JJ Putz

[Seahawk76]

Is there a more dominant closer in the game today than JJ Putz? I was at Safeco last night and the M's were leading the Red Sox 8-6 with one out in the top of the eighth and runners on first and third and I knew the game was over when they brought in JJ. He gave up a sac fly then retired the next four, striking out the side in the ninth.

Check out the numbers: 1.02 ERA, .185 OBA, 22 of 22 saves, 39 Ks and just 6 walks in 35.1 IP. The guy comes in and just pounds the strike zone with 95+ heaters and filthy splitters and dares hitters to hit his best stuff. Few do.

[Kruza]

Re: JJ Putz

How about your Mariners trading J.J. Putz to the Tigers for Todd Jones and Jason Grilli? I'll even throw in 20% commission plus a McDonald's happy meal combo for your gratitude.

Kruza

[Seahawk76]

Re: JJ Putz

How about your Mariners trading J.J. Putz to the Tigers for Todd Jones and Jason Grilli? I'll even throw in 20% commission plus a McDonald's happy meal combo for your gratitude.

Kruza

I'd trade my mother for a 20% commission and a McDonald's happy meal. In fact I'd rather trade my mother than JJ Putz. :wink:

[Kruza]

Re: JJ Putz

LOL! I can see you would make a good businessman.

Kruza

[Coug00]

Re: JJ Putz

Right now there isn't a better setup/closer combo than George Sherrill and JJ Putz. The two are lights out every single time.

This team is pretty close to contending in the AL West, they just need some starting pitching. Unfortunately, there isn't much in the system to trade for pitching at the deadline.

[WazzuRC]

Re: JJ Putz

I think they are too inconsistent of a team to stay with the Angels. They would have to get hot at the perfect time. That said I was hoping we'd win 75 games this year so this season has definately a nice surprise.

As for Putz, the first few times I saw this guy I thought he was your run-of-the-mill decent guy out of the 'pen, but boy was I wrong.

[Coug00]

Re: JJ Putz

And I think the majority of the inconsistency comes from the starting rotation (and the defense). The team is on pace for approx. 90 wins. There are changes that can be made to pull a few more wins. Its going to take a mini collapse by the Angels for them to win the West.

I think Putz was a run of your mill reliever with a nice fastball until Guardado taught him the split finger. He quickly became dominant and is currently the premier closer in baseball. He made Manny and JD Drew look silly last night with the splitter.

[georgiandben]

Re: JJ Putz

Him and Cordero have been the elite closers in the league this season. Cordero has had nasty strikeout numbers: 45 in 32 IP.

[Psyblast]

Re: JJ Putz

I'd still take Shields/K-Rod over Sherrill/Putz.

[rdeyes]

Re: JJ Putz

dont forget about morrow and o'flaherty
o'flaherty is 5-0 2.08 era .174 vs lhb .196 vs rhb

[55]

Re: JJ Putz

I'd still take Shields/K-Rod over Sherrill/Putz.

All day.

[Coug00]

Re: JJ Putz

I'd still take Shields/K-Rod over Sherrill/Putz.

All four are great, but I'd still take Putz and Sherrill. One knock on Sherrill is that he's a little more specialized to throw against lefties, versatility is good, but Hargrove still leaves him out there against righties in hold situations.

Combo A
Setup A: 1.90 ERA, .89 WHIP, .339SLGA, 3.67FIP, 41k in 42.2 Inn
Closer A: 2.43 ERA, 1.17WHIP, .300SLGA, 2.35FIP, 49k in 33.1 Inn, 22/24 saves

Combo B
Setup B: 1.50 ERA, .67WHIP, .238SLGA, 2.00FIP, 26k in 24 Inn
Closer B: 1.02 ERA, .58WHIP, .226SLGA, 2.83FIP, 39K in 35.3 Inn, 22/22 saves

Personally, I'd rather have combo B at this point in time, which is Sherrill/Putz.

[Coug00]

Re: JJ Putz

Sherrill vs Big Papi coming up with 2 on and 1 out. Hopefully I didn't open my mouth too soon.

[55]

Re: JJ Putz

All four are great, but I'd still take Putz and Sherrill. One knock on Sherrill is that he's a little more specialized to throw against lefties, versatility is good, but Hargrove still leaves him out there against righties in hold situations.

Combo A
Setup A: 1.90 ERA, .89 WHIP, .339SLGA, 3.67FIP, 41k in 42.2 Inn
Closer A: 2.43 ERA, 1.17WHIP, .300SLGA, 2.35FIP, 49k in 33.1 Inn, 22/24 saves

Combo B
Setup B: 1.50 ERA, .67WHIP, .238SLGA, 2.00FIP, 26k in 24 Inn
Closer B: 1.02 ERA, .58WHIP, .226SLGA, 2.83FIP, 39K in 35.3 Inn, 22/22 saves

Personally, I'd rather have combo B at this point in time, which is Sherrill/Putz.

That's a whole comparison of what, not even half a season? Let's take a look at the big picture, as in career numbers:

Group A
Setup A: 2.74 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, .323 SLGA, 105 HOLDS, 480 K in 535.2 IP
Closer A: 2.29 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, .294 SLGA, 128 SAVES, 469 K in 349.1 IP

Group B
Setup B: 3.71 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, .310 SLGA, 40 HOLDS, 108 K in 106.2 IP
Closer B: 3.11 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, .352 SLGA, 68 SAVES, 238 K in 240.1 IP

Group A is easily the combo I want in the game with a one run lead going into the eighth inning. Historically, Shields and Rodriguez are the better combo.

[Coug00]

Re: JJ Putz

No where did I argue who has had the better career...I said I would take Putz/Sherrill at this point in time. How well K-Rod did 4 years ago has zero affect on the present, so I didn't take that into consideration.

The whole premise of the original post was who is more dominant today.