baseball closer most overrated position?

[tm37]

As apaadres fan I have seen the difference between a guy that can close out a game and guys that can't

Matt herges IS AWESOME in the 8th yet in the ninth he is suck.

That's why the pads brought in Beck. Hopefully Hoffman will return to form.

Also when you have a dominate closer tems play you different because they know their chances of winning if they are trailing in the ninth are pretty much nil.

When the pads made the world series they one ALL BUT TWO (or three) of the games they led going into the ninth. The had a closer that was dominate and also two really good set-up men.

Dan Micelli was unhittable in the 8th. he went to floridia and they tried to have him close. It didn't workl out so much.

 

[jaydee]

Ask Jimy Williams what he wouldn't give for a shut-down closer. Better yet, ask Pedro

Anyone else watch that game today? Incredible pitchers duel until Kim melted down against the Yanks... again.

 

[RabidMongoose]

Originally posted by: Millennium

Secondly, I don't let writers or analyst determine my thinking. The closer is an important position, and to me they are not overpaid.

Don't let them completely determine your thinking, but a professional analysis, especially statistical ones, hold far more truth than a common opinion. Saying 'I think it's like this b/c I like this idea even though I have no proof or hard evidence ' isn't much. Showing at least some real hard evidence is at least something.

Regardless of Coldcut's reputation here, he asked a very valid question. To question if he even knows anything about baseball because of this very reasonable question that he asked shows that some posters here do not know as much about baseball as they think they do. This topic is very debatable in baseball communities among writers and analysyts - if it's controversial in those circles, I think it can be discussed in ATOT without dismissing his baseball knowledge.

 

[NeoV]

Jimmy Williams is in Houston, not Boston....

If you think Closers are overrated, check the number of blown saves the Red Sox have this year, and then check the standings. They would be in first place if they had only blown half of the ones they did - very realistic numbers if they had a good closer.

As far as salaries go, you have to remember the revenue that baseball generates. Think about it this way - if the owners couldn't afford to pay these high salaries, do you think they would?

 

[dman]

Originally posted by: jaydee
Ask Jimy Williams what he wouldn't give for a shut-down closer. Better yet, ask Pedro

Anyone else watch that game today? Incredible pitchers duel until Kim melted down against the Yanks... again.

I know the Red Sox needed a closer, but, man, when they signed Kim I was shocked. That guy has too much baggage. As was seen, again, in that loss to the Yankees. He might be OK as a closer against the other teams, but with his history they need to consider him injured when it comes to closing games with the Yankees.

Argh. I can already see the wildcard race coming down to a series against the yanks and Kim being brought in to protect the lead and there goes the season. "There's always next year".

 

[manly]

Kim's not a closer. In fact, he doesn't even want to be a reliever. He wants to start games, and the Red Sox agreed to that request upon trading for him (not sure what's happened since). Since the Red Sox need a reliable closer, they may eventually give him that role.

Saying he has baggage is ridiculous. Armando Benitez has postseason baggage. Barry Bonds had baggage up until last year. Kim was a 21-year-old rookie when he blew two W.S. games. Yes, probably the worst two moments in his life, but I think he's already moved on. And remember, he got a ring to cushion the blows.

Lastly, why in the heck do they call him B.K. Kim when his initials are B.H.? Just cause it sounds better or does he eat a Whopper every day?

Edit:
Looks like Kim's already been given the closer's job.