caulfield12

Obviously it’s not automatically dumb (buying high, selling low) if he’s the same 0.50 reliever he was with the Cubs. But the probability of changing roles seamlessly wasn’t that high. Kimbrel has been in a rhythm as a closer and that’s now disrupted, while Hendriks is naturally going to start hearing footsteps when there’s a potential HoFer getting paid even more than him on a yearly basis to close out games. Just as important is the opportunity cost impact of not having that extra money next year to add insurance (beyond Reynaldo) and to support the 7th inning (losing Tepera and then Kopech to starting, already lost Heuer.) Of course, Tepera was also a guy anyone in baseball could have picked up for “free” in November, 2019.

We're going to wish we could go back to that 2018 draft and take someone like Logan Gilbert instead. Especially when the 2023 season rolls around and we're looking for another second baseman.

Then we’d really have the most expensive pen in the history of the sport. And Hahn would look like a complete dumbass. To top it off, we’d probably face Narvaez, Avi and Escobar in the World Series.

But the Cubs are a struggle for Kimbrel to close against too…you tend not to be intimidated much by someone you shared a clubhouse with for so long. As a pitcher, it’s that much harder to come inside.

Bob and Jose…

Welcome to Closer Controversy Theatre…

Not his pitch…tried to pull.

Just glad that didn’t turn into a double play…

Trying to use him like Andrew Miller…

And just 1/8th of an inch from a grand slam…

Well, the fans are getting their money’s worth this week.

It used to be Leury that was the designated punching bag. All things considered, it's almost impossible to have expected MORE from Goodwin this season. He was behind Nick Williams on the depth chart...or definitely at least not yet in the plans.

Of course, that makes Hahn look like an idiot for giving Hendriks a historical closer's contract...then having to turn around and correct it the first season.

Chad Bradford/Miguel Olivo (turned out okay, eventually, because of F.Garcia) Trade for Nick Swisher Trade for Samardzija All say hi! Well, the fortunate part of that is Beane is being leaving the sport...I guess.

Kind of like Jake Peavy was a great something (bulldog?)....from his days in SD, but we didn't see it very much with the White Sox.

The Blue Jays and Red Sox also have (or can have) dominating offenses, along with the Astros. Unless you get the A's or the Ray's, good luck.

Another crazy fact from this season is that's three times already we have given the Yankees blown saves....

Yeah, and that's not even mentioning that Tepera has to prove himself in the 7th. No idea what Bummer's role is anymore. Crochet and Kopech are becoming more and more important, but we need one or both of them as starters going forward. Would be better to invest that $30 million for two closers into insurance for the starting rotation.

We were fine when we didn't have high priced guys like Koch, Linebrink, Robertson, Kimbrel and Hendriks. Looks at the history with guys like Thigpen, Hernandez, Foulke, Gordon, Takatsu, Jenks, Hermanson, Sergio Santos, Addison Reed, Colome, etc. Somehow we managed to survive with under the radar types because we always believed it was a waste of resources.

How is that a GOOD thing when we still owe him a bazillion dollars for three more years? That basically forces them to bring back Kimbrel, unless he similarly implodes...

Guess we don't have to apologize to Hahn and the front office after all. Or was that more about just TLR...?

Now we REALLY have a closer issue...this is just getting ridiculous. Might as well re-convert him to starting.

Well, at least no Stanton this inning.

Still would have to take prime Mariano Rivera...

Pretty, pretty good. Larry David voiceover.