Fatigue or scouting reports seem to be catching up with Bobby Jenks. Why not use the Duke as a closer? He LOVES pressure and pitching in important games/situations. He's doing nothing now but keeping Count company on the bench.

 

thoughts?

SURVEY SAYS:

 

DING DING DING

 

WALKS

 

 

 

 

 

"HBP was a close second with 43."

SURVEY SAYS:

 

DING DING DING

 

WALKS

"HBP was a close second with 43."

 

I like it. The only thing that scares me about this idea is Duque seems to have Freddy Garcia-syndrome sometimes. He'll give up runs when he first comes in, and then he'll settle down.

What an absolutely repulsive idea. I don't need any more stress from this team, and I think a 40-year-old closer with no control and an 88 MPH fastball would probably give me an ulcer.

El Duque's numbers in inning #1:

 

AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB HBP SO SB CS AVG OBP SLG OPS

Inning 1 87 21 26 3 1 8 20 8 3 17 7 1 .299 .370 .632 1.002

I like it.  The only thing that scares me about this idea is Duque seems to have Freddy Garcia-syndrome sometimes.  He'll give up runs when he first comes in, and then he'll settle down.

I don't know if it's because he's not really totally loose and warmed up or because the game isn't close and intense at the beginning. But take this for what it's worth:

 

Pitches 1-15 = 11.93 ERA

Pitches 16-30 = 8.82 ERA

This is not a good idea. We can't just be throwing guys into that role. It's not easy to be a closer and you have to have a special mentality for that role. Duque should be used only in blow out games right now. The reason for Jenks' trouble has been the curveball. He's not locating it and is not having the confidence to throw it so they just sit on his fastball. Add to that Rowand has misjudged the ball twice this week with him on the mound. Even with his recent struggles with the curveball, I'd rather have Jenks be a one pitch pitcher and still be a closer instead of calling Hernandez in.

Edited September 23, 200520 yr by Ozzie Montana

El Duque's numbers in inning #1:

 

AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB HBP SO SB CS AVG OBP SLG OPS

Inning 1 87 21 26 3 1 8 20 8 3 17 7 1 .299 .370 .632 1.002

 

I think you have to throw that out the window and consider what he can do in a clutch situation. We need a closer. Bad!

If we sign Billy Koch is it too late to add him to the postseason roster?

If we sign Billy Koch is it too late to add him to the postseason roster?

Urge to kill...rising...

I heard somewhere that lefties are reaching base at a .500 clip vs Duque over his last 10 starts.

I heard somewhere that lefties are reaching base at a .500 clip vs Duque over his last 10 starts.

man, don't be so hard, he is getting the other .500 out!!!!

I heard somewhere that lefties are reaching base at a .500 clip vs Duque over his last 10 starts.

So what you're saying is he'd be a good replacement for Marte.

This is the official "pass the crackpipe" thread of soxtalk.

 

(No offense to the topic starter)

This is the official "pass the crackpipe" thread of soxtalk.

 

(No offense to the topic starter)

 

no offense taken

 

I raise the idea only because we've blown so many leads in the late innings recently. We don't have a reliable closer. Today Guillen suggested that Cotts might get a chance. Give me the duke over Cotts anyday.

This is the official "pass the crackpipe" thread of soxtalk.

 

(No offense to the topic starter)

 

Next thing you know, they'll suggest Timo should be our leadoff hitter!! Oh wait...

no offense taken 

 

I raise the idea only because we've blown so many leads in the late innings recently. We don't have a reliable closer. Today Guillen suggested that Cotts might get a chance. Give me the duke over Cotts anyday.

 

No need to defend yourself, Kid. Actually, this sort of thread was kinda refreshing. It was almost a look back to the post-season threads instead of the doom and gloom we have been reading lately.

 

It's a good baseball talk.

Next thing you know, they'll suggest Timo should be our leadoff hitter!! Oh wait...

 

It's positively ridiculous to suggest Timo should lead off. I mean, he's already starting on Tuesday instead of McCarthy. What more do you want from the man? Idiot.

Here is the problem with it. His control dictates how he does and he also throws a ton of pitches. The big difference between closing and starting is that you have a lot more room for error. For example he can afford to give up 2 runs in the 1st inning if he is starting and still be all right. You can't do that as a closer. Also he usually pitches better around 30 pitches. That's when he gets into his rhythm. As a closer you don't have 30 pitches unless it's a 2 inning save. This is exactly why i tell anybody who says Kerry Wood would be a great closer is wrong. I do think El Duque has the mental makeup to close.

Having Duke as a closer would be a risky decision. I wouldn't want a guy that struggles in the 1st few pitches of a game, and has no closer experience that can't hit 90 on the radar gun, to be my closer. Give me Bobby over Duke any day.

I say screw it and let Hermy do the job the rest of the way. He has earned his wings. I know his back has been giving him problems but did one hell of a job shutting Cleveland down in the 11th inning on tuesday. You never know what you get with Jenks. Yeah he throws flames, but he gives up A LOT of bloop singles and he is starting to walk batters now. I like Jenks in the 7th and 8th, but thats it. If Hermy can't do it anymore because of his back- than i would give it to Pollite. He is by far our must under-rated reliever.

man, don't be so hard, he is getting the other .500 out!!!!