Nathan Likely Done for the Year

[Sportsforever]

Re: Nathan Likely Done for the Year

Brad Lidge blows no saves in 2008, Phillies win 92 games.

Brad Lidge blows 11 saves in 2009, Phillies win 93 games.



Liriano has something like a .920 OPS against with runners in scoring position, and a .945 OPS against with runners on base, in any position. I wouldn't want that pitching the 9th inning for my team.

Who cares if the Phils won more games with Lidge having a bad year? All that proves is that if he had been more like 2008 Lidge they would have won 100+ games. They didn't repeat as champs and a lot of that falls on their bullpen. You really think that going into the this year the Phils are comfortable with the back end?

[JBH3]

Re: Nathan Likely Done for the Year

As an aside, at least he admits to a horrible performance rather than being cocky. I actually like him as an analyst on BBTN.

I like Mitch too. Only trying to drive home the importance of a closer. :wink:

[ImTellinTim]

Re: Nathan Likely Done for the Year

I'm going to mostly stay out of this because, as a Twins fan, whatever I say is clearly biased.

I will say one thing, though. Overall, closer is the most overrated, overpaid, and misused position in baseball. That is all.

[snepp]

Re: Nathan Likely Done for the Year

I will say one thing, though. Overall, closer is the most overrated, overpaid, and misused position in baseball. That is all.

Yes, yes, and yes.

[ryan36]

Re: Nathan Likely Done for the Year

There was a sports illustrated article on how replaceable closers are. And I believe this to be correct.

Other than the dudes who just don't want the ball in the 9th (see Jeff Nelson), and therefore suck, anyone who can get 3 outs in the seventh can do so in the ninth, with one of those maybe being against a pinch hitter.

Edit : "How did the motley crew of replacement closers do? Pretty darn well. J.P. Howell, Jason Frasor, David Aardsma, Andrew Bailey, Rafael Soriano, Mike MacDougal and Ryan Franklin may not have been the biggest names in baseball, but they got the job done. Combined they pitched 535 innings and compiled a 2.75 ERA -- generally outstanding work. Five of those eight teams won 84 games or more, and one (St. Louis) won a division title. While looking at the 2009 season alone isn't proof, it does show that teams without big-name closers can usually find someone to do the job adequately well."

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/sky_andrecheck/03/10/nathan.closers/index.html

And nobody ever thought George Sherill could close in Seattle, until he went to Baltimore.

[ImTellinTim]

Re: Nathan Likely Done for the Year

.closers/index.html

And nobody ever thought George Sherill could close in Seattle, until he went to Baltimore.

And who ever thought Nathan could close games before he came to the Twins? Funny that another pitcher from that trade (Liriano) might end up closing some games for the Twins too.

While we're at it, I just want to go back to that trade for you Giants fans out there.

1/2 a year of AJ Pierzynski

for

Joe Nathan
Francisco Liriano
Boof Bonser