set him up.
SD- Street is healthy, has the job back. If they decide to trade him, Gregerson would be next in line.
WAS- Despite a poor showing in the playoffs, Storen is the closer.
OAK- Balfour has the job locked up.
DET- Bruce Rondon is currently the front-runner, but the Tigers could sign someone. Coke could get a chance as well, but I wouldn't be comfortable handing that guy a lead regularly.
BOS- Bailey is the closer, now that he's healthy again.
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i think at least six of those bullpens will be in flux;
a) Bailey will likely find his way back to the d.l. I like Uehara as his cuff, though keep track of Tazawa - great peripherals last season.
b) would not surprise me if detroit signed soriano. even if they don't, i am concerned that rondon walks too many batters. they may go first to benoit.
c) Beane will continue to tinker. balfour is a good pitcher, but was extremely fortunate last season ( .201 babip ). he may begin the season as closer but i don't think he will keep the job.
d) madson is questionable to start the season. i think frieri will have the job early. if madson struggles upon his return ( common for tj ), frieri may keep it. among pitchers with over 60 innings in 2012, frieri's k-rate ranked behind kimbrel, chapman, and jansen. that's it.
e) league is a good pitcher, but jansen is better, and improving. league has lost his job as closer within the first two months of the season in each of 2011 and 2012.
f) i love watching romo pitch. unquestionably, he has the talent to close. 62% sliders...he is going to tear up that elbow. have a back up plan if he is your closer.
further, axford has a long history of fighting the strike zone. i think he will struggle again at some point in 2013. tread carefully.
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dobber pro 2012-2013; campbell conference
c; b richards, ribiero, desharnias, zajac
lw; sedin, e kane, pacioretty, kunitz
rw; kessel, callaghan, cole, paranteau
d; chara, seabrook, souray, leddy, markov, s elliott
g; rinne, elliott
bench; garon, giguerre, hodgson, orpik, d roy
ir; nobody, yet
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