Boston looking for a closer

[Backtobanks]

BenMaller.com is reporting:

 

Possible Red Sox trade targets include Chad Cordero of the Nationals, Akinori Otsuka of the Rangers, and Mike Gonzalez of the Pirates.

 

I would think Crisp or Pena would be available with Dempster, Eyre, or Ohman as trade bait. Neither Crisp or Pena is exactly what all of us want, but either one would continue to fill some of the holes left on the roster.

[Danny82]

BenMaller.com is reporting:

 

Possible Red Sox trade targets include Chad Cordero of the Nationals, Akinori Otsuka of the Rangers, and Mike Gonzalez of the Pirates.

 

I would think Crisp or Pena would be available with Dempster, Eyre, or Ohman as trade bait. Neither Crisp or Pena is exactly what all of us want, but either one would continue to fill some of the holes left on the roster.

Boston is clearly looking for a closer. Ohman or Eyre don't fall into that category. Whether or not Dempster does (in their eyes) is up for debate, although I am guessing they aren't all that interested.

[baseball7897]

BenMaller.com is reporting:

 

Possible Red Sox trade targets include Chad Cordero of the Nationals, Akinori Otsuka of the Rangers, and Mike Gonzalez of the Pirates.

 

I would think Crisp or Pena would be available with Dempster, Eyre, or Ohman as trade bait. Neither Crisp or Pena is exactly what all of us want, but either one would continue to fill some of the holes left on the roster.

 

Dempster becomes available when Wood shows he is healthy enough to pitch the ninth inning.

[David]

BenMaller.com is reporting:

 

Possible Red Sox trade targets include Chad Cordero of the Nationals, Akinori Otsuka of the Rangers, and Mike Gonzalez of the Pirates.

 

I would think Crisp or Pena would be available with Dempster, Eyre, or Ohman as trade bait. Neither Crisp or Pena is exactly what all of us want, but either one would continue to fill some of the holes left on the roster.

 

Dempster becomes available when Wood shows he is healthy enough to pitch the ninth inning.

 

I don't think you need that qualifier. I'd even rather have Eyre or Howry close than Dempster. Doesn't necessarily HAVE to be Wood.

[Chocolate Milk]

BenMaller.com is reporting:

 

Possible Red Sox trade targets include Chad Cordero of the Nationals, Akinori Otsuka of the Rangers, and Mike Gonzalez of the Pirates.

 

I would think Crisp or Pena would be available with Dempster, Eyre, or Ohman as trade bait. Neither Crisp or Pena is exactly what all of us want, but either one would continue to fill some of the holes left on the roster.

 

Dempster becomes available when Wood shows he is healthy enough to pitch the ninth inning.

 

Yeah, because Dempster has that on lockdown.

[cheapseats]

The ninth inning is what separates the men from the boys. It's for guys who have liquid nitrogen coursing through their veins. It's for gamers.

 

It takes a certain mindset to close a baseball game. Most closers are at least a little mentally ill, somewhere between Ezra Pound and Nietzche.

 

There are lots of guys who can throw a baseball 90 mph, but there are few who can get those last three outs through sheer force of will.

 

A good closer has no regard for human life when he steps on the diamond. He would bean his own mother to strike fear into the hearts of his opponents. Ptomley (X or XI, take your pick) would have been a great closer if baseball had existed in ancient Egypt.

 

Closers are a rare breed. The best closers come from countries other than the United States, countries where failure isn't tolerated in the education systems and where emergency room doctors refuse to treat insignifcant injuries like broken arms and lacerations less than three inches deep.

 

There is no way I would trade a proven closer like Dempster to Boston for less than Manny Ramirez, Josh Beckett, and a B-level prospect. Proven closers are far too valuable.

 

Not necessarily my own view, fwiw.

[RynoRules]

The ninth inning is what separates the men from the boys. It's for guys who have liquid nitrogen coursing through their veins. It's for gamers.

 

It takes a certain mindset to close a baseball game. Most closers are at least a little mentally ill, somewhere between Ezra Pound and Nietzche.

 

There are lots of guys who can throw a baseball 90 mph, but there are few who can get those last three outs through sheer force of will.

 

A good closer has no regard for human life when he steps on the diamond. He would bean his own mother to strike fear into the hearts of his opponents. Ptomley (X or XI, take your pick) would have been a great closer if baseball had existed in ancient Egypt.

 

Closers are a rare breed. The best closers come from countries other than the United States, countries where failure isn't tolerated in the education systems and where emergency room doctors refuse to treat insignifcant injuries like broken arms and lacerations less than three inches deep.

 

There is no way I would trade a proven closer like Dempster to Boston for less than Manny Ramirez, Josh Beckett, and a B-level prospect. Proven closers are far too valuable.

 

Not necessarily my own view, fwiw.

 

Who wrote that?

[Soul]

The ninth inning is what separates the men from the boys. It's for guys who have liquid nitrogen coursing through their veins. It's for gamers.

 

It takes a certain mindset to close a baseball game. Most closers are at least a little mentally ill, somewhere between Ezra Pound and Nietzche.

 

There are lots of guys who can throw a baseball 90 mph, but there are few who can get those last three outs through sheer force of will.

 

A good closer has no regard for human life when he steps on the diamond. He would bean his own mother to strike fear into the hearts of his opponents. Ptomley (X or XI, take your pick) would have been a great closer if baseball had existed in ancient Egypt.

 

Closers are a rare breed. The best closers come from countries other than the United States, countries where failure isn't tolerated in the education systems and where emergency room doctors refuse to treat insignifcant injuries like broken arms and lacerations less than three inches deep.

 

There is no way I would trade a proven closer like Dempster to Boston for less than Manny Ramirez, Josh Beckett, and a B-level prospect. Proven closers are far too valuable.

 

Not necessarily my own view, fwiw.

 

Who wrote that?

 

I would also like to know.

 

Aren't 3 of the best closers in history Eckersley, Lee Smith, and Eric Gagne? 3 Americans?

[Hosak8]

The ninth inning is what separates the men from the boys. It's for guys who have liquid nitrogen coursing through their veins. It's for gamers.

 

It takes a certain mindset to close a baseball game. Most closers are at least a little mentally ill, somewhere between Ezra Pound and Nietzche.

 

There are lots of guys who can throw a baseball 90 mph, but there are few who can get those last three outs through sheer force of will.

 

A good closer has no regard for human life when he steps on the diamond. He would bean his own mother to strike fear into the hearts of his opponents. Ptomley (X or XI, take your pick) would have been a great closer if baseball had existed in ancient Egypt.

 

Closers are a rare breed. The best closers come from countries other than the United States, countries where failure isn't tolerated in the education systems and where emergency room doctors refuse to treat insignifcant injuries like broken arms and lacerations less than three inches deep.

 

There is no way I would trade a proven closer like Dempster to Boston for less than Manny Ramirez, Josh Beckett, and a B-level prospect. Proven closers are far too valuable.

 

Not necessarily my own view, fwiw.

 

Who wrote that?

 

I would also like to know.

 

Aren't 3 of the best closers in history Eckersley, Lee Smith, and Eric Gagne? 3 Americans?

 

Gagne is Canadian. And, Joe Morgan wrote that. It says so at the top.

[RynoRules]

The ninth inning is what separates the men from the boys. It's for guys who have liquid nitrogen coursing through their veins. It's for gamers.

 

It takes a certain mindset to close a baseball game. Most closers are at least a little mentally ill, somewhere between Ezra Pound and Nietzche.

 

There are lots of guys who can throw a baseball 90 mph, but there are few who can get those last three outs through sheer force of will.

 

A good closer has no regard for human life when he steps on the diamond. He would bean his own mother to strike fear into the hearts of his opponents. Ptomley (X or XI, take your pick) would have been a great closer if baseball had existed in ancient Egypt.

 

Closers are a rare breed. The best closers come from countries other than the United States, countries where failure isn't tolerated in the education systems and where emergency room doctors refuse to treat insignifcant injuries like broken arms and lacerations less than three inches deep.

 

There is no way I would trade a proven closer like Dempster to Boston for less than Manny Ramirez, Josh Beckett, and a B-level prospect. Proven closers are far too valuable.

 

Not necessarily my own view, fwiw.

 

Who wrote that?

 

I would also like to know.

 

Aren't 3 of the best closers in history Eckersley, Lee Smith, and Eric Gagne? 3 Americans?

 

Gagne is Canadian. And, Joe Morgan wrote that. It says so at the top.

 

I just don't believe he wrote it, even if it "says so at the top".

[cheapseats]

The ninth inning is what separates the men from the boys. It's for guys who have liquid nitrogen coursing through their veins. It's for gamers.

 

It takes a certain mindset to close a baseball game. Most closers are at least a little mentally ill, somewhere between Ezra Pound and Nietzche.

 

There are lots of guys who can throw a baseball 90 mph, but there are few who can get those last three outs through sheer force of will.

 

A good closer has no regard for human life when he steps on the diamond. He would bean his own mother to strike fear into the hearts of his opponents. Ptomley (X or XI, take your pick) would have been a great closer if baseball had existed in ancient Egypt.

 

Closers are a rare breed. The best closers come from countries other than the United States, countries where failure isn't tolerated in the education systems and where emergency room doctors refuse to treat insignifcant injuries like broken arms and lacerations less than three inches deep.

 

There is no way I would trade a proven closer like Dempster to Boston for less than Manny Ramirez, Josh Beckett, and a B-level prospect. Proven closers are far too valuable.

 

Not necessarily my own view, fwiw.

 

Who wrote that?

 

Aren't the 3 best closers in history Eckersley, Lee Smith, and Eric Gagne? 3 Americans?

 

Gagne is not an American.

 

Eckersley was already pitching before Tony Larussa invented the closer, so he doesn't count.

 

I'd take Jose Mesa over Lee Smith.

[baseball7897]

The ninth inning is what separates the men from the boys. It's for guys who have liquid nitrogen coursing through their veins. It's for gamers.

 

It takes a certain mindset to close a baseball game. Most closers are at least a little mentally ill, somewhere between Ezra Pound and Nietzche.

 

There are lots of guys who can throw a baseball 90 mph, but there are few who can get those last three outs through sheer force of will.

 

A good closer has no regard for human life when he steps on the diamond. He would bean his own mother to strike fear into the hearts of his opponents. Ptomley (X or XI, take your pick) would have been a great closer if baseball had existed in ancient Egypt.

 

Closers are a rare breed. The best closers come from countries other than the United States, countries where failure isn't tolerated in the education systems and where emergency room doctors refuse to treat insignifcant injuries like broken arms and lacerations less than three inches deep.

 

There is no way I would trade a proven closer like Dempster to Boston for less than Manny Ramirez, Josh Beckett, and a B-level prospect. Proven closers are far too valuable.

 

Not necessarily my own view, fwiw.

 

Who wrote that?

 

Aren't the 3 best closers in history Eckersley, Lee Smith, and Eric Gagne? 3 Americans?

 

Gagne is not an American.

 

Eckersley was already pitching before Tony Larussa invented the closer, so he doesn't count.

 

I'd take Jose Mesa over Lee Smith.

 

:shock:

[hankp101]

I hear the Yankees have got this Rivera guy that has been pretty decent for the last 10 years.

[Soul]

The ninth inning is what separates the men from the boys. It's for guys who have liquid nitrogen coursing through their veins. It's for gamers.

 

It takes a certain mindset to close a baseball game. Most closers are at least a little mentally ill, somewhere between Ezra Pound and Nietzche.

 

There are lots of guys who can throw a baseball 90 mph, but there are few who can get those last three outs through sheer force of will.

 

A good closer has no regard for human life when he steps on the diamond. He would bean his own mother to strike fear into the hearts of his opponents. Ptomley (X or XI, take your pick) would have been a great closer if baseball had existed in ancient Egypt.

 

Closers are a rare breed. The best closers come from countries other than the United States, countries where failure isn't tolerated in the education systems and where emergency room doctors refuse to treat insignifcant injuries like broken arms and lacerations less than three inches deep.

 

There is no way I would trade a proven closer like Dempster to Boston for less than Manny Ramirez, Josh Beckett, and a B-level prospect. Proven closers are far too valuable.

 

Not necessarily my own view, fwiw.

 

Who wrote that?

 

I would also like to know.

 

Aren't 3 of the best closers in history Eckersley, Lee Smith, and Eric Gagne? 3 Americans?

 

Gagne is Canadian. And, Joe Morgan wrote that. It says so at the top.

 

I just don't believe he wrote it, even if it "says so at the top".

 

I don't either----though hating Joe as I do, I tend to believe he's capable of it.

 

Gagne's Canadian, my bad. It's still very similar to American culture up there----the gist of the comment was that our culture is too soft to produce tough mentalities. A ridiculous statement.

 

The idea that Dempster would draw Manny or Beckett is hilarious.

[Post Count Padder]

I hear the Yankees have got this Rivera guy that has been pretty decent for the last 10 years.

Really? Haven't heard much about him.

[rawaction]

Eyre is a worse option to close than Dempster. Both walk way too many people. Dempster at least has the "done it before" argument on his side. I would not want Eyre closing.

[Soul]

Gagne is not an American.

 

Eckersley was already pitching before Tony Larussa invented the closer, so he doesn't count.

 

I'd take Jose Mesa over Lee Smith.

 

:shock:

 

Yeah that's the kicker for me too. You been drinking today cheap? 8-)

 

Who cares when or where a closer started, btw. The comment said good closers won't be Americans, not what era they came from.

[cheapseats]

I hear the Yankees have got this Rivera guy that has been pretty decent for the last 10 years.

 

A very good closer. And a Panamanian.

[cheapseats]

Gagne is not an American.

 

Eckersley was already pitching before Tony Larussa invented the closer, so he doesn't count.

 

I'd take Jose Mesa over Lee Smith.

 

:shock:

 

Yeah that's the kicker for me too. You been drinking today cheap? 8-)

 

Who cares when or where a closer started, btw. The comment said good closers won't be Americans, not what era they came from.

 

In all seriousness, Jose Mesa's 1995 might be the best year by a closer in the history of baseball.

[baseball7897]

Boston has a guy named Craig Hansen who could fill that void. He has a nasty slider that could be even more devastating if he locates his fastball consistently. However, he still needs some experience before he could step into that role.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

In all seriousness, Jose Mesa's 1995 might be the best year by a closer in the history of baseball.

 

I dunno, I'm a big fan of Gagne in 2003.

[Soul]

I hear the Yankees have got this Rivera guy that has been pretty decent for the last 10 years.

 

A very good closer. And a Panamanian.

 

Good for him. There have still been top closers from the US. As I said "3 of the best closers" NOT "the 3 best closers."

[goonys evil twin]

that was an incredibly stupid write-up, and my guess is it was satire.

[cheapseats]

In all seriousness, Jose Mesa's 1995 might be the best year by a closer in the history of baseball.

 

I dunno, I'm a big fan of Gagne in 2003.

 

Also an incredible year.

 

I just think sometimes people forget how good Mesa was for that one season.

[goonys evil twin]

In all seriousness, Jose Mesa's 1995 might be the best year by a closer in the history of baseball.

 

I dunno, I'm a big fan of Gagne in 2003.

 

Also an incredible year.

 

I just think sometimes people forget how good Mesa was for that one season.

 

Wetteland was pretty amazing in 1993. He threw 21 more innings, had a much higher K/9 and K/BB, and slightly lower WHIP. They gave up the same number of HR, 3.