mike12345 Posted August 7, 2003 Share Posted August 7, 2003 well as we all know we have had problems finding a reliable closer adn with the recent struggles flash has had it seems like we don't have a closer... My question is who should close for the sox for the rest of the season?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
witesoxfan Posted August 7, 2003 Share Posted August 7, 2003 Flash Gordon, and when he is tired(like when he only got one day's rest after throwing 44 pitches), then it is Marte. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KipWellsFan Posted August 7, 2003 Share Posted August 7, 2003 Well I think it was to be Marte right now. But it will vary from day to day. One thing I've noticed about Marte is that he can still be effective pitching several days back to back which is something Gordon seems to struggle mightily with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike12345 Posted August 7, 2003 Author Share Posted August 7, 2003 i think we should give koch a shot..that is why we acquired him and it is time for him to step up..marte has more blown saves than koch and gordon is just as unpredictable as koch recently... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KipWellsFan Posted August 7, 2003 Share Posted August 7, 2003 i think we should give koch a shot..that is why we acquired him and it is time for him to step up..marte has more blown saves than koch and gordon is just as unpredictable as koch recently... Koch must have a few flawless innings in middle relief or mopup before Manuel will give Koch a shot again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KipWellsFan Posted August 7, 2003 Share Posted August 7, 2003 i think we should give koch a shot..that is why we acquired him and it is time for him to step up..marte has more blown saves than koch and gordon is just as unpredictable as koch recently... Damaso Marte has not blown one save as the official 9th inning closer. All of his blown saves came before the ninth inning. I'd also have to guess that close to half of the runs he gave up to lose the lead came from inherited runners. Where as all but one of Koch's blown saves came in the 9th. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
witesoxfan Posted August 7, 2003 Share Posted August 7, 2003 i think we should give koch a shot..that is why we acquired him and it is time for him to step up..marte has more blown saves than koch and gordon is just as unpredictable as koch recently... Marte and Gordon have more blown saves because they have been used as setup men as well as in the closer-by-committee role. If you blow the lead as a setup man, you are credited with a blown save, and not a blown hold. That does NOT tell of how they have pitched this year. Koch has been tried as closer, and tried as closer, and tried as closer. He is obviously not suited for closer....or atleast he isn't this year. If you can't save a game where you have a 2-run lead against the DRays, you are not a good closer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IndySoxFan Posted August 7, 2003 Share Posted August 7, 2003 i am kind of partial to watching billy koch implode on the mound. gordon, wunsch, marte.... they dont really do it for me.... for a real train wreck worth watching.... gotta go with koch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capn12 Posted August 7, 2003 Share Posted August 7, 2003 Honestly, now that we have 2 other lefties in the Pen, Marte should close..then Gordon can be the righty setup...and we'd still have 2 lefties in the pen. It almost makes too much sense, which is why I know that JM won't figure it out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YASNY Posted August 7, 2003 Share Posted August 7, 2003 Honestly, now that we have 2 other lefties in the Pen, Marte should close..then Gordon can be the righty setup...and we'd still have 2 lefties in the pen. It almost makes too much sense, which is why I know that JM won't figure it out. That does, on the surface, seem to be the best plan. That's if Marte can handle being the day in, day out closer. It would strengthen the weak right handed side of our bullpen if Flash can used earlier, instead of as the closer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texsox Posted August 7, 2003 Share Posted August 7, 2003 Our closer situation is better for beer sales than any commercial ever devised. As soon as we get in the 9th with a small 8 run lead my stomache begins to churn and I have to reach for a beer. Flush, Botch, or Marte at this point is like lethal injection, hanging, or firing squad. Couple of things I like to see from a closer. Hmmm, actually closing down the other team would be nice. Not falling behind in every count. Not putting a couple runners on to make it interesting. Not grooving a fastball and staring at the sky as it is launched deep into the stands. JM, pick a closer between Marte and Flash and let them close. No 40+ pitches. Have him close. Let everyone know who the man is, treat him like your guy and let's go. If it's both let the guys know don't use a Quiji board to figure it out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
obno Posted August 7, 2003 Share Posted August 7, 2003 The bullpen sucks, no way the Soxs go anywhere unless they bring in some new blood from the minor leagues. Who is closing in Charrlott, Birmingham???? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RibbieRubarb Posted August 7, 2003 Share Posted August 7, 2003 What are the chances the Sox getting Troy Percival through waivers? Thats the only established closer available out there right now that could be had... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T R U Posted August 7, 2003 Share Posted August 7, 2003 it doesnt matter if you blow a save in the 8th or 9th... bottom line you blew it, thats all that matters. Koch does need to get some more flawless innings but that doesnt mean he needs to throw 4 pitches and exit the game like he did.. Gordon is very unpredictable Marte is the best option we have right now because he is not unpredictable. Wenever Marte enters the game I feel very confident with our chances. I think Marte should be the man for a while and mesh Koch back into the role and get that confidence back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitesox247 Posted August 7, 2003 Share Posted August 7, 2003 Personally I would just like to see bullpen by committee of Gordon and Marte. If theres leftys coming up, let Flash close it out, and vise versa. It has worked pretty well all season. As for Koch, I love his attitude, but if he cant pitch a scoreless inning when we are blown out, then he should be nowhere near the field when we have a close game on our hands. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rowand44 Posted August 8, 2003 Share Posted August 8, 2003 Honestly, now that we have 2 other lefties in the Pen, Marte should close..then Gordon can be the righty setup...and we'd still have 2 lefties in the pen. It almost makes too much sense, which is why I know that JM won't figure it out. Exactly my thoughts, now that we have shoeneweis and wunsch let damaso close, he can be a very solid closer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CubKilla Posted August 8, 2003 Share Posted August 8, 2003 i am kind of partial to watching billy koch implode on the mound. gordon, wunsch, marte.... they dont really do it for me.... for a real train wreck worth watching.... gotta go with koch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
witesoxfan Posted August 8, 2003 Share Posted August 8, 2003 it doesnt matter if you blow a save in the 8th or 9th... bottom line you blew it, thats all that matters. Koch does need to get some more flawless innings but that doesnt mean he needs to throw 4 pitches and exit the game like he did.. Gordon is very unpredictable Marte is the best option we have right now because he is not unpredictable. Wenever Marte enters the game I feel very confident with our chances. I think Marte should be the man for a while and mesh Koch back into the role and get that confidence back. When Gordon goes in fully rested, I can turn the game off and know the Sox won. I thought I could do that with Koch when he had a 2-run lead against the DRays....apparently not(nice thing is though, the Royals can't do it with MacDougal). I wouldn't mind seeing Marte close, but in reality, he is tougher against righties then he is lefties(his slider tails in on the hands of righties, while it is a pitch that a lefty can hammer to opposite field on occasion). To put it plainly, he is just flat out tough as hell to hit. What I am in favor of is using the best arm when the time is necessary. That's the right way to use closer-by-committee. If you have the heart of the order come up in the 8th, why would you use your setup man to get those guys and have your closer get the 7, 8, and 9 guys in the 9th? That's how I would like to see it done Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoxFanForever Posted August 8, 2003 Share Posted August 8, 2003 I would like to see Wright given a shot as a closer. He has the stuff and could let it all out in one inning and not worry about conserving himself and not have to worry about showing all his pitches if he only faces guys once. He is usually very strong the first time guys face him. I would like to see him given a shot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BridgeportHeather Posted August 8, 2003 Share Posted August 8, 2003 I would like to see Wright given a shot as a closer. He has the stuff and could let it all out in one inning and not worry about conserving himself and not have to worry about showing all his pitches if he only faces guys once. He is usually very strong the first time guys face him. I would like to see him given a shot. If Wright were to be in the bullpen at all, he should be used as middle relief. Being the closer is a major pressure position that I don't think Wright can deal with, since he doesn't seem to have complete composure. We'd be seeing someone worse than Botch if we were to do that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texsox Posted August 8, 2003 Share Posted August 8, 2003 At this moment in time, these boys couldn't douse a fire with a boot full of piss if the instruction were written on the heel. If Koch suddenly gets some movement on his fastball I could see him back in that role. If not it's a Marte Parte. Nothing like hanging our hat on that guy. I believe the phrase is achilles heel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steff Posted August 8, 2003 Share Posted August 8, 2003 well as we all know we have had problems finding a reliable closer adn with the recent struggles flash has had it seems like we don't have a closer... My question is who should close for the sox for the rest of the season?? My grama. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steff Posted August 8, 2003 Share Posted August 8, 2003 i think we should give koch a shot..that is why we acquired him and it is time for him to step up.. I'm all for that. When we have a 2 touchdown lead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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